sagaciously is...

March 09, 2009

Fired via Text - so this is where we are now?

I can't find this story online, so my first blog in over 60 days is a straight news story:

Atlanta Area Business Fires Staff Via Text:

Facing a federal indictment in Gwinnett County, Access Business Services closed it's doors, and surprised its employees with "virtual" pink slips. Per WSB-TV, employees received notice via text messages that the company was closing permanently, and to not report to work today. However, not all employees received the messages - arriving to a box of letters explaining the firing, and elaborating by stating they "could make no comments on the delayed payroll" due to employees. One employee interviewed by WSB claimed that Access owed them $2,000, for backpay and commissions.

The telemarketing company is under indictment for telephone fraud, related to Access' business practices. Again, per WSB TV, Access sold preparatory exams for the Post Office Exam, which is problematic, because the post office isn't hiring. The court date is scheduled for next month, and the letters left for employees stated Access' closing is related to the court date.

Wow, so yeah - this is where the economy is at now? Via text message?

I hate to say I told ya so....but.....
I've been saying for a while now - that skillset you possess better be mobile, and like a nomad - you'd better be ready to pack your skillset and take it on the road. And make sure you can do what you do no matter WHO you work for....

Better yet - now would be a good time to make it do what it do for YOU. But that's another post.

Meanwhile, where have I been? Since I'm gainfully unemployed, I'm hustling. I left theGig for a better paying Gig, then got downsized. Meanwhle, I'm teaching, and freelancing, and writing and networking - anything to make the ends meet. Or preferably overlap.

I'm an entrepreneur. I'm making it do what it do for ME - but again, that's another post.

Firing via text? I might have to bust the windows out of somebody's car for that one. Real talk.

Posted by saga_30311 at 08:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

December 08, 2008

pics from the National Black Arts Festival Winter Ball

Highlights::

• Performances by global beatbox champions HeaveN, Beat Bunchies, & SmVy, Iodine, Africano as well as Ballethic.
  
• donning "creatively formal attire" and seeing the hip hop generation all grown up and cleaned up nice
  
• watching Boris Kudjoe rub his wife's back gently as they met & greeted (now that's love ;)
  
• the torch of "activism" being symbolically passed from Cornel West to Big Boi
  
• Rashan Ali and Kenny Burns impromptu jokes
  
• Collective Renaissance Guild pulling this off quite nicely.
  

Did you know there was a "hip hop, Gen-X elite? Well, now you do ;)

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November 15, 2008

The Art of Change - 2008 NBAF Winter Ball

....sounds sexy...

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October 25, 2008

Who the F@#k is That Guy?

I might have to put my lust for Keith Olbermann aside temporarily - so I can cheat on him with John Stewart. I <3 this dude....

....egg-friggin-zactly!

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October 15, 2008

Strings Attached

I got the graphic from the London Times website, while reading their election coverage. More cartoons (a particularly sharp one showing W. sniffing the arse of the British Prime minister and his rescue plan) can be found here.

It's hard for me to avoid the subject of the financial crisis, the US' $700B+ bailout and the state of the economy. I'd vowed a while ago to leave the political/economic analytical blogging to wiser heads, but ....I cannot avoid it. It's constantly on everyone's hearts and minds, and the news media is covering it ad infinitum. However, I got a fresh perspective the other day by tuning in to PBS.

Let me preface this by saying I'm not a longtime fan of PBS, but it's almost impossible to get unbiased US news without editorializing anymore. Democratic or Republican, conservative or liberal, capitalist, socialist of communist - I think we'd have to all agree that network news (let alone cable news) is about as fair & balanced as a seesaw with one rider. MNC's (multinational corporations) own mainstream media, and they have their own interests (profit) to serve. Hence me tuning out, and tuning in to PBS.

Some stories:
- the $2 trillion dollars that the EU is pledging to shore up their financial markets. This, along with Britain's banking Nationalization plan (it preceded the story about the US' plan by a day or so...)
- Food rationing in Cuba has become even more challenging, as a result of Hurricanes Gustav & Ike, and (again) loosely linked to the US economic crisis
- Bombings in Guadalajara and , Mexico - are loosely linked to the economic crisis
- Chinese companies are investing heavily in Africa, particularly Rwanda - resulting in both an influx of jobs as well as Chinese exports

Overall - if there was one underlying theme - it's that the US' economic policies aren't all we've made them out to be...it's that those policies will ultimately be our downfall. Our overwhelming desire for unbridled capitalistic industrialization - without being tempered by a cultural social consciousness - will be the noose with which we ultimately hang. Those are the Strings that are Attached.

If I haven't blogged about the BRIC's yet - I need to. Because they, collectively and individually, are going to teach us a lesson about how capitalism needs a conscience. it's alluded to in the posts under Economics, but I'll expound later. The 30-second speech is: Brazil, Russia, India and China are amongst the world's fastest growing economies, and their cultural mores embrace collectivism and social conscience. So, they're growing with an eye on the world in which they grow. We could take a lesson from them.

Strings. Nooses. Keep watching the stories from the G7/8 countries, and how they fare in this fiasco.

Posted by saga_30311 at 08:20 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Fox 5 Atlanta - How to Rob video

Although I'm as wary as the next person about the interwebs...this story still has me jazzed, almost two weeks after I found out about it. Jazzed enough to give you TMI about where I live.

So, the economic crisis is hitting everyone at home, and I do realize that I and my neighbors shouldn't be an exception. How-s-neva, when reporting on crime in my area, I really expect that the "news media" will not report the story like a How-To-video. You can see the Fox 5 Atlanta story here

Now, please note from this graphic - I live in the very lowest left-hand corner of that map. So yes, there have been crimes committed in my area - but from this Google map - crimes are going on all across Atlanta - not just in my lil corner of the world.


Here are my issues:
- they identified the subdivision and its location
- they explained how (at one point) large-ticket freebies were given away to (some) residents
- they detailed how criminals were both casing the subdivision, and locating said high-ticket items
- they detailed how the criminals come back to steal them
- they also detailed how understaffed and overwhelmed the Atlanta Police department was in addressing these issues.
In essence - they created a how-to video. So...why not just create a Google Map, with the words "STEAL FLAT SCREEN TV'S HERE" emblazoned across it with an arrow pointing to our neck of the woods?

I'm glad that I wasn't fortunate enough to have been a recipient of a not-so-free flat-screen. Wonder how much those homeowners are now paying to replace them? Is this responsible journalism?

I hate that I cannot embed that video, but it's there on their website. Meanwhile, I have a letter to write to the station.

Posted by saga_30311 at 07:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 12, 2008

Man At Palin Rally Displays Monkey Doll Donning Obama Sticker

....and this campaign sinks further into the mud....

...the name-calling, branding Obama a terrorist because of his name, and his parent's friends when he was 6...or because of work he did decades ago....charges of treason, etc. Then this...and the fact that the folks gathered around him in line were amused....it's getting harder and harder to swallow. Issues....our country has real issues we need to address.....

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April 23, 2008

NY Times to Hilary Clinton: "The Low Road to Victory"

or what should be more aptly subtitled: "Time to Call Off the Dogs".

The article can be found here: Low Road to Victory. Excerpt below:

The Pennsylvania campaign, which produced yet another inconclusive result on Tuesday, was even meaner, more vacuous, more desperate, and more filled with pandering than the mean, vacuous, desperate, pander-filled contests that preceded it.

Voters are getting tired of it; it is demeaning the political process; and it does not work. It is past time for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to acknowledge that the negativity, for which she is mostly responsible, does nothing but harm to her, her opponent, her party and the 2008 election.

my thoughts:: the thought has occurred to me repeatedly in the last few weeks, that if Clinton wins the Democratic Nomination - I'd rather throw away my vote by abstaining, or voting for an independent candidate, than support what's going on in the Democratic party right now. However, I definitely don't want to inadvertently support McCain in the process. But as the article states, I'm tired of the negativity, and unhappy about the direction the campaign has taken in the last few weeks.

The bright shining light of hope that seemed to color the campaign late in 2007 and early 2008 has turned into mudslinging, and everyone's getting dirty. It's time to clean things up, and stop providing fuel for the Republican general election fire.

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April 22, 2008

the belt is slowly tightening....

I noticed it a couple of weeks ago, when some hot coffee I was carrying back to my desk burned my hand.

As I continued pulling the cup out of the coffee machine, while I looked around for a lid...
my coworker glibly responded:: they're all gone, and I don't think the vendor's coming back for a coupla days. I did the same thing. The cups are smaller.
me: wha?

coworker:: You burned your hand, right? Yeah - I did the same thing. They replaced the large cups with a cup slightly smaller, I guess to save money. Problem is - they didn't reset the machine - so it's dispensing the same amount of coffee.

So I looked, and yes - the cup is about 2oz. smaller - so that the coffee spilled over. By the time the vendor came in with the lids, the machine was properly reset, and our 16 oz cup is now 14. Nice.

this isn't how it begins:: but this is how we begin to notice the inevitable tightening belt. With smaller cup sizes, and a lack of free feminine hygiene products in our bathrooms. And removal of the lotion dispensers in our fitness center. And smaller, thinner napkins and toilet paper in our restrooms. Yes, I know those are all wonderfully expensive amenities that I shouldn't necessarily expect. But these are all signs, of a much bigger, more pervasive economic reality. Companies are going to cut costs by any means necessary.

Don't get it twisted. I work for a very large multinational company, that has been in the Fortune 500, longer than the Fortune 500 has actually existed. And while the profits decline for the top US companies in the Fortune 500 list, $10-Trillion dollars is nothing to sneeze at. These companies are making money hand over foot. And yes, fuel prices are killing mid size companies, who either have to pass those costs on to consumer - or bear them and face financial insolvency. But big a$$ companies like mine keep reserves, and invest in fuel futures, and foreign currencies - to offset fuel price fluctuations. So the problem isn't just that fuel prices are rising, and the problem won't be resolved if fuel prices drop.

I told y'all a long time ago:

Greed isn't just good. Greed is inevitable

Global economic growth is predicted to slow (what with the cost of capital)...but it's not decreasing. It's decelerating. And there's a definitive shift away from the declining US dollar, to more attractive markets and currencies (emerging economies, anyone). So large multinationals are doing what they gotta do, to ensure that shareholder value is preserved. What is it about again class?

Profit.

Net Income (Profits) = Sales - Cost of Goods/Services. Simple math....if you decrease the cost of goods/services, you can increase profits. EVEN IF SALES DECREASE, you can still increase/maintain profits by cutting costs MORE than the sales decrease.

Hence my lil a$$ cup o' joe. And the missing tampons. And some marginally necessary positions at my organization not being refilled. And contractors being laid off. And changes to my company's retirement plan. And increases in my out-of-pocket health care costs.

fire sale:: I'm having a yard sale at my house, within the next few weeks. Whatever is at my house that I'm not currently using will either be in my front yard, or on eBay. Expect a whole lotta wonderfully cheap, new/slightly used plus size fashions, Nine West/Via Spiga shoes, decor from Pier 1, Crate and Barrel, West Elm and Target, and random stuff (manual treadmill, other fitness equipment, and lots of random "stuff" that needs to go). I need to simplify - and replenish my savings account. F*ck an economic stimulus package. Stakes is high.

The lil a$$ cup o' joe isn't the big problem here, it's a symptom of a much bigger problem. What happens when my job becomes one of those marginally necessary positions?

Posted by saga_30311 at 09:17 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Ford agrees to sell Jaguar, Land Rover

I added a new category - Economics - because there's some things going on in this country, and the world, that are scaring me. This is just the writing on the wall.

The full story is here, but I'm including the relevant portion below:

After spending billions of dollars on Jaguar and Land Rover, Ford Motor Co. gave up on the storied British automakers Wednesday and unloaded them to India's Tata Motors Ltd. for a mere third of the original purchase price.

The deal is another sign of the growing economic muscle of India and something of an economic role reversal, with two icons of British industrial might expanding the global reach of a premier conglomerate in the former British colony.

Ford nets about $1.7 billion, a far cry from what it paid for the properties -- $2.5 billion for Jaguar in 1989 and $2.7 billion for Land Rover in 2000. Counting losses and product development, analysts figure Ford spent more than $10 billion on the brands.

Those acquisitions, like General Motors' purchase of Saab and Chrysler's entanglement with Mitsubishi, came when cash was rolling in at the U.S. automakers as drivers snapped up cars and pricey pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles.

But Ford's fortunes have changed, with slumping U.S. sales and billions in losses. The fire-sale price comes as the Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker concentrates on its main brands.

Now let me say this, first off - I'm not an economist, and I'm not going to front here like I'll become one. I could do a detailed financial analysis of this deal, and provide you with some historical information about Tata Motors - but you have Google & Wikipedia for that. Suffice it to say that Tata Motors is part of a much larger Indian multinational conglomerate - the Tata Group, and they've been doing big things, for years. This IMHO is just a sign that US economic dominance is slipping, as the BRIC's (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are positioned to fully take advantage of our economic woes, and move from "developing" status, into major economic powerhouse. They've been "creeping on the come up" for the last, say 20 years. Now - time to cash in.

Hmph...I've been sorta easing by a lot of the things I've learned about the global economy in the last 2-3 years - focused outside this space (B-school, for the MBA) but lightly brushing over them. Time to tie some things up, and bring them home.

Meanwhile, you may want to go back and check out some old posts I put in the category of Economics.....it may show you where I'm headed.

Posted by saga_30311 at 08:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 29, 2008

Hannity & Colmes defend Obama against Pastor Manning

I really was avoiding giving Pastor James David Manning any airtime, because I think his a$$ is batshyt crazy. And it's far from my intent to promote the carefully crafted YouTube rantings of someone so obviously trying to get their meager Internet shine on.

HOWEVER.

This dude went on Hannity & Colmes to defend his series of YouTube attacks on Obama. You can Google Pastor James David Manning to find his videos, and Hannity & Colmes have their own site on Fox (you already know how I feel about Fox). Bottom line is, I never thought I'd see the day that Hannity would defend Obama. Oh, and now - I know that mainstream America has seen that dude is batshyt crazy. Thanks H&C and Fox for showing the world this kid is a loon.

Shouts to Bossip.com and LiveSteez for the video below. FoxNews also has both Part 1 and 2 available.

Posted by saga_30311 at 04:21 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

March 21, 2008

Fox on Fox: the Obama bashing should stop

I'm glad another Fox newscaster called Fox & Friends on this.

