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February 12, 2025 10 mins

They say if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. But what happens when the table was never built for you? When the invitation comes with invisible strings? When power disguises itself as opportunity, only to consume you whole?

 

In Episode 24 of The HOOD DEBUTANTE, London Bambi unpacks the power dynamics of access, inclusion, and control. Who gets to sit? Who gets served? And who gets sacrificed? Through a deep, unfiltered conversation, we break down the illusion of access, the danger of silence, and the necessity of building our own spaces before we find ourselves carved into someone else’s meal.

 

Are you eating, or are you being eaten? Let’s talk about it.

 

Listen now. Stay bold. Stay loud. And never let them serve you up.

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Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:13):
Let's roll up, it's a new high.
Good laughs and some good vibes.
It's a safe space to talk about all the dope things that's on our mind.
From world travel to philosophies, we stay stylish, come and rock with me.
.999It's a good time, we got the sauce to make champagne, which is reality, uh. 6 00:00:28,249.999 --> 00:00:30,759.999 We do it for the culture, gotta show them what we can be. 7 00:00:31,759.999 --> 00:00:32,599.999 This is the high life.
Yeah we old so fancy, keep it a G cause, we are family.

(00:38):
It's the debutante, we're London Bambi.
I'm, I'm the debutante.
Yo, yo, what's up, rock stars? Welcome to another episode of the Hood WZ Podcast with Me, your host, London Bambi, and I cannot believe we're on episode 24 already.

(01:09):
And today's episode is titled The Table, the Feast, and the Price of a Seat.
.999And it was inspired by one of my favorite people, whom others like to kind of turn into a villain or say she's a villain.
And that is Omarosa.
And I believe she was given an interview.
Somewhere.
And she said, if you are not at the table, you are on the menu.

(01:30):
And I remember thinking, wow, there's such a simple statement, but it sounds like a warning.
And it's kind of sounds like reality.
But then I started to think about the real question, which is What happens when the table that was built wasn't built for you? And when the menu is written in ink from a pen that you never got to hold? When the very people whom extended the invitations are the same ones who decided which parts of you to get served up for their benefits? So, today we're not just talking about a seat at the table, we're talking about the power dynamics of access, inclusion, and control.

(02:05):
.999We're talking about who sets the table, who gets to sit at the table, and who gets devoured. 22 00:02:10,624.999 --> 00:02:15,905 Because make no mistake, power doesn't just sit still, it moves, it shifts, and it recalibrates.
Always finding new ways to disguise itself.
And if you don't know how to move within it, you will find yourself eaten alive.
.999So today we're going to talk about the Feast of Power. 26 00:02:26,134.999 --> 00:02:29,455 Who gets fed, who gets starved and who gets served.

(02:29):
On a silver platter.
All right.
I know that was a bit intense, okay.
So I want to start with that idea of inclusion.
Put that word in your mind for a moment and take a minute to think about it.
.999All right.
To me, inclusion, or I call it the illusion of access, is to believe that if we work hard enough, behave well enough, make ourselves small enough, we will be granted entry.

(02:52):
But history have shown us that access is not about merit. 35 00:02:56,504.999 --> 00:02:58,075 It's about control. 36 00:02:58,265.001 --> 00:03:16,500 Now ask yourself this, when was the last time you saw someone truly invited into a space of power without condition? Without expectation of assimilation? Without having to compromise their authenticity just to stay? The reality is most seats at the table comes with an invisible contract.

(03:16):
.999Contract that dictates how much of yourself you're allowed to bring and if you step out of line, the same hands that pulled the chair out for you will pull that chair right from under you. 38 00:03:26,939.999 --> 00:03:37,925 So, what is the alternative you might be asking because One thing about me is if ever I see there's a problem with society, I also can find a solution.

(03:38):
.999And I would say for everyone who's listening that's looking for alternative to what I just stated is You build, you build, yes, you build, you create, you establish your own institution, your own infrastructures, your own means of sustaining yourself outside of the system designed to keep you dependent, because waiting for permission will have you starving while others feast.

