Acknowledgments
Let me just say from jump I know I'm going to forget somebody, so cut me some slack. . . . Moving on. To my wife, Sheeri You are the manifestation of God's grace in my life. I could not have come this far in life or completed this book without you . . . you my nuckah. To my children, Chase, Max and Blake I purpose to live my life in such a way that you'll never be ashamed to call me your Papi. I love you. To Bobbi Your determined optimism convinced me early on that I could do anything I set my...
The Right Question
I think part of the reason I appreciate most rap artists is because I identify with them so much. There are the most obvious ways Most of them are black, and so am I. Many of them are, or are close to, my age. Most of them grew up in the so-called 'hood, as did I. Many of them hustled for a living like me. But the thing I appreciate most is their determination to be someplace better. It's as though at some point each one had to look around and think, There's gotta be something better than this...
Foreword
As I watched the young man ascend the steps to the pulpit, it occurred to me how odd he must look to the members of the congregation. He with his shaved head, diamond stud earrings, proudly wearing a Raiders jersey, baggy jeans, and white Nikes with the gray swoosh to match the silver in his jersey of course , not to mention the fact that he is black and thirty-five years old. And the congregation Well, nearly half of them are at least fifty years old and, except for one Indonesian family and...