Watch Brian Kilmeade walk off the set of Fox & Friends in frustration as his co-hosts Gretchen Carlson and Steve Doocy pick apart Obama's speech, and repeatedly rerun the "typical white person" comment from that speech, out of context:





Then, Chris Wallace calls them on the "excessiveness" of them rerunning that portion of the speech, and talks about how they keep clipping it out of context. Read the sound bite 3 times? Come on....when your fellow newscaster chides you about being unfair ON AIR and ignoring more newsworthy, relevant stories - you know you've not only crossed a line...you erased it.

Posted by saga_30311 at 11:10 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

March 15, 2008

crazy as a Fox...news, that is.

what qualifies "news" outlets as legitimate? and who decides?

Up front & center:: I've got serious problems with Fox News. I always have. The fact that my employer keeps our TV's at work tuned to them 24X7 is only part of it.

I just don't understand how a news outlet, that has Geraldo Rivera as a political analyst, and features stories on babies with two faces, streams live coverage of Paris Hilton's prison release and analyzes the legitimacy of lawsuits by whether the plaintiffs are "hot" as a news outlet. I'm sorry - I just can't. But please tell me I'm not the only one.

My problem is that outlets such as Fox have created a slippery slope, spiraling downward to the lowest common denominator, and providing us with stories that appeal to our basest instincts. Fear, gossip, rumor, drama, sex, etc...etc...ad nauseum. And they're dragging "legitimate" outlets down with them....

This would be fine, were it not for their exhaustive coverage of real news topics, such as politics, the elections, major trials, etc. Political Bias aside (although it's REALLY HARD TO SWEEP THAT ASIDE) I have a really hard time stomaching their reporters cover legitimate stories, such as the Elliott Spitzer story, the Ferraro-Clinton fiasco and the Obama-Wright drama. Hell, IMHO, their "reporters" are less reporters, and more "television personalities", no more fit to report on the news or opine on current events than you or I. So is ratings the goal, the ultimate name of the game, and the watching/listening public gets to be bombarded with sensationalized BS for the sake of profits? Yes, in Fox's case, it seems so.

Their reasoning? We report....you decide.
GTFOHWTBS.
"Baby Girl Born With Two Faces Worshipped as Reincarnated God." <<< I've decided...that shyt is real National Enquirer-ish.

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March 13, 2008

Keith Olbermann on Hilary Clinton & Geraldine Ferraro

W.O.W. I have no words [/endGlee]

ok, I do have one. DAAAAAAMMMMMMNNNNNN.

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March 12, 2008

this chick here....

.....and to think I voted for Geraldine Ferraro back in the '80's. For the record, they are two different videos.

The relevant piece starts around 3:00 minutes in, although the whole video is worth a listen. I want this campaign...hell this country....to get beyond this.

aside:: isn't being on the Clinton Campaign finance committee a direct conflict of interest with being a Fox Political Analyst?

another aside:: does this smell remotely of Wag the Dog to anyone? It smells like bait to me....glad it didn't take Mississippi off-track. But did it take some shine off the results of the Texas caucus? Hm......

I do like the response from Obama's camp. However, Ferarro's backpedaling explanation isn't convincing.

Ok, I'm not about to start becoming a political blog. I have colleagues, like Inkognegro, who do that much better than I. I'm just saying...

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March 11, 2008

sheesh, this campaign...

I should probably have picked a photo of dueling pundits for this post, but I'd be damned to limit it to just two of them.
I've (still) got real issues with how/why we (as individuals) select candidates that are qualified. Not with the voting process, but the basis on which we determine which candidate to support.

part of the reason I hate punditry::I was listening to Talk Radio - the Michael Baisden show to be exact, and he was taking calls from Mississippians regarding who they were casting votes for in today's primary. A caller from MI, let's call her Mary, called in to declare that she was 'black, female, in her 40's, and casting her vote for John McCain" primarily because of his position on same-sex marriages, Abortion and homosexuality. *sighs* Fortunately, Al Sharpton was on to respond to her and any listeners, clarifying that the Executive branch is no more responsible for the laws related to any of those issues, than you, I, or the monkey standing behind me.

BTW, ignore that monkey - he's potty-trained.

Aside:: I'm a fan of Al Sharpton as a talk show host and guest, because he knows his stuff, and he's not condescending or pandering in talking to his guests or callers, and he does it in the language of the common man. Sweet.

I'll just go ahead and admit it - I'm an elitist. And most callers (and some hosts) on talk radio drive me up a wall, because of the condescension, the pandering, the (un) qualified yet overinflated opinions, and the adamant conviction not based on fact, but other pundit's opinion. I guess I shouldn't limit my disdain for talk radio - there's enough punditry for every possible news and non-news medium. But I digress...

da point is...::This campaign is sparking some interesting debates about how we choose our elected officials - how we as individuals choose which candidates to support, and what makes a candidate "qualified". Which (IMHO) should really be taught in high school, instead of our revisionist history classes. My first American government class was in college, and (fortunately) it was taught by a black lawyer jaded enough with our systems (all 3 - executive, judiciary and legislature) to provoke us into questioning EVERYTHING. Most people look at these campaigns as a popularity contest, through the lens of their own priorities, values, morals, religious beliefs, social issues, et. al. without thoroughly and objectively questioning whether the candidate can actually do the job.

Another dissatisfied Clinton supporter (methinks, anyway):: under the jump

Another dissatisfied Clinton supporter (methinks, anyway):: Quinden on being "Still Stuck in Second":

I've been flashing back to that episode the last few months, considering how, even with the best intentions, male is still the universal default setting. Here's the drumbeat—Hillary Rodham Clinton is a strange test case for a what-if we women have been rehearsing for decades. What would be the chances that the most significant run for the presidency by a woman would be made by someone with more baggage than a ball team headed to an away game: a former First Lady, married to one of the most polarizing political figures in modern American history, who had suffered the public humiliation of his sexual perfidy? What would be the chances that she would survive all that to enter the Senate, then to mount what all believed would be a cakewalk to the Democratic nomination, only to be parried, not by the right wing or entrenched bigotry but by youth and eloquence and a colleague who symbolized a newer new America than she did?

But just because all this makes it difficult to parse the double standard surrounding Senator Clinton's candidacy doesn't mean the double standard no longer exists, or shouldn't be acknowledged. There may be many reasons apart from her gender—past, positions, personality—that have led people to turn away. But there has also been an inescapable undercurrent of bias. It's summed up in the word "calculating," which is often used to describe the senator in as witchy a way possible. There is no male politico equivalent for "calculating," except perhaps "business as usual."

my thoughts:: and all that to say, what exactly? I hate that Obama's at the other end of this, because I like him a lot as a candidate. But really -the playing field (once again) has never been level, has always been biased, and it's biased against anyone who doesn't fit the typical paradigm of a presidential hopeful which strongly resembles that of our former presidents: white, male, Protestant, Ivy League schools, etc. ANYONE who isn't cut from that cloth would face bias...hell, Obama's been fighting silliness such as his "islamic" leanings, ties to Al Qaeda, substance-less campaign and lack of real qualifications (which I could make a case for some anti-affirmative action backlash, if I was so inclined) since the beginning of the primaries.

Ok, this is beginning to sound as whiny as the Newsweek article. Moving on...

I find an almost-past child-bearing-years heterosexual Black women selecting a candidate based on the party's Abortion and Same Sex marriage stance almost scarier than a pundit basing their selection on women's rights or lack thereof. Why? Because the former represents the rampant ignorance and idiocy with which most people approach their voting decisions and it's the common man, the voter, albeit swayed by popular opinion, that will elect the next president.

What makes a good candidate to run our country? What qualifications would they need? Does the "party" make the candidate, or vice versa? Sheesh....these m****-f***'s here need to think before they vote, seriously....

Posted by saga_30311 at 01:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

February 25, 2008

my people {we got to do better}

shouts to jam Donaldson at HGM for the {we got to do better} line....

ok, here it is in a nutshell: yes, we are (still) a Hot Ghetto Mess. But what are we gonna do about it?

campaign2008 & our reasons for our choices:: I've got real issues with people's anti-intellectual reasons for picking their candidate. And I'm putting myself on blast. Prior to me doing my election "homework", I was entertaining Clinton. I originally thought, given our current state of race relations, that Americans would turn out in droves to vote against Obama, hence not wanting to throw away my vote. Silly me. I've since read their platforms, watched the primaries (starting with NH and IA), watched the debates, and decided based on the issues, to support Obama.

Now, it's a long minute later - and I still hear my people saying ig'nant things like: "I don't want to vote for Obama 'cause they'll shoot him in office, and I don't want him to get killed", "I think he's related to Sadam Hussein", "I'm voting for Obama 'cause he's black", "I'm voting for Hilary because she's a woman", or "I'm voting for ______ because __________ endorsed them (insert pundit/so-called-leader's name there)". Ok, seriously - it's time for us to get off our collective a$$es, do some homework, and make our own decisions, for real. It's 2008 - we're well into the information age - the platforms, senatorial voting records and their stances are readily available. We need to stop being quite so sheep-like, so that all parties (Repub, Dem, Libertarian, Green, etc - and the pundits who love them), and the non-parties (random pundits who won't commit to a "party"), all take our votes more seriously.

aside:: I'm really tired of candidates being able to pander to the "urban voter" in general by either appealing to, or by manipulating, their emotions.

punditry beef:: Baisden v. Frank Ski? Tavis Smiley vs. Obama? We barely got pundits and access to airwaves, and they're already going at each other, or our "leaders", not over issues or opinions, but because they got "snubbed" or "shouted someone out" or forgot to "shout someone out". Are you friggin kidding me?

ClayCo Board of Ed & Kwame Kilpatrick:: or when keeping it black goes wrong. If you haven't heard about Clayton County's Board of Education, the quick & dirty is that the entire school system is facing a potential loss of accreditation, due to corruption ethics violations, ineptitude, and policy violations. You can click here for more information. This means students and teachers, as well as administrators records would be "wiped clean". Students wouldn't be eligible for scholarships, and their acceptance into colleges would be in jeopardy. Staff would lose their certifications and employment history, of the timeframe of the board's tenure.


and Kwame?:: Well - the "hip-hop" mayor, amongst other things, is accused of: "allegations of marital infidelity involving his chief of staff, lawsuits, and an investigation of perjury. Kilpatrick could could be disbarred, sentenced up to 15 years in prison, and forced to resign as mayor. The controversies have prompted an ethics probe investigation, and a recall election campaign to have Kilpatrick removed from office." Excerpts of his text exchanges with his chief of staff are all over the 'Net, and his wife's leased Navigator is appearing as the Red Flag & last straw for his frustrated constituency. Read more here.


the talented tenth:: It's not enough, in 2008, that we should want black representation in all areas of life: media, politics, government - both local and national, industry, etc. We should want our leaders, the "talented tenth" of which DuBois so elegantly wrote, to be not only influential leaders throughout the world, but also beyond reproach. Or at least approaching moral excellence.

it's not enough that our leaders should be black. They should be qualified to lead, and possessing character traits that can inspire us as a people: honesty, integrity, fortitude

Too often, we're so desperate to see ourselves duly and dutifully represented, that we let shyt slide.

they do it, so why...?:: should we be held to a higher standard, you ask? Because the playing field has never been level, and will not be getting flat any time soon. Because the bar is higher for us. Because there is a black tax, and because we are all well aware of it. Because we are well aware that when we "do what they do", the scrutiny is much more intense. Because our two steps back takes not only us (as individuals) back, but also us (as a people). Because there is backlash. And because we deserve, like any other race, to prove our merit. To show we can be qualified, and can do a good job, and be considered based on merit. Not just because we're black. And because the exceptions (like the ClayCo commission or Kwame) shouldn't be the measure of those that are performing to or outperforming expectations. We're not shooting for mediocrity here - the goal isn't the best of the average. We should want to excel. All of us. We should want to do better.

back to campaign2008:: which is what I find so fascinating about the Obamas. So far, they are those people. "Grace under fire", "eloquence", "elegant', "of outstanding character", "grace under pressure" have become so clichéd, that they're more likely to appear in the title of a sitcom, than a description of a political candidate. But the Obamas are that. As i watch Michelle withstand attacks about her patriotism, which I'm sure is very personal to her, and Barack address charges of plagiarism, rumors about his religious beliefs, shallowness and the transparency of his platform - these phrases are the ones that come to mind.

Yeah, I'm gushing a lil, but not trying to sway your vote. Look at them as black people, as African-Americans, as leaders, as icons. That, my friend - is what I find inspiring. Columbia U., Princeton U. and Harvard Law. Community activists. {apparently} Happily married and raising their children, together. And supporting their people the best way they know how, by setting an example.

You can find your own examples, but please - find them. My people... {we got to do better}

Posted by saga_30311 at 05:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 17, 2007

Don Imus & Rap in the Crosshairs

*sighs*

I'm going to try to tackle this one briefly, but I just can't keep ignoring this.

I don't care to comment on Dom Imus' comments, the response, his firing, etc. It's been overexposed, and as of today, it's a done deal. He was wrong, and he's suffered the consequences. My problem was never the word, but the feelings & emotions underlying it, and the fact that he felt as empowered to use that word, as Michael Richards did using the *N* words. Moving on...

What is this other deep-fried madness surrounding this issue? It's the rapper's fault? Are you f*cking kidding me?

Don't get me wrong - I have my own issues with the current state of hip hop. And I do understand that in lieu of our parents and our community raising and nurturing our children, the streets, the music and the sub-culture(s) are having their way with them, no doubt.

But you cannot convince me that Don Imus listened to Mims, and suddenly felt like he could use that phrase, and feel empowered doing it. GTFOHWTBS.

racial fundamentalismm:: as I alluded to before, was introduced to me by Dr. Michael Eric Dyson on his show, when discussing the Banning of the N-word as a result of the Michael Richards incident. The idea, is that we (black people, collectively) have/are allowed one fundamental "right" viewpoint, that we're supposed to adopt, support, and promote when it comes to the issues of race in this society - or face questions aboout race loyalty, and the desire for the betterment of our people. We should ALL want to ban the use of the *N* word. We should ALL want to ban the use of the *B* or *H* word. Yeah, right. The idea inhibits healthy debate of the issues that hit closest to home, and prevents creating viable solutions as a result of the forgone discussions.

