'The Art of Honorable Discourse' pt. 1

Last night, I gathered a group of friends together to engage in conversation. It became the first of a series of conversations that I'll be hosting, titled 'The Art of Honorable Discourse'. As social media removes us from true, face-to-face interactions, I wanted to create a platform to discuss a range of topics by removing the protection of our computer screens.

As guests arrived, they wrote a question(s) of their choice onto a piece of paper (anonymously). Questions were placed into a hat and pulled at random. What resulted was 3+ hours of discourse where tongues weren't bitten, healthy debates were presented and opinions were explored through questioning and challenges. Is was beautiful - with plenty of disagreements, laughing and love shared.

Questions pulled included the following:

+ Is there a difference between natural-haired women who straighten their hair and those who don't?
+ Is cheating forgivable?
+ Are Blacks more racist/prejudice than Whites?
+ Do you date on potential or based on what the person has to offer now?
+ Is it ever too soon to have sex with someone you're interested in?
+ Is your friend's ex off-limits - even if the relationship ended 10+ years ago?
+ Can men and women truly be friends?
+ Is the Black student experience better at an HBCU than a 'traditional' university/college?

Part 2 soon come. 'Til then, here's a snippet from the evening:


Thank you to Andrea, Yeavis, Margaret, Grace, Darilyn, Dalaina, DC, Kelly and Reagena.

"Looters" in Haiti

Browsing through the photos of Haiti weeks later, I clinch my teeth at captions reading "looters," underneath photos of those searching for any means to survive. Bodies have been crushed by brick and mortar, burned by suspicious fires and piled high in makeshift graveyards. Yet, in all of the sadness for the many lives lost and disrupted by the quake of January 12, overzealous security guards still have the mind to protect things of no value.

Appliances, electronics, furnishings: all have trade value in Haiti's desperate climate. Some call it burglary, saying they could excuse the "looting" if people were solely looking for food. But many of those passing judgment have never had to consider the choice between starvation and finding a way, by any means necessary, to feed their family. Many of these people can only sit upon their plush sofas and shake their heads at the disenfranchised citizens of Haiti, thinking how these people "have nothing better to do than steal." They have never been in a position where the scraps from a dishwasher are as precious as rice, water and bread. They assume that "looting" is a selfish act carried out by opportunistic people who feed off the remnants of disaster. Wake up and jump off of that high horse of yours. There are methods behind the madness... inconceivable to people of privilege.

Haiti is virtually out of clean water, power and the scarcity of food looms overhead like vultures. The only things our brothers and sisters can count on is help, hope and faith. They don't need pity or ridicule. I feel sorry for those who cast stones when they see dozens of cuffed brothers, face down, being dehumanized by men who have decided to pick up where nature left off.

The pictures are clear, Haiti is in a mode of survival. This is not a time for politicos, morality police or legal eagles. This is purely a time for understanding, love and humanity.

Moment of Hope Caught by Photographer Matthew McDermott

After eight days trapped in rubble, a beaming Kiki (7) emerged to the excitement of a rescue team. His sister, Sabrina (10) was also pulled from their fallen home. This picture speaks to the hopes & faith of many.

“They pulled him out and he immediately threw his arms out and smiled. He did it all on his own. And one of the rescuers then followed suit,” McDermott told Times.

“When it happened, we had to get back and look at the camera,” he said. “It was an incredible moment. You start losing hope after eight days.”

Freelance Project. RE: Troy Davis Teach-In

I had the honor of linking with a great organization: Campaign to End the Death Penalty. They have been heavily involved in the movements to free Mumia Abu-Jamal, and more recently, Troy Anthony Davis. Both men have served on Death Row in spite of overwhelming evidence they didn't commit the crimes they're being punished for. I'm glad I was able to use my skills as a writer to help contribute a press release for the cause. Save the date and if you can make it, I'd love to see you there! BTW, the flyer was designed by mr. soul.

KENNESAW, GA – September 14, 2009 – The Campaign to End the Death Penalty will continue in the spirit of influencing change with a Teach-In for Troy at Kennesaw State University on Monday, September 21, 2009. The CEDP will co-sponsor the event with the Cobb County chapter of Amnesty International and Atlanta’s FTP Movement in an effort to bring awareness to Davis’ new hearing. The groups are hoping to continue the momentum of the Free Troy Movement.

