“You ain’t gotta lie to kick it, my n-gga/You ain’t gotta try so hard…”
—Kendrick Lamar, You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Momma Said)
Man. Hold Up.
Let your Drunk Auntie–and by ‘your Drunk Auntie,’ I mean me–dissect this for a minute. We say phrases like:
- Fake it til you make it.
- People will believe whatever you tell them.
- Fame is in the follower count.
“You ain’t gotta lie to kick it!”
This was something we used to in junior high. It was our way of gently calling each other out when one of us was boasting a few too many stories. And, it was our a way of proclaiming allegiance to an unpopular opinion about something. Think: My mama buys me Payless shoes. I ain’t gotta lie to kick it!
Now that I’m older, I see it all the time. The demeaning “power quotes” about being a boss that shade employees. Photos of exotic vacations complete with fancy cocktails and luxury jewelry. And of course, it’s all hashtagged with #MyLife #DoingMe #Blessed #Boss.
Seriously, stop this.
And stop comparing yourself to a fairytale told by Facebook, Tumblr and Instagram. There’s nothing wrong with owning exactly who you are in this moment.
It ain’t losing if you’re sitting behind a white, MDF-constructed desk in a soft-walled gray cube. It ain’t losing if you haven’t had an 10-day getaway. If you like beer, put your feet up and drink it. And, so what if your diamonds are from Zales, or even Claire’s.
Live YOUR life. Fill it with YOUR accomplishments. Live that shit for YOU.
Make sure your aspirations are your own and not some dim attempt at keeping up with Joneses on Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat. They’re probably lying to kick it, too.
You ain’t gotta lie to kick it.
*If you know what comes next, you are most definitely are a friend of mine.
