So as you take the kids out to beg for carbs, here’s a little something for your brain. My house will not be one with the lights on, and has never been (I think…maybe one or two years back when we lived in Philly and my hubby thought I was mean), but that’s another story for another day.
Are you for or against Halloween? To what extent is your celebration?
There are soooooo many youtube flix out there about this election, but these kids have won my heart. I saw them about a week ago on CNN before going to work, and their little jingle has stuck with me. It’s probably also because I like TI’s song “Whatever You Like.” Apparently, I’m not the only one because they are getting attention from everyone and everywhere.
Toya Smith Marshall is one of those ladies that has managed to do it all and keep it all together. Professional belly dancer, professional makeup artist, Federal Govt employee, mother, wife, sister lock wearin’, manages 2 blogs (LIFE OF A LADYBUG and MAKEDA), I could go on…
I recently spoke with Toya after learning about her winning essay from NPR’s segment “This I Believe” (thisibelieve.org) a weekly segment that is part of the NPR newsmagazine “Tell Me More” hosted by Michel Martin (thank you Jacqueline Carter- NPR media relations).
Toya’s essay is entitled “Natural” and describes her journey to go natural and acceptance of her authentic self.
Check her essay and the pre-recorded segment online by clicking below…
Toya Smith Marshall is one of those ladies that has managed to do it all and keep it all together. Professional belly dancer, professional makeup artist, Federal Govt employee, mother, wife, sister lock wearin’, manages 2 blogs (LIFE OF A LADYBUG and MAKEDA), I could go on…
I recently spoke with Toya after learning about her winning essay from NPR’s segment “This I Believe” (thisibelieve.org) a weekly segment that is part of the NPR newsmagazine “Tell Me More” hosted by Michel Martin (thank you Jacqueline Carter- NPR media relations).
Toya’s essay is entitled “Natural” and describes her journey to go natural and acceptance of her authentic self.
Check her essay and the pre-recorded segment online by clicking below…
Look at that adorable face! I am tearing up reading the latest news. What an incredibly sad story. There are some crazy ass people out there. Who could kill a child? I just hope the suspect is alive so that he can be brought to justice. I see that they are holding William Balfour who is Jennifer Hudson’s sister Julia’s (mother of 7 yr old Julian) estranged husband but not young Julian’s father (I know that took a read or two to get. It took me a while to write).
CHICAGO – Police searching for Jennifer Hudson‘s missing 7-year-old nephew found the body of a young boy Monday in the same SUV sought in the manhunt for the boy.
Authorities didn’t identify the body, that of a young black boy, found in the rear seat of the the SUV and an autopsy was planned for Tuesday.
Illinois State Police said an Amber Alert for the missing boy, Julian King, was canceled Monday because the SUV had been located. And police Cmdr. Wayne Gulliford said the license plate listed in the alert matched the plate on the SUV found Monday.
The alert was issued Friday after the mother and brother of the Oscar-winning actress and singer were found shot to death at home Friday. Julian, who lives in the home, hadn’t been seen since.
In Washington, FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole said at a news conference that authorities found a body “who we believe to be the missing victim in Chicago, the nephew of Jennifer Hudson. We are working with Chicago police to get a positive identification of the victim.”
Hudson, 27, offered $100,000 Sunday for information leading to his safe return. Julian is the son of Jennifer Hudson’s sister, Julia Hudson.
Telephone and e-mail messages left Monday for Hudson’s publicist were not unreturned.
The alert listed William Balfour, the estranged husband of Julia Hudson, as a suspect in a “double homicide investigation.” He is not the boy’s father and has not been charged in the slayings.
Police said they did not have a motive for the killings but called the case “domestic related.”
Balfour, 27, was taken into custody Friday by Chicago police for questioning in the killings. On Sunday, he was transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections “based on his active parole violation unrelated to this investigation.”
Records from the Corrections Department show Balfour is on parole and spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possessing a stolen vehicle.
Corrections spokeswoman Januari Smith said Balfour would probably remain in state custody until the Illinois Prisoner Review Board looked at his case. She would not say where Balfour was being held.
It was unclear whether Balfour had an attorney Sunday, but his mother, Michele Balfour, has denied he was involved the killings or in Julian’s disappearance.
Hudson, who won an Academy Award in 2007 for her role in “Dreamgirls,” was in Chicago during the weekend. The medical examiner’s office confirmed Hudson, 27, identified the bodies of her mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and 29-year-old brother, Jason Hudson. The deaths were ruled homicides.
