Friday Night Lights....April Fools

  

How long will they morn ya?

64 year old Robert Davis, was beaten beyond recognition in the French Quarters 2 1/2 months after Katrina. Davis, a Black man was looking to buy a pack of cigarettes before 4 white NOPD officers beat him to the ground to handcuff him. Classic case huh? Here's the uh-ha! moment. This was all caught on tape. A grand jury had indicted these officers in this incident. Kind of funny that in EVERY single report I hear about this case, racism isn't even mentioned in the disclaimer. This case is being treated as if it isn't a systematic abuse of power within the institution of the criminal legal system...makes me wonder if they still think about Levon Jones? http://brownwatch.squarespace.com/to-the-present/2005/2/25/death-of-levon-jones-stokes-racial-tension-in-new-orleans-black-leaders-call-for-boycott.html

Roll Call

March 29, 2006
NAACP Continues to Call on Louisiana to Postpone New Orleans Election Until Improved Voting Procedures Are Implemented
President Bruce S. Gordon schedules meeting with Louisiana Secretary of State to express concerns on behalf of displaced New Orleans voters and will march in April 1 New Orleans voting demonstration

NAACP President Bruce S. Gordon said today the election scheduled for April 22 in New Orleans should be postponed until the state of Louisiana devises a plan for implementing effective absentee ballot measures and allows satellite voting from states with large concentrations of displaced New Orleans residents.

Gordon said: “To hold the New Orleans election on April 22 would violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and disenfranchise thousands of voters forced to evacuate their homes because of Hurricane Katrina. If provisions can be made to allow Iraqi and Mexican expatriates to vote in their national elections then surely we can do no less for American citizens forced to relocate through no fault of their own.”

Despite claims by Louisiana Secretary of State Al Ater that adequate steps have been taken to give displaced voters the opportunity to cast their ballots, the NAACP is concerned that because many voters have moved several times since the hurricane struck August 29, 2005, they will not receive word about polling stations and absentee ballot information. According to one published report, fewer than 10,000 registered voters have requested absentee ballots.

The NAACP, with assistance from People for the American Way Foundation, has opened 14 Voter Assistance Centers in states such as Texas, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi and Alabama. New Orleans voters may call the special NAACP voter hotline, 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) for additional information. The hotline was set up in partnership with People for the American Way Foundation and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

Gordon will join other civil rights and political leaders at a rally at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 1 at the Convention Center parking lot in New Orleans. The rally will be followed by a march from the Convention Center to the Crescent City Connection Bridge. This will be followed by a press conference at 2 p.m.

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

Love song

Oh gosh, here we go again. I paid my first car note today, last payment...sometime in 2012...:-( I have to get used to this again.

I've been listening to Jean Grae's Lovesong all day "And it's not what he tells her, man, it's what he don't, And she don't understand and for some years, she probly won't" Wow, just been getting over a situation. Discernment is something huh? I've learned over the years that too many people involved in your business doen't make it your business anymore, so I'm not talking bout the he said/she said stuff. I really think, scratch that, I really KNOW God gives us signs about people, that extra sense that we fail to recognize that could make all the difference in the world...enough of this love song:
"Maybe it's easier to talk about this shit in third person
Learning better
Looking for love in all the wrong places
Like I'm Eddie Murphy
Curse me to repeat the same cycle
I'm breaking
No longer think relations make a better woman
Just for life, I'm pursuing
Growing, but hopelessly romantic still
Tasted weather in the bitter climates
Love the sunshine better
Dreaming of dream proposals
Decent moral values placing higher on my chart
Trying not to have a shallow heart
But battle scars are deep and reaching to the depth of hell and back
Try to give up the grudges
Think it's experience and move from the clutches of sadness
It's difficult
Sometimes I wish I wasn't an adult
Adolescent primetime sitcom star
I've been too far and too much, too hard, for too long
It's still a love song"

Okay, when I started this blog, I really thought my cuz and a few self selected others were the only ones reading this...lol

i have to get back to work now, i've been trying this new thing of staying at work until 5, i can get extra work in but when i'm there i always feel like there is something better i could be doing.