I've heard Rev. Al Sharpton, Stanley Crouch, Steve Harvey, Rev. Jesse Jackson, NY Post columnist Michelle Malkins, Kansas City Star columnist Jason Whitlock, Bryan Monroe of the National Association of Black Journalists and Carol Swain of Vanderbilt University recently speak on the controversy, blaming the rappers for their derogatory language and creating an environment or culture that basically empowered/allowed the Imus incident to occur.

Again, GTFOHWTBS.

Can I go in a meeting, and tell my boss, that the spic faggot*** that is testing my application is a lazy beaner a$$hole***, and that if it weren't for my subscription to digital cable and the Comedy Channel or Sirius Radio I wouldn't feel like I could use that language? Right.

Don Imus knew better, just like Michael Richards knew better. But I don't even care to address the overall culture (at a societal level, outside the black community) that empowers anyone to say such things about people of color. My focus is on rap, and these "crosshairs' it appears to be in.

When Essence started Take Back the Music, and when Ebony ran articles also charging the industry to become more responsible, where was the punditry? When Spelman was protesting Nelly's appearance because of Tip Drill, despite the charitable nature of the event, where was the punditry. Right.

We need to clean up our act, not by banning words or blaming whomever. We need to educate and enlighten the musicians to make them want to become more creative, and lteach them the power and influence their words hold.

A a lover of un-censored hip hop and a proponent of creative empowerment, I have to play Devil's Advocate. Sure, go give Mims a hug, talk directly to Snoop, teach the brethren that the ripple the words are to them can/has caused a tidal wave. But do it because our community needs it, not to get a byline or press. And not to provide justification for Imus' behavior. Do it because that's the right thing to do, not because it's becoming popular to do so. Teach the listeners to demand more creativity, and less derogatory references to women. Demand that the entire industry (not just artists) portray women in a more responsible manner. And like Mapplethorpe's Piss Christ, let the viewer of the work, the audience, decide whether/not it has merit.

***ETA: I HATE that kind of language, but it was added to illustrate a satirical point. It truly wasn't meant to be offensive.

Posted by saga_30311 at 09:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 02, 2007

the anti-devaluation rant

You know who it is...it's me, bitches!

LMAO - yes, I'm back. I want to drop a quick thank you to all those folks that emailed me, and checked on me - 'cause I really appreciate the support. I'm gonna thank y'all properly later, along with catch-up on what I've been up to, but first I've gotta get something off my formidable chest.

I've been reading a lot, to overcome some writer's block, and to find some inspiration. Normally, my hiatuses are for one of two reasons: I'm too busy to post, or I'm too overwhelmed with stuff to come up with something decent to post about. So, when the blogger's block hits, I tend to read - anything I can come across. This hiatus, I've been overwhelmed and uninspired, so I figured I'd read about some things I'm passionate about: fashion and relationships. No books...well, there was The Pocket Stylist, which does come in handy...but mostly message boards, popular articles, Blackplanet's forums, etc. I've also been swallowing a whole lot of bullshyt at work and in dating, which relates to my rant topic as well.

about this whole, black women are too _______, thing:: I know, I've probably belabored this topic, but I just don't understand this one, so I really need someone to break this down for me like I'm 5 years old, and it's the first day of school. The premise is that Black men are complaining that black women are too: independent, stanch, aggressive, bossy, demanding, self-sufficient, stubborn, argumentative, adamant, challenging, assertive, forceful, unyielding, domineering, smart-for-their-own-good, ________ (fill-in-the-blank with whatever adjective you can come up with to describe the stereotypical Sapphire black woman). And subsequently, emasculating. And so, because the black woman is just TOO, some of them (not all, by far) are turning to Becky. Or Kim Lee. Or Micaela. Or Mali. You get the idea.

The part I don't get is, when did _______ become a bad thing? I'll admit up front, that stubborn, argumentative, unyielding and domineering, ain't exactly sexy. Hows-n-ever, black women in America have historically been valued by their assertiveness, their tenacity, their aggressiveness, their self-sufficiency, their strength. When did that strength become a bad word? When the dollars showed up alongside it? No doubt imbalance is problematic in all people, regardless of color, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender. But there's an underlying assumption in this situation that if a black woman possesses any typically Sapphire traits, that the imbalance is present (based on the brother's past experiences, or whatever), and he proceeds/behaves accordingly. Whether that imbalance it truly present is kind of an aside.

You're stupid, therefore I'm smart:: Auuugh, I run into this one at work, and at school. As I told a good friend of mine who thinks I'm a Mensa candidate, smart is relative (just like speed, but ah - another post). I love that I'm semi-intelligent. Love it, so please do not get that twisted. But I'm also (as my graying hairs like to scream) old and wise enough to know, that I really don't know shyt. Really doe. In the grand scheme of knowledge, knowledge is much like the ocean, deep and endlessly expansive, evolving dynamically and sometimes overwhelming. And I'm just one lil miniscule atom of water (not even a whole drop) in that ocean. I really ain't all that friggin smart, ya dig?

But damnit, that doesn't stop my smart-ass colleagues, classmates, compatriots, coworkers, and collaborators en masse from trying to humiliate each other (and subsequently themselves) in order to make themselves appear smarter. In meetings, in one-on-one conversations, in class, in casual conversation, people love to expound on some shyt they think they know a thing or two about (bloggers too...as I'm doing rightch now). That part isn't the problem. The problem is that when these folks are challenged (or sometimes just to make themselves look smarter), they've got to enter "ChallengeLand", and pull out all the stops to mentally vanquish their perceived "opponent", to win the argument, prove their point, and subsequently prove themselves smart. Well, damn. I've been labeled "smart" for a while, so I've seen this happen for a while, but my "anti-smart-people" epiphany was in a Psych101 class, in watching a fellow student, a B+ student at that, literally murmer "under her breath", loud enough so that anyone else could hear, how "stupid" another classmate was for asking a question. Silly B+ student, isn't that why we're all there? And didn't you just make yourself a Psych101 example? (motivation: self-gratification, acceptance and validation. Now hand me my A+).

in all their ghetto-fabulous glory:: which may be a misnomer, but let's work with it for a bit. I live in the SWATS (South West Atlanta), the burbs of the SWATS (hallelujah, holla back - I LOVE John Brown), but the SWATS nevertheless. Ghetto Revival, y'all! (Ok, I'm back from my White Rapper moment). Anty-ways, regardless of me being in the burbs, I'm surrounded by my colored folks, which IMHO is as it should be. But my colored folks in my 'burbian hood, are er - semi-affluent. They got a lil sumthin', sumthin'. And some of them, look down at some of us, look down at some of them other ghetto-folks, who look down at the most fabulous of them, in all their ghetto-fabulous glory. (shouts to Hotghettomess.com for ghetto-inspiration).

But add on to all that, the NFATS (North Fulton Atliens), trying to divorce the SWATS. And Sandy Springs, Milton, Johns Creek et. al. trying to divorce Fulton County. And US Citizens trying to divorce immigrants, as well as terrorists, and racists trying to divorce anyone that's different, and it all begins to be just a bit much...

I know you're thinking: WTF does black men saying black women are emasculating have to do with N. Fulton kicking the SWATS to the curb, or smart people for that matter. Stay with me now, there is a common thread....and here it is....

devaluing me doesn't prove your value...:: ...or validate your value, or prove your worth, or (better yet) make you worthier. This is not a 0-sum game people. If I, a black woman, am aggressive as hell, and you, as a black man, state that isn't desirable, or that I'm less desirable as a result - that doesn't make you more desirable. So for the life of me, I can't figure out how me being aggressive is emasculating? How does making me more (or different) make you less? And how can I, as a US Citizen, (ultimately somewhere in my bloodline) borne of immigrants, say that Joe Immigrant is less, so therefore I deserve more, and he less? If I say you're dumb, that doesn't make me smart. If I say you're classless (or broke, or g-hetto), that doesn't make me sophisticated, rich or classy. Etc....etc...ad nauseum.

for now, the brethren:: LMAO - I had a little, er - incident with a brother lately. We went out, things were cool, I got busy, stopped returning his calls, he got a lil PO'ed, etc. Par for the course. Where things really went south, was the ending. I blew him off (he was a little indecisive and passive for me) without explanation, he left me a tart voicemail, I responded with a tart email. Which should've been the end of story - us agreeing to disagree.

But no, homeboy subsequently responded with some 8th grade BS. He literally went from age 48 to age 11 in 0.06 seconds - via an email laced with vulgarities which was really over-the-top insulting. I can take a punch, but he tried to f*ck me with no vaseline, and that just ain't happening. So I told the principle (adminstrators for the site where his email address was registered - the abuse line). What I needed him, and those brethren of his ilk to understand, is that saying we're too ___________ or less _________ doesn't make you look shiny and new, so that the next chick will line up to get at you. You're really playing yourself, and any chick worth her salt knows that, no matter what color she is.

Posted by saga_30311 at 05:44 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

November 29, 2006

on panama length posts, police shootings, etc....

Damnit.

A) I wrote this panama-length post about the police shootings in Atlanta, NYC, and how ridiculous it was that people are being picked off by the police like we're all starring in Magnum Force, and the police have an Uzis {Where is Clint Eastwood when you need him anyway?}. However, it's disappeared into thin air. Suffice it to say that I need to watch where (and when) I post.

B) The gist was: this is f*cking riduclous, as is this And if you're not trying to be the next victim, you may want to read this article, and this article. And maybe this article as well.

*begins rant that lost the post in the first place* Not that any of that will protect you from 50 bullets....and why do we already know that drugs were sold from her home, as well as how many times the officers were shot, but not how many times exactly did the police shoot the 92 year old grandmother? See, these are the kinds of questions that keep me up at night....

Posted by saga_30311 at 11:39 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

November 28, 2006

thoughts on the passing of an icon...

I ran into Pearl Cleage one day in the grocery store, and was pretty much dumbfounded. See, I always admired Pearl for her work. However, the minute I came across the actuality of her, I couldn't remember one dayum thing I'd read of hers. I went home that night, kicking myself - and ordered "What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day". I still have the intent to read it....

My knowledge of Pearl Cleage is not unlike my knowledge of Bebe Moore Campbell. Like so many authors that I stumble across, I'm always encouraged to read more of their stuff. See, I've been an off-again, on-again subscriber of Essence and Ebony since I was 15 years old, and there was a time (pre-MBA) when they were a monthly must-read. I still buy them, mostly for the gear & pics...but I loved many of their (sometimes) infrequent contributors, like Dr Brenda Wade, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Amiri Baraka, bell hooks, Kevin Powell, etc. And Bebe as well.

However, it was Bebe Moore Campbell's essay "To Be Gifted, Black and Alone" hitting way too close to home, that helped gel in my mind that our (yes, us sistren) common experiences is what I enjoy reading most about, and what I strive to write about. Yes Virginia, there is an underlying method to my madness, and it's to just allow my stories (posts, blogs, experiences, voice, what-have-you) to add to the diaspora. Bebe did that so well....it's just surreal that she's gone.

No, I didn't know her - but had I run into Bebe in the grocery store, I would've liked to say: "you know that article you wrote about Leanita McClain? It touched me in ways I can hardly express. Thank you for inspiring me to be above my circumstances. And to write better than my immediacy."

I miss her already.

Posted by saga_30311 at 06:58 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

October 25, 2006

"Lynched" video banned from YouTube

Let me preface this by saying that YouTube has torn at the very fabric of my personal consciousness. I believe that a great deal of videos on YouTube are of da debil, even as I enjoy a lot of YouTube content on the regular...lol. I just hope the Google purchase doesn't end up equating to corporate censorship.

And on that note, you wanna get some background on the video, the ban, and the Artist - NYOIL:
Video for "Yall Should All Get Lynched
Interview with the Artist, NYOIL

My thoughts:
On the one hand, I can remember a time when this could easily have been a real song/video - released by a controversial hip-hop group (like Public Enemy / BDP, etc.) willing to spark controversy about a subject that NEEDS to be addressed. It's interesting yet sad that social protests in hip hop music aren't allowed air time anymore (appropriate or inappropriate). Seems that there's too much $$ on the line to give any consideration to music with a message. But yes, some of these hip-hop artists need a beat down, to get hemmed up by the "Drop Squad", and taught a hard lesson about the images and messages they're putting out, fa sho'.

On the other hand - NO WAY THAT ANY OF THOSE GROUPS I MENTIONED WOULD'VE CONDONED USING THOSE IMAGES OR THE REFERENCES TO LYNCHINGS. Pics of actual lynchings / references to them being lynched? To highlight the sad state of hip-hop? It's demeaning to the suffering associated with lynching, the ideas behind lynching, etc. Not that the misogyny/commercialism/violence/sel f-hatred in hip-hop isn't serious, but equating it with lynching? It's too much.

And yeah - I can't help but be skeptical about why NYOil may have released this - like controversy breeds publicity - which breeds interest. I could care less whether he shows his face or not, but this screams of hype regardless. I want to believe his reason are complete selfless, and altruistic, but....I'm jaded. Real jaded. Too many hip-hop kids have shed their conscious for the almighty $. Hell, I thought 50 Cent was gonna save hip-hop when he did a guest on "How To Rob" - da hell was I thinking?

Posted by saga_30311 at 02:33 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 20, 2006

Afterthoughts: The Southwest Community Festival

Ok, I have a few afterthoughts from the festival:

no pics???:: Nah, I was too busy working and enjoying myself to snap anything. Sowwy.

Learning, Scale & Volunteering:: Let me say that I've never participated in a volunteer event of this scale or magnitude (impact). But in participating I learned a WHOLE LOT about the efforts required to put together an event of this scale, and the whole Concert/Festival/Event planning thing. I have a lot more respect about the process, and I have a great deal of respect for the genre. And I'd love to learn more (HINT: this is why people say they get MORE out of volunteering than they put in. The fringe benefits).

We Gots to Do BETTER:: my people, I swear...even though the event went off well, there were some hiccups:

• lost children/parents? - tbere were 5+ lost kids that turned up, or parents that reported losing their children. Now don't get me wrong, these things happen, but for hours??? One toddler (about 2) was missing her parents for 2+ hours. I'm just saying....


• drunken/wanton behavior - it's a Community Festival meaning a family event. Why are adults engaging in drunken/wanton behavior so that they'd lose their kids in the first place? For that matter, sipping a lil something in front of your kids? Ok, maybe - but getting drunk? Hells naw.


• g-hetto shyt - I ain't even going there. It would take me too long to cover it.


• beef - can we have one community day without a fight?


