Category: Everyday Musings

Life is Living Oakland: A Free Celebration of Urban Life (Oct. 8)

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It’s that time of year again for the LifeIsLiving.org annual festival and celebration of Urban life through Hip Hop, intergenerational health, and Environmental Action.  I had a chance last year to participate with my internship Bay Localize so this is definitely an event you wouldn’t want to miss.  A few crowd pleasers like Quest Love and Bay Area’s own Ryan Nicole will grace the stage as well as exhibits from urban gardening to HIV testing, visual and hood games. See you next week, Sunday October 8th from 11- 6 pm @ Defremery Park in West Oakland 🙂

A Must See: The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975

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This week I went to see Black Power Mixtape 1976-1975 at the Shattuck Cinema and it was definitely a powerful and knowledgable evening of history.  This documentary was created by a Swedish filmmaker by the name of Goran Hugo Olsson who came to America to seek out change, progress, and document the movement that will forever go down in American History.  Angela Davis, Huey P. Newton, Bobby Seale, and Stokely Carmichael were amongst the few interviewed on never before seen footage.

Schools today still can’t give the real message or the proven words of Black Power without stepping out of your comfort zone of the history books and into the real world of African-Americans.  I honestly didn’t know too much about Stokely Carmichael, but that his beliefs of non-violence were similar to Martin Luther King Jr. In the documentary, you have a chance to capture his character and philosophy through an interview with his mother. He asked her questions where she seemed to show passive comfort to racism and he gently fired back with more questions that gave her a since that her answers, “because I’m black” were not acceptable to the human race.

The footage of Angela Davis in jail shows another perspective of activism and the message she gives about her upbringing and how growing up in Alabama, has shaped her beliefs is powerfully illustrated in this interview.  Although at times I wish it were a bit more graphic and gave further explanation in some scenes I’d give this film 4.5 stars!

The commentators, Talib Kweli, Kathleen Cleaver, Harry Belafonte, and Erykah Badu, spoke of the leaders and time period and also shared their personal thoughts about the black political issues of 1967-1975.

I highly suggest that you go see this while it’s in selected theaters because it will definitely provide a wake up call for our generation.  Check your local listings here & do share your thoughts!

“Young, Black, and Amazing” – Advice from the New Essence Editor-In-Chief

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I’ve always read the editor’s column of Essence magazine, but it was brought to my attention (from my mentor Rachel) how beautiful and brown skin representin’ the new Editor-In-Chief is, Constance C.R. White.  Not only is she representing women of color in the print industry, she’s rocking her fro loud and proud.  It’s always a surprise to see new faces, new management, and new writers in your favorite magazine but her work has been well received and I really appreciate it.

This month’s issue discussed all aspects of black women power.  In her column entitled, “Young, Black and Amazing”, I was not only reminded how amazing it is to be black woman but she gave some great advice for us twentysomethings.  It’s really hard out here and through dissapointments and challenges we face when establishing a career its always good to have a support system of powerful black women to look up to. Constance White is definitely a powerful black woman to look up to and so her advice month hit room for me.

She listed 15 things a YBA should know so here are a few:

1. Ask yourself, what do I want to be doing at 40?

2. Make a plan and work it. You can tweak it along the way.

3. Reach out. You don’t have to do it alone. We’re here for you.

4. Save a little bit every week, even a single dollar

5. Don’t accept negative things others say about you. If they have an observation, tell them to make it constructive

6. You are responsible for your actions

7. Video dancer is not a profession.

“Whatever you dream, there is a Black woman who has done it. You can do it, too.”

You can follow her on twitter @CWhiteEssence and of course he column monthly on Essence 🙂

First Lady Michelle Obama graces October Essence

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I can’t wait until September 12 (or earlier cause I subscribe) until I get the October 2011 issue of Essence just so I can hold this powerful copy in my hands.  If you are anything like me; young black woman, ambitious, aspiring, and reeking with goals in life then of course you would find the First Lady, Michelle Obama, to be an inspiration.  I really appreciate her efforts to encourage young women and people in general to follow your dreams, stay healthy, and live your best life.  Ladies need to stop modeling Kim K. and get with the Obama program =)

 

Morning Inspiration: Jill Scott x Hear My Call (Video)

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Good Morning to you all.  Thought I’d share with you Jill Scott’s newest video off her album Light of the Sun entitled “Hear My Call”.  This is one of my favorite songs off her album.  We all need spiritual healing sometimes and so if you listen to the words you can possibly relate these feelings to your own personal life. I love how vulnerable she makes herself in this visual, not to mention her voice is always breathe taking.  Enjoy!

“Look Like You Give a Damn”- Nivea ad to Re-Civilize Men

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The Nivea ad for men has been quite the buzz in the past 24 hours.  I’ve shared my thoughts all over the net but I’m curious to know what your take is on it.  In the above ad, the black man is throwing his own head which is an unruly afro and beard, portraying to the black male demographic to “Re-Civilize Yourself”.  (Note: The caucasian ad doesn’t say re-civilize) so what’s going on here?  To be honest, I don’t even use Nivea products because they dry my skin out, however, this campaign comes off as very offensive to those who wear their hair natural or like to have beards.  Then again, I am not surprised by these ad agencies trying to capture the minority demographic but I do suggest they add more diversity to their team cause this should’ve never slipped through the board room.

