Miley Cyrus Ain't Hardly Serious...STILL

REVISITING Buffoonery and Blackface in the 2nd Decade of the 21st Century

In the Summer of 2013 Miley Cyrus mande a big sensation with her twerking escapades. Justin Beiber, Miley, etc are the latest incarnations of BlackFace. It is a lot more covert in the 21st Century - just as most forms of racism - to serve the purpose of concealing it. Yet most important: to make folks of color look like paranoid, chip carrying blowhards. Cool, I get it...not going to stop me though.

Original Post:

This whole thing swirling around Ms Cyrus and the way she was behaving during this 'show', is just another wack take on the music industry's looong history of appropriating what they THINK is African American culture and putting it in a package that appeals to Caucasian male youth. Continuing the sick, sexist AND racist cycle; passing it down to yet another generation of Americans. As a woman of color, who learned culturally-based popular dance from Soul Train, to then watch it repackaged an sifted out sideways on American Bandstand a week later, I am not surprised at this baffonery. Home girl may as well have gone all-the-way-live and busted out in 'Black-Face'.

My boy from Maroon 5 says, "I've got the moves like Jagger." Well, where do you think Mr. Mick got his moves? Can you say, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and James Brown? Mick Jagger is not alone in his appropriation however. Musicians such as Dr. John, Bob Dylan and Peter Gabriel were all influenced heavily by Professor Lonhair and Robert Johnson.  This mooching of 'Black' and Continental African cultural style has been going on ever since Europeans discovered Africa, lol. On the one hand, they felt as though people of African descent were beneath them and uncivilized, yet they were fascinated by the so-called primitive's level of artistry in music and adornment techniques. In addition to their knowledge of agriculture and complex cosmology.

George Barnes "was a world-renowned swing jazz guitarist, who claimed he played the first electric guitar in 1931...George Barnes made the first recording of an electric guitar in 1938 in sessions with Big Bill Broonzy." ~WIKI

Mr. Barnes grew up in a suburb of Chicago's South side and spent many hours in the inner South Side area, where all the folks of color are, soaking up the Blues and Jazz.

"He started his professional career at the age of 12, when he received his musicians' union card, and toured throughout the Midwest. By the time he was 14, he was accompanying blues vocalists such as Big Bill Broonzy and Blind John Davis." ~WIKI

Now, during the time that the young teen Mr. Barnes played with them, both Mr. Broonzy & Mr. Davis did not have the provilage of being given musicians' union cards, since they were not welcome in any 'White' man's union at that time. They were stuggling to establish their careers while Mr. Barnes was on his way to stardom. Mr. Barne's is "world-renowned", whereas the two gentlemen that he developed his chops from are just codas in American musical history. Yet when the two gentlemen went to tour Europe in the late 40's through 1952, they were greeted with standing ovations and media accolades. They are still highly respected and well known in European Jazz music circles yet virtually unknown in their birth country. During the time Mr. Broonzy and Mr. Davis were on tour in Europe, many young ones like, Mick Jagger, Steve Winwood and other musicians of the 'British Invasion' were exposed to this music and promted to delve into it further.

Robert Johnson, Ma Rainey, Charle Patton, Big Bill Broonzy Blind John Davis inspired the next generation of Black performers like Berry, Little Richard and Fats Domino, who seized upon the introduction of the electric Guitar, incorporated the old Blues, injected it with the energy of the inner-city aesthetic and the struggle for equal rights. They turned it into something entirely new.

Out of this innovation and redefinition of African American cultural style and music sprung good ole Rock and Roll. Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Steve Windwood, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards and Eric Clapton have all said, in interviews throughout their career, that they were influenced accordingly by these 'new' musicians; in additon to Blues singer's like Bessie Smith, Jazz artists like Dizzy Gillespie and Early 'Motown' Soul music.  Miley Cyrus' performance is yet another generation sucking on the teat of African American culture.

The other issue in this otherwise irrelavent drama is her 'dancing'. The ridiculous choreography in her 'performance' only served to project her sexual immaturity rather than reflect any kind of Feminist expression. The silliness surrounding this yong lady is making it difficult for women who have consciously made the choice to be professional entertainers; Exotic & Burlesque performers and dancers.  Strong, confident and empowered women that not only enjoy what they do -- they take it very seriously as an art form.

Belly Dancing is an ancient art form -- as well as the sensual dance forms that are part of the Vedas' Kama Sutra & Tantra. I was s Modern, Jazz & Improvisational dancer as well as an Exotic dancer for over 14 years; a continuing Belly Dancer and, recently (the past 3 years), a Tantric dance practitioner. I am concerned about the escalation of this into the ridiculousness of minutia, such as the wrangling over grinding vs gyration and making issue of whether Ms C is making a "feminist statement" or not.

