Power

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Photo credit, fair use

I’m at a stage in life whereby I realize how distinct my upbringing was from the younger generations that enjoy hip hop. Together, we share claim to this subculture. Yet, we have vastly different experiences. For instance, consider what I stated in a blogpost entitled Colors:

I recall being in a children’s home and sneaking around listening to [Ice-T’s] 1988 album Power with my buddy “Odessa.” We’d take turns rapping lines and pretending we were performing for a crowd, until a houseparent caught us and confiscated the unauthorized contraband tape.

Would a hip hop fan that’s less than 18-years-old even have held a cassette tape before? Would this imagined person know Ice-T as anything other than an actor? From memory, could this individual recite an Ice-T verse from any of his many songs?

I wasn’t near the age of majority when I first had a copy of Power, and all of the above-listed elements are present in my life. Still, an imaginary hip hop fan may in return ask me to name a single track by DD Osama. No shade; I can’t. See? We have vastly different experiences.

At any rate, before I go any further, shoutout to Darlene “The Syndicate Queen” Ortiz from the Power album cover! Young Deric in the children’s home appreciated her inclusion in Ice-T’s work. Moving on. Pertaining to the current post are lyrics of “Power” from the Power album:

So, you say that I’m a fake, think, you really must be a fool

I been in jail more times than you have probably been in school

Shot at, shot back, hit, seen my buddies killed

That’s the foundation upon the raps of Ice-T are built

I say what I think, the system does stink

Money, you walk, you short, you’re writin’ from the clink

Come on, what’s up? You know the laws are full of bull

Prey on the lame, release those with pull

Power, I know you wanna try it

Well, check it out, money can buy it

Control and mold the world to do your wishin’

The knowledge of power is mine, so just listen

Money controls the world and that’s it

And once you got it, then you can talk shit, power

Before a children’s home houseparent confiscated my Power tape in ’92, I rehearsed that fifth verse of “Power”. Even in childhood, I understood Ice-T’s message. Discussing my youthful understanding, I stated in a blogpost entitled Money and the Power:

Notably, in “Money and the Power,” Scarface ends the song by stating, “Money and the pow-the-pow-the-pow-the-pow-the-power!” In my youth, repetitious use of the word “pow” reminded me of the oral sound people made when simulating gunfire (e.g., pow, pow, pow).

Arguably, violent force of action is precisely what it takes in order to ultimately satisfy one’s desire for money and the power. Think about it.

Rapper Ice-T informed his audience that the acquisition of money could “control and mold the world.” Lyricist Scarface shared a similar message with fans of his music. Now, I consider this matter when looking through the proverbial lens of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).

Before elaborating, some context may be useful. In simple terms, power is defined as ability to act or produce an effect. As an example, using a modus ponens syllogism (if p, then q; p; therefore, q), if you acquire lots of money, then you’ll have the power to purchase influence.

Here, it’s necessary to draw a specific distinction. When providing psychoeducational lessons about REBT, a psychotherapeutic modality which is informed by Stoic philosophy, I invite people to contemplate the difference between control and influence.

Whereas control is direct power or authority over something or someone, influence is the power to change or affect something or someone indirectly. Thus, control involves a direct exertion of command, and influence works through indirect persuasion and shaping of opinions or behavior.

Notably, one source states that “power is the ability to influence or direct the actions, beliefs, or conduct of actors. Power does not exclusively refer to the threat or use of force (coercion) by one actor against another, but may also be exerted through diffuse means (such as institutions).”

Now, I’ll elaborate specifically on REBT. This helpful modality uses the ABC model and unconditional acceptance (UA) to reduce self-disturbance (the unpleasant process by which people upset themselves when using unhelpful beliefs).

The primary tool of REBT is the ABC model which is used to illustrate that when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumption, not the occurrence itself, that causes an unpleasant Consequence.

For a relevant ABC example that will eventually relate to the power theme of this post, I invite you to consider what I stated on September 11, 2025, in a blogpost entitled Your Irrationality Is Exposed:

Prior to attending my final session of the day on September 10, 2025, I watched a YouTube livestream in which breaking news was announced about the shooting of right-wing political activist, author, and media personality Charlie Kirk. Per one source, Kirk died from his injury.

Before proceeding further, it’s worth noting that I said in a blogpost entitled Measure Twice, Cut Once, “I don’t advocate political violence.” Also, I try not to be pulled like a puppet by every impulse. Therefore, I’ll leave the reactive takes to those who have proverbial strings of passion.

Since Kirk’s murder, I’ve observed members of the right-wing abandoning their principles (comprehensive and fundamental laws, doctrines, or assumptions which serve as rules or codes of conduct with habitual devotion to these subjective morally and ethically right standards).