• dramatic cunty-ism is so OVA:: have I mentioned lately how much I love that phrase? Anyway, again, it's a community festival for c-h-a-r-i-t-y. We can all do without excessive demands for freebies and attitudes. From everyone involved. For real.

the Artists:: overall, the talent was nice, although there were a few independent artists that definitely needed a "Hoe, Siddown" check. See g-hetto shyt, above. Alls I'm saying is, have ur stuff together before you perform in front of an audience, particularly an audience of ur folks, because ur folks are merciless. And keep ur thong in ur pants....lol.

Generally, the talent was good, particularly for this being a benefit concert. They were on time, professional, and the performances were excellent. Shoot, I caught the sound check, and felt like I could skip the show....lol.

the real "regular" dude:: the highlight of the day (for me) was Raheem DeVaughn, who I just want to show a WHOLE lot of love to. Now, when I say he was regular, I mean he was down to earth, like from up the block. He even ate our homemade chicken & grits with us for breakfast.....lol.

But the performance?! Off the damn chain, I mean dude had energy! I love artists who are still hungry, and who still have a connection to his fans/peoples, because they feed off the crowd's energy, and put that into the performance. He performed most of his album, and a few cuts I hadn't heard, and it was live (better than the album). Even interrupted the performance to quell a squabble in the crowd - talked to them brothers about unnecessary beef, like they were his mentees - then finished his set. It was excellent, and yet real - "regular". Diddle, diddy, er diddee dee, (what's his name this week?) 'ya heard? Regular ain't always a bad thing.

Posted by saga_30311 at 05:15 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

September 08, 2006

Southwest Community Festival

REMINDER: The Festival is this weekend. Tentative showtimes have been added, and the lineup of artists has changed (see schedule below). Please come out and support it!

This is both a PSA and a solicitation for Volunteers. Please, if you're interested in volunteering - email me asap and I'll forward you details.

Posted by saga_30311 at 10:15 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

September 06, 2006

South Fulton Tour de 29: A Festival of Cities

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my neighborhood? I truly do, cause there's ALWAYS some civic/community activity going on. And they're geared towards ma peoples (brakka people for those of you wondering...)

So, if you happen to be in Atlanta over the next few weeks, or live here and want to check out my 'hood, the 'SWATs'
(you know, that "rough' section of Atlanta as typically characterized by N. Fulton County residents and the media) come check out:

The second annual South Fulton Tour de 29: A Festival of Cities takes off Friday and continues throughout October, coasting through six cities along and around U.S. 29. Hapeville, East Point, College Park, Union City and Palmetto got together with the Fulton County Arts Council to plan one of the biggest arts-related events in the area.

You can view the schedule by clicking here.

* I'll make a prettier version of their schedule after my org's community fest...lol *

Posted by saga_30311 at 09:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 31, 2006

They, Themselves and Them

Sometimes I ramble on in the codeified language that only exists in my head for my personal use, to someone else; then wonder whether that someone else understands what the hell I'm rambling on about. Like a joke, with a long fuse, it takes a minute to "get" it. And maybe it never actually detonates. My references to "them" may be one of those jokes...

If we make sweeping generalizations about "us" and "them", my guess is we should know exactly who we're referring to, right? So I went into detail about "us", but I kinda skimmed over talking about "them". Well, this being the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and all, let's talk about "them", what "they're" doing, and what we should expect of "them", shall we?

"THEM":: growing up black in a white suburb, with black relatives scattered to the four winds, and from all socio-economic levels ('cept rich ;-), I heard a lot about "them". "Them" being "the man", "the system" and "the government"; "them" being designed to hold black men (at the time, the leaders of our community) down, and prevent people of color (in general, brown, yellow and red) from gaining any type of success in "their" environments (work, school, etc.). Forgive the verbiage, but it was the 70's y'all, and I was taught that an ingrained level of distrust was essential for my survival in their environments. "They" made it that way. "They" would keep our neck pressed to the ground, as long as "we" let "them".

"They" looked out for "themselves" (those other selves, being others that looked like "them") and made sure "they" were presented with opportunities to achieve...whatever "they" wanted. As a collective being "they" took care of "their" own. And anyone else was left to their own devices, proverbially hung out to dry. In the case of Katrina, this analogy may be used, literally (more on that later).

Hung out to Dry? - Institutions, revisited:: I watched "When the Levees Broke", and made a comment about "them". An offhand, un-politically correct comment. And I really didn't expect much of a stir behind it. But them I watched it again, and listened to radio stations here in Atlanta discuss the movie, and listened as people called in to talk about it, and as they got upset about it all over again, I got upset about it all over again. Because there was repetitive comments (and a consensus) about "them leaving "us" hanging. The government not intervening sooner, the recovery efforts taking too long, the nomadic experience, etc. Those "institutions" failing "us" once again.

And because the shyt that I don't get, is why people still expect those "institutions" to help "us". **ok, f*ck it, I'm being PC again, here's the way I really reacted:** I literally screamed at the radio "WHAT THE F*CK DO YOU REALLY EXPECT "THEM" TO DO? THEY ALREADY SHOWED YOU THEY DON'T GIVE A F*CK ABOUT YOU?! NOW WHAT?!

[aside:] one of "them" gave me a side-eye right about then. I was stuck in rush hour traffic at the time. I'm sure the words "dramatic cunt" came to their mind. Shouts to crunktastical for allowing me to borrow some verbiage. [/aside:]

To Quote Spike:: Wake up people, for real. WAKE UUUUUUUUP! The day that you stop expecting shyt from "them", is the day you become truly free.

I see that people are rebuilding their homes, their dayum selves. They're rebuilding their lives, by their dayum selves. "Us" ain't waiting for "them" to rescue them, just as a whole lot of "us" didn't during the initial disaster. And that's as it should be. And as for the rest of "us", do we really have time to waste pointing fingers, and laying blame? F*ck "them".

Posted by saga_30311 at 11:33 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 25, 2006

Out of Control: AIDS in Black America

* kicks dust bunnies * I really need to clean up the dust around here....

Sorry I've been MIA y'all...between the pseudo-"new" gig, school, family, etc. I've been completely hemmed up mentally. When my brain gets busy, the thoughts get negative, and I've been trying to be the "kinder, gentler" saga. Yanno, the one who thinks "if I have nothing nice to write, I won't write anything at all"? Yeah, her. I started to drop a Top 10 list of things that are irritating me, but it was repetitive. I need a kick start, so bear with me as I get my bloggin' groove back. It'll take a sec, and may be a lil bumpy....

So did y'all catch the Primetime Special last night on AIDS in the Black Community?
You can See the Video here
or Read the Overview here

I caught the beginning, and tail end (being 40 has its drawbacks, like falling asleep when you're idle more than 2 seconds). I have a question before I share my thoughts. Did most folks hear/know about this before it aired? See, I'm not much of an ABC viewer, being a Project Runway, House of Boateng, obsessed with everything fashion/design-related geek chick. Matter of fact, I read about it on Crunktastical, at the 25th hour (after 9PM). I hope ABC did as good a job promoting it, as they did their medical mysteries series, but frankly I don't believe it. (I'm also a GMA addict, and [unsurprisingly] I haven't seen any ads).

My thoughts: I was slightly surprised by some things (spread of AIDS in the prison population, and how former inmates are bringing AIDS home when they're release) and unsurprised by others (infection rates in black women ages 18-44, the lack of government response). From what I saw, the emphasis was less on the DL, and more on promiscuity and ignorance (lack of AIDS education). And while I'm glad they covered it, with the infection rates being so HIGH in the black community, I wish it was at 8PM, not 10PM, with coverage on all three stations, and national print ads, radio spots, etc. It's an epidemic in our community, and even ABC admitted it hasn't warranted any media coverage. Props to them for showing it, but it seemed like an aside. Can I get the media to ACT like it's an epidemic? Oh, and no I haven't smoked anything this morning.

Posted by saga_30311 at 08:42 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

July 16, 2006

EJ's Birthday Brunch

The Details (click the graphic to view the evite):

Host: saga
Location: Chequer's Seafood Grill
236 Perimeter Pkwy NE, Atlanta, GA
When: Sunday, July 23, 11:00am
Phone: 770-391-9383
It's that time, time to celebrate the birth of your favorite DJ, the one, the only EJ. Please join us in lifting our glasses (and forks) to honor Mr. Flavors.

note: EJ will NOT be providing the music for a change ;)

If I missed ya, it was purely an oversite - holla at me and I'll add you!

Posted by saga_30311 at 07:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 15, 2006

The Myth of the Angry Black Woman

don't believe the hype?:: Somehow, I missed the memo that this was a hot topic. Apparently, that memo went out to many major media outlets, and particularly the blogosphere. I googled the words "Angry Black Woman" and got back 35,700 hits. Not a lot, but definitely not a little. You can see some of the results here. Some are a little dated, but the perception/stereotype still persists.

ok, technically I got the memo, but I ignored it. Being an admitted Strong Black Woman, from a lineage of SBW's, I knew there was a connotation signifying also being an Angry Black Woman, but I chose to not take on that role. However, for many reasons (including DP's prodding me into reading some things that pissed me completely off), it seems I have to visit this subject again.

Yes, I said again. I skirted this subject a while back, but I apparently need to look at it from a different angle.

Angry Black Woman - the definition:: there are as many, as there are opinions about the subject. I guess the best I can do is try to create an accurate characterization: it's a woman, who through self-definition or circumstance deems herself to be independent and/or self-reliant, who admittedly will not tolerate any bullshyt, and who voices her opinions (according to some, whether she's qualified to, or not) about black men to anyone willing to listen. She's attitudinal, and negative, and happy to voice both at the drop of a topic. And she's got a network of sisterfriends validating her feelings, further fueling the negativity. She's bitter and fearful, and the two are a lethal combination both on a micro scale (for her potential to meet a suitable mate) and a macro scale (destroying the black family and subsequently the black community).

Alrighty then.

yeah, I qualify:: on many counts, not the least of which is my self-reliance or willingness to declare the sweeping generalization to anyone that listens an opinion which restates the obvious: black men have issues. Now, having said that, let me drop a huge caveat here: that opinion doesn't exempt anyone else (black, white, other, man, woman, other) from also having the aforementioned issues/opinions. So, I'm guessing that white women, and black men are also Angry Black Women (as well as Kathy Griffin). But those of you who read this site regularly know that I have made that statement before, so I'd be foolish to deny it.

so, what now?:: ugh, it's this: I'm running across these intellectually "strong black men" and they're finding me to be, er - too much of a "challenge". Or too "complicated". Or too "masculine". Or too "aggressive". Or not ___ enough. And no, it's not just me, it's my cohorts, my contemporaries, my sisterfriends both online and offline. We're having encounters with brothas who basically find us to be "too" much or not enough, and are moving on to easier conquests or suitable mates. Or something along those lines.

It's almost as if, this Myth was just that at the time of it's re-emergence: a myth. A re-invention of the Sapphire stereotype, retooled to "fit" into a modern context, and promoted as a viable answer to the many questions of why black women and men cannot "get along". HOWS-N-EVER, it has now seeped surreptitiously into popular consciousness, so intrinsic that those that toss out the stereotype don't even realize what the original sterotype referred to. It's easy to chalk up a woman's contrary opinions to her 'negativity" and dismiss her as one of "those" chicks, the black b*tch, a certified member of the She-Woman Man Haterz club. So now, folks just toss it out there, and it seemingly sticks.

breakin' it down, so it can forever and consistently be broke:: DP put me on to this article, by an author who apparently has written a book related to this very subject. The original incensifier (fyi - I know that's not a word, it's a joke). Now, let me break down my problem with this article, and others similar to this:

• the Esteemed Authors references - it pains me when writers just throw out the name of someone "esteemed" to legitimize their opinion. I'm guessing that Zora Neale Hurston probably would've been characterized (unfairly) as an angry black woman, had she been born into this generation.


• the proverbial breakin' me down, first - is it necessary to insult my achievements, in order for us to have a conversation? I'll give the author some credit, the statements toward the end about self-examination and the need for love have merit. But you can't insult me, then expect me to hear much of what you're saying. Not without first responding to the insult.


• critical = angry? - if I'm critical (in general) about black men, based upon my experiences with them (dating, work, family, et. al.) does that equate to negativity? If so, does that then equate to anger? Or is it in the message receiver's colored perception?


• communication stategies - yes, I know messages are to be coded so that the receiver "gets it" but I also know that culturally this is just different in our community. Anyone versed in the "deep-seated pathologies" that plague our community will know that black women are much more critical about each other, than they are about black men. We're forward/honest. And we'd rather take our criticism to its source. Essence articles aside.


• about Essence and its ilk - theres a body of intellectual women who consciously forgo Essence, because like its white counterparts (glamour, cosmo, mademoiselle) it sells sensationalism. Not underestimating the sheeplike tendencies that may pervade women's collective thoughts, but just because Essence screams repeatedly "Men Are XXX", doesn't mean that ABW's collectively go "yeah, that's true!"


• the sisterfriend social club - despite this characterization in popular media (Something New, Stella Gets Her Groove, Mad Black Woman, etc.) this doesn't happen nearly as often, or as intensely as it's been reported. Although there is such a thing as the "sorry a$$ brotha" call.


• ABW advice - tied directly to the social club, women are NOT advising one another to cross social boundaries, and date interracially, or "extra"-sexually (lesbiaism, anyone?). My best girlfriends make it a point to tell me to relax my standards, give a brother a break, and 'get some' more often than not.


• the implied rejection - this characterization is dismissive, is it any wonder that a dialogue is impossible? So black men aren't trying to hear ABW's criticism, and ABW's are allegedly either forcing them away, or turning to greener grass. Meanwhile, the stereotype persists.

more on rejection:: see, it's almost as if there's a bevy of ABW's out here, calling brothers sorry, and turning their backs on them. Refusing to deal with them, angrily sitting in front of the computer (am I telling on myself?), lashing back out, shouting with their actions, their high-paid/high-profile jobs, incomes and lifestyles:

WE DON'T NEED YOU! WE CAN DO FINE BY OURSELVES!

