a look back

Although I hate the hackneyed phrase "this year has gone by so fast", I realize that cliches become so for a reason -they're true. And 2007 ran by, in an attempt to shed its clothes and to change into 2008. All the sooner to have me graduate, so shouts to the New Year's baby for that.

Its almost unbelievable that last year, this time I was getting ready for my semester abroad at SOAS in London. I got new luggage and cold feet. But during that plane ride, something funny happened- God threw my trepidation out the window and although I was homesick for a good grey month, I still got my London on and had another great cliche happen to me : a life changing experience.

I started blogging because of my time in London, I decided to grow out my perm and go natural in London (my crinkly unpressed fro bear the fruit of my labor of self-love), I traisped around continental Europe with some homies and learned to live independently. When I got back home I felt that folks at immigration should've declared, "now you are a woman". Being away in Europe was like a 5-month long bat mitzvah.

It might be the headquarters of imperialism, but London, England is and will always be my joint. I had to go out to come back to see what was really in me. And so far, 7 loyal readers I'm impressed.

*2008 travel plans - hit up the Caribbean and Africa and collect even more stamps in mi passaporte E aprenda o português (and learn Portuguese)*

Merry Christmas!!!

Whether you've celebrate Christmas, Eid, Hanuukkah, Kwanzaa, Dwali or some combination of all the above we here at Brooklyn Sis wish you and yours a happy and blessed holiday season.

Enjoy the smooth sounds of one of the most unappreciated but wonderfully talented singers, Faith Evans do her thing on one of the best if underappreciated blogs.

God bless, and save some black cake for me next to the Christmas tree.

the American Dream (?)

Still marinating in post-thesis chapter completion splendor (for those of you who don't know, my thesis is about the effect of ghettoization on community activism in Bed-Stuy of the 1960s and 70s. Light a candle that the Black Studies department approves my joint so that I can continue), like Chris Rock I've been waiting for something special to come across to touch upon.
Well here it is

The NY Times did an article about a survey that points to major points of contention between various groups of color.
And yes, you can shudder at the title that calls us "Chief Minorities". Dang, I guess Native Americans just didn't measure up.

Although mad problematic, ,(the question about black folks and crime? really? talk about playing into gross media misrepresentations.) this survey points out important issues for the future of transracial activism. Many of us fall into the trap of believing in the very stereotypes that pit us against each other and keep the racial hierarchy on and popping and in tact.
Look black people, Latinos aren't taking our swagger or our "political leverage". We're all people of color and the faster we realize that, the better prepared we will be to work together a la the Young Lords.
And not to excuse anybody, but the reason why some Asian Americans don't treat their black and brown customers with respect is because we represent criminal faces that are plastered all over the news. That and because of the triangularization of Asian Americans, the model minority myth, and many other things I'll leave up to you to conjecture upon.

Even after all this hate, we apparently still believe in the American Dream and that things will get better in the next ten years. Even if black folk are a little more circumspect and weary about things.
For all of this nations problems, and lets be real, there are many (why do you think most great thinkers/academics/artists of color in this country have expatriated themselves for some amount of time), we at least have the knowledge of freedom to express how we have deviated from those ideals. The Black Panther Party's "Ten Point Program" does owe a lot to the Declaration of Independence. Maybe Barack Obama can help steer this country and lead us to practice the kind of liberty we set out to promote.

Para El Gran Caribe y Para Africa

At Amherst's 10th Annual "Voices for the Voiceless", a night of amazing poetry, one of the artists told the audience that to truly understand our past and present one need only to look at the thousand or so islands that are scattered throughout the Caribbean Sea. The Middle Passage, exportation of bondsmen and women into North and South America, slave rebellions, revolution, colonialization, imperialism, liberation, syncretic cultures blending Africa, Europe, Asia and indigenous elements to create something new. This all happened on the islands of the Caribbean. We mixed with East Indian and Chinese laborers, we were maroons in Jamaica and sang to Yemaya and Ochun in Cuba. We kept Africa but we made a new thing. Salsa isn't just what Hector LaVoe was singing, its our cultural mix.

So to all of my Latino/a homies don't try to deny the Africa that is so evident in your face and in your songs and in our food, culture and history. And to the black Americans who had any doubt, yes, Negros can be Latinos as well.

...I was yearning for the eternal sunrises and sunsets of the Caribbean in the bitter New England cold. Yet, Celia's voice always warms me back up.

expatriate me?

Pardon the lack of regular postings peoples ( aka the 7 loyal readers), but senior year has delivered a series of major beat downs to me: thesis, GREing, graduate school applications, fretting over finding a job, obsessing over what I'm going to do after Amherst, stressing about grades. Why did Rory Gilmore make college seem so easy? I've been fooled by so many TV shows either about college or with protagonists in college, I swear the folk on "A Different World" spent more time in the Pitt with Mr.Gaines than in class or at work.

Anyway, in the midst of my struggle to try to end my Amherst career with something to show for it, I've experienced a great deal of ennui and dissatisfaction with the future of black people in this country. As I think about post-grad plans and my future in the work place or in academia I've realized that I have about 40 years of having a privileged white man's foot on my neck (figuratively of course). There is the glass ceiling, along with the defeatism that is so rampant among my generation. We are not only post-Civil Rights but also post-crack, so we've experienced dreams deferred first hand, and because of this so many of us are too busy dancing along to Gucci Mane records than to actually pick up a damn paper and learn about the people running for President. Couldn't we at least learn to do both at the same time? We cannot afford to just chill and buy fresh kicks while our parents houses are being foreclosed because of the sub-prime mortages fiasco. And while NBC Nightly News tells us about how they perceive the state of black women, we are in no position to argue points of contention because we believe the hype. Even though Public Enemy told us not to.

So I'm trying to find a way up out of this sinking ship, I will not be anyone's second class citizen for the rest of my days. It will take a social revolution of epic proportions that is global in scope to remedy the myriad problems that I can tick off faced by blacks as a whole, black women in particular and the underclass in general. And until that day comes, you can catch me up in sweet sweet T&T (that's Trinidad and Tobago to you). Richard Wright and W.E.B did it, and I want to be young enough to enjoy life outside of this nation of broken promises.

But on the real, I'm not going to move away permanently, I just need to get my mind right, live in another country for about 6 months out of the year to be rejuvenated. How else will I be able to become the female Tavis Smiley?

We Real Cool

We real cool. We
Left school. We

Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We

Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We

Jazz June. We
Die soon. - Gwendolyn Brooks

In an effort to escape from the desert that is mainstream hip hop, we here at brooklynsista have decided to search high and low for innovative and hype beats and rhymes. In that spirit, here are The Cool Kids with "Black Mags"

rock the vote, pt. II

In my English class, "The Weary Blues: Mourning in African American culture", we discussed the tradition of the messianic figure in black politics, aka the Chosen One. And I'm not talking about Neo. Nat Turner, Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., most of our black political leaders have died in the line of duty. And now as we move closer to primary season and the fight for votes gets even more heated among the Democratic hopefuls, a lot of black folk have been asking themselves - does a vote for Barack mean the kiss of death, literally?
When the news constantly purports stories that black people aren't coming out in droves for Obama, they are missing a large piece of the story. It isn't that we're crazy and hard to please (well...), its more complicated than that. Many of us still think of Clinton as our brother from another mother, so we're down for the next best thing - Hillary. And we are also sending a message to his campaign that he has to earn our votes, meaning our blackness doesn't necessitate pulling the lever for him. Most importantly, many of the older generation are legitimately concerned for his physical well being. We have a 400 year history with crazy racist zealots, hankering for some Negro blood. But I hope we don vote based on our fears, but rather on our findings of the candidate most willing to fight for our needs. We have to stop worrying about the racist factions within our nation and worry about ourselves.
In the meantime, I'll be zipping up my fly BaRack the Vote hoodie, and hitting the streets in support of my legislative homie.