Costa Rica...was that really 2004????

wow a year ago?

In discussing his white privilege, Robert Jensen makes the point, “We all are the product of both what we will ourselves to be and what the society in which we live lets us be” (Jensen 105). By the recognizing that institutional racism exists is an admission that the accessibility of social mobility and success is not equal to all races. It is also apparent that each of the institutions collude with each other to reinforce institutionalized racism. While it has been proved that residential segregation has so many other effects on the Black life; the federal government has placed a high, “emphasis on personal responsibility, not inequalities in the larger society” (Wilson 331). But, when using the structural approach to understand why Blacks systematically achieve and obtain less than Whites, the answer is often color-based in a self proclaimed color-blind society. Blacks achieve less because of the mere fact that they are Black. As a society that has a recognizes privileges of being White, there is also a recognized disadvantages of being Black.

I'm Bossy!!!!!

Wow, 25!!!! Lol, what a year.

March 27, 2005.

Easter Sunday. My roommate surprises me with a spread of gifts/treats in the dining room. So thoughtful...this was a thoughtful birthday. My BFF calls me to sing her usual rendition of the "Happy Birthday" song. (side note, why has no one at my job ever heard the verse, "may the dear Lord bless you" they told me it was a Black thing...I believe them"

I get dressed for church, good sermon. Take a couple of pictures and head to Houston's for lunch, movie...Cheesecake Bistro (the Bistro) for dessert. LOL Ana made me a Beautifully Human card...I chuckled, it was cute :)

Don't really remember much else...


March 27, 2006

GRADUATION!!!! Puerto Rico!!! Decent job...not career...job (oh lord, please don't let me be misunderstood) Katrina...Georgia...Houston...New Orleans...Chicago...New Orleans.

25 wow. Preparing for the GRE before October...it changes once again ;-( Want to receive my MA from Univ. of Chicago. PhD...Well let's get through this first. Finally attended a State of the Black Union. I love Black people, I didn't just get this feeling, I just feel like I have to say this aloud sometimes.

Been to some of my best concerts this year (common, j legend, kweli, j grae).

Don't know the future of New Orleans, but it needs Essence back next year! I'll be in H-town this year though.

25....sorry to anyone who has called and has gotten, "you have reached 504-..."

August is getting here sooner than I though, procrastination is a thief of time, I need to charge this criminal with a crime and start with my rehabilitation program.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!!

well not until 8:26 in the morning....

what a year...even though i am back in new orleans for the time my life has gone (?) full circle, blog on it tomorrow.

anyone out there

jed...anyone out there, i need help with my ipod...can i add songs/videos from a computer other than my own?

how can i transfer pics from my digital camera to the ipod????

need help...please comment...please

Thanks cuz!!!! ur my favorite now!!!!!!

Thanks cuz, I owe you one...well a couple...lol.

I love this pic. I took this a couple of weeks ago in the Chi.

LOL, this morning I had to bring my lil cuz to school. We walk outside and I see a flat tire...oh no...well not really in an upset tone, but I turned and proceeded to call GEICO to make good on their roadside assistance deal. Wow, I didn't know pop-a-lock changed tires? learn something new everyday...huh?

One thing people don't know about New Orleans right now, is that business is booming for tire companies...nails and debris is still EVERYWHERE and our tires are suffering. I brought my cuz to see my aunt's house last night. It used to be a 2 story house but an oak tree from their backyard fell on the house and well...one story it is now...and they were in it when it happened! Anyways my unc. had a FEMA trailer set up in front of their house. Wow my first time in a FEMA trailer. I wish I had my camera with me last night. The trailer is made to house 5 people, though many would agree, one could barely live in there comfortably. It's funny because the whole time we were there, I kept thinking about that GEICO commercial "THE HOUSE WAS BUILT TOO SMALL" I'm blessed. I joke about this trailer, but the facts are these trailers have become HOMES to many of our residents in the GNO area. And NO EVERYONE who NEEDS a trailer has received one...enough on that.

