Morphological Confetti

My perception was greatly challenged on my recent trip to South Africa. For instance, when looking around the township of Orange Farm, I saw what many in the United State and the West would call poverty and devastation. However, when I looked closely I saw that it is not as devastated as it appeared. Now, I am not writing this to diminish the great need in Orange Farm and other parts of the South Africa; however, I am writing this to say despite their “situation,” the people of Orange farm are proud, hardworking, and mostly friendly in their demeanor. I did not get a sense of defeat as I lived, walked, and loved among the folk in Orange Farm. They always had plenty of food and smiles to share with everyone. My hope is that the South African government would make paving the roads in Orange Farm and other areas a priority. I often looked down at my shoes as I took my daily stroll around the township. My shoes were always covered in the red dust of the unpaved roads. On the other han...

Toussaint Louverture Originally uploaded by hamdane Fantastic artist! Go to this link to see the rest. Happy Friday!

We made the front page? Wait. We always make the front page when it comes to crime, mayhem, and death. Conservative:   Oh yeah buddy…what about Obama? Response:  First of all, his proper title is President Obama, and being a president of African descent in America is hazardous in itself. You really don’t understand do you? Black and Brown people most often make the headlines as long as they are spitting at the cameras while being arrested, getting a beat down by _ _PD, raising hell in a court of law, or just stretched out on the street, covered in white sheets in New Orleans or Haiti. In Haiti, even black babies make headlines covered in [little] white sheets or whatever they can find. The media seems fascinated with black and brown images of death. They call it primetime, sensational, and news worthy. It’s gritty – the image of wretched, poverty stricken black and brown bodies stretched across your wide screen televisions in HD. Yes, it’s reality, but where is the h...

Finally, I had a chance to go to South Africa. I declared during the entire year of 2009, and God made a way for me to visit. It was a nice visit, but I wasn't the typical tourist. In other words, I didn’t stay in one of the “finest” hotels in Johannesburg or Cape Town.  Instead, I stayed in the township of Orange Farm . Orange Farm is located about 30 miles from Johannesburg in the Gauteng Province of South Africa.  By the way, Orange Farm is not a farming community; there was the occassional chicken clucking about the yards, but no farm.  I stayed in Orange Farm because that’s where the (In-Laws) family lives.  Admittedly, the first week was a little challenging because I had to get used to my surroundings. After a week, I was eating Scamboli, and chopping wood for a braai (pictured above).  As you can see, I was having some trouble.  What can I say...I'm a city boy!   Honestly, I would not trade the township experienc...

"Liquid Lunch" is a blues-inspired debut collection of poetry by Stephen Bess. Successfully sprinkling dialect of Black Americans, Bess covers topics such as spirituality, human relations, traditions, and how our lives intertwine with music. Bess successfully tackles a male's sexual prowessness and how his 'old lady' handles him in "Here's the Situation". He states, "I just wish my 'old lady would cut me some slack / 'cause I just met this sweet, fine thing. . ." Bess cleverly challenges the reader with Black folklore in somber "Death Bells"--a highly effective, brilliantly repetitive poem detailing the connection between life and death. Poem "Sweet and Steady"--a definite read, and personal favorite--instantly pulls you in with the narrator's tongue-in-cheek, and appropriately teasing words. "Liquid Lunch" is serious, humorous, and entertainingly completed with musicality. This collection ca...