Happy Birthday, Brother Malcolm

Malcolm X (born Malcolm Little; May 19, 1925 – Feb 21, 1965)

This post is to honor the memory of Mr. El-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz (Malcolm X) for his birthday, May 19, 1925. You know, we sometimes forget that our leaders of the past and present were once little boys and girls who loved to laugh and play. They played games like 21, hop scotch, and hide-and-go-get-it. They became excited when they heard the ice cream truck; they loved bubble gum, cookies, and all types of sweets. They had a crush on the pretty girl in their class. Back then, the young Malcolm Little did not know that he would grow, fall, and rise like the Phoenix. He did not know that he would grow to be internationally known and respected. He did not know that he would carry the weight of the world on his shoulder. Malcolm Little did not know that he would die just trying to make things right -- right for everyone. God bless you, brother Malcolm. God bless us all. Peace~

Photo & Poem

Dawn

An angel, robed in spotless white,

Bent down and kissed the sleeping Night.

Night woke to blush; the sprite was gone.

Men saw the blush and called it Dawn.

~ Paul Laurence Dunbar

I got up one morning just to see the sunrise. This is only part of what I saw. Look, the sky is blushing! This poem by Dunbar was one of the first poems I memorized as a freshman in college. I used to recite this poem to girls on campus and they would smile and say, "that's so romantic." Nowadays, I recite my own poems to my wife and she says, "put it in a book, Bess!" Then, I smile say, "that's so romantic."

A Hard Head Makes a Soft...

It was always a similar speech before momma left to go to work.



“I want this apartment cleaned up before I come home from work tonight. If it ain’t clean, y’all can forget about going outside this weekend. Calvin, I want you to cook tonight – just throw on some hotdogs and beans and don’t eat the whole pack. You get two hotdogs a piece. Stevie, it’s your turn to do those dishes tonight. I want my kitchen cleaned! Maurice, I want you to get in there and clean up that back room. It don’t make no sense how nasty it is. You should be ashamed of yourself.


After that, I want you to vacuum in the living room, and stay out of my living room after you finish. I don’t want y’all playing around in this apartment either. I mean no running, jumping, sliding, and especially no crashing! If I come back home tonight and find anything cracked, I’m cracking some butt. If I find anything chipped, split, or cut, I’m doing the same thing to your butt. You got me! I said, you got me!


“Yes, momma,” we all said with bowed heads as we walked her towards the door.


“Go ahead and get started on what I told you to do. When you finish y’all can go outside, but I want you back on this front when the street lights come on, you hear me?”



By this time, momma was two flights down as her voice echoed in the hallway.



We echoed back, “Okay, momma. See you tonight.”



Afterwards, we all looked at each and thought about everything momma said.



“Well, we better get started if we want to go outside,” Maurice said. “Shut up momma’s boy!” Calvin and Stevie shouted as they chased Maurice around the apartment with the sofa pillow.




Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mommas and Big Mommas. We love you. Enjoy your day. Peace~

Tired of Men: The Blogging Truth

Malcolm X once called the media “the most powerful entity on earth.” He continued that “they have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power.” Yesterday, I received an email from my friend in the UK, NML. She shared with me how the publication, The Daily Mail Newspaper, ran an article about her blog. Now, this sounds great on the surface doesn’t it? I mean, this brings attention to your writing and hard work as a blogger, right?

Well, in this case the newspaper printed negative things about her blog and what NML described as all out lies. On her blog, Tired of Men…, NML talks about the everyday life of a black woman living and dating in the UK. Well, The Daily Mail printed an article titled, “Don’t get mad, get E-venge!” describing her as a bitter woman seeking revenge or “e-venge” on an ex-fiancé. She was listed along with a few other lady bloggers as basically being vindictive vixens of the blogging community. To make matters worse, they didn’t even mention the names (urls) of the blogs so that readers can decide for themselves who is bitter.

I’m writing this post in support of NML because she’s has never come across as bitter in the two years or so that I’ve been reading her blog. I’m usually laughing because of her great sense of humor when I visit. Besides, in the past she talked about different encounters on her blog, and not just one person. These days, it’s all about her family and precious little one. So, in the words of Charles Wright, NML “express yourself…and whatever you do, do it good.” If you want to read more about the article, check it out on her website. Enjoy your weekend. Peace~

Photo and Poem

Plain Language

You want to write?

Don't rack your brain

Just keep it from the heart

and make it plain.