Hudson appealed to the public for help, offering the reward and asking any information be given to Chicago police.
“Jennifer and her family appreciate the enormous amount of love, support and prayers they have received while she and her family try to cope with this tragedy and continue the search for Julian,” said a statement from her publicist.
___
Associated Press writers Caryn Rousseau and Sophia Tareen contributed to this report.
Here’s are some related links to this story that I found on the internet.
My personal condolences to Jennifer Hudson and all affected family and friends, and again, my personal prayer that this coward who killed young Julian is brought to justice- one way or another…
New York, NY (www.queerblackcinema.org)-In just one week, the 1st ever Queer Black Cinema® International Film & Music Festival will take place.The festival begins on Thursday, October 29th and runs until Sunday, November 2nd at the Brecht Forum in New York City.Come celebrate and be a part of history in the making by attending the culminating event showcasing several live acts from today’s LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly artists. The Closing Party and Concert will held Sunday, November 2nd from 6-11pm at the Brecht Forum.With DJ Double D as the emcee, the concert lineup includes Imani Uzuri, Substantial, Steph, Monica McIntyre, and a a surprise guest or two for a guaranteed night of fun and celebration.Together, these artists will be a feast for your ears and soothing to your soul with sounds ranging from R&B to hip hop to blues to rock, and in most cases, an eclectic but beautiful infusion of somewhere in between.
Imani Uzuri’s (myspace.com/herholywater) debut album is entitled “Her Holy Water:A Black Girl’s Rock Opera” and is best described by Greg Tate in the liner notes, “There is a sound between weeping and wailing, singing and screaming, soul crying and caterwauling, rhapsodizing and retuning fire. Put your hand where it hurts and this sound might heal you…There is no way you can hear such music and not be transformed.”She is currently also in the process of creating a musical theater piece inspired by this album and her childhood experiences in rural North Carolina.Now residing in New York City, Imani’s influences include a range of artists from Bjork to Nina Simone to Alicia Keys.
Maryland native, Substantial (myspace.com/substantial), released his sophomore album in the States called “Sacrifice” back in March 2007.This album continues along the same path of his debut album “To This Union A Sun Was Born” with hip hop rounded out by jazz,/funk/club/soul beats and an overall feel good vibe.However, if you’re listening closely, you see that this album chronicles his struggles as a man and as an artist trying to make it in a world that never ceases to present you with challenges- something he centers with his love of the martial arts.Currently with the QN5 indie record label, “The album is made of everything that makes me me: Six years of writing, mixing, soul-searching, love, hate, strife, life and death,” says Substantial. “I found myself while making this album, which surprised me, considering how much I lost.”
Steph (myspace.com/sapphicsongstress), also a Maryland native like Substantial who have collaborated on tracks for each other, brings R&B to the 1st Annual QBC International Film & Music Festival’s stage.An “out” lesbian, Steph feels strongly that her music can be shared by a broader audience with songs that touch any soul affected by politics, spirituality, struggle, and love.While R&B has an enormous spectrum today, Steph’s music resides on the conscious lyrically inspiring side of R&B channeling her childhood influences of artists such as Stevie Wonder, The Stylistics, and Nancy Wilson as she sits alongside more modern greats of the neo-soul movement like Erykah Badu and Jill Scott.Coming soon will be her sophomore album under her own record label Twelth Sign Entertainment called “Fulfillment.”
Monica McIntyre (myspace.com/monicamcintyre) brings a beautiful and unique sound to the stage with vocals and her unconventional play of the cello that she often slaps, plucks, and strums, sans the traditional bow as originally taught during years of studying classical cello, to create melodies.As described on her myspace page, “The smoky texture and emotional quality of her voice, as it delivers these lyrics, have left audiences crying, dancing, laughing and testifying. Whether performing solo or with a full-band, Monica McIntyre is sure to introduce you to a unique, musical experience.”Her music channels sounds originating in blues, soul, reggae, and the middle-east.Also a Maryland native, Monica now makes Philadelphia her home where she studied fashion at Drexel University before pursuing her lifelong love of music.Her albums include “Blusolaz” and “Abuse Gets Heavy.”
You can sample the sounds of each artist named here on QBC’s IMEEM Music pagewww.imeem.com/qbcmusic as well as their myspace pages.For more information on tickets, programming, volunteering or sponsorship opportunities, visit the Queer Black Cinema® website atwww.festival.queerblackcinema.org.
