Ellington

Aunt Tee Tee Hustle: "The way I see things these days is that people live in critical times where critical people criticize with critically destructive words and actions.

"Constructive criticisms are now verbal beat-downs containing mean-spirited words that puncture and cut the so-called thick outer skin of our existence. From the ghettos to the gated communities, our society has turned to a preemptive-strike way of life—like‚ I'll hurt you before you hurt me.

"Or how about this cliché: 'Shoot first and ask questions later'?

"It seems as if this kinder, gentler world has become cold and maniacal. Why? Well, some may blame tech-nology and other things. Right now, I have no answer to why people have become so mean.

"You might say that I am like that old-time radio announcer who always asked a chilling and profound rhetorical question to the anxious and terrified listener. Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? Just turn on the lights, and you will find the answer.

"And you might ask: How do I survive these crucial and critical times? My answer to you is to remember this lyrical line from the good ol' Staple Singers: 'You don't respect yourself/Ain't nobody gonna give a good cahoot, na na na na!'

"With all that said, remember to register this summer at Hair-Did University for my new class called Technology and Humanity Live Together in Perfect Harmony."