Sisters Are On FIRE!!!!

I'm too excited by the decision of NBC executives to create a TV show around the life of the fabulous choreographer extraordinaire, Fatima Robinson.  We've seen her work in our favorite music videos over the past 20 years (Rock the Boat, Remember the Time and the movie Dreamgirls).  We've all, no doubt, bit her moves and danced to her slick choreography in our living rooms, but now the producers of the triumphant production of The Wiz Live were so amazed by her talent and life story that they've opted to create a TV show around her life.  We've always known our awesomeness, it's just good to see that people are watching and taking note of the risk takers, movement creators and style makers that Black women are.

Peep the video above to learn about her dance origins, fashion and singular style.

Happy Birthday, Bitch

Justice could not have been sweeter when on Thursday evening around 8pm, the jury's guilty verdict of Daniel Holtzclaw, the Oklahoma City policeman charged with 36 counts of sexual assault on 12 black women and one l7 year-old girl, was read aloud.  He was convicted of 18 counts of rape and sexual assault on his 29th birthday and faces a recommended sentence of 236 years in prison from the all-white jury. It was a big relief for many of us who followed this case from last Fall and a shock to many that simple justice would prevail at all given the mostly male, all-white jury. 

But justice happened last Thursday night only because the local police department knew of another report filed against Holtzclaw weeks before his final victim reported him the day of her attack.  And using GPS tracking to corroborate the details of her story, the police realized they likely have a sexual predator among them who abused his power and authority over women living in an economically distressed community. Now if they had suspended him from his duties pending investigation from the first report, he would not have been free to continue raping and sodomizing women in the community. This is still where attention and questions need to be asked of the OK City Police Department, because the initial complaint wasn't taken seriously to begin with. They did, however, work with the prosecutor to support the charges and did not protect Holtzclaw.  This is what makes the difference in all these police abuse cases: a police department that will not protect their "own" at any costs to the detriment of the community and a DA's office that maintains some neutrality and treats police officers accused of serious violent crimes like anyone else.  This is what was missing in Staten Island, Chicago and Cleveland especially where the DA has gone as far as to attack the family of 12 year-old Tamir Rice and has refused to charge police with a senseless killing captured on camera.  

This case still offers so many necessary discussions around policing, rape and violence against women, victim "worthiness", class and selective prosecution.  Hopefully, because we received some simple justice in this case, we'll continue to have conversations that unpack these issues in our justice system.

Afro-Futurism's Must-See Display at the Schomburg Museum

If you have any time as we embark on the holiday season, make it a mission to check out the Schomburg's current exhibit which ends on December 31st:  Unveiling Visions: The Alchemy of the Black Imagination

This is an awesome exhibit of the black imagination as we search for wholeness, freedom and truthful expression through art.  The exhibit is timely when this year we all witnessed black bodies on video being brutalized, murdered and disrespected and left to wonder: what is next?  

This art form is a fusion of sci-fi and black liberation ideology meant to inspire our imaginations for a place or future where we can freely explore, create and control our minds, and our destiny.  Some future place where we are just safe to be.  It's a major nod to Afro-futurism and pays homage to its architects: Sun-Ra and George Clinton.  Make sure to bring your children so they maintain their childish curiosity and that we adults might nurture our imaginations as well.  Who knows, it may just save us.  

Let's Talk Teeth

Oral health is something that doesn't get as much press as say, heart or breast health but it certainly should be on everyone's radar because while having a yuck mouth is never cute at any age, oral health can signal more serious health issues in the body.  My beloved mom was a serious tooth person.  She was born before most of the water supply was fluorinated and dental care was pretty poor in general.  Dentists pulled teeth often as a first line of treatment, especially for the poor.  I can remember her jovial, open manner and how she'd talk to neighbors, co-workers and friends about how important it is to "get your teeth fixed."  I totally appreciate having good oral care for cosmetic reasons because your teeth literally help to hold your face up.  When people lose a lot of teeth, often times the bottom half of their face sinks in and the result is a "granny look" sometimes way before they're of age. 