I have no judgement regarding a young woman of any age experimenting with Sensual Dance Forms yet someone under 25 would not have the Life experience to truly and fully express the power of this Divine Feminine activity. It appears that Ms. Miley doesn't either.

ORIGINAL ARTCLE
http://www.newstatesman.com/music-and-performance/2013/08/memo-miley-twerking-not-feminist-statement

REMEMBERING: Islan Nettles

Two and a half years ago I attempted to write a blog post regarding the murder of a transgender Human Being that I knew. I could not because it was so raw. The backlash of violence against young people of color over the past five years has demanded a revisit from me. because although the police were not involved directly, their lack of response was equivalent to covert abuse.

The original, intended post:

I knew Islan Nettles. She was a intelligent, articulate and accomplished young woman. She had her whole Life waiting for her and a career in the clothing design industry. Insead, she was beaten to the point of Death.

I am sick to my stomach because what the NYS media monsters failed to mention, in ALL of the articles I'd seen for an etire week, is that the incident happened RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE 148th Street POLICE STATION! If it was a citizen considered to be 'White' or Caucasian', they would have been there johnny-on-the-spot; all over the 'perps': feet on necks, knees on backs and gun barrels pushed up against temples and/or throats! The entire neighborhood put on lock-down until a perp was found.  The police materialize, it seems out of thin air, when they want to Stop and Frisk you for handing a friend $5 standing in front of your own dwelling (SIDE-NOTE: I thank DeBlasio for being serious about cracking down on this and not just using it as a campaign nibblet - yet, the police are hard nuts and are no giving it up easily). The people crying about NYC turning into the Wild, Wild West or some 'Mega-City' straight out of a Judge Dredd strip obviously don't live in the communities where this protocol is being abused at every level of policing.

The precinct I'm referring to, located on Frederick Douglass Blvd (8th Ave) between 147th & 148th streets, has a history of harassment & detention of young Latino and Black males. Question: tell me how a beating of that level, right in front of the precinct with cameras upon the roof, NOT catch at least ONE officer's attention? In addition to the ones installed on top of the traffic light poles at the intersections of 147th and 148th streets?  Answer: because, the police are worthless when it comes to doing anything that resembles real, sincere support in this community. A neighbor told me that they overheard a officer say, "If we hadn't of responded as quickyl as we did, it woulda been worse..." Excuse me but, last time I checkd: Death is about as bad as you can get. Ummm, maybe I'm wrong, eh?! What's really funny? The day after the tradgedy, I was on my way back home from a walk at around 9:00pm that evening. As I  passed the precinct, I noticed that there was a cop on patrol out front, casing the block. LOL!!!!!! I had  to find the irony; the humor, to keep myself from wringing that man's neck. It's the first time I've ever seen that in the 10 years I've lived here (on 8th Ave -- only a few blocks from the station). The lives of Black folks don't mean much in the US - esp. young males, women and those of alternative gender orientation...the levels of racism, sexism, gender bias and class snobbery in this country is sick, insane and detestable.

NEWS ARTICLE
http://tinyurl.com/m6cpb7l

Imhotep the African: Architect of the Cosmos with Robert Bauval

YOUNG ONES: KNOW YOUR TRUE ANCESTRY!!


In this ground-breaking book, Egyptologist Robert Bauval and astrophysicist Thomas Brophy uncover the mystery of Imhotep, and ancient Egyptian superstar, pharaonic Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Galileo, and Newton all rolled into one. Based on their research at the Step Pyramid Complex at Saqqara, Bauval and Brophy delve into observational astronomy to 'decode' the alignments and other design features of the Step Pyramid Complex, to uncover the true origins and genius of Imhotep. Like a whodunit detective story they follow the clues that take them on an exhilarating magical mystery tour starting at Saqqara, leading them to temples in Upper Egypt and to the stones of Nabta Playa and the black African stargazers who placed them there.

Imhotep: the African, describes how Imhotep was the ancient link to the birth of modern civilization, restoring him to his proper place at the center of the birthing of Egyptian, AND WORLD, civilization.

