Song Of The Day.... & Daily Reflection 02/22/17

Song Of The Day....

Today's Reflection:

"Don't call me a Drag Queen. I'm Sylvester Bitch!" - Sylvester James

Words Hurt, Words Heal....

There's a video I've seen posted on facebook and I suppose it's been circulating on the internet titled, "Children singing Ain't No Homos Gon' Make It To Heaven"

I haven't watched it and don't plan to watch but that video coupled with the one showing the Pastor talking about killing off gays by putting them behind an electric fence touched something very deep & visceral in me. In my essay, "Let The Healing Begin" included in the anthology, "Mighty Real" I talk about how I didn't receive many personal abomination messages but by their actions and the secrecy of the way things were handled, you knew being gay was something to be kept under wraps. The church back then (and today)is full of Same Gender Loving people and it's unfortunate and sometimes fatal when they hear messages that not only will they not have a place in heaven, but while they are living here on earth they should be placed behind an electric fence and left to die.

The bible and its multitude of mis-interpretation has been used for so long to explain so many things that I feel have nothing to do with a divine plan for us individually and as a society. Even ideas about heaven, hell, devil, and other things are open for questioning for a liberated believer.

About 6 weeks ago I was up late and was doing some searching on youtube and ran across about a movie called, "Prayers For Bobby". I'm not sure if I'd heard of the movie before. Full disclosure it was a movie that originally aired on the Lifetime Channel and to be honest I am biased and occasionally prejudiced about movies/shows on there. I think they are mostly cheesy, very weepy, woe is me kind of stuff. I don't mind a good drama but not something that is formulaic and intended to tug at your heartstrings. I was fully awake and ended up watching the entire movie.

It was a story of a teenager, Bobby is who just opening to the idea that he is Same Gender Loving. He lives in a suburban area small town in the Bay Area. A city named Walnut Creek. It could be anywhere USA and even though I thought I wouldn't be able to relate to it because the family was very white it turned out since the story is so well told it none of that mattered. Bobby experiences some liberation but could not turn off the messages drummed into his head from his very religious mother, which of course makes him devalue his self worth. He eventually kills himself and the latter part of the movie is the story of his mother coming to grips with not only the role she played in her son's death, but also understanding human sexuality as it relates to spirituality.

The movie is set in the early 80's when the city of Walnut Creek is considering having a Gay Liberation Day celebration. Mary attends the City Council meeting along with some other members of PFLAG and delivers this moving & very touching speech about how what we say can have an impact that we don't consider:



Thankfully there is hope. I saw another video of a young boy reading a speech on a local news station in NY that he wasn't allowed to give at his school. His words don't give me hope for the future, because tomorrow is not promised, it gives me hope for now because if he can get it, anyone can.....



He and his mother have received some negative feedback but I believe that the goodness of his intentions will far outweigh any negativity that will come his way.

Always remember Words Can Hurt but thankfully they also have the ability to heal....

Healing: My Yearly Pilgramage To See The Alvin Ailey Company....

I'm always trying to remember the first time I became aware of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. I'm sure it was on PBS in the, "Dance In America" series but I don't know exactly when. I've always been a fan of dance whether social or professional all my life. One of my family stories is they would put me on a table when I was very young so I could dance. There's just something about it that takes me to another place. I've spoken and written liberally about how seeing The Ailey Company was a conduit for my personal liberation. Most notably in the essay, "Let The Healing Begin" which is included in the anthology, "Mighty Real: An Anthology of African American Same Gender Loving Writing."


Under the direction of Robert Battle, the 3rd Artistic Director in 50 years (following Alvin Ailey & Judith Jamison) the company seems to have gotten a new polish. Everything seems sharper and fresher. It's wonderful to see.

Last night's program included, "Arden Court" choreographed by Paul Taylor and first performed in 1981. Mr. Battle said he included it just because he liked the dance and I totally agree. It was beautiful in every way and the dancers commanded the stage from the first moment the curtain went up.



The second dance of the night, "Takademe" was choreographed by Mr. Battle in an apartment in Queens. The staging confirms that the space was small but it does not take away from the power of this dance. Blending sharp & sinewy movements, comedy, and adept performance it is a short enjoyable piece that has quickly become a new favorite for me. The music is from an Indian Kathak dance and performed by vocalist Sheila Chandra. The music seems to flow through the dancer moving him around as if they have melded into one force.



"The Hunt" also by Robert Battle I saw for the first time last year and HAD to see it again. I am not sure how to describe but I just know it touches me in a place so innate. It's beautiful and primal all at the same time. The power and intensity of this dance is amazing. I would love to have a dvd copy of the full dance so I could dissect it. I'm not even totally sure what it's about, I just know it gives me goosebumps!!!



Of course no Ailey performance is complete without the classic, "Revelations" a dance that has celebrated more than 50 years in existence. Again as always it did not disappoint. I think one of the things that keeps it fresh is that there are different dancers at each performance so it never gets old. No one is saving anything because they have to perform this dance night after night. They have space in between to rejuvenate. It can't be easy to perform something so identified with the company and not have people have preconceived ideas. Last night the dancers danced through each movement and savored each moment as if the entire audience was seeing it for the first time...



I enjoyed the performance so much. I am contemplating getting tickets for balcony seats before the company leave this weekend. You can't see the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater too many times. See them is a place of healing for me...

Feel The "Touch..." For 25% Off (Limited Time Offer!!)

From now until December 14, 2011 at 11:59pm PST you can get my book for 25% OFF!!

The offer is only available if you order on the website for lulu.com (Not Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or any other sites.) Use the promo code BUYMYBOOK305 at check out. The discount is available site wide so any other items you purchase can also be discounted up to $50.00. 

I have an essay in an anthology titled, "Mighty Real: An Anthology of African-American Same Gender Loving Writing" edited by Royce Bryant Smith & Darius Omar Williams that can be purchased on lulu with the same discount.

Royce Bryant Smith

Darius Omar Williams

I also encourage you to join the, "Touch..." fan page  

www.facebook.com/TouchPoemsAndOtherWritings

to keep up to date with any upcoming signings and discounts if you are unable to purchase the book at this time.

Mighty Real: An Anthology of African American Same Gender Loving Writing

Mighty Real: An Anthology of African American Same Gender Loving Writing
By Edited by R. Bryant Smith and Darius Omar Williams

A collection of African-American Same Gender Loving Literature featuring both new and established writers. Grounded in a poignant and truthful sensibility, imbued with the realities of sex and love, Smith and Williams present a culmination of poems, short stories, radical essays, sermons, plays and interviews honoring notable figures within the SGLBT community.

www.lulu.com/product/paperback/mighty-real-an-anthology-of-african-american-same-gender-loving-writing/13584920?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/2