BE BETTER

Fool me once...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

May your day be filled with hope, love, joy, peace and plenty of jolly, glee and laughter!

YOU NEED THIS IN YOUR LIFE

CLICK ON PHOTO FOR LINK TO SHOW WEBSITE
TIX GO ON SALE DEC 29, 2007
TIX SELL OUT DEC 30, 2007
GET ON YOUR GRIZZY.

ARE HBCUs STILL RELEVANT AND/OR NECESSARY?

Check out this article “Separation Anxiety” from the Nov. 30th edition of The Wall Street Journal for their take on black enrollment in black colleges. If you have an opinion on the matter PLEASE leave it in the comment section of the blog post here and do not send your reply to my E-mail, text box, or voicemail. I'd like to have a public discussion on the matter, not a private whisper.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119638557991308817.html

GVG
~we're the warriors they write epics about~

REPOST: The BIG DEBATE on THE GREAT DEBATERS

Below is a recent blog post from Dominga Martin editor of Crème magazine for The Honey Magazine website. Check it out.

Hi Friends, check out our editor's new blog on HONEY MAGAZINE! Here's an excerpt, inspired by a critic who just couldn't accept the fact that the Great Debaters is based on a true story and that the images of African Americans in this film were positive...PLEASE FORWARD and see this film!

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"I’m a member of a film critics circle for women and recently, one member of the group wrote a review for a HUGELY popular movie site that sent the group in an empowering frenzy! She started off the review with the following quote:

“Noble, brilliant suit-wearing Negros fight for equality in racist Texas circa 1935. All the white people are toothless, evil pig farmers. Denzel insults his white audience with caricatures.”

She then went on to say “I wasn’t going to review “The Great Debaters” knowing full well the ugly emails I would get if I don’t like a movie made by or about black people, I’m a racist…(blah, blah, blah)…here’s her DISCLAIMER, which follwed the foot in her mouth:"

Want more? Click here!!!
The BIG DEBATE on THE GREAT DEBATERS

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Haven't put my full thoughts on this one out just as yet, still waiting on some more info. Below is what I had posted so far.

"OK! OK! OK! <~~ That was me taking a breath before I went off. I really really REALLY want to go off on this "Critic". However, I don't want to speak on just excerpts, it doesn't make for the most informed of rebuttals and seeing as things can be misconstrued out of context. I don't really see the possibility of that here, but I’ll give her "know more about African culture from first-hand, feet on the ground experience then all of my black neighbors and friends put together" ass the benefit of the doubt. Please if you could e-mail me the full review and I would if possible like to know where it was originally published. That for me would be another very curious point.

As they say opinions are like assholes because every ones got one. I hope this foolishness of a reviews doesn’t stop anyone from going to see what I know will be one of this year’s best movies. We ask for our positive stories to be told on film and television and when they are we need to support them so more can be produced. The numbers are what translate in Hollywood, let’s give this one numbers to break the records."

GVG

The Great Debaters comes to a theater near you Christmas day 2007

UPDATE

READ THE FULL ORIGINAL REVIEW HERE

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I just read the original review in it's entirety and this is what i had to say to the reviewer.

"When I was first forwarded excerpts of your review, I refused to fully respond before reading the review in its entirety and gave you the benefit of the doubt in hopes that your statements were taken out of context. I didn’t want to take you to task for what seemed like some of the most idiotic, ignorant, ill-informed statements made in a review concerning a historical adaptation in the past 10 years. So I patiently waited for my e-mail box to be filled with a link to the full review. After taking the time to read your “critiques”, I’ve realized the person who sent me the excerpts was actually a friend who was trying their best to protect you from the world knowing how much of an idiot you were.

As I said in my original comment to the person whom sent me the excerpts, opinions are like asshole because everyone has one and I hope this reviewer’s "know more about African culture from first-hand, feet on the ground experience then all of my black neighbors and friends put together" ass doesn’t deter anyone with any sense of AMERICAN HISTORY from seeing a true story that has taken way too long to be brought to light. I read the original article that inspired this film in the American Legacy magazine and it did a great job of translating the story to film in my humble NYU Film school graduate opinion. As for your assertion that someone who was a poetic wordsmith, instrumental in bringing fare working conditions for his fellow men and women through unionizing, in-turn couldn’t possibly have the time to mold the minds of the young men and women of Wiley College as their professor and debate coach which then lead to them beating what by most to this day is thought to be the brightest minds in our country, you my dear are a lost cause and there is no need for anyone to try and bring you to the light.

P.S. and I hope with all my heart that your ass is black when you start this review out using the word Negros."

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Make sure to check out the comment left by Blank Frank in her comment section. He makes a very great point.

EVEN MY MUSLIM BROTHERS ARE GETTING JACKED FOR THEIR SWAG

Just came across an article about the outrage from the Muslim community concerning celebrities wearing the keffiyeh as Scarves for their latest fashion statement. I guess i'm not the only one pissed about these celebreties lack of originality, read my previous post concerning the matter here. Please read the Muslim piece below.

"A new Hip Hop trend is threatening to drive a wedge between the Muslim and urban communities. The Muslims are taking offense to a style of dress adopted by rappers who wear a Keffiyeh - a Muslim symbol of freedom - around their necks as a scarf. The Keffiyeh is a traditional head dress worn by Muslim freedom fighters.


The new style first made popular by Island Records president of Urban Music, Jermaine Dupri, is now being worn by everyone from Jay Z to Omarion and Chris Brown. But while celebrities think the head garment is stylish to wear around their necks, it is causing a furor within the Muslim community. The Muslims want celebs to stop desecrating their symbol - or face the consequences.

One man who asked to remain anonymous told me, “Men died fighting in a war for that. Arafat wore it. People took bullets in the back fighting for that! [Rappers] don’t know what the meaning of that is.. they’re ignorant! They go overseas and they go to Dubai then they come back and say, ‘look at the new trend I started’. It’s disrespectful!”

The Muslim man I spoke with thinks rappers need a little sensitivity training, “If I see them wearing the jalabia, I’ll make them take it off!,” he said."

LET'S SEE HOW GANGSTA YOU RAPPERS REALLY ARE WHEN YOU HAVE AN AK TO YOUR HEAD AND THE GUY HOLDING IT DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT A RAP CONTRACT. DON'T START NOTHIN, WON'T BE NOTHIN. YOU GUYS AREN'T BUILT FOR THAT KIND OF BEEF.

GVG
~taken back our swag~

UPDATE

There was an error in the original article excerpt I posted where the writer incorrectly referred to the traditional headdress of Arab men as a Jalabia instead of its proper name which is Keffiyeh. I would also like to extend an apology to my readers for not doing my own research on the matter.

Ohh yea and BTW, Jermaine Dupri has never in his life started any trend or even co-opted one in its infancy. If one person mentions Kris Kros and that damn backwords clothing sh&t I'm beating your ass. LOL

Wyclef & Akon Perform at Yele Fest in Haiti

Wyclef, Akon Put A Spotlight On Haiti's Suffering And Beauty At Yele

"Our music can change and influence the world," 'Clef says of two-day event in his native country.

