You laid out the facts clean — surveillance budgets, facial scans, license plate readers — all sharp. But over here? We don’t just read stats. We feel them. We live them. And your piece, while solid, still had that “observer from the sidewalk” tone. Know what i mean, can ya feel me? Time to step inside the shop. The BDT Barber Shop up in the Bronx.
Let me break it down for you:
ICE ain’t just expanding surveillance — they’re building a digital cage with taxpayer dollars. $1.4 billion ain’t a budget line, it’s a blueprint for fear. Facial recognition? That’s not tech innovation — that’s a digital frisk. License plate readers? That’s not traffic control — that’s a rolling checkpoint for brown skin.
You said it’s a threat to civil liberties. True. But in my neighborhood, it’s a threat to existence. We don’t get warnings — we get knocks. We don’t get policy memos — we get deportation vans parked two blocks from the bodega.
So here’s your fade, Brandon: If you’re gonna write about surveillance, write like you’ve been watched. If you’re gonna talk about ICE, talk like you’ve felt the chill. And if you’re gonna speak to the people, speak like you’re one of us — not just reporting on us.
Now don’t get it twisted — I respect your cadence. You’ve got the bones. But next time, bring the soul. Bring the tension. Bring the sweat. Bring the barbershop heat that turns a paragraph into a protest. Just a suggestion.
Because in here? We don’t do passive voice. We do active resistance.
Welcome to the crew. Now sharpen that pen and let’s get to work.
I appreciate the comments, but you don't know me. My hood is 80% Mexican immigrant, I have family who are immigrants, my best homie was deported, and I am covered with gang tattoos. I know exactly what it is like to deal with cops. I know exactly what it is like to be detained for months. I spent my entire youth clashing with police and getting pulled over in my lowrider '67 Impala on the West Coast. I don't answer to anyone. I don't carry water for ANY political party. I don't answer to ANY political organization. I don't change my voice or style for anyone.
Brandon — I hear you. That “80% Mexican immigrant, 20% hood cop” blend? That’s a bold mix. But let’s not let identity become insulation.
You say you admire law enforcement. Cool. But admiration without interrogation is how systems stay unchecked. You roll in a ’67 Impala — respect. But that ride don’t outrun the reality: facial scans and license plate readers ain’t just tech. They’re tools. And tools get weaponized when policy’s asleep.
You say you’re not pushing any agenda. That’s fine. But silence is a stance too. And when brown folks are getting scanned, tracked, and profiled — neutrality starts to look like complicity.
So here’s the real question: Are you vibing with the badge because it represents order? Or because it lets you dodge the disorder others live through daily?
Because if you’re 80% immigrant, then you know what fear feels like. And if you’re 20% hood cop, then you know what power looks like. But if you’re 100% writer, then you owe it to both sides to speak truth — not just nostalgia.
I’m not here to drag you. I’m here to ask: What else you got under that tank? Because the streets are watching. And the silence between your sentences? That’s where the real story lives.
This ain’t shade, it’s a mirror. Step up and lets collaborate as part of a conscious crew of collaborators making the written, and spoken word, even stronger. - BDT
You put some words into my mouth. Nowhere did I say "I admire law enforcement." I am libertarian on most issues. I think government should be as small as possible and stay out of everyone's business. But that does not mean that I hate people who have different political viewpoints. I appreciate your comments. We have two different approaches to politics and that is okay. I respect your passion. I wish you the best with what you are doing! I have to split. I am a busy man! ✌️
Brandon.
You laid out the facts clean — surveillance budgets, facial scans, license plate readers — all sharp. But over here? We don’t just read stats. We feel them. We live them. And your piece, while solid, still had that “observer from the sidewalk” tone. Know what i mean, can ya feel me? Time to step inside the shop. The BDT Barber Shop up in the Bronx.
Let me break it down for you:
ICE ain’t just expanding surveillance — they’re building a digital cage with taxpayer dollars. $1.4 billion ain’t a budget line, it’s a blueprint for fear. Facial recognition? That’s not tech innovation — that’s a digital frisk. License plate readers? That’s not traffic control — that’s a rolling checkpoint for brown skin.
You said it’s a threat to civil liberties. True. But in my neighborhood, it’s a threat to existence. We don’t get warnings — we get knocks. We don’t get policy memos — we get deportation vans parked two blocks from the bodega.
So here’s your fade, Brandon: If you’re gonna write about surveillance, write like you’ve been watched. If you’re gonna talk about ICE, talk like you’ve felt the chill. And if you’re gonna speak to the people, speak like you’re one of us — not just reporting on us.
Now don’t get it twisted — I respect your cadence. You’ve got the bones. But next time, bring the soul. Bring the tension. Bring the sweat. Bring the barbershop heat that turns a paragraph into a protest. Just a suggestion.
Because in here? We don’t do passive voice. We do active resistance.
Welcome to the crew. Now sharpen that pen and let’s get to work.
Peace Out, Big Daddy Tee
I appreciate the comments, but you don't know me. My hood is 80% Mexican immigrant, I have family who are immigrants, my best homie was deported, and I am covered with gang tattoos. I know exactly what it is like to deal with cops. I know exactly what it is like to be detained for months. I spent my entire youth clashing with police and getting pulled over in my lowrider '67 Impala on the West Coast. I don't answer to anyone. I don't carry water for ANY political party. I don't answer to ANY political organization. I don't change my voice or style for anyone.
Brandon — I hear you. That “80% Mexican immigrant, 20% hood cop” blend? That’s a bold mix. But let’s not let identity become insulation.
You say you admire law enforcement. Cool. But admiration without interrogation is how systems stay unchecked. You roll in a ’67 Impala — respect. But that ride don’t outrun the reality: facial scans and license plate readers ain’t just tech. They’re tools. And tools get weaponized when policy’s asleep.
You say you’re not pushing any agenda. That’s fine. But silence is a stance too. And when brown folks are getting scanned, tracked, and profiled — neutrality starts to look like complicity.
So here’s the real question: Are you vibing with the badge because it represents order? Or because it lets you dodge the disorder others live through daily?
Because if you’re 80% immigrant, then you know what fear feels like. And if you’re 20% hood cop, then you know what power looks like. But if you’re 100% writer, then you owe it to both sides to speak truth — not just nostalgia.
I’m not here to drag you. I’m here to ask: What else you got under that tank? Because the streets are watching. And the silence between your sentences? That’s where the real story lives.
This ain’t shade, it’s a mirror. Step up and lets collaborate as part of a conscious crew of collaborators making the written, and spoken word, even stronger. - BDT
You put some words into my mouth. Nowhere did I say "I admire law enforcement." I am libertarian on most issues. I think government should be as small as possible and stay out of everyone's business. But that does not mean that I hate people who have different political viewpoints. I appreciate your comments. We have two different approaches to politics and that is okay. I respect your passion. I wish you the best with what you are doing! I have to split. I am a busy man! ✌️