This is just a space where I will share some of my thoughts and post some announcements. If you stumble upon here and find something interesting and enlightening please feel free to comment...
Looking to register for the L.A. Black Book Expo in August? If you're planning to join us, please send an email to blackbookexpo@gmail.com and we'll send a registration packet to you. Our prices are affordable and it promises to be a fun time! More information coming soon.
So if you haven't heard by now. I have a book available called, "Touch...Poems & Other Writings of Love, Erotica, & Sensuality. It's a self published book so I am handling all the promotion and marketing on my own. I got some royalties from the book and was excited. Not because of the amount but just because people took time order it.
With the royalties I was able make a donation to Yolo Akili and his efforts to raise money for his one man show. Yolo has an incredible video that brings to mind some of the work that first inspired me in, "Tounges Untied"
I was also able to purchase a copy of Michael Christopher's, "Man:Black" This is a beautiful collection of photography by the same guy that brought us the graphic novel, "Living The Life" and the books "From Top To Bottom" and "Unspeakable." Check out his website for more information www.michael-christopher.com/
I began to think how having those royalties afforded me the opportunity to promote Ujamaa. Using Cooperative Economics to support other artists work and endeavors. So I wanted to use this blog as way of showing other work that is out there that I'd like for others to consider buying. All of this work is independently produced so when you support these people they are the ones who receive the direct benefit.
Frankie Lennon is a dear friend, mentor, teacher, and long time activist. Her book, "The MEE Street Chronicles is a collection of stories from different parts of her life that takes you on an incredible journey. Her writing is some of the finest craft I have read in my entire life. I got to see some of these stories transform as I worked with Frankie in a writing circle she asked me to help her lead called, "The Talking Drum." At first I resisted because I thought her skill as a writer far surpassed mine but with her encouragement I agreed to do it and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Being with her made me a better writer. Her book is available on line at www.kerlak.com/meestreet.html
Kevin Taylor amazes me. I don't know how he does it all. Pastor, Activist, Writer, Host, and so many other things. He has 2 novels and 2 Self Improvement Books. Again I don't know how he does it all but he does it well and enthusiastically.
I've spoken of my love for Morgan Stiff and Tina Mabry and their movie, "Mississippi Damned" so much a friend commented that it seemed like I was on the marketing team for the movie. I just think they are two of the finest filmmakers of this generation. Watch this trailer and be moved.
The film has received numerous awards and deservedly so you can order online at: www.mississippidamned.com/
In the Spirit of Ujamaa please consider purchasing and supporting the work of these artists. If you have a blog, podcast, or other avenues for them to promote their work for little or no cost it's a good way for our entire community to prosper.
Episode: EPISODE51 - 'Good Gumbo' Radio: Recovery and Rocky Path with Dawn Good Gumbo' Radio covers an eclectic blend of relevant topics. Hosted by author/poet lily (like the flower), 'Good Gumbo' Radio combines straightforward talk and witty flavor to create hearty conversation! Join us every Saturday at 10a PT/ 1p ET. Contact lily@lilyliketheflower.com for details on FREE advertising opportunities. Call ID: 80315
Personal Message from the Host: Visit www.lilyliketheflower.com to listen to past episodes of 'Good Gumbo Radio'. Follow on twitter @poeticgirlChild or @goodgumboradio
Scheduled Time:
Date: Sat, April 30, 2011 Time: 01:00 PM EDT
How to participate:
Call in:
1. Dial: (724) 444-7444 2. Enter: 80315 # (Call ID) 3. Enter: 1 # or your PIN
It's no secret that I am a life long Laker fan and also a fan of Kobe Bryant. Well the other night Kobe was caught with his ignorance showing. He called a referee a, "Fucking Fa****". I knew when it was caught on camera he would pay dearly in the court of public opinion. Of course Kobe doesn't have the best public persona to begin with. Because of the rape trial he was involved in and also the perception of him being arrogant with some people he will never win.
That being said I read a post on facebook that really spiraled out of control. Some of the people called him an asshole, others referred to the rape trial (which lead me to believe that the only things they know about him are that and this incident), one called for "outrage" whatever that is, others made references to if someone used the "n" word with him and I understand all that but the vitriol is really what amazed me. I am in no way supporting what he did and find what he did highly detestable but I also realize all of us have moments when we say or do things that are not the best display of who we are. So I posted a comment amongst the others that said:
It could be as a human he said something that was wrong and out of place because of his ignorance of not knowing how offensive it is. I'm sure none of us in the "GLBT" community have ever done that. Especially the ones with on-line profiles that use stuff like, "no fat, no fems"
I actually expected a backlash of people saying things and I was prepared for it but not only did no one say anything they acted as if I hadn't posted it at all. Just totally ignored it and kept on with the rants. It lead me to believe that the discussion wasn't so much about Kobe but just having a place to state your opinion without taking responsibility for it. Much like Kobe did, but he didn't get to hide behind the internet to do it. He got caught.
Last year during the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics my nephew who like the rest of my family are die hard Laker fans posted a picture of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett holding up their jerseys and instead of their names on the back it had the words, "We Are Fags" I left a comment on the picture that said, "As a Laker fan it's mildly funny, as a Same Gender Loving man and your Uncle I find this offensive." My nephew apologized and took the picture down. I understood because I know my nephew was trying to make a joke that didn't work and even though it wasn't my job to put him in his place I did take it as on opportunity to let him know how such things can be hurtful.
Since the incident Kobe has been levied a fine of $100,000 and apologized but people have said it wasn't a real apology and it didn't go far enough. As I stated someone said, "there should be outrage" but of course I'm not sure what they meant by that.
Again I am not trying to defend Kobe's actions or cut him some slack but there should be some sort of human decency and respect given when someone says the wrong thing unless of course you've never done it. I for one know I have done and said some things that I deeply and truly am sorry for, one can only hope you are not defined by that and it becomes your legacy....
I have been blessed to meet and become friends with people in my life that I have an incredible connection with. Lily (liketheflower) Powers is one of those individuals. From the moment we met in person she became my sister.
Lily has an incredible radio show called, "Good Gumbo" that airs each Saturday at 10:00AM Pacific/1:00PM Eastern. I was honored to be her guest this past weekend reading and discussing my new book, "Touch...Poems & Other Writings of Love, Erotica, & Sensuality. But this conversation was much more than that. I even heard from a friend from waaaaay back in the day Kimberley Washington and it was so wonderful to hear her voice because it has been a long time.
If you'd like to listen you can go to http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=80315&cmd=tc and look under past episodes (I'm Episode #48) and download or listen.
I know everyone is busy with their own stuff but if you get a chance please listen to our exchange.
You can also read my essay, "Let The Healing Begin" as well as some other writers in the anthology, "Mighty Real: An Anthology of African American Same Gender Writing edited by R. Bryant Smith & Darius Omar Williams
In the black light of Jair’s imagination and heart, punctuation marks become the sheetstaining evidence that something sexy has occurred. What is revealed in, "Touch...", is that desire is a spilling that we all must cop to and that passion and pen in the wet palm of a true poet will always lead us to that one page sticking seductive truth.
Marvin K. White, Author of Last Rights and Nothin’ Ugly Fly Jair's poetry is the stuff of hot phone and cyber sex- funny, self-indulgent and at its best doing what this provocateur intends, to get you off.
