When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong - Again: Four lessons from Roxanne, Roxanne

So it appears that there is no real Dr. Roxanne Shante.  The shame is not that the too-good-to-be-true success story by the incompetent New York Daily News reporter is not true. According to the story, the MC Roxanne Shante, whose old school hit Roxanne's Revenge is part of hiphop history, got her record company to pay for her education.  Yet when Slate.com investigated the story further, they found that the claim wasn't true.  The boast from Roxanne's Revenge was coming back to haunt her:  " In any category I'm considered the best. And everybody knows I will win the contest."   The dishonor is that Roxanne tied her reputation to a hustle and contempt for the truth and her community. 

Early in the story we all suspended our cynicism about corporate lawyers and we were willing to believe that racism and sexism would result in such a fantastic turn of events. I wanted to believe that the naïve yet savvy teen mom had a recording contract that guaranteed an education for the rest of her life.  Of course some people knew or suspected that it wasn't true.  They let it ride while others whispered their doubts.  Our communities may be forgiving of such misrepresentations, but there can be harsh consequences when one is not truthful about work, education and business.  Now Roxanne's Revenge is coming full circle and all we can do is make sure we get this lesson right.

Lesson 1: I Cram to Understand You

Just because we want something it doesn't mean we can have it.  Most things of value in life happen because we work for it and appreciate what it takes to get it.  Anyone can become addicted to and obsessed with things that are temporary highs.  Once that addiction sets in, you can lose sight of who you really are.  So focus on goals that can get you to what you want to do in your life.  You can do it.

Lesson 2: Don't Try to Play Me Out

All lies come to light eventually.  This is especially true if they are designed to betray and deceive those who care about you.  No matter how desperate you are or how naïve you think we are, don't play a game that can destroy you in the end.  In the process you are destroying all the people who have supported you and have your back. 

Lesson 3: I Go To Work

Hard work actually works.  Don't disrespect those who have worked hard, paid their dues and made sacrifices.  Someone close to me once stole my advanced degree and put their name on it.  They made authentic looking copies of it!  They couldn't understand why I refused to speak to them after I found out.  I think the words that came out of the person's mouth were: "It doesn't really mean anything."  I guess that's why they stole it!

Lesson 4: What's the Scenario?

Hiphop doesn't need fake Heroes and Sheroes. Many early hiphop artists are frustrated that their contributions to the development of hiphop have not resulted in huge paychecks.  They watch the current generation of artists make money and most of them work hard to find a way to earn a living through hiphop.  They don't set up their future, their life, and their reputation on a series of deceptions.  Remember, we grow up in families and communities.  Many of us are "there" with you as you go through life.  We see you and want to support you everyday.  Our communities, and hiphop in particular need truth to thrive.   Yes, we want to see someone make it through hard times with dignity, integrity, love and pride.  We want it real without it going terribly wrong.