The Bison Build It Back Project
Some Things are Meant to Stay the Same.
About Us
Welcome to the Bison Build It Back Project
The Bison Build It Back Project is dedicated to bringing the "old school" traditions back from the brink of no-man's land. The Present Day has no tradition. Period. It is a mix of simply ... "do whatever you like ... for whatever reason." We dismiss this approach to living and believe it breeds disaster because there is no direction. Therefore, its time to make a push to bring back some of the "once ways." Not all of them, because not all of them were good. But some of them? Yep! This is what this project is about.
What is the Bison?
The "Bison" is a fictitious Hero dedicated to protecting all things that are good and positive in the United States by addressing the countries most pressing issues, head on. For thousands of years, Bison frequented the North American countryside grazing. They are known for having a very peculiar instinct: When a storm approaches, they charge directly into the it instead of running away, which is the behavior of their close relatives, cows. The bison do this because they instinctively know that heading into the storm will get them out of the weather quicker. This animals’ behavior has often been used as a metaphor for how to deal with challenges in life. The idea is that by facing a challenge head on, you can limit the amount of time you spend in it and minimize the pain and frustration you experience. This is how our Hero ... the Bison ... addresses challenges.
What is the Goal?
Our goal is to fix the problem. Our approach is to take an aggressive stance on awareness. We are doing this by acknowledging that everything that matters to people runs "downstream" from culture. Culture is first. Culture is King. Therefore, in order to reach the masses, you have to send a cultural message. You are welcome to assist us!
Addressing Cultural Challenges
Why is This Important?
It is important to address cultural challenges because it is too late to fix them once they evolve in to safety or legal problems. Once these problems become large enough they become targets for enemies of the United States. And if our enemies can use these problems well enough, they can set up a dynamic inside our country where by they can invade without worrying about a single person fighting them once they get here.
The Invasion
Keep one thing in mind: if we are ever invaded by a foreign military force who reaches our soil and starts shooting at us in our own country ... I suspect that you are going to immediately stop complaining about all the things that mattered to you the day before the invasion started. All of a sudden, in a matter of mere seconds: it won't matter that a person has a different skin color than you and therefore has a different opinion about something ... it won't matter that a cop who supposedly didn't do his job properly didn't receive the proper discipline from the police department ... it won't matter that an educator supposedly steered some kids down the wrong path while they were in his or her classroom. None of this will matter.
Many people glorify "the fight" or the "resistance" like defying your own country is some kind of cool trend of a fad. But trust me ... when war comes to your door step ... you won't like it no matter which side you are on.
Civil War (Trailer):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDyQxtg0V2w
The Aftermath
Instead, you will PRAY TO GOD that any one of these individuals instantly forget about all of the differences of opinions that you all have, pick up a gun, and start shooting at the same people you are shooting at.
All you will want for Christmas in that the foreigners are dealt with. And you would willingly fight alongside anybody and everybody who will fight along side you to help protect the country from a common enemy. You'll be grabbing the first thing in sight to try to stop them ... and you won't care whether the person fighting next to you agrees with you or looks like you. Be it a different skin color, a police badge, or even an ankle bracelet attached to their ankle (because they just got out of jail)? It WON'T matter.
In 5 seconds flat, all Americans will be best buds, instantly. And all of us would start working together to repel a common enemy. Why? Because no American who is living here in America wants to be forced to speak Chinese, Russian, or Korean in their own country!
Address Cultural Toxicity Through Old School Revitalization
Cultural toxicity can lead to a lot of bad things. The best approach to preventing it is to avoid it. There were fewer societal challenges a few decades ago. Every one agrees with this statement. Therefore, we should all move things back to the Old School instead of simply accepting a new "status quo" and then wondering why everything is so 'effed up. Read on. And enjoy the ideas.
Bring Back Old School Dating + "Best Practices"
Starting Out in Person
Old School Dating started in person. Nowadays, people meet on a dating app and don't even know if the picture they are looking at is real. Dating needs to get back to its roots. People meeting on a Dating App should spend only a little time exchanging texts. They should quickly meet up at a local Starbucks, say hello, have some conversation, each pay for their own coffee, say goodbye and leave. Then, only after this meeting should they start up with the dating process.
The Two Month Waiting Period
Back in the day, people spent time hanging out together, going for bike rides, meeting up for a movie, or having dinner. And, when this happened, the first few dates were simply to have a conversation and get to know the other person. For this reason, there is really no good reason for the man to be pursuing intimacy. There is also no good reason for the woman to pursue financial subsidies. In other words, for the first two months, all interactions should be platonic, and both parties should pay for their own meals. Or ... no one pays for meals. Met up somewhere out in public somewhere. Chat. Spend time together.
