the word "peace" is just an expression used to say bye when it's time to jet. that's a line from blackalicious' shallow days. in recent days that line has been turned inside out and made clear to me, and it's not just an expression to say bye when it's time to jet. the connotations attached to "peace" is much more than a simple good bye.



i have this habit of picking up words from the people or things around me. i am not from new york but for awhile i said "yo" all the time. i was never a "dude" guy until i picked it up one day. "lates" was not in my vocabulary until i hung out one summer with my friend tim. and so, a few weeks ago i started saying "peace" when ending my phone calls or my conversations or whatever.



clearly i have never used "peace" until recently and my friend mary pointed this fact out to me. she asked why i used it and what i meant by it. i gave her a flippant answer like it was just a thing i picked up, not fully realizing the intent and seriousness of her question. using "peace" is not the same as saying "good bye" or "i'll see you later." it has more meaning to it, a meaning that i would like to think i understood at the time but perhaps didn't.



obviously i acquired the use of "peace" by hanging out with babbs too much (which is never a bad thing). so, as the question drummed in my mind about what i meant by "peace" i just went to babbs and asked him what he meant by it, because after all, i was (mis)appropriating his word and i wanted his take on mary's question. a conversation with him and a few quick emails with mary exchanged later, i learned to watch what i say and mean what i mean. words are powerful, some more than others, make sure you keep your mind on your money and your money on your mind. as it were.



an excerpt:

i am not at all disapproving of using "peace" as an exiting remark... i just wanted there to be awareness of the power and strength of the word. i am a true believer of the idea that semiotics can alter consciousness. if the term is used flightingly and superficially, than the entire movement and people, the actual manifestations (and you know how complicated this is) of the word would be rendered vacuous.. and yet, when used carefully and thoughtfully, its prevalence in every day social exchanges is infinitely valuable.