Dispatch From London # 17

That last exam sucked. I guess the good thing is no one walked out talking smack, everyone one had puzzling looks on their face as the left the classroom. With that last funky exam, that would conclude the academic portion of trip. I have to give props to Southern University Law School for putting the program together. The two professors knew their stuff and never pulled rank on us when some of our heads bobbled while allegedly taking notes, trying to stay awake cause some of us were up till five in the morning hanging out. I wish the University of Memphis law school had Professors like R. Jones, but that is a another story.

Top Three Things I appreciate About London. 1. Multiculturalism - I have seen and met everybody under the sun. The locals originate from many other countries, so I have met people originally from Jamaica, South Africa, Ghana, Gabon, Nigeria, Ecuador, Haiti, Turkey, Germany and many other countries. I have gotten nothing but love from the locals once they realized I did not vote for Bush. (And yes, they will ask). But I appreciate the exposure to that type of culture. When you walk the streets here, or ride the bus, you come across so many people. For instance, unlike in the states where people stare and point they see a fully covered Muslim woman, here, there are no stares or whispers, people seem to be comfortable being around others who are different. The locals admit that there is racism in pockets of the city, but I never personally felt any. (Well there is the one time I was walking back to my room at about 11:00 p.m and I really was not paying attention as to who was walking ahead of me, so I unconsciously started signing aloud, (don't remember what song) but anyway, as the song started getting good, it caught the attention of the only other person on the sidewalk, a white lady who was about 20 feet ahead of me, she turned around, saw me, and then broke out running. For about a tenth of a second, I rationalized as to why she would break out running, I think I knew why, but maybe my singing was so bad, she had to get on down. So what did I do? I broke out running behind her. It's not my fault that it appeared to her that I was following her, she was going the same direction as me. My lil jog behind her, became a run fast and look back to see if he is still behind me for her. After two blocks some other people appeared on the sidewalk, she stopped running and stood near them, as I approached them, I looked at her, shook my head, and then said, you scared me so I ran too, I thought someone was behind us! Of course she could not say anything back. I kind of understood why she would run but I guess at the moment, I did not want to understand or give credence to why she took off. Anyway, point is, besides that quick moment of foolishness I have been treated really well here. The few times I got lost, people were very helpful. Now with all that said, there is a great dislike in certain areas for Americans. I think it is more about our politics than nationality or ethnicity. Some will frown upon you when they take notice of our lack of accent, but once we engage in conversation, they warm up to you. Like I have previously mentioned, hip hop is so universal, so for some, when they meet a black person from the U.S., its almost as if you become an ambassador of hip hop as they want to talk, and hear the lingo or some ebonics. One white guy in his early 20's, when he learned I was from Memphis, was like I love 3-6 Mafia. To prove he was not a bandwagon fan, he was like, I've been a fan way before the grammy's, and starts naming some of their older cuts. He asked me about places mentioned in the songs and was in awe when I could tell him about the areas and places and about my random encounters with members of the group. Overall, I have been enlightened culturally, and I think some have enjoyed my perspective on things as a black american, as for many, it was the first time they ever actually interacted with an African American. It was a learning experience for both sides.

2. Transportation System - It's either the Tube, Bus, Moped, Bike or Car. It is so easy to get around this place. I prefer the Tube, which is the London Underground train. It makes stops all over the area. Look at the map, when I first looked at it, I was like heck naw, I aint even about to navigate around here like this, I will end up in Russia. But it is not that bad, http://www.oxfordtube.com/assets/london/underground_map.jpg It's very convenient, in most cases you can get across town in 20 minutes or less. You can buy an all day ticket, that allows you to jump on and off all day for like five bucks. Only downside, is that it can get hot in there, have a brotha sweating. But either way, its the best way to get around. The next option is the Bus. Yea, the bus, imagine that. Before coming here, I had probably had not been on a public bus in maybe 10 years. That's a blessing though. But here, you can jump on the bus for a buck fifty and ride where ever. Now you do have to pay each time you switch buses. If you have a tube ticket, you ride the bus free all day which is kool too. Then you have some buses where you just jump on and don't pay, you supposed to pay a ticket in advance, but you know how that goes. I can't lie, in the states, a brotha would be hiding behind the bus stop to avoid being seen by friends waiting at the bus stop. But I see the light, if MATA was as reliable, the kid might be hopping that thing to school and downtown. Hmm, let me look into that. Ok, the locals here ride mopeds, or bikes to get where they are going too. Fellas in suits, women in dresses riding the hell out of a bike, or moped like it aint nothing. The folk on the bikes really do it big, cause they ride like they can not be hit, I watched them ride dead in front of a bus, just knowing there was about to be a collision. There are lot of cars on the road too, but I think the great majority use the other transportation systems. The thought of driving here scares me, everything is backwards as opposite to our roads. I don't think there are even speed limits on the roads. Funny thing is, as bad as driving seems here, I have not seen one accident. None at all, but they do issue a heck of a lot of parking tickets. So in summary, you know how in the states, we have those "who's driving questions", or "I aint cause I drove last time", or "man pick me up it's on your way", that aint happening here, its meet me at the tube station or on the bus route, or lets ride out on the mopeds........

3. It's not the U.S. No, I am not dissing the U.S. It's the best country in the world. But right now, we are not acting like it. Sometimes we live our lives in a glass bottle. Oblivious to anything else going in the world. I am a spoiled American, I admit. Spoiled by alot of the things that are considered normal necessities there, something as simple as drinking a cold drink. Before I left, I was aware a lot of things, but looking outside of the bottle I'd have to say that alot of us are small minded or maybe we limit out thinking in terms of the many possibilities that exist outside of our hometowns. I dunno. I can't quite expound on this thought right now.....

This was probably the best summer as an adult that I have ever had. I hope I am able to build on the experiences and ideas that I formed during my short stay. I made some new friends, and I hope we stay touch or maybe even practice a little law or simply refer a client each others way lord willing.

I am too tired to post the pics for this blog, I guess I will include them in the pics of London and Barcelona that have yet to be posted.

I gotta send some love to some folk that helped this summer either happen or poppin. Pops, Monice, Love ya'll much! KP, thanks for having my back, you just don't know! Aaron, thanks man! Pete, yo thanks for chauffeuring a bro and the crew around town, Big Ups!! AM, damn you must have put your toes in all that rice and curry! Kriston, good luck this soccer season, thanks for comping the food every time we walked in! Churchill, thanks for keeping my fade tight, mustache will grow back though! Daphne, keep doing what you doing, you are on point for sho! Crystal, thanks for keepin us straight in Rome, you are the so real "Captain". Greg, nupes and I are like oil and water, you my friend are an exception, enjoyed all the off the record chats. Sam, AKA Tony Terrell, we are gonna have to hang in Memphis. Don't forget the six pounds I owe you, cause I will deny it! Kosha, earned a new sista. Much love to everyone from all three schools, hope our paths cross again.

Damn, those six weeks went fast! I guess I am out, hope I left a mark. Peace and Blessings to London for keeping me safe while here. As Biggie eloquently stated in one of his cuts, "I'm going going, back back to Cali Cali.......Peace!!!!