Practicing Companionship
During the Two Month Waiting Period, the man and the woman should practice "being companions." Specifically, they should go out together and spend enough time to fall in to a dating pattern. This involves deciding which mode of "being" each person wants.
Picking an Approach to the Relationship
Each person should pick an approach to the potential relationship. According the sociology book, "The Second Shift" ... a man or a woman can either be (1) traditional, (2) contemporary, or (3) modern. There is a choice, but people should know that some combinations don't work out very well while others do. Refer to the easy-to-read bestselling book below by author's Arlie Hochschild and Anne Machung:
Book: The Second Shift
The Third Month Conversation
At some point during the third month of the courtship, the newly dating couple should sit down and have a conversation. By this point in the process, the man should have taken the woman out on several different occasions; and paid for nothing. At this point, the woman should have made herself available for these outings; taking care of her own bill ... no sex.
Now the time comes for each of them to decide if they are going to continue. If the decision is made to continue ... a decision should also be made to cease contact with other prospects and focus singularly on one another.
If they both decide that they will continue ... this should signal the start of a full relationship in the traditional sense of the word. This means that the relationship approach each one has chosen goes in to effect. In the words, the man and the woman have chosen to move forward either as a (1) traditional, (2) contemporary, or (3) modern person in the relationship.
The First Exclusive Date
Once the decision has been made to date exclusively, the next step is to actually have an exclusive date! And what better way to do that then to give God the glory? The first exclusive date should be at Church. No exceptions. Take her to Church, fellas ... and LEAVE right afterwards. The first date needs to be Church ... not Church ... and then a whole bunch of other stuff later that day. Go home!
The Second Exclusive Date
The second exclusive date should be the woman's reward. On this date, the man should take the woman out to a nice dinner. And ... for this date ... (in our opinion) ... the man should make the plans and pay for the entire evening. Why? First, because she earned it. She invested her time in getting to know the man and then agreeing to start dating him, exclusively. A complete and enjoyable "paid for" date night should be her reward. Remember ... Ladies First.
The Third Exclusive Date
This date should involving COOKING. Why? To separate the little girls from the women and to separate the little boys from the men. And should this occur at the man's house or the woman's house? Heck no! That is not safe! This date should occur in a commercial kitchen facility. You could rent out an AirBnB and use the kitchen, just be sure not to fall for the temptation presented by the fact that that place has a bedroom near the kitchen.
If you choose a commercial kitchen when you set up the date, make sure the facility has cameras. Be sure to confirm that the facility has gotten the ID of the couple to attend, and be sure the evening will be chaperoned by a third party provided by the kitchen. The point here is to have two people cook together, work as a team, and have as a rewarding meal. The point is also to demonstrate that both parties are willing to cook and behave. This is extremely important.
Cooking is a sure-fire way to keep the cost of living low. It doesn't matter how much money someone makes ... cooking lowers the cost of living. Can you afford to go out for dinner all the time? Well ... don't! It's a poor decision to waste money on this. COOK! (Or learn how to cook.) Then take your extra money and invest it.
Freeform Dating Phase
If two people can make it this far... that is certainly saying something! At this point, each person in the relationship should know the other one's capabilities. At this point, the relationship should enter a "Freeform" phase where by it continues on whatever path ends up occurring as a part of an exclusive relationship. You made it this far? Congratulations! Your relationship is now a blank canvas. Paint your masterpiece!
Conclusion
We need to bring back Old School Dating.
Bring Back Old School Music
Old School Music Was Not About Explicit Lyrics
Original Hip Hop was brought about by the likes of the Sugarhill Gang and continued through pioneers like Run DMC, MC Lyte, Salt 'n Pepa, LL Cool J, and Kook Moe Dee. Not one signal artist in these times ever used a single curse word or called a woman the "B-word" in a song. LL Cool J was in high school and so was Run DMC. Even one of the most notorious rappers of the explicit scene, Ice Cube, went to George Washington Preparatory High School in Los Angeles. Ice Cube also enrolled in the Phoenix Institute of Technology in 1987 and obtained a Diploma in Architectural Drafting. So, original hip hop was not explicit, wasn't explicit, and should not have ever been explicit! Original hip hop artists' did Hip Hop because they enjoyed it, not because it defined them. Original hip hop artists encouraged education and even had education-based backup plans, themselves.
