Plenty of hip-hop artists have finally caught on–it’s better to be real. Rap artist, Drake’s appeal has been his authenticity. His ability to capture raw emotion and deliver it to an audience that can relate to his life experiences. Kid Cudi, Jay-Z, and several artists have also caught onto the wave of genuine music that reflects real life. But what is really real life?
Take a look outside… Our society already over-flows with people who have mastered the art of incorrect behaviors: abysmal expressions, terrible grammar, me-first actions, awful enunciation, garish styles, conspicuous consumption, improper clothing, rudeness bordering on violence–the list stretches into infinite space. When we get dressed in the morning, we put on our discourtesy first… it’s considered stylish. Not to mention, vulgarity is the latest trend, it’s not only tolerated but it is embraced. We allow our communities to kill each other off, we disrespect our women and we risk our own lives–all for the sake of “keeping it real.”
Let’s admit it, we have an unhealthy addiction to keeping it real and no matter its affect on people, it’s always justified by the fact that we’re keeping it real. John got shot in a drive-by shooting where other innocent victims were hit, but he was keeping it real; Sarah has several kids who don’t know their fathers, so she cusses out each man she had sex with until she finds the right one, and she’s keeping it real by doing so. When keeping it real costs you your soul, it’s no longer real. For a man with no soul is not real, therefore he doesn’t exist.
Some justify “keeping it real” as telling the truth, and that’s okay because truth heals. But you have to earn the right to criticize someone. We must focus on lifting people up and finding the positive in them. Only then will our criticism be heard. Besides, rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength. Being real is respected, but having tact is admirable.
Ladies, this is for you: The world’s standards have sunk so low, never has it been easier to make a good impression. Be who you are! You don’t have to make your neck hurt in order to network. You’re more than some sexual object. You’re not a second class citizen. That’s a completely false reality. The real story is that you’re the essence of life and what’s beautiful. Keep it real with that reality in mind.
Gentlemen, this is for you: You’ve got to be so slow if you think your ideas of being so real is keeping your soul real. When you compromise your integrity, morals and core values for the attention, admiration and false respect of others, it classifies you as so fake. When God fills your soul, you’ll know which way to go.
My heart bleeds and my soul aches for folks that do whatever it takes to keep it real when their soul is fake. Just keep it Bereolaesque.
Pleasantries.
– Enitan Bereola, II
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Bereola is the go-to style and etiquette impresario, public speaker and entrepreneur. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed BEREOLAESQUE: The Contemporary Gentleman & Etiquette book for the Urban Sophisticate. He is working on his follow-up, Guide to Ladies’ Etiquette from a Gentleman’s Perspective. Find him at www.twitter.com/Bereolaesque and at www.facebook.com/Bereolaesque