Troy Davis was sentenced in 1991 for the 1989 murder of Savannah police officer, Mark MacPhail, and in spite of overwhelming evidence proving his innocence, Davis has remained on Death Row. However, with a private law firm, a bevy of support and grassroots pressure from the CEDP and other groups with an interest on judicial fairness, Davis stands to see the day that justice prevails.

The September 21st Teach-In for Troy will be ushered in by a Free Troy! Rally & Concert featuring socio-political performers. Along with an informational lecture given by a member of CEDP, Troy Davis will be answering questions via speaker and his sister, Martina Davis-Correia, will be available via computer giving insight on her brother’s case and the death penalty as a means of punishment.

On August 17, 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the federal court in Savannah to hear Davis' innocence claim. The trial had been delayed because of the abusive interpretation of the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, which attempts to limit Death Row prisoners to one set of appeals in federal court. Although it could be several months before the Georgia Death Row inmate gets a court hearing on his claims of innocence, organizations near and far have been vocal about the injustices that surrounded the initial case.

The Free Troy! Rally & Concert will begin at 4:30pm, with the Teach-In beginning promptly at 7pm in room 1021 of the Social Science Building of KSU. Both events are open to the public and parking is free at the university after 7pm. Community residents of Kennesaw and surrounding areas are encouraged to attend.

The diverse group pulling together to make this event a success includes the many groups from the KSU community, including the Sociology Honor Students Program, African Diaspora Department and Students Association, Socialist Party Students Association, CEDP Student Association, the Political Science Department as well as the Department of First Year Programs. All student organizations have been invited to participate and CEDP is eagerly waiting for others to step up for this important cause.

Thumbs Up for War.

In Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq and Thailand, thumbs up is traditionally an obscene gesture, equivalent to the use of the middle finger in the Western world. So far, about $800 billion of US taxpayers' funds have been spent or approved for spending through mid-2009. There have been 4,325 US soldiers killed, and 31,430 seriously wounded (as of July 8th, 2009). 82% of Iraqis are "strongly opposed to presence of coalition troops. For more stats about this senseless war, go here.

Thumbs up.

"Whites Only" Pool in 2009? Take Action.

Dear Readers,

Two weeks ago outside Philadelphia, 65 children from a summer camp tried to go swimming at a club that their camp had a contract to use. Apparently, the people at the club didn't know that the group of kids was predominantly Black.

When the campers entered the pool, White parents allegedly took their kids out of the water, and the swimming club's staff asked the campers to leave. The next day, the club told the summer camp that their membership would be canceled and that their payment would be refunded. When asked why, the club's manager said that a lot of kids "would change the complexion ... and the atmosphere of the club."1

A "Whites only" pool in 2009 should not be tolerated. The club's actions appear to be a violation of section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act.2 Whether or not any laws were violated, a "Whites only" pool should be something every American condemns.

Please join us in doing exactly that, and please email your friends and family and invite them to do the same. Your signature will also be used to call on the Department of Justice to evaluate suing the facility under federal law. It takes just a moment to do both, here:

http://www.colorofchange.org/swim/?id=2011-229696

Obama is President but that doesn't mean that suddenly all is fine when it comes to race in America. This is a vivid reminder of what we know still lies beneath the surface.

We all know stories like this one -- similar incidents play out quietly every day in different communities across the country. The difference in this case is that folks got caught and there was a contract in place that makes for a potentially illegal act.

Standing up now isn't just about making things right for these kids in Philadelphia or bringing consequences to this swim club (called the Valley Swim Club). It's about creating a climate of accountability everywhere. If we can publicly shame the Valley Swim Club and hold them accountable for this incident, it will make others think twice before engaging in what appears to be blatant discrimination.

Please join us in condemning the Valley Swim Club's behavior and calling on the Justice Department to investigate whether they violated civil rights laws. And please ask your friends and family to do the same.

http://www.colorofchange.org/swim/?id=2011-229696

Thanks and Peace,

James, Gabriel, William, Dani and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
July 10th, 2009

The Jena 6 Are Free!

In September of 2007, I rode a bus to Jena to march in protest of the blatant prejudice against six young men accused of beating a white classmate. The Jena 6 march caught the attention of the nation and showed that people will not stand for injustice.

Finally, on Friday, June 26, we can be glad that all of the Jena 6 are free.

"The five remaining Jena 6 cases were brought to conclusion on Friday when Jesse Ray, Carwin, Robert, Theo, and Bryant pleaded "no contest" to misdemeanor simple battery charges. They will spend no time in jail, serve seven days of probation, and pay relatively minor fines and court fees.

