Winfrey Giving $12M to New African-American Museum - ABC News

Winfrey Giving $12M to New African-American Museum - ABC News

SUMMER (Original Full-Length Album Version) - War

My time of year...

Remembering Linda Pollin

I grew up in the Linda Pollin Memorial Housing Projects.  First of all, I did not know that it was built in memory of Abe Pollin's daughter.  In fact, I didn't even know the name, Abe Pollin.  I was a child, so I thought it was just a name given to the apartments.  At the time, my siblings and I had no idea that we lived in a housing project.  Well, the complex had a swimming pool, and the grounds were well kept. Also, it didn't resemble the well known surrounding projects like Valley Green, Condon Terrace, or Wahler Place. The manager was Ms. Royster who was sort of a no-nonsense type of landlord based on the conversations I heard from grownups.  However, she seemed nice; plus, we all played with and knew her son, John.

Well, although Mr. Pollin passed away back in 2009, I would still like to thank him for building the "LP" as we used to call it.  When I became old enough to learn that it was built by Mr. Pollin to honor his daughter, I sometimes felt bad.  I felt bad because of what Linda Pollin Projects became in the early 80s and throughout the 1990s.  It was part of Washington's pandemic of crime, murder, and drugs.  It also became quite a quandary for the Washington, D.C. police department in trying to apprehend suspects.  There were so many buildings, rooftops, and back hallways that suspects always had a chance to get away.  The LP Memorial Housing Project became a cesspool of debauchery and criminal activities; it was also a favorite subject on the 5 O'clock News.

Nevertheless, it was home and I do have some fond memories of the place.  I think that Mr. Pollin's initial gesture was well received, but nothing last forever.  Eventually, the symptoms of poverty and substance abuse would surface and thwart those divine intentions. Well, thanks again Mr. Pollin and please understand that LP was at one time a good place to live, and although it has been torn down and erased from sight, it will never be erased from the memory of so many families who grew up in old LP.  Peace~

Note:  Find out more about Linda Pollin Projects and Abe Pollin by watching the above YouTube video.

Article on subject:  Pollin's generosity...

Say Hey! Willie Mays

Happy Birthday to Mr. Willie Mays, born May 6, 1931 in Westfield, Alabama.  He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.  Hey Willie!  This video was made two years ago.  Willie Mays is 82 years old today.

Photobooth---The Half-Happy Couple and Poem

2009 Top One Hundred Countdown # 20: Photobooth---The Half-Happy Couple, a photo by mrwaterslide on Flickr.

20 minute poem I wrote for photo:

One Mo' Payment

I almost got enough to call this woman my wife

What I mean is, I’m fixin’ to buy this fine woman here a ring to seal the deal.

Yeah, I heard that when I was in the Army

she had this ol’ slick-head hipster over in Rocky Mount 

grinnin’ and showin’ all his teeth every time he sees her in town,

and I hear he's been

asking to sit with her some Sundays after supper.

But 

there’s one thing that ol’ sport coat don’t have that I got—

that is this here woman,

at this time,

in this picture-booth,

for this moment—

warm,

smiling,

and in my arms.

Hmph!

I betcha he ain’t grinnin' now.

2013 Posthumous NFL Draft: Paul Robeson

In the 2013 NFL draft, Morphological Confetti posthumously chooses Rutgers University All-American End (Offensive Guard) Paul Leroy Bustill Robeson as it's No. 1 pick!  Robeson stands at 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m), Weight: 219 lb.  He is expected to make a huge impact on the 2013-2014 football seasons.  He is known to be a bone crushing blocker and superb, all around football player.  We [would] expect to hear a great deal from this talented - would be - NFL star!  Give it up for Paul “The Crooner” Robeson!

Note:  His talents include acting and he is known to have a brilliant baritone voice and a heart for the people.    He was also honored as Valedictorian of his graduating class of 1919.  I love this guy!

Letter from Birmingham Jail

On April 16, 1963 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr  wrote a letter to the clergy of Birmingham, Alabama. He wrote this letter from the Birmingham Jail where he was held for 11 days.  Dr. King had been arrested 30 times prior to his death on April 4, 1968.

Berta Pereira and Pollo Píriz

I'm in the middle of nothing but Uruguayan love.  This is Berta Pereira and Pollo Píriz, a couple who records some of the most beautiful music that I've ever heard.  This photo was taken in Canelones, Uruguay in November of 2011.  I should have posted this long ago, but they fell on my heart tonight so I decided to post.  Their music is heavily influenced by African and Latin rhythms blended with nature.  That, by the way, is my interpretation, but I probably haven't scratched the surface. It's wonderfully complex and altogether beautiful.  Listening to them is wonderful and listening to them LIVE is an experience.  Thank you Berta Pollo for inviting me into your home and sharing your love, yerba mate, and beautiful music.  Gracias!

Click  to hear and see Berta and Pollo...

School Closed FOR GOOD!

In education, the United States ranks 17th out of 50 countries.  That is a sad number for a country that claims leadership in so many other areas.  It seems that education is not the top priority.  It is proof that many are not concerned with problems that do not affect the majority.  For instance, it is mostly inner-city neighborhoods in various urban centers across the United States that are being affected by the growing number of school closings.  The parents and leaders of those communities are concerned because it will not only cause inconvenience for a disproportionate number of African American parents, but it will also be dangerous for the children who will have to attend other schools in other neighborhoods. 

Why is this such a bad thing?  Well, there are rival crews and gangs in those other neighborhoods.  This may sound silly but it is the sad reality.  What are the choices for African American students growing up in this type of environment?  Well, many of them will be brave and fight their way through.  Other students will just choose not to attend school.  This, of course, could cause a spike in dropout rates that are already high.  Unfortunately, there are others who will perish because of their courage.

I know this because I grew up in a similar environment.  I grew up in the Linda Pollin Memorial Housing Project (now demolished) in Southeast Washington.  My old elementary school is one of many schools set to close in Washington, D.C.  This is going to affect over 200 children Ferebee-Hope who will have to find another school to attend.  Why would this affect elementary school children?  Well, it was in that elementary school, back in the 1970s mind you, where I was first robbed. I also started hooking school around the fifth or Sixth grade.  It all started there at Washington Highland Elementary (Now Ferebee-Hope Elementary).  More instability in a potentially unstable environment can have devastating consequences.  Back then, the school was 100% African American.  Today, it is nearly the same at 99%.

The problems which existed for me as a student there some 35 years ago still exist for those students today.  In some cases, the problems are magnified.  So, I hope that state and local governments will consider the ramifications of their actions as they continue to close more schools in the African American community.  I think that it would be wise and to the benefit to the children to find out exactly what can be done to prevent these closings or come up with better solutions to protect these children once they arrive at their new school.  It should be taken just as serious as those first students who entered Little Rock Central High School in 1957.  In some cases, it will be even more dangerous. 

Let Our Rejoicing Rise

Running Blood

Bessie Smith (Down Hearted Blues, 1923) Jazz Legend

On February 16, 1923 The Empress of the Blues, Ms. Bessie Smith, makes her first recording, "Down Hearted Blues," which sells 800,000 copies for Columbia Records. She went on to become one of the most popular entertainers of the 1920s.

Happy 100th Birthday, Mama Rosa

Source:  Heidi Creed