Today was my Grandmother's funeral.
I officially have no more grandparents.
When I got there and saw all the people that were there for her, I was completely shocked. I guess after 21 years, I kinda just assumed she was all ours. Ours, as in my family. She was our grandmother, our mother, etc. Never once stopping to think she was so many things to so many other people. I thought to myself, "all of these people loved her."
I'm not saying that we had the closest relationship, but after knowing someone for 21 years, loving someone for 21 years, and expecting them to be there for 21 years (and more), it is very heartbreaking when they are no longer around. It really hurt me to see my siblings upset, and especially my father. My grandmother was all my father, aunts, and uncles have had for many, many years, and now she's gone. I know I don't understand the pain they are going through, because they have experienced things deeper than I know or will comprehend. All I can say is much love my my "Mama" and my family.
July 30, 2009
July 27, 2009
Million Man March
I PLEDGE that from this day forward I will strive to love my brother as I love myself. I, from this day forward, will strive to improve myself spiritually, morally, mentally, socially, politically and economically for the benefit of myself, my family and my people. I pledge that I will strive to build businesses, build houses, build hospitals, build factories and enter into international trade for the good of myself, my family and my people.
I PLEDGE that from this day forward I will never raise my hand with a knife or a gun to beat, cut, or shoot any member of my family or any human being except in self-defense. I pledge from this day forward I will never abuse my wife by striking her, disrespecting her, for she is the mother of my children and the producer of my future. I pledge that from this day forward I will never engage in the abuse of children, little boys or little girls for sexual gratification. For I will let them grow in peace to be strong men and women for the future of our people.
I WILL never again use the ‘B word’ to describe any female. But particularly my own Black sister. I pledge from this day forward that I will not poison my body with drugs or that which is destructive to my health and my well-being. I pledge from this day forward I will support Black newspapers, Black radio, Black television. I will support Black artists who clean up their acts to show respect for themselves and respect for their people and respect for the ears of the human family. I will do all of this so help me God.
(source)
I saw this for the first time at the America I Am exhibit in Atlanta. I've been doing a lot of reading and research on African-Americans in society, etc. and the Million Man March, as well as the Nation of Islam have been added to the list.
I PLEDGE that from this day forward I will never raise my hand with a knife or a gun to beat, cut, or shoot any member of my family or any human being except in self-defense. I pledge from this day forward I will never abuse my wife by striking her, disrespecting her, for she is the mother of my children and the producer of my future. I pledge that from this day forward I will never engage in the abuse of children, little boys or little girls for sexual gratification. For I will let them grow in peace to be strong men and women for the future of our people.
I WILL never again use the ‘B word’ to describe any female. But particularly my own Black sister. I pledge from this day forward that I will not poison my body with drugs or that which is destructive to my health and my well-being. I pledge from this day forward I will support Black newspapers, Black radio, Black television. I will support Black artists who clean up their acts to show respect for themselves and respect for their people and respect for the ears of the human family. I will do all of this so help me God.
(source)
I saw this for the first time at the America I Am exhibit in Atlanta. I've been doing a lot of reading and research on African-Americans in society, etc. and the Million Man March, as well as the Nation of Islam have been added to the list.
America I Am
I took a trip to Atlanta for a few days, and went to see American I Am: The African American Imprint. I heard that it was only going to be in 5 cities throughout the US, and wanted to take the opportunity.
The exhibit runs chronologically and includes material from all aspects of African-American life and history. My favorite parts were personal items. For example, W.E.B. Dubois' doctoral sash and cap, Frederick Douglass' coat, and Malcolm X's journal. It was interesting to see W.E.B. Dubois' belongings again since I visited his home in Ghana 9 years ago. I'm sure as a 13 year old I didn't grasp the importance of W.E.B. Dubois, but I do appreciate having had that experience. Malcolm X's journal was opened so that visitors could read the passage. The entry was written after his Hajj, and it was captivating to see his handwriting, knowing it came straight from Malcolm X himself.
