Whether you like hip-hop music or not, you should watch and appreciate this French rap video. For those who don't understand French, this song is about discrimination and racism issues in France. Kery James, the french "lyricist" (for me, he's more than a rapper) who sings this tune is known for his social and political commitment. He used to write positive songs full of meaning, and this new one is no exception. To summarize, Kerry James addresses his lyrics to the "second France", to those who used to be discriminated. He's asking them to be proud, taking their life in their own hands, and rather than excepting everything from the State or the government they have to be motivated and brave to achieve their goals. As you may suppose, I like this kind of message, this is the genuine and deep soul of hip-hop...it is what hip hop should be. Beyond the impact of the lyrics, the video of this song uses strong and symbolic images which really fit the message. This video that puts the spotlight on people from this "second France" who manage to become someone, despite all the barriers and the hardships they face, is a very positive way (maybe one of the best) to encourage the youngsters from french subburbs - "les banlieusards" - to follow their examples...
Philosophy
Friday 18 January 2008
"Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish".
By Cédric on Friday 18 January 2008, 12:54
It's interesting to see how some hardships and some choices we have made or will make can deeply change our lifes for ever. I'm not really comfortable with the idea of destiny ; I prefer to believe we all have the possibility to make of our lifes what we want them to be. It would be despairing if we could not influence anything about our existence. But I do consider that we should have faith in what we really want to do and what we really want to be. If you are confindent and you trust in your projects and your expectations, even if nobody takes you seriously, never mind ; work hard to do what you LIKE. I do think the worst thing about life is having regrets, so as Steve Jobs said in his emotional speech adressed on 12th June 2005 to the graduated students of Stanford, "Stay hungry. Stay foolish".
Listening or reading this text you will be able to better understand why and how Steve Jobs became what he is today ; the charismatic CEO of one of the most innovative and succesful companies of the Silicon valley.
I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I've ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That's it. No big deal. Just three stories.
The first story is about connecting the dots.
I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a drop-in for another 18 months or so before I really quit. So why did I drop out?
It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife. Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: "We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?" They said: "Of course." My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.
Tuesday 1 January 2008
WELCOME TO 2008!!!
By Cédric on Tuesday 1 January 2008, 01:54
As usual at the beginning of January, I wish you all a very happy new year 2008. Dear friends, try to find a way to do better than the previous year whatever you do. Stay away from excesses and recklessness and above all, be easy with your health ; it has to be your priority because when you are in good health "everything gonna be allright" as sang it Bob marley.
If you are still studying, be serious and stay focused on your goals. Try to be as good, brave, honest as you can and don't be too tight-fisted and scrooge with your family and close-friends but I neither said be stupid or naive...
Family and real friends are crucial. Don't forget it. I also wish you to earn or save a lot of money :-). Undoubtedly, you already know how money is important nowadays. It can seem sad, but it's life. In this society we all have to be or act like winners. So I hope you will able to avoid huge overdrafts on your bank account and stay away from troubles...
To conclude have fun, enjoy your life, open your mind and don't hesitate to meet (interesting) people. Life it's sometimes hard but it's worth it. Be more than ever positive and motivated in 2008.
PS : I can't help myself to think about those who start this new year in a bad way. In Pakistan or in Kenya for example, things goes really wrong and so many people need hope to believe in a better future for their country. If democracy and human rights was only able to spread a little bit more in 2008, world will be a better place to live.