Saturday, August 30, 2008
By Mere Association Alone
So after watching The Showbiz Report tonight. Hip hop video director Little X answered this after being questioned about the level of female objectification in music videos. As a result of imperfect memory and a brain cluttered with all sorts of other stuff, I will have to paraphrase his sentiments. He mentioned that the whole thing often times has nothing to do with him. He is just the director and the artists are the ones who are responsible for the lyrical content and ideas propagated. So that is to say he is excusing himself from the whole stuff. Now this argument does not help much. Because by mere association he is showing that he does agree with this kind of mindset. If you are not okay with associating yourself with some kind of notion then there is no paycheck in the world that convince you to sell your soul and partner with the brutes. This is why one must be stubborne about what they stand for and avoid associating themselves with brutes. Whatever the cost. Be radical and leave the sheep be.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Typical Male Thinks With His Dick
I love this song...thank you Ms Jones. It seems members of the species (you know which one I'm talking about) and I HATE to generalise. To all the loving, sensitive, caring, intelligent men out there. Sorry that you are being misrepresented by a bunch of loonies but unfortunately the cookie seems to be crumbling this way. In mainstream culture and what is one to do to combat this all encompassing force. It's driving us all down into a vortex of debauchery and sheer stupidity. I am not a misandrist despite much motivation to become one, I refuse to see all badness and negativity in the species because I have a father who is such a sweetheart, he's like a gigantic teddy bear and a brother, who although smokes, has a beer belly and yells for no apparent reason sometimes is a kind person with a lot of potential to be a stable father. Then there's my other brother who might have some issues with his childhood and having a deadbeat dad is really down, sensitive and compassionate.
My brother and I had a little debate. All I said was the majority of perps and criminals out there who make life difficult for women and children are men. He started going off about how men themselves are victimised a lot more...obviously this member of the species doesn't have his head screwed on correctly. Minor adjustments must be made. One only has to look at statistics. Then he related this little anecdote about how some women went driving around in a gang raping men in KwaZulu Natal...wow, that makes such an impact when every six minutes a woman is raped in this country. These incidents are so isolated so much so that a story like this would probably be good for a laugh, although it really shouldn't. As far as I'm concerned double standards shouldn't exist at all.
Here are the song lyrics I was talking about, they are so true... double standards! When will the madness ever end...I guess to even think that there is a possible end to it would be wishful thinking. This may be a surly conclusion but the way I view it, there can never be harmony between the sexes. Rape is not a sex crime, its a political crime, it's a power trip...or perhaps a robber thereof, an expression of pure misogyny. How closely related violence and sex are I am coming to realise. The evil of a man's heart...ah, humans - truly a sick bunch!
THE LYRICS...Typical male,
Thinks with his dick,
D.I.C.K
The continuing saga, of male control and domination,
Psycho, sexual,and female manipulation in our society
Typical male thinks with his dick.
Thats how he rationalizes shallow sexual conquests
as a means of self expression and fulfillment in a world of alienation,
and emptiness under moraling (?) capitalism
The typical male considers a similarly promiscuous woman
a whore, a slut, or a sleaze.
However a women who seeks respect and commitment in a relationship,
will often face rejection
By the typical male.
Typical male,
Thinks with his dick.
Historically some of the characteristics of the typical male
are as follows:
There is the stereotypical, bruteful (?), insulting, barbaric male.
We also have what is known as the sensitive rapist
who wants a woman to feel that there is a mutual understanding
before he entraps the woman in a cycle of co-dependence and sexual service.
Then there is the pseudo-feminist.
He may be involved in the woman's movement
but still represses by imposing his own male agenda
on women's equality.
The typical male is an everyday ?? religion and cutthroat
Typical male,
Thinks with his dick,
Typical male listens to a woman from the position
of dominance or privilege.
What that means for the woman
is that the typical male does not listen!
