Texas is proud to be PRO LIFE!!!

....well kinda...depending on the person...




I'm in Texas right now and this ish scares me. It's funny cause just the other day someone asked me the difference between the Criminal justice system and Criminal legal system (the latter being the term I use)

My answer was simply...Racism

I guess you gotta know me to understand that answer lol

even my mama buys Lupe's ish

When it all...all falls down...

I pay approximately 120% more per month in rent than I did pre-katrina. You can imagine the dismay that enrages me anytime I hear the comment "You playing the Katrina card?"

Really...card...oh sorta like that Race/Gender card huh?

I guess it stings a little more from people that look just like you asking you "why haven't ya'll done anything yet?" "What's taking so long?" "Why can't ya'll just move on"

I tell you, I've never been one to remember anything but August 28-29, 2005 are two days in which I can recall every second of the day. And now there are only two ways to define time...before Katrina and after. It doesn't matter if your house withstood the wind/water damage of Katrina...nothing in your life is the same. I guess that's why I'm so unaffected by everything else...which can be a bad and good thing...but real shit. I approach most things like "This isn't the worst thing that has ever happened to me...so eff it"

Katrina Card 145666 As of this school semester there are only 2 schools in New Orleans that offer MSW programs and 1 that offers MA Sociology program

Upon completing my first semester in my MA Sociology program I began working with residents of Greater New Orleans housing projects contesting their right to return home. A class action lawsuit had already been filed against HUD and HANO. and I could see every aspect of my trainings of intersectionality of oppressions come full circle. Then I started reminsing about the Hope VI victory of the St. Thomas projects. Ahhh affordable mixed income housing...lol.

Last week I had to make a couple of runs to City Hall last week. And I saw this on City Hall's front lawn




Shiiittt then I started to reminise about the images I saw the days after Katrina.

So we have hundreds of homeless people literally sleeping on the mayor's front lawn.


Rent is still sky high

and in other news...HUD/HANO have decided to forgo the aformentioned pending lawsuit and throw some Demolition D's on the Pjs.

My Grammy Predictions...only for catagories I care about

Album Of The Year:
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (Foo Fighters)
These Days (Vince Gill)
River: The Joni Letters (Herbie Hancock)
Graduation (Kanye West)
Back To Black (Amy Winehouse)

Record Of The Year:
"Irreplaceable" (Beyoncé)
"The Pretender" (Foo Fighters)
"Umbrella" (Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z)
"What Goes Around…Comes Around" (Justin Timberlake)
"Rehab" (Amy Winehouse)

Song Of The Year:
"Before He Cheats," John Kear & Chris Tompkins, songwriters (Carrie Underwood, artist)
"Hey There Delilah," Tom Higgenson, songwriter (Plain White T's, artist)
"Like A Star," Corinne Bailey Rae, songwriter (Corinne Bailey Rae, artist)
"Rehab," Amy Winehouse, songwriter (Amy Winehouse, artist)
"Umbrella," Shawn Carter, Kuk Harrell, Terius "Dream" Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z, artist)

Best New Artist:
Feist
Ledisi
Paramore
Taylor Swift
Amy Winehouse



Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
* Candyman
Christina Aguilera

* 1234
Feist
Track from: The Reminder

* Big Girls Don't Cry
Fergie
Track from: The Dutchess

* Say It Right
Nelly Furtado
Track from: Loose

* Rehab
Amy Winehouse
Track from: Back To Black




Field 6 - R&B
Category 23 - Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Just Fine
Mary J. Blige

• When I See You
Fantasia
Track from: Fantasia

• No One
Alicia Keys

• If I Have My Way
Chrisette Michele
Track from: I Am

• Hate On Me
Jill Scott
Track from: The Real Thing

Field 6 - R&B
Category 24 - Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Woman
Raheem DeVaughn

• B.U.D.D.Y.
Musiq Soulchild
Track from: Luvanmusiq

• Because Of You
Ne-Yo

• Future Baby Mama
Prince
Track from: Planet Earth

• Please Don't Go
Tank
Track from: Sex, Love & Pain

Field 6 - R&B
Category 27 - Best Urban/Alternative Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Make A Baby
Vikter Duplaix
Track from: Bold And Beautiful

• That’s The Way Of The World
Dwele
Track from: Interpretations: Celebrating The Music Of Earth, Wind & Fire

• Daydreamin'
Lupe Fiasco Featuring Jill Scott
Track from: Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor

• Fantasy
Meshell Ndegeocello
Track from: Interpretations: Celebrating The Music Of Earth, Wind & Fire

• Dream
Alice Smith
Track from: For Lovers, Dreamers & Me

Field 7 - Rap
Category 31 - Best Rap Solo Performance
(For a solo Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

• The People
Common
Track from: Finding Forever

• I Get Money
50 Cent
Track from: Curtis

• Show Me What You Got
Jay-Z
Track from: Kingdom Come

• Big Things Poppin' (Do It)
T.I.

• Stronger
Kanye West
Track from: Graduation


Field 7 - Rap
Category 32 - Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group
(For duo, group or collaborative performances of Rap only. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Southside
Common Featuring Kanye West
Track from: Finding Forever


• Make It Rain
Fat Joe Featuring Lil Wayne
Track from: Me, Myself & I

• Party Like A Rockstar
Shop Boyz
Track from: Rockstar Mentality

• Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You)
UGK Featuring OutKast

• Better Than I've Ever Been
Kanye West, Nas & KRS-One

Field 7 - Rap
Category 35 - Best Rap Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

• Finding Forever
Common

• Kingdom Come
Jay-Z

• Hip Hop Is Dead
Nas

• T.I. vs T.I.P.
T.I.

• Graduation
Kanye West

Humble as a mumble in the jungle of shouts and screams,

That's the way the cracker crumbles so I guess I've gotta re-route my dreams....

You ever had to trust someone without a doubt? Someone that you vaguely knew and simultaneously knew all about this person? Knowing you might not feel comfortable going through but comforted with the fact of knowing they have your best intentions in their intent?

..."And that's life and that's life"

shit is crazy huh?

I guess that's what the streets want huh? lol




I'm wild just like a rock, a stone, a tree
And I'm free, just like the wind the breeze that blows
And I flow, just like a brook, a stream, the rain
And I fly, just like a bird up in the sky
And I'll surely die, just like a flower plucked
And dragged away and thrown away
And then 1 day it turns to clay
It blows away, it finds a ray, it finds its way
And there it lays until the rain and sun
Then I breathe, just like the wind the breeze that blows
And I grow, just like a baby breastfeeding
And it's beautiful, that's life and that's life
And that's life and that's life

Somehow this song kept me going today

I'm So Hood!

"I wear my pants below my waist
And I never dance when I'm in this place
Cause you and yo' man is plannin to hate
I'm so HOOD! And I got these golds up in my mouth
If you get closer to my house
Then you'll know what I'm talkin 'bout
I'm out the HOOD! And if you feel me put your hands up
HOO-OOD! My hood niggaz can you stand up
I'm so HOOD! If you not from here you can walk it out
And you not hood if you don't know what I'm talkin 'bout"

This song gets me going at 6am...sorry to my neighbors...lol

The day after Katrina...two years later

I'm torn between being Antwone Fisher "It don't matter what you tried to do, you couldn't destroy me! I'm still standing! I'm still strong! And I always will be"

and

Veteran activist Anne Moody in her autobiography expressed this new sense of cynicism best. "We shall overcome… I WONDER. I really WONDER."

and that's all i have to say about that

Have you seen Superbad yet? It's hilarious and I almost think it's funnier than Knocked Up...yes...it's possible.

