Done

posts/spiritual-roots.md

@@ -31,3 +31,30 @@ The lines “Slide on you like fallen drapes, God toss full of carnivals" are a
 > [Don't judge me! Won't you tell a friend? Y'all gon’ see](https://youtu.be/7EbmXmCrqL4?si=CtT3xavT21W99UEP&t=71)
 
 The repetition of “Don’t judge me” is a reference to the Tupac song “Only God Can Judge Me” where both songs highlight the religious idea that God is a constant witness in one’s life and only He can attest to who one truly is. With this part of the verse, Kendrick asks his audience not to judge him for the choices he made in his past because they can’t understand what he’s been through but also encourages them to do the same for their own lives and stand up for their individual lived experiences, instead of letting others define them with stereotypes or confining them to a statistic. By leading his audience with religious messaging, Kendrick is able to effectively advocate for the Black community and push them to take charge of their lives.
+
+      In _FEAR._, the song is introduced by a voicemail sermon from Kendrick’s cousin, Carl, who is a Hebrew Israelite, believing that people of color are decedents of Jacob and are the lost tribes of Israel. This belief that Black Americans are God’s chosen people is also shared by Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam and was used in order break people free from stereotypes and give African-Americans something to rally behind. Carl quotes Deuteronomy 28 as the reason behind why African Americans are made to suffer and that until they follow God’s commandments that they will be cursed, saying
+
+> [I know you been havin' a lot on yo' mind lately](https://youtu.be/jdbQYDkNjfk?si=N_d5fFb7_PdnGCK8&t=13)\
+> [And I know you feel like, you know](https://youtu.be/jdbQYDkNjfk?si=N_d5fFb7_PdnGCK8&t=13)\
+> [People ain't been prayin' for you](https://youtu.be/jdbQYDkNjfk?si=N_d5fFb7_PdnGCK8&t=13)\
+> [But you have to understand this, man, that we are a cursed people Deuteronomy 28:28 says, "The Lord shall smite thee with madness And blindness, and astonishment of heart"](https://youtu.be/jdbQYDkNjfk?si=N_d5fFb7_PdnGCK8&t=13)\
+> [See, family, that's why you feel like you feel](https://youtu.be/jdbQYDkNjfk?si=N_d5fFb7_PdnGCK8&t=13)\
+> [Like you got a chip on your shoulder](https://youtu.be/jdbQYDkNjfk?si=N_d5fFb7_PdnGCK8&t=13)\
+> [Until you follow His commandments, you gonna feel that way](https://youtu.be/jdbQYDkNjfk?si=N_d5fFb7_PdnGCK8&t=13)
+
+The phrase “Ain’t nobody praying for me” is repeated throughout the album by Kendrick but Carl explains in his voicemail that these people Kendrick would rely on are also broken. This furthers the idea that salvation comes from one’s own faith and not the faith of others and that if people in the Black community want to achieve progress then they have to stand up for themselves as individuals, instead of relying on one central leader or presidential figure to create change. Kendrick also views himself as a prophet or religious leader, with the first bridge questioning
+
+> [Why God, why God do I gotta suffer?](https://youtu.be/jdbQYDkNjfk?si=VdL-_35WaENkRbOW&t=37)\
+> [Pain in my heart carry burdens full of struggle](https://youtu.be/jdbQYDkNjfk?si=VdL-_35WaENkRbOW&t=37)\
+> [Why God, why God do I gotta bleed?](https://youtu.be/jdbQYDkNjfk?si=VdL-_35WaENkRbOW&t=37)\
+> [Every stone thrown at you restin' at my feet](https://youtu.be/jdbQYDkNjfk?si=VdL-_35WaENkRbOW&t=37)\
+> [Why God, why God do I gotta suffer?](https://youtu.be/jdbQYDkNjfk?si=VdL-_35WaENkRbOW&t=37)\
+> [Earth is no more, won’t you burn this muh’fucka?](https://youtu.be/jdbQYDkNjfk?si=VdL-_35WaENkRbOW&t=37)
+
+Lamar is saying that people cast stones at him when he is only trying to give the message of God, which is a similar theme throughout the Bible. He also references this idea in _GOD._ with “Everything I say is from an angel”, where he directly compares himself to being a prophet. Kendrick considers his music to be as impactful to others as a religious leader might be and, in the process, uses _DAMN._ to help people find their path towards progress. Despite this, Kendrick still fears that all his wealth and progress might be taken away, wondering
+
+> [All this money, is God playin' a joke on me?](https://youtu.be/jdbQYDkNjfk?si=gI-b5Q5R1oibzAan&t=259)\
+> [Is it for the moment, and will he see me as Job?](https://youtu.be/jdbQYDkNjfk?si=gI-b5Q5R1oibzAan&t=259)\
+> [Take it from me and leave me worse than I was before?](https://youtu.be/jdbQYDkNjfk?si=gI-b5Q5R1oibzAan&t=259)
+
+Kendrick compares himself to Job and how his faith was tested by God if He took away all that Job had. Lamar attributes his success to God throughout _GOD._ and _DUCKWORTH._ in how his faith and actions, as well as those of his father, manifested in his career. Since Job was faithful to God in the end, his family and wealth was restored and in referencing the story Kendrick attempts to teach his audience that faith is eventually always rewarded.

src/app/page.tsx

@@ -113,7 +113,9 @@ export default function Home() {
             <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 gap-12">
               <div className="space-y-6">
                 <p className="text-lg leading-relaxed text-gray-300">
-                  Of the many characteristics of the Black Arts Movement, collective empowerment and a form of spirituality are all seen prominently in <i>DAMN.</i> These articles draw connections between a select few songs and these ideas that help to show how Kendrick Lamar has built his albums and career in modern times off of the art of the past.
+                  Of the many characteristics of the Black Arts Movement, collective empowerment and a form of spirituality are all seen prominently in <i>DAMN.</i>
+                  These articles draw connections between a select few songs and these ideas that help to show how Kendrick Lamar has built his albums and career in modern times off of the art of the past.
+                  In doing so, Kendrick outlines a path for progress for the Black community that is achieved through individual reflection.
                 </p>
               </div>