The typical male convinces women to blame themselves for a failing relationship or male infidelity.
typical males have a reactionary and a conservative ??
a klansman standing on a ???
typical male is also a liberal
he support world force and why not
he impregnates women and cannot deal
with the consequences of her ?????
All men are the typical male.
In a society where incidents of rape and sexual assault are staggering
the typical male will still say
"If she don't want to get pregnant
she shouldn't spread her legs."
In the us alone where 4 women are killed a day by their male partners
Where 80 women are raped every hour
Where every 18 seconds a woman is battered
The typical male still defines sexism and misogyny a form of good
behavior.
In a potentially sexual situation,
The typical male still thinks
NO MEANS YES!"
TRUTH HAS BEEN SPOKEN!!!
"
My brother and I had a little debate. All I said was the majority of perps and criminals out there who make life difficult for women and children are men. He started going off about how men themselves are victimised a lot more...obviously this member of the species doesn't have his head screwed on correctly. Minor adjustments must be made. One only has to look at statistics. Then he related this little anecdote about how some women went driving around in a gang raping men in KwaZulu Natal...wow, that makes such an impact when every six minutes a woman is raped in this country. These incidents are so isolated so much so that a story like this would probably be good for a laugh, although it really shouldn't. As far as I'm concerned double standards shouldn't exist at all.
Here are the song lyrics I was talking about, they are so true... double standards! When will the madness ever end...I guess to even think that there is a possible end to it would be wishful thinking. This may be a surly conclusion but the way I view it, there can never be harmony between the sexes. Rape is not a sex crime, its a political crime, it's a power trip...or perhaps a robber thereof, an expression of pure misogyny. How closely related violence and sex are I am coming to realise. The evil of a man's heart...ah, humans - truly a sick bunch!
THE LYRICS...Typical male,
Thinks with his dick,
D.I.C.K
The continuing saga, of male control and domination,
Psycho, sexual,and female manipulation in our society
Typical male thinks with his dick.
Thats how he rationalizes shallow sexual conquests
as a means of self expression and fulfillment in a world of alienation,
and emptiness under moraling (?) capitalism
The typical male considers a similarly promiscuous woman
a whore, a slut, or a sleaze.
However a women who seeks respect and commitment in a relationship,
will often face rejection
By the typical male.
Typical male,
Thinks with his dick.
Historically some of the characteristics of the typical male
are as follows:
There is the stereotypical, bruteful (?), insulting, barbaric male.
We also have what is known as the sensitive rapist
who wants a woman to feel that there is a mutual understanding
before he entraps the woman in a cycle of co-dependence and sexual service.
Then there is the pseudo-feminist.
He may be involved in the woman's movement
but still represses by imposing his own male agenda
on women's equality.
The typical male is an everyday ?? religion and cutthroat
Typical male,
Thinks with his dick,
Typical male listens to a woman from the position
of dominance or privilege.
What that means for the woman
is that the typical male does not listen!
The typical male convinces women to blame themselves for a failing relationship or male infidelity.
typical males have a reactionary and a conservative ??
a klansman standing on a ???
typical male is also a liberal
he support world force and why not
he impregnates women and cannot deal
with the consequences of her ?????
All men are the typical male.
In a society where incidents of rape and sexual assault are staggering
the typical male will still say
"If she don't want to get pregnant
she shouldn't spread her legs."
In the us alone where 4 women are killed a day by their male partners
Where 80 women are raped every hour
Where every 18 seconds a woman is battered
The typical male still defines sexism and misogyny a form of good
behavior.
In a potentially sexual situation,
The typical male still thinks
NO MEANS YES!"
TRUTH HAS BEEN SPOKEN!!!
