In Honor Of Our Mother (For Rosa Parks)

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Image courtesy of the AlterNet site.

 
Today is Rosa Parks birthday.  Often dubbed the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement, she would’ve turned 100 today.  We owe much to Rosa Parks, and it’s important that we honor her legacy.  In agreement with Rachel Griffin’s article on the Ms. Magazine Blog, we need to praise Rosa Parks for doing more than refusing to give up her seat on a bus.  In continued praise, I’d like to share the following poem from my book Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics:

In Honor Of Our Mother
For Rosa Parks

Legend,
Icon,
Hero,
Mother of a Movement:
Those are just some of the terms often used to describe Rosa Parks.
As Nikki Giovanni described her, she was a woman “who did an extraordinary thing.”
She exemplified strength, dignity, humility, and great character.
She was a leader who devoted her life to fight against injustice.

And on December 1, 1955—
After living in a time of segregation,
After living in a time of inequality,
After living in a time when we were considered less than human—
Rosa said enough is enough.
She was tired of being treated as “less than”
Because she knew were so much more.
It was time for the tables to turn,
And to reclaim our freedom.
In that moment, when she refused to give up her seat to a white man,
When she refused to go to the back of the bus,  
Her life, the brothers and sisters of the Movement, and our lives changed forever.
Her act of defiance caused us to rally together to fight for our civil rights,
So that we could free ourselves and this nation. 

Rosa’s actions should serve as an inspiration
To stand up against any act of hatred, intolerance, prejudice, or discrimination.
So when you feel any form of injustice taking place, be it racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia and
     the like,
Stand.
When you feel that your or someone else’s rights are being trampled over,
Stand.
If one person’s or a group of people’s rights are being neglected, disregarded, or deemed null and
     void,
We are all affected.

Don’t be afraid to go out on that limb
And do what’s right.
Don’t be afraid to be like Rosa
And do the extraordinary thing.
Because change will only happen when we allow it to—
When we’re ready to accept it into our lives—
When we’re ready to take on the position and follow through with our actions.
Only then will we see the outcome;
And we all will feel it.

It speaks volumes when a nation mourns the loss of an individual.
And when our nation mourned the passing of Rosa Parks, it was a defining moment,
For she become the first woman to lie in the Rotunda of the US Capital.
Because many of the rights we take for granted were fought for by people 
Like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Bayard Rustin, Thurgood Marshall, Medgar Evers,
     Malcolm X, Fannie Lou Hamer, Dorothy Height, Paul Robeson and Mary McLeod Bethune.
It begs to question, when our foremothers and forefathers see us carrying on the way we do each day,
     are they proud?
Do they feel that we are honoring their legacies?
Do they think we’ve turned our backs on the fight, our rights, our people, and personally, ourselves?

All the more reason why we should continue to honor, celebrate and commemorate Rosa Parks,
Because we’ve come a long way,
And we still have a mighty long road to follow.
And if Rosa had not refused to give up her seat,
Our fight along this road would’ve been a great deal longer.
History would be quite different, and so would we.

So bask in the glory of Rosa Parks and that moment.
Be grateful for the work and the many achievements of 
Rosa and the other brothers and sisters of the Movement.
And please don’t forget your ties,
And your obligation to honor, and when called upon,
To strengthen the legacy.

May the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement, Rosa Parks, rest in peace! 

© 2012 BuddahDesmond 

Happy Black History Month!

Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics is available at iUniverse, Amazon (Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle), Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million (Paperback | Hardcover), and other retailers.

Related Post:
101 Days Project: Prevail

Nikki Giovanni – Quilting The Black Eyed Pea

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Image courtesy of the Jackson State University News Room site.

The trip to Mars can only be understood through the history of black Americans. Because Mars is Middle Passage. And we’re going to have to study Middle Passage if we want a future on Earth.  If we want to move forward we have to study it. ~ Nikki Giovanni, “Meet The Poet,” Learn Out Loud
Nikki Giovanni has been a favorite writer of mine since I was a teenager.  I’ve always found her writing to be honest, witty, and soulful.  It exudes the feelings and elements of soul, blues, jazz, gospel, and folk music.  Giovanni’s social and political commentary is searing, at times jolting, but usually on point. 

