Thursday, August 13, 2009
Lords of the Revolution...
First - special shout owt to my LS K-Slim who put me on to this showing cause I had not heard about it, and I'm usually up on stuff like this -- I'm slipping, lol. :-)
Today I watched a documentary on VH1 called "Lords of the Revolution" which talked about the Black Panther Party and the Black Power Movement. I was already familiar with the history of the party and the movement because I wrote an extensive research paper about it when I was in the 10th grade and in the 11th grade.
*Sidebar -- it was through this research project that I learned about COINTELPRO and it is the basis of why I will NEVER work for the FBI (as a lot of people have been suggesting me to apply since they are hiring); paycheck or not, there are just some things I am unwilling to sell my soul for -- but I digress...*
Studying the Black Panther Party and the Black Power Movement is probably what inspired me more than anything to be the type of person I am when it comes to race relations, politics, and social equality. Even with President Obama in office, I feel like we still need that fire, that energy that people like Huey Newton, Bobby Seale, Eldridge & Kathleen Cleaver, Fred Hampton, Angela Davis, Assata Shakur, Mumia Abu-Jamal, and countless other revolutionaries had. You have to understand that there are still people in America who never wanted to see us out of slavery and now that we are through with that phase, there are some people who will do whatever they have to, to keep us under their will and whim -- even if that means killing some of us. If you look at the "downfall" of the Black Panther Party it was orchestrated by the FBI under the rule of the homo-fascist J. Edgar Hoover -- everything from the "beef" between the Black Panther Party & the US Organization to Huey's drug use and Eldridge's alignment with the right-wing -- it was all fueled by the aggressive, racist, and unconstitutional tactics of our federal government. And you wonder why folks say "off the pigs!" or "f-- the police!" ?
This past semester in my Administration of Justice course at GSU, my final project was focused on Police Accountability and Trust -- the gist of my argument was that until law enforcement -- be it local, state, regional, federal -- take responsibility and hold their officers accountable, the African-American community will NOT trust them. If we cannot trust you, then you are going to have a hell of a hard job trying to do your job because no one is going to cooperate with you. When we hear stories about African-Americans being harassed or brutally attacked by the cops, most of us get our hopes up thinking that there is going to be some great knight that will ride in and save the day. But the reality is that most of these cops are handled by internal affairs and when it does make it to court - they are found not-guilty (remember the Sean Bell case?).
I bring all of this up because recently a rapper in Florida was sentenced to two-years for writing a "cop killer" song (http://www.bvblackspin.com/2009/08/10/rapper-cop-killing-song/?icid=main|htmlws-bv|dl3|link2|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bvblackspin.com%2F2009%2F08%2F10%2Frapper-cop-killing-song%2F). It baffles me because we have people making songs about killing people everyday and yet a man makes a song about an experience he had with two cops harassing him and he gets jail time? Slim Shady talked about killing is mom (and seeing that he was hooked on drugs, it's very possible that he would have done it) -- but he didn't go to jail. Not even concerning what the song is about but what happened to free speech.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
Man ... what do ya'll think about all of this?
Today I watched a documentary on VH1 called "Lords of the Revolution" which talked about the Black Panther Party and the Black Power Movement. I was already familiar with the history of the party and the movement because I wrote an extensive research paper about it when I was in the 10th grade and in the 11th grade.
*Sidebar -- it was through this research project that I learned about COINTELPRO and it is the basis of why I will NEVER work for the FBI (as a lot of people have been suggesting me to apply since they are hiring); paycheck or not, there are just some things I am unwilling to sell my soul for -- but I digress...*
Studying the Black Panther Party and the Black Power Movement is probably what inspired me more than anything to be the type of person I am when it comes to race relations, politics, and social equality. Even with President Obama in office, I feel like we still need that fire, that energy that people like Huey Newton, Bobby Seale, Eldridge & Kathleen Cleaver, Fred Hampton, Angela Davis, Assata Shakur, Mumia Abu-Jamal, and countless other revolutionaries had. You have to understand that there are still people in America who never wanted to see us out of slavery and now that we are through with that phase, there are some people who will do whatever they have to, to keep us under their will and whim -- even if that means killing some of us. If you look at the "downfall" of the Black Panther Party it was orchestrated by the FBI under the rule of the homo-fascist J. Edgar Hoover -- everything from the "beef" between the Black Panther Party & the US Organization to Huey's drug use and Eldridge's alignment with the right-wing -- it was all fueled by the aggressive, racist, and unconstitutional tactics of our federal government. And you wonder why folks say "off the pigs!" or "f-- the police!" ?