"
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The Olympics
So, the closing ceremony was two days ago. But what an amazing event it was this year. World records getting smashed left, right and center. How the Jamaicans dominated the track events. They did us proud. Yeah I am not Jamaican but so what, they black baby! You know how it is. It was incredible and awe-inspiring as the Olympics always are. Guess now it's back to plain-old television viewing. Guess that means it's right back to the books and on the odd occasion a DVD or something. But just keep me away from the depressive mundanity of soap operas...ah, SABC daytime TV...sigh
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Transformation...2008
This week has left me blessed, anointed and transformed. I just have to say, God is doing a great work in me and around me. I feel myself going from strength to strength. Spiritually, I'm getting stronger and I love the fact that my relationship with God is growing. It feels like love you know. Just compelled to learn more about the Word, pray more, meditate more. I'm just thirsty and can't get enough of this timeless wisdom.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Illicit Frottage
Never cease to be amazed at how some courageous members of the opposite sex will grasp an opportunity during platonic bodily contact to briefly feel up on you. Why is it necessary...?
I just remembered a story a friend told me of an encounter she had in a London bus when some Eastern European guy felt it necessary to rub his elbow against her bosom hoping that she would mistake his actions as being a result of the bus's hefty motion. But no, it was clearly frottage because when the bus came to a halt in traffic, he didn't stop...! Now this is funny in a lighthearted way, I guess some members of the species really don't seem to be in the position to control their hormonal impulses. So, I guess it's funny but when it's taken too far of course the whole thing just loses its humour. It's just so childish. Guess when it does happen to you, you're so in shock you can't even make out what just happened. Like "Did you just...?" "Huh?" "What the hell...?" "Are you serious, man?"...then you just walk away and laugh it off thinking how lame is this really?
Someone asked me if I find this type of thing flattering. Was Norman Bates's behaviour in 'American Psycho' flattering or just straight up disturbing and in a wry manner really really funny?? Same thing. What could honestly be flattering? Here I go again with my high school jargon but GROSS!
I just remembered a story a friend told me of an encounter she had in a London bus when some Eastern European guy felt it necessary to rub his elbow against her bosom hoping that she would mistake his actions as being a result of the bus's hefty motion. But no, it was clearly frottage because when the bus came to a halt in traffic, he didn't stop...! Now this is funny in a lighthearted way, I guess some members of the species really don't seem to be in the position to control their hormonal impulses. So, I guess it's funny but when it's taken too far of course the whole thing just loses its humour. It's just so childish. Guess when it does happen to you, you're so in shock you can't even make out what just happened. Like "Did you just...?" "Huh?" "What the hell...?" "Are you serious, man?"...then you just walk away and laugh it off thinking how lame is this really?
Someone asked me if I find this type of thing flattering. Was Norman Bates's behaviour in 'American Psycho' flattering or just straight up disturbing and in a wry manner really really funny?? Same thing. What could honestly be flattering? Here I go again with my high school jargon but GROSS!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Revolver??
Someone recommended I watch this after we had a little conversation about Salvador Dali's so-called "third person psychosis" and I when the credits rolled up at the end of the movie...or did they? My head was left in a rut, spinning, thinking huh? like I'd just been subjected to two hours of Waiting for Godot or something mind-bogglingly perplexing from the mind of Samuel Beckett. Well, despite the fact that for the most part I just struggled to stay afloat with the sweeping tide of the movie's plot, I think Guy Ritchie did a pretty good job from a straight up artistic view. I like the anime scenes they were amazing. Then there was a scene closer to the end that just reminded me of "Fight Club" where Ed Norton is beating the nonsense out of himself in the office. This "third person" stuff is bad. Should stop it! When I was watching an episode of Oprah this week about OCD patients seeking liberation from their conditions, it made me think how easily one can become a prisoner in their own bodies and of their own choosing. The mind is so potent, it is the central control tower, the governing body of almost everything that manifests in our personal lives. So, I saw the movie, and am totally confused. Some parts made complete sense and I guess the quotes were a wonderful guideline...but in its entirity...Lord, I'll need to watch it again.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Les Misogynes Imbeciles...Zut!