Loving you is like food for the soul

In celebration of Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday), here is a lil sumthing from the movie "Soul Food". Lets rewind back to a simpler time, the mid 90s. When Vivica Fox was still a somewhat natural beauty and black films weren't simply an amalgamation of other black films (Stop the Yard, Drumline, You Got Served, anyone?)
So as you unbuckle your pants and sit down to the delicious spread, remember what Big Mama said to her wonderfully dysfunctional clan -"We got to be that fist!"

*but please go easy on all the yams, ham hocks, collards, mac and cheese, and ox tail folk. We already had enough health problems as it is, no need for the emergency hospital run- keep safe ya'll!*

lyte as rock

So bare with the poor quality music video for this inaugural throwb(l)ack Thursday video. But MC Lyte's flynest comes through regardless as she kicks this one for Brooklyn. So peep Positive K trying to kick game to the Lyte.

do the ladies run this?

For a while it seemed as if I could only get my dose of female MC greatness by watching Salt and Pepa's VH1 reality TV show. And as much as I enjoy watching them try to patch up their relationship, I wished there was more mc'ing involved. alas.
As I buckle down and work on my thesis, grad apps (pray for me) and general school work I like to play some music that I can move to that keeps me wired. And out of the dearth that is today's watered down mainstream hip hop and R&B (can anyone say Rihanna?), I finally get hip to artists like Santogold, Nola Darling, and Kid Sister. Who said that the female MC dead? And I'm not talking about folk like Trina, Khia, Jackie O or any of that sorry cadre of half naked girls. I looked back to the golden days when MC Lyte, Queen Latifah and Missy held it down (drop another album Miss!)

So peep Kid Sister's myspace page, and become a believer again. Ladies first, ladies first, ooooo ladies first.

paint the white house black

During the Amherst Blackademic Quiz Bowl, I learned that Frederick Douglass was the first African American to run for president, and not Jesse Jackson like everybody thought. African Americans have been throwing their hat into the ring since before we had the franchise.
As the election season heats up and the nation watches our first viable black presidential candidate traverse the country, in an effort to win votes and gain supporters to join team Obama, I've been thinking about running myself. But my candidacy would be a little different since it's for a post that hasn't been created (yet).

Although I plan on pulling the lever for Sen. Obama on February 5th (my bday!) during the NY state primaries and I light a candle in prayer for an Obama/Edwards or vice versa ticket, I would like to run for president as well - President of Black America.

If elected as president, Sen. Obama will not be able to address all of the needs of black Americans because as president he has to represent the interests of ALL Americans. However, in our democracy we as a group have traditionally have our interests and needs circumvented due to the nature of our representative government. Our democracy is a rule of the majority, which seems fair, but really isn't when one considers the fact that we have marked underclasses - blacks, other people of color and the poor. Since all of these groups are minorities, they will never enjoy full representation. A flaw in our great republican system ( I might be a radical black girl, but I do recognize a good system when I see one, and we have the best).

Thats where I come in as President of Black America. My office would specifically address the needs of black Americans through direct federal action.
I would enact a system of reparations for the descendants of African slaves, which would be include good housing opportunities (low mortgage rates, etc...), a trust fund for all children under the age of 18, and passports of all black Americans with a airplane voucher for a trip to any nation in the African Diaspora - Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. However to access the trip, the people will have to attend a minimum of 5 therapy sessions with a trained counselor- hey, living under 388 years of racial oppression hasn't been easy.
Apart from the reparations plan, my administration would work with the federal government to roll back the unfair minimum sentencing laws for drug offenses. We would expand the Head Start program, ensuring that all 3 year olds have the opportunity to enter school. And of course we would develop a plan to sharply reduce the cost of medical care in our communities, with the eventual goal of universal health care.

Its a pipe dream, but this pipe dream would help us realize the dream that Reconstruction never realized. Hopefully Obama can pull some of it off.

Unbought and Unbossed

I love Halloween. Since I was a little kid back in Bed-Stuy when my grandma would take me trick or treating at the Brooklyn Children's Museum, onto high school when I dressed up as a member of the Black Panther Party. My favorite costume was during Halloween of sophomore year, when I went as Kwanzaa (Maulana Karenga would be so proud). This year I considered going as Shirley Chisholm, but I couldn't find a wig that would do her justice, then after brainstorming and trying to come up with another powerful black woman I thought of going as DebraLee. After quickly scratching that I finally decided on going as a lumberjack.

I would really like to ride with Ms. Lee. She is at the helm of a major media company, a post that is usually reserved for men. She's highly educated and clearly quite able. But I haven't been able to fully cosign on her. I think its because instead of exercising her considerable power within the company and making her voice heard in the upper echelons of Viacom she seems satisfied to just cash her checks. But perhaps I'm being too harsh, perhaps she is simply a cog within the well oiled machine that is Viacom. However, I think that that is too simple and takes away her agency and autonomy. At the end of the day, she is a capitalist and although she may well be disgusted with the misogynist and coontastic images on her network but she probably feels she has too much to loose if she takes a real stance and says enough and be unbought and unbossed like Sister Shirley before her. Look at what happened to Stan O'Neal of Merrill Lynch. At least he has his severance package to dry his tears.

admitting the problem

Last week during a meeting with my thesis adviser I shared with him my plan of escape from the US, a la W.E.B. On my shortlist are Trinidad, Brasil, Panama and Ghana. Perhaps Chris Rock was right, "America for black people is like the uncle who paid your way through college, but molested you." I couldn't agree more.
And in dealing with white racism on a daily basis, and with classmates in black studies course who think they're down or "race experts", by virtue of having read the trifecta - Souls of Black Folk, Native Son, and Their Eyes Were Watching God. I often loose faith in my Euro-American brothers and sisters. Will they ever admit that this nation is steeped in institutionalized, systemic, dehumanizing racism? Or will they, by and large continue to stammer on about - double standards (a phrase taken directly from a conversation with a white associate), reverse racism, the scourge of hip, Sharpton, and O.J?

But today, after reading a post from Alas, a blog!, called "Whites Need to Take Responsibility for Their Racism" I have a bit of hope once again. And hopefully, after reading, you'll be a believer once again as well. Perhaps I'll only have to be an ex-pat for 6 months out of the year.

panhandling for reparations

Performance artist daymali ayo took the streets of Portland and panhandled for reparations. Asking white folks for money, then writing them receipts, and finally handing it over to black passerby. I know homegirl was trying to make a point, but I'm not trying to post a block to beg for some change. How about some direct federal action instead
Recently at the College, students in "critical debates in Black Studies" were assigned a paper on this topic, writing whether they were pro or against. And as a Black Studies major this has been a point of intellectual contention since my freshman year.
Although I am pro-reparations, I remain very cynical about the movement and am pretty confident that it will never happen. Too many Euro-Americans insist that since 21st-century blacks weren't enslaved that they aren't owed anything. There are other problematics as well - what shape would it take? Is a check enough? And were do black immigrants fall? Would Caribbeans, Latin Americans and Africans get a piece as well?
Although I'm about to troll the A train for some contributions, it would be nice to have some funds to knock out these loans. Reparations, well implemented, could drastically improve to lives of millions of black Americans. But this investment into African America would take a social revolution, in which we as a nation really come to grips with our racial reality.
I'm not sure this will ever happen (but keep hope alive right?)
In the meantime, I'm planning for my escape from the states a la W.E.B DuBois. Trinidad is looking mighty good right now

go jeffs(!?)

