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There’s a line on Kendrick Lamar’s Phil Collins-esque song “man at the garden.” It’s from his new GNX album. That line sends shivers down my spine whenever I hear it. In his signature flow, he spits, “I deserve it all.” The words hit me like a punch to the gut, making me question my beliefs and values. Because Kendrick is not just claiming his deserved spot in the music industry – he’s taking control of the entire culture and steering it in his direction. It’s a bold move, and I admire it. But… as much as I love Kendrick and his unmatched skills on the mic, my reaction to that line was different from most. I come from a place where men don’t claim what we deserve – we “give it all.” That was (or is) my contrast.
It’s a mindset that generations of men have passed down. Men who have laid themselves down for the benefit of others. It’s like the ultimate sacrifice, inspired by the story of Jesus Christ (for example). One gives his life to effect change. Nothing in my understanding of life has ever been about me as an individual. It’s always been about something more significant – God, family, country, or the set, the lodge, organization, or structure I belong to. That’s why you’ll never catch me in protests. As soon as you fix yourself to start protesting, you’ve already subconsciously acknowledged defeat. I believe in taking action and making a difference, but I do it my way – through my words, rejections, and art.
While Kendrick may deserve it all, most men will give it all. And in our world, that’s what truly defines a man. Moreover, whoever you’re protesting to is not just some faceless entity. They hold the real power. They are the ones with the ability to make or break your cause. So why protest? Isn’t it just a display of weakness? It is my opinion, so I’m not letting Drake off the hook either. Kendrick’s GNX album is super dope! I played it repeatedly in my headphones while on the train in Berlin the other day. This blog is about culture in general. I see one man saying he deserves it all and another one protesting. Protesting indicates that Drake cannot achieve his goals and must resort to causing chaos and disruption.
But before we take up our swords and charge into battle, remember this – the establishment has been there long before you and I. It will continue to exist long after we are gone. Time is a man’s most critical asset. Our time on this earth is limited. Even if we live to be a hundred and twenty, we will never see the desired change. The scripture speaks of three scores and ten, which calculates to seventy years. Anything beyond that is a gift. Death is the only thing promised in this life. So, is it worth sacrificing our time for a cause we may never see come to fruition? Other giants are in the arena, fighting for their dreams and ambitions. While we can impact, it often comes at a significant cost – your life.
Even then, the people who come after you will make their alterations to the dream. As we saw demonstrated in the movie Gladiator 2. Maximus dies for nothing. Lucious became a slave. So what is the point? Your best bet is to go home and enjoy your time with family and friends. Take a moment to think about your mortality and your life expectancy. Then, think about the people who truly matter to you. Are they here with you, celebrating your successes? Or are they somewhere else, unable to share in your joy? For men, life is about sacrifice, but we must make the correct sacrifices. That’s what I believe is the problem. We do not have a crystal ball to tell us what to do and what not to do to make an impact.
Currently, in Ukraine, a Ukrainian man cannot simply board the first thing steaming and escape to a more enlightened region of the world. Instead, they expect him to remain and fight, giving his all and even risking his life. Similarly, the Russians expect their men to don the country’s uniform, enter a tank, and go full tilt at the Ukrainian army. It’s just the way it is. We can agree with some men protesting. Yet, the protesters must be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice once they make that decision. Generally, men deserve a society that treats us well, but we often don’t demand what we deserve. And even if we receive what we deserve, we may return it knowing the gift was ceremonial. We give it all.
When you are a man proclaiming your worthiness for it all, you are essentially admitting that you don’t possess it. You expect someone else to come along and hand it to you on a silver platter. But when you are a man declaring that you will give it all, you are speaking from a place of unwavering fortitude. You already have it but are willing to share something precious in exchange. It could be the heart of a woman you love, your mother’s touch, the return of a loved one who has passed, or the chance to rewrite a wrong from the past. You boldly declare, “I will sacrifice anything to obtain what I desire.” The Kendrick song had me contemplating his stance on traditional values. That’s what grabbed my attention.
Let me depart, leaving you with this thought process (from the scripture). Imagine Jacob’s hands as he worked in the fields, striving to meet the demands of his father-in-law. Picture the intensity in his eyes as he caught glimpses of Rachel in the distance, the woman he was willing to give everything for. Feel the weight of his determination, the unrelenting drive to obtain what he wanted at any cost. However, the most intriguing aspect of his story is Jacob’s willingness to work for seven more years. Rachel, the woman who captured his heart and held it tightly, even as he struggled to earn her hand, was barren. And Laban, the father who demanded a steep price for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Listen, I’m sure Kendrick would also give it all where it really matters, as this is at the core of every man’s nature. We give it all!