Why do we sit back and allow the misogyny that saturates almost every existing form of media we have to seep in and infiltrate our minds with bullshit theories about male hegemony and female objectification.
It's a topic that pisses me off so much, I lose the ability to express my sentiments in a truly coherent way so excuse the probable lack of eloquence here but the shit just pisses me the hell off!! I am totally sick of it and I am yearning to see a change in these attitudes.
Let's start with the rap music. Siting some insight from an article regarding misogyny in rap music (http://www.uga.edu/~womanist/rhym2.1.htm) - it got me thinking about this, I mean big time. What is it with mainstream and gangsta rappers anyway? Things may have toned down quite sufficiently since the days of NWA but man, it doesn't mean the war is over. The most overt versions of it come in the form of a video pitch, story line - opening sequence: rapper climbs out of Rolls Royce Phantom in slow motion, sequence two: rapper pops crystal, tosses money etc etc blah blah bullshit nevertheless. And in between all the exhibitionist bravado and "Look at me I'm rich" we've got the 'hoes' climbing all over the guy, pulling faces to the camera, scantily clad and dancing a little too suggestively.
I refuse to be apologetic in my stance and I remain objective. It seems necessary to perpetuate in this fashion of portraying women in an overtly sexualized manner, women are there to be used as instruments to convey a man's social ranking, objects upon which a man's pleasure princiople is projected and not subjects, humans with utilitarian intellects.
Now, I want to delve deeper. Is the portrayal of women in such a hypersexualized light a form of evoke forth some kind of suppressed male fantasy in which women submit to sexual servitude, admire and thus validate a very thirsty ego. Made dry by the notion of being born into the world a lesser member of society, a second class citizen, by default a member of an underclass. Could it be that all of this is simply a machismo attempt to fill the torn gaps in the black man's self image brought about by a half-life of deprivation poverty and uh...female rejection. Are these sad little boys just mad at the fact that there was a time that their broke asses couldn't get "play".
The roots of misogyny are mysterious nonetheless. But simply because it is a phenomenon that can not be easily understood because of its very complex psychological implications, I stand firm in my annoyance at the prominence it carries in the mainstream media.
I just wish these video chicks could go out and delve into some feminist literatue. Perhaps then they'll realise how foolish they are, how they're acquiescence is the reason misogyny 'aint going no fucking where, how men will continue use their presence to justify the notion that women are brainless hoes out to get your money, how women will continue to be underrepresented in politics and science because the next generation of females is being conditioned into these submissive roles, how women will continue to be seen as sexual objects and not what they really are.
I know this because women are often only categorized into two subdivisions according to whether or not they are ready to willingly submit sexually i.e. 'available' or 'unavailable' and the synonyms are numerous of course. If you happen to be streamlined into the latter division, guess what, you're a bitch. Ego-shutdown if I ever saw it. It all boils down to the ego honey!
Something else that gets me irate. Your skills are overlooked in the consideration of your credibility for a particular job because if your employer is a male, the ma'f***er is more than likely going to hire you by some subconscious or conscious evaluation of your looks.
Just evaluating the situation, referencing real life examples of it and trying to keep my perspective objective is maddening. I am DISGUSTED by the way the media takes light of such issues as violence against women, sexual assault when these incidents happen to be one of the biggest killers of my sisters all over the world. Sisters are dying yet movies, television and music will continue to defame our integrity, reduce us to nothing more than a degraded biological underclass. On the topic of death, there's the AIDS. Women that are unwillingly infected through cultural subjugation, rape and sexual assault. It's a tragedy. You know, Eazy E died of AIDS after all his boasting bout the women he'd been with - his life terminated with immense shame. That's when I get scared, that's when things really start to disturb me. How sick have we become. That we glorify the same attitudes that are unecessarily killing lives daily. We protest against violence against women but when a rapper talks bout pimpin' and beatin' the sh*t out of his hoes, we buy the record. Women still continue to be objectified from the most explicit to the most subtle of ways. Even simply aacknowldeging to the statement that women are the weaker sex is chauvinism. A state of euqality needs to be affirmed. Contrasts are poison. If enough people get up and take a stand, things can transform. But that's all just wishful thinking. Within a scoiety that is anti-intellectual and sometimes just so stubbornely traditional about gender roles that this whole shit about times are changing is crap, preaching this kind of message is just talking to a mass of unthinking zombies lulled into passivity by the beelzebub of mainstream media.