By Shaheem Reid, with reporting by Rahman Dukes for MTV NEWS


Haiti's most famous diplomat was very busy over the weekend in his native country. Wyclef Jean co-headlined the first Yele Festival with Akon; the event was the brainchild of the two recording artists and manager Jimmy "Henchman" Rosemond.

The two-day event included a tour of Haiti for journalists on Friday and a concert fundraiser Saturday.

"We cater to the press, answering questions, visiting the children's prisons [in Port-au-Prince], the schools," Rosemond said Friday. " ... There's not too much stuff to do in Haiti. For it to be a two-day event is even big in itself. We're trying to do something with Yele like how [Reggae] Sunsplash was for Jamaica. This will be a yearly event. In between, we'll have smaller shows and cap off every year around this time with some of the biggest artists in the world."

The Haitian-born Wyclef made a deal that he would perform in Senegal (Akon was born in St. Louis but raised in Senegal) sometime next year in return for 'Kon performing in his homeland.

On Saturday, 'Clef and 'Kon rocked Haiti's capital square, which Rosemond said is "as large as two football stadiums." The trio are still awaiting final numbers as far as the size of the crowd and donations, which will go toward retaining counsel for inmates at Haiti's children's prisons and helping rebuild and provide supplies to schools damaged during the hurricane season.

"This has been an eye-opening experience for me," Akon told MTV News via e-mail. "To meet the Haitian people in suffering and in celebration has made my mission clearer. I will use my blessings to help all impoverished people, and I know my people in Senegal will embrace Wyclef as his people did me."

"The Haitian people came out in multitude, putting aside their suffering, politics and beliefs, to come see two of their favorite artists," Wyclef said. "Akon is a true musician and artist, and I look forward to my journey to his native land of Senegal. ... Not one person was hurt [at the concert]. This is proof to my fellow artists that our music can change and influence the world. Mission accomplished. The Haitian people have passed the test, and now we welcome you."

"I am speechless from the overwhelming turnout for change in Haiti," Rosemond said over the weekend. "We went back to the basics to prove a point: Music is a universal language. We know one free concert won't change everything, but at least we've started something that may make a change. But I think what we all walked away with is a sense that it's Haiti today, but it can easily be the world tomorrow.

"In order for us to heal the ills of Haiti, press have to know first that it's safe to come there [to] document and expose the ills and the good stuff going on in Haiti," he added. "The only thing you hear about Haiti is there's a dictatorship. The only way we're gonna get economic strength, we need the tourist dollars and for us to sell our art, sell our music. We need for people to see the wonderful country of Haiti. It's been closed so long because of the bad press. We wanna expose some of the good stuff."

WHY THEY TRYNA BE LIKE ME??!! I'M THE ORIGINATOR OF THIS SHIII!!!!

"Guys are stepping up their accessories game and rocking scarves hard this season. This trend is pretty evident if you look at all males in entertainment - Kanye of course (who started the trend on the black carpet), Omarion, Lupe Fiasco, and Jay-Z are some of the guys who like to add a scarf to their look. I noticed some time ago when David Beckham showed his scarf swag, letting folks know that this trend isn’t all for the ladies. I think the look is a go and shows that guys can be a little versatile with their wardrobe."


"Kanye of course (who started the trend on the black carpet)" FORREAL??!!!! PEOPLE! PEOPLE! PEOPLE! Do I really have to come up on here and put these stylist, fashion reporters, trend analyst, bloggers, and randoms onto game? I'm the originator of this here scarf thing. Don't make me have to start putting people on blast, I've had a few stylist compliment my scarf swag then all of a sudden their client mysteriously becomes the newest member of the protect your neck crew. Imma show you how I do this son!!!








... and just for good measure. YES, THAT'S THE ASCOT BELOW! I DOES THAT TOO!!!



I got to put these people in their place. This is like the 10th time this shit has happened and then mothasuckas act like I'm jacking style from some wack ass celebrity that wouldn't even know which socks to put on in the morning without a stylist picking it out for them. Just popped my own collar. what my man Jay said "Imma show you how to do this son!!!" Yep, sounds about right.

GVG
~I AIN'T NEW TO THIS SHIT~

YOU MAY NOW GO OUT AND REPRODUCE...

GVG
~product of that classic baby makin muzak~

BIG STEP TAKEN TOWARDS FINALLY GETTING RID OF THE PREJUDICIAL ROCKEFELLER DRUG LAWS W/ UPDATE

Below is a link to an article concerning a recent Supreme Court ruling that could finally lead to the end or at least the complete overhaul of the obviously racist Rockefeller drug laws that have put so many young black and Latino men and women in prison over the course of the past 35+ years for the position of small amounts of crack while their white counterparts have faced nowhere near as heavy sentences for the possession of 100x the amount of cocaine.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/12/10/scotus.crack.cocaine/index.html

UPDATE

PANEL TO MAKE DECISION ON MAKING SUPREME COURT RULING RETROACTIVE. PLEASE READ here

AUDIO FOREPLAY: IN HONOR OF A FALLEN KAANG

click on photo to enlarge

I realized the four of you who actually read this blog haven’t gotten a Sunday audio foreplay offering from me in a very very long time, but I haven’t been inspired as I was on Sundays past to post music to go out to live to. You have to actually be doing it to put a set of theme songs together for it, at least in my world. However, today stands as a special yet sad occasion that is very deserving of a well put together Audio Foreplay that I hope you take the time to both read and listen to. I promise you will be the better for it.

As most or all of you may know by now Pimp C real name Chad Butler, one half of the legendary rap duo UGK, was found dead earlier this week in his hotel room in LA at the young age of 33 (No signs of drug use or physical harm were present at the time he was found. Medical examiners currently believe it may have been natural causes). This post is a bit hard for me due to the fact that I hate that we keep losing the greatest producers of musical genius of our generation at such young ages with unknown amounts more to give to us, but I’m sure it’s in no way as hard as it must be for the millions of fans who have been loyally riding tough with UGK since their 1992 debut “Too Hard to swallow”. I’m sure Texas is currently in a national state of mourning for one of their greatest exports.

I have a confession I feel must be shared on the matter of UGK, I’m one of the late ones who didn’t get into them until their latest album “Underground Kingz” put me on my ass with the hard slap boom bap wakeup call it gave me of their musical genius. Yes, even after their verses on Jay-Z’s “Big Pimpin”, and just to start a fight on a Sunday, I actually didn't love that song and always thought it was one of the weakest songs in Jay’s catalogue (BRING IT ON!!!). It was the Underground Kingz album and an e-mail from a friend posted below that drove me back to their earlier works to hear if this was a onetime whim of genius or have they always been this lyrically prolific and I was just ignorant to it and the answer was – YES, they always have. I bought that album for the love of one song – International Players anthem, which I only truly loved because of the Andre “Feature Killer” 3000 verse. To then be blown away by the realization that International Players anthem was one of the weakest songs on the album. Trust that the use of the word weak is not the best word selection, as there was nothing AT ALL WEAK about anything put onto that album. It stands as perfection in my eyes.

