the word
Put the Pen to the Paper!
CLOTHING COLLECTABLES: THE LIFE OF AN APPAREL JUNKIE
“Why we want them.”
racking up
Ever since I was a child, I would see people collecting clothing. For the most part, people collected shoes. These types of people were known as,” Sneakerheads.” They would run out and buy the latest addition of shoes they could find, and not wear them. But what they would do is save the shoes and then maybe sell them at a later date. Especially if the shoe was known to be rare; then they would really hold on to them. Can you imagine buying shoes for $400 and never putting them on a day in your life. But sometimes those $400 shoes could be worth as much as a few thousand dollars years later. And some people have hundreds of rare sneakers that they have easily spent $40,000 to $50,000 for shoes. Their collection might be worth $100,000 or more. There is also rare luggage that you can purchase especially if the luggage is from a well-known designer. Can you imagine owning Louis Vuitton luggage purchased back in the 1930’s.
cash in cash out
Have you seen those lines of people every time and iPhone comes out? Or better yet, a long line for the latest sneakers at Footlocker. Well, would you believe me when I tell you that people are in these lines to buy the phones then resell them. They tend to fetch a lot of money for the phones because they sell them to people who don’t want to stand in long lines. Or people who have to work but they must get the new phone. And this means sometimes paying more than the phone is worth to get it. Oh yes, people are truly that desperate for something as simple as a cell phone. But the same goes for a lot of other hot ticket items.
I feel special
When yo have something no one else has, or have friends that have the same things, you belong. You are part of a group that very few people belong to. And for those reasons it makes you seem like that you have accomplished something. So many people want to belong to something, sometimes anything. And when they finally do, they tend to go all in.
Personal Website: http://www.faheemjackson.squarespace.com
Instagram Me: @theefaheemjackson; @faheemjacksonphotography
Twitter Me: @2320howe
THE MOB IS REAL: WHY WE ATTACK AS A COLLECTIVE
“They attack, we all join in.”
mob mentality
For some reason, we have this new America where people see someone being attacked. But instead of getting involved, we sit by and watch. Then again, people don’t want their lives to be at stake. But what happens when the mob attack is on the internet? There is this new mob where people will attack you in the name of anonymity, where you can’t see who they are. You are not able to fight back because this mob is much bigger than the one you fight physically. Imagine walking up the street and people non-stop are cursing and screaming at you. And on top of that, no one is coming to your defense. That would drive you crazy, but we allow it to go on. But also imagine someone defending them and then they get attacked. Doesn’t mean the bystanders agree, they are just afraid to screamed at as well.
are they really real
We hear about the outcry, but is it really a real group of people. Because when you look on Twitter at the people that are so angry, then who are these people? There is something called bots that are not real accounts. How do we know that these are not fake people pushing the numbers up to sensationalize the situation. I don’t want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but when you hear the rage, but walk the streets of society, you don’t hear this outcry. So if the masses are not protesting in the streets, then it’s not as bad as you think. Yet we have become so accustomed to hearing people get angry on social media and the person lose a job, we panic when it’s our turn. Whether true or not, it can cause problems.
it makes us complacent
There is something scary about the social media attacks. And that is that people think it is real power because so many get fired. Only problem is, when Donald Trump ran for president and people felt by attacking him on Twitter it meant something. Now they are saying how it was a fixed election. And the reality is, their laziness got them into this, and will most likely again. We have become quite impersonal due to the social mob attacks. No one will ever say these things face to face. And the 110 characters causes us to become less intelligent.
Personal Website: http://www.faheemjackson.squarespace.com
Instagram Me: @theefaheemjackson; @faheemjacksonphotography
Twitter Me: @2320howe
MUSIC FOR THE MOMENT: HOW OUR ENTERTAINMENT REFLECT THE TIMES
“Singing for the culture.”
music for the masses
We have always seen artist in music speak on political issues and make music around the times. And today is no different especially considering the state of America. But my question is, is it always the best move to make. I know they are in an industry that prides itself on moving with the culture. But do they always know what they are doing, or are people around them pushing them along? Because certain topics they speak on, they don’t have all the answers. Then again, there have musicians who have broke down color barriers of the past and forced the hands of politicians so things had to change. What is going on today that has so many artist up in arms that they are now part of the movement.