This past semester in my Administration of Justice course at GSU, my final project was focused on Police Accountability and Trust -- the gist of my argument was that until law enforcement -- be it local, state, regional, federal -- take responsibility and hold their officers accountable, the African-American community will NOT trust them. If we cannot trust you, then you are going to have a hell of a hard job trying to do your job because no one is going to cooperate with you. When we hear stories about African-Americans being harassed or brutally attacked by the cops, most of us get our hopes up thinking that there is going to be some great knight that will ride in and save the day. But the reality is that most of these cops are handled by internal affairs and when it does make it to court - they are found not-guilty (remember the Sean Bell case?).
I bring all of this up because recently a rapper in Florida was sentenced to two-years for writing a "cop killer" song (http://www.bvblackspin.com/2009/08/10/rapper-cop-killing-song/?icid=main|htmlws-bv|dl3|link2|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bvblackspin.com%2F2009%2F08%2F10%2Frapper-cop-killing-song%2F). It baffles me because we have people making songs about killing people everyday and yet a man makes a song about an experience he had with two cops harassing him and he gets jail time? Slim Shady talked about killing is mom (and seeing that he was hooked on drugs, it's very possible that he would have done it) -- but he didn't go to jail. Not even concerning what the song is about but what happened to free speech.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
Man ... what do ya'll think about all of this?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
You think you know a guy...
So I'm bored and I wanted to type another one. No you don't have to do one too. Please don't whine & gripe about me typing something that might be seemingly irrelevant to you, just shut up & read it. :-)
Anyway -- facts about moi:
1. I learned how to drive on the NASCAR race track of the DMV (I-495) so excuse me if I get road rage over people who don't know how to merge, drive in the correct lane (get out my left lane if you doing the speed limit), or people who do not use their blinker.
2. I have anger-management problems. It's more of a secret cause I've learned how to control it -- but when I do get mad...oh boy.
3. I'm overly organized and overly neat. Ask any of my friends, linesisters, roommates -- I clean ALL the time and everything has its place. Messy rooms do something to my nerves. I have all sorts of planners and journals filled up with "to-do" lists.
4. I have alcoholics on both sides of my family -- this probably explains my tolerance level.
5. I am not an outdoor/adventure type of person -- the wild, the woods, mountains, etc. etc. is NOT for me. The closest thing to outdoors activity that I have done was the Luray Caverns in VA. LeaderShape was a BIG adjustment for me because it was out in the woods ... in a cabin. Man that was the HARDEST week of my life.
6. I think the DC area has the best men on this side of the Mississippi. All of my past boyfriends were from some part of the DMV -- except one and he was from the Bronx. I don't attract southern men -- am I not docile enough? Just kidding.
7. I'm generally nice. Where people get this misconception that I'm mean baffles me. Maybe it's my facial expressions -- I'm usually mugging apparently.
8. I like to sleep. REALLY sleep. I'll wake up -- look around and go right back to sleep. So if you want me to do something with you -- it's in your best interest to ask me the day before so I can set my alarm otherwise I'm going to hibernate.
9. I love to read! I am currently reading two books (for pleasure) - "Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism" by James W. Loewen & "Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present" by Harriet A. Washington
10. I HATE reptiles. I'm struggling to understand why the hell would you want to own something that carries Salmonella. That's right -- in case you didn't know -- ALL reptiles carry Salmonella. It's nothing contagious to them but its lethal in humans. Besides reptiles are some god-ugly creatures. *shivers*
11. I love tattoos. I plan to be tatted up pretty soon! I'll probably get five more.
12. I love makeup - specifically eye shadows, eyeliners, mascara, lip stuff (gloss, glass, color). I'm starting to try out concealers and foundation ... it's not that bad, you just gotta match your complexion and apply lightly.
13. I don't see myself getting married because I'm much too bossy and stubborn -- but who knows.
14. I've been celibate since December 2006. It has been a self-examination journey. Do I struggle with it -- sure. But all and all it's worth it. Jill Scott wrote a poem called "Nothing is for Nothing" and in it she says:
"A prostitute/Selling my soul for emotionally gain/Struggling not to be the third generation of lonely women in my family/Struggling to gain/But gaining nothing but confusion, frustration, illusion, and emptiness/Cause there was no love/Just empty condom wrappers on the floors to discarded like me" ...
I think while some women claim they "love" sex -- they are just doing it because it happens to be what the men they are dealing with values about them. As for me, the "old" me is dead & gone ... the me that I am now is ...
"The me who must have love and give it/The me who brings more to the table than good look and a wet hole/The me that is confident and intelligent and filled to the brim with respect for me"
Damn ... I said I wasn't going to get deep on this one. Oh well...
15. I LOVE THE REDSKINS! Where the hell did all these fake Steeler fans come from? Oh yeah, the same place all the fake ass Giants fans came from. Go sit down somewhere.
