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meet, "slick rick da rula" | the golo profiles

Published Sep. 16, 2009
Views: 1652

 

With a love for debate and disdain for political correctness, it’s no wonder Slick Rick da Rula calls GOLO home. Rick and I finally had the chance to chat yesterday after a series of scheduling conflicts, and I must say it was worth the wait.

So, without further adieu I give you the infamous, Slick Rick:

 

 

Angela: What offends you about political correctness? It’s one of the first few sentences on your profile page.

 

Slick Rick da Rula: Not the respect aspect. I’m a big fan of mutual respect. Sometimes what one person might deem as politically incorrect is perfectly respectable to others and if they didn’t say something in a disrespectful way then I don’t see anything wrong with it.

 

Angela: Are you saying what’s politically correct and what isn’t is entirely subjective?

Slick Rick da Rula: At times, yes. I got in trouble on the news side once there was a series of crimes over a course of a few days were they (the suspects) all had cornrows and I made a comment about that. I got in trouble for it but I was just stating facts. I found research that says cornrows can cause headaches by reducing blood flow to the brain. I didn’t mean it disrespectful.

 

Angela: Yes, they can cause headaches. I had my share as a little girl.

(We laugh)  But there’s no tone to interpret when you’re reading comments. Do you think that might be the problem?

Slick Rick da Rula: Yes, I’ve seen fights happen because of a misinterpretation of tone.

 

 

Angela: So perhaps we need to start audio comments?

SRDR: Is that what you’ve been working on lately?

Angela: Nope.

 

Angela: If you could change any one thing about GOLO what would it be?

Slick Rick da Rula: I’d like to see a better way to read blogs other than the most recent.

 

Angela: Do you mean like by category?

Slick Rick da Rula: Yeah.

Angela: We have that. I guess people don’t see the link. I know that not everyone is on the homepage.  

Slick Rick da Rula: Where is it?

 

Angela: It’s right beneath the big number on the homepage that shows the current number of GOLO members. It says “Browse GOLO by category or location

Slick Rick da Rula: I’ve never seen it. I’ll have to look for it.

(Rick saw it later and e-mailed me saying he had no idea it was there. Told me it should be more prominent but that it’s exactly what he was talking about. )

 

Slick Rick da Rula: I would also like to see enhanced registration procedures, such as a $0.99 charge to join. The credit card credentials (name, address, etc) could then be used to identify multiple profiles. Additionally, I think the fee alone would help cut back on people creating profiles left and right. Personally, I would be willing to go back and do that retroactively in order to maintain my profile.

(Slick Rick and I then had an off-the-record conversation about some of this because it is a subject I struggle with and care about deeply. Sorry folks but I can’t share and he won’t either!)

 

Angela: How did you get your screen name? Is it in reference to Slick Rick, the Rapper?

Slick Rick da Rula: Various people have called me that throughout my life.

Angela: Why?

Slick Rick da Rula: Because my name is Chris James, they’d call me Rick James or Slick Rick. I think Sessy helped me come up with that name.

 

Angela: Why do you participate on GOLO?

Slick Rick da Rula: If you can’t tell I like to debate. There are a few good debaters on GOLO and some good conversationalists. It’s one of the few sites that’s not blocked at work.  

(We laugh)

Angela: Oh, so you’re here by default!

(More laughter)

 

Angela: Have you always liked to debate?

Slick Rick da Rula: I grew up with two older brothers. I had to debate.

Angela: Are you the baby of the family?  

Slick Rick da Rula: I like to say I’m the man!

 

Angela: What are the benefits of being the baby?

Slick Rick da Rula: Mom always loved me the most.

Angela: Did you get away with murder?

Slick Rick da Rula: Yeah…yeah. I could do just about anything as long as I didn’t get caught. But I turned out pretty good.

 

Angela: DO you have children?

Slick Rick da Rula: Not yet. I’m getting married in November to another GOLOer.

 

Angela: What?????

Slick Rick da Rula: Yep, Dreams Come True.

Did you meet on GOLO?

Slick Rick da Rula: No, I introduced her to GOLO.

 

Angela: Can we have a cyber wedding on GOLO.

Slick Rick da Rula: Hmmmm… I’ll have to get with Dreams on that.

 

Angela: We could do it in a live chat room, with a minister moderating!  

Slick Rick da Rula: I’ll have to pose that question..

 

Angela: Is this your first marriage?

Slick Rick da Rula: First and last, (he says affectionately.)

Angela: Good answer!  

 

Angela: What are you going to be doing in 30 years?

Slick Rick da Rula: I will be retired, sipping drinks on an island somewhere!

 

Angela: Sipping Ensure, possibly? (Laugh) Thirty years is a long time.  

Slick Rick da Rula: Ensure and Vodka is pretty good.

(Laughing again..)

 

Angela: Tell me about your most embarrassing moment?

Slick Rick da Rula: I don’t know if you can put this on GOLO…

My roommates walked in on me and my girlfriend on the couch one day.

Angela: Alrighty then! What did you do??

Slick Rick da Rula: They walked out of the room and we ran!

 

Angela: What’s the best advice your mother ever gave you?  

Slick Rick da Rula: Something along the lines of I could be whatever I wanted to be and education could give you the power to do that.

Angela: Did you take heed?

Slick Rick da Rula: I sure did. Got my Master’s degree and I’m a CPA.

Angela: A CPA eh? Now everyone is going to be asking you for tax advice

Slick Rick da Rula: Some people already do!

 

Angela: What do you hate about GOLO? What makes you log off and say “I’m outta here?”

Slick Rick da Rula: Ignorance and misrepresentation of fact.

 

Angela: Is Ignorance subjective?

Slick Rick da Rula: No, and I don’t view it as derogatory either. To me it means a person isn’t educated on a topic.

 

Angela: When a person isn’t educated on a topic do you think they shouldn’t talk about it?

Slick Rick da Rula: No, but I think it should be more about asking questions instead of taking an expert stance.

 

Angela: Do you see that a lot on GOLO?

Slick Rick da Rula: Yes I do. They get a feeling of being an expert from some random blog they read on the internet. Yesterday someone was talking about a guy from the DC parks service estimated 1. 3 million people on the recent March but that comment was made on Jan 22 in relation to Obama’s inauguration.

I think a lot of people are happy thinking they know the truth if it fits in with what they already believe.

 

Angela: That pretty much defines ignorance right? Only taking the information that fits your beliefs.  

Slick Rick da Rula: To me that sums it up right there.

 

Angela: Who do you love chatting with on GOLO?

Slick Rick da Rula: Number one is Dreams. Other than that I’d have to say Salty , Sessy, Packy , Blah, Naughty Monkey. There’s too many I could go on for hours.

 

Angela: Who would you miss terribly if they left (besides your fiancé that is?)

Slick Rick da Rula: Probably Packy, but she hasn’t been on there much anyways.

Angela: A GOLO intervention will get her back

Slick Rick da Rula: Can we call her on three way?

 

Angela: Absolutely…give me her number. DO you have it?

Slick Rick da Rula: I do have it somewhere but not with me.

 

Angela: What do you want to do before you die?

Slick Rick da Rula: Run my own CPA firm. I’m close to starting it right now.

    

Angela: You’re a CPA. What’s the most important thing for people to know about money?

Slick Rick da Rula: The most important thing to know about money is that it comes and it goes.

 

Angela: Leave us with some great words of wisdom…

Slick Rick da Rula: Be nice to Angela. She’s nicer than her reputation would have you believe.

 

(Wild laughter, and then more off the record stuff consisting of empty threats, exaggerated tales and a bit more fun…)

 

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