Morphological Confetti

Today, on April 4, 2005, I joined blogger as a way to start a web journal. I thought that it would be a great platform to not only express myself but to sort of record my ideas, and it has proven true. I started with just my thoughts for a particular day. Soon, it morphed into a way to write and share my photography. Then, it morphed into a way to share my poetry and prose. That led to me meeting other writers, not only here in the United States, but writers and bloggers from across the globe. This blog has taken me from New York City poetry events to celebrations of  African descendant culture in Uruguay, South America. It has been a blessing. So, today I celebrate this platform, and I hope to celebrate it for many more years to come. So much has changed since my first post 15 years ago. It will be interesting to see what God has in store for me in the next 15 years. I'm excited! Well, before I end this anniversary post, I'd like to thank all of you for supporting this blo...

I ascribe a basic importance to the phenomenon of language. To speak means to be in a position to use a certain syntax, to grasp the morphology of this or that language, but it means above all to assume a culture, to support the weight of a civilization. Frantz Fanon (Black Skins, White Mask - 1952, trans. 1967) Note: This quote influenced the naming of my blog, Morphological Confetti. "To speak" is to create like Abracadabra which is said to be an Aramaic phrase meaning "I create as I speak." I hope that you have enjoyed my creations. Merci, monsieur, Fanon. Merci.

Africa America Caribbean -Thinking of Stephen and Geoffrey In the hollow cost of the sea you sailed across you rebuilt you grew strong. Here is reverence from me – you’re stronger for passing through that storm Let our voices carry the world fathom Africa where the colours of the world began life in its leanest and most magnificent form the roar of the beast the fall of the empire the wail of the islands across the sea Life written in the greenness of trees in the cleanness of the air that we breathe That is the beauty of us all, which binds us in siblinghood by Rethabile Masilo Available on Amazon.com: CLICK!

On this day in 1865, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, officially ending the institution of slavery, is ratified. "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." With these words, the single greatest change wrought by the Civil War was officially noted in the Constitution. Source: The 13th Amendment is ratified.” 2012. The History Channel website. Dec 6 2012, 9:44 http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/13th-amendment-ratified. Image: Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30004

The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L'Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution (1938), by Afro-Trinidadian writer C. L. R. James (4 January 1901–19 May 1989), is a history of the 1791-1804 Haitian Revolution . Sources:   Blackfacts.org and Wikipedia.

Liberation of Me is the new poetry collection from writer and poet, Evangeline Kirigua. Kirigua is a native of Kenya; her poetry collection touches on the time growing up in Kenya, and Kirigua's relationship with her family. It also talks about love, deception, and heartbreak, or to state in plainly, Liberation of Me talks about LIFE. The poems are universal because each of us has experienced these moments in our lives. The book opens with the poem, “I Say, Not Now.” This poem simply talks about the daily struggles and decisions we make in every day living, such as whether we should pick up the phone or go back to sleep. It talks about work, dirty laundry, and the weariness that we sometimes experience when life becomes overwhelming. Kirigua does a great job by taking the most mundane activities in our daily lives and turning it into a beautiful collection of words – poetry. There are other poems that talk about life in the African Diaspora like “A Child of Tw...

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...

US President Barak Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and daughters Sasha and Malia are set to arrive in Accra, Ghana late Friday evening. On Saturday, July 11, the Obama family is scheduled to have breakfast with Ghanaian President, John Atta Mills. Afterwards, President Barack Obama will address the Ghanaian parliament on development and democracy. The Obama family will then fly to visit the Cape Coast Castle (aka Slave Castles), which holds the dungeons that are connected to many African Americans and Africans in the Diaspora. It is the former headquarters of the British slave trade in West Africa. So, this will be a very important trip for the Obama family. Yes, it is official US business, but a trip like this has to especially touch the First Lady, Michele Obama, who is a direct descendant of Sub Saharan Africa. I’m wondering how she will handle facing the horror that her ancestors faced with the Cape Coast Castle dungeons? There are many who have passed out in grief or simpl...