Old School Music Was Not About Drugs
Old School Hip Hop and rap was not about drugs. The songs recorded by famous groups like the Sugar Hill Gang, Teena Marie, or Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam never talked about selling drugs as a way to succeed in the Inner City. These songs sometimes discussed the fact that growing up in a rough part of town was tough, but, they still didn't promote drugs or guns. Back in those days, if there was a fight, it was done with fists. The beef was squashed once somebody got knocked out. Then, both people lived to fight another day ... go to college another day ... raise a family another day. And if they ever saw each other at the next local cookout, all they'd do is say "Hey, can you pass me a hot dog." Every body at the cookout knew what happened, knew who won, knew who lost, and no body said nothin' ... carry on, peeps!
Old School Music Had Collaborating
Old School Music had collaborating. There were always videos and concerts where one famous celebrity in the business would appear in another one's performance. There were all kinds of different people who used to come together. Collectively, they would listen to music, dance to music, and play music ... together. That's how things were back in the "day." Just check out these videos below and see for yourself how much fun people used to have without beefing all the time.
Alright - Janet Jackson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgeAUejUZhg
Minnie the Moocher - Cab Calloway:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ5gCGJorKk
Everybody Needs Somebody & Sweet Home Chicago - Blues Brothers:
Old School Music Had Dancing
At the original dance parties .... people danced! How is a party a party without dancing?!? I never understood these modern-day parties. I mean ... we danced! You could see people on the dance floor doing some of just about every thing. Some people were dancing in pairs (most common), others were in gender-specific groups. For example, a group of guys might be dancing together in sync doing back-flips or dances like the "Running Man" or the Roger Rabbit. Or maybe there was a group of ladies dancing amongst themselves who repeatedly said "No" to any man who asked to dance, and kept dancing however they wanted without them. So, if they wanted, you left them alone. There was some of every thing going on right on that dance floor, and none of it was violent or antagonistic. Why? Because that's how we wanted it. People respected the decisions of others.
Old School Music Had Line Dancing
Old school parties also had synchronized dancing. Some people call this "line dancing." Some people don't like it ... and it's certainly not for everybody. But one thing is for sure that when a line dance gets started ... it brings people together. And it's a blast! Today, you can see people doing the Cupid Shuffle, Cotton Eyed Joe, or other modern line dances. But "back in the day" it was the Watootsie, Mashed Potato, Twist, Boogaloo, or the Boney Moroney. Just let the famous entertainer Ray Charles show you how it's done:
Shake Your Tail Feather (Ray Charles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK33V7FGjd8
Old School Music Had Slow Songs
Did I say that out-loud? Oops! Boy the cat is really out of the bag, now! Yes. It's true. We had SLOW DANCING back then. The DJ would play a few slow songs about once an hour during the party. How else were you supposed to get her phone number? You can chat a woman up, yes, but I think it's a little hard convince someone to slide you her number if you can't convince her to let you get closer to her than 2 feet away? But, now? No slow songs? And its messing every thing up. It wasn't broke so whey did we fix it? People need to be near one another, and there was no better way to do that at an old school party than with a slow song!
Oh! We almost forgot to mention: slow dancing is essentially a "long hug" right? Well, research shows that "long hugs" can actually result in better health and ... the science proves it!
Read this:
https://www.facebook.com/sacred.dreams/photos/a.222455371240219/1121658627986551/?type=3
At Old School House Parties People Made Sure Everybody Had a Ride Home (Or Your Friends Stayed Over That Night)
Back in the day, when a dance was over, everybody made sure every body else had a ride home. Every body wanted every body else to be safe. At some house parties, plans were made ahead of time. For example, you might walk through your neighborhood, knock on your neighbor's door, let them know that you were having a party on this date, and ask if it was OK with them. Additionally, some families would decide to have people sleep over, so that no one had to ride home late at night intoxicated. (In some African countries, people sleep at the party venue until the morning time, to avoid driving home intoxicated.) People watched out for each other, back then. And it showed in how friends and family entertained themselves.
Old School Parties Were Not Scripted
Old School Music was not scripted. None of it was. No one taught the Sugar Hill Gang to rap in an scientifically-constructed well-researched 6 month course with a certificate given out at the end. No! Real music has never worked that way. And many of the "greats" were not professionally trained. Some were, but not all of them. For example, if you watch the documentary for TLC you will learn that none of them had professional training. They even used to start food fights at the studio when they were there recording ... and would upset a lot of people ... while they were turning out hits. None of the real stuff is scripted. And ... some of the best approaches to learning boil down to just a few things you need to know, not a lot of things. Take a look at the video below as an example of how to learn how to play the piano:
4 Simple Chords to Learn the Piano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7H7lOxnDQk
Old School Music Had Innovation
Old School Hip Hop was constantly evolving. One such innovator is the famous and well-respected veteran entertainer named Doug E. Fresh. Fresh made a name for himself by displaying a "beat boxing" technique with his lip's that mesmerized millions listening to his songs. Fresh is an icon in the music business.
