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Thursday, February 25, 2010

Our Generation!

Our generation is very different from the ones that came before us. I have noticed that many times the older generations have look to history, politics, and education to better understand the issues and meaning behind many of our struggles. Trying to made sense of things and drawing the parallels between how these things came about. Slavery, inequality and issues of that natural. But what many of us don't realize is that on our path to excel and become scholars in our fields, love, organizations and movements we tend to forget about a percentage of our people that have not been as fortunate to receive those advancements in education or were just unable to expose themselves to greater knowledge and broaden their horizons. And so what happens is those who advance then seem out of touch or not in tuned with the masses. and the youth and newer generation don't seem to care, feel like they are being lectured to and there becomes a huge disconnect. Then you will often hear the rebuttal well that was in your day, or things have changed now.

Which to a degree is true.

Nowadays it is not about civil rights marches and white vs. black it has evolved to black on black. It is not about not seeing colored ppl on tv but my constant argument not enough darker skinned Latinos or blacks. Now don't get me wrong I am a huge believer that in knowing where you are going you must know where you came from BUT many ppl of my generation and younger don't want to hear about what has been done they want to hear about what will be done. This generations beauty and downfall is that it is very aggressive and will get things done and accomplished but it is taking more of the Malcolm X approach rather then MLK's. And some may feel it is too abrasive and too fast too forth coming as those of our past. Many in the urban communities get things done by any means necessary and although some may frown they still bet the odds and accomplish what many thought could or would not get done because of the color of their skin.

Unconventional approaches are the new wave... I mean lets face it who other then an ex drug dealer turned almost billionaire could get one of the first Black billionaires to sit on Brooklyn's Marcy projects Steps.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Enough Inspriation to last a lifetime

So as most of you know we had an amazing turnout at our NYC shows. Although the snow did cramp our style for Philly and cause cancellation, we made some very important relationships and bonds right here at home.

Since starting this what some might call controversial movement, there have been several things we have been faced with.
Fear being one of  them. Regardless of ones personal self confidence or position in life, this is something we all go through. I am sure the night he won the election there were so many emotions including fear that  filled Barack Obamas heart, but this just fuels our passion when we overcome it.
One thing we were fearful of is support or a lack of.

We always knew there were people out there like us. We knew that their voice may have been silenced for some reason or maybe they just didn't have the channel to use it.
Since then we have had a tremendous amount of support, response and recognition from many different
people.

One that stands out in my mind is Rosemarie.
During our Friday night reception she came up to the stage to greet us and we couldn't help but feel the water fill up in our eyes.
She simply said thank you.
" I am 61 years old and I have wanted to say all those things my whole life"...."thank you"..

If there was one person we could reach in an audience of many this was her.
Knowing your words, your essence, your being made a difference in one persons life makes a world of difference in yours.
To know that she is from an entirely different generation and has probably lived a different set of life experiences yet can still relate speaks volumes.
It touched our hearts in so many ways but ultimately gave us the assurance we needed to let us know we are going in the right direction.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Things that make you go hhhmmmmmm.....

So on this journey to make a voice for a group of ppl, my ppl I notice alot and I mean alot of things that some would say is unbelievable but I am use to. This idea of unity and support is very much so a facade. And there are so many different levels and types to it that if you dont see it coming you will get bamboozled. One type is the "oh yeah I love what you are doing I can help you with this and that" and then they never pull through womp womp womp, dont hold your breath. Then there are those that quietly watch what you are doing and pretend not to notice... ha ha hysterical. Then my favorites and you will see many of them slam me in blogs and stuff which I love... they pounce on me, not quite understanding what the Movement is about, didnt do their research but want to open their mouths. Where is the unity, the love... where we can all co-exist and bring each other up as women, ppl of color and humans in general trying to find happiness in our own beings.

If you are doing what I am doing company wise or are a fellow actress, or even a fellow Black Latina whatever it is... why couldnt we get together and take over things monopolize or create a huge conglomerate and do the damn things. But no we bicker and say "who they think they are, she thinks she is better blah blah blah" We stump each others growth time and time again.. but why be a hater??? Why not be happy for each other.... and dont hate because you should be happy for what you do have and not hateful for what someone else has... where is the brotherly love.... true friends.

It kills me and not with just direct friends but associates or supporters... how can you support but secretly hate... dont sit on the fence be real with yourself if you are going to hate then hate.. but 1. know that facts... an informed hater gets more respect in my book and 2. be real with the hate... dont disguise yourself and be a wolf in sheeps clothing, talking about unity, empowering and realness... be real with the hate... you are seen in a better light if you are true to your beliefs and feelings....

just my thoughts for the week....

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Whats in a word ?

So for years now I have struggled with perfecting the Spanish language.
Being able to speak the language is an amazing feat alone.
For me its been a journey that continues. As a young child I lived with both my parents who exclusively spoke English to me. The only spanish I spoke was to my Spanish speaking grandparents. The converstions were generally filled with " Hola, como esta"...and...."estoy bien y tu" and a few "quiere comer's"....and that was that.

In school of course I had Spanish class but nothing that really stuck with me. This had a lot to do with the school I attended which was about 95% Hispanic with children who came from spanish speaking households. These kids got 90's and 100's while my grades suffered in this subject.


I on the other hand learned to wing it. I believe I picked up most of my Spanish from simply trying, speaking what I knew and feeding off of others. In the beginning I would hold a conversation with the person speaking Spanish to me and simply reply in English. Funny enough I understood more than I could speak .
My English replies were partly due to my fear of using the incorrect grammar as well as the correct wording.

Slowly but surley I gained the confidence to speak up and hold a conversation in Spanish....not perfectly but trying.

So as I learn I find that there are many words that when translated to English take on a different meaning, as with many lanuages this tends to happen.
One word in particular I have trouble translating, whether its from English to Spanish or vice versa is describing my nationality.
How do you say I am black?
Now I know many Spanish speaking people use the word " moreno" to describe a black person.
I find that this word has a negative connotation to it?
Am I correct in assuming that? Is this word politically corrrect to use?
Moreno, being a widely used word, definitely may not be thought of as negative in another persons mind.
But I hesitiate, do I say....mi mama es morena y mi papa Ecuadoriano????
Or Africano Americano?
Very confusing yet valid.