Weekly Musings on Life & Politics – Week 3

Posted on November 1, 2012 by BuddahDesmond611

Sorry for the delay with posts this week. School has seemingly taken over my life again. With less than five weeks left in the semester and in my MBA program, I have had little time to sleep, socialize, or maintain consistency with anything outside the books. The good thing, many would say, is that I’m in the homestretch. It won’t be long now!

In the interim, I’d like to leave you with my musings on life and politics for the week.

If one or a few groups of us have to be put down, cast aside, or degraded for the sake of “progress,” then we’ve failed as a society.

Supremacy prevails when we don’t have access to the same chances and opportunities for a better life.

Fear is a powerful yet crippling emotion. It gives immense power to those who use it as a controlling mechanism, while it cripples and weakens those who fall prey or succumb to it.

You have to want happiness. You have to want change and/or want to change. There’s nothing and no one that can wave the magic wand to make everything all better. That’s for fairy tales. This is real life. Embrace it and play your part.

What you look for in others may already lie within you. Locate, realize, and tap into it.

The understanding of why things happen to us may not come immediately. But everything clicks when the reasons and learning lessons unveil themselves. Life is funny that way, isn’t it?

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Hold on. Be strong. Everything will get better.

The Charm and Brilliance of Zadie Smith

Posted on October 28, 2012 by BuddahDesmond611

Image courtesy of the Black Enterprise site.

A little over a week ago, my partner and I attended a reading by the charming, brilliant writer Zadie Smith. This reading, sponsored by Politics and Prose and Sixth & I, was in support of her latest novel NW. Smith read two passages from NW and followed by answering questions by members of the audience. The passages from NW showcased Smith’s knack for witty, insightful dialogue between characters living in a contemporary world still very much at odds with race, class, and other social issues of the day. Works of fiction (and non-fiction) that provide a deeper look into our lives and provide social commentary on the very issues affecting us have always intrigued me. Not having read the work yet, Smith’s reading of these NW passages only further heightened my interest.

What was also interesting was learning more about Smith’s process as a writer during Q&A with the audience. When asked about character development and if she’s unable to release herself from her characters after completing her works, she said she’d never had that experience. Her focus when writing is “making sentences…and [making] them as well as [she] can.” Her characters develop as her writing develops. Sometimes she hears the voices of her characters before she writes them. Her method allows her to focus more on the craft (on good writing). There’s a sort of practicality to this, as I’m sure it allows Smith to let the her writing flow freely. While characters typically serve as projections of self, Smith takes slivers of herself and others (here and there) and expounds upon them to develop her characters.

Smith says her writing (and editing) is about control. She starts on the first page and doesn’t stop until she gets to the last page. She brought up the fact that natural flow can really help you indulge yourself, but you have to learn how to control it. Her writing, she says, “came out of her reading…a side effect like when you squeeze an orange for juice.” Because she read all the time, her writing was influenced by what she read. As writers, the rule thumb that we often follow (instinctively) is that we write what we want to read. As a recommendation, Smith says it’s pertinent that writers read as much as they can.

When asked about pop culture references in her work , she says they have to be appropriate, telling, and central to the characters. She says, “It’s part of the fabric of these character’s minds, who they are and what they do.” Not a fan of throwaway references, she hilariously quipped that she would not be including Honey Boo Boo in any of her novels.

After attending this reading, I developed a deeper respect and appreciation for Zadie Smith. Instead of following formulas (like some of her peers), it’s clear that she challenges herself with each work. She takes risks. She writes stories that require us to really think about our world and how we coexist within it. Smith’s style and voice, I believe, will continue to push boundaries in the literary world—further solidifying her as one of the best writers of her generation.

Brandy’s "Two Eleven" is a Smash

Posted on October 26, 2012 by BuddahDesmond611

It’s official… Brandy’s sixth studio album, Two Eleven, is a smash! Her latest effort debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart and No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling nearly 65,000 copies in it’s first week. Two Eleven is Brandy’s fourth album to debut in the top ten on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. And Brandy’s first single “Put It Down” (featuring Chris Brown) became her first Top Five song on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart since “What About Us?” in 2002. This is confirmation that Brandy has comeback in a major way.

As exemplified on Two Eleven, Brandy has come into her own as a woman and an artist. She did what some would call a revolutionary act in modern music—she made an unadulterated R&B album. While several of today’s biggest writers and producers (Warryn Campbell, Mario Winans, Mike City, Rico Love, Bangladesh, Sean Garrett, Tha Bizness, Danja, Switch, Jim Jonsin, and Frank Ocean) are featured on the album, the sound and style is thankfully not representative of the electro-dance-pop oriented music that is so prevalent with many of Brandy’s R&B contemporaries. Instead, Two Eleven harks back to the feelgood R&B music of the 90s yet is resoundingly fresh (as heard on songs like “Wildest Dreams,” “Wish Your Love Away,” “No Such Thing As Too Late,” and “Do You Know What You Have”).

Image courtesy of Brandy’s site.