*giggles* That's definitely not what's happening though. What's happening is brothers are using this stereotype as an excuse to engage in unmanly, uncivil, disrespectful, infantile and non-nurturing behaviors. And sisters are becoming more accepting of them, because - newsflash - the black community is in shambles, and black men have issues. Sisters are buying into this, and helping to perpetuate the ABW myth. So they go out of their way to prove they're not an ABW, and accept brothers that are "sorry". It's an updated case of the victim being blamed, and accepting responsibility for being victimized, yes. But it's also an updated case of long-held stereotypes being perpetuated. Alls I'm saying is, be concious of what you bring to life. If you go into a situation prepared for a sister to be "negative" and she shares her experience, and that experience is negative, it's pretty easy to make the leap that she's an ABW. It's so much harder to say, "you know, your concerns are legitimate, but that's not me" - and then prove it. Which is why I disliked Diary of a Mad Black Woman (and its ilk) so much, because it was so farfetched. Most brothers, given a perceived ABW (even if she was legitimately angry) would cut tail and run in the other direction.

some real-life dating examples: I'm dating er, a few different people. Not sexing, just dating, trying to get to know them better. In the last 2 weeks:
~ a first-dater suggested that he wanted to see me naked. Right then.
~ a dater "interviewed" me, and suggested I was a challenge, but he figured I was "tameable"
~ a dater no-showed (no call, nothing)
~ a dater lied about his current state of employment

I've love to say these are exceptions, but they're not. My sisterfriends share similar stories with me. So if a sister comes at you outta pocket (as I know many women do) don't just dismiss her, but at least ponder the reasons why.

I love black men. Love them like I love my left arm, because frankly, I couldn't do much without it. And when I (and my sistren) are critical, it's because I/we still care. But fellas, for real, y'all got to do better. And when you do, only then will we become less "angry". Not that I'm admitting we are.

Posted by saga_30311 at 01:57 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

June 21, 2006

Ugly American

Note: graphic below sized for space, click it to view full size in your browser.
Soooo...I'm nearly done with my MBA, and this is where it gets interesting. With all my foundation classes completed, it's time to apply the theories I've learned into a real application. Since I'm in a joint-pathed International Business - Information Systems major, the application will require me to briefly study abroad, and spend a lot of time studying/discussing other cultures. Hence most of my remaining classes are related to International Business, and this current one is the primer.

Weee-he-he-he-ell, I've had a rude awakening. I'm culturally illiterate. Ok, so you're thinking, "the hell you say - not with your open-door, open-mind, open-to-all-things-new policy"? Mm-hm, think again. I got slapped early on, Day 1 in class, with my Professor's seemingly simple question:

Professor: "why did India wait so many years to make the necessary changes to grow their economy?"
Class response: * crickets *

Let me frame this for you: this class is pretty diverse, with a few foreign students, from every continent across the globe (excluding Australia). We even have a few students from India, who moved here as children. And since this is a flexible MBA program, most of the students have established careers, work for companies of varying size, including quite a few local Fortune 500's.

Professor: "ok, can you typify the political-economic climate in India prior to this recent growth spurt?"
economy?"
Class response: * more crickets *

Now granted, most students know these questions are leading, and don't have an easy "right" answer. Frankly, we could all shout out a dozen semi-right answers, and they wouldn't necessarily match the answer this professor had in mind. But, no one answered? No one tried? Amazing, since most of us are probably nearing graduation. Ok, let me ask you a few of these questions, and correct me if these seem like things the average American *should* know:

1. Which country was economically predominant in the 19th century, and how does this affect globalization today?


2. Why does the US think Communism is bad? How's about Islamic fundamentalism?


3. What's the difference between a Caucus and a Primary?


4. What's the capital of Montana?

Aside: Question Number 3 really bugged the living shyt outta me, particularly because I'm a voter, and if this was on a voting test (remember, I'm in a voter-id state - so that idea isn't that far-fetched) I would've failed miserably.

I mean, I know my strengths and/or weaknesses. History, in general, has never been my strong suit. However, I thought I had enough working knowledge of the world, to maintain. To consider myself, about average. That, my friends, is laughable. I barely have enough working knowledge of my own country to be able to read the NY Times or WSJ. Let's not even talk about trying to have a go at The Economist, The BBC Online, or any other non-US news source, for that matter.

And you might be thinking, like I was at one point in my life: who the f*ck cares? I got bills to pay, and babies to feed! Well, the problem is that I know better now. I know that we Americans don't live in a vacuum, we as a country have our hands in pots we definitely shouldn't have, and are ignoring other pots that we definitely should be stirring. I'm trying not to overly beat myself up about it, but I have to call myself to task, and be about my business. I'm not just an employee of XXXXXX company that happens to have a diverse staff, a student at XXXXX University, studying topics of International import. I'm a human being, and I live in a world that I know very little about.

So, if my posts become sparse, just know I'm spending my free time with my new best friends: Wikipedia, Google, and Bloglines (thank goodness for EJ hippin' me to RSS news feeds!).

And I promise to tell y'all my thoughts about being a Black man. And my father. And Alfred E. Neuman. It ends with a horror story. And it's definitely not what you think...

Posted by saga_30311 at 09:26 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

June 20, 2006

World Refugee Day

Words cannot begin to express my thoughts, so I'll just leave you with this:

For More Information:
CNN Coverage of World Refugee Day 2006
BBC Coverage of the Crisis in Darfur
Human Rights Watch on the Crisis in Darfur
Amnesty Intl. on World Refugee Day 2006
And if you just must see what I saw: Yahoo Image Search on Darfur.

I'll be back tomorrow, to talk about my being an Ugly American.

Posted by saga_30311 at 02:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

June 05, 2006

On Being A Black Man...

Nah, I don't think I'll presume to comment on this one. Yet.

However, shouts out to DaveyWayne, for giving me a heads up about it, and for suggesting an idea related to it.

Here's the deal:: The Washington Post is doing a multi-part, multi-authored series on What Being A Black Man in America Means. It includes interviews, videos, commentaries, etc, and is slated to run throughout the rest of the year, in the Washingon Post, and on their website: http://www.washingtonpost.com.

Now, here's the real:: While the Post gets pseudo-props for attempting to cover this, I've already got one skeptical eyebrow arched about whether it will be done accurately, or well. Of course, I'm not the only one. And we don't want the black-celebrity-everyman to be the loudest, most oft repeated voice speaking for our brethren. So, at DP's excellent suggestion, we're soliciting stories from Black men. Readers, lurkers, bloggers, non-Bloggers....I know y'all have stories to tell.

DP's got a great idea - a collective online outlet for these stories, told in the authors own words, about what Being a Black Man really means. Anoynmous, for those of you that seek anonymity. If you'd like to contribute, feel free to comment, email me, email DP (please replace the [AT] symbol in the email addy)... just holla back, and we'll get your story out into the blogosphere.

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May 31, 2006

the 3600

I hope they actually convict this dude on every count. Individually. Consecutively.

3,600 Child Porm Pictures Seized

"Hall County Sheriff’s Office investigators reported finding thousands of sexually explicit photos of children in a home they searched on Tuesday. A man who lives in the home, 29-year-old Anthony Wayne McDonald, has been charged with 3,600 counts of possession of child pornography."

If this is true, 3,600 days locked in a cell with his new boyfriend doesn't begin to spell justice.

Posted by saga_30311 at 07:50 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

May 15, 2006

05152006 - disconcerting pic of the day

I can't pinpoint why I find this billboard so disconcerting. We're all well aware that there's a large portion of New Orlean's former population in Atlanta, so that's definitely not it. And yes, that says Re-Elect Our Mayor Ray Nagin. Our Mayor. No, I didn't move to NO - that's part of it.

Maybe it's also because I spend so much time driving in/out/around Atlanta, and the only place I've come across this billboard is in da 'hood. On the side of a custom stereo/rim shop at that. Or because I know I'd never see that anywhere near my job in N. Fulton County. Somehow I don't think Sandy Springs residents would "stand for it". He'd never be Their Mayor.


Hope it works out for him (Nagin)/them (the chocolatey-er former residents of the chocolate city). Hmph.

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May 05, 2006

A 12-hour globalization/altruism ramble.

Disclaimer: this isn't light-hearted at all. Giggles tomorrow. And while this is long, it won't take 12 hours to read.

I was writing a paper for a class, attempting to justify the case for CSR (corporate social responsibility) in light of globalization, our dwindling natural resources, and innovations in technology. Mind you, I chose the topic, primarily because even with it being a hard sell, it was the only one that held my interest for more than 2.5 seconds. Yes, I'm a victim of the cult-of-the-corporate-whore, but I'd like to think I have a conscience, and altruism feeds me.

The TV was on, more to provide white noise preventing me from dozing off, than to actually hold my attention. ER was on, and I happened to catch (between random thoughts on ways to pitch CSR to any "type-A" market capitalists) the episode featuring the tragedy in Darfur. I can't attest to its realism (having never traveled to the region) but it was compelling. From those reports linked previously, the creators strove to make it genuine, and to tell the human story instead of the political one. While it didn't hold my attention (I had a midnight deadline), it did reinforce something for me.

Ignorance willfully (not blissfully) breeds ignorance. And Americans are willfully ignorant.

Earlier, I'd spent the day doing site visits at several non-profit's headquarters. Part of our narrowing-the-selection-field process for giving away some grant money, I saw how incredibly far apart some of our views are, when it comes to philanthropy/altruism/social responsibility. As my colleagues and I lane-danced through rush-hour traffic across the Perimeter (Atlanta's Interstate 285, for non-ATLiens), trying to get all the site visits in, I had a chance to reflect between visits, where we all stand, and choose to stand. I tried to not be judgemental/analytical, but it bothered me.

Visit 1: environmental agency. Well funded, well organized, well run, and does an excellent job at fund raising. Their presentation was passionate, and yet almost slick - like a glossy magazine ad. From an investment perspective, this was the strongest presentation, because their ROI (return on investment) was not only pretty good, but evident. They showed us exactly where the grant money would be spent, and what they expected to get back from the investment.

Visit 2: inner-city youth agency. Again, well organized, well run, evident ROI. Sports program tied to academic achievement, and the results were much higher GPA's for program participants. Less slick than visit 1, but with a tugging-on-the-heartstrings component that made up for it. This was the feel-good visit.

Visit 3: childcare center for disabled children The discomfort immediately begins. While the director tried really hard to convey the center's needs, the lack was evident: ROI is a questionmark, the center isn't well organized, and while it's daily operations are run well, long term operations are risky. It has funding issues, and it's needs
are critical to it remaining open: grant opportunities, an increase in enrollment, and to lease some of its space to another non-profit, as a way of generating additional income. Evidently, this agency wasn't slick, but it was the most needy.

the discomfort... wasn't just in the way this agency was run. It was also in the clients it served. These children aren't just typical kids, not even typically disabled kids. There is no typical here. So, when Theresa (who is autistic, but terribly friendly) tried to say hi to one of my colleagues, by tugging at her blouse, and my colleague subtly, yet visibly flinched - I knew that they'd never make the cut. And when another colleague glanced slightly disgusted at the peeling baseboards, chipping paint and cracked windowpanes, asking when they'd last had a renovation...well I had to send a prayer up, asking God "just let her see past the obvious". See, even though the walls are lined with pictures the kids worked on, samples from nature walks, and thank you letters from overwrought parents with no alternatives, it's hard to see past the tragedy, and the poverty - to the human-ness. The recoil I perceived was involuntary. However, the response - the fact that while the need here is obvious, the package it's wrapped in isn't pretty, doesn't present a compelling case, and whose value-proposition (by the standards that we're charged to apply) just doesn't measure up - is voluntary. It's all in how we choose, or don't choose, to look at it.

rant: That's what bugs me so friggin much about being American sometimes - this individuality, this entrepeneurial spirit. This anti-collectivism. We live and dwell in a vacuum, patting our own backs at what we've achieved, and willfully turning a blind eye on the tragedies that occur under our noses, changing the channel on tragedies that occur 2000 miles away. We lack a collective social conscious, and while part of me screams that's the price of freedom in a "democracy", the varying values and ideals, the other part knows that the price we pay for that lack of collective spirit is much too high.

In my head, I wanted to scream at my colleagues: "...don't cringe, don't pull away, and save your sympathy. We don't need you to feel bad, we just need you to look. Look at this head on. This is what poverty looks like. Look, and then ask yourself, where would this money be better spent: creating value, or serving a critical need. Which is really the more important choice in this equation?" I'm so...tired....of our awareness being heightened, and yet we still aren't doing anything about it. Wait, some of us are aware, right? And some of us aren't. Even with 4-6 exabytes (?) of information at our disposal, yes...And even then, the childcare center wasn't truly poverty; yes - it's in an effed up position, financially and operationally. But that's luxury living compared to sub-Saharan Africa. And I'm not exactly donating 50% of my check to charitable causes either, no doubt. Yet....

Even with Rwanda still in our peripheral consciousness of late, and with 180,000+ dead, and 2 million people homeless, the tragedy in Darfur got 18 minutes worth of US news coverage in 2005. Terry Schiavo alone got 169.

I'd double check those sources, but my gut tells me that since I hadn't heard anything about the Sudan since Bradgelina did their African interview, this figure was probably accurate. And don't get me wrong - I'm not knocking what Brad & Angelina have attempted to do, along with One.org, Bono and so many other celebrities and their organizations. Darfur, the Sudan, actually sub-Saharan African has been likened to "hell on earth", so any effort that shines a light on that...

and there I sat, struggling to tie CSR-to-globalization-to-value...: trying to not pull on the corporate heartstrings, but to prove that corporations will benefit from CSR in ways that shareholders would actually appreciate. ER went off, with the staff heroes yet not angels, and the indigenous people still suffering. I sent off my case, no longer really caring whether/not I got an A. And I wondered to myself, when my colleagues and I reconvene, how can I make them understand the impact of their decision, despite the "metrics" we're charged with? How do I convince them, that the human story deserves equal consideration to numbers and measures? And then how do I "sell" them so convincingly that they can take the sales pitch, and run with it?

I love America like a crackbaby loves its mother - because they don't know anything else. But gaht dayum, what will it take to get Americans to collectively say enuff? Stop baaaaaa-ing, and force our culture to act as though we live in the world with the rest of the globe?

Posted by saga_30311 at 05:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

December 27, 2005

the alpha and omega man

I had a lovely dinner recently with Mia (theQueen), and JoJo (theDancer) - and as always when single (or semi-single) women get together, we did talk about men. Particularly, theMan - theOne we've either let get away, or are trying to find.

lamenting in the henhouse:: Alright, I know what you're thinking, and it's partially true - if u get single women together, they tend to talk about dating. But it may not have gone down like you think it did. I'd hate to call it whining or lamenting, because that wasn't exactly it. It was more like - hm - giving definition and/or clarity to that murky visual you see next to you.