In all, I think I got a nail in my tire last night and that's why it was flat today.

Long meetings at work today...loll. MY CEO is one of the funniest people I know. I don’t' think she realizes that though. She's a tough woman. I laugh every time I think about my interview with her (this was only 8 months ago). I had just graduated and was leaving for Puerto Rico the next day. I had already had my interview with my g.m. and now the ceo wanted to meet me. I went to her office and sat behind a table; she was sitting in this big mahogany leather chair and turned around slowly after I sat down. LOL. She began to ask me about myself, and i tell ya i was sooo intimidated by her voice she told me to take a couple of deep breaths. The interview went good, we somehow ended up talking about Sex in the City and then she offered me the position. Well 8 months later she amazes me. Katrina changed our relationship. I really got to know who she was, respecting her for what she has been able to do as a person and with her company but being able to critique aspects about my job and the company to increase profitability for both of us. It just sucks sometimes that since I am the youngest person there, she respects my opinion but sometimes pulls a motherly type role on me...alright i am babbling on so im bout to peace out

Ahhhhh

Don't go talkin that shit Badu, Badu

"What good do your words do
If they can´t understand you
Don´t go talkin´ that shit Badu, Badu"

no really...what good are they???

If you didn't catch The Boondocks tonight, you missed a REALLY good episode!!!!! It was the last for the first season. Hope the dvd is out soon.

Started preparing myself for the GRE, "that's all i have...ain't got no more"

I'm back on Mama's Gun...never really been off, so listen with me while i.....

"Time´s a wastin
Don´t you take your time young man
Keep on driftin and
Ain´t no tellin where you´ll land

Run baby, run, run
Where you runnin to?
And who you runnin from?
Some people may not understand
What it means to be a man
Takin´ full command
Cause we´re

Livin in a world that´s oh so strange
Boy don´t let your focus change
Takin out the demons in your range, hey
Livin in a world that´s oh so fast
Gotta make your money last
Learn from the past, oh

Time´s a wastin
Don´t you take your time young man
Keep on driftin and
Ain´t no tellin where you´ll land

Sweet love and sunshine
If it´s all in the air
Then it´s all on your mind
Breathe baby
Come back to the world
Dig up all your pearls
Teach the boys and girls, hey

Livin in a world that´s oh so strange
Boy don´t let your focus change
Takin out the demons in your range, hey
Livin in a world that´s oh so fast
Gotta make your money last
Learn from the past, oh

Oh baby we need to smile
Oh baby we need to smile
Oh baby we need to smile
Oh baby we need to smile

Time´s a wastin
Don´t you take your time young man
Keep on driftin and
Ain´t no tellin where you´ll land

Oh baby we need to smile
Oh baby we need to smile
Oh baby we need to smile
Oh baby we need to smile

Oh, oh, oh, oh...

Time´s a wastin
Don´t you take your time young man
Keep on driftin and
Ain´t no tellin where you´ll land

Ain´t no tellin, oh, oh..."

V for Vendetta

get up on it and holla after a couple of days...it'll take you that long

THINK

Wow, this week has gone by so fast...well these 3 months have just flown by. It's a trip because in 5 months I'll be starting all over again. :::)

my cuz was accepted into Loyola, yeah!!!! I'm proud of all my lil ones. Your foundation is almost complete; you've been given the necessary tools to begin your house. It can be as big as you dream or a one room shack...Katrinas, Ivans, Georges and Cindy are bound to happen, its inevitable but the true test is how you choose to handle them. Words of wisdom...give it up and be obedient...trust me.

