...resolutions for 2007
I, Kesha, being of sound mind, body, and soul do hereby promise to attempt to accomplish the following goals for the oh so wonderful year of 2007:
- Graduate! (one of these days lol)
- finish my rough drafts (seriously...I gotta get a peer review or something
- write more! (doesn't matter if I finish the poem or not...just jot down ideas...keep a journal)
- buy a car (used or not, I'm sick of Marta)
- work out at least twice a week (...been slipping heavily since Miami)
- keep a decent diet (it will be hard, since junk food is cheaper)
- Spend more time with my grandaddy (I love that guy!)
- work on my profanity (I've gotten better since last year, but I can do it!)
- intern intern intern! seriously
- work on enhancing all relationships and become a better person!
...with that being said...HAPPY NEW YEAR and Cheers to all!
A Conservative's Perspective on Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa: A Black Racist Celebration
by: B.J. http://www.bjellis.com/blogFULL.htm
Posted: December 18, 2006
As we approach another watered-down Christmas (and we have political correctness to thank for that, as well as the spell of liberalism this country is presently under) we are also approaching the celebration of black racism, otherwise known as Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is a MADE-UP celebration that was invented in 1966 by Maulana “Ron” Karenga (he calls himself Dr., but I REFUSE to call him that ON PURPOSE). Karanga is a former black militant, an obvious Marxist (Communist Manifesto), and a FELON who HATES white people. What’s so amazing to me is that the very people who constantly bitch, gripe, and moan about how hateful white people (except RACIST white liberals, of course, i.e., their “slave masters”) are towards blacks are the very same people that have no problem flamboyantly expressing their hatred for whites. Before I introduce my tangent of racism, I will cite the definition of racism, which is “A belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.” As I’ve said on previous editions of The B.J. Ellis Show, I believe that the modern day champions of racism are African-Americans. When I speak of African-Americans, I don’t speak of black Americans in general, per se’, I speak of those ignorant black Americans that profess to call themselves hyphenated Americans (African-Americans) for idiotic reasons that do nothing but express their separation from their country of origin. Furthermore, ignorant black Americans that call themselves “African-Americans” CANNOT even name 10 countries in Africa, nor 3 CITIES in the entire continent. However for whatever reason, they still feel the need to call themselves “African-Americans”, which leads us back to this Kwanzaa nonsense.
More amazingly, Kwanzaa masks itself as an “African” holiday celebration DESPITE THE FACT that it isn’t celebrated ANYWHERE in the continent of Africa. Unfortunately the general stupidity of African-Americans, coupled with white guilt, allows this bogus “celebration” to continue in this country unchecked. From President Bush to Nancy Pelosi, Happy Kwanzaa greetings are constantly echoed as if it is a “part” of Christmas—WHEN THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS that Kwanzaa has NOTHING to do with Christ!!! Kwanzaa is anti-Christian and anti-American, and I believe that this is the primary motivation behind ignorant blacks continuing to follow such nonsense. Despite the fact that ignorant blacks spend countless hours in church every week, they still feel obligated to celebrate this nonsense. Virtually nothing presents a clearer case of blindly following others for NO LOGICAL REASON than their unyielding support of this fake holiday, Kwanzaa.
The arguments that these Kwanzaa puppets try to present in order to legitimize this racist celebration are even more amazing. The most common argument is along the lines of “we are so far removed from the original founding of Kwanzaa that it should no longer be associated with Karanga,” etc. The first thing that comes to mind to me is, “Wait a minute—the same people who are saying that are the very same people who are still attached to slavery, the original Constitution that included the three-fifths compromise (that many blacks know NOTHING about its actual intent), and civil rights as if these events were just settled LAST NIGHT!!!” How can these people fix their mouths to say something so stupid? Because they, like the slaves of many yesteryears ago, do as they are TOLD to do. The truth of the matter is that the obsession with the need for leadership allows ignorant blacks to be pimped and exploited on a daily basis. Many people, from politicians to preachers, as well as (racist) white liberals, owe their personal fame and fortune to the exploitation of ignorant blacks.