It's a topic that pisses me off so much, I lose the ability to express my sentiments in a truly coherent way so excuse the probable lack of eloquence here but the shit just pisses me the hell off!! I am totally sick of it and I am yearning to see a change in these attitudes.
Let's start with the rap music. Siting some insight from an article regarding misogyny in rap music (http://www.uga.edu/~womanist/rhym2.1.htm) - it got me thinking about this, I mean big time. What is it with mainstream and gangsta rappers anyway? Things may have toned down quite sufficiently since the days of NWA but man, it doesn't mean the war is over. The most overt versions of it come in the form of a video pitch, story line - opening sequence: rapper climbs out of Rolls Royce Phantom in slow motion, sequence two: rapper pops crystal, tosses money etc etc blah blah bullshit nevertheless. And in between all the exhibitionist bravado and "Look at me I'm rich" we've got the 'hoes' climbing all over the guy, pulling faces to the camera, scantily clad and dancing a little too suggestively.
I refuse to be apologetic in my stance and I remain objective. It seems necessary to perpetuate in this fashion of portraying women in an overtly sexualized manner, women are there to be used as instruments to convey a man's social ranking, objects upon which a man's pleasure princiople is projected and not subjects, humans with utilitarian intellects.
Now, I want to delve deeper. Is the portrayal of women in such a hypersexualized light a form of evoke forth some kind of suppressed male fantasy in which women submit to sexual servitude, admire and thus validate a very thirsty ego. Made dry by the notion of being born into the world a lesser member of society, a second class citizen, by default a member of an underclass. Could it be that all of this is simply a machismo attempt to fill the torn gaps in the black man's self image brought about by a half-life of deprivation poverty and uh...female rejection. Are these sad little boys just mad at the fact that there was a time that their broke asses couldn't get "play".
The roots of misogyny are mysterious nonetheless. But simply because it is a phenomenon that can not be easily understood because of its very complex psychological implications, I stand firm in my annoyance at the prominence it carries in the mainstream media.
I just wish these video chicks could go out and delve into some feminist literatue. Perhaps then they'll realise how foolish they are, how they're acquiescence is the reason misogyny 'aint going no fucking where, how men will continue use their presence to justify the notion that women are brainless hoes out to get your money, how women will continue to be underrepresented in politics and science because the next generation of females is being conditioned into these submissive roles, how women will continue to be seen as sexual objects and not what they really are.
I know this because women are often only categorized into two subdivisions according to whether or not they are ready to willingly submit sexually i.e. 'available' or 'unavailable' and the synonyms are numerous of course. If you happen to be streamlined into the latter division, guess what, you're a bitch. Ego-shutdown if I ever saw it. It all boils down to the ego honey!
Something else that gets me irate. Your skills are overlooked in the consideration of your credibility for a particular job because if your employer is a male, the ma'f***er is more than likely going to hire you by some subconscious or conscious evaluation of your looks.