It’s hard not to get caught up into Brandy’s rich, soulful voice while listening to Two Eleven. Clearly, Brandy is happy and in love—her voice embodies it. Esthero, another one of today’s best singer-songwriters, said, “If god could sing – she’d sound like Brandy.” This is a testament to the beautiful instrument Brandy continues to bless us with. The growth and maturity of her expansive voice is astounding (just listen to “Hardly Breathing,” “Without You,” and “Paint This House”). Without any doubt, she is one of the best of singers in the game—PERIOD.

Brandy’s recent success may comes as a surprise to those who may have written her off after 2004’s Afrodisiac and 2008’s Human. However, it’s only a reminder of Brandy’s resilience and her influence. After nearly 20 years in the industry, she’s still making music that moves people and she’s doing it her way. As one of her longtime Starz, I have high hopes for the Two Eleven era and happily anticipate what Brandy does in the future.

If you haven’t already, pick up a copy of one of 2012’s best releases: Brandy – Two Eleven (Standard | Deluxe).

Desperation (from Prevail)

Posted on October 24, 2012 by BuddahDesmond611

With two weeks before the election, I thought it fitting to share this poem. “Desperation” (from the “Politics” section of Prevail) was written just before the 2008 election. While the stakes are seemingly higher now, much of the poem’s content is still quite relevant. If you remember nothing else for this election, please remember the power of your voice, your vote, and your dollar. And use them all wisely. Just as elected officials should be held accountable for their actions, we too should be held accountable for putting them into office.

Desperation

When desperation sets in,
Colors don’t matter.
You have no time for games;
It’s about functionality,
And what makes the most sense,
when all other qualities and characteristics are amiss.

When desperation sets in,
Decisions are made nearly in haste.
There’s almost no doubt,
No second-guessing.
When time was wasted on bullshit before,
you’ve got to go with the best for the future,
or what’s better than what you’ve got right now.

When desperation sets in, you might let go of all sense, logic, and reason.
Just because you can’t lose faith in the system,
You don’t want to give up hope.
Even when your leaders have proven otherwise,
You have to have faith in the truth and the power of the people.

When desperation sets in,
Political parties don’t matter.
It’s all about who can do better than those who currently stand before you in office.

When desperation sets in.
You just want someone who can do the job,
Someone you can trust,
Someone who you could stand on a temporary if not permanent basis.

When desperation sets in,
You hope to not make the same mistakes twice.
Cause you’ll really be fucked;
You’ll be fucked in more ways than one.
Most importantly—it won’t be the way you’d like it to be.

When desperation sets in,
Don’t get blinded by the façade,
Don’t be swindled by the sweet talk.
Charm is good but revolving doors that lie are not.

When desperation sets in,
Don’t go with the lesser of two evils.
When the vote counts, make sure it’s a step in the right direction,
Not a step into another (inter)national nightmare.

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.

Weekly Musings on Life & Personal Empowerment – Week 2

Posted on October 23, 2012 by BuddahDesmond611

This week’s musings are deal with life, and personal empowerment in particular. It’s so easy to lose self, especially when there’s a lot at stake. Have to remain grounded. Have to know that who you are and what you bring to the table is enough. If ever not, it’s time to go to another table.

You can plan your life all you want. But you’d be a fool to think that everything in this life will always go as planned. You know that you’re truly living when you can get through the parts of life that were not part of “the plan.”

For one who’s lived a life where all they’ve ever heard was “yes,” the true test of their character comes after hearing their first “no.”

The less time you spend worrying about what’s wrong with others and how to change them, the more time you can devote to working on and changing yourself. The power lies in changing you first and foremost. Work to make a better you.

Talk, especially when coming from people in positions of power, is nothing without meaning, purpose, and action. Yes, it may sound good. Yes, it may be full of passion and promise. But without the substance of planning and actual work, talk fails on all the things that matter.

Always look to the things that bring you joy and lift your spirit. You’ll find comfort, motivation, inspiration, and reassurance in them during times of doubt, confusion, disappointment, need, and loss.

When you’ve given or done your best—and you know that you have—there’s really nothing more anyone can ask of you.

We all have to make choices and compromises in this life. But dimming your light or changing yourself for the sake of others should never be one of them. Stand proudly and firmly in your light. Your light is what makes you unique.

Alice Walker’s "Democratic Womanism"

Posted on October 22, 2012 by BuddahDesmond611

Image courtesy of the New York Daily News site.

I want to vote and work for a way of life
that honors the feminine;
a way that acknowledges
the theft of the wisdom
female and dark Mother leadership
might have provided our spaceship
all along.
I am not thinking
of a talking head
kind of gal:
happy to be mixing
it up
with the baddest
bad boys
on the planet
her eyes a slit
her mouth a zipper.
No, I am speaking of true
regime change.
Where women rise
to take their place
en masse
at the helm
of earth’s frail and failing ship…
~ Alice Walker, “Democratic Womanism,” 2012

During an interview with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now, writer and activist Alice Walker recited her poem “Democratic Womanism,” written in honor of the late Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai.” In this poem, she challenges us to rethink the current practices of our leadership and to question the effectiveness of a political system that has only let its people down, and has led to the further destruction of life and the well-being of the planet. “Democratic Womanism” encourages us to look towards the wisdom of women, as they have have so expertly led, managed, and taken care of all aspects life and the planet. By doing so, we ultimately have a chance to change the course of life and our world.