15. I love ice cream but I'm lactose intolerant like a mfker! Lordy.
16. I love organic food/drinks.
17. I love men with dreads. Oh la la ...
18. I have an extra sensitive nose -- so if you're funky -- STAY BACK! I will hurt your feelings.
19. Martin was the best damn show on television for years. Next to The Wire (minus wack ass Season 2 about the Docks) of course
20. Jelly Belly Jelly Beans are a God-sent!
Anyway -- facts about moi:
1. I learned how to drive on the NASCAR race track of the DMV (I-495) so excuse me if I get road rage over people who don't know how to merge, drive in the correct lane (get out my left lane if you doing the speed limit), or people who do not use their blinker.
2. I have anger-management problems. It's more of a secret cause I've learned how to control it -- but when I do get mad...oh boy.
3. I'm overly organized and overly neat. Ask any of my friends, linesisters, roommates -- I clean ALL the time and everything has its place. Messy rooms do something to my nerves. I have all sorts of planners and journals filled up with "to-do" lists.
4. I have alcoholics on both sides of my family -- this probably explains my tolerance level.
5. I am not an outdoor/adventure type of person -- the wild, the woods, mountains, etc. etc. is NOT for me. The closest thing to outdoors activity that I have done was the Luray Caverns in VA. LeaderShape was a BIG adjustment for me because it was out in the woods ... in a cabin. Man that was the HARDEST week of my life.
6. I think the DC area has the best men on this side of the Mississippi. All of my past boyfriends were from some part of the DMV -- except one and he was from the Bronx. I don't attract southern men -- am I not docile enough? Just kidding.
7. I'm generally nice. Where people get this misconception that I'm mean baffles me. Maybe it's my facial expressions -- I'm usually mugging apparently.
8. I like to sleep. REALLY sleep. I'll wake up -- look around and go right back to sleep. So if you want me to do something with you -- it's in your best interest to ask me the day before so I can set my alarm otherwise I'm going to hibernate.
9. I love to read! I am currently reading two books (for pleasure) - "Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism" by James W. Loewen & "Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present" by Harriet A. Washington
10. I HATE reptiles. I'm struggling to understand why the hell would you want to own something that carries Salmonella. That's right -- in case you didn't know -- ALL reptiles carry Salmonella. It's nothing contagious to them but its lethal in humans. Besides reptiles are some god-ugly creatures. *shivers*
11. I love tattoos. I plan to be tatted up pretty soon! I'll probably get five more.
12. I love makeup - specifically eye shadows, eyeliners, mascara, lip stuff (gloss, glass, color). I'm starting to try out concealers and foundation ... it's not that bad, you just gotta match your complexion and apply lightly.
13. I don't see myself getting married because I'm much too bossy and stubborn -- but who knows.
14. I've been celibate since December 2006. It has been a self-examination journey. Do I struggle with it -- sure. But all and all it's worth it. Jill Scott wrote a poem called "Nothing is for Nothing" and in it she says:
"A prostitute/Selling my soul for emotionally gain/Struggling not to be the third generation of lonely women in my family/Struggling to gain/But gaining nothing but confusion, frustration, illusion, and emptiness/Cause there was no love/Just empty condom wrappers on the floors to discarded like me" ...
I think while some women claim they "love" sex -- they are just doing it because it happens to be what the men they are dealing with values about them. As for me, the "old" me is dead & gone ... the me that I am now is ...
"The me who must have love and give it/The me who brings more to the table than good look and a wet hole/The me that is confident and intelligent and filled to the brim with respect for me"
Damn ... I said I wasn't going to get deep on this one. Oh well...
15. I LOVE THE REDSKINS! Where the hell did all these fake Steeler fans come from? Oh yeah, the same place all the fake ass Giants fans came from. Go sit down somewhere.
15. I love ice cream but I'm lactose intolerant like a mfker! Lordy.
16. I love organic food/drinks.
17. I love men with dreads. Oh la la ...
18. I have an extra sensitive nose -- so if you're funky -- STAY BACK! I will hurt your feelings.
19. Martin was the best damn show on television for years. Next to The Wire (minus wack ass Season 2 about the Docks) of course
20. Jelly Belly Jelly Beans are a God-sent!
What Really Grinds My Gears...
So me and my jump off ... I mean ... my friend Nika (lol!) decided instead of writing randoms or what we like why not tell people what is just God-awfully annoying, irritating, nerve racking, etc. etc. So without further ado, you know what really grinds my gears...
1. When people won't pop that zit on their forehead.
2. When people don't properly blend their makeup. Why is the green eyeshadow just sitting there with no type of relationship with the gold you applied below it ... get a blending brush people!