Just evaluating the situation, referencing real life examples of it and trying to keep my perspective objective is maddening. I am DISGUSTED by the way the media takes light of such issues as violence against women, sexual assault when these incidents happen to be one of the biggest killers of my sisters all over the world. Sisters are dying yet movies, television and music will continue to defame our integrity, reduce us to nothing more than a degraded biological underclass. On the topic of death, there's the AIDS. Women that are unwillingly infected through cultural subjugation, rape and sexual assault. It's a tragedy. You know, Eazy E died of AIDS after all his boasting bout the women he'd been with - his life terminated with immense shame. That's when I get scared, that's when things really start to disturb me. How sick have we become. That we glorify the same attitudes that are unecessarily killing lives daily. We protest against violence against women but when a rapper talks bout pimpin' and beatin' the sh*t out of his hoes, we buy the record. Women still continue to be objectified from the most explicit to the most subtle of ways. Even simply aacknowldeging to the statement that women are the weaker sex is chauvinism. A state of euqality needs to be affirmed. Contrasts are poison. If enough people get up and take a stand, things can transform. But that's all just wishful thinking. Within a scoiety that is anti-intellectual and sometimes just so stubbornely traditional about gender roles that this whole shit about times are changing is crap, preaching this kind of message is just talking to a mass of unthinking zombies lulled into passivity by the beelzebub of mainstream media.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Lupe: The Coolest
Yes I have hopped onto the bandwagon a little late but hey I'll be honest. Unless it's really cheap, I won't waste my money on a CD 'specially if I could just get it from a friend. But looking back on it, I really could have taken the money I spent on Ciara (eish: bad buy to be honest) and new edition (you know when you're feeling a little reminiscent and haven't heard a track in a while..but still...EISH!) put it together and bought this: one of the best hip hop albums that have been dropped in a long time. I'm impressed. When he first came out, I wasn't interested, then Kick Push grew on me. Then a couple of months ago, an online friend prescribed I listen to 'the cool', again I wasn't really concerned about listening to it right away. Until lately, a human friend asked me to convert the album for me at home so that it would be playable on his phone in the correct format. Yes, of course I jacked it too and from the day I starting listening I've been HOOKED. It's different which is what I like. There are rappers out there that you can hear try to emulate ones that have come before but with Lupe...its sheer originality. And the kid is so clever. I love the way he plays with words, smart guy. He's just completely legitimised being a nerd which hits close to home, maaan you know sometimes I just feel so uncool. So "Dumb It Down" puts it all into perspective and all of a sudden, I'm on the outside looking in, objectively yes but not alienated in solitude. There's Lupe and all the nerds of the world that wonder why being smart is so uncool standing right there with me. I have company! And I love it, and I love Lupe. "Gold Watch" sound Pharrellian but after doing some research I was surprised to find an unknown producer...Soundtrakk, who? what? when? where?...but the nigga is good I must say. Also, what did "Gold Watch" sample. Sounds like I've heard something similar to that before. I hear some music buffs talking about a curtis mayfield loop...thats probably it but I'm not too familiar with the Chicago Jazz legend, better go out and familiarise myself. Love the beats, so idiosyncratic you know I just love it when people shamelessly express themselves, it just inspires me! Then there's "Little Weapon" which is somewhat bizarre, stern subject material and the beat just sounds so damn jolly...nice touch, a juxtaposition of conflicting brain patterns...hehe! clever again, the kid is smart. I hate 'superstar' it's overplayed. So I skip it pronto. "Paris, Tokyo" is beautiful. Nice old school sounding beat. It's got a mellow "tribe called quest", "arrested development" sound from mid 90's which I like. And the lyrics are so cute. Don't you just find young lovin' so cute??? (this could be sarcastic considering my solitary black ass!!)
It's Thursday afternoon, Prison Break is on tonight. Hopefully I can revise over for the Math test tomorrow in peace and have a good night's rest.
Time to embark on my solitary walk to Bree in my red and blue apes. If I can dodge the xenophobic stares, block my nose in time not to smell the urine...uggghhhhhh and look serious enough for no criminals to feel compelled to rob me or some gross ma'f***er to say something vomit-inducing like "heey sweetie"...uuuggghhhh, even worse than the urine smell. I tell ya, its a love/hate relationship with this city. Then there's Breedom, LORD! I better just go on over there and get everything done.
The Wits server just blocked ninjacloak.com so I can't watch videos on youtube here anymore. DAAAAMN it, must find another free cloaking service pronto. Youtube sustains life of a solitary female nerd in bathing apes! Ya diggg!
