Sugar.

 

Photographer/Model Unknown 

Lights // Ghostwridah feat. Earthtones

It seems like things are always changing.  Guess that’s just life’s way of messing with you to keep you on your toes. I so hate allowing big chunks of time to pass between posts but you know how the story has been going for some while now...lots on my plate.  So much so that I can barely keep up with myself and the fam let alone write about it sometimes.  I don’t know if you would categorize that as someone who could possibly be a bit overwhelmed, but some days I do feel like I am. Think I’m fine with that though. Especially since I know one thing to be true: Things change from day to day and you never know what’s coming down the pipeline next, but whatever it is you must embrace it.  Even the sun will continue to rise and fall on its own so you might as well make the most of each day by putting that theory into action. I feel like sometimes we're up, sometimes things get crazy, sometimes we're down, and other times we're riding the clouds. I make it a point to observe all of these life periods given the great lessons they carry. Not to mention the fact that the future promises mighty things to those who choose to focus intently on the matters of today; which is why I'll continue to do what I need to do while looking toward the outcomes of tomorrow. That's pretty much the sweet spot of living that I've been seeking to operate in as much as possible these days.

A little update...

My daughter graduated from high school this week. Even as I typed that I had this WTF?? look on my face, LOL.  Like, did I really just say that and is it really true? Of course it is.  If you’ve been reading my posts for a while you know the back-story behind it all. Young mommy, gave birth to her at age 15, living on my own since 17, gave birth to a second child before I was even 21, blahzay blah...and above anything else I vowed to get to this day where I can relish in the fact that I have raised two beautiful, intelligent Black Girls who will go out into the world and show it exactly what they are made of. Although accepted to Howard and Spelman, my oldest has ultimately decided to go with her top choice - a school in NYC where she'll focus solely on acting and the dramatic arts. Which means she’ll be moving to Manhattan in the fall right and around the corner from our New York office (an added incentive for me).  I've already got all my peoples in the area on high alert to keep an eye out, in addition to giving her a fair warning that I'll be lurking and stalking much more than she probably thinks, LOL, so I think she'll be fine.  ;-)

And then there was one. My youngest daughter has five years to go until she graduates and I’ve already started planning my international tour that will be begin the day she jets for college.  Given the fact that I’ve been raising kids since I was a teen, I feel like my life is really just beginning and I'm gaining more time to focus on things pertaining to just me.  Like the novel series I’ve been dragging out for decades finally getting done. Lingering film and television projects that are waiting on me. A decent workout and yoga regimen without worrying about some unexpected motherly duty interrupting my flow. I'll be able to shop more, play more, give more, love more, and be more - all of it sounds good to me.

A dark secret is that I’ve always said that I thought I did things backwards and out of order in life.  Kids first, then college, then work, then more college...and just forget about the husband and house with a white picket fence, LOL. Then I had to re-read some of my own work to remind myself that everything happens as it should despite whether or not you follow society's standard blueprint. So what if I’ll be writing for a living, traveling the world, and fulfilling my dreams while my friends are getting married and having babies? Does it matter which great and beautiful thing comes first so long as it comes?  I don't think so.  I think its all about taking life as it happens, looking toward the light, and becoming a master of the integral skill of turning shit to sugar.   

-Black Girl 

J. Cole // Sideline Story

Definitely Digging SCANDAL

Ok, so I honestly don't get to watch as much television as I'd like to, but I guess that's what DVD box sets and DVR's are for right?  At any rate, I wanted to make sure I took the time to check out Shonda Rhimes' newest creation, SCANDAL, which airs on ABC Thursday nights at 10p.  Aside from the fact that I was looking for the next best thing since Grey's Anatomy, I was really hoping for a show that portrays African-American women in a position of authority and leadership vs. "bitch, those shoes" and "bitch, imma punch you in the face."  While I do watch and enjoy shows like The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Basketball Wives, and Love & Hip-Hop (ATL spinoff coming soon), the same recurring theme (black women finding new and creative ways to stab each other in the back and then fist fight about it) is becoming a little stale and tiring.  At least for me because although entertaining I do not identify with that kinda shit.  I only find it funny and sad all at the same time which is sick and twisted of me, yes I know.

I was excited about Shonda's new show because its a scripted series written and produced by an African-American female airing on broadcast television, an avenue that has the greatest level of creative exposure and consumer reach, that stars an African-American female lead (Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope) who is smart, witty, polished, imperfect, beautiful, and complex all at the same time. I can identify with and support that methodology on all fronts...not to mention Columbus Short being a delight as well with a nice entry into a supporting role on the prime time scene - easy on the lens and didn't waste time laying down his lines in the first episode which aired last Thursday.  From now on he is most definitely my "gladiator in a suit."  ;-)

To catch an encore airing of the premiere episode, tune in on Monday, April 9 at 10p on ABC and support an African-American female writer and television producer doing her thing.  Shonda, thanks for representing those of us looking for a scripted series that not only models the kind of black men and women many of us are, but also repping the kind of TV writers and creators many of us aspire to be.   -Black Girl.

 

From the creator and executive producers of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice comes a drama revolving around the life and work of a professional crisis manager and her dysfunctional staff. 

A former media relations consultant to the President, Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) dedicates her life to protecting and defending the public images of our nation's elite. After leaving the White House, the power consultant opened her own firm, hoping to start a new chapter—both professionally and personally—but she can't seem to completely cut ties with her past. Slowly it becomes apparent that her staff, who specialize in fixing the lives of other people, can't quite fix the ones closest at hand— their own. 

starring:
Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope Henry Ian Cusick as Stephen Finch Columbus Short as Harrison Wright Guillermo Diaz as Huck Darby Stanchfield as Abby Whelan	Katie Lowes as Quinn Perkins Tony Goldwyn as President Fitzgerald Grant  Jeff Perry as Cyrus

credits:

Executive Producer / Writer: Shonda Rhimes  Executive Producer: Betsy Beers  Director: Paul McGuigan

Justice for Trayvon, Justice for America.

photographer unknown

The Roots - "Finality" 

I've been quiet about this for a reason.  I don't have a lot to write on this issue because I am beyond pissed off, and when I feel like that its best to lay low and keep my mouth shut.  Rather than go off on a tangent and say what's really on my mind I'll just stick with this:  To those of you demonstrating and joining forces for the sake of what's right, continue to do so and do not let up.  I think Americans (and others around the world) are finally beginning to realize that we have the power to voice our grievances and let them be heard on a worldwide scale thanks to advancements in technology. Technology = power. I often think about what the Civil Rights and other revolutionary movements would have been like in this age with tools like Twitter, Facebook, and the likes.

2012 is the year of the awakening - folks are coming out of their sleep to demand justice, fight for just causes, and unfortunately some of them have emerged from their comas cranky as hell.  In light of everything that has already happened this year, I think the people are beginning to tap into an even greater power by recognizing and leveraging the fact that we do have a voice that is worthy of being heard.  And when that voice is echoed in high numbers and virally duplicated across multiple platforms it becomes a major threat. An instrument of change. 

I am not sure what will become of the Travyon Martin case and if justice will in fact be served, but I am convinced that even if a judicial system does not act favorably in this regard, the world will know the truth and Americans will have a choice in whether to act or not based on that truth. There is power in numbers so continue to speak your mind and hold all members of humanity accountable.

Justice for Trayvon, justice for America.

-Black Girl.

Elle Varner : Refill