2016 vote
When the current president Donald Trump won the election, so many people took issue with him becoming president. And because of that, the culture of music started to change where people wanted to get more political and conscious. And who could blame them, we went from a president who was given the Nobel Peace Prize. Now we had a man in the White House who shot from the hip. A says what he means and means what he says. And because of that, it tends to make so many people uncomfortable. But it’s not only the language that makes people feel this way. His stance on illegal immigration that has displaced so many Mexican families have people railing against him. Not to mention how he handled the hurricane in Puerto Rico. And with all this so many artist interjected themselves in the conversation of who is running the country.
just sing
A lot of people have said just be quiet and sing the song. And the reality behind that is, should they just be quiet. Because if they were singing about something you like, then you wouldn’t mind. People who say I respect the leader of the country, you say nothing. But they are still being political. This is why it never bothers me when people express their politics in music because everyone is triggered when it’s not someone they like. Which is why it’s best to not say anything about anyone. But then again, when does that happen.
Personal Website: http://www.faheemjackson.squarespace.com
Instagram Me: @theefaheemjackson; @faheemjacksonphotography
Twitter Me: @2320howe
A LACK OF COMMUNICATION: WHY WE NEED TO TALK MORE
“Face to face is still important.”
put your devices down
There is a problem in America today and that is we do not have face to face communication with our youth that will prepare them for the world ahead. These smart devices are making it tough for a generation to survive. Because when you step into the workforce you are going to be dealing with a lot of people face to face. So how do we get people, especially young people to place their devices to the side and make sure they are communicating face to face. Because without these key skills, you will have a very hard time succeeding in the world. And so much of who you are is predicated on what you do for a living. So where do we start to help people?
losing the ability to talk
A strong trait of mine is the ability to have an objective opinion. I also like listening and speaking to people that I philosophically disagree with, but just listening to them speak is something of importance. Recently Ellen DeGeneres was chastised by people who said she should not be speaking to former President Bush because he is of a different party. To me that is the most uneducated person or people who make those types of statements. In order to effectively communicate you have to be able to have a link of communication with those you disagree with. Especially someone like a leader of the country who you will depend upon to make decisions that will effect your life.
if the machine breaks down
Ever think what people would do if these social media platforms just started shutting down? Because you have people who solely depend on these platforms to express themselves. Now, it’s not the end of the world because we existed before it all. But it would like to see who is able to cope once it is gone. Because prior to the boom of social sites, people really only dealt with their inner circle and then they tuned out to the world. Now we have a constant cycle of news letting you know something. And the problem with this, is that it can lead to more problems than it solves. So you have to learn to disconnect at some point in order to cope in the world.
Personal Website: http://www.faheemjackson.squarespace.com
Instagram Me: @theefaheemjackson; @faheemjacksonphotography
Twitter Me: @2320howe
IF YOU DON’T SOMEONE WILL: THE REALITY OF CHEAT CULTURE
“The new normal.”
infidelity
When I was growing up, I was always under the impression that people who married stayed together and happy forever. The more I grew the more I learned about relationships and how things really work themselves out. And one of those things I learned about was infidelity in marriage. But even more shocked when I found out the female statistics on cheating in the relationship. From there I wanted to know why so many people cheated on their spouses. Then I started to do some quick research and found out that so many people do so because their relationship has no passion within the marriage. But if you are working and raising children it’s easy to lose that passion. So is it that cut clean and dry or are there steps to get to that point.
the women who hurt
We are so used to hearing about men who cheat but we are not even thinking about the women who do so. For some reason we don’t associate cheating with women, but so many women do so. But why, is as easy as a guy approaching and next thing you know, she’s cheating. No, it is more of a process that takes place over time. Because I don’t think most women just run out and start cheating on her significant other. Now if he cheats first, that might be a different story. But in general, women usually hold out longer than most men. And a lot of that has to do with how women think about sex. They emotionally connect to someone via sex, so it’s hard to just go out and sleep with someone with nothing there. But once they do, it usually ends the marriage and there is no getting her back. She’s not going to go to that guy, but you have most likely lost her.