Last year I visited my dentist for my 6-month check up and was told I have 2 small cavities developing but they were too small to fill at the time.  My dentist said if I floss everyday and use a good rinse it can be reversed.  I did not want another filling for any reason so left his office armed with a soft bristled tooth brush, dental floss and a suggestion to buy Act Rinse.  I stopped at the drug store and purchased a large bottle of Act Rinse which is different than mouthwash because they are primarily intended for fresh breath, while a good rinse is for cavity prevention.  I used the floss just as I was instructed by the best dental hygienist in NYC, Ena.  She is a true teeth lover that would've been great friends with my mom.  She went over the nitty gritty of flossing and it was the best tutorial I've ever had on proper flossing and oral care.  You take the floss under the gum to form a "C" around both sides of the tooth and pull down any food particles under the gums.  When ready to get the floss out, don't pull the floss down, rather allow it to loop through the tooth at the gum line to get it out. There shouldn't be any pressure or pulling it downward/upward to release the floss. 

The Act Rinse was a really smart investment and cost about $7.  It made a major difference as well as the fact that I took sugar out of my diet, well mostly, since sugar adds to tooth decay.  So when I arrived for my next dental appt. six months later I was nervous about those two small cavities that I worked hard to fight back.  And indeed I won the war with my dentist congratulating me on having NO cavities and very little plaque.  Ena and I were ecstatic and it made me realize that a really good dental hygienist is as important as a good dentist because they don't just clean your teeth and take x-rays, but teach you techniques for optimal oral care that you take with you for a lifetime and indeed pass on to your children.  She's a great teacher and a lovely person who loves what she does so I find myself listening and adhering to her advise even a little more than my dentist.  Because of her I pay attention to all the x-rays especially if I've had a lot of late. 

I've also learned over the years that after a certain point we've all been to taught to floss and brush our teeth regularly to keep a nice smile.  But dentists don't talk as much as they should about gum disease and gum erosion, which is why using a soft toothbrush is necessary and brushing at an angle where the tooth meets the gum line.  Soft brushes also preserve the enamel which is a major defense for our teeth which when it's gone, it's gone. Brushing the tongue is also useful for killing nasty bacteria that lead to bad breath.  Also, take notice of your tongue, is it pink or a chalky white?  Do you have fine bumps on your tongue or a small pink bump on the tip of your tongue?  Practitioners of eastern medicine know that all of these can give clues to your general health and the state of other organs in the body.  And research recently has correlated cardiovascular health to oral health.  And let's not forget Michael Douglas who is battling throat cancer which he ascribed to performing oral sex.  Because the same HPV strain  that causes cervical cancer in women can be transmitted orally.  Remember, the dentist is the only doctor we are required to see twice a year unlike all other practitioners who we see annually or longer.  So let's check our calendars and make sure we're scheduled for that next check-up.

 

President Obama and The Recent Killings of Black People

It's all been too much to bear on my psyche.  The last few years' onslaught of unjustified killings of black men, women and children by police officers and civilians across the country have me clutching my heart and praying for families and survivors for what feels like a weekly ritual.  There was Samuel Dubose shot in the head and killed by a campus cop at The University of Cincinnati two weeks ago, Sandra Bland on her way to a fresh start back at her alma mater in the lone star state and found hanging from a jail cell 3 days later and Freddie Gray dying of spinal cord injuries and a crushed voice box last Spring.  Then this week there was the outpouring of tears by celebrities over the arrogant slaughter of "Cecil the lion" by a Minnesota dentist in Southern Africa.  While I was saddened by the senseless killing of this majestic animal that represents Africa, I cannot say I ever saw such an outpouring of emotion over little Tamir Rice who was shot in the chest by a cop within 2 seconds of arriving at the scene.  Btw, dentist Walter Palmer should be extradited to Zimbabwe for what he did and rightly dealt with in their justice system.  Seems some people want to kill all things African.

 

Some have suggested that these cases aren't new, they've just been captured by the current technology:  personal cell phones and dash cameras.  I do think that has some merit but I also cannot help but wonder if the current presidency is connected to this constant barrage of race-based murders.  Afterall, there is some deeply ingrained hatred for the current president no doubt in sections of the general population.  Barack Obama entered into history as the first black President of the U. S. in 2008 and has had more death threats and security breaches than any previous commander in charge.  And since 2010 it feels like these killings have been increasing at an alarmingly strident pace. 



Now while not all police are bad, abusive, power hungry people, some are and to our detriment.  Many cops go to funerals of crime victims, suffer from PTSD and strive to balance having compassion and strength in their duties.  But some cops are a menace to society and it's rarely been discussed in all the recent news coverage of policing in America that there are white supremacist groups that exist in some police departments and corrections.  I imagine if there are people who hate and resent President Obama enough but can't act on it, they can take that blind rage out on black people who don't signal a lane change or play their music too loud at a gas station or don't comply as quickly as they should from a "command".  And to be clear, not all these killings have been at the hands of white civilians and cops.  Rekia Boyd was shot and killed by a black officer in Chicago who was vindicated because black women's lives really don't matter.  But still, South Carolina police took Dylann Rooth to Burger King on his way to jail after slaughtering 9 black people at a prayer meeting.