~The Occult Network on You Tube

MR. UNTOUCHABLE? The Nicky Barnes Documentary

The production was decent yet the interviews were stereotypical, one-sided and lacked depth for both the Law Enforcement and former gang members. Cops/DEA: good guys; Barnes, et al: bad guys. Basically following the timeline of the Barnes operation, from its beginnings in the streets of NYC to his incarceration, with no new information was presented. The interviews should have been an opportunity to flesh out the individuals more thoroughly, instead of relying on the sensational Thug-Life aspects, such as expounding upon the reasons why a young Harlem boy would say that Mr Barnes was his hero as opposed to the World Series winner Mr. Jackson. In fact, Mr. Barnes DID have other business AND community interests besides drugs in NYC - Harlem in particular. He was instrumental in getting the Apollo Theater renovated, he opened clubs and grocery stores (providing jobs to local residents), provided funds to after school, breakfast and lunch programs for children and the homeless. He was known to furnish the apartment of many families following a fire or other tragedy and/or providing one for those who lost them. Every year during his tenure a truck would pull up in neighborhoods around Harlem during Thanksgiving filled with Turkeys and TVs, furnishings, clothing, etc. for Christmas. He could also be found walking around Harlem handing out money to children and the indigent. In addition there was no mention, by the law enforcement interviewees, of the complicity by thousands of police officers - even entire precincts - that took pay offs from Mr. Barns and his crew for a variety of services, including hits. The implementation of the Rockefeller Drug laws, now a pock mark upon the history of inner cities in this country destroying communities in Harlem, the Bronx and Brooklyn much more than Barnes or his ilk ever could, was glossed over like a sound bite. There are many missed opportunities for a more balanced and compelling documentary here, yet I would suggest folks watch it for an interesting look at the products of a soul less culture, regarding a country that produces the kind of desperation and greed surrounding drugs and its trade.

An Introduction to Sociotechnical Systems Engineering at Georgetown University

Interesting...our society's administrators and scholars are heading in a direction that may make us...or break us.

9-11 RIPPLE EFFECT - Full Documentary

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This is the most comprehensive, level-headed and enlightening VID I’ve seen on this. 


The producers challenge all the charges regarding 911 Truth Seekers and activists being “nut jobs”, “fringe cooks”, "the worst kind of radicals”, etc. by government officials, agencies, 3rd party representatives and experts. They expose media contradictions regarding statements made on 911 and those made over the years since 9/11/01. They also shed light upon ‘thug journalists’ like ‘The O’rielly Factor’ and Geraldo Rivera, who attack, cut off and talk over guests as if they were intruders, when in fact, they were INVITED to the show. Recently, Mr. Rivera had to swallow his pride and admit that there are, in fact, serious questions yet to be answered. 


One issue that struck me hard and is most compelling involves WTC-Building 7. Aside from the fact that it came down in free fall, the BBC reported on it having collapsed 20 minutes before it collapsed! In addition, the media has presented so many inconsistencies over the ears that anyone, with common sense and a conscience, would be left scratching their heads.


One of the things that gives me a twinge is when journalists, politicians, etc. say that people seeking a reinvestigation or say, "We need to look within our own government!", are insulting the victims and their families. I mean, I would think that adults should be able to handle a little pain. In fact, I AM a victim — I was there. I had to fight for my Life the whole way until I found some semblance of safety. Yet, I want the Truth…PERIOD. No matter how much it hurts.


All I can suggest is: check it out for yourself. 


My opinion is: If you’re serious about understanding what happened, instead of just sopping up what you’ve been told in the ‘Official Report’, regard this film with a discerning as opposed to emotional eye. Listen with discerning ears. 

I call on you to become US citizens as opposed to inhabitants; To become Alive rather than the Walking Dead. 

We, here in the US, are supposedly Living in the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave; so let’s take off the Spiritual and emotional shackles, get some backbone and stand tall…together. Do not allow them to divide us; or they WILL conquer.

Paula Deen and Why So Many Southern Racists Don't Believe They're Actually Racists

Racism: the Collective American Neurosis that no one wants to hear about, especially from the people who suffer as a result of it the most.

In fact the title should be:  'Paula Deen and Why So Many AMERICAN Racists Don't Believe They're Actually Racists'

I have my moments of racism; even as it pertains to my own culture, LoL. It is ingrained in Americans from the cradle to the grave by the most beloved and sacred of our institutions. The educational system and religion being the top two.

The only way to heal a neurosis is through employing some of the protocols used in psychiatric therapy,such as: dialogue and opposite role identification.  The most important aspects of dealing with this monkey-on-the-collective-back is 1) there needs to be an acceptance of the existence of the problem ; 2) letting go of Fear and opening our Hearts; and 3) a willingness to heal.

Paula Deen and Why So Many Southern Racists Don't Believe They're Actually Racists   - from Pajiba.com By Dustin Rowles | Think Pieces | June 26, 2013 |

A comment made by one of the readers of this article and my response:

IngridToday said:

"Paula Deen admits to using the n-word when being held at gun point.... because that'll improve the situation.