The African-American establishment of today does not have the capability to think for themselves. For example, they are only outraged at events when they are TOLD to do so by their “leadership”. This is the same “leadership” that conveniently ignores LEGITIMATE outrageous events because there’s no personal benefit to them for fixing real problems or pointing obvious outrageous events out. In addition, “leadership” must do whatever it takes to keep ignorant blacks in a permanent state of despair, and by keeping the races divided by hatred, “leadership” can use their favorite trump card—racism. Kwanzaa is one in a long line of divisive things (Congressional BLACK Caucus, Covenant with BLACK America, BLACK Student Alliance, etc.) that ignorant blacks participate in that has nothing to do with “judging people by the content of their character”. If white people acknowledged such organizations, these same ignorant blacks would be outraged beyond measure. However the term racism only applies to white Americans? According to the definition of the word, African-Americans are not exempt from the racist label. Observing the made-up holiday of Kwanzaa confirms this very fact
Labels: black folks, social issues
R.I.P James Brown
(1933-2006)
ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- James Brown, the dynamic, pompadoured "Godfather of Soul," whose rasping vocals and revolutionary rhythms made him a founder of rap, funk and disco as well, died early Monday, his agent said. He was 73.
Brown was hospitalized with pneumonia at Emory Crawford Long Hospital on Sunday and died around 1:45 a.m. Monday, said his agent, Frank Copsidas of Intrigue Music. Longtime friend Charles Bobbit was by his side, he said.
Copsidas said Brown's family was being notified of his death and that the cause was still uncertain. "We really don't know at this point what he died of," he said.
Along with Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and a handful of others, Brown was one of the major musical influences of the past 50 years. At least one generation idolized him, and sometimes openly copied him. (Watch the incomparable Brown perform )
His rapid-footed dancing inspired Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson among others. Songs such as David Bowie's "Fame," Prince's "Kiss," George Clinton's "Atomic Dog" and Sly and the Family Stone's "Sing a Simple Song" were clearly based on Brown's rhythms and vocal style. (Gallery: James Brown through the years)
If Brown's claim to the invention of soul can be challenged by fans of Ray Charles and Sam Cooke, then his rights to the genres of rap, disco and funk are beyond question. He was to rhythm and dance music what Dylan was to lyrics: the unchallenged popular innovator. (Watch the "Hardest Working Man in Show Business" do his thing )
"James presented obviously the best grooves," rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy once told The Associated Press. "To this day, there has been no one near as funky. No one's coming even close."
His hit singles include such classics as "Out of Sight," "(Get Up I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine," "I Got You (I Feel Good)" and "Say It Out Loud -- I'm Black and I'm Proud," a landmark 1968 statement of racial pride.
"I clearly remember we were calling ourselves colored, and after the song, we were calling ourselves black," Brown said in a 2003 Associated Press interview. "The song showed even people to that day that lyrics and music and a song can change society."
He won a Grammy award for lifetime achievement in 1992, as well as Grammys in 1965 for "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" (best R&B recording) and for "Living In America" in 1987 (best R&B vocal performance, male.) He was one of the initial artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, along with Presley, Chuck Berry and other founding fathers
Labels: celebs
Reflections
...someone posted this bulletin on my Myspace...I thought it was cute for a post, so enjoy:TEN YEARS AGO...................................1.) How old were you? 13 2.) Where did you go to school? Renfroe Middle School3.) Where did you work? cleaning apartments sometimes4.) Where did you live? Decatur, GA5.) Where did you hang out? in my apartments 6.) Did you wear glasses? nope 7.) Who was your best friend(s)? Ashley, Tierra, and Tina 8.) How many tattoos did you have? a play play one of mickey mouse 9.) How many piercings did you have?: 2 in my ears 10.) What car did you drive?: I had a purple bike if that counts lol11.) Had you been to a real party yet? ...yup 112.) Had your heart broken? I had a crush on this guy named Paul...and Lorenzo...and Mike...I liked a lot of folks who didn't like me back lol13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter...singleFIVE YEARS AGO.......................................................
1.) How old were you? 17 2.) Where did you go to school? Avondale High 3.) Where did you work? unemployed 4.) Where did you live? Decatur, GA5.) Where did you hang out? nowhere really...I was a house mouse then6.) Did you wear glasses? yup...I just had got 'em too 7.) Who was your best friend? ...Brendlyn, Erica, Keta...I miss them too8.) Who was your regular-person crush? lol...that's funny...I plead the 5th on that one9.) How many tattoos did you have? zero 10.) How many piercings did you have? two 11.) What car did you drive? ...still don't have a car dagnammit!12.) Had you been to a real party yet? oui oui...thanx cuz!13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter: Single**DECEMBER 2006**1.) How old are you?: 23
2.) Where do you work? The Newspaper
3.) Where do you live? Decatur (damn, I need to move)
4.) Do you wear glasses? I have contacts now
5.) Who are your best friends? Cathrene, my boo
6.) Do you talk to your old friends? I'm workin' on it
7.) How many piercings do you have? ears only
8.) How many tattoos? Zero
9.) What kind of car do you have? ...man, I wish I had a Pontiac
10.) Has your heart been broken? but of course
11.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter: Taken
Labels: ain't that interesting
Final Exam time...Black Women and rape
...It's that time of year again. For my "English" Survey course, the final exam consisted of 25 Identifications (that is, defining concepts with respect to critical theory and identifying and explaining examples from texts read in class) and an essay portion. We were told to select any text and identify as many concepts of critical theory as possible. Pretty simple eh?
