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Politics is an important issue concerning Hip Hop because of its roots in civil rights movements and urban plight, that is why it is important to address this web community's stance on it.

So why does The Upperground not have a political agenda? Why don't we discuss politics here, instead choosing to focus on spiritual things?

It's about respect and being focused on the positive.

Politics today have become uncivil. Beyond the debate as if politics serve the people or not (politics are not for nothing, the civil rights movement would show otherwise), it has now turned strongly against the ability of faith by taking judgment into our own hands. And that's a problem, because power to the people is not a complete answer.

What we mean by this is that politics now a days no longer discuss to solve but rather try to win, usually by making sure someone else loses. When the focus is to "win," you lose your awareness (conscious), and lies are easier to accept because you're not fully aware, instead being wrapped up in passion and sometimes anger. Decisions are hard and more easily mistaken when not at peace.

Hip Hop Sessions should be a ground for building, not spent hating your brothers and sisters under political agendas, or other people for that matter. Most arguments don't give a solution nor speak full knowledge - admit it, to you and us, most political rhetoric is not from first hand accounts, but from gossip. We tend to love a scandalous story and something to blame. Politicians and the Media know that you can get ten times the funds demonizing an opponent than standing on principles alone. It's not always wrong, but people should be aware why they are opinionizing the way they do.

We have all done this! When you started out in loving Conscious Hip Hop music, didn't you think everything commercial should be ignored, or be seen as lesser or even as evil? We made fun of them, and some have even hated them. And this too is a stereotype. You're basically condemning someone who might need your help.

Hip Hop Sessions are about connecting. You cannot connect when you're burning down bridges all around you. We may not agree, but we can agree to disagree instead of holding grudges. In time, we might get to that place were we can debate more openly with respect and open minds. Our place is to only to speak to build from what we've known by living and truths are verified by living life.

We understand, you cannot avoid or prevent the issues that may arise that make people vocal about politics, but you can learn to accept, forgive, move on and NOT REPEAT or encourage bad habits.

“He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”- Proverbs 17:9

We can also choose not to promote gossip as well, knowing there's more important issues (Matthew 6:33). Take steps towards civility, and thus TRUST and have FAITH.

This is why we should have separation of church (community) and state (politics). The church has not grown despite this, but because of it. Churches have been best when a place of peace and usually go unhealthy when brought into the heated political realm. Persecution of the church is what made the true church stronger in FAITH. Why attach the church (ie. ten commandments) to a system that fails to uphold them? Get it?

Do not be afraid of the word authority, 90 percent of what we know is from an authority (teachers, scientists, pastors). We often don't have what it takes to prove everything we hear, but that's not the issue. The issue is who is authority? Authority is just who WE TRUST and think is trust worthy. So, that's an important question, who do you trust? Because whoever or whatever is the ultimate source of what you trust, it should be praised.

ONCE AGAIN, we do not hate on social activism, but prefer to keep politics and questionable agendas not presented on this website to build a positive community and not align ourselves under politics but under God's authority before anything else.

"Blessed are the peacemakers..." Matthew 5:9

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14

"The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens..." Proverbs 12:15

"The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war..." Ecclesiastes 9:17-18

"Stop judging by mere appearances..." John 7:24

"Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall." Luke 11:17

"Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king (the ruler at the time was Nero)." 1 Peter 2:17

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33