One of the greatest things I heard once I had written a review of the Underground Kingz albums was from a very good southern friend whose musical taste I both respected and trusted e-mailed me the following.

“This album to me and my fellow dirrty souf peers is a classic...being that you're from New York, you probably wouldn't understand when I say THIS IS THE OL SKOOL UGK...The pocket full of stones UGK, the, "I'm 'bout to do a kick door, lay down on the floor UGK, THE UGK I GREW UP ON! This album will most definitely get mad play in my ride!”

Those simple, yet passionate, couple of sentences put me on a serious hunt to find the classic UGK albums that had produced such memorable lines. This is what great music and the people that create it do to people – it leaves you with something to live the rest of your life to. All this rambling was to say even though I haven’t known them for as long as I should, the short time that I had UGK in my world they left me with a lot and for that I shall forever be blessed and in an eternal state of mourning for the loss.

R.I.P PIMP C/Chad Butler.

P.S. Below is a great qoute from Bun B when asked when was the last time you saw him?(Pimp C)

"We performed together in Dallas the day after Thanksgiving. And we attended the Young Jeezy concert together Thanksgiving. And that was the last time I physically saw him. We met, we hugged, said we loved each other. When we separate we always make sure we hug and say we love each other. And keep in mind, Pimp C and I, we didn't agree on everything… I've been knowing Pimp C since he was 16 years old. By nature, our personalities and our character tended to be at odds, but because of who we were and where we were from, and where we were trying to go and what we were trying to prove, we were always together in that respect. And I loved him, and he loved me, and we're never ashamed to say it. And I know we're in the era of "pause" and "no homo" and all that, and that's all fine and dandy, but if you really love your homie, don't feel like you can't tell him you love him. Who gives a fuck how somebody take it. Because when things happen, you're going to wish you had said it. You're going to wish you said it louder."

AUDIO FOREPLAY SUNDAYS

Below is a video playlist I put together for today’s audio foreplay in honor of the group that through these streets reppin the south with lyrics as well as swagger. I have to start it with the song that got me to take the red pill:

UGK ft. Outkast – “International Players”


UGK – “Use Me Up”


UGK – “It's Supposed To Bubble”


Jay-Z ft. UGK – “Big Pimpin”


UGK - “The Game Belongs To Me”


Pimp C ft. Mike Jones & Bun B – “Pourin' Up”


“Get Throwed.”


Pimp-C - "Knockin doors Down" uncut

GVG
~kickin in doors~

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS...

IT'S EXACTLY ONE MONTH AWAY FROM THE NEW SEASON OF THE SECOND GREATEST SHOW EVER PUT ON TV - THE WIRE. THE PACKAGE IS LOOKING REAL GOOD IN THE STREETS FOR 08. GET HOOKED.

GVG
~waiting on the new package~

REPOST: America Has Lost a Generation of Black Boys By Phillip Jackson

America Has Lost a Generation of Black Boys By Phillip Jackson

"There is no longer a need for dire predictions, hand-wringing, or apprehension about losing a generation of Black boys. It is too late. In education, employment, economics, incarceration, health, housing, and parenting, we have lost a generation of young Black men. The question that remains is will we lose the next two or three generations, or possibly every generation of Black boys hereafter to the streets, negative media, gangs, drugs, poor education, unemployment, father absence, crime, violence and death. Most young Black men in the United States don't graduate from high school. Only 35% of Black male students graduated from high school in Chicago and only 26% in New York City, according to a 2006 report by The Sch ott Foundation for Public Education. Only a few Black boys who finish high school actually attend college, and of those few Black boys who enter college, nationally, only 22% of them finish college. Young Black male students have the worst grades, the lowest test scores, and the highest dropout rates of all students in the country. When these young Black men don't succeed in school, they are much more likely to succeed in the nation's criminal justice and penitentiary system. And it was discovered recently that even when a young Black man graduates from a U.S. College, there is a good chance that he is from Africa, the Caribbean or Europe, and not the United States. Black men in prison in America have become as American as apple pie. There are more Black men in prisons and jails in the United States (about 1.1 million) than there are Black men incarcerated in the rest of the world combined. This criminalization process now starts in elementary schools with Black male children as young as six and seven years old being arrested in staggering numbers according to a 2005 report, Education on Lockdown by the Advancement Project.

The rest of the world is watching and following the lead of America. Other countries including England, Canada, Jamaica, Brazil and South Africa are adopting American social policies that encourage the> incarceration and destruction of young Black men. This is leading to a world-wide catastrophe. But still, there is no adequate response from the American or global Black community. Worst of all is the passivity, neglect and disengagement of the Black community concerning the future of our Black boys. We do little while the future lives of Black boys are being destroyed in record numbers. The schools that Black boys a ttend prepare them with skills that will make them obsolete before, and if, they graduate. In a strange and perverse way, the Black community, itself, has started to wage a kind of war against young Black men and has become part of this destructive process. Who are young Black women going to marry? Who is going to build and maintain the economies of Black communities? Who is going to anchor strong families in the Black community? Who will young Black boys emulate as they grow into men? Where is the outrage of the Black> community at the destruction of its Black boys? Where are the plans and the supportive actions to change this? Is this the beginning of the end of the Black people in America? The list of those who have failed young Black men includes our government, our foundations, our schools, our media, our Black churches, our Black leaders, and even o ur parents. Ironically, experts say that the solutions to the problems of young Black men are simple and relatively inexpensive, but they may not be easy, practical or popular. It is not that we lack solutions as much as it is that we lack the will to implement these solutions to save Black boys. It seems that government is willing to pay billions of dollars to lock up young Black men, rather than the millions it would take to prepare them to become viable contributors and alued members of our society.

Please consider these simple goals that can lead to solutions for fixing the problems of young Black men: Short term 1) Teach all Black boys to read at grade level by the third grade and to embrace education. 2) Provide positive role models for Black boys. 3) Create a stable home environment for Black boys that includes contact with their fathers. 4) Ensure that Black boys have a strong spiritual base. 5) Control the negative media influences on Black boys. 6) Teach Black boys to respect all girls and women. Long term 1) Invest as much money in educating Black boys as in locking up Black men. 2) Help connect Black boys to a positive vision of themselves in the future. 3) Create high expectations and help Black boys live into those high expectations. 4) Build a positive peer culture for Black boys. 5) Teach Black boys self-discipline, culture and history. 6) Teach Black boys and the communities in which they live to embrace education and life-long learning. More Facts: 37.7% of Black men in the United States are not working (2006 Joint Economic Committee Study chaired by Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY)). 58% of Black boys in the United States do not grad uate from high school (2006 Report from the Schott Foundation for Public Education). Almost 70% of Black children are born into female, single parent households (2000 Census Report). About 1 million Black men in the United States are in prison (U.S. Justice Department). I would add to these: 1. Teach Black boys that about 1 in 1,000,000 (my statistics, not official) are successful in professional sports (i.e. baseball, basketball, football, etc.). 2. Teach Black boys that about 1 in 1,000,000,000 (my stats, not official) are successful in the entertainment industry (i.e. actor, recording Artist, RAPPER, etc.). 3. Teach Black boys that about 1 in 1,000,000,000, 000 (my stats, not official) are successful as a drug dealer.....IF ANY 'If you don't stand for something, you will fall for everything.' Life is not always perfect, but when you have it, thank God for it."