My choice was Psychoanalytic Criticism. You know, the whole "Freudian" theories on the subconscious, specifically in regards to sexual frustrations, and dreams. The text I referenced is entitled, "There were times I thought I was crazy" by Vanessa Alleyne. It's a relatively small biographical commentary on the repeated rape of Vanessa Alleyne, by her stepfather. Young Vanessa even becomes pregnant by her stepfather at 13 years old. Vanessa takes the reader through the torture of the rapes, her mother's denial of the affiars, her life as a "troubled teen" in many group homes, and her ambitions to finally bring her sex offender to justice many years later.
Another issue facing the black community that has been swept under the rug time and time again is rape and sexual assault. Being that there are people close to me, also victims of sexual assault, rape, and daily harrassment, this is another issue I want to tackle. Why aren't they speaking out? Why aren't they seeking justice? Why don't they have the emotional support of their familes? Perhaps our communities have been ostracizing our victims. Perhaps we make them feel inhuman and inferior when we constantly objectify this behavior like there's no problem here.
"It was my fault...I shouldn't have gone to his house"...."maybe if I had worn something else..."
...we need to stop blaming ourselves. And sadly, becasue black women are being silent about this, its becoming more of an "acceptance" so to speak--almost like a "normalcy" fated to anyone of the double X chromosone--almost "expected" to validate womanhood. A mother goes, "listen and you listen good...take this here as an experience, and you be strong. You'll be aiight, momma went through the same thing". You "expect" the disrespect. "Expect" the inapporpriate touches on the playground. The rump feels while lining up to lunch. Remember, nobody likes a snitch. Little John is your age, he doesn't know any better. And come on, when Uncle Tim lingered just a little longer in the no-no zone, he was just trying to help you take a bath. And for the love of God, why are you worrying about it now? Nobody put a gun to your head, and forced you to strip. You deserve it. And besides, you should be over it by now--that was over 20 years ago.
...excuses excuses...one day, we shall overcome
Labels: black folks, social issues, women
The Black Panthers
...a few semesters ago, I took a class on the topics of Black Nationalism. The professor, Dr. Charles E. Jones (who?, Chuck Jones, who? Chuck Jones!) mentioned that he was doing research on the Black Panther Party for self defense...it seems as though there are lots of information on the party that's interestingly unknown to many. (as exemplified by Dr. Jones, work done in responsibility for black prostitutes and correcting police brutality).
Finally, the text is finished, and though I'm done with my African-American studies requirements, I can't wait to recieve my copy in the mail. (actually, it's for my grandaddy for Christmas...he likes stuff like this...and he won't mind me holding on to it for a few weeks ;-)
Anywho, I told a few of you guys that I would provide the citation once Dr. Jones was finished. Here's one for the land, the skin, and the blood folks. Check it out when you get a chance...( by Dr. Jones, Mr. Bobby Seale himself, and another brother, Mr. Stephen Shames)...here's a small review from Amazon.com
From the world’s largest archive of Black Panther images, a nuanced portrait of a dynamic movement and a tumultuous time. In 1966, as the largely nonviolent Civil Rights movement swept through America, Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale founded the legendary Black Panther Party in Oakland, California. Revered by some and vilified by others, the party burst onto the scene with a militant vision for social change and the empowerment of African-Americans. Its methods were so controversial and polarizing that in 1968, FBI head J. Edgar Hoover described the organization as the country’s greatest threat to internal security. During the height of the movement, from 1967 to 1973, photographer Stephen Shames had unprecedented access to the organization. He captured not only its public face--street demonstrations, protests and militant armed posturing--but also life behind the scenes, from private Party meetings to Bobby Seale at work on his Oakland mayoral campaign. Shames was prolific and his archive of Panther images is the largest in the world, presenting an uncommonly nuanced portrait of this dynamic social movement. Released on the occasion of the Party’s fortieth anniversary, this illuminating publication gathers an astonishing collection of never-before-published images, offering an electrifying visual history. Panther newspapers, posters and other ephemera help convey the ethos of the Panthers and of a transformative period of social upheaval for the whole nation.
Labels: black folks, social issues