About Queer BlackCinema®
Queer BlackCinema® (QBC) is New York’s first and only monthly micro-cinema, volunteer-run organization dedicated to showcasing independent narrative and documentary works by U.S. and international Black LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) filmmakers. QBC encourages filmmakers to create films knowing there is a venue specifically developed to display their works.QBC aims to be to filmmakers what Apollo is to some of the greatest musicians in the world- a home to preserve our history and expose all to our stories.
Dreamgirl, Sex and the City, The Secret Life of Bees, American Idol contestant, Oscar-winner, songstress, shall I go on? Just when things seem to be going in all the right directions, Jennifer Hudson received the news today that no one ever would want to hear- her mother and brother were shot and killed in their Southside Chicago home. To top it off, Jennifer’s nephew Julian King (although reports are conflicting as to his specific relationship to Hudson) is missing and an Amber Alert has been issued.
Please pray, share positive energy, leave comments of support on this post for Jennifer during this extremely difficult time.
Sources confirm to E! News that Jennifer Hudson’s mother, 57-year-old Darnell Donerson, was found dead Friday afternoon in a house on the South Side of Chicago that is listed in Donerson’s name.
Officer John Mirabelli of the Chicago Police Department tells E! that officers were called to a house in the 7000 block of Yale Avenue in the neighborhood of Englewood, where just before 3 p.m. they discovered two unresponsive adults—one male, one female—who had apparently been shot to death.
The shooting is at this time believed to be domestic, according to police. Various reports are claiming that the other victim was Hudson’s older brother, Jason Hudson.
A 7-year-old boy named Julian King has also been reported missing, but authorities aren’t confirming whether he’s a relative of Jennifer Hudson.
Per the Chicago Tribune, police are looking for a white 1994 Chevrolet Suburban registered to Jason Hudson with Illinois license plate No. X584859. They say the boy could be inside and an Amber Alert has been issued.
A rep for the Cook County Medical Examiner told E! that the female victim was shot in the head, while a 29-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the chest.
Mirabelli could not confirm the victims’ identities, but a source close to Jennifer Hudson confirmed that an initial local-TV report identifying Donerson as a victim, based on information provided by a representative of the family’s church, Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist, was true.
A large crowd had gathered outside the home, where police tape was blocking all comers from getting too close. According to the Cook County Assessor’s Office, Donerson purchased the 1,910-square-foot house in 1996.
E! has learned that Jennifer Hudson was in Florida when she heard the news and is currently en route to Chicago. In happier times, she had been planning to go to Japan Monday to promote her new album, but that trip has been canceled.
The Secret Life of Bees star had also been set to appear next week at the Hollywood Awards to help collect an ensemble cast honor.
“Everyone at Fox Searchlight and Twentieth Century Fox wishes to extend our deepest condolences to Jennifer and her family,” the Bees studio said in a statement Friday evening. “Our thoughts are with them in this time of profound sadness.”
“My faith in God and my family, they’re very realistic and very normal, they’re not into the whole limelight kind of thing, so when I go home to Chicago that’s just another place that’s home,” Hudson, who got engaged last month to boyfriend David Otunga, said in a recent interview with the Associated Press.
“I stand in line with everybody else, or, when I go home to my mom I’m just Jennifer, [so her mother tells her], ‘You get up and you take care of your own stuff.’ And I love that; I don’t like when people tell you everything you want to hear—I want to hear the truth, you know what I mean?”
The Oscar winner purchased a posh condo on Chicago’s North Side in 2006 for $537,500. Her digs were featured on the Sept. 28 season premiere of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition when she offered decorating advice for a young girl’s new bedroom.
—Additional reporting by Ashley Fultz, Jason Kennedy, Marc Malkin and Claudia Rosenbaum
(Originally published Oct. 24, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. PT)
We as black women should not
let our hair be the dividing element
that destroys our development.
Our hair is a unique blend
of the diverse experience
we have experienced in America.
It is an expression of our horrific history
that at times, the white system has used
to destroy Sister Unity.
Yes, our hair defines us,
but it should not deny us
the right to wear it any way we want.
