Ghetto Philosophy (PB) (2010)

"Ghetto Philosophy" has been a work in progress since the early times of my youth. During many occasions in my younger life, when I was just sitting around the house or yard listening to my grandfather and uncles as they played cards while drinking their Southern Comfort with the heavy stench of Camel cigarettes, I can remember the conversations and the sayings that went along with the moment. Momma, my grandmother, would comment day after day with proverbial sayings in order to get her point across. Dad, with his Jamaican bloodline, made it a point to correct and discipline myself and my siblings with thoughtful and mindful commentaries that made one think deeper than either one of us wanted to endure. As time endeared and the years progressed, watching the neighborhood chess, checker and serious card games around the neighborhood park, one surely would hear colorful thoughts so artfully expressed with words of wisdom, teaching the younger generation about life. Within the passing of two to three generations during my time, I am glad to share some of the thoughts and sayings that may not have trickled down from past generations. Those of you who read this small memento, please be mindful that this too is a link into past cultural history that may, and can be useful for the future.