CDC Whistblower Opens up About Vaccines and Black Boys

Last month, Louis Farrakhan was interviewed by the morning crew at Power 105.1, a major hip hop station here in NYC.  Among the many critical topics he explored, he surprisingly revealed that Robert Kennedy, Jr., the renowned environmental activist, Exec. Director of The River Keepers and son of former U.S. Senator Bobby Kennedy, visited him at his home to discuss how government whistle blower, senior scientist Dr. William Thompson from the CDC, revealed findings from medical testing on vaccinations were concealed from the public and approved for use on infants. The hidden findings showed that vaccinations containing thimerosol have a harmful effect on children and have an especially deleterious effect on the brain's development in black males and is linked to the explosion of autism in black boys. 

Mr. Kennedy is bringing this revelation to the state level as he testified before Vermont's state house, along with other legislatures across the country, that the CDC's oversight process is flawed and the agency itself is little more than a puppet for the major pharmaceutical companies.  His life's work and current campaign to bring this injustice to light needs to be applauded and hopefully he'll be received by black and other alternative/progressive media outlets since the mainstream media is so controlled by corporate forces. which is likely why he reached out to Minister Farrakhan.  It's historical irony that the Tuskegee experiments, which lasted for 40 years, were brought to public light because of his uncle, Ted Kennedy and his convening a Senate hearing that eventually led to the end of that sinister study on empoverished blacks in the rural south.  

When a prominent environmentalist from one of America's top political dynasties has to go on a tour across the country to get the word out because mainstream media won't listen (has been bought off) to his claims, you know it's bad. He deserves great credit because he could just enjoy his summer with a smooth cigar on a lush golf course but instead is publicizing this travesty and threat to the health of our children.  And much credit to Minister Farrakhan who made this known to the listeners on a highly popular radio show.   Hopefully their efforts won't fall on deaf ears and may activate more black people to get educated and organize around the vaccine debate and demand answers from the CDC and the pharmaceutical manufacturers.  In addition to all the other day-to day issues that challenge our sanity, we do need to be aware and vigilant about ethics in medical research and environmental issues' impact on our lives because we seem to be most harmed by its effects (i.e. toxic waste sites), or perhaps by it's design.  For the open letter he penned about this revelation, click to the EURWEB link and read further...


http://www.eurweb.com/2015/06/the-cdcs-latest-tuskegee-experiment-prompts-open-letter-from-bobby-kennedy-jr/




Checkout the full interview on Youtube.

Spoken Word Giving Me Life

In case you haven't seen this video this week, just take a look and be left in awe by these two gifted young sisters who make me proud.

"I am the witch that wouldn't burn."

What Do the Killings in Charleston, SC mean for Black People?

The Charleston, SC shooting happened about 10 days ago and I'm still processing the pain and weight of this mass killing in light of the recent activism against systemic racism in America.  We're definitely in a moment right now with Black Lives Matter, protests and social media documenting every second of it all.  I noticed that right after the shooting and the killer's capture the focus became the immediate forgiveness by the victims for the killer and the confederate flag's influence on the mind of this maniac. 

As an adult, I know very well that forgiveness is work and it clears our spirit and minds to move on.  Holding onto hate and anger, no matter how justified, just hurts you.  But timing is everything and you can't just rush to forgive when you haven't processed the emotional state you're in whether its anger, pain, confusion, etc.   I don't want to judge these survivors rush to forgive if it helps them deal with the enormity and pain they're dealing with, but it is OK for black people to be more than angry when loved ones are sensely taken by racial violence.  And yes, I know that sometimes forgiveness needs to happen even when there's no justice, because again, forgiveness is for your mental and spiritual health.   But it's more than appropriate to have a healthy rage or anger when something like this happens, it's just not healthy to stay there.  We are human beings and need to allow ourselves to feel the full range of human emotions without judgement or need to make society feel safe from our anger. 
 
