New Years and Other Holiday Celebrations for African Americans Seeking Recovery

Harriet Tubman Madame C. J. Walker Muhammad Ali

The new year is upon us. For persons seeking recovery New Years is one of the days in which relapse is most common. In America, just about every holiday is celebrated with the use of alcohol and/or other drugs. In a previous post I suggested that African Americans in recovery or seeking recovery create their own drug free celebrations which could elevate self-esteem, increase cultural pride, teach history and help them stay sober during holidays. Below are some suggested celebrations on the birthday of prominent African Americans.

Madam C. J. Walker Day (December 23) - Madam C. J. Walker was the first American woman self-made millionaire, building a hair care products empire for African American Woman. Perhaps December 23rd is the day to begin plans for a business you've always wanted to start.

Muhammad Ali Day (January 8) - The greatest boxer of all time gave up his heavy weight title to stand for principles he believed in. Perhaps on this day you could stand up for an important principle or cause you believe in.

Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 15) - On this day you could view tapes of Dr King’s speeches, Read his quotes or books to internalize his courage in the midst of adversity.

Harriet Tubman Day - As she was born into slavery there is no official day for her birth day. Pick a day! Celebrate her courage and the enormous love she had for enslaved Africans enabling her to make 19 trips from the south to the North freeing hundreds of Africans as a leader of the underground railroad.

New Years Day - How about a day of gratitude for another day or year of recovery surrounded by others in recovery!

Your Birth Day - Instead of sipping champagne, or smoking a blunt, how about throwing a party on your birthday for your parents for the gift of life!

Holidays which can be created are endless, including: Barack Obama Day; Michelle Obama Day; Paul Robeson Day; Ida B. Wells Day; Louis Armstrong Day; Ella Fitzgerald Day; Jackie Robinson Day, Whitney Young Day, etc., etc., etc.,

Happy New Year!

RAP MUSIC/Hip Hop AS THERAPY: Lessons For Addictions Counselors

Studies indicate that journaling can be just as effective as therapy in helping people change. If this is true, then rap music is the ultimate journaling! When rapper Snoop Dogg burst on the scene much of his music focused on "Chronic" (weed smoking), "Gin and Juice" (alcohol drinking), "hookers and hoes" (derogatory lyrics about women) and "murder was the case" (gun violence). At the time of this writing, his life and lyrics have changed dramatically. He now coaches a youth football league and many of the youth whom he has coached have earned division I football scholarships and several play football in the NFL. He recently published a cookbook entitled, From Crook to Cook. He recently released a 22 song gospel album.

Rapper Jay Z transformed himself from drug dealer to multi-millionaire entrepreneur. This transformation is even reflected in his wardrobe, from sagging pants to pulled up pants and suits. Rap is autobiographical journaling. On the Black Album he explains the connecting between his early drug dealing, womanizing and his father leaving the family. He stated:

"Now all the teachers couldn't reach me and my momma couldn't beat me hard enough to match the pain of my pops not seeing me, so, with that disdain in my membrane, got on my pimp game fuck the world my defense came. Then Dahaven introduced to the game, Spanish Jose introduced me to caine (Cocaine), I'm a hustler now,"

Years ago he wrote a song entitled, "Song Cry" about a woman that left him after he cheated on her. While he was sad he couldn't cry. Here are the lyrics.

"I couldn't see em falling down my eyes so I've got to let this song cry."

He kept writing and who would ever though he would begin his 444 album (released 16 years later) with these words, "Cry Jay Z Cry." This was in response to his nearly losing his wife Beyonce due to infidelity and his desire to transform his life to save his marriage and family. Years removed from drug dealing on the 444 Album he rapped of charity and legally building generational wealth.

In the beginning of his career, Oscar and Grammy winning rapper Eminem described himself as the "white Tupac Shakur." Their commonalities included, music genre, poverty, drug addicted mothers and absent fathers whom they hated. Like many youth I have counseled Eminem used marijuana, alcohol and other drugs to cope. He kept rapping (journaling) and his Relapse and Recovery Albums (released in 2009 and 2010) were transformational. He is now in long term addictions recovery.

Addictions counselors reading this post should be aware of the role creativity can play in recovery and be willing to incorporate a variety of mediums in their work with clients including art, music, movement, dance, poetry and journaling.

An Open Letter to the Hip Hop Community (Rappers): Your Lyrics Can Increase the Risk of Relapse

Dear Rappers,

The first rap song I ever heard was Rappers Delight by the Sugar Hill Gang. I was a sophomore in college and that song took my college by storm. Music was never the same and in spite of its critics hip hop music has lasted for decades longer than its critics predicted and is now a worldwide phenomenon! Consider that at the time of this writing Jay-Z just signed a Korean rapper to his label. I also give a shout out to how rap music and the success of hip hop artists inspires generations of youth to believe they can succeed. My grandfather picked cotton in the South and once he moved North and secured a good job his philosophy was there's always work at the post office and once hired stay at the job for 50 years and hopefully get a gold watch upon retirement. This generation of rappers has convinced today's youth that they can own the post office and their own Rolex watch company. I'm a baby Boomer and I am inspired by the industriousness and hard work of rappers. My favorite story is of Tupac Shakur. Pronounced dead in 1996, the late rapper produced such a volume of work, i.e. nominated for an Oscar in 2006 and albums are still being released by him over a decade after his death, convincing his fans that like Elvis, Tupac is not dead! I find myself working harder when I think about Tupac and the late Notorious BIG, who at the peak of his success said he wanted to approach is work like an intern, just starting out.

When Hip Hop lyrics are at their best the music has the ability to save lives! I had a relative who was going through the process of divorce and feeling suicidal. A friend forwarded her a you tube video of Lil Wayne singing, "How To Love" She credits that song with changing her life. I want to let you know that lyrics to your songs can keep a certified addictions counselor, such as me, busy countering your drug related lyrics. Many of the adolescent African American Males I counsel initiated drug selling, drug use and are vulnerable to relapse as a result of listening to your lyrics. Many prominent rappers today glorify marijuana smoking, including, Snoop Dog, Dr. Dre, Lil Wayne, Drake, and Gucci Man. Other rappers glorify drinking expensive alcohol as a sign of success, including: Jay-Z, Sean Combs, and Young M.A. While others still talk about the glorification of drug selling even though they're rich including NAS, Jay and Future. Also, many youth have told me that their experimentation with new drugs began after they heard rappers mention theses drugs. i.e. Future (Molly Percocet), Lil Wayne (Purple Drank), a drug that has been known to kill people.

The greatest challenge in my work with young African American males in early recovery is when angry they access the music of their favorite rapper with explicit get high lyrics. The music then puts the youth in the mood to get high. My work involves encouraging them to listen to songs that do not glorify drug use when they are having difficulties. They're also many youth who struggle to successfully complete probation and secure a good job because they struggle to pass a drug test. We have helped many of them successfully complete high school by encouraging them to take "a weed vacation ". During the weed break they were able to clear their head enough to successfully pass the GED Exam. Your words have power. Please join me in being a part of the prevention and recovery solution.