Early Saturday morning I dragged my tired booty out of bed and searched my closet for any and all Amherst gear I could find. Turns out I have I only have the child-sized hoodie I got in freshman year (only $29), a pair of Amherst sweats and a tote. Its homecoming weekend, my last as an undergrad so I wanted to at least look like a proud Amherst kid.

As my friends and I walked over to the field talking about our chances of winning this year's game against Wesleyan and last year's defeat against Williams, I was already plotting my escape. I would slip out during halftime having paid my dues. But then a weird thing happened. I actually had fun.

No, I didn't really follow the game. I don't know much about football, don't care to, and our team has more of a shot of being drafted to work at Merrill Lynch than to the NFL. Nor do I know any of our fight songs. Hell, I didn't even know we had them, until some older alums (class of '55), invited us to sing along. But as I reconnected with old friends, tailgated and incessantly chanted "go Jeffs!", I realized that although my college and I have had a tempestuous relationship, we have some good times. Amherst and I are like Kimora and Russel Simmons - although they broke up, they still have an amicable relationship. And when I dip on out with my class cane and degree on hand on graduation day, officially breaking ties with AC, I hope to maintain a good relationship. At least for the kids (and by the kids, I mean underclassmen friends)

you say goodbye and I say hello

Kenna's new vid for his single "Say Goodbye to love" is definitely a banger. But more importantly the imagery represents the state of my mind right now, and I'm drug free. I might not be tripping on E, but I AM tripping over all my activities, duties and responsibilities. I chalk it up to being a college senior with more things on my plate than a waitress at a hip downtown restaurant. I hear things get fun again for seniors in April.
Let the countdown begin

oooo ladies first, ladies first

get into the groove

ladies first

That's the joint, that's the jam...

A Right to be Hostile

I sometimes joke that I went abroad to run away from Amherst. But the jokes on the folks who think I'm actually kidding. When January 2007 rolled around, I was as happy as could be that I would not be trekking back up to Western Massachusetts, but rather hopping a plane for London. And I would've done the entire year away if I didn't have major requirements to fulfill.

As I think back on my time at Amherst and navigate senior year, I wonder if it's been worth it. Did it have to be this hard? In a thesis meeting with my adviser, we bonded on our mutual rage against the College. While sharing our thoughts on the racist, elitist, sexist hierarchy of the College, I wondered tow things - is this a phenomenon particular to Amherst and would I have happier at an HBCU? To the former question, I am inclined to say no, because I have friends at schools as varied as Princeton, Brandeis and Dartmouth who have said and felt similar things about their schools. Which was why I gave up dreams of transferring in freshman year. And although I can't know for certain whether or not I would have been happier at an HBCU, I do know that I would not have to hear statements like "Somehow being black and having no logical ability are synonymous". Instead of being made to feel part of the Amherst community of thinkers, scholars and students I feel that I have had to spend too much time trying to prove my worth as a student and to fight for acceptance in the classroom.

I can't let this nappy diatribe (thanks J) go on too long though - I get a fine education at this place and have been afforded many opportunities since being here. But I still struggle with what it means to be an Amherst woman of color, with everything I've given up and everything I've gained. Yet, after all the angst, I still want my children to come here. If Charles Drew could survive this school virtually unscathed, then so can I.

holla back, scholar black

After my friend Khadijah and I got into different colleges, and had picked where to go, we came up with a little phrase - "holla back, scholar black!". Since then we've spread it among our friend groups, putting various spins on it : "holla at a schola", "holla black schola black", and my favorite when talking about financial aid or scholarships, "holla at dem dollars for scholars".

What was a funny saying became a mantra for me in my undergrad years. It was and still is my goal to be a black scholar. When I was in middle and high school there was a compass that was provided for me to follow, so I could get into a good college and have a nice life. But now that I'm looking to May 2008, when I'll be putting a peice of kente cloth around the shoulders of my black cap and gown, and getting my cane and degree I need a new kind of compass. How do I make the transition from undergrad to graduate student? There is no map, just a maze and all the anxiety that comes with the unknown.

Although I joke that the plummeting numbers of black grad students will probably work in my favor, its half-hearted. I want to join scores of other students of color, embarking on grad study in subjects will probably result in tons of debt, but will allow them entry into a community of academics.
I don't know where I'll be this time next year, but I do know this, you'll be hollering at this young black scholar at which ever school I end up. I just have to iron out my map, get out my compass and get started on the journey.

the truth like Sojourner

Your sis is trying to get her act together for senior year. Although I've been buried under a pile of books, and school work I haven't been asleep and I've kept my eyes wide open and my ears to the ground...
This semester I'm taking a class on the US economy and the prison industrial complex and it's very easy to get caught up in stats, like 1 in 3 black men will do time behind bars in their lifetime. It's time to unpack the stats, myths, and rumors. This documentary, "What Black Men Think", helps to start an important conversation, that our brethren are more than just 40 drinking wannabe rappers posting a block.
Check out this link as well - http://wbmt.wordpress.com/video/

Now to keep my head above water and my nose in dem books.

Cornell West interview

We have been witness to a travesty of justice in the case of the Jena 6. We have been stripped of our sense of justice in this latest case of a young black woman who was abused and molested by a group of 6 whites who will not face hate crimes charges.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20737211/
And now, at the University of Maryland, black students are taken back into the era of lynching, when a tree was found on their campus.

However, we must remember that there still remain some foot soldiers in the struggle. We need to fall into step, remain hopeful and fight for justice for all peoples.

Listen to Brother Cornel break it down for the crown...

Nas- One Love (1994) -*Classic*-

One time for your mind. To all of the brothers and sisters on lock (especially those in my history seminar); remember your humanity, don't let your mind die...

what are you gonna do with that?

When I tell many folks my major, the reaction is a look of mixed confusion, indignation, pity, astonishment, and amusement. "What in the world does she plan to do with THAT?", is the question their eyes reveal. Or, "I know her mother is not paying 45 grand a year so she can waste her time."

Well my response to the latter is, thanks to Amherst's very generous financial aid packages, my mother isn't paying the college tuition sticker price and I've been doing plenty with my major thus far, thankyouverymuch.

I declared a double major in Black Studies and History (with a concentration in the Caribbean and US history) in my sophomore year, and although my fam has had my back, the wider community has been less than receiving. From having to deal with people outright scoff, to having kindly adults attempt to move me towards more "scholarly pursuits" I've dealt with it all. However, I must ask - is the problem ethnic studies, a discrediting of the humanities or rather is it that the Black diaspora does not make for intellectually rigorous inquiry? I wish I knew...

After 18 years of learning about people of color as a footnote to history throughout primary and secondary school, I came to Amherst in large part because of the strength of its Black Studies department. And while its been bomb, I've also learned to code switch and simply tell certain people that I'm a history major. There is a fear that ethnic studies studies are uber-militant, race-baiting, and care only about their own racial group. These stereotypes can bear out for any student at any college of any major. However the minute you slap the world "black" in front of something it becomes a political statement. Something larger, threatening even.
Do European Studies majors ever deal with this?

