Pensmoke's Views

What's wrong with Memphis? Why is it in the shape it's in? How did it get this way? I'm glad you asked. If you didn't ask I'll tell you anyway. Let me give a few observations I have had through my own experiences growing up there.

1. RACISM:

Memphis is still a very racially divided place. It's very petty racism too.  The main thing that people in Memphis and a lot of other cities down south can't seem to get past is that there are OTHER races besides Black and White. They think that's all there is.  I have had unique experiences growing up in Memphis because I hung out with a lot of black folks who would talk bad about whites around me comfortably cause I was down, but I could also go around the white folks who saw me as white and would talk bad about the black folks in front of me. As a result I got to hear how they both really thought about each other behind closed doors when they weren't around each other putting on their fake smiles. Racism is still very much alive in Memphis, and affecting the way people make decisions and who they vote for etc. Black folks have been voting in Mayor Herenton for the past several long terms just because he's black. They don't care if the man is a suck Mayor or not, as long as he is black. A few years back Jerry "the king" Lawler ran for mayor of Memphis. Many white people voted for him simply because he was white probably, and because he was not Herenton. The man is a pro wrestler for crying out loud. What does he know about being mayor? The black folks keep voting for Herenton because they would rather have him in office than some "racist redneck", and I understand that, I used to think the same way. By saying that though you who think that way are being racist yourselves. Herenton also tries to appeal to the younger cats by acting like a thug or something. He is a 70 year old man using phrases like "shake them haters off" and stuff. Come on man.  Memphis has to get past racism. It's poisonous. There are WAY bigger fish to fry. Many many more serious issues at hand. Racism is stupid, childish, and petty. It is also cowardly, since almost ALL of it I witnessed was done and said behind the people's back that were being spoken bad about.

2. PEOPLE DON'T CARE:

People just don't care anymore. They have become desensitized. All the crime and hatred is so rampant that people are used to it and actually try to ignore it. A lot of it has to do with the mood and attitude of the younger cats now. And that is shaped by the music. The unmercifully negative and demeaning regurgitated sinful garbage that everybody and their mothers brother is listening to. This ain't your typical gangsta rap ladies and gentleman, it's a whole new level of chanting, violence glorifying, drug use glorifying, pimp and woman abuse promoting hateful murderous poison. Lets get right down to the originators. The ones who have inspired a whole city of copycats doing the same style of wack, unoriginal, negativity. I'm talking about 3-6 Mafia.

Which brings us to

3. THE "MUSIC":

I was going to post a sample of their "lyrics" but I would have to have spent an hour editing all the cursing out of it. They basically encourage the listeners to: not care, get high, pimp women, rob, kill, steal, sell dope, etc. And all the while making it sound like the way to be. As a result of listening to their mind numbing chants and repetitive commands (their label is "hypnotize minds") the people of Memphis, who love their music for some reason, walk around not caring and trying to live the life spoken about on the songs. They said back in the day in an interview that they chose their name to seem intimidating and scary to people and that they were not really evil worshippers, but I don't believe that. Look up some of their songs and read for your self. Especially their older stuff. Memphis has to stop listening to and supporting this so called "music". This garbage ain't Hip Hop. The people's views and ideas need to change. They need to change what they put into their ears and minds and change their attitudes.

HOW DO WE FIX MEMPHIS?:

The simple answer is REPENTANCE AND HUMILITY.


"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

The people of Memphis have to repent and be saved and live their lives the way God wants them to. When they do that they will want different things and think differently and therefore things will change because the people will want change. It's that simple. Here's the Way:

How to be SAVED ------------------------------------------------ The ROMANS ROAD....is a pathway you can walk. It is a group of Bible verses from the book of Romans in the New Testament. If you walk down this road you will end up understanding how to be saved. Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We all have sin in our hearts. We all were born with sin. We were born under the power of sin's control. - Admit that you are a sinner. Romans 6:23a "...The wages of sin is death..." Sin has an ending. It results in death. We all face physical death, which is a result of sin. But a worse death is spiritual death that alienates us from God, and will last for all eternity. The Bible teaches that there is a place called the Lake of Fire where lost people will be in torment forever. It is the place where people who are spiritually dead will remain. - Understand that you deserve death for your sin. Romans 6:23b "...But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Salvation is a free gift from God to you! You can't earn this gift, but you must reach out and receive it. - Ask God to forgive you and save you. Romans 5:8, "God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!" When Jesus died on the cross He paid sin's penalty. He paid the price for all sin, and when He took all the sins of the world on Himself on the cross, He bought us out of slavery to sin and death! The only condition is that we believe in Him and what He has done for us, understanding that we are now joined with Him, and that He is our life. He did all this because He loved us and gave Himself for us! - Give your life to God... His love poured out in Jesus on the cross is your only hope to have forgiveness and change. His love bought you out of being a slave to sin. His love is what saves you -- not religion, or church membership. God loves you! Romans 10:13 "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!" - Call out to God in the name of Jesus! Romans 10:9,10 "...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." - If you know that God is knocking on your heart's door, ask Him to come into your heart. Jesus said, Revelation 3:20a "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him..." - Is Jesus knocking on your heart's door? Believe in Him. Ask Him to come in to your heart by faith, and ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Open the Bible to the Gospel of John and read what God says about Jesus, about you, and about being born again. God will help you. He loves you. You need to look for a local church where God's word is preached. The Bible says that we are to desire God's word like a newborn baby desires mother's milk. Aren't you hungry to know the truth? Water baptism is one of the ways you first show that you have been joined to Jesus. This is an action, and actions will not save you. However, it is an act of obedience and a symbol of commitment. The symbolism is this: When you go down in the water you show that You have been crucified and buried with Him, And when you come up out of the water you show that you have been raised to walk with Him in newness of life. (See Romans chapter 6) You have been born again. (See John chapter 3) Your body has become God's temple. Your heart is where He lives. Forgiveness is yours in Jesus. And you belong to Him. You were sin's slave. But now... You are a child of GOD! John 1:12 "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name!"