The Great Escape

I was watching The Black List Volume Two, a documentary showcasing affluent African-American artists, athletes and activists and one of the artists profiled was The RZA. After slinging a couple of anecdotes, he said he was speaking in front of about 400 inner city kids discussing his passion for chess and how the game is and has been played by many cultures. When he opened the floor up for questions, a kid in the front row yelled, "RZA, why you ain't up in the hood? You ain't keeping it real!" RZA replied, "Do you think anyone WANTS to be in the hood? Do you think anyone WANTS to wake up with someone above you, beneath you and someone on your left and right? Do you feel as if anyone WANTS to go outside knowing that all the drugs, guns and violence is within a 4 block radius of their house?"

Growing up in the South Bronx, I never knew I lived in the hood until I left the haven my Mom created and went into White Plains and Westchester to visit my cousins who were much more well off than I was. I watched my Mom work two jobs in order for me to achieve. She always taught us that we could achieve anything, if we worked for it. I always thought if she had the chance to do things differently, would she? Does she feel a sense of accomplishment or unfulfillment?

Later in the interview, RZA said he now has five acres. He can let his son run 100 yards ahead of him with no worries. Shweeeeeeeet. He also went on to discuss how he read Silver Surfer comic books to escape the world around him.

What is success for you? What is freedom for you?

Personally, I am not looking to escape from anything this world has to offer. Rather, I am looking to clear my five acres in it. How about you?