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Never Change

  • Writer: Deric Hollings
    Deric Hollings
  • 4 days ago
  • 5 min read

 

Released on Loose Cannons 001 (2016), produced by Bozack Morris, was the track “Never Change” which was performed by Conway the Machine and Westside Gunn. Some may not imagine how it relates to mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”).

 

However, I offer a line performed by Conway for your critical examination. He stated, “I’mma product of the hood that made me. I’ll be a G ‘til I die; you can’t change me.” The lyric reminds me of people from my past who were prideful about their connection to the criminal activity.

 

I, too, was involved in said action at one point historically. However, as the late el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz once said regarding guilt or shame pertaining to his past:

 

To have once been a criminal is no disgrace. To remain a criminal is the disgrace. I formerly was a criminal. I formerly was in prison. I’m not ashamed of that. You never can use that over my head. He’s using the wrong stick. I don’t feel that stick.

 

I changed my life, though a number of people with whom I was once familiar viewed change negatively—marked by features of hostility, withdrawal, or pessimism. To elaborate, allow me to deconstruct the premises and conclusion of Conway’s line through use of a syllogism:

 

Form (hypothetical) –

If p, then q; if q, then r; therefore, if p, then r.

 

Example –

Major premise: If I was born and raised in an urban setting while choosing a life of crime, then I absolutely should remain criminally-affiliated until I die.

 

Minor premise: If I absolutely should remain criminally-affiliated until I die, then you cannot change the path I’ve chosen.

 

Conclusion: Therefore, if I was born and raised in an urban setting while choosing a life of crime, then you cannot change the path I’ve chosen.

 

Bear in mind that the premises in an argument, proposition, or belief of this form will always lead to the conclusion. This is the case even when the premises aren’t true.

 

Equally important, in order to be considered rational the argument, proposition, or belief empirically must remain in accordance with both logic and reason. My illustrated deconstruction of Conway’s premises and conclusion follows logical form.

 

Yet, I argue that the proposition from “Never Change” isn’t reasonable—soundly justified. This is because the irrational belief of demandingness – often used in association with “should,” “must,” or “ought” terms – isn’t a justifiable basis for continuing use of unproductive behavior.

 

Thus, I maintain that stating “I’ll be a G ‘til I die; you can’t change me” isn’t a rational statement. Nevertheless, as a professional practitioner of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I recognize a self-determined and autonomous person’s right to be self-disturbed.

 

This brings me to the particular people called to mind when hearing “Never Change.” Their pride regarding connection to criminal activity was detrimental to their mental health. All the same, they enjoyed the freedom to use irrationality as a driving factor to influence their behavior.

 

I didn’t view change negatively. Instead, I saw friends go in and out of incarcerated settings; follow the path of substance use, abuse, and dependence; perpetuate cycles of dysfunctional behavior; and some of them died in adolescence and early adulthood.

 

I wasn’t better than them for walking away from that lifestyle. Instead, I simply chose a healthier path pertaining to my interests and goals. I chose my path and my former friends chose theirs. Which route will you take? Will you change, or is a “never change” strategy one you’ll use?

 

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

 

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

 

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

 

 

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW


 

References:

 

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