After all, when we look into
the magazines of America,
we see what has been believed
to be beautiful,
and then wonder if we are okay–
yes, we may say we are okay,
but when we search within
and find that dilemma that
makes us wonder if we should blend
the nappy with the straight
in order to relate to a world
that has denied our beauty
from the very beginning,
then our hair still is a
difficult and complex issue.
Deep down we wonder if our men
like it straight and blowing in the wind,
and then after feeling its awesome texture,
we fall in love with that glorious natural;
yet when we stand against the world,
the eyes of society don’t often see
our natural halo as beauty.
And then we rush back to the straight
hoping that this will dictate
that we must compete in a competitive world;
but blackness is a state of mind–
the color or length or texture of our hair
really cannot be defined;
the decision is ours–
we might plague it for hours,
for in the end what should really matter
is the genuine love we have
for our God-given hair.
Sweet Georgia Lady of such grace. Did I tell you how beautiful you are within? Your hair as silk as satin let me take this day to tell you how beautiful you are within. I am chocolate, of many flavors and taste, I fly upon the wings of the doves with God’s grace, I am the Universal Queen of today and here after, I am the link between the heavens, and Earth, I am the beauty of the Nubian Queen. I as you, Your words are soft as the dove, and the whispers of sweet love, did I tell you how beautiful you are within. Our battles are the same, I am the ivory of chocolate, satin and smooth, I love as you, and have felt the same pain.
Did I tell you how beautiful you are within? Oh how the battle that separates us from the essences of women, the flowers of the valley sorted in many colors, oh my sister of the universe, did I tell you how beautiful you are within?
Successful of the begging, the light that shines within us, my eyes the reflection of the soul, as I as you, did I tell you how beautiful you are within. Convictions, beliefs, of a perceptive love, roots of my light thou enhancement of spoken words, lifting from the burden of the separations of similarities of the same cause. Sunlight tender, perfumed scented, with the wind of breath.
Did I tell you have beautiful you are within? Listen to the pumps of the heart, similarities I as you, Rhythms of the earth. I fantasize all women running through the valley of great love, the rainbow of colors that God created through the softness of our love. Sunset above our head, the Georgia peach of the south, an all over the world. Did I tell you how beautiful you are within? Similarities, exchanging, listen to the heartbeat, of great love, moist upon the universe, surrendered by great love.
I am love I am mercy, I am a woman, did I tell you how beautiful you are within. White lilies, Dark lilies, the fragrance is the same, I the mist of tears, don’t thy cry the same, the blossoms, skies of veil, thirsting thou nights, dose love when not given hurt the same. I turn me to gracefulness, I am love, I am mercy, and I am a woman, chocolate flavored.
The taste of bitter sweet, do we not bring life into the world, did I tell you how beautiful you are within.
I don’t see the news agencies reporting on it, but the most striking comment that Obama made at Alfred E. Smith charity dinner in New York last night was the one where he said something to the effect that who would’ve thought there’d be a black man who is married and a father to his own two kids. My hubby and I turned to each other like “whoa!” when Obama pulled that one out of his hat. Humor indeed, but I know he was sending a message to white america and anyone holding on to the stereotype that black men don’t stand by their women and raise the children they helped bring into this world.
Did anyone else catch that?
UPDATE 10/17/08: Thanks aw for the exact quote.
“Fox News accused me of having two African American children in wedlock.”
There were a lot of other comments I liked that they are talking about in the press. Like whoever gave him his middle name never thought he’d be running for president.
Here’s a little snippet summary about the event from World News Australia, of all sources, but they had the nicest short blurb..
Twenty-four hours after their final debate before the November 4 election, the presidential hopefuls were the stars at the celebrity-studded event to raise money for poor children in honour of the late New York governor Al Smith.
The two men spoke at the 63rd annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a charity event organized by the Catholic Archdiocese of New York for the benefit of needy children. An estimated $4 million was raised.
Forgive me Father. It has been seven weeks since my last hair treatment.
This was the first trip that I debated whether or not I really “needed” an appointment. My color is in darker tones now (for the Fall season) so the new growth does not look so strikingly different. I liked my cut from the last time, and it had grown out nicely but not too much in 7 weeks (you know how that nappy hair grows oh so slowly). Finally, I think I have workable hair! Thanks Mizz Ethnicita!
I decided to go anyway because I am really bad at making time to totally spoil myself, and going to the hair salon is one of the best ways to do that. Plus, I’m going out of town next week and want to look like total hotness.
So, here’s me before. I didn’t do anything to it that morning because I knew I was getting my hair done, and Mizz Ethnicita had just finished toying with my hair as we brainstormed what to do this round. Secretly, I really want to go a lot shorter with my hair, but I haven’t had enough nerve to just say it with conviction. I mean I’ve gone shorter, but I want to do something more drastic. Maybe the next round.
My hair was lighter than it was when I last got it done, but I never notice until we start talking about it and really looking through my hair. Good ole hair color and sunshine. Mizz Ethnicita noticed something that had been bothering me, too, but I hadn’t even mentioned it. The top crown area was not shaped/blended well with my lower layers (you can’t tell from the above photos). It had been annoying me because I felt mullet-ish (exaggeration but you get my point). She promised she could help clean that up. As far as color, the point was to dye my roots and darken a few areas so the overall color blended better. She showed me a section of hair that had a nice color mix to it and expressed her goal to do that more throughout my hair. Genious!
…and yes, I did want my eyebrows waxed.
Phia offers a complimentary scalp massage, mini facial, or hand and wrist massage with certain treatments (I’m not sure if it’s every visit and/or if it’s just something done at all Aveda salons or if it’s always complimentary). The last two times (my first 2 visits to the salon) I had opted for the scalp massage- something that can put me to sleep and make me purr if done right. The last time I was there, Mizz Ethnicita had suggested that I try the mini facial. Honestly, I didn’t know that was an option, but I went for it this time. The person who shampooed me did not mention it, but I was happy to know about it because I have only had a facial done once in my life (remember, I’m not really that beauty type). Also, even though I don’t wear makeup, one of the things I do care about is taking care of my face. I have to thank Lala Tamago for encouraging that interest and schooling me back when we first met and she was working for Mary Kay. Now, I use a variety of products from Aveeno’s foaming wash to Wexler’s Acnescript along with a moisturizer. Anyhoo, this was a chance for me to try out some new products. Thank God the “zit popping” part that was such a traumatic memory from first and only time I got a full fledge facial done (it was kind of like not being told that it hurts the first time you do it…you people in society are liars with your glamorizing of things that aren’t always so glamorous!). She asked if I had any skin concerns and I shared that my skin is very sensitive and breaks out very easily, so she opted for an Aveda product designed for sensitive skin (I’ll have to ask what the products were).
I won’t go into details about dying and cutting my hair because it was basically the same deal as before. The facial was heavenly! Mizz Ethnicita did it herself while the conditioner sat in my hair. My favorite part was the hot towel on my face, and the facial massage was a close second. Hmmm, maybe it was the other way around. In any case, I walked in extremely stressed after back to back meetings with contractors at my house and a poor night of sleep, and the mini facial brought me to that calm state.
Of course, no trip to Phia would be complete without my green tea. I love that they offer tea and coffee there. No honey this time, but that’s ok. I often “steal” a few extra honey packets from my Starbucks visits for just such an occasion. Those who know me know that I am either sipping tea or a martini. 8-) What?? They both have “t” in the word! I also continue to love the girly artsy vibe at the salon as there are only 2 male stylists (I think…definitely no more than 2…definitely maybe) in the whole salon, and the girls all have different looks and styles…not that monotone chic black outfit kind of place, but just as fancy to me.
So without further ado, here’s the after photos. I was afraid that the cut had lost the angly thing I was going after with the long piece on the sides (ya, I’m sure it has like a fancy style name so school me, i just know i want the angly thing with that part where my hair is longer towards the front), but after styling it later last night, I realize that shape is still there (not shown in these pics). I’m looking sharp I must say! Those of you who have been still holding on to hair and perms for the sake of hair and perms are really missing out. I love finally not wearing my hair in a ponytail and being a slave to the curling iron after so many years of my life.
The good part is that the disconnect between the length around the top crown of my hair and the lower parts is fixed. Case and point was this morning when I woke up in a hurry to drop my doggie to get his teeth cleaned and had no time to fully do my hair. I was able to finger and shape into a style that I had trouble doing before. That’s good news because I’m all about 3 second hair styles.
What am I using in my hair these days?
I am an Aveda girl for the most part. I still love my Kenra shampoo and conditioner. To this day, I feel Kenra’s moisturizing conditioner leaves my hair feeling softer when conditioning in the shower than any other conditioner I’ve tried. Aveda is good, too, but I think the Aveda Brilliant conditioner’s magic is using it as my leave in. So if I want to stretch my Aveda Brilliant conditioner, I mix with other conditioners like Kenra or just use Kenra in the shower and put the Aveda as my leave-in.