Ahhh...the 3 day weekend is almost here!!! GO Labor Day!!!!!! I feel like No One is bbqing which is RiDiculous...Ya'll should be ashamed of yourselves :::Wink:::
It's the second week of school and I am damn near exausted...even though I don't work directly with the children :::scratches head:::

Here are some pics from summer camp...in which i didn't work directly with the kids...yet I'm on a field trip with them :::does the scratching of the head exercise again::




As I am looking through this photo album I am coming across my Summer of 2007 "Party and Bullish" memories...here are a couple I'd like to share with my b.f. (This stands for BLog Family...SOl...LMAO)

Party and Bullish begins...this is what we started off with and everyone brought a bottle of a lil sumthing with them



All Ima say is...I stay on the second floor...people were out taking a smoke a talking, a couple of people leaned on the rail...and...there it went...Ground Zero



Essence is Back in da N.O!!!
We love da kids


and Common


and da food


and da P.I.M.P.s


and da outfits


and busstopping to Maze all over the Superdome "You make me Happy!"


Ahhh...one of those nights


and then...


Get IT!!


One mo fa da road


Game Night!!!


Speed!!

my attempt to blog

What up fam?!??!??!?

I know...long time no hear right? Well, my summer was absolutely awesome! I didn't do anything I planned at the beginning of the year but for once since Katrina, I feel I had time to...Breathe. It felt good. I continued to work at the school, participated in a lil summer camp with the kids but mostly...Chilled...enjoyed my Summer...So now the "Summer of George...my bad...Party 'n Bullish" is officially OVER ;(

Ahhh, it was good while it lasted.

So...here's my update.

I've decided to take a semester off from my Master's program. I think I've made a wise decision and if I haven't....time will tell. IDK but somedays I don't want to even have conversation about the following subjects: race, class, gender, inequality, social injustice, sociology...u get the point. I don't know if living in New Orleans is helping or hurting my psychological situation...but I have a few months to decide.

Gosh...I've soo been trying to blog since I got to work and now it is 3:34...26 minutes til school is out!!!

3:40 pm

I give up

I'm so anxious

I need a new laptop...did I tell you mines is shot...dead...bodied...gone ;(

and it's been only a little over a year

it's almost worse than digital cameras...3 in a year and a half ;(

and once again its on!

Here it is, a cool, slightly transformed...just a bit of break from the norm...

It has truly been the "Summer of M.R." and it feels great!!!!

Last night one of my girls had a party but I wasn't really feeling the atmosphere...plus my favorite club was a few feet away so I slid on down to puff on a lil hookah and drank a lil Gangsta's Paradise....funny how i still don't know what's in it lol

anyways its been a hell of a summer already...bankground story is I had a house party a couple of weeks ago...I ditched my own party to ride around the city and ended up running into my ex...He and his cuzin came back to my house to chill at the party that had already been going on...Long story short...I'm chillin this summer. I don't want a boyfriend/realtionship/commitment right now...some guys find that hard to believe but...It's true. I'm not gonna lie, we sorta kicked it but I was starting to feel that he wanted priority in my life and I'm just not there right now...and he's not where he needs to be

Soooo...last night my phone was on blast before going out and my Ignore button got more play than usual. When we got to the club the dj told me I looked like "monday morning" cause my hair was straightened out lol...everytime i go out it's like who's who from M.R.'s past. I was going to the bathroom to reapply my Macs and I hear someone call my name...I turn only to hear "Man I told you that was M.R!!" Oh ish!!!! me and these dudes go WAAYYYYY back...from Summerbridge and elementary school!!!!! I didn't know that we went from just hugging people to hugging people and a friendly kiss on the cheek...I swear every dude from that clique hugged & kissed me...eh, I guess that's how we roll after katrina lol

anyways...so my ex was in da club and my cuz kept telling me that that dude had put a tracking device on my bluetooth...i believe her...lol. well he made his way over and we spoke (minus the hug and cheek kissing) he told me that I could've answered the phone and as he walked away he said something that I couldn't understand...no litterally...i couldn't hear the nicka...So the entire night my cuz and I were saying "You could've answered the phone...Bieeetch!!!" LMAO!!

So the dj is going off and i bump into my friend's husband. We offically met at my house party and dude seems like a decent guy...plus he's police...and you can't go wrong if you have one on ur team lol...anyways we start talkin and he overhears "you could've answered the phone...Bieeetch!!!" and asks what that was all about. after explaining it to him he told me that dude didn't curse me out cause if he did it would've been "Bitch.!. You could've answered the phone!" LMAO...thanks for clairifing that dude LMAO

Long story short again...club rocked the rest for the night...Nickas are happy when girls know the words to "Ain't no Fun" (that's a whole nother blog in itself)

Espys are on

Holla

This blog's for you Sol!!!

LMAO

M.Deezy will get me to blog...By any means necessary lol

The Rules
1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.

2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog
about their eight things and post these rules.

4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight
people to get tagged and list their names.

5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them
they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

************************************************************************************
1. I spent the first 23 years of my life loving Everyone with conditions…including myself.

2. Last Saturday I bought a Heineken and a Hennessey and coke all for a stick of Orbitz gum

3. I want children, yet I feel like I will never have the time to have any.

4. I am taking a semester off from school even though I have only completed one semester in my program. I don’t know if this is the best decision, but I have already taken the road called “Plan B”

5. I am content with my moms and I relationship. We have been through some REAL shit, but I finally understand that some people can’t give you what they don’t have…but be grateful for what they are willing to try to give…This relates ONLY to me and my moms relationship

6. I love Dr. Cornel West in a manner that might be inappropriate to some. Lol

7. I absolutely hate/despise forwards…beit in a txt msg, email, etc…I loathe them!!!!!!

8. Last August when in NYC I bumped into Mike Myers and when he asked where I was from I said “New Orleans, where George Bush doesn’t like Black people” lol

9. I have had some of the LONGEST & in depth conversations with strangers over the past couple of months…I even cried during one

10. Every weekday morning for the past 2 months I have listened to Kweli’s “Get By” Pac’s “Hold ya Head” and Amy Winehouse’s “Tears Dry on their Own”


Ummm so I don't know enough bloggers to have 8...but here are the people i read:

1.
Janine's Time For Living
2. Pops'Thoughts
3. Ha ha Truly Ghetto Library Tales
4. The Prisoner's Wife

Just keeping everybody in the loop :::wink wink:::

Concerts in New Orleans are BACK...all at the HOB!!!

7/24-25 Musiq SOulchild and Chrisette Michele
8/5 Floetry
8/6 Talib Kweli
8/29 Keyshia Cole
9/20 VH-1 Hip Hop Honors Tour featuring the Roots

Who's down?!?!?!

Oh what tangled webs we weave, when first we practice to deceive

Is the D.C. Madam getting the same ish some people gave Superhead and Nas' baby mama (the latter i still have otha issues with)

Whatup B.F!!!!! I know it's been a while but
1. my computer is damn near dead...I'm hoping I can pull a Lazarus on it
2. it's summatime Baby!!! i'm getting my Vaca on!!!!

Well Essence just rapped up down here and I can tell you that I'm sooo happy for them to be back Home. I know everybody claims their hometown to be the best but the cultural core of New Orleans is truly unfucwitable. period.

I've been reading Jeanie's Time for Living and been catching the hints of racism Obama is trowing into the Katrina mix...see when you have a class titled "Race & Katrina" that ish could get u real pissed when you see how people are loosely connecting the two...when they are exclusively related to one another. I skipped out on the Hilary and Obama sessions...had it not been an election year I would've stayed but...it's the same ole message of campaigning going around.

I actually had a mini conversation with Common about rebuilding in the N.O. We went to a little meet and greet and they were trynna to get me to purchase another BE cd...naw I'll pass....I lost the first during Katrina and had to buy another. So I was telling him all this then he asked how I had been since the storm "Sheeed I'm alright...I got everything I need...but there are lots of others who don't even have the RIGHT to return HOME! Everybody wants to help New Orleans or try to help but no one is diagnosing the correct treatment because we don't want to acknowledge our own accountabilities in the realms of personal and social responsibility" His publist was trying to get us to hurry the hell up and take the picture to keep the line moving...BUT...eff it...I was talking to Common...and dude seemed interested ;) I went to his concert in the superlounge that night and was in the front row...had i not had the mini-convo with him earlier i wouldn't have thought he was talking to me when he looked at me from the stage and said "Be strong Sis...I got ur back...." he said some other stuff but I was trippin cause If u know Me...u know I'm saving an egg for this dude lol M.Dot...LMAO

here's a small pic of me and my egg donor lol LMAO

OMG sooo i'm on the phone with my cuz so...Bye bye Blog

Okay so I had to remember how Classic Aquemini is!

Twice upon a time there was a boy who died twice
And lived happily ever after but that's another chapter
Live from home of the brave with dirty dollars
& beauty parlors & baby bottles & bowling ball impalas
& street scholars that's majoring in culinary arts
You know how to work bread cheese & dough
From scratch but see the catch is you can get caught
Know what ya sellin' what ya bought so cut that big talk
Let's walk to the bridge now meet me halfway
Now you may see some children dead off in the pathway
It's them poor babies walkin' slowly to the candy lady
It's lookin' bad need some hope
Like the words maybe, if, or probably more than a hobby
When my turntables get wobbly they don't fall
I'm sorry y'all I often drift I'm talkin' gift
So when it comes you never look the horse inside it's grill
Of course you know I feel like the bearer of bad news
Don't want to be it but it's needed so what have you
Now question is every nigga with dreads for the cause?
Is every nigga with golds for the fall? naw
So don't get caught in appearance
It's outkast aquemini another black experience okay

na lemma go watch this here debate

I see the I in We my nigga, yours is my drama...Sometimes we find peace in beats and breaks

It's almost here...and i aint even gonna flirt with the thought of downloading it

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Made in America"

WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David Chase!!!!!

What would you do if I sang out tune? Would you stand up and walk out on me?

She does not know
Her beauty,
She thinks her brown body
Has no glory.
If she could dance
Naked,
Under palm trees
And see her image in the river
She would know.
But there are no palm trees
On the street,
And dishwater gives back no images.

-Nina Simone

For some reason I had been having that song stuck in my head all day

So just call me John Legend cause Once Again school is in session. I went to class tonight and its five of us...all married...all with children...all either at 40 or knocking on its door...all but me.

My computer is actin all crazy giving me a rainbow brite screen every so often...I Cannot afford another computer til fall...sheed I don't even know if this one has made a year yet. GOsh

I didn't know Nina Simone's daughter was an actress...dope

Why is it so freakin hard to find the spoiler to the series finale of Da Sopranos...damn Hache-Be-Oh (that's espanol) got this ish on lock

Some of my random thoughts on June 7, 2007:


“The master's tools will never dismantle the master's house” Audre Lorde

I often sing very loud in the club
1. because others can't hear me
2. cause I like to
3. beyonce songs are the best...in the club or at work LMAO! Check on It Sol!

It took me 3 years to get on Worldwide Underground...where u at E. Badu?

"Beneath the face of anyone you ever loved for true-anyone you love, you will always love, love is not at the mercy of time and it does not recognize death, they are strangers to each other" James Baldwin

I can't wait to Find Forever

Okay...ima stop rambling, my arse is tired

throw up da dueces

If you haven't been watching The Sopranos ***Do Not Read This Blog!!!***

See I ain't evenmuch gonna lie...I've been trying to peep the spoilers for the finale. I think I'm thinking bout this ish too much cause I was dreaming Phil wacked Tony last night. Oh hell naw. Ya know it's the suspense that's killing me. HBO wanna tease a nicka with a preview without any dialog...that's cool...i gots ur number

So I watched Sunday's episode again today and here's where I am...
I'm suspicious about Silvio.
1. dude wacked somebody at the beginning without getting consent from Tony
2. when Paulie was calling him to tell him the fake Phil got wacked...he was giving some excuse on how he turned off his phone...DUde u knew the families was at war...how u gonna turn off ur phone at a time like this
3. The doctor's wouldn't give any information to Paulie or Tony about Silvio's condition in the hospital...suspect
4. Hey, maybe this is going for a long one and all but all I'm thinking about is how Sammy Da Bull...Gotti's #2 man flipped on him...Okay so all this suspect about Silvio has got me wondering...Oh and I've been thinking bout the whole Adriana aspect and how Sil wacked her...maybe she really wasn't wacked...has been in witness protection since and Sil has been ratting all along.....I'm just saying, ish was real shady last week

Now on to Tony...shiiiiittttt (saying like they do on The Wire)lol. Idunno. We've all grown to love this oversized mafia character because we've gotten a chance to see the human aspect of his life...But dude is a murderer...check what he did to Christopher...anyways I would choose Tony to prevail over Phil...cause in the words of M. Deezy...Phil is one greasy fella. Dude basically starts a war over emotion
"Males shouldn't be jealous that's a female trait
Whatchu mad cause you push dimes and he sell weight?"

Ain't no love...in the heart of the city


anyways...I think it was rather unprofessional the way Melfi handled Soprano. I don't think Paulie should be the last capt. standing, I felt sorry for Bobby, I think Meadow is gonna die, Janice's tattoo bothers me as well as the NY guy with the cross eyes.

Eh...watcha'll think

I've been on this song so hard for the past two months...Finally!!!!

"Exactly...NFL stands for Not For Long!"

This was Marquise's response as to why you have to stack money as fast as possible if you make it in the pros.

I was shocked to hear the news. It's still is so surreal. Marquise is gone. Damn.
Even though I hadn't spoken to him in at least 4 years I often talk about this dude as if it had been more recently.

