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?"