After the leave-in conditioner, I use Aveda’s confixor liquid gel. I don’t like the smell which I shared with Mizz Ethnicita, and she did try to introduce another option which I thought smelled worse. I think it’s something about liquid gels in general that just don’t smell good to me.
To top it off, I use my hair “crack” (as in the drug) as I continue to call it, better known as Aveda’s Brilliant humectant pomade (the all blue jar). I am addicted to the smell which is good considering it nicely masks the confixor. It also, leaves a nice shine and definition to my curl (who am I kidding? my NAPs! …lol) without feeling greasy. I’ve never found a product that worked that way before. I am putting in my personal plea for Aveda to come out with a larger jar than the 2.6 oz size. At least it makes me use my expensive hair crack more sparingly.
Total cost? $160 dollars (something close to that). Expensive, but I have to say Mizz Ethnicita is one of two stylists that I absolutely loved in my history of going to hair salons. So, to me, my pretty pennies are worth it.
Mizz Ethnicita tried a little lip gloss (I will have to get the name from her) that has a bit of a color tint to it. I was nervous after learning it has SPF 15 because most products, organic or otherwise, that have sunscreen break me out. Luckily, this didn’t which says a lot about Aveda products. I’m not the type to wear lip color (i don’t care for it and my hubby hates makeup…see we were truly a match made in heaven…you can’t make a pairing like that just happen), but I’d go for a clear lip gloss just for kicks. Right now, I still have a ton of those flavored Bath and Body Works flavored lip glosses from a previous life so no need to rush out and try something new. Funny story….my hubby heard me singing/saying my lip gloss is poppin’ whenever I put on lip gloss so now he always says something like “girl! your lips are poppin!” He refuses to correct it to lip gloss is poppin’ but that’s him… and that’s me- the one to always correcting English.
Before, I left I got to meet the owner. I must be moving up the food chain, thanks to many of you who have gone to the salon after reading my posts. Nice guy who’s doing some really cool things with his life which seems to be true of many entrepreneurs out there. I’ll probably share a bit more about him in future posts.
So that’s another tale in the chapter of Affrodite’s Adventures in Nappy Hair (I’m still laughing about seeing that phrase when I got linked on CNN…it took some nerve for the white folks to click on that link, but they did and I am grateful).
Affrodite loves all my nappy people. Check out the press release below. If you’re in the NYC area, go and support the event.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2008
(New York, NY) Queer Black Cinema International Film and Music Festival will kick off Thursday, October 30th in New York with a night of live acoustic soul music performances by LGBT & LGBT friendly artists. Festival goers will have a great opportunity to mix and mingle with filmmakers and industry professionals over smooth music and delicious chocolate treats. The festival will continue Friday, October 31st with the New York and Opening Gala film of Kortney Ryan Ziegler’s “Still Black: A Portrait of Transmen.” The film is a one-of-a-kind documentary that explores the everyday triumphs and tribulations of Black transmen. “Still Black” is co-produced by Awilda Rodriguez Lora featuring Kylar Broadus, Carl Madgett, Louis Mitchell, Nicholas Rashad, Jay Welch and Ethan Young.QBC Int’l Film and Music Festival will take place October 30 – November 2nd at the Brecht Forum 451 West Street (between Bank & Bethune Streets), New York, NY 10014. For more information on volunteering, sponsorship and/or tickets go to www.queerblackcinema.org.
“Still Black: A Portrait of Black Transmen” is a neo-noir documentary that explores the lives of six Black transgender men living in the US. Through the personal stories of their lives as artists, students, husbands, fathers, lawyers, and teachers, the film offers viewers a complex and multi-faceted image of race, sexuality, and trans-identity.
Trans theme films are becoming more visible with the new wave of film festivals that are trans centered. However, people of color trans them fillms are still few far and beyond to exist, particularly films with people of color subjects made by People of Color filmmakers. Ziegler and co-producer Awilda Rodriguez Lora, have taken on the challenges to use this film as a catalyst heighten the visibility and uniqueness of Black transmen- a group deeded obscure compared to the dominant images of transwomen.