What does Walker’s “Democratic Womanism” mean to you? What is its relevance in relation to the 2012 election?

Power of Love: A Contemporary Aside (from ‘Prevail’)

Posted on October 17, 2012 by BuddahDesmond611

Nothing’s worse than men obsessed with power,

Having the all-consuming ability to exercise control and influence

over others,

Like beasts foaming at the mouth with the high of going in for the

kill.

Maybe it’s the elevated nature of the position,

This putting-on-a-pedestal type treatment.

Or it’s simply a common case of ego,

When all of the attention has blown one’s head up to the size of a

Goodyear blimp,

When arrogance and ignorance have taken the place of humanity,

decency, and common sense.

There’s this godlike attitude,

This I-can-do-no-wrong mentality,

This holier-than-thou, my-way-is-the-only-way-because-there-is-no-other-way frame of mind.

But let me put it to you quite simply—your shit stinks too.

You may make decisions about the economy, education,

healthcare, defense, and other facets of our government and

society.

But you will never have the power to control the heart,

For the heart cannot be contained.

You will never be able to control anyone’s ability to love,

For love is divine.

You will never be able to tell anyone who they can or cannot love,

For love is essential to living.

Like breathing,

It’s a natural thing

That cannot be controlled by man—

Love is too powerful.

It’s stronger than man.

Continuing to push the issue

Will not make it any better.

Continuing to push the issue

Will make things worse,

Causing us to divide even further.

Love is not a choice.

And who you happen to love

and who happens to love you is not an alternative lifestyle.

There is nothing alternative about love.

Love is an essential part of life.

Essential to feeling complete.

There is no substitute;

There is no alternative to something we all have an innate need

for and right to experience and share.

Love will forever reign supreme.

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.

Weekly Musings on Life & Love – Week 1

Posted on October 16, 2012 by BuddahDesmond611

Today marks the inaugural post of the “Weekly Musings” series. In this series I’ll be sharing questions, anecdotes, and/or poetic sayings that came to mind over the course of the past week. Depending on the lasting effects of these musings, they may inspire longer pieces of poetry or prose. So here goes!

Stuck in the past, trying to break free. Stuck in the past, searching for the key to unlock the future and open me.

Good love is a sweet dream without the slumbering. You reap the benefits pinch free.

Temptation is the sincerest form of drama.

A love that’s real and true is worth every sacrifice.

Don’t work so hard that you miss out on enjoying the fruits of your labor.

Every now and again take time to appreciate your accomplishments. Never forget to give yourself the credit you deserve.

Inspiration from Neil Gaiman

Posted on October 15, 2012 by BuddahDesmond611

Image courtesy of the Loony Archivist Neverwhere site.

The main rule of writing is that if you do it with enough assurance and confidence, you’re allowed to do whatever you like. (That may be a rule for life as well as for writing. But it’s definitely true for writing.) So write your story as it needs to be written. Write it honestly, and tell it as best you can. I’m not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter. ~ Neil Gaiman, “8 Rules of Writing,” Brain Pickings

Only you can write the stories that lie within you. With trust, confidence, and belief in yourself (and your talent), you can pull back the veil and unleash them unabashedly, freely, and authentically. You have free reign to tell your stories as best as you see fit. But you have to tell them. Don’t shortchange them. Don’t hold back. Don’t let them linger too long. Let their life bleed onto the page with zest, vigor, and urgency. Just write. Let it out. You’ll be glad you did.

The featured quote (above) is one of Gaiman’s 8 rules for writing featured by Maria Popova on the Brain Pickings site. Be sure to check out the full list. It’s yet another excellent resource for writers.

Inspiration from Zadie Smith

Posted on October 13, 2012 by BuddahDesmond611

Image courtesy of the New York University site.

Protect the time and space in which you write. Keep everybody away from it, even the people who are most important to you. ~ Zadie Smith, “10 Rules of Writing,” Brain Pickings

Zadie Smith, one of my favorite authors, has provided a gem of wisdom regarding the time and space in which we write. The time and space in which you write is a precious commodity. This is where you delve deeply into yourself and allow the creativity to flow onto the page or the computer screen. You want to respect yourself and your craft enough to provide the solitude that’s necessary to do your best work. It’s essential that you find a time and carve out a space that’s free of distractions and that contains all the tools and resources you need to be productive. I believe this is an essential aid to being disciplined, honest, and fair to yourself and your craft. Remember that this is for you and the benefit of your writing (and your writing career, if you so chose to have one). Keep it to yourself. This is one time when you shouldn’t feel guilty about being selfish.

The featured quote (above) is one of Smith’s 10 rules of writing featured by the insightful Maria Popova on the Brain Pickings site. Take a moment to read the full list. I’m sure you’ll find the rules to be both eloquent and useful.

Buddah Desmond

Author of Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics