Looking at the coarse texture of my hair, the cocoa bean pigmentation of my skin, and the size of my lips (got you). There is no question I am of ‘Black-American’ decent, and I am proud of it. When it comes to being black in America, there are some things I am proud of, and some things that bother me about my race. Call it Tom-foolery, or coonery, this is my opinion, and like you, I am entitled to it.

When it comes to being a ‘black’ person in the United States, in more cases than none, we get the short end of the stick. Some of us grow up in a single parent household, some of us grow up being raised by other family members, and some of us do not even know our parents. We are the most oppressed group in this country (as well as those of Middle-Eastern decent). There are many instances of apparent, and underlying oppression that hold us down: religion, main stream media, politics, money, and each other.

Historically, we do not have the inherited ‘old money’ that the ‘white’ race has due to the exploitation, and destruction of the wealth our ancestors tried to generate in the past (research black Wall Street). Aside from the small percentage of historically wealthy black families in the US today. When you see a wealthy Black-American now-a-days, they most likely had to work their ass off to put themselves in that position. Whether it be legally or illegally. This is where I start my fued with some of the Black people in this country. And note that I say some.

We often want to blame our problems on the ‘white man’, and while the people in power that do have a huge role in the oppression of black Americans are white, we have to stop using that as our scapegoat. There are too many prominent black figures in society today that have come from rags to riches, while having to face the adversity of being a black American in this country.. Do you think our ancestors made excuses to get us to where we are today in this country? While I understand that some of us are put in situations and environments that make it more challenging; compared to other black people around the world, we do not notice the privilege we have.
Privilege (N)
"a right, immunity, or benefit enjoyed only by a person beyond the advantages of most" (dictionary.com)

If we go back to the times where our ancestors were enslaved, and exploited to generate the income of what the United States of America was built on; we can see the real struggle our ancestors went through compared to what we face now. And while we often want to use the atrocities of slavery as an excuse for our problems today, that excuse is not as valid as we try to make it. Yes, slavery is not a thing of the distant past, and I agree that it set us all the way back as a community. But I see using it as a primary excuse for why you are in the situation you are in, is a big smack in the face to those who lived through it. The after effects of slavery may be present today in the economic structure of this country, but we are not nearly in the predicament our ancestors were in. How you make it out of your situation as a black American is up to you, and you have the privilege of free-will that our ancestors during the times of slavery, as well as civil rights movement, did not. Even in today’s world, we are still one of the most privileged group of people of color compared to the rest of the world (research continental Africa conflicts, middle eastern conflicts, East Asian conflicts).

Notice I have been referring to us as black-Americans, and not African-Americans, because black people in today’s America did not all come from Africa. Prior to the Europeans conquering America, the indigenous people of North America were people of color, who also had slaves, or were enslaved.. Even the Hispanic culture are descendants of the indigenous people of North America. People of the Middle East and east Asia are more likely to have more African decent than we do, due to geographical proximity to the continent. I am not trying to take away from those of us who are direct descendants of the African people. I just want to give you the insight from what we are lead to believe. If you do not believe me, do your own research. But riddle me this. Why do you think there are so many shades of melanin in people of color?

There is a higher chance that we are descendants of native Americans, or Caribbean cultures, rather than that of African decent. This is information we are not educated on while in school, because it is another tactic to keep our people oppressed. That’s why we must do our own research outside of the classroom, and those of us who have jobs in the education field must challenge the curriculum to educate the future on the truth. The only real way to tell who your ancestors were, is to get a DNA test, and even those are not 100% accurate.

Another thing we must stop doing as a culture is bringing each other down. We are basically mice stuck in a trap when we do that. Again, it is another form of oppression by those in power, and the beauty of it for them is that they do not even have to do anything but sit back and watch us do it. If we can not band together as a culture, with all our different sub-cultures, outlooks, orientations, and statuses, how will we ever progress to get the rights and respect we so dearly deserve as a culture?

Often our role models are those we see in the media. And those of us who look like us, that we see in the media are often entertainers. Whether that be athlete, musician, or on air personalities. We spend more time looking at a screen, then looking into a book. Trust me, I am guilty of doing this myself, and I am working on it.

I would like you to take a break from reading this, and research who controls the American media.

I am a big fan of Hip-hop and R&B (rhythm and blues) . It gets me through my darkest hours. While R&B has faded away from the mainstream culture, Hip-hop remains prevalent. If you listen to the lyrics, and even watch the music videos of today’s hip-hop you can see how the media is shifting our perceptions of being a wealthy black American. If you don’t have 10 hoes, 20 chains, a car you can barely pronounce the name of, with clothes to match it, and a multi million dollar crib that you’ll barely stay in: then you must be doing something wrong.

What I am trying to say, there is no empowerment in today’s mainstream hip-hop, besides that of acts like J.Cole and Kendrick Lamar. Especially for the women of color, we see who the music industry puts in the mainstream media for them, and I am not a fan of any of them aside from Beyoncé. Again we must do our own research, as well as create art that does what the mainstream media doesn’t. What we do not realize, is what we listen to, and what we watch, influences us the most.

That is why all of these things besides a book, are thrown in our face by the mainstream media. You do not see commercials for Tanishi- Coates Between the World and Me: or
What I Learned in the Midst of KAOS: The Making of an Ubuntu Teacher, by Dr. Lamarr Darnell Shields.
Ask yourself why that is the case. If we spent as much time reading, as we do on our devices, who knows what direction our culture would be heading in. The change starts with each and every individual to shift the culture, and it will not happen overnight.

Lastly, we must stop excluding other races into our lives. I understand the skepticism created by letting people from other races, primarily the ‘white race’, into our lives. Especially looking at contemporary, and historical references. But at the end of the day, before we are of any nationality, we are human beings. This world will not get in any better condition by being hermits to one race. In my image of the perfect world, we will all band together as one race, the human race, and rebuild the major destruction our planet has endured from us. America is the only country that classifies people as black or white. In other countries they know where they are direct descendants of. My point is, we are all one in the same beyond our apparent differences. Those differences will reveal a lot of similarities and it all begins how any relationship begins: with dialogue.

I am not saying you have to go out there and start dating a person outside of your race. But I am saying we must embrace our differences and be open to all the other cultures that populate this earth. In my opinion that will be the biggest step towards the progression we dearly need, before this world ends.

As a black person I understand the importance of loving yourself, and your culture; and trust me, I am on that wave with the most sturdy surf board. But at the end of the day, we can not forget we are all creatures created in the image of the entity that created this planet for us. Progression begins with understanding, and excels with love and acceptance.

To change the world we must first change ourselves.

It’s been over 2 years since I decided I wanted to become a entrepreneur. I knew Icouldn’t work for a company gaining only a minimal percentage of it’s net worth. I want to build my own, and share it with individuals who share the same drive as I do. Out of the midst of my sophomore year depression, my professor said I had a on camera personality, and let me rent out a Canon T3i rebel for some time. Though I enjoyed the compliment, I wanted to be behind the camera. Ever since that moment I feel in love with the art that a DSLR creates. During that time I called my self selling weed, I was smoking more money than I was making. My brother Phillip Osborn (IG @philgodart) and I shared the same drive of wanting to create our own wave.


Out of the midst of my failed attempt to sale weed, came the urge to make money legally. Because I am not built for the risk factor that comes with dealing. I damn sure was no kingpin, but Trapping has been a popular term since early 2000’s hip hop. The day I came to the reality that dealing wasn’t my calling, I stated I wanted to be a Legal Trapper.


Just like the light bulb that appears over cartoon characters head, the idea of turning Legal Trapping into a business venture consumed my mental. I began taking the camera with me everywhere, and during that time I linked up with the Premature Millionaires (IG: @prematuremillionaireco). They encouraged, and mentored me on how I can make Legal Trapping more than just a term I randomly came up with. From that day forward, I deemed my self Legal Trap Mack, founder of Legal Trapping Production Company. I wanted to tell, and create stories about those of us in this world who have to fight to make it in this life, by becoming more than what society picture us as.


What began as a hobby soon turned into a passion, and I was getting recognized for my work throughout my school, and home town. As the years progressed, I got stuck. I wasn’t creating as much content because I couldn’t think of any. Then I started thinking I wouldn’t make it to the professional level with my company name being Legal Trapping Productions, because not everyone knows what Trapping means. I eventually stopped using the name, and changed my business title to D.Mackin Creations. That’s where I have been for about 6 months now. Still, I was not creating the content I wanted as I was when started off filming and photographing.


I took a 3 month hiatus from making any film productions, and focused on fine tuning my photography skills while I was studying in England. During that time I was gathering footage for my first full length documentary, called OUTLOOK. I wanted to share my perspective of trekking through Europe as a black male from a low income, single parent, American household. This is where I am at now. I have three months worth of footage to sort through, to create a story that I hope inspires others like me to experience life outside of their home country.


I began feeling like D.Mackin Creations was too narcissistic, I looked to change my company name once again. I was leaning towards Outlook Enterprises, because I wanted others to join the team and help create any form of art through their perspective. But I became skeptic of the name. It was not until yesterday, when I was going through my trunk looking for a photo that I came across a letter from the IRS. It was addressed to Damon Mackin of Legal Trapping Production Company. In that moment I started reminiscing of all the trails and tribulations I went through to start working towards becoming a entrepreneur. I was looking for something that was right in front of my face.


I realized that making any company buzz is a daunting task, and it was up to me to make people feel what my company produces, even if they do not relate to the meaning behind it. Just like the Premature Millionaire Company has done.


There is no more searching for something that has already been found. I took sometime off to enhance my skills, and develop relationships all over the map. The vision has been there, I just overlooked it. Legal Trapping Productions is what made me start taking my hobby seriously, and gained me the opportunities that I have been blessed to experience. It does not matter if my business grows, or crashes, Legal Trapping Productions will be the name behind all the content I present to the masses.


Rest In Peace to the self doubt that made me second guess all of my blessings. It’s a new beginning. What is worth It won’t come easy, and I am built for this challenge because my life has been nothing but adversity. Be on the look out for OUTLOOK, Coming May 2018. As well as the metamorphosis of the Legal Trapping brand. If you have a dream, chase it, and if it fails that’s when you replace it. Don’t give up on things or people that don’t give up on you. Life is what you make it, no matter where you come from.

The end of my European tour intertwined with a new year of life for me. On December 1, 2017 I turned 22 years old. Like any average Black-American male, I spent it in Amsterdam. This trip was one for the books, and no Mom: I was not high the entire time. Amsterdam actually made me want to quit smoking weed because I have never smoked anything as potent as I did there. Nonetheless I made it out with myself intact, minus the couple of braincells I fried. Though I wish we went when it was not below polar bear toes, this trip taught me a critical lesson about myself, that I will carry with me for time.  I would like to thank Madsen for being my road dog, and experiencing these places I would never imagine going with me. Most importantly my Mama for helping me get in the position I am in today to have all of these opportunities I am blessed with. Lastly, I would like to thank my Mama and Pops for bringing me into this world, and God for allowing me to see 22 years of life. 

Now that this trip is coming to a end, my new focus is on reviewing all of the hours of footage captured during this trip, and start working on my documentary called OUTLOOK (coming May 2018). I encourage any one, especially my fellow black people, to take advantage of any opportunity they have to travel outside of their home, and experience the different cultures of in this world. This journey has definitely added to my growth as a individual and partner, and I am very thankful for it.

On Novemeber 25th, my man Alexander the Danger Adventuer, and myself went on a trans-county hike following the Itchan Way. If you asked me to give you two words to describe the experience, I would have to say, “Doctor Schols.”

Leave me feedback in the comment section on the imagery of this trip? Please?