February 6 First organized emigration of U.S. Blacks back to Africa, from New York to Sierra Leone, 1820 Peabody Fund established to promote Black education in South, 1867 Map source: usaid.org History source: upenn.edu

The holiday season is the ideal time to reflect on the beauty of the world and the African Diaspora. I love art that not only reflects the beauty of the human spirit, but transcends the limits of creativity. Smart Chaos Designs invites the DC metro area and beyond to experience and witness such beauty. In December, Smart Chaos Designs will have an exhibit featuring the works of artist from Haiti and Nigeria. It should be a real treat. So, let's get out to see more than just the holiday decorations at the mall. Where: 119 Rittenhouse St., N.W., Washington D.C., 20011 Hours: Saturday and Sunday 2-7 pm Wednesday 5-9 pm (or view by appointment) Ask for Kyung & Margo For more information please visit the website

I have just finished another book in my summer reading series. Unburnable , is the debut novel for Antiguan writer, Marie-Elena John. The story takes place between Washington, D.C. and Dominica. I was initially attracted to the book because of the DC connection. Instead, I took this wonderful journey to the Caribbean island of Dominica through the words and imagination of Marie-Elena John [ Note: not to be confused with The Dominican Republic, but Dominica ] . She may have single handedly increased tourism on the island through the writing of this novel. I mean, I want to go to Dominica! Unburnable focuses on the lives of three women who are connected by blood, heritage, and pain. Matilda is the grandmother, who is also known in her mountain top community of "Noah" as the Obeah woman or traditional healer. She is feared by many because of her powers as an Obeah woman and is seen as evil by many. Iris is the daughter of Matilda, who is stigmatized from birth because of ...

Mwabi did a wonderful post on former American Idol contestant, Melinda Doolittle. Apparently, she took a trip to Mwabi's home in Zambia where she was able to help the locals and take in some of the culture. It's a great post if you focus on Melinda. Please go and see .

This video by Nigerian artist, 2Face Idibia, celebrates the beauty of African women in the diaspora. If you've ever attended events in the African community (especially weddings) you have heard the song, African Queen . So, sing along if you know it. The song was also featured on Mo'nique's movie Phat Girlz. The movie did not do so well with the critics, but it didn't take anything away from the song. African Queen also makes me think of my own South African Queen (my wife) who is in South Africa visiting our family. Ke u hlolohotsoe rata. ("I miss you love"). Thank you Rethabile for clarifying what I wanted to say in Sesotho. You're a good brother. I didn't intend it for this post, but life is funny that way. Enjoy your weekend everyone. Khotso (Peace)~

The Washington, DC metropolitan area is one of the most culturally diverse areas of the United States. This is one of the reasons why I love it here. This diversity brings with it a wealth of talent from different countries and cultures. For instance, my wife recently introduced me to Abiodun Koya, a young, beautiful opera singer from Nigeria. Now, there are many groups of hard working Nigerians represented in the DC metropolitan area, but very few of them are classically trained opera singers like Ms. Koya. Abiodun is also an actor, model and poet. I found her love for the Arts and her personality to be both refreshing and inspirational. She is a bright young woman who is passionate about her work and the empowerment of African women in the Diaspora. Abiodun or “Abby” as she is affectionately known attributes her success and accomplishments to hard work, prayer and steadfast devotion. Abiodun has been featured in national and international publications including Africa Vibes Magazine ...

I was tagged by author/poet , Cathy Delaleu for the questions listed below. It was a lot of fun. Check out Cathy's page. She has a wonderful new book of poetry titled , Wrapping Thoughts Beneath Emotive Rain. Thanks Cathy! 1. I HAVE NEVER WANTED TO SEEK Love as a younger man until Love found me and I've been hooked ever since. 2. WHEN I WAS 8 years old, I BELIEVED that my grandmother knew everything. I asked her questions that only the creator could know. She would give all the credit to God, so then I started asking her questions about him: "Grandma, does God have a brother or sister and do they have their own world to look after?" 3. IF I WAS MY OWN BEST FRIEND, WHAT I WOULD ENJOY THE MOST ABOUT SPENDING TIME WITH ME is that I could just talk about Writing, History, Literature, Poetry, Photography, Art and Culture all the time. Fortunately, I have a wife who loves to talk about all of those things. She's my "Bess" friend. 4. IF THE STORY OF...

Wyclef Jean has superseded his role as a Rapper/Hip-Hop artist. He is one of the few mainstream artists who has utilized his infuluence in music industry to agitate, inspire and uplift the people of Haiti. Music has always been a vehicle for change in the Black Community, but in recent years it has been blinded and overshadowed by money, bling, and debauchery. Wyclef Jean demonstrates a clear distinction from the norm. He doesn’t seem to be as concerned about record sells as he is about the elevation of the Haitian people. God bless that brother. Peace to Haiti! Sources: http://www.bbcnews.com/ and http://www.musicclub.it/

Hmmm...I can't decide what I want for dinner tonight? Is it the goat head or the cow feet? Damn! I can't decide. Side note: This pic was taken last night. We decided on the fresh turkey, but I've tasted everything on that list except the tripe and cow skin. I've heard that tripe is good, but I can't figure out how one would prepare cow skin? Yum Yum, right! :) Have a great weekend all!