Ziegler is no stranger to the academic arena as well. She is best known for her “controversial” blog, BLAC (K) ADEMIC. Currently, a doctoral candidate at Northwestern University, Kortney’s scholarly work focuses on queer performance art and experimental queer cinema. The intellectual artist highlights and examines the films of Isaac Julien; queer artist, La Performera; hokum blues singer, Gladys Bentley; and drag king extroardinaire, Dred. Kortney presented at numerous conferences in San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Chicago including screening her past work at Queer Black Cinema’s monthly film series, Frameline, Seattle Transgender Film Festival and Queer Women of Color International Film Festival at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
“Screening ‘Still Black’ is not only an honor for QBC but a necessity. Many people whether they are a part of the gay and lesbian community or not still do understand fully the difference between sexuality and gender or what it means to experience transphobia and racism. For some, the only image in film that has any transgender people of color as a reference famous actors and comedians who trade suits for dresses and perform in drag for comedic effect. Many have misconstrued what it is like to be a transgender person in the real world- not a parody. Universal 1999 film, “Life” featuring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence attempts to discuss LGBT issues when the ‘Biscuit’ character played by Miguel A. Nuncey Jr. portrays a gay man (transwoman or dressed as women) who is up for parol but chooses to get himself killed when he tries to escape, fearful of his family acceptance. Famous mogul, P-Diddy, attempts to include trans people by casting transwoman, Laverne Cox on his reality show, Some may argue he missed the mark because there were next to no discussion about transphobia and racism which clearly took place on his show and why some people including Cox’s colleagues reacted the way he did during a few of the competition tasks. However, I applaud Diddy’s efforts to make trans people more visible particularly on a major channel like MTV[insert Affrodite correction- this show actually aired on VH-1].”
“Screening ‘Still Black’ and having Kortney here to present the film shows our commitment to represent the ‘T’ in the LBGTQ community,” proclaims QBC executive director Angel L. Brown. A panel discussion is scheduled to take place around “Still Black” ad special invited guest on the experiences of being a Transgender of color.
Other films set to screen at the multi-day film festival that are transgender-themed or speak to gender fluidity are Hanifah Walidah’s “U People and Crossing”- a short co-directed by Trans Entities stars, Ignacio Rivera and Khane Morris.
The festival focus lineup includes: New York premiere and Closing Gala Film “Friends and Lovers” TV series/featured film based on “Ski Trip” directed by award winning filmmaker, Maurice Jamal. Jamal is known for working on hit TV show “The Dave Chapelle Show” as well as writer/director/producer of “Dirty Laundry” featuring Rockmond Dunbar and Loretta Devine. The four day multi-media festival will pay tribute to LBGTQ youth of color who left us all too soon due to homophobic hate crimes with centerpiece film “Dreams Deferred: The Sakia Gunn Project” by Chas Brack. Hit, narrative film, “Truth Hall” by Jaden Dixon is also a Centerpiece that focuses on sisterhood and the drama and deep rooted secrets that go on from college into adulthood. The film also includes important key issues about Black Women with HIV and will highlight QBC’s annual “Just Be: The Black Gay Erotica Poetry and Short Film Competition on HIV/AIDS Awareness Prevention. “Truth Hall” most recently premiered at Urban World Film Festival 2008 and was the opening film at the American Black Film Festival 2008.
Other titles include popular online urban lesbian of color hit web series, “The Lovers and Friends Show” by Charmine Johnson, “Bitch Can’t Get A Date!” featuring radio personality and comedian Keith Price, “Seen, But Not Heard” by award-winning pioneer filmmaker, Cyrille Phipps, QBC’s premier of KIN4Life, “Make Up Girl” music video and many other great music videos, short films and features about and from the Black LGBTQ experience/perspective.
“This year, Queer Black Cinema is premiering a well needed Black LGBTQ film festival in New York outside of the pride festivities. With the support of the LGBTQ community, we aim to go beyond the average LGBT outreach by challenging and encouraging straight allies, movie goers and professional film critics to not only attend the festival but write about some of the most socially conscious well needed films that highlight the Black LTQ experience as well, “ Queer Black Cinema founder Angel L. Brown states.
All festivities screenings will be held at the Brecht Forum- 451 West Street (between Bank & Bethune Streets) New York, NY 10014. For more information on tickets, programming, volunteering or sponsorship opportunities visit the Queer Black Cinema website at www.queerblackcinema.org.