This abandonment of previously held principles isn’t solely in my subjective view. As an example, one source states:

[T]here’s the so-called Charlie Kirk Data Foundation, which claims to have a searchable list of tens of thousands of people who posted mean tweets after Kirk’s death. Collectively, this purge campaign seems to be working.

A lot of scalps have already been claimed, including those of prominent pundits and late night host Jimmy Kimmel (who was suspended after making remarks about the motives of Kirk’s killer).

But — let’s be clear — opposition to cancel culture is merely the latest principle that Trump-era Republicans have conveniently abandoned. Indeed, almost every tenet that conservatives held dear a decade ago has been reversed. And people are starting to notice.

Rather than valuing principles, other people and I have observed members of the right-wing cherishing power. This form of normative (of, relating to, or determining norms or standards) change has occurred at lightning speed. Concerning this perspective, one source states:

The general notion of power involves the capacity to produce or prevent change. In social and political philosophy, narrower conceptions of power specify the nature of these changes. Social power is the capacity to affect the interests of agents. Normative power is the capacity to affect their normative relations, such as their rights or duties.

Regarding my REBT approach to power, from a psychological standpoint, people disturb themselves using a Belief-Consequence (B-C) connection. Still, this isn’t to suggest that in the context of the naturalistic or physical world there is no Action-Consequence (A-C) connection.

For instance, if right-wing agitators for cancel culture continue abandoning their principles and seeking employment terminations for hundreds or thousands of their fellow citizens (Action), then many people may end up destitute of the ability to survive (Consequence).

This abandonment of principles is irrational (both illogical and unreasonable). Thus, when members of the right-wing encounter displeasing comments about Kirk’s death (Action), it’s their irrational Beliefs which cause unproductive Consequences (e.g., favoring cancel culture).

For example, one may Believe, “Worthless people who disparage Kirk’s legacy are intolerable! It’s so terrible to hear and see their responses that these people shouldn’t have a voice in our culture,” as one may then engage in cancel culture while rejecting free speech (Consequence).

Addressing how people upset themselves with unhelpful attitudes, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of unproductive philosophies of life in order to explore Effective new beliefs. Whereas rigid beliefs cause self-disturbance, flexible beliefs result in an un-disturbed condition.

The secondary tool of REBT is UA which is used to relieve self-induced suffering (i.e., engaging in cancel culture). This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance (USA), unconditional other-acceptance (UOA), and unconditional life-acceptance (ULA).

Whereas the ABC model is a scientific approach to wellness, UA serves as a philosophical method for un-disturbing yourself. I view the former as an abortive approach to disturbance and the latter as a preventative method. Of course, not all REBT practitioners use the same style as I.

With my approach to REBT, I incorporate author Stephen Covey’s concepts regarding the circles of control, influence, and concern, as well as an area of no concern. UA maps onto the circle of control (USA), circle of influence (UOA), and circle of concern and area of no concern (ULA).

The circle of control encompasses only oneself, the circle of influence encapsulates elements which may be subject to one’s sway, the circle of concern engrosses most matters one can imagine, and the area of no concern relates to all content which isn’t yet imagined.

Regarding a lack of REBT tool usage, in relation to power, one source states, “According to [Max] Weber, ‘within a social relationship, power is any chance (regardless of the basis of this chance) to carry through one’s own will (even against resistance),” done with or without force.

This Weberian outlook appears to resemble precisely the power dynamics currently occurring within the United States (U.S.). Personally, I reject irrational motivations while denouncing illogical and unreasonable behavior of those who engage in aspects of cancel culture.

To the members of the U.S. right-wing, where have your principles gone? Rather than seeking the pow-the-pow-the-pow-the-pow-the-power of change through A-C means, I invite people to consider the empowering use of REBT to address the self-disturbing B-C paradigm.

The latter approach requires personal responsibility and accountability (collectively “ownership”). Unless I’m mistaken, right-wingers once valued personal ownership. Am I to believe that this is another principle you’ve forsaken when continuing to destroy your integrity?

In closing, I’m at a stage in life whereby I realize how distinct my upbringing was from the younger generations that enjoy hip hop. Similarly, I recognize how drastically different the conservative values up with which I was raised contrast with current right-wing conservatism.

At least the more youthful hip-hoppers have an excuse for their misgivings about the foundations of hip hop. The same can’t be said of older right-wingers who are vigorously burning to the ground any shred of principle they once held, all for irrational retribution. Is the power worth it?

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work 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 hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try 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 trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

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