if it’s not good, get out
There are still some people who wait until they are married to have sex. But in today’s society you have people who have sex quicker. Now, if the sex is not good, most men may stay just because he might get sex again. Women most likely will stop the situation and move on. But for the ones who don’t move on, they stay for other reasons outside of intimacy, more so security reasons, then find the sex outside the relationship. So how do you become that good lover, and is it still enough not to make the person go outside as fast. In my opinion, if the person moves that fast, they are just prone to do that because people don’t jump off the ledge as quick.
Personal Website: http://www.faheemjackson.squarespace.com
Instagram Me: @theefaheemjackson; @faheemjacksonphotography
Twitter Me: @2320howe
WE ARE ALL SICK: HOW AMERICAN SOCIETY TODAY NEEDS THERAPY
“Needing help, but can’t get it.”
a nation of problems
In a country where everyone’s lives are on social media, what do you do when it starts to effect the way we live our lives. Because being inundated with constant media cannot be good for a person’s well-being. And one of the reasons is because we are constantly comparing our lives with the lives of someone we don’t know. Simply because they posted a photo of something on their personal web page or profile. Now note I said posted something. Because we like to think that someone else’s life is better, but the reality is, it may not even be their life. And this is what America has come to as a nation. Our mental state is being effected simply because a few organizations were created. Because think about it, prior to 2006, where could you really go to post your life and talk to the masses?
cheer up someone is worse
I hate the fact that I may have to look at someone who is in a worse position to feel better about the fact that I am going through something. My mind is riddled, so I have to look at the homeless guy sleeping in the train station and say to myself that could be me. Imagine that, sleeping in the subway and a pained mind. That would easily turn into something much worse. But as crazy as that my sound, some people have to find that solace in their lives by looking at those who are more ravished.
who is at fault
We have cultivated a society which worships ourselves. So the reality behind how to fix this problem comes from within. But that would means it’s an unfixable problem because no one wants to say they are contributing to any major problem. So what happens is that the problem persists until there is nothing left to do. But by that time we will have already gone off the deep end. Or, if not the deep, we continue the madness in another form, and further go into a life of metal illness.
Personal Website: http://www.faheemjackson.squarespace.com
Instagram Me: @theefaheemjackson; @faheemjacksonphotography
Twitter Me: @2320howe
CONSPIRACY WORLD: WHY WE THINK THERE IS MORE TO THE STORY
“Their side and the truth”
what they don’t tell us
We have always been amused by the conspiracies that are put out there on the internet. I myself have spent countless hours on a conspiracy theory loop on the internet. But how much of these stories are factual and how much is just giving the government way too much credit? Because to me, there are very small aspects of these conspiracies that are real. Yet they have been hyped to make people feel there is more goin on in our system than what actually goes on. So why do we want to believe that there is more goin on in the country or in the world? And a lot of it has to do with the way we have been programmed to live.
we are the toughest
The United States government has had so much power for so long, it strikes at the very core of someone’s psyche. But that doesn’t mean that the country does not have blind spots. Because what is stopping me from committing a heinous crime tomorrow? Well, there is nothing can stop me from doing so. And there lies the blind spot of the country. In order to stop something then we would almost have to know who, when, and where it will happen. And since our system is so successful and powerful, we assume the government is on everything. And when they are not, there must be something to hide. When in reality, we are all humans. Yes there are smarter baboons, but they are still baboons.
too real to stomach
Imagine if no conspiracy theory is true. To me it wouldn’t matter, but for so many who think there is a constant conspiracy, then their life ceases to exist. They need a reason for why things take place. And without a reason, the randomness of it all scares the hell out of people. That would mean, even with all the protection our country has, we still get caught with our pants down. So letting people stay wrapped in conspiracy world might be helpful. But even if we wanted to do something, people have their belief systems and will never change them.
Personal Website: http://www.faheemjackson.squarespace.com
Instagram Me: @theefaheemjackson; @faheemjacksonphotography
Twitter Me: @2320howe
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