The Art of Mastering Self- Mixtape
Tremell Tolliver
Dr. Harris
Lit 2017
The Art of Mastering Self
Love ethics, all aspects of love, is a major topic we thoroughly covered. At the foundation of love ethics is self-love. Self-love, the appreciating and love for your own self and value, is very important to have. Without self-love, love ethics completely crumbles to the ground. If you are unable to love and embrace yourself, how do you expect to reciprocate that upon others? That is not to take away from the fact that self-love comes easy, its quite the opposite. Like other aspects of love, there are numerous trials and tribulations that comes with developing and learning self-love. Thusly. There are tons of eternal and external factors that come into affect of not only self-love, but all love ethics. Nevertheless like the numerous amounts of hardships that come with, there are equal amount of treatment for it. Introspection, an eternal self-reflection and evaluation done by ones-self, is very helpful to developing and liberating self-love. For example, Dr. Walker provided a really good example of how introspection allowed her to liberate and start loving and valuing herself. Despite this being a widely known practice, it is introduced nor brought into perspective till later on in the stages of life. Furthermore, upbrings, family, and environment are huge contributors in affect upon one’s self-love. In many of the resources we have read throughout the course, that early-life upbringing plays a major role in development. Alongside that, we have also saw that such external factors such as white supremacy, racist assaults, and color caste systems play a major role in affecting black people’s self-love. “ It is by now common knowledge that the trauma of white supremacy and ongoing racist assault leaves deep psychic wounds.” stated Bell Hooks (Salvation pg. 55). As black people, there are numerous psychological, emotional, mental, and physical battles that we have to face because of something we did not have control over. This thing being, the complexion of our skin. Upon being born, there is immediate battles that the world has waiting, rather it be from generational traumas or current problems. Although society has gotten better over time with dealing with racial issues, the wounds of history are forever plastered on black people as a whole. Because of this hatred of blackness, it causes black people to question rather or not they truly love and value themselves. However, there are many practices of expression made to oppose these affects and build up self-love. Art, music, and self-care are just to name a few. Music is the main practice I want to focus on. Music in the African-American community is something that is deeply rooted in our history.From the earliest of times to the present, African-Americans have used music to express themselves. Music has a way of uniting the African-American community in way like no other thing can. Music is used as a resource for self-expression. From feelings of love and anger, music can be used for love and liberation.
“Mirror” by Lil Wayne ft. Bruno Mars
In this song, Lil Wayne speaks about how when looking in the mirror he sees himself beauty and flaws. Rather it be physical or mental flaws he speaks about. He speaks about things from his past that have affected him and how he feels. The song itself is a major example of introspection.
“Intro” by Kehlani
This is another song, spoken word rather, where the artist is speaking about things from a point of introspection. Kehlani speaks on problems and events that happen in the past that not only has affected her but has affected others as well.
“Crooked Smile” by JCole ft. TLC
In this song, JCole speaks on the imperfections of black women. He does not speak on the imperfections negatively but in fact positively. He says no matter what you do to change or enhance your looks or self. Your beautiful no matter what on both the inside and outside. He lets women and men know that there is no need to compare yourself to what society has put on a pedestal cause you perfect no matter what.
“Take Your Mask Off” by Tyler the Creator ft. Daniel Ceasar, Latoiya Williams
During this song, Tyler speaks about how people build a “mask” to hide what people are truly feeling and look like eternally and externally. He even confronts the stereotypes that black people face and how it is used as a front to cover themselves. These being how black people dress and get tattoos to mask who they truly are. Tyler says he hopes you take your “mask” off so you can see yourself for who truly are, despite what others think.
“1-800” by Logic
During this song, Logic speaks on how the battle for black men who are gay or questioning their sexuality goes through. The lyric state quite a bit, but the video speaks volumes on the hardships of it all. Overall Logic says to reach out for help and its okay to be you no matter what you may like.
“Me, Myself, and I” by Beyounce
In this song, Beyounce speaks on how during a bad break up, she was able to rediscover herself even at a low point of her life. She was able to see that she was able to overcome something by loving and building herself up.
“Denial is a River” by Doechii
During this song, Doechii talks about her past experiences rather it be setbacks or achievements. She tells events leading up to her fame and the present. She tells how even with the success, there were still battles that came mentally despite beating the odds and achieving what she wanted. Overall this is a major example of introspection and self-appraisal.
“Survivor” by Destiny Child
Although this song is about a group surviving without one of its members, it can be perceived differently depending on who is listening and the situation at which it is being listened to in. In the song it talks about how even after all the darkness and problems that you can comeback harder, stronger, and successful. No matter the hardship you will make it through and survive. The lyrics are very uplifting no matter how you spin it.
“Push It” by Kevin Gates
In this song, Kevin Gates speaks about how he took loses and had failures, but no matter what he was able to comeback and push himself no matter the circumstances. Be able to overcome adversity and push through hardship is a great quality for a person to have for themselves. It allows them to build themselves up no matter what obstacles come there way. This shows they are able to look for a positive perspective and progress in their life rather than giving up.
“Dreams and Nightmares” by Meek Mill
Meek Mill starts out the song immediately speaking on every obstacle he had to face to get to his current point of success. From being incarcerated, to being broke, to growing up in a bad environment, he was able to succeed. Just another relatable example that many black people can relate to. This is another example of despite the cards he was given he overcame them.
“Thought I was Dead” by Tyler the Creator ft. ScHoolboy Q and Santigold
During this song, Tyler speaks on his past and how problematic he was, along with addressing haters and doubters. Tyler keeps it blunt and faces his address his problematic past head. This is something that not many people can do, but it can be helpful to do matter the problem. If you are not able face your problems head on or at all, then you want progress. Alongside that, Tyler also appraises himself on everything he achieved despite the haters and everyone who doubted him. This is a great example because it shows both facing you past and giving yourself space for self appraisal.
“I” by Kendrick Lamar
In this song, Kendrick Lamar was told how that no matter what society view you, no of it matters and the only one that should is yourself. He tells how he wakes up everyday happy. He is happy because he woke up and because he is alive. Overall the song is about loving yourself no matter what.
“Love Yourz” by JCole
This was the very first song I thought about when making this playlist. In this song, JCole speaks on how comparison is the thief of joy and should love who you are and what you have in life. “You aint never gon’ be happy ‘till you love yours” - JCole
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