Where Have You Been?

This is the question I am asking myself now. I have taken a break from blogging, journaling and even writing. I am trying to come back to life. So The next post are a slew of things that is keeping too many tabs in my browser.

Hope You Enjoy and here is some art to fester on!!



2010
photo credit: Robert Hamblin
Izidwedwe as part of Insila Yomuntu (after Pistoletto)
Dimensions: 100cm x 123cm.
http://www.zanelemuholi.com/photography.htm

On the Sanctity of Marriage - The Atlantic

Here is something for Valentines' Day of 2011.

As I learn more indepth information about the era of slavery in the United States I am amazed at the strength of individuals and the vivacity for life. It is easy to find stories of hardship and woe mized with people's will to live, love and have a family. In honor of Valentines day I am posting an excerpt from "The Black family in slavery and freedom, 1750-1925". This following excerpt is a letter between two ex-slaves that were married but were split up. The letter is sad but it depicts the need of family and unity but also the tradegy that was staged in African's lives in the United States. There is life, love, family and connection in the black community in the United States which has started since slavery. Although, there is talk of the break down of the black family in popular culture,I believe if we look a little closer, we can see the strength of black family.

Happy Valentines Day!


On the Sanctity of Marriage - The Atlantic

Words- Will you be my valentine and Creativity -Please be my Soulmate

Last, night I went out to see Retrospek, a Boston based group highly praised by my friend Catch Wreck. Although, I missed all but their last song, which was hot, they caught me. I stayed to see the other acts, which all help me reclaim words as my valentine. I love words in all their forms, I love when they eloquently graced across my distracted mind and catch my attention. There was only two acts that ceased to entertain me. This one guy went on and on about bitches, I mean more than one song saying bitches all the time, which honestly hurts my feelings. The other I didn't vibe with except for the borrowed popular beats. The only reason I couldn't vibe with these two groups was the lack of creativity. You see, words I have a crush on them. They charm me, they tend to lead these undaunting lives that lead me to want to be with them and help shape them. Now creativity is what guides me and leads me to awake and breath. If I can't perceive the world through my own dimensions and try to display what I saw, I don't think I would make it out my yellow, white and orange room.

So with my ode to words and creativity here is the new Nas and Damien Marley Video- Patience. The use of words is powerful especially when it exclaims some of the most important subjects that is left underwraps. The creativity use to make the video is amazing. I would love to dissect the imagery used one day with a willing collaborator.

Movements of the People- The Current Arab Revolution

Who really knows what is going on. I would really like to know, I would like to actually be there. The Arab nations from Northern Africa to the so called Middle East are protesting and revolting. Tunisia has been turned over, Egypt is in the news. My number one fear, is these changes in governments is produced not by the people but the interest groups in the world to control this region.

But, if it is true then it will be interesting. Below is an United Nations map of protest depicted through death and immolation.

Black History Month is Here

So the second month of 2011 is here. The first month was a whirlwind for me. First, I was upset at 2011 being here. Then I became nervous about accomplishing my goals. Now, I have calmed, still worried but really calm. I got really overloaded with International Affairs, so now I want to tune into l'art, which is french for art. Please enjoy. First up is something posted by Afro. Art.Chick, a tumbler poster. They are a list of quotes by Langston Hughes.

“An artist must be free to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do what he might choose.”

“I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.”

“When peoples care for you and cry for you, they can straighten out your soul.”

“I stay cool, and dig all jive,
That’s the way I stay alive.
My motto,
as I live and learn,
is
Dig and be dug
In return.”

“…the only way to get a thing done is to start to do it, then keep on doing it, and finally you’ll finish it,….”

“Hold fast to dreams-
For if dreams die-
Life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”

Happy Birthday to novelist, playwright, short story writer, columnist and poet - James Mercer Langston Hughes (b. February 1, 1902)

Why Did Baby Doc Return to Haiti?

Here is an interesting news clip from Democracy Now! about the return of Baby Doc, a former U.S. backed dictator of Haiti. I am personally interested because his regime, manned by his father Papa Doc and still supported by the U.S. government murdered my grandfather and attempt to murder my mother and her whole family in Haiti. This led to my family's immigration to the United States. In Haiti, my older aunts and uncles where attending school in the capitol set to be doctors, lawyers and professionals. Conditions of their lives were not grand but it sufficed, there was love and family. This is the personal effect of oppression; lives are changed and torn apart, people's freedoms are taken away and tragedy prevails. If we take it to the next level of the community; oppression stripped Haiti of middle class people and families who had the means to provide Haiti with professional expertise to allow it to provide for itself and guide Haiti for Haitians. Please Enjoy this clip.

Winter Wonderland- Rotation of Positivty

Here in the Northeast there is a really bad snowstorm again. Work was canceled and everyone hunkered down for the storm. Well that is my scenario. I am blessed to have a job that cancels work when there is a blizzard. Allowing me to be stress free from trudging to work during a blizzard. I actually starting this year, decided to not move while there is bad weather. I do not want to drive or go far. I let life stop, it feels amazing.

Previous years, my hectic self would venture around trying to continue to live; including going to work. While watching the news here in New England there is a culture of complaining about continuing to live in this weather. You sit and watch the news casters complain about the hardships of the winter like we do not live in New England and it happens every year. Then interview people complaining about the weather, like we do not live in New England. But I see another side to these blizzards: kindness in everyone.

After a blizzard when I decide it is appropriate for me to go out, you come to a beautiful snowy landscape. Everything freshly after a blizzard is covered in white, the air is crisp and often the sun is brightening life (through the reflection off the snow). I enjoy it, as long as I have nice winter boots on and a good hat. At this time, not everyone has shoveled or the paths are narrow paths not allowing any more than 1 person to pass. As I walk the streets and you come to others I tend to find positive courteous energy among everyone. Smiling with hellos and good days, we pass each other. Short conversations between strangers or your neighbors about the hard work and hardships we will face digging ourselves out. The best part of this winter wonderland is the courteousness of sharing paths with others. I love when a stranger and I come upon each other, we can silently or only with a hello, decide who will go first among the path. Taking turns person after person first the nice Puerto Rican man will go first, the next yuppie couple I encounter will allow me to go first. Back and forth, through a journey you are allowed to be courteous to another then receive courtesy. A little walk to the store could make my day, warming my heart to pass by so many nice people and feeling good by doing something so small but sweet to another.

So here during my environmental day off :), I think of the positivity given to me in this Winter Wonderland.

Stay Warm: Dream P Love