One of the beautiful things about college is the open exchange of ideas. The willingness to try something new and to change your ways of thinking. My major has given that to me (hand claps for Profs. Moss, Redding, Ferguson and Alves). To allow a student to see themselves represented in academe is a great gift, too often denied to people of color. And I am so grateful to those who've come before me to make it possible for me to be a BA candidate in Black Studies and History. So all my Afro-American, Black Studies, Latin American, Caribbean, African Diaspora, Asian Languages and Civilizations, Native American Studies major stand up!

Besides, I heard that most employers could care less about majors anyway. Let that college degree speak for itself. punto

The case of the Jena six

This travesty of justice, this unfair, extremely racist throwback to our post-Reconstruction days. Today, many in the blogging community are showing our solidarity with the Jena 6. In 2007, over 40 years after the Civil Rights movement that was supposed to bring us freedom and first class citizenship, we still face a racist infrastructure. Yet it is still my hope that the case of these young people moves us to action in support of their case and reawakens in us the spark to fight furiously for our rights.

2 years after the storm

After a moment of silence commemorating the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast region President Bush stated, "We're still paying attention. We understand'' (courtesy of the NY Times). For an administration that claims to be paying attention, New Orleans is still a city in deep need. Although many have rebounded and rebuilt homes and their lives in New Orleans or have established themselves in new cities there still remains much to be done.
The road towards full recovery will indeed be a long one, but it is my hope that the next administration will not drag its feet in helping to provide aid for the people of the Gulf Coast.

Jena Six Ignites Rally - Campus

Jena Six Ignites Rally - Campus

If you don't already know about this, please do follow the above link and show solidarity with these brave students.
(link provided by Howard University's The Hilltop, student paper)

re-orientation

Where else but college could a cynical, jaded, psuedo-world weary Brooklyn gal like me be so moved by a simple speech? It sounds hokey, but today as I listed to President Marx address the class of 2011 I was reminded about how lucky I am to be a student at Amherst (regardless of all the bull I've encountered during my tenure here).I always find college and university presidential address particularly touching because they remind one of the real reason for being cloistered in the ivy tower, learning to be intellectual snobs. We are engaging with thoughts not to simply get us that slamming job at Merrill Lynch or a coveted slot in a grad program (although my fingers are certainly crossed). It is expected that we actually, *gasp*, do something to make our time here worthwhile. To make an impact on campus, our community, and God-willing our world.
I hope this feeling doesn't fade come October...

its hot in the melting pot

My favorite melting pot, isn't. NYC only truly melts on steamy summer days, when subway platforms feel more like the fiery depths of hell. New York manages to be both the most diverse city in the world (sorry London), but also one of the most segregated (but Chicago and Boston have us beat by a mile).

With all the talk and debate over gentrification, TONY (Time out New York) has done a little something called "Ethnic in the City", in which The Assimilated Negro aka Patrice Evans wrote a little something for. Check it out... do we really want to live together or do we want to come apart?

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/article/621/21488/bring-back-segregation

Miriam Makeba - Mayibuye

Miriam Makeba is Mama Africa.
the voice of the continent.
listen and learn...

legal aid

Firstly let me just apologize for not having a regular posting schedule. I've been interning, GREing, enjoying NYC, catching up on reading, and brainstorming for the thesis. So do light a candle and keep this Brooklyn and Q-boro sista in your prayers, as I try to handle my biz.
Now back to regularly scheduled programming...

Wrapping up the "Who's Got Your Back" summer series is none other than lawyer/activist Charles Ogletree the Harvard Law School Jesse Climenko Professor of Law, and the founder of the Charles Hamilton Houston (go Amherst!) Institute for Race and Justice. But old dude's Ivy League caliber credentials aren't all he has in his arsenal (he did his undergrad at Standford, then went on to Harvard Law); he is also uniquely committed to the struggle for economic equality, racial justice, and educational access.

He authored All Deliberate Speed, a thought-provoking assessment of the US in the years since the seminal Brown v. Board of Ed. court case. Often sobering, but written with levity and a clear voice, Prof. Ogletree at once admonishes the nation for failing its underprivileged students, but also leaves room for hope and a reason to keep fighting to serve children better than we have yesterday.

Prof. Ogletree also provided legal counsel to Anita Hill during the hot mess that was the Clarence Thomas congressional hearings which ultimately led up to his swearing into the Supreme Court. (How did we let C-money replace Thurgood "No Good" on the bench?). And today he continues to seek justice for the victims of the Tulsa Race Riots of 1921, which destroyed the Black Wall Street, through reparations. He started these efforts with Johnnie Cochran (he wasn't just acquitting OJ), and while the road has been rocky, he continues on with tenacity and purpose.

Prof. O is truly carrying on tradition, making Charles Hamilton Huston, and Thurgood Marshall proud.


And now I must ask, how will I carry on tradition? How will you? Who's back you got?

planet rock

In the aftermath of all that was last night's free Lauryn Hill concert at Wingate Field in Brooklyn, this post in the Who's Got Your Back summer series, is the music edition featuring two ladies who more than rock the mic - M.I.A. and Amel Larrieux (to your left and above respectively). Refusing to give into the booty-shaking norm of women in the music industry, these talented ladies are truly the agents of their own musical destiny. Using their music to speak on female genital mutilation, child refugees, war, poverty, and of course love. But like many gifted female artists, they don't get the level of shine they deserve (especially Amel. Meanwhile Rihanna's income is equivalent to Barbados' GDP).

Now a little bit about the artists...

Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, was born in London, but spent much of her childhood in Sri Lanka, her family's native land, where her father was a member of rebel Tamil group. During her youth, she bounced from Sri Lanka, then Madras, India, where her family went into hiding due to her father's revolutionary actions. From there her mother and siblings went back to Sri Lanka, finally settling in London as refugees in the '80s. Her personal history, love of hip-hop ignited in the music she heard pumping from the boom boxes of fellow residents of the counsel houses (aka, British projects) heavily influences her music, which is best described as an insanely danceable mix hip hop, baile funk, electro-clash, reggae, and bangra. In other words, its fire. Her first album Arular, released in March 2005 was widely acclaimed by critics and fans alike. And finally two years later, we are being treated with another taste, her sophomore effort - Kala (her hot album of remixes with DJ Diplo, notwithstanding). Check out her website for more - http://www.miauk.com/

Native New Yorker, Amel Larrieux, is been keeping the spirit of soulful R&B alive. Born into an artistic family and raised in the Village, her parents encouraged the young Amel's creative side. She even went to her high school prom with ?uestlove from the Roots. After singing in the popular duo, Groove Theory (remember the hit, "Tell Me"?), she parted ways and went on to pursue a solo career. Her sound has hints and influences from gospel and soul roots, as well as Middle Eastern and African beats.Although she was dropped by her major label after the release of her first album "Infinite Possiblities", she went on to create an indie label Blisslife. Since then, she's produced "Bravebird", "Morning" and a jazz record, "Lovely Standards". Get more Amel at her site -

http://www.amellarrieux.com/

in the name of zora neale hurston!

After calling out the foolywang material that is Wardell Connerly, I decided that the second posting in the "Who's Got Your Back" Series should be someone positive, talented and forward thinking enough to cancel out Brother C.
That fly woman would be none other than ZZ Packer. She rocks a sideways ponytail, what's not to like?