It's Thursday afternoon, Prison Break is on tonight. Hopefully I can revise over for the Math test tomorrow in peace and have a good night's rest.
Time to embark on my solitary walk to Bree in my red and blue apes. If I can dodge the xenophobic stares, block my nose in time not to smell the urine...uggghhhhhh and look serious enough for no criminals to feel compelled to rob me or some gross ma'f***er to say something vomit-inducing like "heey sweetie"...uuuggghhhh, even worse than the urine smell. I tell ya, its a love/hate relationship with this city. Then there's Breedom, LORD! I better just go on over there and get everything done.
The Wits server just blocked ninjacloak.com so I can't watch videos on youtube here anymore. DAAAAMN it, must find another free cloaking service pronto. Youtube sustains life of a solitary female nerd in bathing apes! Ya diggg!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Viva Vogue Italia
All I can say is it's about time. Someone's finally been bold enough to stand up against the whole 'white is the right' mentality in the fashion industry. This is an excpetional moment in time, a milestone in not just fashion alone, or popular culture but in our collective quest to birthing a world perhaps not free entirely but a lot free-er of racial prejudice and inequality.
I'm black. Just like models I am a black person supposedly out of my rightful place in light of my chosen career path. The original standard was always white and it remained so until only four decades ago with the emergence of such legendary beauties as the beloved Bev Johson and Iman, Africa's Gem the later on with Naomi and Tyra and it just got better and better after that now it seems to have collapsed again.
You'll watch NY Fashion Week and count ONE black girl; the most prominent fashion mags Vogue, Elle mostly if not only feature whites...not even Asians get a chance and I know there are some stunning Asian mama's out there that can rock it like the best so what's the excuse. SALES! Bullshit, the latest issue of Italian Vogue, the Black Issue is selling like hot cakes. Perhaps designers and fashion editors have just been in fear of a fictive repurcussion spawned from their assumptions on what the public wants. It's been long assumed that black doesn't sell because it's not relatable enough to the masses with money well that myth has here forth been dispelled and I'm hoping it will mean from here on now I'm gonna see more sistah's of colour on the catwalk...or maybe that's just wishful thinking.
I say BIG UPS to Vogue Italia for not just featuring black models in their mag as a protest statement but also for not BAMBOOZLING the models in the magazine like some white photographers like to do. ALL the models in the issue look draw droppingly stunning. The themes chosen were clever, witty and just straight up amazing. It's real photographic art conveying the beauty of the black female form in a way that is classy and tasteful. Now on the topic of bamboozling, I'm referring to the business of making subtle mockery of African features in a way reminiscent of none other than Jim Crow. Red lips for instance which I have seen all too often on the Sudanese Goddess Alek Wek, I mean why they gotta do that sometimes. Is it playing on the stereotype of the black woman as a hypersexual, lascivious and loose creature from the deep jungles of Africa. Cause let's be honest, we all know that is what whites and the like think of us sisters. It's the kind of stereotype that is historically based. Anyway, I'm kind of running off topic now, but all in all, the issue is extraordinary. Loved it, gonna keep it as a memento. Maybe, just maybe my gran kids will look at it and wonder why such lengths had to be taken to make statements about racial injustice cause things will be so much more different for them.
That would just be wonderful!
I'm black. Just like models I am a black person supposedly out of my rightful place in light of my chosen career path. The original standard was always white and it remained so until only four decades ago with the emergence of such legendary beauties as the beloved Bev Johson and Iman, Africa's Gem the later on with Naomi and Tyra and it just got better and better after that now it seems to have collapsed again.
