Greetings! Thank you for taking time to read this issue of The Taborian. Many thanks to Zachary Pedigo, Emily Simon, Michael Chin, Anna Schmidt, Shana Raphaeli, Amari Pleasant, Megan Petronella, E Kraft, and Mitchell Montagna for sharing their written works with the world! If this is your first visit, welcome to The Taborian. If you are a returning reader, thank you for your continued support. Please consider subscribing. Your subscription helps us continue to share fabulous works and cover server and other expenses. Also, please follow our Facebook page, subscribe to our email list, and share The Taborian with your family and friends.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on a powerful quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” This resonates deeply as I hear the recent distorted and false claims about Haitian migrants living in the United States. As I hear the rhetoric, I think about three insightful pieces that have shaped my understanding of Haiti and its people: C.L.R. James’ book The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L’Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution, a Planet Money episode titled The Greatest Heist In History’: How Haiti Was Forced To Pay Reparations For Freedom, and a speech by Frederick Douglass delivered in Chicago in 1893.
The Moment
There was a pivotal moment in hip hop led by a pioneer who often doesn’t get the recognition he deserves for bringing the genre into the mainstream and starting trends that are now commonplace among rappers with numerous corporate endorsements, acting careers, or television hosting gigs. This pioneer is MC Hammer or simply Hammer. Ahead of his time, Hammer saw the potential of leveraging his stardom to secure endorsement deals. While he was paving the way for hip hop artists to transcend their roles as just rappers, he faced criticism for being a sellout. Today, it’s normal to see rappers in commercials, acting roles, or television hosting gigs. Hammer helped shift the perception of hip hop from an urban fad to a dominant force in advertising. As he famously said in the 1990s, “U Can’t Touch This.” Indeed, you can’t touch the legacy and foresight he brought, providing a blueprint for rappers to remain relevant and build generational wealth.
My Interpretation
Our cover art for this issue is Witch scene a painting created by Paul Klee. My interpretation of this piece is that it captures the abstract, mythical randomness that unfolds at night.
What’s your interpretation?
Jazz It Up
My jazz album recommendation for this issue is A New Perspective by Donald Byrd Band & Voices.
Random Fact
In Australia, voting is compulsory for citizens aged 18 and over. If you don’t vote, you can be fined.
Thank you for supporting The Taborian!
DL