See, it went like this. We were actually just chatting about general stuff, catching up, etc. And it just so happens that a) JoJo's soon-to-be-ex husband joined us late, unannounced, and b) Mia's new beau called, to see if she wanted/needed anything and c) this made the soon-to-be-ex uncomfortable enuff about his own lack of consideration/commitment to make a hasty retreat. Which got us all to thinking about what that dude on the left would look like.

You know this cat, btw. He's the man we'd put together, if we could crop all the best parts of the men we admire together. Let me 'splain.

corporate thug?:: He's got to be able to handle biz in the streets, office, and sheets. But, before you visualize Tupac or 50 Cent in a Brooks Brothers suit, think again. We (women, generally) want someone we can rely on to handle biz if necessary, but smooth enough to finesse his way out of a street situation, without looking like a punk. Or sacrificing his family, woman, dignity, integrity or people while doing it. Thug lovin' may be a nice catch phrase, but it isn't long-lasting, because it always ends up dead, doing a bid, or finding another bird (sorry Vivica, but you shoulda known better).

He's gotta bring those street smarts into the boardroom though. And also bring that same swagger, that same confidence, that same finesse, that same knowledge, and that same integrity. The things I admire most about my black male colleagues is their ability to just stand up, perform, and excel - while not sacrificing any part of their lifestyles, their dignity, or their culture. Self-assurance and self-knowledge is way sexier than grillz or 20's, any day of the week.

Bellini's use of pu$$y as a subtext?:: Culture people! It's not just a seven letter word. I mean, a date at Dave & Buster's or the Buckhead Backlot is cool, but show me something. Teach me something. Present me with something that you love, and not just because it's popular. Challenge me. If you like obscure graphic novels drawn by Pete Woods, or Australian shiraz, or driving down to Tybee Island to go fishing, or modernist furniture by Mario Bellini, or Alexander Desplat's work on "Girl with a Pearl Earring", or shirts made by Paul Smith, try not to hide it. Flaunt it!

Hell, if you're addicted to playstation, domestic beer and porn, try to engage me and get me interested. Ever seen a lil movie called Love, Sex and Eating the Bones? Ok, then you know - porn addicts need loving too, and you've got a much better chance of getting some a$$ if you show me your dreams, than if you show me your porn collection. Ok, I'm being facetious - it's not that easy. But my theory is that if you go on a date, and share something one/both of you are really passionate about, a connection can be made, and if not - at least you had a good time doing it.

man up, revisited:: nothing inspires passion more than passion, especially showing your passion for your own values. (hunh? da hell is she saying?) In analyzing the last year's worth of dating flubs vs. the guys we're really feeling, Mia, JoJo and I found a trend. The guys that were passionate about their values - their families, their children, their work ethic, their honesty, their balancing lifestyle vs. work - those were the guys that made the most lasting impressions. Passion, in its many forms, is oh-so-sexy. It's even sexier when associated with a value system. If ________ (fill in the blank) is an important part of your life, then shout that from the rafter...we're SO feeling that.

Oh yeah, and let's talk about übersexuality, shall we? Just in case you hadn't gotten the memo, metrosexuals are definitively OUT. Androgyny is very 2005 (2004 even). We want manly men - men with facial hair, who are unafraid to at once burp, and express their feelings, unequivocally. Aight, I'm exaggerating - but we ain't feeling brothers who spend more time at the salon than we do. Manly men, who dig women, but hang around with other manly men, and still care about the world - oh yes! Give me one of them, please. Grooming is good, but so is having a full life. And a beard. (aight, Mia and JoJo want you to know that's just my prefernce...lol)

diamonds in the rough:: demanding, ain't we? Nope. We've learned that we're multi-faceted though. We're juggling the role of career-woman, mother, wife, community activist, spiritual leader, sista-girl, teacher, etc...etc..etc..ad infinitum (nauseum). Our interests have expanded, our responsibilities increased, and we've excelled in these newfound roles, swimmingly. And in doing so, we've gotten more selective, and begun to really analyze the types of men we've been meeting/dealing with.

We (generally, not just us 3) want our men to step up into our stratosphere. Not that we think we're "all that", but we know our worth. And we know the worth of our men as well. I know guys complain that when women get a lil education, money and/or status, that we also get overly-demanding. I don't think that's true. It's really more that, we know what men are capable of, and we see this potential that men aren't realizing in pursuit of the next piece of a$$ (or $$$, or drama, etc). We want them to grow into the wonderful beings we know they're capable of becoming. And no, we do not want to "change you". If this isn't who you are, don't front. Just be you, without limiting yourself to your background, your perceived cultural boundaries, or other's perceptions of you. And try to stress less about sharing that with us.

it's al love thoug:: (edit) I beat up a lot of men here, in detailing my dating mishaps. Thing is - I love men. LOVE them. And I'll say it in a heartbeat - I love the way men walk, talk, think, breathe, smell, function. Love being in their company, and love observing them - 'specially when they think we're not looking/listening. An ex of mine loves to read my posts and tell me how "angry I sound". Probably true, but my anger is borne out of love & frustration, and I'm not alone. We (generally, not just me or us 3), realize that brothas are better than the media, popular culture and even some of the brothas themselves make them out to be. Knowing that, why should we (all, us 3 generally, and some men themselves) settle for bullshyt?

Is this a new "renaissance man"? Are we all looking for men like "our dads"? Yes, and no. My father was a hustla - without slanging anything illegal, without breaking any laws, and without hurting anyone. He just knew how to treat my mother like being his wife was something very special, treating his kids like they were also very special, while providing for his family by any means necessary, and staying true to who he was. Listening to Grover Washington, wearing Lagerfeld, and smoking a pipe in his dinner jacket while he did it. A jack-of-all-trades, and master of one. Love. If that means that I've got an Oedipus Complex, and want to marry someone just like my father (responsible, hard-working, multi-dimensional), then Yes damnit - I do!

ETA:: much thanks to Keyzer Soze for the inspiration. He's an exceptional person, and I'm glad he's raised the bar higher. He knows who he is....

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December 24, 2005

the reason for the season

Despite some unfortunate incidents, I'm still feeling rather joyous. I don't know if it's because me and my fam are cool despite those incidents, or because I've got a few days away from theGig, or if it's just because the sun rising keeps reminding that the world keeps on turning. I ain't even gonna keep questioning it.

I'm gleeful, and to celebrate that glee - I'm not cooking a big a$$ dinner. I haven't fought mall shoppers for Christmas parking spaces, refuse to get stuck in Atlanta's gawd-awful christmas traffic, and don't have the ends to break the bank spending New Year's money. I'm not going to break my neck & back, cleaning my house til it's spotless, and pulling out the good china.If I cook, I'm inviting my friends and fam over, to collectively make Christmas tapas, followed by Christmas cookies, opening a few presents, and sharing some good cheer.

It's definitely a van der Rohe Christmas. And I like it that way.

Posted by saga_30311 at 09:52 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

December 22, 2005

violence

As I type this, I'm somewhat at a loss for words. My daughter, theChaos, was recently a victim of a home invasion. I can't say much about it, except to say that she's ok, and that she knew her assailants. As do I.

So, instead - I'm writing this open letter to her assailant, and any other previous/potential assailants in the universe, considering engaging in the act. I invite them to first think...

---

violence

More outraged than surprised, I held her in my arms
too tightly
allowing her pepper-spray laced tears to sting
my eyes
watched the manhood in her man
swell proportionately
and tasting the copper-laced flavor
of vengeance
in my own mouth

I mentally checked where I last laid my arms, preparing to bear them again

but the sage in me knows

that fear doesn't inspire respect
that conflict doesn't resolve problems
that war is not the answer
that my pride in her ability to stand up
is tempered by my mama-worry that something will knock her down
that pride goeth before a fall
that being conscious is about understanding your own truths first
as much it is being aware of things around you
that you cannot put faith, fate or respect
in the hands of someone who has none and doesn't believe in any
that while some causes are worth dying for
an impedence is not worth a 20-year bid
that this hurts, so much worse
coming from "one of your own"
that while I'd cut off my right arm to save my baby
I'm not trying to bury anyone, or put money on anyone's books
that as I'm thinking this, someone out there will come to a decision
different than mine
and the outcome will be bloody

and that my daughter's life
is worth more
than satisfying the thirst for vengeance

so I mentally laid my arms down

© 2005, Sagacious Media

---

My most sincere, fervent, passionate wish for this Christmas, is that this conflict ends with no further violence.

Posted by saga_30311 at 01:46 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

December 01, 2005

World AIDS Day 2005

I pray for the day when this becomes an afterthought..when a cure is so readily available that it can be bought over the counter, and charitable organizations across the globe distribute it freely in impoverished regions like the Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi. Unfortunately, today is not that day.

While the story belongs to all of us to share, it's not my story to tell. So Just read...
Bejata's World AIDS Day: The Facts.
The new 2005 AIDS epidemic update from UNAIDS and WHO.
ONE.org's World AIDS facts: STOP AIDS: Kepp the Promise
Bejata's World AIDS Day: A Personal Perspective.
bejata's World AIDS Day: Across the Blogosphere (a list of other blogger's raising awareness about the AIDS epidemic)
Posithiv+ : A photographic documentary of the issues of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa.
World AIDS Day dot Org
Light to Unite - light a candle and BMS donates $1 to the cause.

...and spread love y'all. Safe love.

Posted by saga_30311 at 09:55 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

September 24, 2005

the Framework

So, I'm watching the Rita evacuations, with my professor's words still ringing in my ears:

"...between those who believe in institutions, and those who do not..."

E calls, to talk about some mini-drama at his gig, and we get into a long discussion about the potential for success in Corporate America. What it boiled down to is The Framework:

Beginning: our capitalist-agricultural society whose goal was the success of the individual farms (plantations) based on indentured labor, and leading to growth of society as a whole.

Evolution: mutated into a capitalist-industrialist society whose goal was the success of individual firms, based upon cheap labor, leading to the growth of the nation as a whole.

Now: our capitalist-technological society whose goal is the success of corporations (read: multinational conglomerates) based upon cheap resources, leading to the growth & viral spread of the capitalist market as a whole - to the world.

Now, given that framework, where do you "fit"? Where are your interests served? Who is looking out for you? Not you! ...you're working towards the success of the corporation, silly! And of course, the corporation definitely doesn't give a flying f&*% about you.

How do you then "succeed" within that framework? Hell, what is success within that framework?

As an employee, of a Fortune 100, I observe the machinations of the Corporation and its lower, middle and upper level managers, subjectively. I whine when my boss cuts my bonuses, or decreases my raise percentage, and I whine when "the Corporation" increases my health-care costs. However, as a business person, and an MBA student, I observe those same machinations, objectively. I understand why the Corporation does what it does, to preserve itself, and to increase its value. The machinations of its managers thus becomes amusing, because they do what they do to preserve their individual value, and to achieve some modicum of "success", even though it appears that within the Framework, their idea of individual success is impossible. We're all just slugs baby...a paperclip, a nut, a bolt, a screw. The Corporation views us all as resources, to be equally distributed to achieve its goals. Given that, it's not worth the cost of political manipulations, to "sell your soul", to achieve your individual goal.

With one eye on Fox News, E & I validate the Framework, testing one another's ears with examples:
his struggle with a back injury and his managers attempts to get him fired to save paying out disability as well as unemployment, GM's struggling with a pension plan that may undermine the company's long-term goals. Delta's (at the time) impending bankruptcy, China's regrowth as a super-power. We struggle to find an example that disproves the Framework, and in watching Rita's evacuees that also fled Katrina, understand that: yes & no, it is/isn't just about race and/or class.

For the sake of our discussion, our examples prove the simple truth - as individuals, no matter where you stand within that framework, your value to the Framework is only in what it can get out of you. Nothing whatsoever else matters. Parity, fairness, equality, diversity, social justice, empathy, corporate responsibility, integrity...they're pretty words that evoke emotion but have nothing whatsoever to do with the Framework. Here in America, that Framework has been extended outside the four walls of Business. That Framework has become our culture. Given all that, as an individual - you'd best do whatever really & truly makes you happy and serves you well.

Posted by saga_30311 at 01:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

September 20, 2005

Institutions

"...It's not a divide between the rich, the poor or the races. Quite simply, it's a disagreement between those who believe in institutions, and those who do not."

I sat in class for a while, fuming over this statement (and my inability to correctly complete a contribution cost balance sheet). The greater part of me was honestly like "oh, that's easy for yo a$$ to say. You're dry, still have your house, your job and your life..."

But as this story of Katrina and her victims develops, and as the "race" card continues to play out in the media, and as the victims are shuttled back & forth between the Red Cross and FEMA, from Houston to Galveston back to New Orleans then fleeing from Hurricane Rita back to Galveston, and as the finger-pointing spreads from isolated incidents into a plague, I'm starting to understand the merit in that statement.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm so not trying to blame the victims at all. But I'm thinking more of recovery, and preparation for the next event, and what lessons we can learn from all this.

In the "aftermath of Hurricane Katrina", "these institutions" failed "us": FEMA, the Red Cross, as well as the Federal government, and state & local authorities. These institutions were created specifically to respond to this type of situation, and all of them were found wanting.

And please note, when I say "us" - you can use whatever definition floats your boat - black people, poor people, low-class people, elderly & sick people, stubborn people, resourceless people, people with purple polka-dots. Whatever definition works for you. But for now, let's generalize this and just say "us" because it's really just people, and that's all we are.

But here's the rub - this isn't the first time the "gov't" or some institutions failed "us". We could substitute many things for those words in quotes:
~ In the "undereducated communities", "the educational institutions" failed "the undereducated"
~ In the "1980's recession", "the Reagan administration" failed "the poor, the jobless, the homeless"
~ In the "crisis of poverty", "the welfare system" failed "welfare recipients"
The bottom line is that we put an expectation on these "institutions" that they were unable to keep. Given that, should we continue to place our expectations, our fate, our destiny in "their" hands?

I don't have any easy answers and I can't offer any real solutions. I'm not suggesting we stop paying taxes, and stop voting. And being the capitalist whore that I am, I'm not suggesting a revolution (cause frankly I'm just beginning to benefit from my hard work, and don't want to forgo that to stage a coup). All I'm thinking about, on a personal level, is changing my mindset, so that when the next "crisis" happens to "us", the response doesn't catch "us" off-guard.

My hat goes off to Oprah's Angel Network, Heal the Hood.com and all the other "grassroots" organizations that are stepping in to plug this breach between expectations, and reality. Meanwhile, we should all do a reality check, and not only decide whether we'll continue to believe in institutions, but what we'll do about it.