Per Wikipedia, he became acquainted with rapping from his brother bringing tapes of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five into the house. Some locals who lived on his block were making Hip Hop in the basement of a local store ... playing on a turntable and experimenting with the echo chamber. It was there that Fresh started up his rap journey. He was a fan rhymes and poetry, and an even bigger fan of the famous poet, Langston Hughes. It is no surprise, then, that of the 17 or so songs that he made ... none of them used any curse words.
Here is our own favorite Doug E. Fresh song and one other favorite:
"The Show" - Doug E. Fresh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDkqz5C62SM
Brandy's EPIC BET Hip Hop Awards 2014 THROWBACK Performance
(Ft. Yo-Yo, MC Lyte, and Queen Latifah)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMCCV9vWzM8
Old School Didn't Go "Hardcore" By Itself
What happened to "Old School" Hip Hop and Rhythm and Blues? According the news, history, and the media ... it evolved. But that's not true at all. In fact, it didn't change naturally or by itself. It was directed. Intentionally. In to a more hardcore, aggressive, distasteful genre. Why? Simple. Profits.
Some people in the record industry decided to invest in prisons. After they bought them, they thought it was a good idea to push more aggression in to music of People of Color, so that it was raise the probability that crimes would get committed, which, in turn, would swell the ranks in prison ... and give them a good return on their "investment."
When we think about this decision and what it did to the music business and its current negative reputation, we think of one question to ask: "Why didn't you just invest in Churches? Or buy more stocks? Or more real estate? Off all the ideas you could have come up with the grow your wealth, this was the best you could do? Wow! How unimpressive!"
Some people just don't think things through.
Be a Hate Bandit!
So, what is the point?
The point is this: Be a Hate Bandit. Find hatred and steal it ... take it from anyone who has it and don't give it back ... where ever it rears its ugly head ... steal it. And replace it with Anti-Hate. Bring back the Anti-Hate, ya'll!
Jackin' For Hate
This recording is an example of an "Anti-Hate Cover Song." This Hip Hop rap recording was done as an illustration of a song that has been re-worked to promote an anti-hate approach to music. This video is an illustration of an Old School song with re-worked lyrics that focus on discouraging hatred. (Note: I do not own the rights to the instrumentals in this song.)
Conclusion
Let's bring back Old School Music. Let's Make Music Fun Again. There is enough money in entertainment to go around. We don't need to make it toxic just to make more money. There's already enough. People have had enough. Enough is enough.
Bring "Old School" to New School Music
We Need to Support the "Old School" in New School Music
When ever it is possible, we need to support an "Old School" approach to New School Music. Back in the 80s and the 90s we partied, danced, and turned up the music way too loud. But we still showed respect and we still made it home safely at the end of the night. Fun was fun but it was also also safe. We need to make sure our youth understand this concept when they go in to the studio to produce their music.
Some New Artists Still Support this "Old School" "Anti-Hate" Style of Music
Some new artists are starting to revert back to the Old School Hip Hop way of entertaining. Some of these new artists are realizing that the industry has become too toxic. As some of these new artists try to break in to the music business, some of them are finding that the business is not as receptive of the positive stance they are taking with their music.
This "Youngster" Discourages Hatred
This new artist hails out of New York city. Autumn Perfect is going about things in an "Old School" manner. And, as illustrated by her musical lyrics, she insists on keeping things positive while still entertaining her audience. Autumn Perfect is doing today what the Old Heads of yesterday used to do ... she is staying positive in the face of adversity and negativity. Introducing Autumn Perfect. This is our favorite break-out song ...
Crash Da Party - Autumn Perfect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqHKHODxpLg
I Got the Vibes - Autumn Perfect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsgOXTEKqSQ
Where's It At - Autumn Perfect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9d8UPbG-zQ
This "Youngster" Puts the "Old" Back in New School Music
Let's look at another artist who came on the scene in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area: Skweeky Kleen. Kleen can be scene in and around Maryland. He has always promoted civilized lyrics ... no curse words. Furthermore, his musical tracks cover not just Hip Hop but also Rock. Skweeky Kleen is doing today what the Old Heads of yesterday used to do ... he is staying positive in the face of adversity and negativity. Introducing Skweeky Kleen. This are our favorite break-out songs:
Coming Right Back - Skweeky Kleen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x10Mi8sInQ8
Get Mine - Skweeky Kleen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQfsKXlw1JM
Conclusion
Let's put a little "Old School" in New School Music. Let's Make Music Traditional Again. There is enough money in entertainment to go around. We don't need to make it toxic just to make more money. There's already enough. People have had enough. Enough is enough.