Anyways, wow has it really been 3 years we've been looking for weapons of mass destruction??? ER was real good last night

Since the State of the Black Union, I have been thinking about something Harry Belafonte said about Min. Farrakhan. Of course I am paraphrasing, Belafonte was commenting on Farrakhan’s statements of not trusting a gov't who has never fulfilled a promise it has given to Black America. Farrakhan suggested using tax dollars allocated to public schools and build our own. Basically doing for ourselves, never depending on the gov't because we constantly are let down. Belafonte agreed with the views Farrakhan had of the gov't but felt that he still had faith in a democracy he and others fought long and hard to be a part of. But the thing that I've been having on my mind is when Belafonte expressed that he doesn’t agree with everything (and some days nothing that Farrakhan) is saying, but Farrakhan makes him THINK.

That's deep. We are living in a reaction world where thinking has somehow subtracted itself from the equation. My boss is constantly asking me to make decisions in a split second and she is frustrated when I say I need time to THINK things through. I have lived some part of my adult life without THINKING situations though, because if I did think some things through, I wouldn't have had to go through some real shit in my life...unnecessary shit. THINK. WORDS. POWER. LIBERATION. LIFE. LIVE. FREE. Kweli says "I'm learning words got power, so ima be specific" THINK about shit. you see shit on t.v. hear shit on the radio...believe none of what you see and none of what you hear. Do your own research. Read a damn book or two. Have a conversation and don't invite ignorance. Challenge the norm, go against the grain for what you believe in. Get to KNOW YOURSELF. Have an opinion. Know when its necessary to voice it. Know when its necessary to let fools argue amongst themselves.

and im out

wheres my snares

I can't study in my house!!!!! It's no ones fault but my own. I have to to put myself in an environment that will allow me to study and that will also my my studying EFFECTIVE!!!!!!

Enough of that, damn even the postman told me he thought i quit my job, damn man, can i leave early a for a couple of days to get my mind right...o i guess i can't

my ivory, whats up???? i thought you were gonna call me yesterday to discuss the sopros...you are so silly. the girl at work thinks we are lovas...lol if she only knew...we are...lmao with our made in costa rica baby

floetry is coming to the hob in new orleans, not really sure if i want to go. don't really have anyone to go with, all of my friends down here are lame. well except my cuz. haha

i saw the funniest bumper sticker yesterday it had a black background and there was this big F in white letters and under in small print it said "the president"
i think i get seriously pissed when i see those W bumper stickers on cars everywhere but on the bumper, but what else can i expect from the people who voted for an ass??? damn patriot act

meet the press was pretty decent this week. discussion was on south dakotas ruling on abortion, how it is only legal in cases where the mother's life in danger. Thats some bullshit. Not even in cases of incest or rape... that's really some bullshit. As a woman i don't think anybody especially the government should be able to dictate what i can or cant do with my body. No, i don't think that abortion should be used as a form of birth control, but in how many cases is this really the case????? Yes, I think that conseling should be a requirement for any person thinking of and who has had this procedure. I feel that other options such as adoption should be offered or explored for the mother. I am pro-choice, that is the way i live my life, to be able to have a choice to choose between but knowing that there are consequences for some of the choices I CHOOSE to make.

check out mtvu.com there was a real tight documentary shown on mtv the other night about the sudan, with insights on the refugee camps and the genocide that is going on there.

arite i gotta take my lil cuz to get dinner.

Playa why u hatin????

wow we actually got in town early enough for me to take a nap...i gotta pause to listen to this dwele song...it was cool.

random thoughts....

jill scott's first cd was the shit...hands down, every song on that joint is tight

not trying to make light of the subject at all but why is the last name of the bouncer in the nyc student death littlejohn?

i am on that kelis bossy song hard now

so why does it seem like jetblue prices are higher now...thats why im bout kayak

i'm interested in the black/white show but it really pisses me off to hear white people say the shit we actually know...realizing white priviledge is the first step

why did i buy i bed from ikea 6 months ago but it still hasnt been put together yet

i need to find my credit ticket for delta

what's the deal with priceline...i just cant get with the info being withheld until payment is received

forgot my digital camera somewhere in houston so i brought one of those kodak disposable cameras but i think i lost that too :::insert a sad face:::

did the sour deal with dubai show us that democracy is real?