I promise this dude was one of the funniest people on this planet. Dude was so hoodrich way before he signed that deal with the Patriots.

I remember going to visit this negro in the tiny ass apartments at LSU. The rooms were basically 4 seperate dorm rooms, each equipped with a desk, xxl twin bed, a closet, bookshelf and chair...This negro here had done took the doors outta his closet to stuff all the furniture in so that he could fit his big ass 70something inch tv in the room. I swear even when we sat on the bed which was on the opposite wall, there was only like 5 ft of space between you and the tv...and this was before flat screens LMAO

Oh, and to watch Cheaters with this dude!!!!! Hilarious.

And I can't forget about the cd cleaner that was suppose to eliminate scratches...WITH WATER...YEAH RIGHT DUDE...I still don't believe you

Dang, Marquise...this shit is soooo freaking surreal. You was like that dude I always wanted to be around. And ya girl knew we wasn't trying to get at each other so she was cool we me...I thank her for that cause you were in my life at the time where I needed you the most. I swear, I don't think I ever heard you complain about a thing. Your sincerity inspires me. Your joy for life encourages me to be able to get through this.

I'm grateful that God allowed us to cross each others path.

Your are loved and will be deeply missed.

Marquise Hill
1982-2007

This nicka always keeps the good beats for himself

Ladies and gentlemen...I gots me some frienemies

someone who is both friend and enemy, a relationship that is both mutually beneficial or dependent while being competitive, fraught with risk and mistrust


I guess it's all in a days work

i'm so not laughing

the game continues

The Best Week Ever!!!

Well except for the fact that the Sopranos isn't coming on this week...Damn U HBO!!!!
Now what am I suppose to do Sunday night from 8-9pm???? Huh...Huh??!?!?!?!

All I know is...Pirates of the Caribbean 3 was on it!!!! I don't care what ya'll think

Go Capt. Jack Sparrow...I halfway want a Jamician/Caribbean accent so that I can do my Callipso imitation....So ju wanto travel ta da endz of da eaf huh?




plus...deez boys done did it again...kinda can't get past track 6

It won't be soon before long

and didja see the season finale of law n order with Luda Crest LOL

oh it feels good to be outta school...at least until the 7th

*****WARNING*****

Majority of the residents of New Orleans housing projects were poor Black Women. They aren't allowed to return.Poor Black Women are not welcome to return HOME to New Orleans


All the Women are White, All the Blacks are Men, but Some of Us Are Brave: Black Women’s Studies

I wanna read this book just cause I think the title is SOOOOOO dope!

I'm definately feeling this new L. Boogie joint!!!

Lose Myself


"I had to lose myself so I could love you better
And that’s just the way it is…"

Why is that?

"I had a paralyzing fear of facing failure
And I couldn’t love you perfectly with fear in my head
So I peerlessly had to face the danger
So I could come back and love you whole instead
All of your soul I said!
So I could make it better"

And there goes.. a black girl.. lost

"Diamonds all shinin, lookin all fine
Pretty little face, get a little high
Young girl stugglin, tryin to survive
Mother of the Earth, she made you and I
Just tired of playin the same ol' games
Messin with my mind, emotional thangs"

I agree with emphasizing the collective whiteness in doing antiracist training with white people irregardless to gender but I feel it is highly critical to interconnect systems of oppression such as race and sex when doing antiracist training with Blacks. I feel without the initial interconnection of oppression based on sex as well as race, race will trump gender, thereby perpetuating systems of sexual oppression for the sake of undoing racism. Someone I know used the example of a four way intersection, as she drives her car out into the intersection she gets hit and injured. When the police and medics come to help her, their immediate response is to treat her irregardless what part in the intersection she was injured in.

Having the Black church as the center of my life while simotaneously beginning to develop a deep racial analysis, I sometimes am unable to always see the interconnections of gender and racial oppressions based on the emphasis of the collective Blackness. Continuing to only have a deep racial analysis can consciously & unconsciously perpetuate my own oppression. The structured Black experience is Deeply patriarchal, while every other aspect conflicts with the white gender norms.

I feel like the single use of race irregardless to gender in the initial intervention is highly effective in whites because of the use of white commonality/white privilege to get to the core of racism in a colorblind world. While it is EXTREMELY detrimental to antiracism programs with Blacks because of the systematic invisibility of sexism and the hyper visibility of racism within the Black community.

They say I walk around like i got a "S" on my chest

What up B.F.?!?!?!?!?

Gosh, I really feel like it's been a minute...eh, well, maybe it has been.

Ooh great, Blogger saves my drafts automatically!!!!! Do you know how many a blogs have been mistakenly deleted before I hit the "publish post" button...whew!!!

My first semester of grad school has finally ended and I feel free in every sense of the word. I can just be at peace in whatever I'm doing without the worries of weekly briefs, readings, papers or damn SPSS assignments!!!!!!

and in case u ain't know...4.0 baby! I have never felt as proud of any one single accomplishment as I do over that. Ya'll just don't know!

This week I started my research/organizing project. One of the greatest divides is between the university, or yet, Black students in the university and their communities. More often then none predominant universities are in close proximity to lower class Black communities. This is often no coincidence but yet historical patterns of racism, housing segregation, gentrification, etc. There is great intimidation, lack of knowledge and understanding of what goes on in both communities by the other. Why is that? I think that's an all encompassing question but I take it as one of personal accountability. As I was browsing my documents on my computer I came across my statement of purpose to grad school in which these statements stuck out to me:

"As a native New Orleanian, I have witnessed first hand the devastation of institutions such as the public school system, prison system, and gentrification. Over these years, I have watched the people who are affected by these injustices silenced...I would also like to be actively committed to working directly with community and grassroots organizations in the renewing of the communities in New Orleans"

In that same thought I've been thinking about Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man (ummm, i can't underline) in which the protagonist states in the prologue:

"I am an invisible man … I am a man of substance, flesh and bone, fiber and liquids – and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me…When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves, or figments of their imagination – indeed, everything and anything except me.”

We acknowledge the poverty, crime, shitty school systems and institutional racism, but we aren't taught to look within and see the individual behind all those headlines. How can I proclaim to be a fighter for the people if I don't know the people...and the people don't know me....some fight huh?

"when I look at you, I see my reflection
So I offer my love, affection and protection"

I'm not perfect...but my G.P.A. is!!!! What!!!

Now who wants to join me for a drank!!!!1

I can see clearly now,
the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright),
bright (bright)Sun-Shiny day.
I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
Look all around, there’s nothin but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin but blue skies

"We have to invest in our prison system because it's costing us more and more money because of the high recidivism rate," Schwarzenegger said.

California stand up?!?!?!??!

Really, like invest as if it were a for-profit business? Naw, we're not capitalizing off of the perception of rehabilitation, eh?

"We are not treating a symptom, we are proposing a cure, said the bill's co-author, Greg Aghazarian, R-Stockton. Republicans wanted to make sure that any plan to ease prison crowding would not include provisions to put dangerous felons back on the street."

So, you're saying the cure couldn't be proactive? Like investing it in public education, health insurance, etc? Or is there a reason for us to wait until this point to intervene and say that the problem exists in overcrowded prisons?

The nation's prison industry now employs more people than any Fortune 500 corporation except General Motors. Is prison labor rehab or corporate slavery?

Oh, okay...so now do I still look like the crazy girl juxaposing prison with slavery?

Did You Know?

The state of California operates the third largest penal system in the WORLD
California’s inmate population ranks behind only China’s national correctional system and the United States’ national correctional system.

California’s inmate population has exploded by 554% since 1980 (from 24,549 to 160,655) ...now what epidemic exploded in the 80’s????? And the war on drugs is overwhelmingly targeting what group(s) of people

California’s inmate population growth (24,569 to 160,655) over the past 20 years represents a 554% increase.

In the same 20 year span, the number of correctional facilities in California has nearly tripled, growing from 12 to 33.
-Number of prisons in 1980: 12
-Number of prisons in 2000: 33

The proportion of male inmates incarcerated for drug offenses rose from 7.4% to 28.3% between 1983 and 1999. During the same period, the proportion of women inmates incarcerated for drug offenses rose from 12.6% to 43.9%.


From 1980 to 1999, the female inmate population has grown 850%...check out the change in drug laws as it refers to marginalized groups

How ironic is it for me to have this book on my kitchen table right about now???



Well, I've really said all that just to say this:

Let her a$$ do her time

Ahhh less than a week til I finish!!!!!

I can almost see the forest despite the trees!!!!!

I'm on a countdown ya'll

Finished a paper plus the phyahman was singin that Tpain song through his phyahmask LMAO...he told me not to post it on myspace...this ain't myspace LMAO

I participated in a conversation that allowed my anger to be emancipated from my spirit. I am grateful that God allowed these obstacles so that I may be in great appreciation for the words of wisdom and the most sincere feeling of comfort today.

I am Blessed.

I am Grateful.

Going hard again!

Even when the condition is critical, when the livin is miserable
Your position is pivotal, I ain't bullshittin you
Now, why would I lie? Just to get by?



I got a part to play
we going hard these days
fuck the harder way, we doing it the smarter way
To my god I pray
that's how i start my day. The bullets start to spray the revolution starts today
i say the shit these people. Aint got the heart to say
fuck the harder way, we doing it the smarter way
To my god I pray
that's how i start my day.
The bullets start to spray the revolution starts today

You say you never scared
there's kids in other countries making jerseys, jeans,
and sneakers they could never wear
parents never there
They're busy building homes they cant affod to buy
Cars they cant afford to drive, working jobs that dont support their life
You busy screaming gangsta gangsta all that talk is trife
you already lost the fight if you dont know the cost of life
These kids are forced to fight a war they cant outrun
aint got no shoes but got a gun now where the fuck he pulled that out from
people ask me how we wearing diamonds
when theres little kids in Sierra Leone losing arms for crying while they're mining
probably an orphan whos momma died of AIDS
he built a coffin working often but he never paid
forever slaving in the world thats forever cold
becoming the man of the house at 11 years old
this reality rap i get inside the mentality that
terrorize you like a cowardly act

I was sold to a sick European by a rich African battling
middle passages i cant go back again battling
years of denied history, lies and mysteries
wives with misty eyes watching their husbands be beaten viciously
battling the wilderness of North America
run by the river only stopping to pray chased by predators
terrorists with etiquette who vote and kill their president
their capacity for evil so evident and prevelant
aint no hesitation involved a nation dissolve
when we sit back waitin to evolve
those who trade in freedom for their protection deserve neither
not a name, not tradition, religion you learn Jesus
turn the other cheek inherit the earth just stay meek
fuck the way you speak. you try to run we chop off your feet
fastforward to 2004 we selling raw
yo this aint what im settling for
i want more

I'm so New Orleans like 1825....Tulane!

As I sat back to my New Orleans version of a complete dinner listening to The Drought 3 I started to think "How New Orleeeens am I?"


I reps...I reps HARD

And I'm straight from Claiborne nicka just ask Liz! what

this is My I heart da N.O. post...trust this is a form of therapy for this semester!!!

Ooh the summer before senior year started in high school...ooh da afterpartys "Welcome 2 Tha Nolia" is my ish! what!

let's reminisce together

I've been the angry Black woman this week. I'm disappointed with myself concerning certain issues Plus finals are coming up, Plus i have 5 more papers to finish...or start before then, Plus Jazz Fest is going on and I don't think ima be able to go >:(
I know I'm suppose to but I just can't find the silver lining here. Oh yeah Plus one of my bosses told me she just hasn't figured me out yet? Why are you trying to?
Ughhh

I'll holla at ya'll after finals

in the meantime i'll try to keep my head up and right fist raised

duece

Woke up this morning...wrote myself a blog...wrote myself a blog

“We’ve got to air our dirty laundry” I’ve heard this comment surface by numerous Black professionals during the course of the last two weeks regarding the accountability of misogynistic lyrics in hip hop. Is that really OUR dirty laundry, or just the colored clothes in a hamper full of dirty laundry? I have been so fed up over the entire Imus situation because I know that we are not ready to hold the correct parties accountable for the sake of being politically correct. We see the effects of historical white privilege and racism in all institutions today but will not make a direct correlation between it and the music industry...mainly hip hop. We acknowledge that most commercial rappers (the ones who Imus listened to calling women “nappy head hos”) were most likely raised in improvised neighborhoods, educated in an inferior school system, in a single family household...etc. We can clearly see their childhood is consumed with the results of institutionalized systems that produce racially disparate outcomes with ideologies of “Get Money” by any means necessary.

“My mother gave birth but she really never had me
Left to the hood to play daddy
Raised by niggaz named Butch through the bay bay”
- Common

"They say my ghetto intrumental, detrimental to kids
As if they can't see the misery in which they live
Blame me, for the outcome, ban my records - check it
Don't have to bump this but please respect it"
-Pac

Hip hop and it’s environment are mutually exclusive. We can’t demand a change of the lyrics when it’s a direct reflect of a racialized environment. But oh, I forgot...racism ended after the Civil Rights Movement. Riiight. And let’s not make the connection between the American Identity and the historical accounts of the attack on the Black female body. Dorothy Roberts sums that up in here
I’m not as offended by racial/sexist slurs when I know that their are systems of institutions that have systematically neglected to include me. Not saying the words don’t hurt but I’m a big girl and I understand the sticks and stones cliché

"In time I learned a few lessons
Never fall for riches
Apologizies to my TRUE sisters
Far from bitches
Help me raise my black nation
Reperations are due
Its true
Caught up in this world
I took advantage of you
So tell the babies how I love them
Precious boys and girls
Born Black in this white mans world"

Gaining One's Definition

I think inspiration always comes when you need it most and exactly from whom you need it.

This week I've gone through more emotions than my Katrina week, but even in that example I know that things can only get better.

I've been disappointed in people when I shouldn't be. People are just that...people. Beings that are constantly learning from trials and mistakes.

I have to start praying to be more obedient to God's will. You know my constant praying during Katrina was to be obedient to God's lessons during this time in my life. I used to pray for God to walk and talk with me during the day but then I started to analyze that I was just asking for God to be God...in which He could be without me. So then my prayer started to change to ask for Him to help me be the person He wanted me to be. To be constant and obedient to his daily callings for me.

It's an everyday battle. But the reward is so much greater than the struggle.

My cuz played this song for me like 50 times today (we'll that's how many it seemed like) but it was exactly what I needed to hear and know:

You can spend your whole life building something from nothing
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway
You can chase a dream that seems so out of reach
and you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway
God is great, but sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray it doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway, I do it anyway
This world's gone crazy and it's hard to believe that tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway
You can love someone with all your heart,
for all the right reasons, and in a moment they can choose to walk away
Love 'em anyway
You can pour your soul out singing a song you believe in that tomorrow
they'll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway, sing it anyway
I sing, I dream, I love, anyway,

***Spoiler**** Random ranting blog

When someone's got something on their mind...they are gonna let u know...even when it is 5 months later.

I've taken my own advise and really try to get to know my neighbors. I've been living at my place for almost a year and still haven't had a conversation with my neighbors. I mean, I'm not rude and all, I throw the dueces or a "Hey dere!"...it's a New Orleans thang! Well, I have some firemen who stay directly next to me. I think I was a lil intimidated and then that perpetuated a limited version of a conversation to just "whassup" every so often. About a week before my b-day I started inviting random people to my party so I sent a message through one of them that I was having the b-day bash of the year (OH my dear and indeed it was!) Well I didn't think they were gonna come cause the dude just hit me with a lil "fo sho, we'll pass through" and off he drove to save the city from it's burning self. The night of my party I was getting ready and some friends passed by my house before going to the club. As I was walking them out my neighbors were all out like "Whassup with the party tonight...why u not dressed?" as grown as i was I laughed and asked them the same. Long story short they passed through but I was too through to notice lol. Okay, long story even shorter. I just sat with one of em for 2 hours talkin bout Everything and in the middle of the conversation he said, "Oh yeah, that's cool. You ain't have to invite us to your New Year's Party. I ain't tripping though"

LMAO.

New Year's was a good nite.

LMAO

Moral of the story is: Invite your neighbors to some of ya lil get togethers every now and then...specially if they some cute, fine firemens...LOL

Understanding and wisdom became the rhythm that I played to And became a slave to master self

One of my friends became a Mother yesterday. It was only likely that we reminisced on our college days and how far in life we've come since then. As we talked and joked about the Summer of 2000 (water balloon fights with the neighbors in the adjacent apt...on the second floor! lol her teaching me how to drive in someone else's car LMAO, summer flings, late night conversations, roommate fights, love & basketball, Nickas who wear Timbs in the summer lol) I had to take a step back and acknowledge the strength of our friendship. From dumb ass fights to real ish she's had my back through it all and even though she's an hour away I know she'd be here if need be.

Since that Summer of 2000 I've experienced both ends of phucked up friendships. I've had to learn to forgive myself for my phucked up actions to acknowledge the lessons that ultimately had to be learned in order for me to grow. I still phuck up from time to time but that's just because I'm stubborn...well maybe strong willed lol.

I believe that friendships are seasonal and some expire once certain life experiences are completed. Everyone is in our life for a reason...Yes, even ________(fill in the blank):( but don't get caught up in the hype trying to predict people through tomorrow's situations...enjoy who you have today and let that ish just Be!

"Never looking back
or too far in front of me
The present is a gift
and I just wanna BE"

Un-shun:::insert silly comment:::Re-shun LMAO

So I'm bloggin straight from the biblioteca.

I am proud to claim the day productive!!!! Yeah! Solo weekend #1 is halfway over...only 3 more to go...eh, with the exception of a little time at Jazz Fest :)

Overall yesterday I left work feeling satisfied with some things and unsatisfied with others. I had a client that I initially met eh, a week ago. I finally spoke to her yesterday to get some additional documents and she ended up coming by the office to talk to me. For those who don't know I work with a non profit agency that helps families facing eviction and/or homelessness (well, that's one of my jobs lol). I don't agree with some of the tactics, requirements and bullish that clients have to adhere to but I really think I'm there for a reason...even if it's to emotionally comfort the client while serving them. Anyways my client came over and we just had a real conversation. She's 28, has 2 children, facing eviction, disconnection of utilities, unemployed, and also has severe phenominia (she also died on the emergency room table during her last hospital stay two months ago).
By the end of the day Friday I was able to stop her landlord from persuing her case legally and able establish two contacts in the city that MIGHT be able to help with her utility bill. While waiting for my contacts I decided I'd try to call the utility company to see if I could get an extenstion for my client's disconnect date. Here's how the conversation went:
Me: Hi, I'm the Minority Reporter, I work for a nonprofit agency and I would like to make a pledge on a client's account and ask for an extension of disconnect
Da Utility Co: Oh, that's no problem at all. I just need your information and the account number of your client. You don't need to ask for an extension. When a nonprofit pledges an account we take the disconnect notice off and basically tag the account as "paid"
Me: Oh really, okay, here's the information
D.U.C.: Okay, thanks, MR, I just need to transfer you so that you can get this settled.
D.U.C.#2: Good afternoon, how may I help you
::::I repeat all that was said to the previous person and was given the same information and transfered:::
D.U.C. #3: Good afternoon, how may I help you
:::I try not to be fustrated this time and again repeat all that was said to the previous person:::
D.U.C. #3: Oh, I'm sorry. I can't help you with that. You would need to call the finance department, they handle pledges.
Me: What's their number?
D.U.C. #3: Your director should have that phone number?
Me: My director? She is telling me that she doesn't have the phone number. What is the issue that you can't supply me with the number?
D.U.C. #3: It's a security precaution, ma'am
Me: Wait, are we talking about a Phone #?
D.U.C. #3: Yes, ma'am
Me: And NO one in your department has this number that MY director is Suppose to have?
D.U.C. #3: No, ma'am
Me: So, I have a client, who has two young children, has a pledge to relieve her from disconnection of her utilities and it can't be done because you don't have the number to the finance department?
D.U.C. #3: Umm, yes ma'am
Me: You know this is bullshit right?
D.U.C. #3: I'm sorry ma'am

:::hangs up the phone disguisted *&%(&#*(&$#*&$#(*$#)_(@)#(@*)*%)(&%#*)&#)$*#)*)$*#@*@*#@:::

I get a call from the Jesuits saying they might be able to help out and pay it directly.

Eh, it was a good day. One could only hope what Monday will bring.

"I’m a good person that said a bad thing" and i quote

I love working at a school...double Spring Break!!!!!

So, in the spirit of Spring Break I didn't wake up until 9. The morning routine starts with a prayer, roll over to check my phones and turn on the t.v. to catch the weather and some of the Today Show...oh ish! Where's my remote, I need to record this:

“…and believe me, I know, that that phrase didn’t originate in the white community. That phrase originated in the Black community. And I’m not stupid, I may be a white man but I know that these young women, young Black women all through THAT society are demeaned and discouraged and disrespected by their own Black men and that they are called that name. And I know that that doesn’t give me obviously doesn’t give me any right to say it but it doesn’t give them any right to say it” -Imus

“but the problem is We are the price of tuition. Black people’s lives become the tuition for the learning of America. The question is, “Is that too high a price to pay?” It’s a teachable moment but at what expense?” - Michael Eric Dyson

I keep hearing how this situation is opening up room for conversation about racism and sexism...uh, didn't we think Katrina would do the same? Shock, outrage/anger, protest, apology, Ooh did you hear, they announced who Anna Nicole's babydaddy was. (the latter can be replaced by any media/celebrity phenomena of the day) What I can't seem to understand is how this situation is viewed as if racism is only practiced by certain individuals and can be reprimanded by public apologies...as if the media as an institution doesn't practice racism/sexism. As if employment diversity within this industry doesn't practice racism/sexism. We, as a nation are not willing to come to terms with our history or our present. We think that in order to be a racist you have to ride around in the night on a horse with sheets burning crosses. The sheets have long ago been replaced with business suits and those crosses...well those are our segregated houses, low wage jobs, unemployment, dilapidated schools, the 9th ward, GEE/LEAP tests, etc.

arite on to something else

As I read through the blogs I notice a certain theme...we are all on the home stretch. Our sanity and happiness lies between now and finals...let da grindin begin!

"I cried because I had no shoes, 'till I met a man who had no feet"
Over Spring Break my Stats teacher emailed us our test grade and midterm grade...dammit! Thanks Outlook for showing me the email without me having to open it! Although I really didn't study as well as I could've for the test, I thought I still would've done better than I did...damn C...so I was kinda bummed to know I had a B at midterm...til I got to class today and found out that damn near half the class had a C for midterm. Eh, that's the purpose for the quote.

"Do I sound stupid, or as if I don't know what I'm talking about?"
I'm taking this one undergrad class for grad credit and some of the students in the class aren't aware. After chatting with "da crew" after class I ran into this guy from our class. He immediately asked me what I got on my paper (we received back today). I chucked and told him I got an A. "How'd YOU get an A?" My immediate reaction was to pop da piss outta him...but i thought...what would Jesus do? Obviously this story doesn't end in me whaling on him...but "watch ya back son!"

Blog fam…it feels good to be back! I’m feeling like the prodigal blogger now. LMAO


Independent Lens has a new feature tonight called Black Gold, you should check it out

Hey, where did my Spring Break go?!!?!?!

Is it me or is time moving at a pace that I can't seem to keep up with? I feel like I'm making the best use out of my time but as soon as I turn around something new is always at hand. I guess that's living huh?

We're working out the home stretch for this semester...a month and counting...down! Plans for the summer might change...but then again, they might not.

R. Kelly songs really do bother me. I mean the man is an awesome artist but some ish I just can get past. I feel guilty when "im a flirt" comes on in the club and i find myself groovin to that ish. damn robert kelly.

Happy Resurrection Day!

It's cold and raining outside today :( what's up with that? 43 degrees & light rain today and back to 80 degrees on friday, eh?

well, I'm finished burning my scalp under this hair dryer so I'll throw the dueces until later

Oh I forgot...I woke up this morning...got myself a gun....LMAO jed.

"Is This IT?"

Somebody get Mary Landrieu on the phone...(504) 589-2427

and tell her to support and introduce H.R. 1227 to the Senate

H.R. 1227: Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act of 2007
To assist in the provision of affordable housing to low-income families affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Go to... Bill Status Summary Amendments Floor Speeches Other Info

Bill Status
Feb 28, 2007 Introduced
Mar 16, 2007 Scheduled for Debate
Mar 21, 2007 Passed House
- Voted on in Senate
- Signed by President

This bill has been passed in the House. The bill now goes on to be voted on in the Senate.


Who has the right to return home to New Orleans? Clearly if you are Black, poor, live in the projects and have been the result of systematic abuse of power and institutionalized racism HUD and HANO has singlehandedly tried to reject your right to return. Justifying their decision based on historical racial projects ending in self prophecy of the demise of the inner city Black, HUD has sought to demolish 4 of New Orleans housing development under the HOPE VI program...oh did I mention this project of decentralizing poverty while introducing and revitalizing a mixed income neighborhood was first introduced under the Clinton "our first black president" term?...just thought i'd mention it.

Shout out to Maxine Waters...Mary Landrieu, stand the _______ up! I know you can do it...well at least that's what you made me feel when your brother was running for mayor. Look at the example of the St. Thomas....what happened with 1 to 1 rebuilding there?????

The St. Thomas Housing Development in the Irish Channel area of New Orleans was home to 1600 apartments of public housing. After St. Thomas was demolished under Hope VI, the area was called River Gardens. River Gardens is a mixed income community - home now to 60 low income families, some middle income apartments, a planned high income tower, and a tax-subsidized Wal-Mart! Our tax dollars at work – destroying not only low-income housing but neighborhood small businesses as well

Get at te Advancement Project and just in case the Senate chooses not to pass this Bill we got a Plan B

It's a celebration Biiiitches

and i don't mean bitch in a disrespectful way. I mean it in a general way to describe ___________ lmao..

Party tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I been waiting 25 years for this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Top 10 songs I wouldn’t tell Pearl Cleage I know…some word 4 word:

after commenting on Back Packer Week Presents: The Back Packer Box Set this blog idea cloud hit me

Get Low (Lil Jon & dem boyz from da eastside)
Nasty Bitch (Buckdown)
Take It Off (dem underground Kings)
Bomb A$$ P*ssy (Dogg Pound)
Ain’t No Fun (Snoop D-O-double G)
Call Me (Lil Kim n Too $hort)
My bad…all of Hardcore (Kimmy)
Bitch I don’t need ya (Trina & Papi Trick)
P Poppin (Luda and DTP)
Everyday I’m F*ing Him (Remy Ma)

believe it or not it only took me a couple seconds to come up with this list

Cause she's my favorite rapper. Period!

Now why has it taken everybody so long to figure out how dope Jean Grae is?!?!?!

I love this cornbread so much, I want to take it behind a middle school, and get it pregnant.

this is my Favorite show ever...fool!

Ah, the beginning is nearer than we think...or is it the end...either way I got myself a gun!

So I thought my clock would automatically change it's time...it didn't

I also thought my phone's time would be correct when I look at it...it wasn't

Thank goodness for Directv...now where's that credit on my bill lol

Ah, long week fam

Yesterday was the fair at school...it felt like a mini Jazz Fest. It was good to finally meet and sit down and talk with some of the parents...instead of the quick "bonjour" during the morning rush. One of them even invited me to their house in Switerland this summer while I'm in France...I'll take them up on that offer!

I have a ish load of reading to do within the next 24 hrs. aghhhhhh (that's my tired yell)

im sorry ya'll...this blog is representing where my head is right now...everywhere. I'm gonna take a walk and holla back later!

First off I'm bout my dough and cheese..just call me a slice of pizza LMAO/And the countdown begins...

Okay, so we've set the date...March 24th...it's going down!!!!! 26 will be brought in rizzite!!! lol that was lame...but u get me.

damn 26

Eh, never mind.