 Her eloquent poetry reflects not only the African American experience, but the human experience.  And even if you don‘t agree with her perspectives, your eyes, ears, heart, and mind will be open in ways that they might not have been before.  I believe Giovanni’s poem “Quilting the Black Eyed Pea (We’re Going to Mars)” is a great example of this. 



Happy Black History Month!

Weekly Musings on Life, Love, and Politics – Week 9

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Greetings all!  It’s February (already).  Hope 2013 is going well for you so far.  If not, do all that you can to make it better.  On that note, let’s move right in to the latest weekly musings.

  1. There’s so much pride in knowing, recognizing, and celebrating where you come from.

  2. Knowing (and continuing to learn) your history can revitalize or reinvigorate your spirit, inspire you, motivate you, and influence your life’s path.

  3. Having a strong support system that builds you up and truly believes in you, especially when growing up, can have an overwhelming impact on your self-esteem, confidence, and drive to go after your dreams.

  4. You’re greater than your circumstances.  Don’t let your circumstances define you.  There is life, a better life, beyond your circumstances.  Once you realize this you can overcome anything.

  5. Never let the light inside of you die.  Let it shine.  Let it shine!

  6. We’re reflections of each other.  If we could love ourselves more we could love each other a lot more.  There’s no telling what the outlook of our lives and this world would be if we had more (real) love.

Until next time…peace, love, and many blessings!

~ BuddahDesmond

Happy Black History Month

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Image of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Father of Black History, courtesy of the ASALH site.
Today marks the beginning of Black History Month!  When celebrating Black History Month, we owe much credit to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Father of Black History.  Dr. Woodson committed his life to uncovering the oft untold history, contributions, and achievements of people of African descent.  Black History Month is an extension of his legacy.  
 
In 1926, Dr. Woodson initiated Negro History Week during the second week of February (which coincided with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln).  Negro History Week was later extended to a month-long celebration, becoming Black History Month in 1976.  
 
Other important facts:
  • Dr. Woodson was the second African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard.
  • He was a member of Sigma Pi Phi (the first Black fraternity) and Omega Psi Phi.
  • Dr. Woodson was an educator, he served as a public school teacher, a professor and Dean of Colleges of Arts and Sciences at Howard University and Dean of the West Virginia Collegiate Institute (known as West Virginia State University today).
  • In 1915, Dr. Woodson and Alexander L. Jackson published The Education of The Negro Prior to 1861. 
  • Also in 1915, Dr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, which is known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). 
  • Notable ASALH publications included the Journal of Negro History (1916) and Negro History Bulletin (1937). 
  • One of Dr. Woodson’s most famous works is The Mis-Education of The Negro (1833). 

While February is designated as Black History Month, we don’t have to wait for the calendar to change to the respective month to celebrate Black History.  Black History has and will continue to be made every day.  So why not celebrate it year-round? 

Jazz Performance at Twins Jazz [VIDEO]

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Always in a jazzy mood, I thought I’d share a jazz performance I did at Twins Jazz in DC about two years ago.  This was part of the finale performance for a Jazz Vocal Workshop, led by the extraordinary Chris Grasso, I participated in for 8 weeks.  Backed by The Chris Grasso Trio, I sang “When Your Lover Is Gone,” “Lush Life,” and “Sometimes I’m Happy.”

I had a blast participating in the workshop and performing (always).  I look forward to participating in the workshop again some time in the future.  If you’re in the DC Metro Area, I highly recommend it.

Related Post:Day 63: Black Music Month – BuddahDesmond

Influences: Billie Holiday “Lady Day”

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I had to be about 11 or 12 when I discovered the the Original Decca Masters Billie Holiday compilation album. My mother and I were at my grandmother’s house for the weekend. I was on the search for some good music. For this, I could always depend on my grandmother’s collection of cassette tapes, LPs and CDs.  She had music from the 1930s up to present day. Around this time I was really digging jazz. Much to my delight, I came across this Billie Holiday album. I remember my mouth was agape upon seeing the album cover. I was floored by Billie Holiday’s beauty. She had to be one of the most stunning women I’d ever seen. Couldn’t say I’d heard (or remembered hearing) much of her music at the time. So you know I was dying to put the CD in for a spin. I don’t think anything could’ve prepared me for the experience.