Her novel, "Drinking Coffee Elsewhere", is one of those books to make one a true believer. This novel of short stories is lyrical, humorous and at times very moving. Much like your favorite Al Green, or better yet, Chaka Khan records.

She reps properly for women of color and Black women especially, who are so underrepresented in the literary world. Support her, and pick up her book. And not from your "hook up" who sells on the corner of 125th and Lenox Ave.

Who's got your back?

Nows the time for blowing up spots...

The next few posts will be a mini-series (not of the Roots quality) of portraits on enemies and allies (maybe even a frienemy or 2) of the struggle. Won't be as dry as it sounds, just work with me. Many people don't get the shine they deserve for doing grunt work, trying to make our country more equitable. And others need to be put on blast for setting all of us back.

So here goes: First up is none other than the man to our right Wardell Anthony Connerly. Known better as Ward Connerly. Known to me as Strom Thurmond's long lost black son.

And perhaps he is a member of the Thurmond clan, especially since the brother claims to be a quadroon. Seems like somebody thinks they have a lil Indian in their family. Although his birthname is Wardell he has convinced himself he has only 1 black ancestor. cue the Jigga line, "we don't believe you, you need more people".

Anyway, this recluctant brotherman has made it his business to dismantle affirmative action nationwide one state at a time. He is jacking the same strategy that the dream team of the Brown decision,Thurgood "No Good" Marshall, James Nebrit and Charles Hamilton Houston, used for good. Making something popular as a state initiave, slowly gaining momentum until it becomes national policy.

Remember Prop 209, which ended affirmative action in all California state institutions? That was all him. After it's passage, the UC system's enrollment of Black and Latino students hit record lows.

And most recently, he spearheaded the efforts to end affirmative actions policies in Michigan. Calling the amendment the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (who doesn't like civil rights? ), the bill which passed las fall ended the state's policies to eradicated glaring inequities still faced by women and people of color. Guess most of the residents of Detroit are going to have to move to Ohio. Hopefully Wardell doens't make that his next pit stop.

He doesn't worry about the outcomes of his crusades to roll back the advances of women and people of color, and the Supreme Court seems to think that we'll only need affirmative actions policies for the next 25 years, then the need would have magically solved itself.

Affirmative action's biggest impact is felt on university and college campus, so how will they look 20 years on? Will public universities become more and more closed off to the working class, women and students of color, bearing more resemblance to Harvard circa 1915, than a multi-cultural 21st century America? Private schools and corporations have proven adept at circumventing these rulings, coming up with new ways to achieve a diverse population. However the public sector has been less and less given to affirmative action practices? And to the ones who are against it as unfair, well having a 400 year headstart isn't fair either. (Let's save this debate for the obligatory Black History Month coverage).

If only Wardell would just sit down somewhere and stop messing with progress.

secret favorite

My secret favorite candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination is not so secret anymore...

I've been riding with Sen. Edwards since I first pulled the lever for him in the 2004 primaries. Any man whose given name is Johnny is alright by me. (don't let the NYTimes trip you up, that boy's name is Johnny. He went by John when he was on the come up). I'm keeping my fingers crossed, saying a prayer and lighting a candle for a dream ticket - Edwards/Obama!

Given the dynastic political name behind Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama's rockstar status, my man Johnny has been pushed to the sidelines as an understudy candidate. Not quite 2nd tier like the Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, Mike Gravel, and Chris Dodd crew. But not in the Clinton Obama strasophere either. Dennis Kucinich knows he doesn't really have a chance, which is a shame. That little man packs a punch. But when was the last time an uber-liberal former mayor of Cinncinatti was elected president?

Back to Johnny; cute, erudite (have you seen him debate? well if you haven't you'll have approx. 50,000 more chances before the primary season hits), and charismatic - he's a throwback to the Kennedy era, without the scandal. And his personal story reads like a Horatio Alger tale, poor Southern boy through pluck, smarts and good luck becomes succesful lawyer. Doesn't forget humble roots and commits himself to fighting poverty. He and wife loose son, Wade, but keep family intact and strong. Wife, Elizabeth is a brave cancer survivor and force in her own right. What is there not to like?

Besides he's incredibly electable! His North Carolina roots (campaign song would be by Peety Pablo) would help him carry the South. Not being an African American male or a woman, sadly also works in his favor, many Americans, who claim to be tolerant aren't necessarily ready for a President who's name rhymes with Osama (not matter how fine he is). Nor are many prepared to vote for someone who has gone through menopause, although she's one of the most talented politicans ever. I guess Rep. Maxine Waters won't be running for office anytime soon.

Get to know Johnny Edwards, and give him your not so secret support.

politics as usual

Nostalgic for the past that I've never experienced and perhaps was never really here...

I sometimes feel as if I missed my decade, that instead of being born in '86, I should've come on the scene in '76 or even '66. If only to wear a dashiki in public while not at a Holloween party (I went as Kwanzaa). My favorite artists are Prince, Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan, some of my favorite TV shows are "Kate and Alley", "Family Ties" and "The Jeffersons". And it was a golden age for black men with names starting with the letter 'M' - Malcolm, Marvin, Medgar and Martin.

It seems as though b(l)ack in the day, folks felt that there was a lot at stake and were willing to fight. and if not fight (I wouldn't want any fire hoses aimed at me), then educated themselves about current events and to a stand. For something.

Today although many of the newspapers are constantly writing about the 2008 presidential candidates, many young people aren't too aware of the who's who within that mob. Or when I do see young people moving for change it isn't us (black and brown people). At a free play this summer in Central Park about the genocide in Darfur, I only saw a smattering of colorful faces. Where were we and where are we? What are we about?

I'm sure that not everybody was marching, holding up signs of protests, and staging sit-ins during the '60s and 70s. I know there were some okie doke negroes, the dissillusioned and some who simply didn't care. But today, it sometimes feels like the people who are at the fore of social action and poltical awareness about issues important to us are white liberals. Who, however noble their intentions often get stuff wrong.

Damn crack epidemic for basically shutting down massive black political action. (COINTELPRO anyone?)

While there are some people, groups and organizations holding it down, we all need to step our collective game up.

the talented tenth

There must be a database with a list gifted and talented youth of color somewhere. I think the NAACP working in conjuction with the Urban League is behind this. Lifting as we climb indeed.
Everytime I go to some kind of event, whether it is a mixer for interns in the media industry, a scholar awards banquet, or a youth conference the degrees of separation between folk are pretty slim. It goes a little something like this:
Me: Hey Keisha, it was nice to have met you. Where did you say you go to school again?
Keisha: I go to [insert elite college or HBCU here]
Me: Do you know [insert name of friend/associate/someone who runs in the same circles]
Keisha: Girl! Of course I know them!

And of course they do. Most of the college bound or college educated kids I know are or have been involved in some kind of prepartory program, went to a summer enrichment camp, and have participated in a pre-business/career organization, such as Prep for Prep, Posse, Minds Matter, SEO, INROADS, CLEO, CTY, A Better Chance, Magic Johnson Foundation (shouts to my TMS fam!), Ron Brown Scholars... clearly the list goes on and on, like the Erykah Badu song.
(sidebar - click on the links and educate any kids you know about these programs. They can make all the difference).

