On the same month of the same year I was born, the comedy Car Wash was released. Growing up, I watched the film whenever it aired on TV thereafter.
Although I adored the entire movie, a number of scenes made an impact on my impressionable mind. In particular, I was interested in a scene that portrayed a Black Muslim man confronting a Christian preacher.
Played by Bill Duke, the character Duane—whose converted name was Abdullah Mohammed Akbar—confronted Richard Pryor’s character, “Daddy Rich,” alongside The Pointer Sisters. The scene unfolds as follows:
Abdullah: Why don’t you tell everybody how you got so rich, Daddy Rich? This is one nigga you ain’t fooling, brother! I mean, I’m hip to the game you’re running down on these people here.
Daddy Rich: What can I do for you, brother?
Abdullah: Oh, the same thing you’re doing for everyone else. Nothing!
Daddy Rich: Guess you don’t believe in my church—the Church of Divine Economic Spirituality.
Abdullah: Yeah, that’s right. I don’t believe in it.
Daddy Rich: Then you don’t believe in God?
Abdullah: Not your God.
Daddy Rich: My God’s doing all right by me. Why don’t you climb on board, brother, and believe in me. And for a small fee, I’ll set you free, nearer to God to thee. ‘Cause it’s better to have money and not need it than to need it and not have it. And there’s a good place in this world for money. Yes’siree, and I know where it is. It’s right here in my pocket!
Abdullah: You talkin’ just like a pimp!
The scene was impactful to me, because my dad exposed me to the doctrine of the Jehovah’s Witnesses at a young age. I understood that Daddy Rich was serving two masters and his behavior was advised against, per Matthew 6:24.
Likewise, from a young age, I understood the role of a pimp—a man who controls sex workers, sometimes arranging clients for them, and taking part of their earnings in return. Abdulla rightfully called out Daddy Rich, because the preacher spit game like a pimp.
As I became an adult, I realized that aside from some preachers there was another sort of career in which pimp game was manifest—politics. On his 2011 album The Greatest Story Never Told, rapper Saigon featured a song entitled “Preacher,” which states in part:
That politician ain’t really a politician
He a (preacher)
We voted him in to be a leader
But he a (preacher)
Promises better living conditions
Soon as he gets the position, switches his disposition
It’s the (preacher)
It’s not only the guys in the church
But it’s the (preacher) got a lot of swish words
How the hell could we survive on this Earth
When ya’ll come, flood the ghetto with guns, drugs and legalize bottles of erk and jerk
My cousin on Percocet
He gave out a murder threat
They caught him, shot up his legs, and them fuckers ain’t working yet
Bloomberg banned cigarettes
Why he ain’t banned letting policemen beat on niggas yet
Y’all know that the shit I’m saying is true
Ignore it if it ain’t pertaining to you
But if the (preacher) don’t walk it like he talk it
Then dammit, doggone it, that nigga got some explaining to do
(Preacher)
You ain’t practicing what you preach man
Nah you extorting us on the weekend
Rob stealing and running a game
Getting filthy rich in God’s name
(Preacher)
Thankfully, the lessons of the Jehovah’s Witnesses taught me to maintain political neutrality. I’m not personally responsible or accountable for slick talking politicians. To me, many of them behave as though they’re deceitful preachers and unscrupulous pimps.
Both Abdullah and Saigon criticized people thought to have injurious influence over others. While certainly not all preachers or politicians behave in such a manner, I defy the reader to honestly claim that not many of these individuals act in a nefarious manner.
Not one to ignore my own human fallibility, it’s worth noting that I’ve been criticized for being a bit too preachy at times. As “preacher” may be defined as one who inculcates or exhorts something earnestly or officiously, I’ve met this definitional criterion in childhood and adulthood alike.
In a blogpost entitled Acceptance, I stated that in my teenage years a friend “nicknamed me ‘Preacher,’ because I attended house parties and other get-togethers while spreading biblical knowledge—much like Sharif from Boyz n the Hood raised awareness with others about Islam.”
Perhaps my buddy and others were skeptical of my persistent proselytizing behavior, because they perceived my actions as insincere as Daddy Rich’s greedy actions were portrayed. Maybe my attempts to save my friends from what I believed would lead to eternal suffering was downright annoying.
In adulthood, I’ve been validly accused of trying to persuade people in my personal and professional life about the merits of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). While those with whom I work in private practice have volunteered for knowledge of REBT, people occupying my inner circle haven’t agreed to hear about this psychotherapeutic modality.
I genuinely believe REBT is a beneficial approach to mental, emotional, and behavioral wellness. Nevertheless, I realize it’s annoying to others when I offer unsolicited observations. Perchance, I’m perceived as “talkin’ just like a pimp” when preaching about REBT.
Importantly, consideration of this introspective possibility doesn’t cause self-disturbance. After all, I can tolerate and accept that not everyone will appreciate what I have to say.
Besides, I was never able to witness to all people when undergoing Jehovah’s Witnesses training, nor was I able to convert all individuals to whom I preached as a member of the Church of Christ in latter years. Similarly, not all people with whom I speak will be persuaded to practice REBT.
Of this, I’m reminded of a blogpost entitled Parable of the Sower, based on Matthew 13:1-23, in which I stated:
Unfortunately, not everyone who receives the seed will enjoy fruitful outcomes. Given this truthful admission, I know that friends, acquaintances, clients, and others will have mixed results. Who’s to say they shouldn’t?
Whoops! Here I go preaching again.
To the casual reader of my blog who may now be wondering what anything stated herein has to do with anything, I’ll briefly explain. Many of my posts are written for me and shared with the world.
I find value in processing matters in written form. It’s my hope that others can read the means to an end by which I resolve internal conflict. The current post is a demonstration of how the matter which prompted the entry has—at this precise point—been settled.
Would you like to know more about how to be your own mechanic so that you can work through the issues of your own proverbial vehicle? Though I do receive payment for my services, I won’t treat you like a preacher, pimp, or politician.
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
References:
Buffalmano, L. (n.d.). Pimpology – The 48 pimp rules: Summary. The Power Moves. Retrieved from https://thepowermoves.com/pimpology/
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Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use
Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better
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Hollings, D. (2022, November 4). Human fallibility. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/human-fallibility
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Hollings, D. (2023, September 22). Parable of the sower. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/parable-of-the-sower
Hollings, D. (2022, November 7). Personal ownership. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/personal-ownership
Hollings, D. (2022, November 17). Preparedness. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/preparedness
Hollings, D. (2023, September 15). Psychotherapeutic modalities. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapeutic-modalities
Hollings, D. (2022, March 25). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt
Hollings, D. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance
Hollings, D. (2022, October 7). Should, must, and ought. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/should-must-and-ought
Hollings, D. (2023, February 16). Tna. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/tna
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Rodney Maddox. (2018, June 17). Car Wash believe in me [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/49-JjQ1Et3Q?si=_h_1eBMlypcwMX6m
Saigon. (2012, January 16). Saigon - Preacher (Official video) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/u2KzPsnBpG4?si=qdIwucn6WsBYuGOA
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Wikipedia. (n.d.). The Pointer Sisters. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pointer_Sisters