Problems followed by some solutions. Now I am encouraged.

WORLD AIDS DAY DEBATE: IS LOVE TRULY BLIND?

I just finished watching an MTV Think documentary that offered a first-hand perspective on the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS. The film featured about ten participants, all between the ages of nineteen and twenty-eight. Many of those who are positive are currently in relationships with partners who are HIV negative. One young woman, a twenty-year-old Caucasian, shared that after being with her HIV negative boyfriend for about a month, she finally told him she was positive. She said that after her revelation, all the hugs and kisses stopped and he only wanted to remain friends. I found myself wondering: you allowed the affection before telling him you were positive, and all that happened was the affection stopped and the relationship shifted to friendship? Another participant, a twenty-six-year-old African American man living with HIV, proposed to his twenty-four-year-old HIV negative girlfriend, who had earlier said that no other man could compare to him. These people must have more strength than I do, because I am not sure I could endure or want to stay in such a situation.

Please understand that this is not a judgment of those living with the disease. I have experienced this reality firsthand on more than one occasion. I have seen people close to me and others less close suffer and slowly die from it, up close and personal. The truth is that HIV has no cure and it is transmissible. Not all of us have the financial means of someone like Magic Johnson to access extraordinary treatment. This disease terrifies me, and I am not ashamed to admit it.

I have a few questions:

1. Am I wrong to think there is no way in hell I’d knowingly put myself in the position to be in a sexual relationship with a positive person as someone who has taken all the possible precautions to protect myself from such a monstrous disease?

2. Would you be in a relationship with someone whom informed you of the fact they were positive?

3. When is the appropriate time to tell someone you are interested in of your positive status?

GVG
~Hoping for a cure~

Us NY dudes need to step our GoGo music game up or else...

The most gangsta non-violent moment ever on TV.



Don't get caught slippin



Can't wait for 08

GVG
~waiting on the new package~

GVG TAKEN TO TASK OVER A.S.S. SURVEY N BLOG PART 3 OF 3

BECAUSE OF THE LENGTH OF THIS POST I HAVE BROKEN IT UP INTO THREE PARTS. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE FIRST TWO PARTS AND THE COMMENTS IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY. THIS IS THE FINAL PART. ENJOY

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I was more than a bit hasty in my response to your message and I apologize I was mutli-tasking. Never a good thing. I found the questionnaire offensive but in no means am I accusing you of it. It just strikes me as so off and crude in regards to women. I, once again, must reiterate that no man has ever asked me those questions and if I were asked to fill out such a form as that I would be very frightened. It’s hard being a woman and when our stance on being strong and independent seems to be all likened to our sexual practices on a questionnaire, it leads one to think what strides have we made as women. Especially in the black culture. I guess that’s really what I wanted to point out, yes Spike Lee had some things to say but the way in which he went about it in some cases seems to be blatantly wrong. Even Rosie Perez has made comments regarding this. I think it would be interesting to ask the women who worked for him what they thought of him. No leading just asking.

~ HER

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Thank you for your sincerity and openness with your feelings on this matter. As I said I truly didn’t want to offend you. I respect your feelings on both the subject matter and Spike Lee. Whatever our difference of opinions, I love that you will always give me a fight for my money and call me on my stuff when you believe it necessary. I don’t believe us to just be casual acquaintances; though we don’t see each other nor talk as much as some I still have and always will think of you as my friend and for that I respect and value you and your opinion.

I have to be honest this back and forth between us deeply disturbed me and had me question my actions and then wondering how many people had your same feelings yet did not voice them. I have no desire to exist in a bubble of only my fellow likeminded. Decent is the only way to grow and change your thinking or fortify your beliefs by debating those differences and seeing how well they stand to scrutiny. I would hate to believe there are other women out there feeling I have crossed the line and have decided not to bring the fight to me as you did.

I hope you have you have an amazing Thanksgiving filled with food, love, libations, and all those you love. Peace and Blessing.

~ME

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We are definitely not just casual acquaintances at all and I have to apologize for being so vocal. My mother raised me to be extremely loud. I guess it’s the mini-feminist I sometimes try to hide.

Happy Family Day (not Thanksgiving because that’s a ruse)

~ ME

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THE END ?

GVG TAKEN TO TASK OVER A.S.S. SURVEY N BLOG PART 2 OF 3

BECAUSE OF THE LENGTH OF THIS POST I HAVE BROKEN IT UP INTO THREE PARTS. BELOW IS PART 2 OF THIS 3 PART DISCUSSION WITH "HER". SCROLL BELOW TO PART 1 IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY READ IT OR THE COMMENTS ALREADY LEFT.

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Gardy I respect you and your views on Spike Lee. But the one thing that upsets me is that I had hoped that I would never encounter such an offensive questionnaire on my page as this one. The questions posed are ones that boyfriends and doctors would never ask, let alone someone I know on a casual basis. The kinds of women who would answer questionnaires such as this are women who already have emotional issues. These questions are offensive, degrading and frankly scare the shit out of me. Do men sit in offices and write out the most degrading shit they can. And how many of these men would answer these questions? None I would bet. So if Spike Lee is your hero then enjoy. But if a man needs to think that a woman’s independence is based fully upon her sexual history, then I pity the women in his life.

~ HER

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I respect you as well, but the questionnaire was in no way meant to be disrespectful. The purpose of it was to get an idea of what the character would be in the real world and not a caricature that reads as if created by a whole bunch of frat boy writers. I’ve done the same type of social research for my book. My book is about an African American homosexual teacher who was molested as a child. Other than being black and teaching for a small time I don’t know the pains of my character well enough to truly grasp the topic and do my writing and those that lived it justice. I reached out to both people who were molested as children and homosexual males and the overwhelming majority were strangers. If it wasn’t for similar surveys I wouldn’t have anything to work off except for stereotypes, hearsay, and my own misconceptions. The survey I created was considerably more intense and probing, as it related to their sexual histories, their abuse, the interactions with their partners, their students, the parents of their students, and much much more. I asked these men who didn’t know me from Adam to revisit their abuse for my book and they gave me the honor of their pain to create my art. My writing and my personal life have both been greatly improved because of those interviews. I don’t personally know Spike, but I believe he had the same intentions with the survey; it was to determine how far woman would go with their sexuality back in 1985 and what that meant to the reality of their day to day lives and interactions with men. I didn’t say he was my hero, but I also don’t in any way believe him to be a bad person.

