You are not a victim!

I don't write these types of blogs too often, but I felt that someone needed to hear this today.

On many occasion, I get the opportunity to talk to different people about different subjects other than music and I listen closely at their views. Now, I grew up in the Midwest and moved Texas in my teens and the mindset that I control my own destiny was instilled in me as a child and has held true into my adult years.

I have heard time and time again people blaming "the system" or "the man" for the reason they can not get ahead and then I look at the situation. After a good hard glance, the only problem that I see is them. They are getting in their own way. And while others may say that the black man has been setback due to 400 years of slavery; I say "bullsh*t!" Slavery is well over and while racism is still prevalent, it is still not so prevalent that we can overcome its obstacles.

Recently, I received a phone call from someone that wanted to tell me that growing up without a father furthers the chances of a person going to prison or getting involved with the wrong crowds. Again I say "bullsh*t!"

I grew up without a father. I didn't meet my father until I was 26 years old. I didn't go to prison or fall in the wrong crowds. My mother was not a serious watch dog either. I made decisions! I decided that I didn't want to do the things others were doing. I decided to stay in school and excel in my studies. I decided to go to college. I remember sitting at the kitchen table looking at college applications trying to figure out what to do. No one was there helping me fill them I out. I chose to fill them out.

So honestly, I don't want to hear about you being the victim. If your life is messed up; its your fault! Take some responsibility. If you got bad credit; that is your fault! You ran up the bills and didn't pay them. If you a criminal; that is your fault! No one told you to rob a liquor store and if someone did tell you to and you did it; then you are a fool for listening to them.

You call the shots in your life. Stop looking for someone or something to blame. Stop making foolish decisions and then saying "no one told me." Ignorance is not an excuse. Not being told is not an excuse. Momma and daddy are not an excuse. You are not a victim!