(FINALLY REWRITTEN INTO ONE COHESIVE POST 12/11/08)
I first learned of these dolls from watching a local news report on them. I couldn’t believe my ears! It takes me back to the 80s where they claimed if you play the record backwards it talks about Satan worship. So, I went on my own search to find one, figuring they would be pulling them from the shelves soon. Well, I’m a lazy shopper and ended up buying several online and sent them to my mom who also has a fascination for dolls and this story. I was able to find them on the Toys R Us website. My mom found them at a Walmart in Gwinnett County, Georgia. During my search, I went to Amazon.com and here’s the product description.
“These adorable babies want to reach out and hug you! Their sweet cooing, giggling and realistic newborn hugging motions will have little girls wanting to snuggle and cuddle them right off the shelf! Each doll comes with a sweet soothing pacifier, rattle toy, bottle and their very own birth certificate so girls can name her baby, too.”
Just for kicks, you should read the comments section on Amazon.com, too.
If you have kids (I don’t), you might already know about Mattel’s Fisher Price Little Mommy series of dolls. The Cuddle and Coo doll is one of them. My issue is that the doll is not sold under any religious premise and Fisher Price is still standing strong by their statement that all of the sounds are random cooing, even the alleged “Islam is the light.” Below is a clip from Associated Press.
If you haven’t heard it for yourself yet, watch this news story…
Funny story… I had the dolls I ordered online sent to my mom’s house. The post man left the box at the front door. Apparently, the dolls have some switch to turn off the cooing but that switch was not turned off. So my mom is hearing all these children outside her front door and thought there were neighborhood kids playing in her yard. As she opens the door there’s this giant box with all these random sounds (I ordered 5 dolls). She said it was like a scene from a scary movie as she looks down at this giant “talking” box. As soon as she brought them in and unpacked them, my mom called me and we listened to one of the dolls for several rounds. Sure enough there is one distinct “Islam is the light” amidst random other cooing sounds. I wonder where they are originally manufactured because I feel like someone is having a laugh at our expense.
I have also done some research because I personally was confused between Mattel and Fisher Price after internet searches returned this doll’s name in affiliation with one or the other. So here’s the official explanation from Fisher Price’s “About Us” page.
In November, 1993, stockholders of Fisher-Price, Inc. and Mattel, Inc. approved a merger under which Fisher-Price became a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel. This merger ignited remarkable growth for us in international markets and through product acquisitions.
After Mattel’s acquisition of Tyco Toys in 1997, the Fisher-Price name became the umbrella brand over all Mattel’s infant and preschool lines.
There are some stores pulling the dolls from their shelves, but it is being done at a local level. Honestly, I’m surprised that Fisher Price has not recalled them especially in the economic environment where retail sales are taking a hit. Who would want to lose customers over something like this? Based on your comments, many people are taking action in their own hands and either boycotting Mattel altogether or at least asking their local Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, etc. to pull them from the shelves. There is no doubt in my mind that the doll says “Islam is the light.” Shame on you Mattel! I’m sure you could at least recall them and insert a reprogrammed cooing sequence.
Thanks for bearing my my patched together post for so long, and continue to comment about what you think and any actions you’ve taken. I will continue to research this to see if there are any changes from Fisher Price. Below are some articles that I found when I originally put this post together that might be worth a gander.
I’m watching Ellen interview Dennis Quaid on today’s (Tues 10/14) show. He’s promoting the film “The Express” (Ernie Davis story). I’m going to quote a segment of the interview and ask if you were a little bothered by a comment he made.
Ellen:
So let’s talk about the film “The Express.” Tell people what it’s about.
Dennis: It’s the Ernie Davis story. Ernie Davis is the first African-American athlete to win the Heisman trophy back in ’59, and I play his coach who was Ben Schwartzwalder who was one of those old school tough as nails. You might say he’s a meanie but he’s not, kind of a guy. Uh, he actually may have been (pauses), but by today’s standards you may call him a racist but back then he was just part of the status quo. and uh it’s a very inspiring story of Ernie Davis and the relationship he had between his coach. we basically turn out to be father and son in the end…
It’s the part I highlighted above that made me literally push the pause button and rewind so I could hear the entire comment. As a person of color, do you find it bothersome when a white person makes a statement like that? It’s almost like it was ok to be racist back then, but not now.
What do you think?
The rest of his appearance on Ellen was fun. Oprah had him wear a mic in his ear and he went into Starbucks and repeated random stuff that Ellen told him to say. Totally Ellen, and totally funny.
So back to my serious point. I’d love to hear your comments.
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