Here I Stand/Sit

Sooooo I finally have free time and as I am sitting in my room attempting to finally write a post, I am speechless. I don't know what to write about. Damn.

Wild World

The Juxtaposition of the time I spent in Ghana and the 2 weeks I have spent at home is real and in some ways very very strange.
The constant fear of violence is real. The TV shows such as Snapped,and Unsolved Mysteries arent helping either.

The anniversary of September 11 forced me to step back and actually think about things from a different perspective.

I have come to the realization that I live in a scary and dangerous country.
I realized that while I was in Ghana I felt safer than I ever did in my whole life. knowing that I could go somewhere and not have to think about being abducted by some sick sexual predator or even be the target of some random crime was a relief.

We live in a scary world and being American does not ease the situation either.
I will be moving to D.C for a couple of months and I am trying my best to block out the memories of Chandra Levy and the D.C Sniper for the sake of my sanity.
I cant let these fears take control of my life anymore.

it's time to make moves.

3 minutes to Sunrise

So I have a bad habit of not keeping up with the things that I start, prime example is this blog.

So many things have happened within these last few months that it would be hard to explain each and every event in one sitting. This fact as well as me feeling extremely lazy at this moment is in some ways an indicator of how much has happened to me as well as the readers of this blog waiting a little while longer to read something exciting. I will try my best though.

This year I graduated from College and I am already overwhelmed by all the work I have to do before going to grad school.

This summer as a graduation gift to myself I went to Ghana again for 2 months. I stayed with my BF in a town not too far from Legon called, Kwabenya. I also traveled to neighboring Togo and Benin ( pictures will be up later).

I really miss Ghana and see myself living there later on in life.

I haven't even been home 2 weeks and I am headed to D.C to live for 3 months. This should be interesting.

Good Morning on this Day we Become Legendary

Some People Got to Have it!

Whoever said money isn't everything obviously had some.
Money has always been an issue with me. Sometimes I have a lot of it and just within a blink on an eye its all gone.

Halfway

My Imperfections make me who I am, therefore you must take me as I am.

Real Pain! Real Action

I am an American Studies major so I talk about race, and inequality over and over again until my head is on the brink of explosion. This past quarter I have come to the most significant and important realization in my life...no matter how many times one could talk about the ills of society and how change is very much needed-THIS IS REAL!
* Never in my life have I felt that I have had to speak for an entire community when it comes to discussing the problems that we face in society
* Never in my life have I felt uncomfortable in my own house/room
* Never in My life have I felt uncomfortable with doing my own Hair in the presence of a person that does not share the same experiences as me or a member or ally of my community.
* Never did I think I would have to fight to take a class during my last quarter of my Undergrad career on People of Africa by a BLACK professor
* Never in my life have I been SO DAMN ANGRY!

Coming from Ghana, I have thought about the ways in which I could work towards incorporating some of Ghana's genuiness and truthfulness into my everyday living.

At the end of every trying day I reflect for 15 minutes before I lay my head down and fall asleep. Some of the things that I experience on a daily basis makes the very core of my soul ache, no one knows my struggle. My years in college have made me a very hopeful thinker in terms of human nature and the constant belief that racism and ignorance could be cured; 4 months till graduation and that dream for me has been shattered. I am a good and kind person by nature, I have good intentions and I hate to see people hurt. No one cares to see my hurt, and it is not a type of hurt emotionally, its the type that is an attack on not my character but the color of my skin.

Black History Month is in Full Effect

I Will Soon Be Here

Have you ever seen those tropical destination postcards imprinted with the phrase "wish you were here" and thought to your self, "I could use a vacation"?

Well Belize is that place.
Not only is Belize one of Mother Nature's best Kept Secret but she is also the homeland of my parents and their parents, and their parents, and their parents and so on.
As a Graduation Gift, my parents have decided to take me to Belize along with my cousin Aimee who will be graduating from high school. I am so excited and cant wait.I feel like a kid waiting patiently for Christmas to come.

Belize has come to symbolize more than a Central American destination, it is the place where my ancestors, stolen from Africa were deported soon after being ripped from their homeland and tossed around the Caribbean for a while. My people are Kriol, meaning that I am a descendant of the Baymen and Black African slaves that were brought to Belize to chop down Mahogany trees. and ever so recently I am the descendant of East Indian merchants who made their way to Belize in the early 1900s and the Spanish that have played a stake in most if not all of the Discoveries as well as misfortunes in Latin America and the Caribbean.

My Mom left Belize when she was just around 13 years old and has not been back in over 30 years. My father left Belize around the age of 20 in order to attend college in the states. I believe the last time he went back was about 6 years ago.

