I recall being in high school when hip hop collective Bloods & Crips released the album Bangin on Wax. Regarding the group, one source states, “Actual gang members — Crips from Compton, Watts and Long Beach, and Bloods from Inglewood and Los Angeles — auditioned for the group and the best ones were chosen for the album.”
At that time, a number of my carnales were affiliated with the Crips, though I also had homies who were Bloods. Because I wasn’t an affiliated gang member, I could kick it with whomever I wanted—something that otherwise wouldn’t have been permitted.
Personally, I consider the song “Piru Love” the best track on the album. Recent events relating to the Israel-Hamas war now remind me of a line on “Piru Love” expressed by the late Blood rapper Redrum 781 who states, “Redrum is Audi 5OOO G. Kelly Park started in ‘85 and ended in ‘93.”
For context, a popular hip hop expression in the ‘90s, for telling someone “goodbye,” was by saying, “Audi 5000.” It’s another way of expressing, “I’m out,” or “outtie.” As well, calling someone “G” alluded to the term “gansta” (gangster)—often used in place of “friend.”
Therefore, Redrum initiates the end of his verse by essentially stating to his fellow Bloods, “I’m out, friend.” However that’s of no particular relevance to the conflict in Gaza. Still, the rapper concludes, “Kelly Park started in ‘85 and ended in ’93.”
The last line serves as a eulogy for Redrum’s rivals, the Kelly Park Compton Crips (KPCC). By referencing the beginning and ending dates of the KPCC, the rapper issued a death knell for his Crip rivals whose gang set hadn’t actually ended by the time the song was released.
In essence, Redrum 781 was declaring genocide of the KPCC. Genocide may be defined as the intentional destruction of a people in whole or in part.
Although this term is typically reserved for a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group, Redum issued a warning to then-current and future KPCCs. The message was clear; any member of the rival gang would be wiped out.
The scathing line on “Piru Love” is worth considering in context of the Israel-Hamas war. Despite the fact that there are undoubtedly those who may protest the comparison, I think of how many people around the world now view Israel in relation to the people of Gaza.
For instance, one source reports, “The United Nations’ highest court said on Friday [1/26/2024] that Israel must take action to prevent acts of genocide by its forces in the Gaza Strip.” Why would the International Court of Justice declare such a thing if genocide wasn’t at least plausible?
Per a separate source, “The latest death toll stands at 26,453 Palestinians and about 1,139 people killed in Israel since October 7 [2023].” Just as Redum vowed to see all KPCC members dead, Israel’s response to Hamas’ ruthless actions on October 7, 2023 appears to suggest genocidal ambition.
I’m not the only United States (U.S.) citizen to suggest this possibility. According to one source, “More than one-third of Americans believe Israel is committing genocide.” I suspect history will not reflect well upon the actions of either the Israeli or U.S. governments in this regard.
Thinking about this matter from a Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) perspective, I know that matters within the circle of concern require me to practice unconditional life-acceptance. I don’t like how Hamas, Israel, or the U.S. has behaved regarding the war.
Nevertheless, I have no control or influence over conflict abroad. Not a single world leader has contacted me for my opinion. Moreover, if someone of authority did inquire about my interpretation, I doubt an immediate end to the war would result.
Therefore, I unconditionally accept that the killing of thousands of people—and perhaps even a genocidal outcome—will continue without my authorization. After all, I’m no one of importance and people don’t have to listen to me.
Back in ’93, when I heard Redrum 781 suggest that the entire set of the Kelly Park Compton Crips would be eradicated, I had no power to end the violence associated with his actions. Likewise, I have no control to stop what ostensibly may relate to genocide from Israelis, as one source states:
Although, according to Israeli TV Channel 12, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has in recent days called on politicians to choose “their words carefully” so as not to give ammunition ahead of the hearing in The Hague, [Nissim] Vaturi on Wednesday reaffirmed his calls to “wipe Gaza off the face of the earth,” and added: “Gaza must be burned.” “I stand behind my words... It is better to burn down buildings rather than have [Israeli] soldiers harmed. There are no innocents there,” he said in a radio interview before calling for the “elimination” of the estimated 100,000 Palestinians left in northern Gaza. “I have no mercy for those who are still there. We need to eliminate them,” added Vaturi, who belongs to Likud, the right-wing party led by Netanyahu.
There was once a time when I enjoyed “Piru Love” and laughed at the ruthlessness of rappers such as Redrum. Now, I don’t like calls to eliminate an entire gang set.
Similarly, I was once prepared to kill whomever my country opposed on the battlefield when I was a U.S. Marine. Now, I don’t like that my nation is supporting what may one day be viewed in retrospect as genocidal actions from the hands of Israel.
Nonetheless, I have no influence or control over matters related to potential or actual genocide. As such, I write a blogpost that will likely go unread by others. At least, in my own way, I can tolerate and accept the atrocities of the world while still speaking against them in a poorly written blog entry.
How about you, dear reader? What do you do when faced with personal helplessness regarding the outrageous behavior of others—whether on a local or global level? If you’d like to know how not to disturb yourself over such matters, I’m here to help.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As the world’s foremost old school hip hop REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
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