Then I got to pondering this whole confederate flag situation in South Carolina and what does it really mean to the lives of black and white people in the South.  Black people have been living with confederate flags atop their municipal buildings and universities for over 150 years.  For whites, it has been the symbol of white southern pride and rebellion.  For blacks, it has represented southern white ignorance, terror and violence.  So yes, this flag's run in public spaces needs to come to an abrupt end.  It's just time.  But how is this really going to impact the daily lives of black people in South Carolina?  They're still going to experience racism and resistance to experiencing the fullness of life that America offers so many others.  It seems to me like they could've leveraged this tragedy to improve their political power and not give the momentum of this moment to banish a symbolic relic of the South's former glory.  Laws were changed because 4 Little Girls were bombed in a church basement on Sunday morning.  They took an unspeakable tragedy, and used political strategy to move us forward with concrete civil rights legislation.  We had something tangible to show our future generations that children literally gave their lives to change the laws of this land.  They did not die in vain.  So this mass shooting, act of terrorism, will have what effect?  What will it change, really?  We need to be more concerned with what POWER (politcal and economic) is to be gained and not the demise of symbols of white supremacy.  The South is still chipping away at our voting rights and our leaders are giving energy to the confederate flag.  Somebody help me.

RIP, Kalief Browder

I had to write a tribute to this young brother who endured more than any child should have.  On a Saturday night in early June, 21 year old Kalief Browder hung himself outside of his bedroom window where his mother discovered his body in The Bronx.  The mental breakdown of his young, fragile mind could no longer withstand the abuses of our justice system.  Our criminal justice system: from the police, to the courts and the manipulations of the district attorney's office, and finally to the abuses he suffered while in the custody of the NYC Dept. of Corrections all failed this child who at 16 years old was arrested for stealing a knapsack. 

It started when he was stopped by police on a Saturday night with a friend and identified by an accuser on the street of robbing him of his knapsack.  This man who couldn't remember which day of the week he was robbed of said knapsack and later returned to his native country while the case was open and Kaliel remained in jail.  Next, the DA's office kept delaying the case violating the 30/30 motion that protects defendants from these types of abuses where the DA has 180 days to prove their case or it gets dismissed.  Problem was his case stayed on the calendar for 3 years until a visiting Judge DiMango examined this case a little closer and eventually led to his release with charges dismissed.  The DA and the various judges this case went before treated him like he was guilty until proven innocent setting his bail at $10K which his family couldn't afford.  Bail is set for flight risk, this youth was 16 at the time, attended high school lived at home with his family, he should have been a candidate for ROR (Release on his own Recognizance).  His case stayed open for 3 years keeping him in detention at Rikers Island because he refused to plea guilty to a crime he did not commit and couldn't raise the high bail amount.

This is where the height of his trauma began.  During his incarceration at Rikers Island he was physically assaulted by other inmates and officers alike.  Attempted suicide by hanging himself in his cell and again later, he was left with emotional and mental scars from being incarcerated in America's largest jail.  His release wouldnt  come until 3 years later at 20 years old, missing his high school graduation, prom, working and enjoying life as a teenager with his family.  On June 6th he succombed to the demons that haunted him because of his time in jail and his fear of being locked up again and he took his own life.  Though my heart still weeps, everytime I see his picture I'm hopeful his death will be a catalyst for solid systemic changes in the bail system, holding DA's accountable and honoring the 180 days to prove their case, incarcerating children in jail and recognizing the mental health needs of inmates and the effects of solitary confinement.  His case actually makes the argument for the overall overhaul of our current justice system.  It has to be ackowledged by our system that adolescent brains are still developing and they need to be treated differently than adults because the frontal and limbic lobes aren't fully mature.  It also needs to be said that young black boys are treated like they're older, tougher, more streetwise and invulnerable all the time without recognizing that they're still children.  They can't emotionally withstand everything this system throws at them and some will succomb to depression and more serious mental illness as a result of abuse, neglect and no support.  And sometimes support will come when it's too late and irreparable damage has been done. 

I posted the picture of Kaliel below for people who read this to see that a young man who once smiled and had a promising life is no more. A boy who had dreams, loved his family, may have wondered what true love felt like, may have told corny jokes and had a favorite food doesn't live today and we should never forget that sad truth and what injustices drove him to take his own life.

Black Girls and the Police

I was sick the first time I viewed this image a week ago when the story broke.  The crazed, reckless cop barrelling and running towards a group of teens celebrating at a pool party in a Dallas suburb. We all know the facts by now: black youth told to go back to Section 8 housing when they showed up at a community pool, a physical attack by 2 white women on a 19 yr. old black girl, crazy cop resigns and it's doubtful any criminal charges will be filed against him or the white females for assault.  We can expect this as just one more story to be filed under "2015 Edition of flagrantly racist police behavior caught on tape".  But I wanna explore something that seemed to be intentionally overlooked by the media's daily analysis of this event last week: the sexualization of this particular police brutality.

The officer came to the scene forcing teenaged black males to the ground while ignoring the white teens which didn't really shock anyone.  But when it came to this 14 year old girl he man-handled her to the ground by her braids and head and then straddled her for what is reported to have been around 15 minutes.  A petite, bikini-clad 14 year old black girl was face down in the grass with a white man on her back for 15 minutes because she was that much of a threat to public safety.  It felt like we all watched some type of violent cop-porn where she was literally under the weight of his control and state authority.  Her small adolescent frame didn't protect her from what many of us have had to learn - we aren't safe from sexual violence anywhere or by anyone.  The fact is, this happened to her because she is young, black and female.  None of us can even fathom this same scene happening to a teenage, white girl with long blonde hair in Texas or anywhere else.  We can't even imagine that scene where the shoe is on the other foot, because that shoe was never meant to be on the other foot.

We remember the video of a California Highway Patrolman beating a black woman with mental illness on the side of the highway last summer and the Oklahoma cop accused of sexually assaulting a half dozen black women last Fall, so this imagery is still fresh in our minds.  But this video was a shock to our consciousness.   The teen in the video is in full adolescence, not to be mistaken for a woman, and that made her particularly vulnerable in a sexual way that was lost in much of last week's analysis of the video.  Media pundits were quick to ask if the officer's conduct was racially motivated as if they truly thought it could be anything else, but would not tread on the dangerous terrain of sexuality because that is the true lightening rod no one wants to touch.   It was intentionally avoided because America does not confront race and racism in general, and certainly not the uncomfortable mix of sex, race and power.   

Also, it din't go unnoticed that NOW and other feminist organizations didn't voice their anger or even a little concern about what we all saw acted upon this young girl.  I suppose they've been so busy with bringing college campus rape to the forefront they just forgot.  So once again, we got crickets from the white mainstream feminist groups.  Not that it surprised me, but I'm just sayin'.  Another group that I was surprised and disappointed that did not show public outrage in defense of this child was black men.  At least not online or in the news did black men as a group, fathers and brothers, overwhemlingly show any unified voice of protectionism.  I kept waiting to hear from them in some powerful way that this violation won't be tolerated.  

We need to be careful about these occurences, their constant re-play in the media and it's affect on our collective psyche and how black girls bodies are deemed violable by white men with guns and badges.  Our girls are uniquely vulnerable in spite of the attention that police abuse on black people receives of late, because that attention has focused solely on the abuses and killings of black males. But the truth is that whether its body searches, which should be done by a female officer, women and girls need to be educated of their rights and how to handle interactions with law enforcement just as our men.  It shouldn't be necessary to keep pointing out that Black Women's Lives Matter, Too. 

Young Designer Creates Buzzzz

Let's give a big applause to 18 yr. old NJ native, Kyemah McIntyre who caused a major buzz on Instagram with this gorgeous gown she designed herself and rocked at her senior prom.  She is a true inspiration and ready to take over the fashion world as she enters Parsons this fall.  Natural, poised and regal, not to mention driven and smart, I can't wait to see what conversations her future creations will spark around beauty, stereotypes and culture.

Whatever happened to Ramsey Orta?

It's been several months since we first saw the heartbreaking video of husband and father, Eric Garner being slowly killed on a summer day by police.  Ramsey Orta, the young man who videotaped the killing of Eric Garner by police on a Staten Island street last summer, ironically is the only one who was jailed surrounding that case.  The grand jury wouldn't indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo who had also been under probe for his policing tactics against black men on Staten Island.  And it should also be noted that the police arrested Mr. Orta's wife not a week after the video was released in an effort to relay to the community that if you video anything of what we do, we will come after you and your family.  It's an intimidation tactic in spite of the fact that cameras are ubiquitious and even 8 year olds with cell phones can shoot video whenever they want.

We all remember the aftermath of the daily protests and die-ins back in December.  The tragic killing of 2 officers in their patrol car on a Brooklyn street during the holidays and the political fight with Mayor DeBlasio and PBA union head, Kevin Lynch.  Quickly, the shouts for justice from protestors and the cries for police reform were all muted and the media's attention on the players in the initial incident fell away.  But months later we should all ask about the man who silently filmed the tragic video that still gives me chills and feels like a snuff film whenever I think about it.