(04:03):
.8985I will say this, I just read today that Dapper Dan is going to build like a. 41 00:04:08,254.8985 --> 00:04:09,614.8985 district in Harlem. 42 00:04:09,944.8985 --> 00:04:15,54.8985 And can I say I am thrilled about that? That's what I mean by you build your own. 43 00:04:15,64.8985 --> 00:04:23,74.8975 He's a perfect example of making space for his community and building, infrastructures. 44 00:04:23,114.8975 --> 00:04:37,84.8975 Because a garment district, like fashion district, and Harlem, bro, that's beyond, alright? Now, and with that being said, I want to be clear, you know, building your own does not mean being isolated. 45 00:04:37,434.8975 --> 00:04:39,754.8975 It does not mean rejecting collaborations. 46 00:04:40,119.8975 --> 00:04:46,529.8975 It means ensuring that your survival is not at the mercy of those who never wanted you to eat in the first place. 47 00:04:46,539.8975 --> 00:04:48,649.8975 That's, that's, that's all I'm trying to make clear now. 48 00:04:48,739.8965 --> 00:04:49,129.8965 Okay. 49 00:04:49,599.8975 --> 00:04:50,729.8985 Let's go into this. 50 00:04:51,29.8985 --> 00:05:08,129.8985 Think about the last deal you took, the last opportunity you accepted, the last room you stepped into, who was serving you and what were they really offering? Because the one thing about power is it doesn't just give, it calculates. 51 00:05:08,574.8985 --> 00:05:12,784.8985 It measures the cost of what it is offering against what it can take. 52 00:05:13,224.8985 --> 00:05:13,864.8985 All right. 53 00:05:14,274.8985 --> 00:05:20,944.8985 This is how people find themselves trapped in cycles where they believe they're advancing only to realize they're being fattened for the slaughter. 54 00:05:21,154.8975 --> 00:05:25,104.8975 The illusion of success is often just preparation for consumptions. 55 00:05:25,454.8985 --> 00:05:26,34.8985 Think about it. 56 00:05:26,604.8975 --> 00:05:33,354.8985 The job that lets you win, but won't let you lead that platform that amplifies your voice, but censors your truth. 57 00:05:33,754.8985 --> 00:05:38,584.8975 The opportunity that comes dressed as a blessing, but strips you of your autonomy. 58 00:05:39,224.8985 --> 00:05:46,314.8985 I mean, I think even there's this certain deal you could sign in a record label where you, you don't really own nothing. 59 00:05:46,314.8985 --> 00:05:48,24.8985 Everybody's just making money off of you. 60 00:05:48,44.8985 --> 00:05:49,344.8985 So situations like that. 61 00:05:49,524.8985 --> 00:05:56,484.8995 Again, you have to ask yourself, are you eating or are you being eaten? Take a moment. 62 00:05:56,544.8995 --> 00:05:57,144.8985 Think about it. 63 00:06:00,4.8995 --> 00:06:06,574.8995 Alright, so now I want to talk about silence, about how power thrives in the absence of resistance. 64 00:06:07,174.8995 --> 00:06:16,24.8995 There are entire industries built on the backs of people too afraid to speak, entire systems that sustain themselves on silence, on fear, and on compliance. 65 00:06:16,444.8985 --> 00:06:22,704.8995 Think about the first time you swallowed your truth because the room was too heavy, the consequences too high, the risk too great. 66 00:06:22,894.8995 --> 00:06:28,994.8995 But here's the thing about silence, it doesn't protect you, it preserves the very structures that keep you bound. 67 00:06:29,754.8995 --> 00:06:41,724.8995 i'm gonna be so for real right now, speaking up is not always safe, but neither is being silent in the presence of those who will devour you the moment your usefulness runs out. 68 00:06:42,569.8995 --> 00:06:46,289.8995 And so, I have to ask you to ask yourself this. 69 00:06:46,909.8995 --> 00:06:56,459.8985 What is the cost of my silence? What is it buying? And what is it taking from me? Let that sink in. 70 00:06:57,779.8995 --> 00:06:59,979.8995 Alright, and I also want to make another thing clear. 71 00:07:00,559.8995 --> 00:07:02,299.8995 There is no neutral grounding power. 72 00:07:02,509.8995 --> 00:07:04,889.8995 You are either claiming space or being displaced. 73 00:07:04,959.8995 --> 00:07:07,519.8995 You are either defining yourself or being defined. 74 00:07:07,729.8995 --> 00:07:10,509.8995 And the people who understand this don't wait for permission. 75 00:07:10,669.8985 --> 00:07:12,179.8985 They take up space boldly. 76 00:07:12,309.8995 --> 00:07:13,709.8995 They move with intention. 