I almost forgot...Peace~

South African Freedom Day Picnic in Washington, DC 2008

This is a little video I put together from last weekend's South African Freedom Day Celebration. It was a succesful and festive event for the entire community. I had a great time. I hope you enjoy the video and pictures. Have a great weekend. Peace~

The Price of Rice: White Gold

Have you seen the recent news about rice? This whole situation about the price of rice is really tripping me out. I really like rice, but there are people out here now who will bust you in the head for a bag of rice. There are many stories in the blogosphere about this rice issue, but I want to share something that will make you smile and something that will make you think. I realize that there is more to this shortage and crisis than I know because I haven't examined it.

Update 4/30/08:
At first, I thought this outrage about rice was a bit humorous, but then I looked at the bigger picture. There is a food crisis in the world. It's not just in Africa or some other so called third world country, but the world. Then, there is the increase in fuel prices. As a result, there is an increase in crime and assault. The people are becoming restless, hungry, and desperate. They are beginning to feel the tension that is caused when the gap between the rich and the poor widens. It's going to become even more unbearable as coils unravel, split, and eventually snap.


Photo source: timeinc.net

Camus on God

“I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn’t,

than live my life as if there isn’t and die to find out there is.”

~Albert Camus (French Algerian Novelist)

Photo source: Werner Horvath: "Albert Camus". Color pencils on paper, 32 x 24 cm, 1997.

Subway Art: U Street Station in DC

I wanted to share a little subway art to start your weekend. This piece is part of a mural at the U Street metro station in DC. I don't know the artist, but I always stop to see what else I can see in this mural which takes up a long stretch of wall. The mural reflects a community that is culturally rich and diverse. This seems to reflect the Caribbean. I wonder what song he's playing? Maybe he's playing, Ding Dang Walla. Well, have a great weekend and be safe. Peace~

What's Going On?

You know, sometimes I have to abandon the idea of posting something about poetry, photography, or history and just share. Today is one of those days. I have about 30 minutes left before I fight traffic to get home. I'm getting used to it (traffic); well, if one can get used to the traffic in the DC metropolitan area; it's rough. I miss the days of riding the train and bus home while I read my books. Now, I have to make time to read. Plus, public transportation is full of inspiration for writing. Otherwise, I'm blessed. My job is very challenging, but I enjoy it. I actually take work home and don't mind working on it.

Tonight, I go to Bible study. Some of you know this about me, but some of you don't. I'm a preacher's son turned born again Christian. As for Bible study, I have to keep up with the WORD. He is my ultimate comforter. He instructs me and governs my life (when I allow Him to do so). You see, It's a growing process. If you were a friend of mine last year this time you would know a slightly different Stephen (I've never been too wild). Well, I pray that I will submit to Him even more in days to come. If you pray, then pray for me and I'll do the same for you. Well, sharing time is over. Can you dig it? What's going on with you. Somebody talk to me. Peace~

The Hunky-Dory Minstrel Show

Have you ever heard the word “hunky-dory” (Superlatively good) used in a sentence and wondered where it came from? I have always wondered. I first heard a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy say it when someone asked how his day was going; he stated that everything was “hunky-dory!” So, from that point I thought it was just something that corny older white men said to describe their day. *giggle*

Well, that was until I read about a man named Thomas Dilward (aka Japanese Tommy). Mr. Dilward was one of the first African American Minstrel performers performing on stage before the Civil War. He performed with a troupe called, the Christy's Minstrels. Thomas Dilward excited and thrilled white audiences with song, dance, and violin (note: I'm going to refrain from expressing my disdain for minstrelity just to keep this a short post). Also, I imagine that audiences were intrigued by size.

Anyway, it turns out that the word is attributed to Thomas Dilward; researchers say that Dilward introduced the word (Hunkidori) in his stage act during early 1860s. It is closely related to the Japanese term, “honcho-dori,” which means “main street” or “easy street.” Who knew that a Minstrel Show could be so hunky-dory?

Note: They referred to Thomas Dilward as “Japanese Tommy” on stage to conceal his identity as an African American and to retain the large white audience base who, ironically, did not want to see a black person performing in black face.

Sources: wikipedia.org, phrases.org.uk, ocf.berkeley.edu

Soon One Mornin'

This brother is talented. He sings and plays the Blues in a way that I haven't heard in a while. I hope you enjoy it. Have a great weekend. Peace~

Poem 8: Bright Eyes

Bright Eyes

A poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar comes to mind
whenever I see a little brown baby with sparklin’ eyes

Oooh wee, child!

Look at those eyes so big and bright
I bet you they could lead us back to the house tonight

Those big, bright eyes could shine and flicker straight to the front door
and it’ll be just in time for this little brown baby to go to sleep once more

Whenever I see a little brown baby with sparklin’ eyes
A poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar comes to mind

By: Stephen Bess