The final portion was a multimedia show meant as a summary. The show made a parallel between the music of African-Americans and mainstream music, and how it has all been influenced by African-Americans (i.e. music being stolen from African-Americans in the past and made popular by mainstream society).
I'm glad I went, another influential experience.
The exhibit runs chronologically and includes material from all aspects of African-American life and history. My favorite parts were personal items. For example, W.E.B. Dubois' doctoral sash and cap, Frederick Douglass' coat, and Malcolm X's journal. It was interesting to see W.E.B. Dubois' belongings again since I visited his home in Ghana 9 years ago. I'm sure as a 13 year old I didn't grasp the importance of W.E.B. Dubois, but I do appreciate having had that experience. Malcolm X's journal was opened so that visitors could read the passage. The entry was written after his Hajj, and it was captivating to see his handwriting, knowing it came straight from Malcolm X himself.
The final portion was a multimedia show meant as a summary. The show made a parallel between the music of African-Americans and mainstream music, and how it has all been influenced by African-Americans (i.e. music being stolen from African-Americans in the past and made popular by mainstream society).
I'm glad I went, another influential experience.
July 22, 2009
July 21, 2009
July 20, 2009
Wally Universe, not just World
I mean...I know something has to be corrupt about this place, but honestly, in my opinion, what major corporation isn't? I consciously try not to shop there as much as I feel like, but I guess research is in order. It would be a shame if someone asked me why I don't like Wal-Mart, and all I have is, "Well...umm....they have really long lines."
July 19, 2009
I watched 3 episodes of World's Strictest Parents.
Theme. The kids who acted out came from single parent homes. The families they are sent to have two parents and all that jazz.
Implication. If you live in a nontraditional home, you will become near delinquent. If you live with two parents, you will learn responsibility, integrity, respect, and how to be a hard worker.
More and more people are becoming products of non traditional homes, and the show is reinforcing stereotypes whether the viewers know it or not.
Theme. The kids who acted out came from single parent homes. The families they are sent to have two parents and all that jazz.
Implication. If you live in a nontraditional home, you will become near delinquent. If you live with two parents, you will learn responsibility, integrity, respect, and how to be a hard worker.
More and more people are becoming products of non traditional homes, and the show is reinforcing stereotypes whether the viewers know it or not.
July 16, 2009
July 14, 2009
July 12, 2009
Discovery
The Lasers Manifesto
I'm really down for this kind of thing.
To Every Man, Woman & Child....
1. We Want An End To The Glamorization Of Negativity In The Media.
2. We Want An End To Status Symbols Dictating Our Worth As Individuals.
3. We Want A Meaningful And Universal Education System.
... here for the rest
I'm really down for this kind of thing.
To Every Man, Woman & Child....
1. We Want An End To The Glamorization Of Negativity In The Media.
2. We Want An End To Status Symbols Dictating Our Worth As Individuals.
3. We Want A Meaningful And Universal Education System.
... here for the rest
July 11, 2009
Constant Replay--Laura Izibor
I can listen to all of the songs on her album, which is rare, because I tend to pick favorites and skip all other songs on most albums.
"Well let the sun shine on your face.And don’t let your life go to waste
Now is the time, got to make up your mind
Let it shine on you, let it shine on you"
She has a soul, r&b, etc thing going for her, and I like it.
July 9, 2009
July 4, 2009
What I'm Reading
I love having free time to read leisurely. I love the feeling of being immersed in a book, losing track of the number of pages I've read, while gently pushing my glasses into place.Jhumpa Lahiri won me over with The Namesake. Everything about her writing style is enthralling. The prose, character development, plot, everything...
Unaccustomed Earth is a collection of short stories. I usually don't read short stories, but I'm warming up to it. At the end of the first short story, I was looking for more when I first finished. But alas, it was just enough.
July 3, 2009
New Discovery
I've had a lot of free time on my hands, so I've been watching more tv than usual. I just started watching Martin, and I'm cracking up. Laughing at jokes that most people enjoyed more than 10 years ago. Seeing as how I wasn't allowed to watch the show, I'm okay with that, and I'm going to watch this marathon into the night.
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