Image courtesy of MTV’s website.

The Original Decca Masters album changed my life. After one listening, my whole perspective about music had changed. My appreciation and love for music grew exponentially. As a music fanatic, singer, and lyricist (even then), it widened my interests and expanded my knowledge. After hearing Billie Holiday’s voice I knew why she was considered one of the best vocalists ever. The timbre of her voice, the way she’d bend notes and sing behind the beat, her sense of rhythm, swing, timing and phrasing–she had it all (and then some). In her voice I could hear the influences of her favorite singers, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong and Bessie Smith. Yet her style was extraordinarily distinct. From her (and a few other vocalists), I learned how to truly get inside of a song and make it believable. With Billie Holiday, there was no doubt that she knew what she was singing about. She felt it. And you, as a listener, couldn’t help but feel it too.

Image courtesy of the More Than Just Wine blog.

In remembering Billie Holiday and her voice, singer Annie Ross said, “There’s a whole life in that voice.” Listen to songs like “Solitude,” “You’re My Thrill,” “Good Bless The Child,” “Keeps On Rainin’,” “Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do,” “Lover Man (Where Can He Be),” and “Good Morning Heartache” and that life unveils itself. In fact, you’ll be able to glean something new and different each time you listen to her music. This is why Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan (amongst others) remain the blueprint for song (of any genre), period.

Image courtesy of A Liberal’s Libretto site.

After hearing the Original Decca Masters album, I devoured as much as I could about Billie Holiday. Books, documentaries, videos, music, you name it. She was one of the best and I committed myself to learning as much about her as I could. I thought it sad her passing so early. But the richness of the legacy she left behind is eternal. Her influence is limitless, boundless. Billie Holiday will forever be one of my favorite vocalists.

BuddahDesmond Full Poetry Reading from OutWrite 2012 [VIDEO]

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Finally, the full video of my reading as part of the head/heart/soul poetry event from OutWrite 2012.  The following poems were recited: “Prevail,” “Gone Too Soon,” “Tonight,” “Power of Love: A Contemporary Aside,” “Luther Is Love,” “Past, Present, Future,” “Everyday Drugs,” and “Politicking.”  These poems are featured in Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics.

Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics is available at iUniverse, Amazon (Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Book-A-Million (Paperback | Hardcover), and other retailers.    

Related Posts:
101 Days Project: Prevail
BuddahDesmond Reading Poetry at OutWrite 2012 [VIDEO] 
OutWrite 2012 Was a Success
I’ll Be Appearing at OutWrite 2012 in DC 8/3/12 & 8/4/12  

Inaugural Poet Richard Blanco’s "One Today"

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Image courtesy of NPR‘s website.


Richard Blanco made history on Monday, January 21, 2013 by being the first Latino (Cuban American), openly gay, and youngest inaugural poet.  Blanco, also a Civil Engineer and teacher, got into writing poetry later in life.  In an interview on the PBS News Hour, Blanco says, “…after I graduated from engineering, I started, as I say, doodling around with poetry, fooling around with poetry, then went to a creative writing course at a community college, at Miami-Dade Community College. And then the one thing led to another. And as they say, the rest is history.“

We head home: through the gloss of rain or weight
of snow, or the plum blush of dusk, but always—home,
always under one sky, our sky. And always one moon
like a silent drum tapping on every rooftop
and every window, of one country—all of us—
facing the stars
hope—a new constellation
waiting for us to map it,
waiting for us to name it—together.
~ Richard Blanco, “One Today” (2013)

Blanco’s work is noted for its descriptiveness, beautiful imagery, and its discussion of identity, culture, inclusion, and place in society.  His inaugural poem “One Today,” is one of unity and highlights the connection that we Americans share.  Regardless of background, class, religion, sexual orientation, education, race, ethnicity, we’re all in this together.  We must not let the often underhanded and divisive tactics of political, social, and religious figures and organizations paint a different picture.  We are one.  And Blanco’s “One Today,” is a beautiful example of this and the ties that bind us together.

