Culture

Peace.

Today's Supreme Mathematics is Culture. Culture is defined as the way of life. When 85ers think of the term “Culture” They are thinking not of what they manifest but of what others manifest. The connotation of “Culture” is often external. Unless you way of life is different from the population in which you reside, you don't just go to thinking that you have a Culture. It's just what you do. It's like how white folks in the US think that what they do is the default and everybody else is exotic.

When folks think of groups in the US with a dedicated Cultures you think of Jews, Muslims, Mormons, Rastafarians.... and us! Though most folks don't know us like that since we don't have their numbers. Jews don't eat pork or shrimp. They don't work on Saturdays. They only marry each other, etc. Muslims cover their heads, some of them. They don't eat pork either and pray 5x/day face down on rugs gender separated. Mormons have a million children and do the poly-marriage thing. They also dress like little house on the prarie. Rastas have dreadlocks and smoke the ganga while eating seeds and guts. Dang Serenity that was offensive! Well 5%er all have done prison bids, have no real jobs and seeds enough to plant a garden! It's what him/devil says about they various US Cultures that aren't them.

But this Build piggy backs off a previous Build. The Do You Hide in plain sight post. I have noticed with this 5% Culture that I more and more each year have changed my lifestyle to a point where folks don't recognize me anymore. Folks who have been with me all along are cool. But when I run into someone I haven't seen in 10 years, they seem shocked at my appearance and new customs.

I was never one to show my hills and mountains.... they don't need my help. They show themselves.... So it's not like I some reformed hoe. But I was a standard BAP pretty girl. I had the luscious perm/weave. I had the right clothes and stiletto heels. My nails always 10 perfect pair. I had the perfectly made up face. I drove the lavish cars and had the lavish hobbies. Many of those same traits are still within me, but the manifestation has changed. I look different... really different. I got my work ID when I started this job 13 years ago. It doesn't even resemble me now. Different hair. Different clothes. Different me. Security periodically asks if I'm wearing another's ID. Don't get it twisted. I'm still fly as hell and you can wear good heels under a long skirt. And my headwraps... I have one to match every outfit... be giving chicks fits!

I eat differently.... No one... NO ONE loves swine more than I did. My last meated meal was a pulled pork sandwich. I loved fat bacon... and ham... and ribs.. yes ribs!... and chops... and loin... and (ashamedly) chitterlings! I actually asked for my graduation meal to be chitterlings.... My mother made them, but was pissed, but she made them. I loved lamb and my favorite snack.... Slim Jims! My plate looks entirely different that it once did. That's Culture.

I no longer do the Standard holiday thing. But more importantly, I'm no longer super loud about not doing it. But I have gotten the message out significantly so folks don't even ask anymore. Thanksgiving and the the American holidays is pretty much it. No xmas. No Easter (though I still get an outfit for Easter). None of that! And it's just how I live...

No grace. I just eat my food. No Sunday obligations. I can hold malice in my heart toward another without feeling bad. I fear no divine retribution. I don't live with the illusion that someone on a cloud is looking out for me. When you don't do the mystery god, YOLO takes on a different intensity. I manifest my Culture not just “in the mind” but out in the open. When you internalize Understanding, eventually it comes out of you. You become a Walking Understand. And isn't that what 3/4ths is? An Understanding that comes out of you so profound that it becomes your Culture.


Peace