Interviews with David Banner always get me underlining, margin-responding, and ultimately doing my own writing. This one--about Banner's experiences testifying before congress--went up Monday on the Village Voice's Status Ain't Hood blog and is no exception.

I'm the type of person that if positive is there, I want to talk about positive too. The one positive thing I did see: Some of the congressmen were actually listening. Some of the congressmen were like, "Damn, I didn't even think about it that way. He has a point." Some of them didn't give a shit either way. But that was what surprised me the most. We have the power.

I think I like him so much because he manages to observe and comment on so many systematic failings without ever complaining or placing blame. He continues to seek and suggest solutions. I'm consistently impressed with his ability to broaden his perspective over time. Too often it seems people in positions of visibility, power, influence grow increasingly more closed-off and narrow-minded rather than more engaged and aware. Too often it seems that awareness and engagement lead to defeatist cynicism.

Coming to you live from a snow-packed Denver. Things aren't going so hot right now: I was planning to be in Vegas tomorrow, doing some drinking and gambling, but the snow has spelled shut-down show. All I have to keep me warm is the rap-o-sphere.

Via Nah Right.