Richard Blanco’s works of poetry include: City of a Hundred Fires (1998), Nowhere But Here (2004), Directions to the Beach of the Dead (2005), and Looking for the Gulf Motel (2012).

Weeky Musings on Life, Love, and Politics – Week 8

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Greetings all! Here’s the latest round of weekly musings:

  1. It’s hard having faith in a system that’s broken.  Or if not completely broken, a system in need of major rehab.  While there may be people in positions working to fix the system, resistance, backbiting, partisanship, and corruption prevent change from taking shape.  One day… Just maybe one day this won’t be the case.

  2. I hope I never get to the point where my personal interests take precedence over all, especially when they are to the detriment of those around me.  Sometimes you need to take a step back and think about the short-term and long-term impact of what you do and the effects it may have on others. 

  3. When only you and those like you are winning, everyone else loses.  We can’t win when self-serving and party-serving interests take precedence over the needs and interests of the larger society.  Until we get back to “WE THE PEOPLE,” everything will fail.

  4. There’s an “unwritten” code or script in life that many of us follow.  Within this code or script lies expectations about the type of life we should live, how and where we get educated, the field of work we go into, who we love/marry, the type of community we live in, etc.  Now there’s nothing wrong with following this code/script…as long as it provides you with the life you truly want.  The big “Oops!” or “WTF!” moment for many of us comes when we realize that following the code/script hasn’t fulfilled us (at all).  A gaping, persistent void will figure prominently until we feed our souls what it’s been missing and revive the dreams that died on the way to PC, cookie cutter living.

  5. College isn’t for everyone.  Marriage isn’t for everyone.  Having children or parenting isn’t for everyone.  Corporate America isn’t for everyone.  Christianity isn’t for everyone.  Everything isn’t for everybody.  Just because it’s working for you doesn’t give you the right to force it on to others or expect everyone else to do as you do.  Just live and let be.

  6. Confidence is a light that shines through.  When it’s peaking, everyone can see it.  There’s a certain assurance and glow about you.  Everyone can see it, feel it when it’s dim too.  Oh, the difficulty trying to convince others of anything when you don’t have the confidence or belief in yourself. 

  7. You cannot fully embrace/accept the love you need/want or be able to successfully sustain any romantic relationships unless you truly love yourself.  The inability to love yourself makes it virtually impossible to love anyone else (at least in the way they need or deserve to be loved). 

It’s Not That Serious (from Prevail)

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Mind racing,
Can’t seem to concentrate,
Trying to go to sleep.
But worries keep you awake
Night after night
You’d think one would grow tired,
But other people’s problems
Have you ignoring your own desire.
Get a grip—it’s not that serious.

You’re living for everyone else but yourself,
When you should be concerned with you and no one else,
Steadily letting matters of your concern slide.
As each day passes you keep looking for a place to hide.
It must stop—it’s not that serious.

The drama goes wherever you go
Whatever you do, other people’s problems and issues always seem to follow.
You have yet to realize the power you hold.
You won’t say, “Fuck it!”
And “No!” in your eyes is too bold.
If you’re in the line for people pleasing know that it’s career suicide.
When it’s all said and done
And you’ve got a problem,
People are hard to find.
Then you’re screwed—and that’s serious.

There’s nothing wrong with being kind,
But what about your peace of mind?
It’s a sad tale when you can solve everyone else’s problems but your own.
You’ve got to know when to let go,
Because being tired is enough.
Being tired—from other people and their drama—is beyond too much.
Get it together.
Other people and their issues—they’re not that serious.
You and your well-being—now that’s serious.

© 2012 BuddahDesmond 

Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics is available at iUniverse, Amazon (Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle), Barnes & Noble, Book-A-Million (Paperback | Hardcover), and other retailers.    

Related Post:
101 Days Project: Prevail