Dear World

Please Kill Me,

We live in an age of disconnection. Ironically, as we redefine the lines of societal tangibility, we’re becoming more interconnected with one another than we’ve ever been, via a mass migration to the digital realm. Granted, none of this is news.  

Truthfully, at this point, about half of my readers probably don’t even know about the “before-times” that I often refer to. All the better. One day, I’ll be dead and my opinion will be extinct. Even more of a reason to share these thoughts now. (Also, I’ve just woken up and need to lance the boil of dream residue spilling over my judgment.) 

I don’t believe that creatives are any particular breed of person. Some are introverted. Others are extroverted. More still, are EXTRA-verted (#YASSQUEEN). It’s our differences that make our work what it is (for better or worse) as well as what distinguishes us from the disconnected masses. 

Our ability to communicate is buoyed by a perspective founded in connections. You to us. Us to you. (Key to Peele?). Etc.  

Don’t get me wrong, of course, this particular talent isn’t exclusive to the creative-types. However, it’s what we do with the communicative ability that draws the line between us and most others. We use art to bridge that gap—in the hopes that a select few meet us halfway. Often, we prefer the medium to express ourselves, as opposed to choke-slamming the opposition in the streets. 

The artistic conversation that follows is our ‘bread and butter.’ It’s our argument. Our morals. Our thoughts. Our championship game. The danger lies in losing our social fluency via a diminished ability to connect, concoct, and communicate effectively. If the conversation is our ‘bread and butter,’ then contact with the outside world is the table we eat from.  

Simply put, you can’t comment if you don’t speak the language. We don’t become fluent without some social exposure (#Giggity). We need this contact to function. It breeds our stories. Fires up our minds. And gives our psychotic brains something to analyze. Mind you, analysis doesn’t equate to care. But… I digress. 

The connection is important. Contact IS important. Regardless of how free-minded and forward-thinking you may be, without it, you’re just randomly rolling dice on a chessboard. Instead, learn the game. Learn the positions. Learn the perspectives. Learn the strategies. Seek out REAL connections with people that you can trust to be themselves. The result will more than likely be something that surprises you. 

For the record, this isn’t some attack on the multitude of ways that an artist can get things done. As I always say (#LateNight #WhileStaringattheMoon), there are plenty of ways to crack this nut. All that I’m suggesting is you make the attempt.  

Dive into something REAL. See what your mind does with it. At the very least, when you say something, you’ll have some idea of where the parameters of society are. As best you can, anyway.

Let’s be honest, you could probably use the company. 

Escape the echo-chamber of self.

Seek comprehension. Seek growth. Seek contact.  

 

Until Next Time,

–Antwan Crump