...Now, as for me...can I get a refund on my Red Cross donation? hmph, coulda send that stack to TI & David Banner or a local church instead, yanno?

Posted by saga_30311 at 03:42 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 08, 2005

Hurrican Katrina - Job Opportunities

UPDATE: this information, while from a reliable source, is unconfirmed. I'm waiting on updates for both of these, but until then - disregard this information.

Out of the darkness....Just wanted to pass these on. And don't get it twisted, this relief effort is definitely a grassroots thing, so if you hear of anything, please pass it on.

If you know any young men who need a job or are willing to help the victims in New Orleans, please see the info sent to me below.  Please feel free to share it with any one interested. You may have to leave a message because they are having a high call volume.

If you know any young men age 18 and up who are looking for work, Bishop Eddie Long, Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, is offering $32.00 per hour for a team of men willing to go to New Orleans to help with the disaster and damage done by Hurricane Katrina.  You can call the church at XXX-XXX-XXXX for sign up and more information.
FEMA is actually administering this, not New Birth, and I'm waiting for contact information.
                                                                           
                                                       
FYI                                                                      
Construction company hiring 1000 people to help with hurricane clean up.  
$10/hr, 80-90 hrs weekly, food, lodging, transportation to area.  Start immediately, could go on for 1-2 yrs. Anyone interested can call directly to LVI Svcs, 713-991-0480, 10500
Telephone Rd ,  Houston, Texas. Note: as of right now, they're only accepting applications locally today, in person and applicants MUST have government issued ID to apply.

Posted by saga_30311 at 02:38 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

September 03, 2005

thinking about the Katrina aftermath

~J. Palmer, Warminster, UK: "In times of disaster and desperation, it is the ability of those involved to pull together that defines the outcomes for the survivors. There has been a clear failure in New Orleans at all levels of American society. While those in positions of authority must be called to account for their failures over the coming days, there is also a need for America as whole to try to understand what the collective failure illustrates about the American way of life."

I've watched more footage than I intended to, because (frankly) I couldn't pull myself away from the TV. I felt guilty, for being fine, and being blessed, and not being able to do more. I watched Sheperd Smith on the bridge overpass in New Orleans, near the convention center, calmly, methodically and logically picking apart all the excuses FEMA, President Bush, and other political analysts used to explain the delay of aid to the "refugees" of New Orleans. I watched Geraldo Rivera walk thru the crowds, touching the sick & elderly on the shoulder, picking up dehydratred babies and pointing their crying faces toward the camera to elicit an emotional response that would possibly make people understand the gravity of the situation. I watched them point toward the dead 2 ft away, I looked at the dead bodies floating in the rivers of NewOrlean's streets. I watched exhausted and hysterical New Orleans cops rant about the lack of organization, I listened to Ray Nagin go the f&*% off about the lack of federal response, I listened to Bill O'Reilly/Sean Hannity editorialize about the causes, the effects and the blame. I've read a half dozen message boards, US and international, where common people are asking the common question: Why?

Why did the evacuees have to wait so long to be evacuated?
Why was the federal response delayed?
Why was their no communication between state, Federal and local law enforcement in the early stages of this disaster?
Why didn't people leave?
Why did people, the elderly, the sick, the babies...why did they have to die?
Why were funds to the Army Corp of Engineers cut?
Why weren't the levies strengthened?
Why did _______ (insert gov't official here) do _________ (insert inept, ignorant or illogical activity here)?

At the end of the day, we'll all be asking more questions than we'll ever have answered. Months & years later, when the immediate needs are being met, we'll vote at the polls, or we'll rant & rave all over again or we'll decide to start a revolution, and maybe that will come to fruition. Or maybe it won't.

But.

My hope (out of a myriad hopes, most of which are that the death toll is less than expected, and that people are reunited with their loved ones....)...my hope is that we all reexamine our stance, our values, our morals our priorities. Our compassion. Our integrity. Our patriotism. Our collective conscience.

As J. Palmer so eloquently and succinctly illustrated, there is something deeply and inherently flawed in our collective social conscience. We came together and were so benevolent, briefly, after September 11th. And now this..this shows what a farce that benevolence actually was. The average American has mentally lined up to take a side on the racism/classism issue that Katrina's aftermath has highlighted, and they've probably basing it on where they fall on the class/race model. Or their politial leanings. Or their tax bracket. Or whatever.

Lawd, help me...I'm rambling...but I have a point.

I believe that the divide between the have's and the have-nots has widened so much, that neither side can even imagine the other's. A poor person in American can no sooner imagine the daily life of a person with money, power, or prestige, than a middle-class (not even rich, not even well-to-do!) person can imagine why "looters' or "thugs" would shoot at rescue helicopters. We watch each other on TV, and expect that we know each other, but we don't have a clue. And that cluelessness has robbed us of our empathy and compassion. This, this allows Michael Brown to basically say "well, they should've left when we told them to" and the looter to say "well, they ain't trying to get us out anyway, they're just rescuing the rich people...so ain't nobody getting out this bytch and I'mma take whatever I want. When civilization fails, I've got the power". Not excusing either, not siding with either, those are just the facts that lie openly for us to see.

This, more than anything that has happened in the last few days, terrifies me.

Posted by saga_30311 at 07:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Hurricane Katrina & What You Can Do...

Keepin' it brief...there are local things you can do, here in Atlanta, to help the storm victims. We know the Red Cross and Salvation Army are involved, but here are a few others...

There are families, currently staying at local hotels, in need of food, clothes, water, etc... a few not a few, a few busloads at:
Comfort Inn at Six Flags (GA731)
4330 Fulton Ind. Blvd. , Atlanta, GA, US, 30336
Phone: (404) 505-8880 Fax: (404) 505-9660 ask for Jod... tell her Ali sent you
I'm heading out that way this evening...
UPDATE: as of 9/2/05 AM, these are the items that are needed
~ LARGE BOXES
~ Underwear, for men, women (particularly bra's, all sizes) and children
~ Socks for men, women and children
~ Bookbags
~ School Supplies
~ Children's cold medicine (particularly for children under age 6)
~ Headache Medicine - all ages
~ Alcohol (OTC, not to drink)
~ Peroxide
~ Baby Wipes
~ Baby Formula
~ Towels
~ Laundry detergent
~ Women's Plus Size clothing (particularly sizes 3X-4X)

YOUR LOCAL: apartment complexes & landlords - I checked with mine to see if I can house a family, and I can't (lease restrictions) but my complex is making their empty apartments available to any family of evacuees who needs shelter. They're doing it on a first-come basis, but I'm sure they're not the only one. They already have a short waiting list, but check your local complexes (and if you know of a family looking for shelter, I can provide a referral to get put on the list).

V103 is accepting donation to help put up additional families here locally in Atlanta.
The V103 DJ's will be at The Galleria @ South Dekalb Mall all day today 9/1/2005 until this evening, accepting donations.
They haven't posted the information on their site, but hopefully they'll update it later. You can go to:
http://www.wvee.com later for more information, or just meet them at the mall.

I'll post more information as I come across it.

Just want to put this out there....we know that some of the victims that have been impacted don't have a voice, news coverage, or access to resources...Let's give them at least a voice, ya'll heard?

ETA:: I've been unable to turn off the news reports, and I hate to sound redundant, but it's horrifying. I simply don't understand why, if the media can get in to show people suffering and "looting", if Harry Connick Jr. can get in and talk to people, and try to give them a voice and highlight what's going on there, why can't they take in food, water & medicine? Why can't they get the people out?

I'm also sickened by the absolute callousness and lack of compassion by the critics who have been suggesting that the people stranded should have left before the storm hit, and implying that since they refused to leave, they're getting what they deserved. These people are so far below the poverty line, they have no cars, rely on public transportation, and the money to "get a bus ticket out of New Orleans" was probably more than they could afford. These are people, human beings, not just "looters" and "thugs" and "rapists" and "gangsters". They're people, that are suffering. Hindsight is a mutha, but not enough to throw stones at people who are already dying. I love this country, but .... < sigh > this pisses me the f&*% off. Where are the critics' alleged compassion and values now?

ETA:: Oops Xquizzyt, I deleted your comment! I really didn't mean to, but I had to repost. Sorry!

Posted by saga_30311 at 04:13 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 02, 2005

the Katrina response: a matter of race/class?

Some interesting reads:

Excerpt from Michael Moore's Open letter to Bush:: Any idea where all our helicopters are? It's Day 5 of Hurricane Katrina and thousands remain stranded in New Orleans and need to be airlifted. Where on earth could you have misplaced all our military choppers? Do you need help finding them? I once lost my car in a Sears parking lot. Man, was that a drag.

From Margins of Society to Center of the Tragedy By DAVID GONZALEZ::
The scenes of floating corpses, scavengers fighting for food and desperate throngs seeking any way out of New Orleans have been tragic enough. But for many African-American leaders, there is a growing outrage that many of those still stuck at the center of this tragedy were people who for generations had been pushed to the margins of society.

The victims, they note, were largely black and poor, those who toiled in the background of the tourist havens, living in tumbledown neighborhoods that were long known to be vulnerable to disaster if the levees failed. Without so much as a car or bus fare to escape ahead of time, they found themselves left behind by a failure to plan for their rescue should the dreaded day ever arrive.

FEMA chief: Victims bear some responsibility from CNN.com:
The director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Thursday those New Orleans residents who chose not to heed warnings to evacuate before Hurricane Katrina bear some responsibility for their fates.

Michael Brown also agreed with other public officials that the death toll in the city could reach into the thousands.

"Unfortunately, that's going to be attributable a lot to people who did not heed the advance warnings," Brown told CNN.

"I don't make judgments about why people chose not to leave but, you know, there was a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans," he said.

Posted by saga_30311 at 01:29 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

August 30, 2005

simple, heartfelt sympathy

My heart goes out to Katrina's victims, and you're all in my prayers.

Posted by saga_30311 at 03:26 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 09, 2005

my two Atlantas

I've been driving through my metro Atlanta neighborhoods, watching things change. It's fairly obvious to anyone who has heard/visited Atlanta how rapidly it's grown and changed.

And yet, some things never change.

The picture above is of the Centennial Place Apartments in downtown Atlanta. It's also a picture of Techwood Drive, the former main thoroughfare through Techwood Homes. Now, for those of you unfamiliar with Techwood homes, think Cabrini Greens sans high rise. It's reputation was legendary, and infamous. Warranted or not, Techwood was a jungle that you wouldn't voluntarily venture through without a tour guide, and a shotgun. Drugs & crime were the rule, not the exception, and strangers were liable to get caught up.

Oh yes, I am referring to that picture above. Funny how things change, yes? Now, Techwood Drive is called Centennial Olympic Park Drive, not only because it borders Centennial olympic Park, but also because that name now garners $M in real estate dollars, instead of DFACS checks or drug cash.

But the homeless still (sorta) live there:

And that's typical of the two (maybe more?) Atlantas in which I live, work, breathe. The Atlanta that is (was), and the Atlanta that Atlanta aspires to be.

The Atlanta that Atlanta aspires to be is a neo-Urban mecca, where you can sleep, eat, shyt and play without leaving a 50 yard radius of your living room - well, if you can pay to play. And that price is very high. If Atlanta (as an entity) were free to carve out a new identity, it would be a Gen Y, classist, pseudo-multicultural melting pot, where everyone can come & live @ Atlantic Station and work @ Midtown, and shop @ Ikea...or at least that's what some would like you to believe.

But that's not what Atlanta is. Not yet at least. What Atlanta is, like many American metropolitan cities, is a city in gentrification:

This store is about 100 ft from Centennial Place, and it hasn't been moved, yet. For me, this symbolizes what Atlanta was/is for the last 10 years or so. A city at once suffering from urban blight, "issues" of homelessness, impoverished areas as well as isolated clusters of affluence, and institutionalized racism thinly veiled as classism. My Northern friends asked me to describe Atlanta, and the only way I could is to tell them to drive 10 miles along any main thoroughfare here, and you would pass some projects, and some $M homes. Racism here was organic, ingrained in: the social status & structure of the city, the makeup of its neighborhoods, the distribution of wealth, the lack of cultural interaction (and therefore "true" diversity) and despite the brown faces that run the city, ingrained in its politricks as well.

So, is then very far from now? The Atlanta that is very far from the Atlanta it aspires to be? Naw, shawty...not as long as that same racist infrastructure controls the destiny of the city. Not as long as politricks can dictate policies to ban panhandling, and the closing realignment* of homeless shelters. Not as long as the real estate market here drives up the price of properties intown, eliminating affordable intown housing, and forcing current urban dwellers into the suburbs.

*Oh, and by realignment, I mean the closing of several intown shelters, and the opening of one centralized Gateway facility. Yes, it's good that it added 270 beds, but this unintentional conslidation screams cattle round-up to me. Like Goodie said, are they trying to keep the crime out, or to keep our a$$es in?

I can guess what the landscape will look like in 10 years, and despite the annoyances intown living has posed here for the last 10+ years, I am going to miss: local eateries like Gutbusters, Q-Time; hole-in-the-wall clubs like Ellery's & Marco's; cottage-style bungalows; and places where the owner knew your name & face. I'm afraid that I'm going to eventually end up saying goodbye to Soul Vegetarian, and Soul Kiss, and Shoe Gallery or the Shoemaker's Warehouse and that Five Points Flea market will be converted into a loft space. They'll be wiped clean, and replaced by sterile, vanilla shoplets that only offer socially acceptable diversity additives. Which isn't very far from the perspective of Atlanta's most vocal residents. I think I'm just over being a Peach.

Posted by saga_30311 at 09:48 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

August 06, 2005

the problem isn't us...

Disclaimer:: Despite her use of fancy-a$$ words, or socio-political/psychological context, the following IS intended to be saga's RANT. Take from it what you will.

I've been reading more articles than I care to recount, and a good amount of message board responses, to the whole "The Problem with Black Women is..." jawn. Since March 2003 (and probably before), when Newsweek graced news stands with some theories on the dysfunction in African-American relationships, recounting the divorce & marriage rate statistics, and with notable African-American women debating whether our expectations were reasonable, and whether we should "settle", this topic has been floating up to the pop-culture surface in the African-American community, like a turd that just won't flush. And then there's:
~ Jill Jones piece for the Washington Post
~ Rev. Willie Wilson's comments cited in the Washington Blade. Note: click here for a bio on Rev. Willie Wilson.
~ Blacktown.net (note: I won't even try to preface that one with an explanation).