I'm from the North and moved to the South for a short time. I was surprised how many people absolutely believe the Civil War was *not* about slavery. One person tried to tell me slavery wasn't that prevalent and another that black people were better off as slaves because they had free room and board. She seriously insisted that slavery ended because it was too expensive for the landowner.

Of course, I had also had some use the n-word and immediately say he -at twenty- he didn't know any better because he's from a small town."

My response:

Unfortunately, Ingrid Today, the Civil War wasn't about slavery as it's primary interest. The impetus for the North's disagreement with Chattel Slavery was motivated more by dollars-n-cents than by any moral inclinations. The primary issue was that the financiers of the Northern 'Union' states recognized that slavery was giving the Southern Republic states a greater economic advantage. Too many Southerner's families, in relation to their silver-spoon-mouthed counterparts up North, were stinking rich as a result of the Chattel Trade. Wealth = Economic Flexibility = Political Power. The kind of power that would have bought them the Presidency, as well as, the ears and socioeconomic clout of corruptible reps in the Senate and Congress. The kind that would situate them in a position to rule the economy and shut down the Federal Reserve Bank and the fate of gold & silver would be in the South's control. That's what made them scream so loud about slavery: they were terrified of the clout it gave the South.  If slavery had continued, for as little as 20 more years, we would be calling this country the Confederate States of America. This was more worrisome to folks up North than the freedom - or not - of some Black servants and workers. The North was just as racist as the South anyway. History bears that out. That is why so many 'freedmen' went either far North into Canada or South into Mexico; or the Caribbean.

The Glass IS Half Full; So What You Got Now?

 

Study Examines Children And Racism

"AC 360° study: African-American children more optimistic on race than whites"

This study (click on title under picture for article site) completely shuts down the offensive knee-jerk accusations, by too many Caucasians, that people of color are  the cause of their own stressful experiences in this oppressive and exclusionary society because they're always harping on race and have a negative way of perceiving how they are treated.

Every conversation I've ever engaged in, attempting to have an open and honest sharing of my experiences as a woman of color with Caucasian friends or acquaintances, eventually winds up as me being accused of being an angry Black woman with a chip on her shoulder. I am then presented with the aforementioned defensive stance. Yet, this study appears to be saying that people of color are optimistic about their place in this oppressive and exclusionary world, from childhood no less, and are actually NOT walking around with said chip.

Go figure! Yet, I can agree with this wholeheartedly and suggest that it makes perfect sense, this optimism. I will offer a reason why:  it is what holds me together; what makes it possible for me to persevere in the face of assimilating the murder, by police, of the tenth child in Harlem within a month's time. Or the Transitioning of yet another friend because of lax medical care -- yet mostly from the stress of being born a Black man or woman in America. And all that entails from crappy housing to shoddy medical care and education to unfair lending practices to being charged way more for everything just because you live in the 'Hood. Oh - and not being able to get a cab back uptown from down the way.  I don't know about you but after a night of dancing in the Village, I'm tired and would like to get home. Quick...and without hassle.
 
This optimism, in addition to a uniquely African American-style sense of extra-dry and in-your-face noir humor, is what enables us, as a community and wider culture, to full-throat laugh at ourselves and our stereotypical, neighborhood follies: the Latin King with his hair net tied tight around his head, pony-tail dangling down his neck, rolling a splif and serving sing-song Spanglish up on the Handball court. The Mexican kid shouting, "Yo hooooowmz, I got next!!", in the King's face; not giving a sh$t about the blade in my man's pocket. The 'Chicken-Head Hoe' and the 'Wine-o' both hustling on the corner in front of the Bodega. The Young-Blood Bro riding in a pimped out Jeep with stainless spin-wheels and Old Skool Hip-Hop blasting crazy-boom bass.  The Latinas in the park with their toddlers round 144th, mixin' their milk shakes and spillin' them out of tight halter tanks to some soft-porn Reggaeton; the Pais' and Ese's on the basketball court lapping it up with their eyes. The Church-Lady in the 100th store-front church, fanning herself on the bench, hollering 'Aaaaaamennnn' and suddenly breaking into her 'Gettin the Spirit' dance. Or the Preacher, spitting Hell-Fire and Brimstone into the microphone...

After everything we've been through over the past 500 years as a culture; we are STILL HERE -- and still half-way sane. Not for nothin: the survival of my own experiences speaks to an unbridled optimism. Hell, a silver-spoon fed Upper Mountain Avenue boi would have offed himself a looong time ago. LOL!

So, now that we are clear on the fact that we Blacks, in fact, see the glass as half-full, what is it going to be now that this harping on race, negative perception is no longer a feasible defense for covert racism?