77 00:07:13,839.8985 --> 00:07:16,469.8995 They are not concerned with whether or not they are liked. 78 00:07:16,559.8985 --> 00:07:19,159.8985 They are concerned with whether or not they are free. 79 00:07:19,389.8995 --> 00:07:48,374.9005 Alright? So, again, another real question is, How do you move? Do you shrink yourself to fit do you wait for someone to acknowledge your worth before you claim it or do you take up space? Unapologetically understanding that if you do not someone else will and they won't hesitate to push you out All right, so I'm gonna try to keep this week's a little short because last week was a bit long. 80 00:07:48,374.9005 --> 00:07:55,584.9005 But before I close out, I want to say if the table wasn't built for you, stop begging for a seat and start building your own. 81 00:07:55,584.9005 --> 00:07:57,104.9005 Please, please. 82 00:07:57,574.8995 --> 00:07:58,724.9005 I'm tired of seeing this. 83 00:07:59,544.9005 --> 00:08:00,264.9005 Please. 84 00:08:00,594.9005 --> 00:08:05,904.9005 Okay, because the truth is access without power is just proximity to control. 85 00:08:06,134.9005 --> 00:08:10,434.9005 You're, if you're not designing a structure, you're subjected to its rules. 86 00:08:10,434.9005 --> 00:08:12,104.9005 That's something you really got to understand. 87 00:08:12,464.9005 --> 00:08:14,144.9005 This is why ownership matters. 88 00:08:14,194.9005 --> 00:08:15,724.9005 This is why autonomy matters. 89 00:08:15,764.8995 --> 00:08:18,954.8995 This is why self sufficiency is not just an option. 90 00:08:19,244.9005 --> 00:08:20,604.9005 It is a necessity. 91 00:08:21,94.9005 --> 00:08:22,814.9005 And here is the hardest part. 92 00:08:22,864.9005 --> 00:08:24,424.9005 I know this from experience. 93 00:08:24,704.9005 --> 00:08:28,494.9005 Building your own means trusting your own vision before anyone else does. 94 00:08:28,684.9005 --> 00:08:31,954.9005 It means moving forward even when the resources aren't there yet. 95 00:08:32,94.9005 --> 00:08:37,464.9005 It means understanding that the first table you build might not be perfect, but hell, it will be yours. 96 00:08:37,874.8995 --> 00:08:39,74.9005 Look, you guys see it. 97 00:08:39,94.9005 --> 00:08:41,134.9005 I, I have my two books out. 98 00:08:41,154.9005 --> 00:08:43,484.9005 I'm planning on launching more on my website. 99 00:08:43,494.9005 --> 00:08:47,764.8995 The one thing about me is I keep Black Balloon 70 afloat. 100 00:08:48,149.9005 --> 00:08:51,479.9005 I'm going to keep healing in that balloon because that's me building my infrastructure. 101 00:08:51,899.9005 --> 00:09:00,409.9005 And I have my own small clientele, which I'm grateful for, and I want you to know when you build something of your own, no one can put you on a menu. 102 00:09:00,749.9005 --> 00:09:02,879.9005 Whatever you want to build, start again. 103 00:09:03,409.9005 --> 00:09:05,949.9005 I'm talking to you through my own podcast. 104 00:09:06,349.9005 --> 00:09:07,779.9005 That's something else I build. 105 00:09:07,839.9005 --> 00:09:08,949.9005 Build your own. 106 00:09:09,919.9005 --> 00:09:13,39.9005 I'm gonna leave you with this, because I feel like I'm about to start rambling. 107 00:09:13,39.9005 --> 00:09:13,959.9005 You know how I can get there. 108 00:09:13,959.9005 --> 00:09:15,589.9005 But I'm gonna say this before I leave. 109 00:09:16,244.9005 --> 00:09:18,24.9005 I want you, right now, your life. 110 00:09:18,934.9005 --> 00:09:20,634.9005 Audit the tables you sit at. 111 00:09:21,354.9005 --> 00:09:33,744.8995 I want you to interrogate the invitations you receive and ask yourself, Am I eating or am I being eaten? And then I want you to decide what are you going to build. 112 00:09:35,594.9005 --> 00:09:38,834.9005 All right, guys, that's it for today. 113 00:09:38,834.9005 --> 00:09:40,754.9005 I hope I kept it short enough. 114 00:09:41,54.9005 --> 00:09:45,884.9 Um, again, if this resonates with you, share it, I want you to reflect on it. 115 00:09:45,884.9 --> 00:09:49,134.8995 And most importantly, act on it, be your own best friend. 116 00:09:49,364.9005 --> 00:09:54,524.9005 And as always, I want you to stay bold, stay loud and never let them serve you up. 117 00:09:54,894.9005 --> 00:09:57,64.9005 Thank you for listening to me this week. 118 00:09:57,64.9005 --> 00:10:00,144.9005 I appreciate you guys as always. 119 00:10:00,634.9005 --> 00:10:04,844.9005 And until next time, bye, I'm signing off.
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