I was just brought up knowing how to separate your professional life and social life. I was born in New Orleans. The 9th Ward as you know. I went to elementary school were the racial demographics were 50/50 over here in Mississippi. I did a year of middle school were the demographics started to lean more in favor of blacks, and for the first time ever I began to consistently be in trouble. More because of who I hung around then what I was doing. The only thing that saved me was the fact the teachers recognized my grades were all A's, and were more lenient. We moved, and I finished my grade schooling career at a place were it was 90% white, and I never had any trouble at any point in time. And I'm not saying that to make it a racial thing, but only to make my point. That taught me how to deal with EVERYONE. Because everybody is different. I could blend. The white kids couldn't really understand how I talked. I learned to change that up around them. I didn't flash the gang banging ties around them or at the school because I knew it would only hold me back. Same goes for my music. I don't often reference the Blood ties because it only brings drama. So I agree with you in that aspect. It was dumb for Desean to throw up the C's (I'm throwing up in my mouth...ugh) in a game. But I think it was a heat of the moment, knee jerk reaction. Anybody who came up around that kind of goes back to that as a crutch when in a confrontation. Like a dog showing it's teeth if you will. Not to mention gangs have become more of a glorified part of Hip Hop, and EVERYBODY thinks they're in them now. It's a little deeper then what's seen on the surface. I think he's a Crip (throws up again), just not an active, banging Crip. And I don't think he ever put in work or anything like. Which is robbery, murder, or drug dealing for the set. Some people are just kind of honorary.

Perhaps I'll phrase it differently.

1. He's not bright. Only the hardest headed thug couldn't learn and play "the game" for $10m/year. Or the fakest wanabe gangsta.

2. If he threw C's out of emotion on national TV, he lacks self restraint and or discipline.

I figured out "work" with out the definition.

The math is dim+immature+emotionally driven = Accident looking for a place to happen.

Or

Maybe nothing at all

It's a $10m gamble...

Since you brought up "honorary member"... WTF? A fake thug? That life is what people turn to when they can't survive any other way. That's like me putting on dirty clothes with holes and hanging out in a soup kitchen... Or socialites buying Harley's, fake gang vests, and bandanas pretending to be bikers .... I don't understand some people.


Anyway.... You didn't use the word soldier and I appreciate that.