< sigh >

I happen to be one of "those" women. The kind that makes a decent wage, is preternaturally single, and can't seem to find a decent man. Now, don't get me wrong - I will be the first one to shine a light on my emotional baggage. But can an intelligent black woman get a break?

The problem isn't that the black woman "abandoned" or subverted the structure of the African-American family with our attempts to achieve professional success or financial stability. The problem is that black women responded, as well as we could, to changes in our environment, and now we're being lambasted for it.

I, personally, was raised in a two-parent household, where both parents HAD to work in order for the household to survive. Now, who was the larger wage-earner wasn't the issue with my family. The issue was whether or not the wages being earned were enough to sustain us.

Jump to now, and I'm working within cultural constraints that prevent me from creating that same two-parent household. Misogyny has become rampant and almost acceptable as the news media has propagated the "decent black man shortage" and popular media (think: music videos & popular TV shows) has continued to propagate negative images of black women almost exponentially. There are factors on a macro-level that inhibit my ability to find a suitable mate, such as the declining economy, declining marriage rates, and the divorce rate that hit a record high plateau.

And let's talk about the DL for just a second, shall we? I've mentioned my feelings about this before in this space, but just so we're all clear - the DL is media-propaganda, designed to perpetuate paranoia, to sell more books, more videos, and more cd's. There has been a closet for years. AIDS & HIV has been around for years. Promiscuous sexual behavior has been around FOR YEARS. These issues are loosely correlated, one of these things doesn't necessarily "predict" the other, so if you address just one, it won't automatically fix the others. The paranoia related to the DL hasn't and will never correct any of these issues, so frankly I for one feel as if the topic had it's time. The DL is not why I can't find a decent man, but the paranoia related to the DL is.

I've been forced, almost against my will, to economically empower myself, in order to survive. I've been forced, much to my own chagrin, to create a more appealing package (physically, mentally, emotionally and financially) to stay competitive in the hyper-competitive market that dating within the African-American community has become. I've been forced, again without my consent, to become the Alpha-Black-Female, in response to these societal, economic & cultural pressures.

And at the end of all this, what do I get as my reward? I get to be the root of all African-American dysfunctional family evil. Great.

At the end of this post, what would I like to happen? What would I like you to take away from this? That we (yes, I'll speak briefly for the myriad black women who are catching hell right now) tried as hard as we could to keep our families together. We tried, as hard as we could, to support our black men. We tried, as hard as we could, to understand that yes - they had & have it harder than we do. We tried, as hard as we could, to not only understand that they're emasculated in the media daily, but to also strengthen them and help ease their burden. And we tried, as hard as we could, not to be hurt when they turned their backs on us.

So.

I'm taking back my right to not be dehumanized or objectified. I'm taking back my right to not settle for just any man, and my right to have Standards and Expectations. I'm restoring my right to be selective about whom I date. I'm rejecting the theory that if I didn't demand equal opportunities, the black family would still be intact. I'm refusing to let the "DL" force me to look cross-eyed at every man I meet. I've worked dayum hard to create who I am as a black woman, and I will not allow pop-culture theorists turn that into some desperate-workaholic spinster, in order to explain why my community is in shambles. ENOUGH ALREADY.

It's not my gaht dayum fault.

Posted by saga_30311 at 07:52 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

June 01, 2005

Class: The Great Divide

I can remember watching "Escape from New York" as an adolescent. Losing myself in the coolness that was the merger between futuristic fiction and action. Snake Pliskin was the shiznit, and even as a jaded, worldly 15 year old I thought that the premise, of New York being a jail for incorrigible criminals and the underbelly of society, as being ridiculously farfetched. "Locking up all those folks in a city? It would never happen...not because they couldn't keep them in the city...but just because...it's just wrong."

I live in a city obsessed with class, and even if you're not in Atlanta, gosh dayum we keep managing to make the national news, don't we? "Bride With Cold Feet Flees Upscale Atlanta Suburb." "Crane Hijack: Accused Rapist Holds Upscale Atlanta Neighborhood Hostage." "Accused Murderer Flees County Court to Upscale Atlanta Neighborhood." I wake up in the morning to a murder in an apartment on Piedmont, as the newscaster is busy interviewing "...fellow residents of the upscale apartment building". To be frank, I'm at the point where the word upscale on the morning news sets off my radar, and I'm mentally prepped to suck my teeth at the rest of the story.

But it's not just Atlanta. All across the country, in the national news, on TV, on the radio, these crime stories have subtly yet increasingly focused as much on where and to whom the crimes have happened, as they have focused on the crime. And to whom increasingly means to the "Haves". Disappearing children. School shootings. Incest victims. Serial killings. Domestic Violence. Murder. To the "upscale". And the word, "upscale" is always delivered with that element of surprise, that it happened, here. In a quiet, sleepy, suburban, urban "upscale" neighborhood, where crime is supposed to be the exception, not the rule.

It drives me insane every time I hear it. Is crime & vice the exemplification of the "Have-Not"? No? Then, why in the hell does the media keep making it seem that only the underclass has a "lock" on outrageous crimes? It's as if, Jennifer Wilbanks, Carl Rowland, Brian Nichols aside (not that they're all "upscale", but what occurred in these instances all involved an area where these things aren't "supposed" to happen), money and/or social status is supposed to be a crime deterrent? Since when did Duluth become an "upscale" or "toney" Atlanta suburb? But I digress...

This "classism" thang, it's like a dayum disease...like a fungus growing under your skin. You're somewhat unaware of it until it begins to itch. Then you scratch, only to reveal the huge patch of it underneath the surface of the skin. And when air hits it, it only grows faster.

I'm sitting in class in my MBA program, discussing global poverty and how the system of market capitalism can attempt to cure it, and someone throws out "Let the NGO's (non-governmental organizations) take care of it, and the market will take care of itself". I'm at work, discussing the flat-tax vs. income tax and the impact to the average American, and when someone suggests that this will hurt the poor & working class the hardest, someone else suggests with a shrug "they'll simply have to either learn to save or they won't survive".

Bottom line is that it's still US vs. THEM, just that US is now the "upscale" and them is everyone else. The poor AND the working class. And apathy is now acceptable. Since this isn't necessarily about race or about gender or sexual orientation, and since we live in a market-based society, it's okay to be apathetic. To quote Gordan Gecko (Ivan Boesky) "Greed is Good". Or at least perfectly socially acceptable.

I came from a working class family, two parents who never graduated from high school, and whose combined annual income probably barely exceeded my current income. And I'm far from upscale by today's standards. Whenever I see these thinly veiled references to class, further dividing a country that is forever searching for another excuse to be divided, I shake my head and wonder what's next. And we're all buying into it, and supporting it. Classism supersedes race, gender and all those other boundaries because it feeds into the American dream, of having it all, and having the greener grass to show for it. Hell, even black folks have a magazine of the same "upscale" name, perpetuating that dream for us as well.

Despite my working class childhood, I also lived in the PJ's (projects, for all you bougie folks who aren't up on the un-pc term). Lived in them for 3 years, and plenty of economically depressed neighborhoods afterward. And I can't lie - yes, there was crime. Oh, plenty of fighting, scrambling over chump change, petty arguments over perceived disrespect, passionate brawls over infidelity, and the occasional stabbing over drug deals gone bad. But I'll tell you what I didn't see running rampant: Disappearing children. School shootings. Incest victims. Serial killings. Murder. I look out my "upscale" overpriced intown apartment now, at the marginally PJ'ish neighbors across the street, and I can count on one hand how many times in the last 3 years I've lived here that I've seen them fight, or have seen the police. Hell, the crane on Pharr Road can't even claim that right this second.

The thing that makes this so striking about it, particularly in Atlanta, is that if you drive 10 miles on any main thoroughfare in the city, you'd probably pass some $500,000 homes, as well as a PJ or some other economically challenged area. So it was hard to draw the line between the Haves & Have-nots. They shopped in the same grocery stores. Not so anymore. With Atlanta's gentrification in full swing, those $60K properties that need rehabbing are being razed in lieu of $250K+ condos, and Metropolis-like developments, cities within the city. With their own shopping, their own businesses, their own restaurants and entertainment, leaving little reason for residents to actually leave their property.

The Haves are coming, to displace you - and then point their finger at you, and tell you you're not keeping up. They're drawing that line in the sand, that separates them from everyone else And they're daring anyone to cross it. There's no room in the middle anymore, and you'll notice that when you finally stop hearing the media refer to the "working class". That day is coming, soon. All there will be is the "upscale" and everyone else. And with the "upscale" taking over the cities, where will everyone else go? My PJ's across the street are being surrounded by condos, lofts and new townhomes. Where will the Have-Nots go? My new recurring nightmare is of a well-dressed couple, in golf-shirts & khakis, walking down the street holding hands, and coming across a homeless person. In unison, they both open their gaping mouths, and emit a high-pitched squeal a lá Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Then the police come out & snatch the homeless dude up....

...and take him to New York. That is where they keep "them"...right?

Posted by saga_30311 at 10:24 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

March 14, 2005

On Brian Nichols, six degrees, and living just enuff...

I wonder what I'd do if my back was against the wall.

When the first reports came out Friday morning from the Fulton County Courthouse, my first thought was: figures. Having had my own brushes with GA law enforcement, I've seen firsthand how chaotic and unorganized these courthouses seem. Yes, they check for obvious things; guns, metal - but the average pager/cellphone deters invasive searches, as does the sheer volume of traffic flowing through them. My assumption always was - they probably check the hardened criminals more than the average joe.

Average joe indeed. After the initial demonization of the suspect passed...wait. Let's talk about that a bit. Yes, Brian Nichols singlehandedly disarmed a sheriff, and murdered a judge, court reporter, deputy and immigration agent. But whatever bleeds, leads. And the initial reports were of a savage, vicious, brutal nature, weren't they? Hints at a violent past, the brutality of the rape case pending, and the horrific nature of the courthouse murders. And the most unflattering photos that could possibly be found. Here, take a look: the killing spree suspect was an intimidating martial arts expert, a "bad dude", accused of "gunning down" several people on a bloody rampage through Atlanta in the most horrific display of courtroom violence in years.

Then the details began to get filled in. A computer technician. Well educated. Stable family. Intelligent and articulate. A suspect that was cool, calm and calculating. Watching Brian Nichols don that suit jacket, descending unhurriedly down that stairwell on CNN - just doesn't jibe with the monstrous portrayal of earlier reports. Desperate - no doubt. Murderous - obviously. But rampage screams a lack of control - and that doesn't mesh with this.

I wonder why I'm empathizing with this "monster". Is it just because he's black, and I was hoping he wasn't another young black male, reacting with violence to some perceived injustice that our justice system was about to place on him. Is it some tenuous connection - african-american sympatico, or some other six degrees of separation (no, I don't know brian nichols personally, nor his family). No it was more than that. It was the (then) unknown history that was about to come out: the brief brushes with the law previously, the disorderly conduct & harassment, the perception that he was a brotha not to be reckoned with, while his family was probably happy that he had managed to not get caught up - yet.

I know too many brothas like Brian. Attractive, intelligent, capable - yet still, with the playing field still not level (and never will be), they get hemmed up - because they have "problems with authority", because their "presence is intimidating", because they react "violently" when their back is pressed up against the wall. The brothas with pasts. The stockbroker with the drug-charge in college (to pay for school). The accountant with the assaulting an officer charge in high school (records sealed - during a fight between two teenagers). The lawyer, who checked his tongue during a traffic stop pre-Bar exam, and probably saved his career, by avoiding the arrest. Even Judge Mathis has stories, right?

Brian Nichols could easily have taken out dozens of people - like Terry Ratzman in Wisconsin. He had 3 guns, and more than enough lead time. He didn't, and while curious, also speaks to what will be his undoing. He was almost too smart about it, passionless, calculating - and that will probably seal his fate. No temporary insanity, no loss of control.

Far be it from me to truly say: "The system did this to Brian Nichols". He did the murders, and he'll end up doing the time, and the chair dance, eventually. My point is: again, the demonization of a desperate man for the sake of capturing a news audience, to sell more detergent, or online stock trading services seems not only irresponsible, but reprehensible. And I wonder, after all the media coverage moves on - what then of the victims and their families? The law enforcement administrations involved? (Talk radio is already ringing the death knell of the Sheriff's office, the DA's office, and the previously allegedly "corrupt" administrations). And what of Brian Nichols?

What is sure, is that he will face the death penalty. What is not, is what pushed him, facing a much shorter possiblity of jail time, to in essence forfeit his life, to murder a system?

Posted by saga_30311 at 08:00 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

March 13, 2005

the categories:: saga's got some 'splainin' to do...

yeah, there's a method to my madness. so to make the whole thing clear as fog:

• about me, sagaciously:: all personal stuff, all the time. what I'm thinking, listening to, etc.


• baconstraw:: sometimes, things just don't make no kinda sense. Like a straw made of bacon. And they're not supposed to.


• culture:: Have I seen any hot movies? Read a good book? Stared longingly at a Romare Bearden? You'll read about it here.


• current events:: If Halle decides to dump Michael Ealy, and he seeks solace in my arms, or I glance lustily at the latest felon to shut down Georgia's streets, yes - it'll end up here.


• hair - nappy that is:: nappiness for 5+ years and counting. read all the ups & downs here.


• motherhood:: I raise children, therefore I am.


• parties & bullshyt:: ok, I know you're thinking - wth? But 50Cent & the Game are involved in a shootout at a radio station, then later declare a widely publicized "truce"? Str8 bullshyt - you feel me.


• poetry:: I'm moving the old ones here, and writing some new ones. Feeback (+/-) is greatly appreciated.


• politricks:: I'm just a regular working-stiff, trying to make sense of political issues that affect me. This is usually a tricky business. Well, on an emotionally level I'm leery of politicians in general, so hence also the name.


• work:: ok, a caution - this category will be much lighter than the other ones. I can't HELP but write about it since it takes up 80% of my life, but the names wil be changed to protect the guilty.

A few more caveats - even though I'm a displaced Yankee, living in the hottness - Atlanta is all over this biyotch. I'm amazed sometimes how things go down, down hea - but that sentiment hits all categories, hence no one thang for Hotlanta. And yes, being African-American colors my perception of everything. So, all categories are painted in shades of blackness - some things more obviously than others.

Now that you've read the primer - go forth, and blogtiply. (Maybe I shoulda had a category for corn?)

Posted by saga_30311 at 10:23 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack