Video: Mistah FAB: "My City Need Me"

"I come from a city with absolutely nothing," Mistah FAB exclaims before proclaiming that his city needs him. There is a part of me that gets defensive at such an indicting statement about Oakland, but then again, it's true that we have more going against us than for us.  In this context I feel FAB's frustration and appreciate the community-spirited bravado that follows it. Despite the fact that Because FAB has seen some of the worst The Town has to offer, he feels the need to invest in and serve it, rather than run from it. That drive and sense of responsibility is hard wired into many of us, and it is with that strain of activism that we must proceed in order to keep our collective head above water.

Citizenship is a notion lost on many these days. Citizenship is "the state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen." We too often focus on our privileges and not on what we must do to retain those privileges. We all have a responsibility to contribute to our communities in whatever capacity we can. For FAB it's to reach out and inspire with his words, for Davey D it's to bring us important information that is otherwise kept from us, for 38thNotes it's to present The Bay's better self for all to see. We're from the land of the Panthers, the Free Speech movement, the anti-war movement, Pac, The Coup and others. Hisotrically, the country has needed us, and here and now we need each other. 

To show that he is down to pull his weight and then some, FAB will be giving out hot Thanksgiving meals at 45th st and Market st today from 1pm until the food runs out. Keep in mind that though FAB is baymous, he doesn't have radio play or a major budget, meaning that he is doing music and giving back to his community with the little that he has. I'm doing the same with my men's group and I would recommend that you all reach out to your community in this time of need and celebration.