Thursday, September 20, 2007

Akuaba, Jena and Me

This image is a replica of the Akuaba doll of Ghana. The Akuaba is found among the Akan people and represents fertility. As a matter of fact, a woman would carry this doll on her back to assure pregnancy and to assure the attractiveness of the child. This is my own Akuaba doll that acts only as a model for my photo. Besides, my wife has not agreed to carry it on her back.

I've been working on a few things lately and they are all keeping me busy. Teaching is great. I learn so much as a teacher. Actually, I would be better described as a "lead student." I hope that you all are doing well. My prayers go out to the six young men and their families down in Louisiana. I also pray for all who went there to support them and for their journey back home to be a safe one. Peace~


Photo credit: Stephen Bess
Sources: wikipedia.org and democracynow.org

25 comments:

Geoffrey Philp said...

I,too, pray for those Jena boys...

Hope all is well with you, my brother.

Blessings,
Geoffrey

Stephen A. Bess said...

Hello Geoffrey,

Good to see you in these parts brother. I'm doing well. Thanks and enjoy your weekend.

Blessings~

the prisoner's wife said...

bless,

glad you are well & things are going so great. teaching for me is a little bit more of a struggle, BUT today was a good one (even if i had to yell!). my kids felt empowered & not helpless. and that is DOPE.

M. Akamau said...

Hey Stephen,
Just stopping by to say hello. Also praying for the Jena families and those who support them. Have a great weekend, dear one.

Grace,
Michele

Anonymous said...

Hi Stephen,

I only have a second so my responses will be short. Super good to hear teaching os going so well. I too pray for the Jena 6 & families. It is just sad, this is 2007...

I wish you and all your fine readers a great weekend.

Dance_Soul said...

Ache'

Fabrizio said...

Hey brother, as you can see, I'm back to the blog-life. Happy you're enjoying teaching!

Greetings

Fab

Dance_Soul said...

IN case you're looking for me.. I've moved: http://dancethrulyfe.blogspot.com/

Crankyputz said...

I almost couldn't believe what I was reading, I had to re-check the date....Mind Boggling craziness, how can this still occur??

get zapped said...

A gorgeous piece and I got a chuckle about your wife ;) Yes, my sentiments go out to those students and the world at large.

Peace.

NML/Natalie said...

So pleased you're enjoying the teaching. Those boys are in my prayers. I read that David Bowie donated money to their defence fund. When I see cases like this, I have to wonder what century and decade we're living in... Have a good weekend x

Stephen A. Bess said...

PWife-
Press on sista and give it what you got cause Lady...that's plenty. :)

Michele-
Hello. Always a pleasure. Yes, God help us all.

Faith-
Thanks and enjoy your weekend as well.

Fab-
Hello brother. Enjoy your weekend.

Dance-
I'll come over to visit. :)

Cranky-
Yes, same ol song. It's just a "different remix." ~MosDef

Zapped-
Yes, and thanks.

NML-
Yes, this thing will still exist as long as the world turns. The Devil is busy as old folks used to say.

Rent Party said...

I am more than convinced you are a fantastic professor.

Anonymous said...

"The Devil is busy" - I like that phrase, very useful, will remember it.

And - Hi Prof. I second Rent Party.

Stephen A. Bess said...

Rent-
Thank you. I am enjoying it. Also, thank you for the invite to contribute to Rent Party.

Cero-
Such a true statement. :) Thank you. I didn't know who "Cero" was at first, but now I know it's my long time blog friend. Good to see you. :)

Rent Party said...

p.s. we have a post suggestion over here for when you get time - your famous artist brother in atlanta...

we may do it ourselves sometime if you don't...

but we are not rushing, as we are a party existing mainly on weekends.

Stephen A. Bess said...

Rent-
That's a good idea. I'll talk to him to see what we can come up with. Cool.

Writing on Board said...

SBess. Jena sad from top to bottom. Authorites, adults never picked up the ball. Time to pick up the ball. Not just there. New chapter, old story. Weary. Over soon. Hope.

Stephen A. Bess said...

Alex-
Yes, I agree. The previous generations really have dropped the ball. We nee to go back to being parents/older adults and not friends. Thanks. Peace~

Lyrically speaking said...

Very thought-provoking post Mr. Bess, it is sad what we still experience as a community today, it shows there's still a lot more work to be done especially among our youths.

Cergie said...

It'sgood to read you are happy being busy, too busy maybe for blogging, however blogging is not all in life, isn't it ?
It is good to learn each day new thinks from what we are doing.
I'm happy to hear about your work and that you enjoy it so much


We have in Paris just now an exposure of African objects which are repaired. The repaired objects have for their owners a greater symbolic value than the new ones.

High Power Rocketry said...

: )

AMINAH LOVE'S SOUL said...

Thank you for your page. I really enjoy reading your words. Very enlighting. I too have this fertility statue in my home. I did not carry on my back when I was expecting my son! Thank God! That would have been sight.

Your words are a blessing to us all. Keep it up brotha. Much blessing to you and yours.

AMINAH LOVE'S SOUL said...

Feel free to visit my page.

Stephen A. Bess said...

Aminah,
Thank you so much and welcome, welcome, welcome. :)

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