So where do we come in? We the scholars, the black and brown intelligentsia, what do we owe? Many of the products and grads of these various programs probably would have gone on to excellent colleges and embarked on successful careers. Vision and drive are the all important factors, yet the road was made much easier for us given these programs. There is much to be said about gathering a large group of like minded, driven students of color, when the main stream media denies its very exsistance or treats us as an anamoly. Often times when I'm sitting at Amherst, the only woman of color in a class I think back to an INROADS workshop or any other event when I was surrounded by my brothers and sisters who were carring the torch passed down by W.E.B Du Bois, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Charles Hamilton Huston (Amherst alum, you better act like you know!).

Now we have to keep up our side of the bargain and do our part. We were not given these gifts and opportunities freely. We need to postpone line stepping and doing the cupid shuffle for 5 minutes and make sure we hip others to the things we were able to take full advantage of. Matther 22:14 says it best, "For many are called, but few are chosen". And we have been chosen to make sure that the semi-elitist Du Boisian concept of the Talented Tenth, becomes the All Talented, with all of us reaching our fullest potential.

Indeed, to whom much is given much is required (special shouts to my Schuyler folk)

linked up

Ahhh it feels good to be Black. Or brown. Latino/a. Afro-Caribbean. African. or Aframerican, or whatever the heck we've decided to call ourselves these days...

We are the descendants of people who've survived 400 years of terrorism with our humanity and pride in tact and been fly as we've been doing it. I'm not glorifying pain, I'm simply recognizing the beautiful struggle.

So where does that leave us today? 40 years removed from the Civil Rights Movement?

It leaves us with much unfinished business. We have no reason to be apathetic in the face of the prison industrial complex, environmental racism, sexism, institutionalised racism, eurocentric education, poverty and the list goes on and on. So why are so many of us oblivious the the world around us and even our own 'hoods? With the proliferation of online communities like the crack-like facebook.com, myspace and all of its cousins, we young people are more willing to log in mad hours writing in people's honesty boxes than reading about how Columbia University plans on buying huge swaths of West Harlem, displacing thousands of black and brown folk. I'm not innocent, hell I have a blog (and I'm so grateful to my 9 loyal readers, you inspire me). But lets not use these tools to further our i'gnance folk. Let's not shame Huey P. Newton, your grandmama and dem. They got dogs sicked on them so we could live their dream. We have to do as Nas said and "Carry on Tradition".

Peep these links, and hopefully the more we all read and tune into the world around us, we can better serve our people:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2007/07/10/BL2007071000406_pf.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/12/us/nationalspecial/12exile.html?pagewanted=1&hp

http://www.amsterdamnews.com/news/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=13610&sID=3

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/27/education/27grad.html?ex=1184385600&en=51d0119aa4ec52ed&ei=5070

And do download the Tavis Smiley Show podcast, he's like the uncle we all wished we had instead of the stealing, molester, sheisty ones we end up with. All my Chris Rock fans know what I'm saying. Books and newspapers ain't krypontite!

you must learn

One of my favorite songs from the golden era of hip hop is "You Must Learn" by Boogie Down Productions (although I'm still tight over the dis record "The Bridge is Over", you know I gots love for Q-boro). KRS One was preaching the truth to the young black youth before the Wu were hipped to C.R.E.A.M, as he raps about our heritage and legacy. Did this song fall on deaf ears? Medgar Evers must be shedding tears in heaven; I'm sure ya'll have heard of BET's new line of shows, including Hot Ghetto Mess, inspired by the eponymous web site. I could wax poetic about how far BET and its suits are pushing us back, how Viacom probably will only green light shows that show black folk shucking for a few quick laughs, or how this humor is indeed classist. But, you already know all that and probably watch BET because you can't find reruns of "Girlfriends" or "Wayans Bros." anywhere else (that's how they get my viewership).

Instead of doing all that, I'll stick with this - how in the hell can they produce a show with a damn Sambo blackface logo? Haven't these people ever seen "Bamboozled". Al Jolson was slapping on blackface and singing and dancing for captive white audiences as recently as the1920s, that's not that long ago people. And now we are going to have a show dedicated to rediculing our brothers and sisters and have the NERVE to implore them to "do better"? Well BET, what exactly is doing better? You haven't provided any ideas as to how this would look or even what it would mean. It's not that I don't have a sense of humor, I laughed at Def Comedy Jam as much as the next kid and my best friend and I quote Chris Rock to each other on the reg. Sometimes humor has to be a little more socially responsible, and BET has dropped the ball this time.Negative representations of black people is not entertainment to me. They have to do better in their representations of us. And apparently some advertisers have pulled support for the show, so maybe there is some sliver of hope.

Whatever happened to "Video Soul"? BET needs to get Donny Simpson back stat!

black love, black wealth

"Black love is black wealth" - Nikki Giovanni
Quite possibly the most pithy and beautiful statement ya'll, and definitely not limited to the Huxtables - no matter how cute the scene to the left is.

But if one were to ask a group of black women from the ages of about 18-30, I'm not sure just how wealthy they would feel in the love department. And although Essence magazine is trying it's damnest to convince sistas that Black men are interested in us (check out the August issue ya'll), many just aren't buying it. As an griot by the name of Jay-Z once said, "We don't believe you, you need more people".

Conversations over the "state of the Black union" aren't limited to Black History Month roundtables or even Tavis Smiley productions. There have been many a late night at Amherst, during my time in London and even on the uptown A train where friends and I rehash the same tired topics about being a single black female. It goes a little like this, "its kind of hard out here for a black girl".

We all know the deal, the numbers are stark and scary - upwards of 70% of black women do not get married, we are the least married racial group in the country, we account for most of the new cases of HIV/AIDS. Besides this, many are fed up with the media depiction of black women as booty- shaking hoochies, or know-it-all judges who dole out homespun wisdom (a la judge Hatchett, et al), or as the warm but round mammy-esque round the way-filet. Then on top of all this during our "Waiting to Exhale" sessions, after enumerating how we are done dirty by the media we turn around and see Black men hugged up with women of different races. Although it is 2007, and one should be able to date and love whomever they choose, the truth is within Black communities inter-racial dating/marriage still subject to intense debate, given history and contemporary rammifications. From a personal perspective, sometimes it hurts to see a young black man with a woman of a different race. Thoughts of, "aren't we good enough" to "race traitor" and "Uncle Tom" dance around in my head - right or wrong (and I know that it is indeed more wrong than right to hold these ideas). But when you go to a school that claims to enroll only the best and brightest, that year after year put out an ugly, sexist and antiquarian "Hot List" with nary a brown face, you get frustrated.

Although the stats may look stark that is no reason to lower expectations, allow oneself to be ran through by men (ahem Superhead), or walked over because he's a "good black man" (or Latino, Asian, or White guy). Sometimes it seems like the only guys hollering at you are posted up on a block from dawn till dust with no job or prospects or real pride. But they are hardly reflective of all the brothers out there. I ain't talking about Rayshawn who be chillin at the bodega, I'm talking about that guy reading the paper on the train.
Just do as Whitney Houston said and "Shoop Shooop"

(further proof that if reparations ever comes, therapy should be included)

the color line

I wonder if Brother Du Bois knew how relevant his phrase, "the problem of the 20th century is the problem of the color line", would be in the 21st century. Especially within the Black community.

