The Hustler

You know how Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker is iconic (albeit in part due to an untimely demise) because of the character’s contrarian views and underdog story? Malachi Love-Robinson became my “dark hero” when he walked to center stage, and with an astoundingly mature tone told reporters that he is appreciative of the support he has received in this rough time for him and his family. Either right before or right after he requested that they should pray for his family and “look to build them instead of tearing them down”. At that moment, I understood why Donald Trump still has supporters even through his regimes administrations malarky.  Even though Malachi Love-Robinson isn’t a squeaky clean teenager, and has committed some wild crimes of his own, I can’t help but admire his unbridled boldness and confidence.  

When the world was introduced to Malachi Love-Robinson, he had opened a naturopathic clinic in Florida as an 18 year-old.  But it wasn’t his age and profession that gained attention, he was busted in a medical office space by an undercover sheriff for prescribing allergy pills. It is illegal for someone who is not a medical doctor to prescribe medicine. Malachi “Dr. Love” Robinson was also accused of stealing checks from a patient who allegedly paid him over $35,000 for medical treatment. 

Do The Hustle

American culture values “hustle”, they even named a dance after it. As a subculture of American culture, hip-hop culture also values hustling. But what is hustling? As told in the iconic movie “Player’s Club”, Using what you got to get what want - even if that means stepping outside the bounds of legality. Laws are only as good as the state’s ability to enforce them. Issues arise when they are only enforced for specific groups of people, commonly known as discrimination. 

Malachi’s ability to conduct damage control via public relations showcased an undeniable maturity for an 18 year-old. Not to mention his “white voice” - the voice Black people use during their work hours of 9a to 5p - is much better than mine, and I’ve been practicing for over 5 years (The Midwest playa drawl gives me away every time). Seriously though, Malachi’s story of making it happen without capital resonates with me oh so-tough. And he did it straight out of high school. 

Perception is key. Not only to consumers and customers, but also to hired help and partners. That an 18 year-old was savvy enough to pull this off while donning a mohawk haircut, is absolutely hilarious! And he generated $35,000 in revenue from a single client. Don’t misconstrue my exaltation of his entrepreneurial spirit and mental acuity for permission of his behavior. But let’s be frank, no one checks the credentials of white folk. When it comes to certifications the matrix of inequality is immutable. Dr. Tamika Cross was not taken seriously when she proclaimed her status as a doctor on her Delta flight after eminent illness befell one of her fellow passengers. Although she possessed years of experience she was told to sit down. 

We’re Getting Hustled

Certifications don’t matter. If you’re white and certified nobody cares because they won’t ask for proof . If you’re Black and certified nobody cares because black skin is a prerequisite disqualification - no matter how qualified you think you might be. When Donald Trump uses perception to achieve results he’s lauded as a supreme “businessman. When Malachi Love-Robinson uses perception to achieve results, he’s a criminal.  When Black youngster’s hustle, they are treated like Eric Garner and Alton Sterling. White hustlers aren’t associated with the connotations of hustling. In fact, they aren’t described as hustlers by the mass media - Donald Trump and his ilk are deemed “enterprising”, “industrious”, and “ambitious” “with gumption”. 

How many white frauds do we have amongst the professional ranks but because they are assumed as legitimate authorities, no one questions their credentials. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jake Gyllenhaal in Catch Me If You Can and Nightcrawler, respectively, were actually movies about white male privilege. Malachi Love-Robinson is facing 3 years in prison while Donald Trump is President. Life is like a (white male privilege) movie, I guess.