As for me sending it out that was out of my own curiosity as to what the answers would be 21 years later and if we, both men and women, have changed much in those 21 years since its original release as it relates to our views on sex and gender. I was raised in a home with all women and the majority of my friends were and still are woman. I probably have had as intimate and open a relationship a man can have with women he is not in a relationship with and been blessed to hold the confidence of these woman. This wasn’t in anyway something to get my rocks off, it was me sincerely wondering if woman have become more empowered or are still restrained by societies double standards of acceptance based on gender. If I offended you I apologize, but I would hope you would take my track record in the past as a factor in your thoughts of my intentions. This was not something I sent to every woman I know. I was very conscious in the decisions I made. I thought you to be a very intelligent and thoughtful woman. I know you wouldn’t just look at the surface of the subject matter and instead delve deeper into the purpose of the subject matter. The only reason I have my blog is as a forum for discussions. I wanted once the answers were posted to have a discussion on people’s views of the commenter’s. So far I have received about 35 responses from woman who just wanted me to know the answers and four women who posted on the actual blog as anonymous commenter’s. All the answers differ in their own way and are reflective of the women who gave them, as they should be. However, also very reflective of their parents and the experiences that raised them.

"If a man needs to think that a woman’s independence is based fully upon her sexual history, then I pity the women in his life."

I wanted to speak to this one point. The independence of the women isn’t based on her sexual history but her strength and independence is a factor in her sexual history. That truth applies to both men and woman. We are products of our interactions. The movie used her sexuality as a story base to push the topic of the men’s insecurities with her strength.

If you care to you can check out the answers given so far in the comment section of the actual blog, if you want nothing to do with this anymore I understand that as well and will respect your wishes.

This is the blog link.
http://iamgvg.blogspot.com/2007/11/shes-gotta-have-it.html

~ME

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PART 3 COMING TOMORROW

GVG TAKEN TO TASK OVER A.S.S. SURVEY N BLOG PART 1 OF 3

BECAUSE OF THE LENGTH OF THIS POST I HAVE BROKEN IT UP INTO THREE PARTS. CHECK BACK EACH DAY FOR THE NEXT PART.

As the subject suggested someone took offense to the blog and accompanying survey I sent out last week entitled “SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT” in hopes of having some of my females readers (the two of you), my female friends (two more) fill out. I think it was the excitement of actually getting a glimpse into Spike Lee's alleged character development and research process for such a character that had me so excited to send it out and not conscious of how it might have been perceived. Don’t worry this reader made a clear point of telling me.

While we had our back and forth I got to thinking about how many other women might have been out there whom read the post and thought the same or worse. I wondered if I had possibly lost one of the two female readers of this blog I actually had and even one of those female friends as well. Below is the conversation that took place between myself and “HER”, if you have similar views or would like to rip into me on any topic feel free to go at it. I don’t care to live in a bubble full of my fellow choir members, always down to have my gospel tested and my beliefs question.

STAND UP AND BRING IT ON!!!

CONVERSATION/DEBATE/ARGUMENT/ALL OUT WAR BEGINS

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've honestly never thought that Spike Lee was a proponent for equal rights when it comes to women and in some ways I truly don't agree with his views of equal rights for African-Americans as well. I remember watching his movies as a teen and was shocked at what I saw. For a woman of mixed-race heritage living in a town called ________, Colorado I honestly didn't get it. I tried but I didn't. It's bizarre that I come from a town with absolutely no minorities as a child and experienced nothing but an idyllic childhood. I'm not certain that a man like Spike Lee could ever speak for me. I don't think I would ever want him to. School Daze, She's Gotta Have It, Do the Right Thing...all misogynistic. Sorry I can't fill out something that makes me feel slimy and less than the woman I am. I remember seeing an interview with Rosie Perez and she was talking about the ice cube scene and how the cameraman made Spike Lee stop. He's an asshole, unhappy being the short ugly troll that he is.

~ HER

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I understand what you’re saying, but I respectfully have to disagree with you. Spike Lee spoke to me in a way that almost no other director has ever. The irony is the fact that the three movies you listed are the ones that most resonate with me. I am not mixed by race but by association. I am Haitian, but I came from a well off family and went to private school for the majority of my life with predominately all white kids and loved rock music as much as Hip Hop if not more at some moments back then. This did not make for the easiest of connections with neither my black or white classmates nor my neighbors. When around black kids I was the dark kid, which back then was a race onto itself, when around the white kids I was the black kid. No, I didn’t really deal with racism as a child amongst my white friends. Probably got more shit from the black kids, but that’s another story onto itself. We were children and played as such, our differences had more to do with personalities than race, but as I got older lines were drawn and unspoken understandings made. I have to admit I hate being the black guy and how comfortable my white friends are to separate me into a class all my own. To let some dumb “unconsciously” racist BS fly from their mouths under the gize of curiosity or humor. I AM BLACK.

Coming up in New York Spike was my New York director, no matter how much I loved Woody Allen, his New York, wasn’t my New York. I found identity, pride, and understanding from Spike. I’ve watched “School daze” numerous times over the years at different points in my life and each time it’s meant something different to me and made me aware of how he spoke to the topics and ills of a community underrepresented by Hollywood. Who else back then and since made a film about all black colleges and people of color actually going to them and succeeding while dealing with all the stuff that can make you want to pack your bags and go home. We as a people are always told all we do is drop out, go to jail, and have kids out of wedlock. Both he and Bill Cosby with “A different world” CRUSHED those stereotypes (for that moment in time) with representations of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) on both the large and small screen. Up until that point I and a lot of other people, both black and white, didn’t even know such a thing as an HBCU existed.

All my black friends came from well off families with highly educated parents who were doctors, lawyers, politicians, but all I saw of black success on TV were musicians, athletes and/or drug dealers. Where was my reality? I went to NYU, so I can’t speak to the HBCU experience other than what I’ve witnessed second hand from my friends who attended them, but when I transferred to a predominately black private school and met the light/dark color divides for the first time it freaked me out and I saw it in his movies. It dealt with my desire to sometimes be the blackest guy in the room, probably subconsciously, in hopes of proving my blackness. It spoke to my own fucked up behavior with woman and control due to what I saw as a child with men and woman. It made me face my own prejudices related to our own race. How the media and society brainwashed me and most around me to believe in a distorted ideal of beauty and once discovering the misinformation, my own overdoing to destroy those false ideals by doing the polar opposite and in turn create other prejudices.

I understood the anger of the community in “Do the right thing”, because at different points in my life I’ve wondered out loud “Why aren’t there any black people on the wall?” and “Why did the cops just killed Radio Raheem?”. "She’s gotta have it" came out right as I was entering puberty and it blew my mind that a woman could be that free and confident with her own sexuality. I was raised in a patriarchal Haitian home where a woman’s’ sexual identity was constructed by the man that “chose her”. If he was a freak she was a freak because she did what he wanted. If she had sex six times a week if was because he turned over six times a week or four or one or none because he would be next door getting it from his mistress and you couldn’t do ANYTHING about it as HIS wife. This bothered me, until “she’s got to have it” crushed all those preconceived notions for me. It showed me that a woman could please herself whenever, however, and with whomever she so pleased and we were the ones who were lucky to be chosen to assist her in achieving her goal. Spike is not perfect, but he is mine and I proudly claim him. You’ve been in NYC for a while now and I think your experiences and interactions have had to have been effected a bit by living here. I would urge you to revisit those films and see where they stand in your current life as a woman, a person of mixed heritage, and a New Yorker. Please do me another favor if you haven’t seen it already I’d love it if you watched Afropunk.

~ME

P.S. That ice cube seen blew my mind and helped a lot of early sexual encounters go better.

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PART 2 COMING TOMORROW

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

While you sit down to your hearty meals and loving families don't forget what was lost for our celebration. I wish for you a great holiday season filled with family, love, libations, and a whole lot of great food. Pray for those who aren't as blessed this holiday season to have the love and support of another to get them through this harsh world. Peace and blessings to you and your families.

GVG
~thankful for those who stood up~

PERFECTION IS IN THE DETAILS

I came across a great series of shots by my favorite fashion blogger The Sartorialist; that he did for the December issue of GQ of Luca Rubinacci. I live for details and this is all about the details. The reality is I wouldn’t have put this together for a client nor myself. However, I really really respect and love him doing it for himself. The colors, patterns, accessories, fabrics, and fit are all on point and worthy of multiple shots. I live for this.

Please click on each photo to enlarge and truly enjoy each and every detail this ensemble has to offer.

GVG
~we're the warriors they write epics about~

SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT

Recently, I came across a survey that Spike Lee reportedly gave to several women to help shape the character who would become Nola Darling in She’s Gotta Have It from Che Grand. As I read through the questions, I grew curious about what the answers might look like more than two decades after the film’s original release, and the survey that inspired such a provocative character at the time.

This is where you, my loyal, beautiful, intelligent, and open-minded female readers and friends, come in. And yes, I'm greasing you up, but I mean every word. So, if you feel comfortable, I invite you to take the survey. And if you prefer to keep your answers private, you are welcome to share them anonymously as a commenter on my blog.

IF YOU ONLY WANT ME TO SEE YOUR ANSWERS YOU CAN E-MAIL ME AT GVG@IAMGVG.COM. YOUR ANSWERS WILL BE HELD IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE TO NEVER BE READ BY ANOTHER SOUL, UNLESS EXPRESSLY REQUESTED BY YOU.

This survey is called: A.S.S. (Advanced Sexual Syndrome)

1. Are there any sexual acts you perform with one man and not another? Why?

2. Do you have an aversion to swallowing when a man ejaculates?

3. Do you think in time one man will satisfy you?

4. What do you look for in sex?

5. Is making love different than sex? Why if so?

6. Name some inhibitions you had to overcome.

7. Do you think you are sexually adept?

8. What would you consider a freak? Why?

9. Are you one?

10. What do you feel when you have to have it? Tense? Evil? Explain.

11. When ya gotta have it, how do you get it?

12. What do you think about a woman that masturbates?

13. Do your morals or scruples sometimes conflict with desire/need?

14. How often do you have sex?

15. Have you ever had an orgasm> How old were you? Describe it.

16. Can you enjoy sex without an orgasm?

17. Do you need outside stimuli to get yourself ready, i.e., drugs, alcohol, magazines, porno films?

18. Talk about one unfulfilled fantasy.

19. Do you feel all men are basically dogs??

20. Do you like to be dominated, or yourself take control?

21. Is there a limit to what you'll do? How far will you go?

22. Have you ever made a request to a man that he declined? What was it?

23. Have you ever had a ménage a trios?

24. Where you ever tempted to go to bed with a woman?

25. Does penis size matter?

26. Does the threat of pregnancy or disease deter you?

27. Approx. how many men have you had? Any regrets?

28. Have you ever looked for love through sex? Why? Did you find it?

29. Describe your most memorable encounter.

30. Do you like foreplay? Do enough men do it?

31. What turns you off the most?

32. Have you ever had low self esteem after sex? Why?

33. What's your favorite position? What do you find men like most?

34. Have you ever lied or faked an orgasm (moans, groans) to please your partner? Why did you do it?

35. Were you raised in a strict home?

36. Do you care if people put labels on you - loose, etc?

37. Do you find a lot of men sexually inhibited?

38. What do you find attractive in men?

39. Have you ever OD'd on sex?

40. What part of your body is on the money?

GVG
~we’re the warriors they write epics about~

AUDIO FOREPLAY SUNDAYS: UNTITLED

The video below was in the related videos section and honestly once you see it you'll know why i HAD to post it.



GVG
~I DO~

AND I RESPONDED WITH...

I realize that I have a very reactionary personality, always on the defensive. Some might argue that this is a losing position to take, one that will eventually lead to my downfall. But I do not see it that way—I do not lose. My best writing often comes as a response to something external. The passion that fuels those moments seems to slip away when I am calm and clear-headed. It is not that my mind becomes distorted when I am fiercely focused on a cause; rather, in those moments, I have a single purpose: to address whatever has stirred me up. I am not held back by the need for perfection, only driven by the urgent need to release what is inside and move forward. When I write like that, people tend to connect deeply with my words, and I am less burdened by the flaws that I would normally obsess over.

I have about six or seven pieces on various topics sitting unfinished on my hard drive. They are in different states of disrepair, yet each one is deeply personal. In a way, these pieces help me function, allowing me to cope each day in my own quiet, anti-social way by getting my thoughts out. The truth is that most of them will probably never be read by anyone else. They have lingered too long, held hostage by the pressure I place on myself to make them perfect. They never quite meet the high standards I have set, and so in my mind, they are not worthy of being shared with another living, literate soul. I share this because I want to say that although I may not express myself in the way some expect, I am still expressing myself in the only way I can. With every tap of the keys, I move a little closer to my own salvation and mental stability. Whether my words reach the public eye or remain private, the act itself is what matters.

That long string of sentences above is meant to lead into what follows. Today, while indulging my habit of being a curious, voyeuristic blog reader, I came across a post that sparked a flood of thoughts, which then poured out in words. The post was about the author’s abusive father, and it made me reflect on my own father, something I find myself doing more often these days. I called a friend a few nights ago to talk about it, but she was caught up in her own busy world and could not offer the support I needed. Below, I have included a link to the original post by this woman, and beneath that, what I wrote in response. Halfway through writing, what was supposed to be a brief comment of sympathy transformed into a four-paragraph vent that revealed far more about me and my struggles than it did about her story. So, I figured I might as well share it here with the few of you who actually read this and care to know a little more about me.

HER BLOG POST

http://dimendaruff.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-journeyits-time.html



MY RESPONSE:

I don’t want to come across as negative, but sometimes you have to face the way the cookie crumbles. Plain and simple—FUCK FORGIVENESS! I do not believe in it. They did what they did and it is their weight to carry. I believe in acknowledging the pain and moving forward, with or without the person, depending on the gravity of what they put you through by your own standards of suffering, not anyone else’s. When I was a kid, I went to a psychologist who, like others since, tried to minimize my pain by comparing it to some arbitrary scale. They did not know me. I have no idea what your father did to you, but with my heart, I do not believe you would call him “The Devil” if he had not earned that name every damn day. Sure, he might be getting help with his addiction, but you should never have to be a part of his redemption just so he can feel better about himself. There is an old scientific idea I live by—every action triggers a reaction of equal or greater force. So for every hurt you caused me, my reaction is never forgiving you.

I cannot say I had a horrible father. By most people’s standards, he was a good dad. But by mine, he failed at what mattered most. He did not step up as a father or as a husband to my mother. Because of that, I made up my mind never to speak to him again. When I was in eighth grade, he died, and I chose not to attend his funeral. I thought it would be hypocritical to show up and mourn a man I had already cast off, especially in front of those who genuinely grieved him. Everyone said it was the worst choice I could make and that I would regret it for the rest of my life. He did what he did. I made my decision and stood by it. To be honest, after all these years, I am curious about that funeral not with regret, but with the voyeur in me wanting to know how people reacted. Who loved him? Who showed up and who stayed away? How would my siblings act in the presence of the man who abandoned them while surrounded by family who expected them to treat him like a king? How many would be crying, screaming, or trying to jump into the hole dug for his casket? If you could not tell, my family is wildly dramatic when it comes to death. The first time I attended a white person’s funeral, it freaked me out how quiet and subdued everyone was.

As I have gotten older, I have noticed myself adopting many of my father’s mannerisms and quirks. This started a couple of years after he passed and only became clear when other family members pointed it out to me—his laugh, the way I cross my legs knee over knee even though it should not be possible with the thickness of my thighs, how I hold a glass. And yes, some of the bad habits as well. This has made me paranoid about the kind of man I am or will become. Is it nature or nurture? That question always lingers in the back of my mind. Who knows what our relationship might have been if he had lived longer? Would my curiosity have driven me to seek him out to study our similarities? Would my disgust for his behavior have shifted into pride as I became more like him in a society that glorifies the traits I once saw as flaws? Would his openness about his bank account have made him more appealing as a father figure to my ambitious and expensive tastes? All I have to go on is what was. From that, I can say I made a choice and I live with it every damn day.

P.S. My brother and sister secretly still hate me for not attending the funeral, even though they had far worse experiences with him than I ever did. I don’t really get it. We do not talk about it, so it just sits there, taking up space in a room we are never in together.

THE POLITICS OF LEGACY: THE REAGAN EDITION

I have always been struck by how Ronald Reagan’s so called political indiscretions, the ones that devastated so many minority and underprivileged communities through a web of harmful and biased policies, were all but erased from public memory after he died. The list is long, far longer than I could unpack here: Iran Contra, Reaganomics, savage cuts to programs that supported the vulnerable and the arts, and countless other wounds inflicted quietly but deeply. Yet when he passed, the narrative shifted. Suddenly, he was a hero. People from every corner of the political spectrum lined up to honor him as if none of the damage ever happened. What that says about both parties is something I will leave for you to wrestle with.

Just recently, I stumbled upon a back and forth between New York Times columnists Paul Krugman and David Brooks debating how Reagan should be remembered. I thought you might appreciate the conversation as much as I did. If you read nothing else, do not miss Krugman’s final response. It is a masterclass in delivering a well earned checkmate. The entire exchange is worth your time. Read it.

here

GVG
~man of the times~

BREAKING THROUGH...

I realized it has been quite some time since I last posted and truthfully I do not know when I will post again. But today I came across two video clips that felt like a light breaking through a heavy cloud. And that is a smile I want to share with you.

The first is the trailer for The Great Debaters, an upcoming film produced by Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions. Directed by Denzel Washington who also stars alongside Forrest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, Nate Parker, and Jurnee Smollett, the film tells the true story of Melvin B. Tolson. While teaching at Wiley College, Tolson formed a debate team that went on to defeat Harvard in the 1935 national championships. It is a story of resilience, intellect, and triumph that still resonates deeply.

The second clip is a visual adaptation created as a school project for Lupe Fiasco’s “He Gets The Girl,” crafted by Mathew Metoyer. While I remain skeptical of some of Lupe’s earlier remarks about Tribe thinking maybe he let the voices of those urging him to simplify his art influence him too much, this song is one of my favorites from the album. This unofficial, yet profoundly authentic video captures the raw emotion and sincerity behind the lyrics making the message impossible not to feel.

GVG
~~

REPOST: You know what, Hip Hop needs a PR person

Some of you may have read my post a few days ago entitled “Machine Guns And Stupid Choices” about my desire to have Jay Smooth be our own “go to” pundit in situations requiring a uniformed defense to all public matters related to Hip Hop. Someone to “Stay on message”, conveying the concerns and perspectiveof the culture while at the same time destroying all those who attempt to mislead and bring down Hip Hop with propaganda campaigns the likes unseen since… Ok, who am I kidding the propaganda campaigns of the Bush administration and Fox News on any day. No point going back to Hitler, even he’s like “Damn, the republicans sure know how to push that rhetoric”.

So I came across a post today from The Humanity Critics Blog for Vibe.com entitled “You know what, Hip Hop needs a PR person” which delves even deeper into our need for our own pundits to raise our flag and go to war on our behalf in an intellectual and steadfast manner, undeterred by the elementary debate club tactics of Fox, Bush, O’Reilly, Oprah, and all the rest that bully anyone who dares speak out on behalf of the culture. Check out the post below.

http://www.vibe.com/blog/humanitycritic/2007/10/you_know_what_hip_hop_needs_a_1.html

GVG
~we’re the warriors they write epics about~

Machine Guns And Stupid Choices

I truly love Jay Smooth. Every time I watch someone on TV trying to "represent" or "defend" our culture, in most cases making us look worse than they already perceive us, I’m always left thinking "I wish Jay Smooth was on there.”Here is a clip of Jay discussing the psychology of stupid as I coined it. Please check out his site www.illdoctrine.com for great pieces and numerous topics related to the culture of Hip Hop not just the culture of capitalism that creates and perpetuates all the worst images of us by corporations who only care about promoting the worst to garner the most profits.

VIDEO LINK HERE

GVG
~we’re the warriors they write epics about~

MY BLACKBERRY CRASHED!!! HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY!!!

As the subject said my BlackBerry just crashed. Thanx friends and family. Do not text me; leave a voice message with your contact info or send me an e-mail. Don't expect an immediate response.

T. 212.300.6450
E. GVG@iamGVG.com

GVG
~seeing clearer~

...

