a review of COMMON's New Book - Let LOVe Have the LAST Word.

Open Letter to Rapper / Actor / Writer / COMMON from Tracy Gibson { GOD ALMIGHTY }

A Review of His latest book, ``Let LOVe Have the Last Word,’’

By Common

   I must say I am at least more than half way through Common’s new book, ``Let LOVe Have the Last Word,’’ and I am very impressed.  Examining LOVe from a BLACK inner city perspective – a RAPPER’S perspective – is indeed uncommon to say the least.  

       Always impressed with the fact that COMMON has used more and more good sense to interplay RAP lyrics with a caring heart, a tempered demeanor, and authentic LOVe for BLACK people, I was very taken with His theme to the movie ``Selma,’’ for which He got raves along with co-writer and His partner singing on the song, John Legend.

       But, getting back to the book, I like the fact that anyone BLACK will spend time ruminating, thinking and pondering such a massive and misunderstood subject as LOVe, what it is, how to attain it, how to make in last past the ``jitters’’ stage, how to deal with breakup, disappointments, and actually having someone in your family – like a beloved daughter - say you ``failed’’ them by not being there for them when they were young.

        Below: From GOD ALMIGHTY, Tracy Charles Gibson

``I think you – Common - did and are doing an excellent job as a father to Omoye. While you were away from Her while She was young, you may not have spent the time with Her you expected, but you were like the squeal hiding nuts for the winter in your focusing on your rap career, concerts and professional acting career. By doing so, you made your present and Her present more comfortable and easier. You also gave yourself and your daughter more options and helped make it so that you can help more now and spend more time with Omoye now.  You took time in the past so that your future { now } would be more delightful, and smoother. Working hard in those past years while Omoye was growing up has paid off with the level of success you have now. Had you spent the time with Her earlier, it would have been nice, but I know for sure ( sorry if I sound like Mama Oprah ), you made a better future for yourself, your Mom and your daughter. I know for sure our Ancient African Ancestors – Our Black African American Ancestors – are looking at you and saying ``you have done great things with your time, level of dedication, loyalty, honesty and integrity.  You now have hardly any cursing in your RAPs  - something many, many other Rappers should learn from you and your level of success. ‘’ What else you taught many of us is to prepare for the future and times in that future will be much better.  Please tell Omoye and your Mom this and that GOD ALMIGHTY said this and wants you and your family to enjoy great happiness, balance and the wealth you deserve.

 

SOME POYANT AND PROLIFIC QUOTES from COMMON :

Page 125 second paragraph, of Common’s ``Let LOVe have the Last Word.’’

       ``This is the beginning of the work: consistently checking in on why I’m feeling a certain away, or to see if I’m falling into old patterns again, all while building myself up, instead of tearing myself down, or running away in fear.’’

Page 134 Second Paragraph, of COMMON’s ``Let LOVe Have the Last Word’’

 

       ``Because if you work on consistently allowing yourself to be here in the present, you’ll naturally let go of so much of the drama and negativity; you won’t hold on to things that happen, or hold things against someone for what they’ve done, especially when someone has made a mistake. You become more forgiving without really trying or thinking about it. When you’re present; you understand that that was something that happened in the past; nothing you can do about it now, and no amount of grasping onto the negative energy will change what happened.’’

       I ask that young BLACK people, grandparents and their parents read COMMON’s new Book: ``Let LOVe Have the Last Word,’’ it comes highly recommended by me and is highly entertaining, thoughtful, well-written and helps even me - with a very stressful job - relax and know that our future generations have more of a handle on things than we have given them credit for.