Oooh, I got to leave these four walls last night and socialize! That's what was up! Sorry for those who didn't get the msg...but here's the new one...DA 24th (Blackarican, this is 4 u! pass dat ish on to the rest of the cingular heads out there)

and what the heck is up with these bruises on my forearms? that's not what's up...I wish I could remember what happened last night!

And ain't that a female dog. I'm just realizing I don't get text msgs from people who don't have Sprint of Nextel...I wonder if there is a -ism for dat

Throw some D's on dat .....!

oops, I'm throwing D's everywhere.

Isn't "What goes around" "Cry me a river" part dos...either way...dat's my ish!!!! esp. the last 2 minutes...JT is all like "Wait B, I ain't even much finish, let me throw some d's on u" then he continues on to have the last laugh.

Andre 3000 is the ish!!!! I been knowing this but his latest appearances on the Walk it out Rmx, Want You rmx, and Throw some d's rmx just proves that he will always be one of the illest from the south...I swear he's the only reason I listened to these songs...well, I must admit I do like to walk it out...It's a down South thang!!!!

I said, "what time you get off?"
She said, "when you get me off"
I kinda laughed but it turned into a cough
Because I swallowed down the wrong pipe
Whatever that mean, you know old people say it so it sounds right
So I'm standing there embarrassed, if we were both in Paris
I would have grabbed her by the waist and kissed her, but
We in the middle of whole foods, and those foods
Ain't supposed to beef, but you'd think I hate tofu
Check-out line got rowdy, my vision got cloudy
I started seeing some circles like some Audi Emblem,
I'm hearing them say, "come on man
Do this own your own time, get the hell on, man"
I walked out, hm, I got bout
Half-way to my car when I heard shorty shout
"3000, forgot your credit card, smart move
By the way, my little sister loves your cartoon
Well, here's my name and numb
If I ain't the one, lose it, if I am, use it"
"If a man chooses, and he can, do's it
And he don't, don't take it personal, he might be might be swamped"
"With making mozzarella"
"No, making worlds better
Cheese will come, believe me, I'm,
never focused on the cash
Ask Mel Gibson, Jesus Christ, I'm bout the pass...ion"

Lo siento...por ti

Why is it that we are complacent in a society where we have been socially constructed to accept "Better late than never" as the normal response for gov't phuck ups and their delayed reactions/responses/etc. Then to make matters worse, WE’VE internalized this message and use it to justify our own shortcomings...towards ourselves as well as others.

I guess it's the readings in school, my return back to the city, shit, it could just be me realizing there's only 2 days left in Black History Month that's got me on edge. But damn... Better late than never??????????????

Naw…u gotta come better than that

tell that to the people who were in the Superdome, Convention Center, under their refrigerator in their flooded homes, left in the nursing homes, hospitals, the 9th wd, tell that to the bodies that'll never be found floating in the Mississippi, tell it to that motherless children that are walking around

lost.

While in Costa Rica, I came up with a saying "Lo siento...por ti" translated "I'm sorry...for you (if that’s the way You feel). I'm coming across as "the angry Black woman" right now...and that's cool with me...I AM. I'm tired of the lies and bullshitting that's been going on about my city, even though I tend to sometimes perpetuate em...the truth hurts. Someone asked me about the city the other day and I said, "It's coming along" I had to return to that person 5 minutes later to tell him the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I heart The Boondocks, and one of my favorite episodes is The Return of the King. The most profound quote from that show was when Huey told MLK that he needed to tell people the truth...and not the pretty truth. the ugly truth that makes people angry and makes them get out and do something (i am sooo paraphrasing).

The truth huh?!?!?!?

Let me say Lo siento...por ti, if you feel that every one of my blogs focuses on the dark side, lack of recovery and negative aspects of New Orleans...that's what I'm living...Everyday!!!!

But let me also say that if I didn't feel I could make a change, I wouldn't be back here...in New Orleans. But in order to rebuild, we must continue to reveal the harsh realities of racism and classism that Katrina exposed. That's hard...especially when some people think racism is a thing of the black & white pre-technicolor "I have a dream" past, not linking it to the prison industrial complex that is overrepresented by Blacks and Browns especially when Blacks, Browns and whites commit crimes in proportion to their population, or that toxic sites are in majority Black/minority neighborhoods, or when a War on Poverty systematically criminalizes people who have been shut out of the work force due to the deindustrialization, or the outsourcing of jobs etc...just to name of a few of the ways that the prejudice and racism of the jim/jane crow era has reinvented itself to the institutionalized racism of today.

Vacation is over...time for da grind to commence

I've been this close:: holds thumb & index finger about a centimeter apart:: from saying one of the best angry quotes of all times:
"Die bitch nigga die I hope you bleed a lake
I'ma play x-ray, helpin' y'all see the fake" -Weezy "F" Baby...please say da baby

but I ain't gonna go there. Ain't no need. Just gotta sort through the emotions and make it to the other side of this here dilemma.

Holla!

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans

It took FOREVER to get to the airport this evening...TRAFFIC ALL through the town.

I shed a tear with a stranger while on the plane. Listen up, don't be fooled and think Katrina was something that happened August 29 2005. Shit is complicated, but I shed a tear over something so simple...the right to return home. Again, don't be fooled because you see the city putting on Mardi Gras...TRUST! If you do your research on who puts on majority of these parades that are a part of PRIVATE organizations who pool from their OWN money...you wouldn't be that suprised to know those are the same people who were/are able to return to New Orleans without the assistance of federal monies. PEOPLE ARE NOT ABLE TO RETURN HOME New Orleans is so much more than the titties and Bourbon st, the french quarter, the multi million dollar homes on st. charles. New Orleans was founded upon a culture different in every aspect, french, catholic, check your slave history, check ya Treme history, check ya jazz history, check ya blues history, etc.

The right/option to return HOME

I've seen this sign all around the city since I've been back



Uh huh, I do...but I don't have to miss here from so far away. I wanna give other people that chance.

And PLEASE understand...there's a 9th ward, downtown, extreme poverty, racism,etc. in your city...What's your Katrina? What are you doing to prevent it from reaching Catagory 5 levels?

Mardi Gras '07

now let me try to get across town to catch my plane...holla!

 

AHh we partied like it was 1999

It was something like a high school reunion last night. 8 years since I've seen most of those people. good times. good memories. eh, good drinks...gasoline lolLOL, i think that really could run in my car

Ah, yesterday coulda lasted forever and it would've been good with me. I chilled and got some me time in.

And last night. Ha! I felt like a local celebrity...and please believe ya girl represented with her A game! shout out to my designer, my makeup artist, my hairstylest and so on and so on

hahahahaha

tony soprano is the king of bacchus (sp? eh, don't feel like lookin it up) this year, i wonder if he'd make me an honorary made chick?!? eh, doesn't hurt ta ask

One more thing before I begin my vaca

HBO documentaries are always on point, When the Levees Broke gave HBO my full loyalty.
Bastards of the Party is no exception

Raised in the Athens Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, Cle "Bone" Sloan was four years old when his father died, and 12 when he became a member of the Bloods. Now an inactive member of the notorious gang, Sloan looks back at the history of black gangs in his city and makes a powerful call for change in modern gang culture with his insightful documentary, BASTARDS OF THE PARTY.