Wouldn’t it be great if I actually did some writing on this thing again? You might get your wish, working on some things...

GVG
~living in my head~

Haitians in U.S. Revolution get monument in Savannah, Georgia

Click on photo for larger view

After 228 years as largely unsung contributors to American independence, Haitian soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War's bloody siege of Savannah had a monument dedicated in their honor Monday.

About 150 people, many of them Haitian-Americans who came to Savannah for the event, gathered in Franklin Square where life-size bronze statues of four soldiers now stand atop a granite pillar 6 feet tall and 16 feet in diameter.

``This is a testimony to tell people we Haitians didn't come from the boat,'' said Daniel Fils-Aime, chairman of the Miami-based Haitian American Historical Society. ``We were here in 1779 to help America win independence. That recognition is overdue.''

In October 1779, a force of more than 500 Haitian free blacks joined American colonists and French troops in an unsuccessful push to drive the British from Savannah in coastal Georgia.

More than 300 allied soldiers were gunned down charging British fortifications Oct. 9, making the siege the second-most lopsided British victory of the war after Bunker Hill.

Though not well known in the U.S., Haiti's role in the American Revolution is a point of national pride for Haitians. After returning home from the war, Haitian veterans soon led their own rebellion that won Haiti's independence from France in 1804.

``It's a huge deal,'' said Philippe Armand, vice president of the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America, who flew to Savannah from the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. ``All the Haitians who have gone to school know about it from the history books.''

Fils-Aime's group has spent the past seven years lobbying Savannah leaders to support the monument, which the city approved in 2005, and raising more than $400,000 in private donations to pay for it.

Fils-Aime said the historical society still needs $250,000 more to finish two additional soldier statues.

As it stands now, the monument features statues of two Haitian troops with rifles raised on either side of a fellow soldier who has fallen with a bullet wound to his chest.

The fourth statue, a drummer boy, depicts a young Henri Christophe, who served in Savannah as an adolescent and went on to become Haiti's first president _ and ultimately king _ after it won independence.

It's unclear exactly what role Haitian troops played in the battle at Savannah because Haitian records from that era were destroyed by fire in the 1830s, said Scott Smith, director of Savannah's Coastal Heritage Society, which is dedicating a park on the battlefield site Tuesday.

But surviving records show 545 Haitian soldiers sailed to Savannah in 1779 _ making them the largest military unit of the Savannah battle. The Haitians are also believed to have been the largest black unit to serve in the American Revolution.

In the 1800s, Savannah erected monuments in its oak-shaded squares to Revolutionary War heroes Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Greene, one of George Washington's most trusted generals, as well as Brig. Gen. Casimir Pulaski and Sgt. William Jasper, both killed in the Savannah siege.

More than a century later, Haitian troops who fought for the same cause have rejoined them in history's ranks.

``When you look at the other monuments in the city of Savannah and then you look at this one, this is first class all the way,'' said Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson.

Haitian-American Historical Society: http://www.haitianhistory.org

Jay-Z, "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)"

Jay- Z "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)"

TURN YOUR SPEAKERS UP TO 11

To play click on title.

GVG

~Thanking my connect~

ONE LIFE TO LIVE – WITH RAPPERS?

So I get a phone call from my cousin Stephanie telling me to check out “One Life to Live.” tomorrow to see our other cousins husband John to us D.O.E to you (The guy in the black shirt) with Timbaland and Keri Hilson performing their hit "The way I are". I then found out that Timbaland, D.O.E, and Keri Hilson are the first Hip-Hop acts to appear on “One Life to Live.” Thought it was a big deal, so I’m handing them my platform. Enjoy people.



Here is the official video for "The way I are"


GVG
~we're the warriors they write epics about~

WE NEED TO DO BETTER.

I just saw this amazing video and wondered why it was Fall Out boy and Bono were going harder for our cause then we were. Where are our artists creating art to speak to the problems that harm and affect us as a people on a daily basis, not just on the block, but globally? “We need to do better, If not for us then for the children.”

GVG
~dreaming of better dayz~

BOONDOCKS/HIP HOP HONORS BAD BAD BAD THEN SOME GOOD

I was so excited about TV this evening; I turned my computer on to find that a strangely humorous (At times) little person posted a link to watch the season 2 premiere of the Boondocks online (Watch here). Which for anyone who’s ever watched the show knew that it was one of the biggest disappointments in recent satirical history. I didn’t laugh once, not even one of those cover my mouth and look around to see if anyone saw me guilty “I can’t believe they said that” laughs. McGruder; as my mother always told me “If you didn’t want to do it right, you shouldn’t have done it at all. Now go clean your room!” Then I watched "THE HIP HOP HONORS" – Hip Hop Honors my ass.

A few questions:

How does Missy Elliot get honored when she just came out? Isn’t this show supposed to represent the artist of the past that created the art that influenced today? Doesn’t Missy have a single out now?

Why didn’t Aaron Hall come out to slap T Pain and Ne-Yo for messing up his songs?

How you going to honor New Jack Swing and not do a tribute to Bobby “Crack head’s prerogative” Brown?

What the Hell do Doug E. Fresh, Kool Moe Dee, and Michael Jackson have to do with New Jack Swing?

Am I buggin or didn’t Black Street come out years after New Jack Swing?

Did Teddy Riley catch something?

Why does LL Cool J still dress like my Godson when he’s older than me???

When did Gucci start making cowboy hats and leather track suits? Let me find out Dapper Dan is making a come back.

Nick Cannon wasn’t horrible.

I did like the Whodini Tribute and performance. I miss the days of real stage performers.

How the hell you going to wear red for a Snoop Dogg tribute then scream out “Two Loked out Gs”?


Now it must be said, in all honesty, the only reason I cancelled my plans for the evening was for one thing and one thing only – A.TRIBE.CALLED.QUEST. So all that other stuff was fluff on my way to the main show. Just wish the fluff was better, almost gave up and turned off my TV. Then it finally happened - The Tribe tribute with Pharrell (Backpack in tow) Lupe (Just lost almost all the respect I had for this idiot, if you want read about why here) and the biggest and best surprise – BUSTA BUST RIPPING IT DOWN FOR THE SCENERIO!!! Tribe was still Tribe even with Phife in a sickened state from Kidney problems, you have all our prayers. They did a short set and made you really want to get out of your seat like I did and take it to that feeling the first time you heard "Award tour" or any other of their seminal works. It was all worth it to see one of my all time favorite Hip Hop groups and the influence for any artist that I give any attention to today with any common sense (pun intended).

I like em brown, yellow, Puerto Rican or Haitian
My name is Phife Dawg from the Zulu nation
Told you in the jam that we can get down
Now let’s knock the boots like the group H-Town
You got BBD all on your bedroom wall
But I’m above the rim and this is how I ball
A pretty little somethin on the New York streets
This is how I represent over this here beat

Talkin bout you...

HOW HARD IS THAT???!!!!!

GVG

~missing the time I lost~