3. People who get on the bus in the morning and KNOW they did not take a shower or even bother to brush their teeth -- but have the indignation to be TALKING and moving all kinda ways -- shut up and keep still Funk Bot!
4. All these men folk who want a "Michelle Obama" but got the potential of Tyrone Biggums. Get it together.
5. Females who get the weave but won't get a perm. Boo -- you don't have naturally straight hair, so stop trying to blend in the Yaki Straight/Wavy No. 5 when you're nappy like me.
6. Men -- just because Pharell, Lil Wayne, or any other Pop artist rocks Skinny Jeans or "Manty-Hose" does NOT mean you get a pass to do so as well. Especially when you are well-endowed or plump -- just stop, for the sake of humanity -- JUST STOP!
7. People who walk up and down the street/pedestrian and talk EXTRA loud. Don't nobody care that Ray and em got in a fight or that you need a fill-in. Shut the hell UP.
8. People who create this whole new personality on Facebook, Myspace & Twitter. Gigabyte Gangstas, faux e-Celebrities, and Megapixel Thieves are not things you should wish to be remembered as.
9. People who can't be themselves period. The clothes, the money, the friends, the Letters should NOT make the person -- the person should MAKE them.
10. Grills. Pearly Whites are so much more visually pleasing.
11. Nightgown T-shirts -- "make ya mama proud and take that thing two sizes down"
12. Folk over 21+ who still say stuff like "Men ain't shit" or "These females ain't shit" -- grow the hell up.
13. Sentences that start off with "Don't tell nobody I told you" ... because following it, is generally some rumor and hearsay.
14. Holier than thou Christians -- you know them folks who will tell you everything that is wrong with your life but their own house is on fire.
15. Dudes that always talk about "stacks on deck" but stay at they mama's house and don't even have a job...
16. Folks who are constantly talking bout "SWAG"...swagg-tastic, swaggerific, etc. I mean, damn, y'all really know how to beat a dead horse.
17. Folks that call YOUR phone and the first thing outta their mouth is "who dis?"...ummm, you called ME, right?
18. People who constantly stare but say nothing. Get the nerve to say something.
1. When people won't pop that zit on their forehead.
2. When people don't properly blend their makeup. Why is the green eyeshadow just sitting there with no type of relationship with the gold you applied below it ... get a blending brush people!
3. People who get on the bus in the morning and KNOW they did not take a shower or even bother to brush their teeth -- but have the indignation to be TALKING and moving all kinda ways -- shut up and keep still Funk Bot!
4. All these men folk who want a "Michelle Obama" but got the potential of Tyrone Biggums. Get it together.
5. Females who get the weave but won't get a perm. Boo -- you don't have naturally straight hair, so stop trying to blend in the Yaki Straight/Wavy No. 5 when you're nappy like me.
6. Men -- just because Pharell, Lil Wayne, or any other Pop artist rocks Skinny Jeans or "Manty-Hose" does NOT mean you get a pass to do so as well. Especially when you are well-endowed or plump -- just stop, for the sake of humanity -- JUST STOP!
7. People who walk up and down the street/pedestrian and talk EXTRA loud. Don't nobody care that Ray and em got in a fight or that you need a fill-in. Shut the hell UP.
8. People who create this whole new personality on Facebook, Myspace & Twitter. Gigabyte Gangstas, faux e-Celebrities, and Megapixel Thieves are not things you should wish to be remembered as.
9. People who can't be themselves period. The clothes, the money, the friends, the Letters should NOT make the person -- the person should MAKE them.
10. Grills. Pearly Whites are so much more visually pleasing.
11. Nightgown T-shirts -- "make ya mama proud and take that thing two sizes down"
12. Folk over 21+ who still say stuff like "Men ain't shit" or "These females ain't shit" -- grow the hell up.
13. Sentences that start off with "Don't tell nobody I told you" ... because following it, is generally some rumor and hearsay.
14. Holier than thou Christians -- you know them folks who will tell you everything that is wrong with your life but their own house is on fire.
15. Dudes that always talk about "stacks on deck" but stay at they mama's house and don't even have a job...
16. Folks who are constantly talking bout "SWAG"...swagg-tastic, swaggerific, etc. I mean, damn, y'all really know how to beat a dead horse.
17. Folks that call YOUR phone and the first thing outta their mouth is "who dis?"...ummm, you called ME, right?
18. People who constantly stare but say nothing. Get the nerve to say something.
Monday, July 20, 2009
A Video Dedicated To My Sorors
Since I've started my internship in the sticks, 75% of the time - I am without internet or cable. So with a hell of a lot of time on my hands, I created this little photo-video blog. Enjoy!
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