Morphological Confetti

Excuse me, but which one is the Champayne Room? Actually, this a picture from inside the Bar Nun Lounge & Night Club on U Street in DC. As you can see I was there way before the party started. I'm meeting my cousin out tonight for a little fun on the town. Maybe I'll end up on U street at some point. It should be cool. Enjoy your weekend! Peace~

Quiet Lust A young woman sits on the subway train Insecure possessing beauty and precociousness that only God could form Grown men stare in blank disbelief at this quiet beauty of womanly proportions Businessmen and proletariat alike all smile and nod as they imagine her in their beds She would learn how to use her beauty in coming years but for now it was a burden The look of discomfort and shame she displayed Made me want to protect her, hold her and keep her for myself

One can only imagine the patriotic climate in America between the years of 1776 and 1800. 1776 was, of course, the year that America won its Independence from England in the Revolutionary war. America was now free! Crispus Attucks was now dead. Now, it’s time to build. America was finally free from the grips of British rule. Yes, freedom was the word of the day. Freedom for all citizens! Well, freedom as long as you were not of African descent. Gabriel Prosser was born that same year of 1776, a slave to Thomas Prosser on the Brookfield Plantation in Henrico County, Virginia. Gabriel was of African descent. In fact, he was an African born under the American system of slavery! However, it seems that his owner, Thomas Prosser, was somewhat of a "liberal" master and allowed the young Gabriel to be educated. Yes, Gabriel learned to read and write. Prosser also allowed the young and growing Gabriel to learn the trade of Black Smith. This skill would be a benefit to Gabriel becaus...

You gotta transfer?

I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend, but I am also looking forward to a little research. I am focusing on black resistance in the diaspora next week. Nat Turner led an insurrection against slavery in August of 1831 that left over 50 whites dead. Women and babies were not exempt from the carnage. He said that it was a mission ordained to him by God. This horrific deed that cost the lives of innocent babies and human lives was meant to send a message -- Let my people Go! This band of more than 75 black men wanted freedom at any cost. They were eventually caught and put to death for what they beleived. Nat Turner was said to unmoved by his fate. Today, these men would be called terrorist, but were they really? Some might say that living under the conditions of forced servitude drove Nat Turner into a murderous mission for freedom. Well, I'll let you decide. Was it insurrection or insanity? Coming Soon: "The Birth of a Nation" (2016) Directed by Nate Parker ...

Orinthology: Bebop Northern Black Squirrel If you live or work in the city then you know that squirrels can be very curious. They are not at all shy like their suburban or rural cousins. They will carefully approach when there is the possibilty that you have something to share with them. I had nothing but my camera. **smile**

Today is June 19th and some of you know what that means -- that's right Juneteenth! Now, some of you may not know what Juneteenth is all about, so I'll give you a brief knock down. First, the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. There are varied theories as to why he issued this emancipation for slavery, but that's another blog. Anyway, the Emancipation Proclamation only related to areas under the control of the Union. This proclamation did not include slaves in the border states (Galveston, TX) and southern states that were under the control of the Confederate States of America . This would soon lead to 13th Amendment to the Constitution on December 18, 1865 which "ended" slavery in all parts of the United States. So, on June 19, 1865, the Union General Gordon Granger traveled to Galveston, TX to inform the inhabitants of the news. Side note: In reality blacks in the United States would continue their stru...

T oday marks the 30th Anniversary of the Soweto riots where 700 people, many of them children, were killed for standing up for their rights as human beings. I want to dedicate my blog today to the memory of those students and others who have put their lives on the line for what should be basic freedom. This is for you Ntshiuwa. Amandla!!!! Awetu!!!! Peace to everyone~ Please click title to find out more about Youth Day in South Africa.

I don’t know how long I will ride? I’m tired, tired, tired Jus’ might ride this train to the end of the line I hope thats not too soon because this rest is mighty fine I’ll get off at the end and pedal my bike uptown or maybe I’ll get on another train and ride this sucka back downtown Either way I’m tired, tired, tired And this rest is mighty fine Side note: This man had no idea that he inspired someone to take his picture and write a poem about him today. This proves that we never know who is watching us or who we're an inspiration to.

Alley cat point of view Contemplating real joy: Rebirth

She was my grandmother's older sister. Amanita was born and raised right here in Washington, D.C. My grandmother described her as the "party" sister or at least the more adventurous one. She hit all of the hot spots as a young woman in DC during the 1940’s. Her favorite hang out spots were places like, The Howard Theater and bars like The Casbah on U Street. She would outgrow the DC scene and move to Chicago sometime in the 1950’s. She lived on the South Side of Chicago for almost 20 years before moving back to DC in the late 60’s. By the time I came along Amanita had lived most of her life. She settled down into an apartment on E street in Northeast DC. As a matter of fact, her apartment was right across the hall from my grandmother’s place. Amanita would get me dressed every morning for school when I began kindergarten at Gibbs Elementary in 1972. She would fuss and tug as she tried to get me ready for school in the morning. I would always asked her for some ...

I got an email yesterday informing me that Paul Robeson Jr. will be speaking at the Prince Georges County Memorial Library in Oxon Hill. I immediately switched all of my plans for the evening. I’ve only seen Mr. Robeson speak once and that was almost 6 years ago. The event was hosted in conjunction with Vertigo Books. Mr. Robeson was there to speak and promote his new book, A Black Way Of Seeing: From “Liberty” To Freedom . I was running late and still on the beltway when I thought the program had already started. The event was scheduled for 7pm, but I was delighted to find out upon arrival that it had been delayed because Mr. Robeson was stuck in traffic. I didn’t miss a thing! There was a scattered crowd of about fifty sitting in the small auditorium when I walked in. I saw that there were available seats in the front so I went straight for one. Mr. Robeson arrived a little past 7:30 and apologized to the crowd for his tardiness. He stated that he didn’t have any excuses, but that he...

I love the moment right before a Spring storm. It can be both frightening and beautiful. It's a testament signifying the greatness of the Creator. (This photo was taken in Silver Spring near New Hampshire Ave.) It's always great to observe the public during my commute on the subway. This woman seems to be staring at her book while daydreaming. I have finally recovered from the cold bug! I intend to fall back into my routine of writing and taking photos. Thank you all for your well wishes. **smile** Peace~