Bring Christianity to New School Music
Musical Re-Releases and God-Infused Hip Hop
Times are hard. Things are rough. And that's when all of us really need God's Grace. Songs that have proven to be popular are the best way to get God's word out. Re-releasing songs with God-Based Lyrics is a quick way to appeal to the masses while also educating them in a fun and musical way about God. Also, producing music that has a Hip Hop feel but with a Godly Approach can also assist in steering all of us away from darkness.
This Artist Re-Released a Classic With God Included
Bobbi Storm learned how to sing by listening to her babysitter play the flute. The babysitter noticed that Bobbi had a unique voice, and sat down with her family and said, "I think you guys have something here." So, her grandfather started pushing her to sing ... literally, anywhere. He didn't care who was around. Family reunions, church, whatever, he would just push her. The rest is history. Listen below to Bobbi Storm's "re-make for God" version of a classic throwback from 1982:
Bobbi Storm - We Can't Forget Him
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uxBUx2ASKU
Bobbi's song is based on the original song that was sang Michael McDonald in 1982.
McDonald - I Keep Forgettin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gbQVj4MR3M
Singing With God's Footsteps
In high school, Bri Babineaux excelled in basketball and volleyball. In college, she studied criminal justice and had her sights set on becoming a lawyer. However, in the fall of 2014, a moment of destiny unfolded. A video of her singing a cover for Tonex’s “Make Me Over Again" went viral on YouTube. She caught the eye of top R&B producers and they offered her a major record deal, but, Bri was determined to sing for God. In 2015, Bri signed a deal with Tyscot Records and started up her journey as a solo Gospel artist. In 2018, Bri met and married her husband, Keeslon Fontenot. We just love her energy!
Bri Babineaux - I Will Wait
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfJUQOThguQ
"I Will Wait" is a re-make of a song that was released almost a decade ago by artist J. Cole that featured TLC:
J Cole ft. TLC - Crooked Smile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSl5JAU5KVQ
Here is another powerful performance by Bri that she did live!
Bri Babineaux - We Want More
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9sTHlvF78c
Singing With God's Lyrics
Terry Borderline is a multi-faceted artist who leads with the fact that he is "truly blessed" and "highly favored." Borderline ushers in knowledge to the world through music, events, services and creative content. Born with a speech impediment, Borderline over-came many of his obstacles using the wisdom of his rhymes. Through divine alignment, his artistic groups have come together to express their spiritual journeys ... and to illustrate how truly blessed we all are.
Terry Borderline - Truly Blessed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olIYYUdtLpY
Terry Borderline's LinkedIn Page:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-borderline-a68458172
A Truly "Rare of Breed"
Sometimes talent is as rare as God himself. But one thing is for sure ... God is color blind and his disciples come in all shapes and sizes. A few decades ago, Eminem took the Hip Hop rap world by storm by gaining the respect of many even though he was White. DJ Fuze gained respect all over the world as the DJ for the Hip Hop sensation, Digital Underground, even though he was White. So it should come as no surprise that "Rare of Breed" is yet another sent by God. Enjoy his flow, everybody!
Rare of Breed - The Devil is a Lie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhVhty710EM
Conclusion
Let's promote Musical Re-Releases with God-Infused Lyrics. Let's Make Music Good Again. There is enough money in entertainment to go around. We don't need to make it all about Satan just to make more money. There's already enough. People have had enough. Enough is enough.
Support Christian Rappers Like Dee-1
The Trend Towards God
There is a rising trend of up-and-coming rappers that are putting the "G" in Old School even while putting out New School Music. What does the "G" stand for? It stands for God. What is God School Music? It is a concept that encompasses entertainers who are choosing Hip Hop beats and rhythms and adding Christian verses as the lyrics.
Let us introduce you to a new and upcoming Christian Rapper: Dee-1. Dee -1 is an American rapper, author, college professor, activist, and public speaker from New Orleans, Louisiana.
Putting the "G" in New School Music
Dee-1 grew his musical career up until he was just about to sign a contract with a major music label. Then ... the unthinkable happened ... they asked him to agree to legally leave "God" out of all of his lyrics as a part of the deal. He refused, and left.