I am fortunate to take this trip and see the remains of where my mother used to live, the church where my father was baptized and the streets of which my grandfather used to trod with his noble mule and his sturdy cart. Also, the stone pyramids of the Mayan Indians ( Maya Ruins) in my parents hometown will open my eyes to a great civilization that used to be but is no more. The cayes ( pronounced "keys") of Belize will allow me to swim with sharks, snorkel right next to the worlds second largest barrier reef ( right after Australia) as well as boat-cruising right over the blue holes that are unique to Belize and its fascinating tropical life.

I'm soooooo excited!
5 1/2 more months!

American Pie

I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually
-James A. Baldwin


Soooo Im sitting in my American Studies Seminar class and while listening to the discussions of the readings the issue of American Studies being anti-American comes up. As a 4th year American Studies major ( and sociology minor)I feel that the only thing that I have learned throughout the years that is of extreme importance is the alternate histories that people have yet to hear about American life.

Numerous times I have asked myself what does it mean for a person LIKE ME to be an American Studies major. Me, a first-generation-American and person of color growing up in one of the most richest, influential and also historically racist countries. I often question what it means to be American as well. The AMST major is supposed to encourage critical thinking and to provide a space for students to learn about the other side of America, the countless stories left untold.

Since my inception into The University of California I have taken classes about Race and Ethnicity, Native Americans and Cultural Production, Jazz Cultures, Immigration and Assimilation issues as well as Whiteness and Racism. I have learned to grasp these concepts and incorporate them into my everyday thinking.

In a couple of months I will graduate and leave behind all of my emotional baggage in regards to being a minority on a predominantly white campus, having to struggle with budget cuts to my education as well as hustling money every quarter to pay for my late fees. It is both a happy and frightening feeling at the same time. It is frightening in the sense that once I Graduate I will be confronted with these same issues that I have read in AMST text books.

Ayeti! ( Haiti)

So I know a lot of you are familiar with the events that have unfolded regarding the deadly Earthquake that shook Haiti on January 12, 2010. The images that have been circulating throughout the various media stations are reminiscent of the way in which Hurricane Katrina media coverage portrayed the suffering of black people.

New Orleans has not been fully recovered since Katrina and it discourages me to think what the future holds for the restoration of Haitian society and culture.

Here is a country that is so unique and critical to African/Black Culture, being that it was the first black republic to gain its independence, as well as being the only country to lead a successful slave revolt. Due to the fact that that Haiti has been plagued by the outcomes of those decisions since then, it has given ignorant, privileged, downright evil people the initiative and the audacity to justify Haiti's downfall because of its voodoo practices and large percentage of AIDS victims residing in that country. It makes me clearly upset to think that Haiti is the way it is because of colonialism, imperialism, capitalism, and just plain political trickery in part by some of the leading world powers.

I am a person who tends to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders and I think the people of Haiti deserve better than to be treated like third world, helpless individuals and start looking at them as strong-willed people who have endured many struggles over the course of history.







Operation Restore Haiti*

"Theres no money, no diamonds, no fortune on this planet that could replace Haiti!"

Okay! I know I'm Late.

So if you know me, you could probably vouch that I have been desperately searching for new music.
I mean, there are only so many times one could listen to "Birthday Sex" or could care less about turning my swag on everyday when I wake up in the morning.
I have always been into different kinds of music, especially forms that are not familiar with mainstream success.
The Fugees, however are the exception. They have had both mainstream success as well as producing meaningful music that can make you dance and think at the same time.
John Forte, who is not apart of the Fugees but associated with them is the change in the music world that I seek.
John Forte's story is as follows:
Forte, was a rapper, producer who had a influential stake in the alternative hip hop scene of the 90's. In 2000, he was caught and arrested at Newark Airport for Possession of 1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine. He was convicted and sentenced to the minimum requirement of 14 years in prison.
Suprisingly, advocates for Forte believed that he did not receive a fair trial. After 7 years, he was pardoned by George W. Bush in 2008 and was released from prison a few weeks after. It is said that as soon as he was released from prison he bought a Blackberry, Ipod and Macbook (Go Figure).

Well we all know what happens when people spend long bids in Jail; they become a Hip Hop Intellectual. The only thing to do in Jail is read, gain knowledge and plenty of time to reflect on your life choices.

I am pretty sure Forte will become one of my fav artists. His lyrics are thought provoking and sincere and his musical ability is above any of the antics we have seen thus far in the entertainment industry. Not to mention he is nice to look at (dreads=love)

John Forte "Life Has Just Begun" from The ICU on Vimeo.

