....And I Know Somebody Heard Him [Listen For David Kato]

….And I Know Somebody Hear Him [Listen for David Kato]
by Jair, The Literary Masturbator


…and I know somebody heard him as they bludgeoned him with a hammer [Listen for David Kato]

Blood spurting from his body

Bones Breaking

Organs collapsing

His screams silenced by ignorance and fear [Listen for David Kato]

His cries for help muffled by the cloak of Christian colonialism[Listen for David Kato]

….and I know somebody heard him as he said, “I fear for my life” when they posted his name and image in the, “Rolling Stone” with the admonishment to, “hang them”

His voice fell on deaf ears [Listen for David Kato]

His death represents a dearth of compassion and unconditional love in a time when those should be valued more than diamonds and gold

...and I know somebody heard him as he joins the ancestors [Listen for David Kato]

The countless, nameless, faceless two-spirited beings that guide us and offers peace that passes all understanding

Safe from the harassment of government and those who claim a Christ that spreads a message of hate

Do you hear him? [Listen for David Kato]

I hear him

In the wind and rain

In the still small voice in my heart that says, “go on...”

Listen for David Kato, and all the others

Speak their names

Make their lives eternal & everlasting

We are all witnesses...

Now it's time to testify....

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Copyright©Jair 2011

The 23rd Annual International Association of Blacks In Dance Conference....

Join us for

FOUR DAYS OF BREATHTAKING CONCERTS

featuring performances by renowned black dance companies & artists

IABD MEMBERS SHOWCASE

FRIDAY, JAN. 28 - 7:30 pm - Aratani Japan America Theatre

Arthur Duncan, Legendary Tap Performer (since 1955); Los Angeles, CA

Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theatre (Bernard Gaddis), Las Vegas, NV;

Jamal Story, (Color Purple, Cher, Complexions, LWDT, Donald Byrd);

Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY;

Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Los Angeles, CA;

L'Acadco Dance Theatre; Kingston, Jamaica;

Dallas Black Dance Theatre II; Dallas, TX

Eleone Dance Theatre, Philadelphia

&

IABD FOUNDING COMPANIES SHOWCASE

SATURDAY, JAN. 29 - 7:30 pm - Aratani Japan America Theatre

Dance Theatre of Harlem, Harlem, NY;

Philadelphia Dance Company "Philadanco"; Philadelphia, PA;

Ronald K Brown/Evidence, A Dance Company, Brooklyn, NY

Cleo Parker Robinson, Denver, CO;

Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dallas, TX;

Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

Donald McKayle, Irvine, CA

Donald Byrd/Spectrum Dance

Aratani Japan America Theatre

244 South San Pedro Street (between 2nd and 3rd Streets)

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Box Office: 213-680-3700

Tickets: $40 each night / Two-Day Pass: $70 (save $10) Group & Discount Tickets: Lula Washington Dance Theatre -- 323-292-5852

For online tickets, visit:

http://www.iabd.eventbrite.com/

Purchase tickets now by clicking on the link below.

Buy Tickets Now!

THURSDAY, JAN. 27, 2011

Tribute Celebration

Hosted by: Cleo Parker Robinson

7:30 pm - 9pm

Aratani Japan America Theatre

Universal Dance Designs Alumni, Los Angeles, CA

Howard University Dance Majors Alumni, Washington DC

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Denver, CO

Gayle Force-Ridley, Washington DC

Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

Lula Washington Dance Theatre Studio Ensemble, Los Angeles, CA

And more...

The Tribute celebration is in honor of dance leaders who made their transition in 2010.

THURSDAY, JAN. 27, 2011

10pm-1am

Late Night Informal Showcase & Network

Millennium Biltmore Hotel

506 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90071

Gold Room

In Performance:

Creative Arts High School, Camden, NJ

Fine Arts Magnet Dance Ensemble, Jonesboro, GA

Detroit School of the Arts, Detroit, MI

Millicent Johnnie, Professor- Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX

And more...

FRIDAY, JAN. 29, 2011

Student Showcase Part I

-- 10:00 am --

Central Los Angeles High School #9

School of Visual and Performing Arts

450 North Grand

Los Angeles, CA 90012

In Performance:

Cleveland School of the Arts, Cleveland, OH

Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Los Angeles, CA

Detroit Renaissance High School Dance Workshop, Detroit, MI

Lewis Cass Technical High School, Detroit, MI

Lula Washington Youth Dance Ensemble, Los Angeles, CA

Soliloquy in Motion Dance Company, Philadelphia, PA

Straight to the Pointe Dance Company, Philadelphia, PA

Tri Cities High School, Atlanta, GA

Eleone Dance Theatre, Philadelphia, PA

Michael Leslie Foundation for the Performing Arts, Sydney, Australia

SATURDAY, JAN. 29, 2011

Student Showcase Part II

-- 10:00 am --

Central Los Angeles High School #9

School of Visual and Performing Arts

450 North Grand

Los Angeles, CA 90012

In Performance:

Detroit School of the Arts, Detroit, MI

Baltimore Dance Tech, Baltimore, MD

Cleo Parker Robinson Youth Dance Ensemble, Denver, CO

Bloom, Dallas Black Dance Theatre Student Ensemble, Dallas, TX

Eleone Dance Theatre, Philadelphia, PA

Ken Morris- Freelance Chorographer/Instructor, Los Angeles, CA

Vincent Thomas- Associate Professor, Towson University, Baltimore, MD

San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, San Diego, CA

The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

SUNDAY, JAN. 30, 2011

Gospel Brunch and Praise Dance Performance

--11am--

Performers TBA

Millennium Biltmore Hotel

506 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90071

Gold Room

For online tickets, visit:

www.iabd.eventbrite.com

Every year since 1988 the International Association of Blacks In Dance has gathered in a different city for a four-day conference of master dance classes, panel discussions, workshops, auditions, an awards luncheon, and a festival of showcase performances.

Lula Washington Dance Theatre is hosting the 23rd Annual IABD Conference in Los Angeles Jan. 27 - 30, 2011. Showcase performances are taking place at the Japan America Theatre; the Biltmore Hotel; and Los Angeles Central High School #9.

A limited number of public tickets are available for each performance. Get yours before they are gone. See dance companies from all over the US dancing in shared evenings of exciting movement.

For more information contact the Lula Washington Dance Theatre at: 323-292-5852 or, visit the website: www.lulawashington.org/iabd.

Friends Don't Let Friends Blog (FB Status, Tweet) Drunk (With Misinformation)....Remember Haiti A Year After....

On this past Saturday there was an attempted assassination of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona. I watched the break in regular programming on television and also as I do occasionally looked at what was happening on the social networking site facebook.

It amazes me how many people posted about the shooting but what surprised me more is the number of people who consider themselves journalistic sources and began to post details that were not confirmed. Congresswoman Giffords was pronounced dead and resurrected so many times I joked that Jesus got jealous. It really struck me that these people especially the ones who were getting information from the same news sources that I was felt that it was their duty to report this news. I began to think of her husband who was in Houston and had to make his way to Arizona having to hear about his wife being dead. One local politician that was a close friend of Congresswoman Gifford expressed it was like an emotional rollercoaster because she had to hear several times her friend had died and then was not dead.

Maybe I made too much of it but I just felt like there could've have been a better way to let people know. I know social networking has drastically changed the way we get information but it should never take the place of having credible information from reliable sources. I know some of the media outlets also reported that she was dead and then retracted the statement several times but to continually use social networking forums as if you are reporting from the scene just seems a bit irresponsible to me.

People also saw the irony of the Congresswoman being shot and Sarah Palin on her political action committee website using a target/crosshairs symbol over her district. While I do think it was irresponsible for her to do that I don't think it's the sole reason this tragedy happen. Some people tried to make the shooter the bastard child of Palin and Glenn Beck. Again we have to share our opinions responsibly. The internet in a lot of places becomes a platform for people to say anything they want because they can hide behind their computer screens but it also has become a place where anyone thinks their opinion is the only one that matters. That they are the only source of information and that's simply not true. Even this blog is just my take on the situation. Anyone who reads it is free to agree or disagree.

One thing did strike me about the incident. There was a young girl who went there to meet the Congresswoman because she had recently been elected to her student council and had a burgeoning interest in politics. She was taken there by a neighbor. My heart goes out especially to her parents but all to experienced the violence. I did hear the gun sales have gone up since Saturday in Arizona which doesn't surprise me unfortunately. The Arizona State Legislature passed an emergency law banning people from protesting at a funeral or burial because members of Westboro Baptist Church were planning to use this another platform to spew their version of Christianity.




Today also happens to be the one year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti. Words alone can not express how much help Haiti still needs. I read someone say that Haiti needs to become self-sufficient which I agree with but when the starting point is so far back it's hard for me not to want to do whatever I can to help.

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

I got my Contributor's Copy of, "Mighty Real" yesterday. I have an essay in it titled, 'Let The Healing Begin." After opening I ran my fingers across the covers and just held it close to me trying to absorb all the words through my pores. From The Harlem Renaissance through 60's Revolution. On the shoulders of Richard Bruce Nugent, James Baldwin, Assato Saint, Audre Lorde, Nella Larsen, Essex Hemphill, Joseph Beam, and many many others we stand in this new collection....and AIN'T WE FIERCE!!

I began reading some of the other contributions by friends and others I know and had it reminded me how talented they are. Sometimes I forget because they are my friend but I was definitely in the presence of artistic brilliance.

There are some writers I don't know personally and others I have recently become acquainted with in that grand scheme of social networking called, "facebook" but I am looking forward to taking a few days of being with myself and just reading what is we have contributed to our community as griots and gatekeepers.

This extensive collection includes poetry, short stories, plays, essays, sermons, & interviews. Edited by Royce Bryant Smith & Darius Omar Williams I know it has been a long process of conception and birth and I personally am grateful to, "be in the number." Both Darius and Royce deserve our thanks and congratulations for a job not just well done but one that goes over and above.

Please do yourself a favor and add this to your personal library and suggest it to friends near and far. If you are a celebrant of Kwanzaa it would make a great zawadi. You may not receive it by Jan 1st the day gifts are exchanged but in the spirit of Kwanzaa this is a gift that will uplift and illuminate.

Mighty Real is available on lulu.com, barnesandnoble.com, and amazon.com

Ban On Gay Blood Donations: Go To Helen Weytt!!!

When I was in college all the clubs, organizations, and fraternities used to have a contest to see who could donate the most blood each semester. It was one of the most popular events throughout the year. There was fierce competition not just so we could get extra many for our groups but because we knew donating blood was a great way to help other people in crisis.

A dear friend and colleague Stephanie Nawyn who is now an Associate Professor of Sociology at Michigan State University, and was a great help to me when I coordinated the Lorde-Baldwin Learning Tree a literacy program at Unity Fellowship Church in Los Angeles (I remember when she had her first child Henry and he would sit on my lap and try and put the tips of my locs in his mouth)

Time flies, Henry is now riding his bike to school
and has a sister Meredeth who I have yet to meet.

Enough of the memory lane. Some of Stephanie's students have posted an excellent video on youtube about the ban on Same Gender Loving/Men Who Have Sex With Men being able to donate blood. They offer great insight & information about why the ban was put into place originally and the reasons it should be overturned.

Support comes from Senator John Kerry as well as others and they give you address and information on how to contact the FDA if you'd like to send a letter on how to overturn the ban and also to Go To Helen Weytt ("Hell & Wait") if you'd like to support the current ban. All this from their own Fox-E News Special Report....



It hurts me deeply that I am no longer allowed to donate blood and I know it could help save lives. Please view this and take action....

Emergency Town Hall Meeting!! Speak Up Against Same Gender Loving People Being Killed In Uganda!!

If You Are In The NYC Area Please Attend.....




BLACK FAITH ALLIANCE FOR GLOBAL LGBT JUSTICE

The Global Justice Institute, GLAAD, GLO TV Network, GayByGod.net, The Fellowship, MCC New York, Rehoboth Temple



Media Contact : Joseph Tolton, Blur Advertising 646-765-6960 jtolton@blur-advertising.com



African Americans protest Bahati’s US tour to promote “kill the gays” in Uganda



WHAT: Emergency Town Hall Meeting to challenge Ugandan PM David Bahati who is currently promoting his “kill the gays” bill on a trip to the United States



WHEN: Saturday, December 11, 2010

1:00 p.m. (SHARP)



WHO: Pastor Joseph W. Tolton - Rehoboth Temple/The Global Justice Institute
Bishop Zachary Jones - Unity Fellowship Church/Brooklyn
Rev Pat Bumgardner - MCC/The Global Justice Institute
Dr. Marjorie Hill - GMHC
Tokes Osubu - GMAD



WHERE: Rehoboth Temple Christ Conscious Church

310 West 139th Street, New York, NY 10031

(Fredrick Douglass & Edgecombe)



WHY: LGBT People of African Descent and our allies, family and friends are responding to the immediate attack on our fellow brother and sisters in the country of Uganda. The conservative Christian right organization known as The Family and so-called “ex-gay” activist Scott lively exported hatred to Africa with a direct threat to the LGBT community in Uganda by funding and sponsoring the “Anti-Homosexuality” bill which would introduce the death penalty for gay people and require extradition of gay Ugandans around the world.



LGBT communities of color in the USA and across the globe are at greater risk for hate crimes and persecutions. Killing LGBT people in Uganda or anywhere else around the world is wrong.

Scottsboro Boys Closing...

I was really hoping that this musical would be able to sustain an audience and eventually tour. I first heard about it because I am a big fan of Colman Domingo. I'd seen him in, "The Big Gay Sketch Comedy Show" where among other things his Craiglist's ads as Maya Angelou and also the musical, "Passing Strange" I always thought the story of the Scottsboro Boys was an interesting time in America's history. It wasn't a story I was even aware of in school. It's not covered in many history books but it's definitely a familiar story if you have roots in the south. Because of the death of Fred Ebb this was to be the last collaboration for Kander & Ebb who wrote such musicals as Cabaret, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Chicago, The Rink, and others. With their use of dark material as a source for musical theater and the addition of Susan Strohman I really thought this show would have a long run. But it is closing this Sunday December 12. The soundtrack which includes one of my new favorite songs, "Go Back Home" is available on-line at amazon.com and cduniverse.com