What do you guys think about the Nivea ad? Is it too much? or are we (people of color) too much into it?

 

Spring Movements x Ode to the Middle East

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This needs no introduction because I reckon you have been following what’s been happening in the Middle East and East Africa. Check out this video paying tribute to the fight for democracy by using their freed of expression and body movement. I am so proud of the young people coming together in those countries and fighting for what is right. If only Americans can do the same. . . .Tell me what you think of the video and share your thoughts.

“This Time” Short Film dedicated to Lives Protecting Our Country

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Check out this short film entitled “This Time” which was written by Reagan Gomez-Preston and directed by Matthew A. Cherry starring Reagan Gomez, Michael Moss, Terri J. Vaugn, and Sinorice Moss.  This film tells a story of a recently returned Iraqi war veteran, Kevin (Michael Moss) that finds out the love of his life, Cheyenne (Reagan Gomez) is getting married.  He confronts her about the situation and forces her to make a life changing decision.  Please watch and find to find out the answer!

“This film is dedicated to the men and women who have given their lives to protect our country. And their family members with whom their memory lives on.”

The writer, producers, and actors did a great job at capturing the emotion in relationships, trials, and tribulations of the family and loved ones who fight for our country.  I cannot fathom how it must feel to have the love of your life oversees when at any moment he or she can lose their life and never to return.  By covering the issues of neglect, love, and loss I was able to feel passion in my heart for these type of situations.  After viewing this film tell me what you think? And for all those affected by a fallen soldier near and far this is dedicated to you.

Director: Matthew Cherry
Written By: Reagan Gomez
Executive Producer: Liberty Madison
Director Of Photography: Zubari Duniani
Edited By: Reginald Harrison
Production Company: Cherry Entertainment in association with Liberty Madison Productions and Supremacy Films

http://www.themoviethistime.com
Visit http://www.ourfallensoldier.com to make a donation.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1612102/

What about Pakistan?

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dams burst, tears flood
washed away millions, villages submerged
the world sits deaf, the children’s cries go unheard
media got you glued to the tube, now what’ve you learned?
to the truth you are blind, an entire country victimized
makeshift camps in graveyards &treetops, take a second to visualize
monsoon rain caused flood devastation, Pakistan left paralyzed
water’s receeded, from dark to light, survivors for you i sympathize
return from Atlantis, out of house &home, little aid, health compromised
suffering exceeding 04’s tsunami,Kashmir &Haiti’s quakes combined!
sources i’ll extinguish, skills i’ll utilize, people i’ll gather, a plan to save you will be devised
great minds, big hearts, free souls, world citizens with out forces combined
we can save the world, to this occasion let’s rise!
-Pheben Meharena

The Pakistan Floods that happened in July caused one the most devastating natural disasters in the middle east.  You may not remember or even heard that over 2,000 people have reportedly died leaving over a million homes destroyed of their natural habitat.  It wasn’t until I got my latest issued of the Time magazine when I read a heartbreaking article about the current condition of certain regions of Pakistan. Pheben Meharena, a strong advocate, reached out to the website for your help.  Although this natural disaster has been put under the rug by the media it still should get the light and support that it deserves.  The Embassy of Pakistan, DC is working together with savethechildren.org to fun the Pakistan children during this emergency.  Celebrities continue to neglect and the recognition isn’t out there leaving only 50% of the requested emergency relief fund not received.   For more information on how you can reach out on the Pakistan Floods of 2010, click the link below.

Click Here to Help

If God is Willing and da Creek Don’t Rise: Spike Lee Documentary

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Photo Courtesy of HBO

Last night I watched the HBO Spike Lee documentary “If God is willing and da Creek Don’t Rise” which is the The LeveesSequel about the devastating natural disaster called Hurricane Katrina.  The news did somewhat of a good job at highlights the aftermath but Spike Lee took it into his own hands to get the voice out that New Orleans is still going through a struggle and the aftermath is nothing short of a progression.  Through interviews with local and former residents I was able to capture the anger and disappointment that has affected them since Katrina.

I find Spike Lee to be phenomenal at projecting a message through spoken word, psychological analysis, and different angles of the camera.  I was able to see footage of happiness, disperse, regret and even darkness from the New Orleans communities.  I’ve studied his films so I know that when he does a documentary he makes sure to leave you pondering your thoughts and rebirthing your revolutionary mind.

Two years after the hurricane hit, I was able to travel with my school in helping to rebuild and bring life back to New Orleans.  Never in my life did I find myself in such devastation when they were demolishing the projects and building housing that was not fit for the community.  Spike Lee covers many issues in this two-part sequel, which airs again tonight at 9pm (PST) on HBO.  There are many issues that have been brushed under the rug or are still ongoing and I feel that he does a great job at giving you visuals of the aftermath of this disaster.  We are vastly approaching the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and progress is being made but not enough.  I am currently working with Bay Localize on ways to uplift this issue and I’m sure that you can do your part too.  So check out the second part if you haven’t already and educate yourself with the cold facts and the effects on Hurricane Katrina.