The styling and profling, young brother to the right, Harold Ford, Jr (peep the side part) came through the office today. He's part of a group of Aframericans, I've dubbed "The Powerful Lightskined Ones". Although meant as a joke, after kidding to one of my sisters that I wouldn't have known that some of the folks at our Episcopalian church were black if they didn't hang out with us so often (nothing is more segregated than Sunday service).

My joke got at something a little deeper than that, it hit at the color complexes that all of us Black and Brown folk harbor after 400 years in the Americas. Colorism is alive and well, with countless stereotypes to go along with it - redbone, high yellow, darkie, light-brite, half-caste, jiggaboo, Sambo, African booty scratcher, midnight, and the list goes on. We can be a creative people when it comes to self-hatred. There are even facebook groups dedicated to keeping colorism on and popping, with titles like; IM BRINGING RED (LIGHTSKIN) BACK,
Brown Skin men Are In (no lighties), and my personal fave - Light-skinned people should have their own race... Called sexy. yikes! That's some real ignant, ish, something out of a damn Nella Larsen novel.

I'm not hitting on any new, revolutionary territory. And I'm sure one of ya'll is sighing as you read, yet ANOTHER diatribe on just how backwards our obsession with skin color actually is. But hear (or rather read) me out. Until we stop hearing parents telling their babies not to play too long in the sun to prevent getting darker, people cooing over "good hair", or light skin folk being called whitey it ain't over.

But the REAL crazy thing is that, white folks, don't care most of the time what any of us is mixed with (they're too busy denying the possiblity of mixed heritage themselves), neither do they know the difference. As so many of us try to impress and ingratiate themselves within the white powers that be, they remind us oh so gently that no matter what amount of Cherokee blood you got, you still black. Does that mean we should deny our heritage and many ethnicites that may contribute to our family tree. Of course not. But must we privilege it over blackness?

Spike Lee needs to get on the ball and make School Daze II or something. In the meanwhile, I'm starting a petition to bring back Kenya dolls.

HNIC - head negroes in charge

Take a trip with me down memory highway, back to 2004. Yours truly was a first-year at Amherst, Jiggaman dropped his "final" album (before coming out of his version of retirement), and Sean Combs aka Puffy, P.Diddy, Diddy or whatever the hell he wants to call himself, launched the "Vote o Die" campaign. Being truly wet behind the ears, bright-eyed and bushy tailed, I totally co-signed on this. I was thinking, maybe he'll get gbks (ghetto black kids, you know what it is) to vote. It wasn't the Revolution Gil Scott-Heron was sangin' bout, but it was a start. Right?

Not so much.

Some celebrity folk jigging around in those shirts hadn't even bothered to register to vote (I see you Paris Hilton). God bless Diddy's heart, but you cannot run a successful voting drive without educating people about the politics of it all. There is more at stake when you choose to attempt to harness the power of youth, especially youth of color, who may be for all the right reasons disillusioned with the American political process. Hell, they follow up on voting inaccuracies more on American idol than in certain states (ahem, Ohio, Georgia, Florida).

So as we boogie on down the road to '08, I hope that we take a break from, pop, lockin' and dropping' in, log off myspace of a minute (but continue to read my blog, you loyal 8 readers), and take the time to learn about the candidates. Because as this Bossip post shows, mad rappers choose to remain silent on political issues, or love our current presidente. Those tax cuts must be sweet, huh 50?

Moving on to another Brother in Charge, the mayor of Newark, Cory Booker has been facing some real opposition in his city. Although he's been heaving endorsed by the Mighty O, herself, Oprah, it hasn't been enough. Residents are nostalgic for the politics of patronage back in the good ole' days of sheisty Sharpe James. One community preacher even went as far as calling him an "academic freak" because he got an advanced degree from Oxford. The linked Times article, hints around the fact that many Newark residents see booker as sidditty outsider, from money, priviledge, and power. His light skin apparently doesn't help either.

Lobbing insults, inuendo, and rumors about the man ain't helping things. And I wish that instead of gettingall hot and bothered about what this young brother represents, we need to support the positive change he is trying to inject into Newark.

Or maybe he should ask Marion Berry for some advice.

reppin' the struggle

Currently playing Pharoah Monch's "Push" on loop

I might be cynical, but this sista's got hope...

The Obama campaign has recently announced that it has raised $32.5 million dollars. These numbers are higher than his top two foes Hilary Clinton and John Edwards (my person second choice after Sen. Obama). Old dude has spearheaded the largest grassroots campaign in Washington history. I know, I can't believe it either, Americans are willingly handing over money to a black man. Without the benefit of spiked kool-aid. It's the Barack Hussein Obama appeal.
To lots of white folk in Middle America, he is a kind of "New Negro". A chocolate Horatio Alger story, a black man without the "baggage" of slavery, Jim Crow, discrimination, and 400 years of history behind him. Non-threatening, "articulate", and able.

Who cares why they like him, I'm just glad their riding with him. Barack's black and brown cohorts and supporters know better. His successes would not have been possible without the struggle, building upon the dream of Fannie Lou Hamer, A. Philip Randolph, Medgar Evers, and of course Martin and Malcolm. And damnit, even Rakim and KRS One. Homeboy bypassed a lucrative legal career in favor of moving to the hood of Chicago ( without Florida, JJ and the rest of "Good Times" cast) to do some community organizing. And now as Senator from Illinois, he is the only black presence in the chambers, holding it down for the other America, putting forth our needs.

And to all of those you don't plan on pulling the lever for Obama on Feb.5th (my bday!), Primary Day, because he's black and doesn't stand a chance, well then we've already lost. We are now self-defeating, putting a smile on Strom Thurmond's face. America won't be ready for a black president, if we don't make America ready. We cannot sit idly by and let Hilary try to outblack Obama (listening to her speak at the Tavis Smiley's All American Presidential debate was like listening to a white woman catch the Holy Ghost at an AME Zion Baptist church). By no means should we vote for a candidate just because he looks like us - I see you Alan Keyes. But neither should we discount a black candiate either. In doubt, just think, WWTD, or What Would Thurgood Do?


And to keep the fire lit, watch Brother Al Sharpton put it down
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CksFf0lOO_Y

stiff upper lip

British people are gully.
Not just because they've had years to cultivate their gullyness as the colonizers of the world (although that helped), mostly because those people are so damn resilient.After the IRA bombings ripped up the Tube stations in the 80s and 90s, they just removed the trash bins. Although you have to lug around you Cadbury candy bar wrapper, at least you don't have to worry about Irish freedom fighters lighting your ass up. During the Blitz, Hitler's boys destroyed buildings, but the Brits just moved to the Tube and rode out the firebombings underground. Most recently, after bus and train bombings, they put up memorials in honor of the victims, then kept things moving and got back on the bus and the metro.

I lived near one the Tube stations that was bombed while I was studying abroad, and I was probably more shook than the native Londoners as we validated our oystercards to enter the station. British swagger runs deep. While I'm no anglophile it was inspiring to see another city affected so deeply by terrorism not let fear and paranoia hold them back. However, its not all good in the UK. The tension in England between the the Arab population and the rest of the citizens is palpable, with something of a culture war going on within the country. British culture, so long defined by an English, Scottish, Welsh or even Irish identity now incorporates, Asians, Africans, Caribbeans and many others. And today people are unwilling to assimilate and conform, most visibly young Arab from or descended from the Middle East. Hell, you even got white British kids rocking PLO scarves, looking like a Arafat was reincarnated as a young British hipster. And, London was the first place I witnessed racism from a privileged point of view; Arabs and Muslims in the UK are treated similarly to how blacks have been in our nation for the past 400 years. Somebody knows the troubles we've seen.