Truth about Somalian Pirates according to K'Naan

Dear L.A

I have been very disappointed with the way you have been representing yourself these past years! I have been finding it hard to claim you lately, with your expensive fashion sense and falseness I often find myself contemplating our relationship. Although I have never been to N.Y, it seems to be much more compatible with me.

I remember the L.A Riots, Conscious and "Gangsta" Rap, and Multiculturalism were your thing back when. Now its all about transient fame schemes and gentrification. The company you keep are just as sick.
I Thought we were cool but every time I come to visit you make me feel like I dont belong. Is it because of the way I dress? The music I listen to? the people I hang out with? or the change in my political ideologies?

Maybe we can work something out?

Chicago seems nice!

The Greatest

"We All Thought He Was Going To Live Forever"

I am ready!

So, today is my last night in Santa Cruz for the 2009 year and I am more than excited. These past 2 weeks have been hectic. No sleep, No time for people, parties and I have not been eating right at all. I have a thousand things to do before the day ends consisting of packing and washing clothes. I also have to do some chores around the house before i leave but I don't know!

I wish ( Carl Thomas status)

Sometimes I wish there was no such thing as love. Not to say that I am in love or that I am bitter or anything but whats the big deal anyway.
You wanna know the worse thing.

You meet a guy and then you feel all happy and warm inside and then just like that they can make you feel so so so bad. you can go from eating to much to not eating at all if that makes sense.

I remember I had a conversation with the roommates the other day about being in love and found out that when you first fall in love you dont wanna eat anything and you dont wanna go to sleep and then when they dump you, ironically the same cycle happens again only this time you are crying for days.

My other roommate is always breaking up and making up with her boyfriend which could get annoying because everyone around gets the blunt end of it as well. Man, that sounds draining!

I dont think boys know how much power they have when it comes to relationships. I would say when girls like someone or love someone they love hard. I have never been in love ( at least i dont think) but from the sound of it, it seems painful and very troubling.

I can never like a person w/out thinking about the future.It's very sad.

And then 4/20 Happened!

so Today is April 23, 2009 and Monday was the famous 4/20! The day that people with sense and some w/out smoke pot-marijuana-ganja-the herb-sticky icky, or whatever people call it these days. Everyone gathers at Porter Meadow on the UC Santa Cruz campus and lights' one up at 4:20 on the dot.

The school went far and beyond to hinder peoples urge to go to campus by only running certain buses and closing down the west-side of campus. IT DIDNT WORK!

It was one of the hottest days of the school year and to top it off everyone who smoked and had the munchies were at 711.

None of this bothers me at all but I have a real BIG problem when you bring my hero-legend Bob Marley into the mix.

everywhere that I went on campus someone was bumping Bob or playing one of his songs in celebration of this faux holiday!

Honestly, Marley is possibly turning in his grave, upset that after all of the things he has been through and all the things he has done in life ( Uniting Africa, World Peace, Rasta equality, Self-love, Killing hate ideologies, demolition of "isms-skisms", peace and love) all that he is celebrated for is smoking Ganja by white people, and hippies.

Bob Marley taught me the importance of Africa and it's great history that is unknown to most people. It's funny that he does criticize some WHITE people in his songs but thats a whole different post.

Bob Is one of my heroes and I refuse to let his legend be jaded with thoughts of getting high all day/everyday to initiate world peace. The Red, green and Gold Liberation flag that has come to symbolize so much to not only jamaicans but to every marginalized oppressed group within the African Diaspora has now been recognized as representation of Marijuana Solidarity in this sick country. no Dice!

Am I ranting?

What Is a DJ If He/She Cant Scratch to A Ranchera?

Honestly all I could do is sit back and dream because it would take me years and a whole lotta skills to even be decent on the turntables.
DJing should be considered a spectator sport due to its high use of speed, rhythm, and table techniques


Cross Fade into Silence and enjoy this video.
Stonekutters are the stuff!

Do You Remember?

For some odd reason the Jem and Holograms theme song was playing in my head last night and I didn't know why.
Most Definitely am Down with Jems style but the Misfits are tight too.
Cartoons are not like how they used to be. Instead of having Gullah Gullah Island you have frickin' Hannah Montana. No more Tom and Jerry. No more Anamaniacs. No more Looney Tunes. No more Disney cartoons on the DISNEY CHANNEL!

I wish there was a channel that showed all old school cartoons from the 90s and earlier, it would get a lot of views im sure.

We're Takin' It All!!