Every Miracle Starts With a Problem

From John C. Maxwell:

"Every miracle starts with a problem.

Most people have some sort of problem.

If you don't have any problems, I feel sorry for you.

Because then you're not a candidate for a miracle.

You can't have a miracle without a problem.

The point is:

There's a relationship between the problem and the miracle."

~~~~~~~

That brings me to the idea of struggle, 

And what it takes to overcome your individual struggle.

Struggling is a global theme, in Eastern and Western beliefs*.

I also see it as a theme, or at least a relevant factor, in hip hop.

We all know there is struggle in life, but what can be done about it?

Negativity or adversity has to be acknowledged; negative is normal.

But negative is not successful; the negativity/adversity is to be defeated.

^that was from Jim Rohn.

~~~

Here's something I learned while studying History:

Hip hop is something that emerged out of a struggle, 

and out of problems that existed within the country.

After the Civil Rights fervor of the 1960s, problems were still unresolved.

New laws were passed, key leaders were killed**, some progress was made,

but OLD PROBLEMS CONTINUED, and NEW PROBLEMS EMERGED.

In the 70s, America hit stagflation. 

It wasn't super bad, but it was like "the Recession."

Stagnated economy, inflated prices.

And the urban areas were looking like this:

"Broken glass, everywhere, 

people pissing in the stairs, 

You know they just don't care.

Can't take the smell, can't take the noise.

Got no money to move out, guess I got no choice."

^that about says it all. Melle Mel!

While one part of the country was better equipped to handle the downturn,

another part of the country was neglected and abandoned. 

In the South Bronx, the Cross-Bronx Expressway was knocking down residential buildings, 

Lowering property values, and kicking people out of their housing.

Born out of these conditions, was hip hop.

^that's my paraphrase from Jeff Chang! Can't Stop, Won't Stop!

~~~~~

But, here's from a book review that says it better than me:

“The birth of hip-hop out of the ruin of the South Bronx is a story that has been told many times, but never with the cinematic scope and the analytic force that Chang brings to it. Robert Moses unleashes the destructive juggernaut of the Cross-Bronx Expressway; landlords set fire to worthless tenements; police stand by and do nothing; and, against a backdrop of gang warfare, peacemaking d.j.s lay down the heavy beats and spidery loops around which a rapping, dancing, graffiti-painting culture grows."

-The New Yorker ::cited::

From these problems, hip hop came as a solution.

An entire economy was created.

Social and popular norms were transformed.

People born in poverty found a way out.

Many others, still in poverty, still in struggle,

Have found hope, joy, inspiration, and an outlet.

In fact, I could just about call it a miracle.

And it's getting bigger and better every day.

Long Live Hip Hop.

It all started with the DJ playing good music

And kids who wanted to have fun in a not-so-fun hood

This is what they did/started:

Setting up the DJ booth and mic, in the park.
Bronx: 1973

Every miracle starts with a problem.

Without a problem, you can't have a miracle.

*Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Hip Hop all have their own concepts of struggling
**MLK, Malcolm X, Robert F. Kennedy, and don't forget BUNCHY CARTER!!! Among MANY others...
***Long Live the King!!!