Regradless, in the light of the latest terrorist act against the British people I hope their famed stiff upper lip serves them well.

questions

I'd like to take a trip down memory lane...
Remember a few years back when VIBE had the "20 Questions" in the back, and they were really funny and witty and you found yourself nodding along to the mag when you read it over your homie's shoulder on the stoop? Remember how the questions got really lame?
Well hopefully, my questions aren't quite so corny and hopefully ya'll can give me some answers

1) what the hell is the REAL difference between T.I and T.I.P?
2) isn't Denis Kucinich the white Al Sharpton?
3) why hasn't Patti LaBelle gotten a life time achievement award yet?
4) Why is Sen. Obama, inspite of his black "I used to smoke 20 packs of Newport a day lips", the most handsome presidential candidate ever to run?
5) why do so many of us (and by us I mean Negroes and Latinos) refuse to wear sunscreen?
6) will I do well on my GRE?
7) does Cornel West have more than 1 suit, or does he have a closet full of the same outfit a la Charlie Brown?
8) Whatever happened to Zhane?
9)why doesn't Arsenio Hall ever get his props?
10) why are those Zane books so damn popular


more to come soon....

where is my Dwayne Wayne?

"A Different World" is one of my all time favorite shows.
I know that Dwayne is from Bed-Stuy (like me!) and got an 800 on his math SATs. I have season 1 on dvd and I even customized my very own Hillman College tote.
Fictional depictions of life at HBCUs have always entrigued and excited me. You might find me on occasion screaming "WAKE UP!!!" like Lawrence Fishburne's character in "School Daze" or even watching (on the sneak) "Stomp the Yard".
But when it came time to apply and choose a REAL college, the one that I would attend, I never seriously considered a black college or university. But I almost went to a school with a black student population of 1.9% (that aid package was SERIOUS). I knew that I wanted to be a Black Studies major, but I didn't really entertain studying it at Howard, Fisk, or Spelman.

And now, as I get ready for senior year (hopefully those London credits transfer), I'm wondering - was my time at my HWC (historically white college) worth it?

But lets back track a little. For someone who grew up in majority black neighborhoods and is interested and committed to black culture how did the allure of a black higher education evade me? The answer is mad complicated - so I'll employ my trusty lists
1) MONEY! I wasn't trying to incur massive loans, and sadly lots of black college don't have endowments to compete with the Amhersts, Harvards, and Georgetowns. We could go into why this is (lack of alumni committment, less wealth in black communities, etc...), but that really isn't my point today.
2)I felt I already had my black school experience. Had I grown up in Scarsdale someplace super white I probably would've RAN down to Hampton. But my parents sent me to schools in Crown Heights and Bushwick, Bklyn and in Harlem. Some of the blackest and brownest places in this city. I was already grounded in a legacy of black achievement, so I thought it would be good to learn about how the other side moves.
3) and this is the saddest to admit, prestige. Yeah, I was one of those kids who was obsessed with all the college rankings. Hindsight is 20-20, and at 21 I wish I could've told the 17 year old me, that those lists are arbirtary and almost meaningless.


Would I have had to have dealt with all the issues I've confronted as an Amherst student if I'd gone to a school with a mission dedicated to the upliftment of my people?
What does it mean that so many of today's black public intellectuals are affliated with majority white schools than with HBCUs (I see you Cornel West)?
Why are some of the strongest black studies programs at HWCs (Columbia, Amherst, Yale, etc...)?
With the scamble for students at the most elite white schools in the country, how do HBCUs compete?
I clearly don't have the answers, but all I know is that is always grad school. Maybe finally I'll be able to chill with a real-life Whitley Gilbert and get my HBCU on.

extra credit

Remember back in high school when you were given a summer reading list to complete? And like no body read it, so when the first day of school rolled around the teacher was fuming as she tried to think up a new lesson plan on the spot?

Well my summer reading list isn't like that.
Perfect for liming at the beach, sitting on the stoop, or riding the train. Don't be surprised that while reading you might let out an, "oh snap", or miss your stop on the bus because you were so deep in the text.
This is what I'm reading. I hope you read some of it too. And I want to know what ya'll are reading as well. So put the Nora Roberts, Dan Brown, and R.M Stein (throwback) down and pick these up:

Forty Million Dollar Slaves - by William C. Rhoden
Supreme Discomfort: The Divided Soul of Clarence Thomas- by Kevin Merida and Michael Fletcher . side bar: FINALLY a bio about my new obsession, move over Bizzy Bone- Brother Justice Thomas, a man who not only co-founded his college's Black Student Union but also named his son Jamal( the original righteous black child name)! Only to become a Supreme Court Justice as famous for his extremely polarizing stances, not hiring Black Studies majors (guess I'm out of a job), and putting his pubic hairs on Anita Hill's cans of coke. dayum.

All Aunt Hagar's Children - Edward P. Jones
All Deliberate Speed - Charles J. Ogletree
Middle Passages- James T. Campbell
Half of a Yellow Sun- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I had to return to the classics for a literary soundtrack:
3 feet high and rising - de la soul
the score - fugees
music of my mind- stevie wonder
illmatic- nas

then the modern classics :
more fish - ghostface
arular - m.i.a
and the greatest song to stay fly to in the heat, black sweat by prince.

Be sure to check this out tomorrow on PBS, Brother Tavis Smiley somehow convinced the Democrats vying for the candidacy to be at a forum at Howard. Maybe the dems aren't taking the Negro vote for granted this time around. dare to dream...

it ain't hard to tell...

I excell then prevail.
So I really thought I'd put this lil blogspot to rest after my grand return from Londra. But after reading my homie Jason's tight blog, listening to mad musica, and reading like my name was Ida B. Wells, I knew I had to put pen to paper once again (or rather finger to key board).

So once again I'm kicking this one for Brooklyn (and Queens) like MC Lyte... The come b(l)ack.

This summer in between playing out Illmatic and awaiting M.I.A's album to drop, I'm interning at Penguin Publishing - stealing books and trying to secure my place in the book/literary world. And let me assure you, my 8 readers out there, that the world is lily white. I'm talking George Wallace's ideal. While last summer in my first stint here, I felt like I was intergrating a Southern high school, this year is better, with the interns making Penguin look like Amherst (the requisite amount of kids of color to ensure "diversity" but to ensure white hegemony).
Is this Penguin's fault? Not neccessarily. There are many reasons why there aren't many people of color in the publishing industry:

1) it don't pay that much right out of college. Lots of black and Latino college students need to get paid to get rid of loans, and for financial independence. Many of us don't have the same luxuries as our white counterparts
2) hard field to break into. Unlike ibanking or law, the avenues of entering publishing aren't really straight forward. You have to be crafty like Sojourner Truth to make your way in
3)this goes back to number 1, lots of us brown folk (especially at the so called elite schools) aren't really encouraged to enter creative feilds. We're trying to make our paper stack. Which is only right, since true revolution and social change needs dollars. BUT then who becomes the vanguard for our cultural culture? I'm talking about, how do we foster our 21st century Ruth Browns, Romaire Beardens, Miles Davises, if most of them are going into medicine? (noble as it is)

As I try to iron out the answers, I encourage ya'll to peep the north star @ blackjusticeblog.blogspot.com.

back in full effect