Dee-1 ... Went Independent in 2019
Dee-1 went fully independent in 2019. He has released 11 studio albums. According to him: “If there’s no resistance, then chances are you aren’t fighting the right fight.” Dee-1 is the 2022-2023 Nasir Jones Hip-hop Fellow at Harvard University's Hip Hop Archive & Research Institute (housed within the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research).
Alive After Hitting Rock Bottom
Here, Dee-1 talks about being crushed not only because his friend was murdered in Louisiana, but also because he came face-to-face with his own death when someone put a gun to his head during a robbery attempt. Dee-1 said that for him that was "rock bottom" ... after that ... he rose like a Phoenix ... and from that point on he wanted to be a leader.
Dee-1 Rose Like a Phoenix
Dee-1 did in fact rise like a Phoenix. As a matter of fact, he said he made more money deciding to be a leader and make a song about paying off his Student Loans than he did when he received his record label bonus money. Dee-1 is not only a God-Based Hip Hop rapper, he is also known for his social and educational work.
Dee-1 was appointed by his home state's governor, John Bel Edwards, to the lead the Louisiana Council for the Success of Black Men and Boys in 2021. He is also a 2022-2023 Nasir Jones Hip Hop fellow at Harvard University. And in 2024, Dee-1 began teaching a self-designed course at Tufts University: "The Intersection of Hip Hop and Social Change."
Dee-1's Greatest Hits
Here is some of his greatest music.
Taking a Chance On Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSZAyyn1Hro
I'm Not Perfect (I'm A Christian)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73AVDoRT408
Lines Drawn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw1Rrm7cQqw
People Don't Want That Real
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpynxHO4dRM
Outspoken About Violence and Hate
Dee-1 has become a bold and outspoken figure in Hip Hop. He has challenged fans, artists, and record labels to cease the promotion and glorification of Hip Hop music that promotes murder, drug dealing, drug use, and the disrespect of women. Dee-1 created the Platinum Pledge: a pledge intended to unify people who vow not to create, support, or promote music with harmful lyrics.
Conclusion
Let's promote a healthy disposition towards God by supporting those entertainers who are focusing on God. Let's Make Music Godly as well as Fun. There is enough money in entertainment to go around. We don't need to make it all about Satan just to make more money. There's already enough. People have had enough. Enough is enough.
Bring Back Old School Entertainment Performances
Bring Back Lip-Sync Performances
Old School Performances like concerts and festivals involved a performance that actually far less stressful on the performer than the performances of the present day. Back in the day, the performers lip-synced their lyrics during a concert. Not only was this easier on the performer, but, the crowd never knew nor did they care. The performances were better because the performers were able to focus on their dance moves instead of getting winded trying to sing the same song they had already sang in the studio. The schedule was also a lot less hectic.
Bring Back the Old Singer / Songwriter Relationship ... With a Twist
In the "olden days" the singers sang other people's songs and did not have to worry about trying to come up with their own. But they also lost out on the publishing money. The old school relationship between singers and songwriters needs to be brought back except with a little twist to the dynamic: give an automatic percentage of the song to the singer, and take that decision out of the contracts ... make it federal law. This would ease the pressure for singers to write songs and also take some control away from others and give performances more a guarantee.
Make the Tour Schedule Less Aggressive - By A Lot!
One thing that was harsh and over-bearing even in Old School Entertainment was the ... the schedule! For the first time ever ... congress should pass federal laws restricting the schedules to give entertainers enough time to rest and spend time with their families. There have been countless deaths in the entertainment industry that resulted from mistakes made because of the horrible schedule they keep while performing. Examples are: Whitney Houston, Aliyah, Left Eye. Make it easier for them to entertain us while being able to maintain their own sense of stability. Take a look at what Michael Jackson said about his own tour schedule:
"I Go Through Hell on Tour"
Conclusion
Let's bring back the easier approach to help support our entertainers. Bring back Old School Entertainment Performances. There is enough money in entertainment to go around. We don't need to make it hard on the performers. They already work hard enough. The industry already has enough. People have had enough. Enough is enough.
Bring Back Old School Outdoor Entertainment
Outdoor Play for Kids is Extremely Important
Outdoor play for kids is extremely important. This is where they learn social skills, get exercise, and work off some of their extra energy. This is where they finish off their day's worth of energy, try new things, see their friends ... and then finish up right in time to come home hungry for dinner. There is no substitute for outdoor play. Every effort should be made to bring it back, no matter the cost.
The Original Arcade Was Out in Public, Not in the Home
Video games existed before "console gaming systems." The original video games were stand-up units and they were placed in venues around town, out in public. Each game was $25 cents and you lined your quarters up on the game in order to know who was going to play the game next. The kids were young ... and there were little ladies there, too, watching to see if you won the game or not. It was exciting. You're friends were there. And you could stay all day.