who the hell watches that flava flav show...really??? why???

remember that 3 6 mafia song with the hot boys...playa why u hatin??

are you seriously still running for mayor kimberely williamson butler??? fresh out the joint compairing yourself to king and rosa parks??? come on now

okay gotta get to bed thought the nap did it but it was just a tease...holla

Woke up this morning...(sopranos them song) arite tony

I must make time to sit, think and write. For the last year I haven't had time to catch my breath without the next being a bit early but lately I haven't been as busy but still use that same excuse, maybe i just don't want to make time.

I find myself content with hanging with myself (that phase just doesn't look right) but thats just how i feel. The bi-weekly conversations with friends are cool, the bi-monthly catch ups with others are okay, but it seems like i am the only one content with that amount of interaction. I don't know, i hate to keep blaming things on katrina, but its true, living in a post-katrina world...well a post-katrina new orleans left me kinda detached to a whole lot of things. It brought me closer to family and with that i tend to not be caught up/in unecessary bullshit (but when is bullshit ever necessary???) don't know how to explain it cause i tried before but i'll try again for good. i'm happy, uncertain about tomorrow but i know that God will provide me with the necessary tools to face it, disguisted with the government, local, state and national because shit ain't right, and its been this way for a long time, katrina exposed a lot of -isms that "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the GENERAL welfare and secure the blessing of LIBERTY for ourselves and our prosperity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the UNITED STATES of AMERICA" chose to see and neglect everyday. But you know our worldly motto "out of sight out of mind" I am tired of even explaining this, i gotta get a hobby. i was suppose to try out the pottery class but never followed up on that.

I too was addicted to Project Runway. Santino was the shiznit. oh an when i found out his mother was another...sister! OMG he was so funny when he imitated Tim "where's andrae" lol oh and when they played andrae's breakdown. that shit was soooo funny. but back to santino, he really reminds me of my ivory, not that he looks like him or anything, its just that sarcastic shit that gets me...in a good way. i think all of my friends are sarcastic???? maybe i am tooo, u think???? awww i don't

Oh gosh, I'm about to be......25 in 16 days!!!!! a quarter century, i think i am too old to be writing a blog.

JED!!!! why are you telling me about the SOPRANOS tonight when it doesn't come on until tomorrow, uh cuz, call me at about 10:59 tomorrow...thats central time.

arite and im out

omg this is so funny i had to blog it twice

my okayplayer post

i had to blog this. this show was worth the extra post:

Omg i almost didn't make the commute from New Orleans, but after getting some knowledge of self, you know i had to make it.

1,2,3, it was Mos Def and Talib Kweli!!!!!! YEAH at first dave introduced Kweli who did a couple of songs and then brought the mighty Mos out and they rocked it.

Before intermission Dave brought out Houstons congress woman and Tavis Smiley and Cornel "Nelly" West!!!!

Intermission ends...dave does a bit, lights turn low..."My eyes are green, cause i eat a lot of vegetables, it don't have nothing to do with your new friend" Ms Badu rocked the house...no really she did!!!! After mixing Baduizm, Mamas Gun and WWUnderground, she closed with Tyrone and "F-U, get up out of my house!"

Oh but wait the party didn't end yet. Dave came back out and Ms Badu, Mighty Mos and Kweli gave respect to Jay Dilla then just chilled, freestyled and it really felt like a block party, this went on for like 45 min, i didn't want it to end. They gave a shot out to New Orleans and Houston for welcoming us in, then Mos and Kweli gave us freestyles about out gov't response to Katrina then Mos closed with Katrina Clap!!!!!

If this block party comes to your town GO SEE IT!!!!! If not you'll always have something to say like an okayplayer hater, lol. Naw for real the amount of fun i had exceded the amount it cost for those tickets.

My favorite m.c.!!!!!!!!!