It's an incredible outcome given that the young men were originally charged with attempted murder in small-town Louisiana and had neither the funds nor the connections to get high-quality representation or attention for their cases." [from Colorofchange.org]

The sixth teenager charged, Mychal Bell, pleaded guilty to battery in juvenile court on December 3rd, 2007. Unfortunately, with unfair pressure to be perfect after his case was wrapped up, Bell attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself in the chest in December of 2008.

Although this situation may seem to be behind them, we all need to continue to support and pray for these boys. This case is by no means isolated. Men of color are regularly persecuted by the shady judicial system, handed down ridiculous sentences and a frequently branded by the world as criminals. As it's difficult to get back on your feet after a legal ordeal, many men are doomed to fall back into crime as a means of taking care of themselves and their families.

The Jena 6 march and outcome was a big example of the little things we can do to help our brothers. Such as speaking out against injustice, and if you're a business owner, by not judging a potential employee by his record. Understand that he's served his time.

Much love to the Jena 6. I pray you are successful.

Recent Images of Note!

My piece, "Puck the Folice," for the City of Ink's 2nd year anniversary show, "Enough Iz Enough: Artists United Against Police Brutality" :

The wall of awesomeness. The painting on the lower right, "I Pledge Allegiance," was designed by mr. soul, the artistic mind behind the design of my piece and the Creative Director at the City of Ink.

My lovely friend, Maven D, with a copy of my book, [If] Life's Rotten, Write to the Core. You can purchase it here.

Poetic Response to the Chris Brown/Rihanna Fiasco

To a Would-Be Abuser

Think twice
Before that palm meets
My face
And with your micro-machismo
You proceed to “put me in my place”
Remember that I’ve got cousins
And my cousins have cousins
And I’ve got play cousins on top of those
I’ve got a gramps who keeps a piece
Who’ll quickly adopt microwave mannerisms
And heat shit up
And I’ve got a little evil in me
Somewhere
And those little pieces of me won’t ignore
The Ain opposite my angel
That dances on my left shoulder

Copyright Ain HD ©2009

*This poem can be found in [If] Life's Rotten, Write to the Core on Amazon and Lulu.com.

A Presidential Day in History.

I had the opportunity to be surrounded by several beautiful people today at Atlanta's Civic Center as we all watched President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden swear to serve this county. Since then, I've been trying to put the words together to express how I feel about this monumental day. Of course, many people have been discussing what this day means to America and the people. I'm not sure what angle to take in describing the implications of the day and each day after this for the next eight years (I'm claiming it), but in a word, it's Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

"F*ck the Police."

On New Years Day, around 2a.m., an overzealous Bay Area Rapid Transit (B.A.R.T.) cop pulled the trigger on the back of 22-year-old Oscar Grant. The unarmed civilian died from the shot and society demanded justice. Shortly after the incident, people rose in rebellion and around the country we cried, 'F*ck the police." The (now) ex-cop, Johannes Mehserle, is currently being held without bail.

Excessive aggression by police isn't a new thing, especially towards people of color. Ever since society set up a system where ordinary men and women are given control over the people, there have been officers who abuse that control. However, I've been forced to dismiss the moniker "F*ck the police" and replace it with "F*ck the lack of justice. F*ck The Blue Code of Silence. F*ck the force's low standards. F*ck the police state." A sweeping statement like "F*ck the police" is no longer tolerable and not only ignores the real issues, but breeds more dissent and hostility between officers and the communities they are charged to serve and protect.

Personally, I don't hold police to any standards higher than those I hold for myself and other citizens. The badge they floss makes them no less human, and humans give in to personal prejudices, emotions, and make horrible, hasty decisions. Unfortunately, the only difference between a career criminal and some cops is a clean record. Give a gun to an ordinary man, and he's capable of making the same ignorant, neglectful moves that led to the murders of Eleanor Bumpers, Sean Bell, Kathryn Johnston, Amadou Diallo, and others whose lives were cut short by an incompetent man in Blue.

Make no mistake, by no means am I excusing the actions by corrupt cops who take advantage of their roles in order to get away with dirty deeds. I am, however, saying that rather than disparaging the work of the force as a whole based on the actions of the more gangsta minority, we should focus our energies on demanding stricter penalties for scumbag cops. Pardoning crooked police who kill, torture and abuse the citizens they should protect, thus causing the people to cry out "F*ck the police," only perpetuates a cycle of distrust and creates more of a divide between us and them.

Focus on Your Purpose: Nia!

Today is day five of Kwanzaa and the core principle is Nia: Purpose.

I've been charged by my mother to devise a "plan" for 2009. Being a struggling writer is not going to suffice. Nor has it been satisfying my purpose. I have two days to come up with a solid plan of action and my head is dancing in circles considering all the directions I could take.

Grad or technical school is an option, so I've been sitting here trying to see which in-demand career will be less painful to take on. I realize the short-term goal will pay my bills, but may not necessarily fulfill my purpose. However, I've also had to grasp the concept of sacrifice.

As a creative writer, I've learned that my purpose will eventually manifest, because it is my destiny to write and influence people with my words. I am blessed enough to have the talent and I know what to do with it. In that, no job, gig or hustle can steer me away from my purpose.

So bring on the schooling and subsequent career. At the end of the day, I'm a writer and I define my happiness as having faith that my gift will soon transform my life.

RIP Eartha Mae Kitt: (Jan. 17, 1927 – Dec. 25, 2008)

Sarah Plain and Small

McCain and his camp are either incredibly dumb or have the foresight that I and many people lack by giving his running mate slot to Sarah Palin, the current Governor of Alaska.

The move further confirms the fact that politics is a science, not an art.

These calculated moves based on targeting a specific demographic and winning voters over (read: Hillary groupies who refuse to support Obama), are nothing but obviously insincere. But people are going to love it. The opportunity to have a female VP or a black President has the whole world clappin' they hands (shameless plug for an awesome friend). And aside from the phoniness of it all, I'm excited that such a monumental moment is occurring during a period of my life when I can truly appreciate it.
+ + +
In bigger news, I have an ISBN # for my poetry collection, [If] Life's Rotten, Write to the Core. I've been unofficially peddling my art through Lulu w/o an ISBN or the opportunity to pitch it to retailers. Now I'm official!

RIP Isaac.

I didn't speak on this Sunday because having two RIP posts back-to-back was too depressing for thought. Unfortunately, the reality is that this weekend, we lost two wonderful souls.

I'm not saddened because I was a former South Park fanatic, but because I have Hot Buttered Soul on vinyl . I get chills whenever I hear the 12+ minute version of "Walk On By," and I know that we lost a musical legend.

Rest In Paradise to another King!

RIP Bernard "Bernie Mac" McCullough (Oct. 5, 1957 – Aug. 9, 2008)

Comedian and Chicago native Bernie Mac died early Saturday morning from complications due to pneumonia, his publicist confirmed.

Mac, 50, had been hospitalized for about a week at Northwestern Hospital, according to his spokeswoman. A few years ago, Mac disclosed that he suffered from sarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in tissue, most often in the lungs. [Continue reading story.]

Rest In Paradise, Uncle Bernie!

Lately, I've been enagaged in the following...

Conditioning the hell out of and applying mad shea butter to my newly cropped hair.

Skimming through Touré’s Never Drank the Kool-Aid for journalistic inspiration.

Working on SchemeMag.com features, including the upcoming piece on Simon Illa.

Reworking my portfolio, buckling down, and looking for interesting freelance opportunities.

Catching up on The Wire’s Season 5.

Brainstorming over the one-thousand ways to approach novel #2.

Getting down to the business of starting my promotional staffing agency (with my esteemed colleagues and sisters, Brittany and Cass).

President (claim it!) Obama's Portland Rally

Click to enlarge.

What happens in ATL...

Gets posted on YouTube and shared by millions...


My first reaction to this clip was to shake my head and LMAO. However, after a little thought, I'm thoroughly disgusted with the system that allows people like Nafiza Z. to go on without adequate care. It's gone beyond a money issue and has turned into what I believe to be a systematic way to destroy our people. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but until videos like this stop being comedy for the masses and transform into a serious wake up call, this shit will not improve.

Read more here.

Of Course Barack is Articulate.

My first instinct would be to side with Mark on this one, or anyone who Bill decides to oppose for that matter. The word "articulate" is usually accompanied by an element of surprise by some well-intentioned white folks who have fallen into the misguided belief that Ebonics is a first language of us black folks. However, I don't know if this was Bush's intent. We don't have to remind ourselves that his second-hand (wo)man is Ms. Rice. By the way, where the [edited for content] is Dick? Anyway, I'm sure that Bush realizes that it's no irregularity for a black person to be "articulate."

Bush's real shock lies in the fact that we just may have an articulate president after 8 years of total incoherent Bushisms.