The Original Arcade Was a "Non-Alcoholic Watering Hole" for Kids
The original arcade game venues were "watering holes" for kids. There was pizza and ice cream there ... not booz. Kids would get dropped off by their parents at these non-alcoholic watering holes. The kids would stay there all day, playing video games with their friends. As long as you kept winning the game, you didn't have spend another quarter.
The New "Console Gaming System" Was Created
The arcade concept was furthered with the creation of the "Console Gaming System." These systems introduced gaming in to the home for the first time. On the box of one of these new computer systems the caption read: "Welcome to the World of Friendly Computing." Kids no longer had to leave the house to play video games. They could play them at home while sitting on the couch in the living room.
"Console Gaming Systems" Ruined an Otherwise Good Thing
However, the video arcade concept was ruined when the "Console Gaming System" was introduced. This is because these so called "console gaming systems" moved entertainment from outside to inside. These consoles took something that was initially done with your friends to something that was done, alone.
These gaming systems eliminated the need for a quarter or the need to meet up in public. The entire video game phenomena was never about playing games. It was always about getting together with your friends and having fun.
Playing video games in public was also about being rewarded for being good at something; watching the looks on your friend's' faces when they saw you do something amazing while playing the video game.
And, if you were lucky, a little lady might be standing by and get excited when she saw the move you did? Maybe you even had a crush on her? She might even smile. And even better? She might let you buy her some ice cream! Then, you two can sit down while you explain to her how she can do what you just did when she palsy the video game. Yes ... the video arcades back then had soda pop and ice cream!
Conclusion
We need to bring back Old School Outdoor Play for kids and encourage the adults to do the same. Of course the world is not as safe as it used to be. But this is only because we are letting it stay this way. We should stand up to negative patterns like this. Face them head-on. Fix them. Then rejoice in a New Normal. We can do it!
Bring Back Old School "After-School" Television
Old School After School TV Was Hopeful
Several decades ago, the kinds of TV shows that were on television for kids were hopeful. Every day, after school, kids of all ages eagerly headed home to sit in front of the television and watch their favorite TV show. Regardless of what show was a child's favorite, they all had one thing in common ... the shows were hopeful.
Old School After-School TV Was Relevant
Old School After-School Television was relevant. This means that the shows that kids watched were relevant to what they should be learning. It meant that the shows contained certain content and storylines that helped to reinforce positive values, equality in compassion, and a love of country. Some modern day shows are purely entertainment and don't really offer anything else. But TV had historically been about more than just entertainment. While some may consider this approach to be "indoctrination" ... we prefer to think about this approach as encouraging a "healthy disposition" towards life.
G.I. Joe - A Real American Hero
G.I. Joe A Real American Hero was a cartoon that came on every day at about 3:00pm, just in time for high school or junior high school kids to come home and watch. When "looking back" at cartoons like these, the level "even-ness" or "equal footing" is obvious. These kinds of cartoons presented evenly-distributed storylines.
For example, in G.I. cartoons ... you would see people of all genders and all colors participating in the plot. Furthermore, it was clear in G.I. Joe cartoons that (1) the people fighting for good loved their country, (2) the teamwork was clear and constant.
Additionally, there were people of all kinds of backgrounds that did things that were good and people of all kinds of backgrounds that did things that were not-so-good.
For example, in a cartoon with an evenly-distributed storyline, a White man can be seen doing good and fighting for the United States military (i.e., Flint). Yet ... another White man is doing exactly the opposite ... working for the "bad guys" and trying to hurt others (i.e., Cobra Commander). For every Black man doing good (i.e., Stalker), there's another one doing bad (i.e., Destro). For every White woman in the cartoon fighting for good (i.e., Lady Jane), you'll see a White woman doing nothing good and instead creating problems (i.e., Baroness).
Why is this important? Because it illustrates to a child watching the cartoon that a person can be a good person or a bad person. This approach compels the child to focus more on a "behavior pattern" as opposed to how someone looks, in order to determine whether that person can be trusted.
The concept of teaching and setting an example has been lost to modern day entertainment. It should be re-established and re-encouraged in today's After-School cartoons and television.
G.I. Joe - A Real American Hero - Toys
In addition to the cartoon for G.I. Joe A Real American Hero ... there were the toys, themselves. The toys represented an approach to child entertainment that was intentional. By intentional, this means that toy play was meant to foster creativity. Many of the toys made in the 80s and 90s were designed this way.
