jono;7108877 said:Decadence & hedonism are two major factors. We that were born in the 80s and raised in the 90s were born at a time where lavish lifestyles became the norm, even for those living in poverty stricken areas.
This lifestyle encouraged sex, the endless pursuit of money and status above all else and in the end it degraded our ability to focus on important issues and instead we pursue things that really prove detrimental to us.
Although we didn't create these issues we fell into them much more heavily than previous generations. Niggas these days will rationalize both using and dealing drugs, engaging in rampant sex at the risk or the family structure, abandoning educational goals in exchange for dreams of careers in entertainment
We were the first generation to see the opportunity being an athlete really had, with the multi-million dollar basketball contracts coupled with sneaker deals. We were the first to see how much money music can really bring to you. Record label deals worth millions, jewelry, fancy cars and clothes as well as your choice of any woman on earth.
Who wouldn't want that?
Of course we also turned a blind eye to what life is like when you ignore reality. We didn't notice what we had to sacrifice to attain those things, we just wanted them because they were "cool".
There wasn't anything "cool" about having knowledge of self and knowing how society functions and how to properly operate in it. There's no models falling at the feet of nerds, no benzes, no "ice", no multimillion dollar homes and so we aren't interested.
The 1980s changed everything. Politically, socially, economically, culturally it all went to pieces. The 90s and now the 00s are the only eras I can really think of that had no big pro-black social movement. The 70s continued where the 60s left off and the 60s took what started in the 50s and decades before to new heights.
We dropped the ball because we thought the work was done and now it was time to cash in on our grandparents work...and some of us are but for every LeBron James there are probably 2,000 that failed to even get close and had no plan B just In case.
Langston Hughes asked "what happens to a dream deferred?" Shit I think these kids today are the answer.
@jono this is one of the best posts ive read on this here forum.
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