Ise Lyfe, spoken word artist, emcee and educator kicked off Black History Month with his presentation "Is Everybody Stupid.(?)" 

Lyfe advocates social change in his critical analysis of society, and tries, not to change peoples' minds, but to get people to "join the conversation." 

During his speech he commented on the ways in which society functions and the inconsistencies it faces.  He mentioned Lil Wayne in his speech, saying that his music is about "the money he has, the money you don't, and his desire to ejaculate on you."

Yet, knowing this, millions flock to his concerts to hear him perform.  In fact, Lil Wayne sold one million albums in a week with lyrics like these from the song Lollipop:

Man, she ain't never had a love like mine
And man I ain't never seen an ass like hers
And that p**** in my mouth had me loss for words
Told her back it up like erp erp
And I made that ass jump like jerk, jerk
And that's when she lick me like a lollipop (oh yeah I like that)
she lick me like a lollipop (I like that)
she lick me like a lollipop (I like that)
she lick me like a lollipop

Wayne's album cover depicts a baby picture of himself with his characteristic teardrop tattoos and gold jewelry in place.  In popular culture, Lyfe mentioned, a teardrop tattoo on the cheek means that person has killed someone, and to place those tattoos on the face of a child is wrong. 

"It's the monsterization of black people," Lyfe said, and instead Lyfe promoted a healthy view of black men. Instead of the gangster image that many rappers have adopted, he supports an image of strength and focus, which Lyfe believes there is room for in today's society. 

In his presentation, Lyfe also talked about Tiger Woods and his downfall.  He relates Woods' GQ magazine cover picture a year ago to the picture recently appearing on the cover of Vanity Fair, noting the difference in Woods' appearance. 

On GQ, Woods appeared professional and respectable in a classy tailored suit and a smile, while Vanity Fair depicted him in a classic thug image, half naked with a black hat on and showing physical aggression.  As allegations against Tiger Woods appeared on the front page of nearly every magazine in the country, Woods lost what Lyfe calls "white acceptance" and moved to "general acceptance" which is shown in these magazine cover pictures.

Lyfe went on to make several points about the way black culture is portrayed in society, how it has become "something you can throw on, like a shirt."  He talked about the low level of respect society seems to have for a culture that brought those beats everyone loves to dance to, and who have changed American history so greatly. 

Americans view of black people has fallen Lyfe proved by showing a screen shot of a Google search for "white people stole my car," and the Google correction to this search phrase being, "black people stole my car." 

This search correction no longer exists on the Google website.

Lyfe gets his word to the people through his "Is Everybody Stupid.(?)" presentation and compares the attendance with that of a basketball game, saying, "this conversation is at minimum as important as people putting balls in holes."

He believes it is important for this generation to pay attention to the message they are sending to the rest of the world, that this generation should be aware of the legacy it leaves behind and to ask what it wants to be remembered for.  

Lyfe relates it to past generations, those who fought for social change, lead a non-violent movement, fought wars, and changed the world to suit themselves.  What does this generation do? Update our Twitter status and post pictures on Facebook.

 "I'm inspired by the idea that we can all be better," Lyfe said, and through his performances and presentations, shows that a change in mindset can make that happen. 

GCM Photo by Brendan McGaughey

By Brittany Smith