For example, the toy action figures and vehicles for G.I. Joe did not fire weapons. Any guns for the action figures or weapons found on ships and vehicles did not actually work. The reason for this is that it allowed for the toy to be designed with more accuracy; the smaller scale replica of the weapon carried by an action figure or located on a ship was almost identical to the real weapon. This meant that the child was left to imagine the firing of the weapon and the sound that it made.
Toys and action figures from toy makers like Hasbro and Kenner sold G.I. Joe and Star Wars toys that replicated life-sized characters, ships, vehicles, and playsets ... but they never attempted to make any of the "mechanics" work. They left that up to the child.
G.I. Joe - A Real American Hero - Toys
Later on in the toy making industry, some toy makers chose to start creating weapons that actually fired little plastic projectiles, in the hope that it might boost sells and make play more interesting. But this was a huge mistake. No child was believe that a little plastic missile that's launched out of a spring-loaded bulky-looking clunky-looking "gun" was anything like reality. The plastic projectile usually fell immediately to the floor anyway, and the goofy button that a child pressed to launch the plastic missile was also ridiculous-looking and definitely did not represent the real world.
Child have much more fun when they are allowed to use a toy to create their own reality, not be "boxed in" to a reality because of how the toy itself is made.
G.I. Joe - A Real American Hero - Toys
The children who played with these toys back in the 80s and 90s are now in their 50s and they are still fascinated by the toys and their designs. This is such a craze by some that you can buy a book that has nothing but the artwork found on the toy boxes for $30 online:
“The Art of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” Omnibus Hardcover Set
https://www.theartofgijoe.com/store/p1/omnibus.html
Conclusion
In conclusion, the world of play for children was so much better when the creativity was left up to the children. Old School After-School Television was intentional in its support of a child's creative mind. And Old School Toy Making was also supportive without being overly intrusive in that effort. Let's re-introduce these approaches to child entertainment. Let make it intentional once again and not just about entertainment for entertainment's sake. Let's bring back Old School After-School Television and Old School Toy Making.
Why Is It Important to Bring Back the Old School?
Why Is It Important to Bring Back the Old School?
IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO THESE THINGS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Why is it important to bring back the Old School? It is important because the Old School approach provided us with what we needed without exposing us to undo anxiety, control, or manipulation. The bottom line is that these Old School approaches better promoted humanity; it didn't threaten it.
Bringing back the Old School is not just something that should be done because it is "trendy." It is something that should be done because it would result in a safer country. It would also result in better protected families and fewer people at risk of dying in a war.
In the end, just keep one thing in mind:
People are Just People.
Love is King.
Everybody is Family.
We Are Tribe USA.
How Can We Maintain the Old School Once It's Back?
How Can We Maintain Old School Once It's Back?
Once these Old School approaches have been successfully implemented, they need to be monitored.
Why do these approaches need to be monitored? For two reasons:
(1) To ensure that these approaches stay the way they are implemented and not ever changed and turned into something negative, and
(2) To capture factual statistics about reductions in societal problems like crime and alcoholism that come as a direct result of the implementation of these Old School approaches.
Constant monitoring can be done by setting up a commission that can use the latest advancements in analysis to query data across the country, build up proxies, calculate measures, and produce monitoring reports on the results. In this way, the United States of American can be the first country to monitor the health of its own country in a day-to-day live-feed manner.
If this approach is successful, the result is for the first time in the history of the United States ... there will at last be an "early warning system" that the country can use to figure out if danger is on the horizon in terms of social unrest, crime, poor health, and a host of other indicators.
Furthermore, the enemies of this country know full-well that the key to winning a future war is to poison the inside of the country in the present, beforehand. An early warning system such as the one described here would serve as a way to warn the citizens of this country ahead-of-time as to the dangers that may start to form when increases is social problems start to occur. Such a public monitoring system could enable private citizens to keep an eye on an issue, and take action when a problematic trend starts to develop. This would result in:
(1) mitigation of the risk of the problem growing larger and becoming harder to handle; and
(2) mitigation of the risk of the problem attracting attention from our country's enemies who would see it as an opportunity to "fan the flames" and make the problem even worse.
In closing, we need to take this seriously. Monitoring the survival of Old School approaches is not just a "trend" ... it is a "weapon" against our enemies. A weapon that could prevent "slow-moving activities" designed to bring about "slow-moving erosion" of our values, morals, integrity, and togetherness.
With constant monitoring, we ensure:
People Remain Just People.
Love Remains King.
Everybody Remains as One Family.
The intended message of this entire effort should be loud and clear:
We are Tribe USA ... Don't F**k With Us.