You'll watch NY Fashion Week and count ONE black girl; the most prominent fashion mags Vogue, Elle mostly if not only feature whites...not even Asians get a chance and I know there are some stunning Asian mama's out there that can rock it like the best so what's the excuse. SALES! Bullshit, the latest issue of Italian Vogue, the Black Issue is selling like hot cakes. Perhaps designers and fashion editors have just been in fear of a fictive repurcussion spawned from their assumptions on what the public wants. It's been long assumed that black doesn't sell because it's not relatable enough to the masses with money well that myth has here forth been dispelled and I'm hoping it will mean from here on now I'm gonna see more sistah's of colour on the catwalk...or maybe that's just wishful thinking.
I say BIG UPS to Vogue Italia for not just featuring black models in their mag as a protest statement but also for not BAMBOOZLING the models in the magazine like some white photographers like to do. ALL the models in the issue look draw droppingly stunning. The themes chosen were clever, witty and just straight up amazing. It's real photographic art conveying the beauty of the black female form in a way that is classy and tasteful. Now on the topic of bamboozling, I'm referring to the business of making subtle mockery of African features in a way reminiscent of none other than Jim Crow. Red lips for instance which I have seen all too often on the Sudanese Goddess Alek Wek, I mean why they gotta do that sometimes. Is it playing on the stereotype of the black woman as a hypersexual, lascivious and loose creature from the deep jungles of Africa. Cause let's be honest, we all know that is what whites and the like think of us sisters. It's the kind of stereotype that is historically based. Anyway, I'm kind of running off topic now, but all in all, the issue is extraordinary. Loved it, gonna keep it as a memento. Maybe, just maybe my gran kids will look at it and wonder why such lengths had to be taken to make statements about racial injustice cause things will be so much more different for them.
That would just be wonderful!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Spike Lee never siezes to amaze!
I've been watching 'When the Levees Broke' by Spike Lee. If you by some divine chance happen to be reading this. My advice: go out and watch it! Find it, buy it I don't care what you do but if you've ever wanted to know the truth I mean really know the truth about America and the Bush administration but aside from that Hurricane Katrina itself. How it actually brought about the final devastation etc etc This is the thing to watch and it's so powerful. Done in a way only Spike Lee himself could deliver. Tough stufff to maul on but you'll be changed and enlightened once you've seen it.
Haven't been through it all. It is long but I've been educated just by what I have watched about the entire anatomy of the whole event. From the govt's slow response to the city's victims to the pain, anguish and heartache that these people endured. My eyes have been opened.
So often you get lulled into this passive state of living that you lose sight of the fact that there is so much out there. So much injustice, so much propaganda. Mass brainwashing systems perpetuated by the media. I guess it's just easier to continue life in this way not delving deep below the surface. Not questioning, not objectifying, not rationalizing.
I'm now drawn to a memory of Drama Class with Saffron Baggallay in 2005, we were in the process of studying the Epic Theatre of Bertold Brecht. A man at the time who was so dismayed and unsatisfied with the socio-political state of his country that he sought to do something startlingly different with his theatrical work. His main goal was to get the audience out of their comfort zones, to get them out of this state of simply being for being's sake so that they themselves could begin to question their surroundings, challenge what they'd believed for long and just get real about their lives. They lie to us, rob us of what should be ours and we take it, we allow it. The most we can do if anything is just complain about it.
Should I accept that this is just the way of the world and become nonchalant or should I stand for what I believe really needs to go down. That's a revolution!!
Haven't been through it all. It is long but I've been educated just by what I have watched about the entire anatomy of the whole event. From the govt's slow response to the city's victims to the pain, anguish and heartache that these people endured. My eyes have been opened.
So often you get lulled into this passive state of living that you lose sight of the fact that there is so much out there. So much injustice, so much propaganda. Mass brainwashing systems perpetuated by the media. I guess it's just easier to continue life in this way not delving deep below the surface. Not questioning, not objectifying, not rationalizing.
I'm now drawn to a memory of Drama Class with Saffron Baggallay in 2005, we were in the process of studying the Epic Theatre of Bertold Brecht. A man at the time who was so dismayed and unsatisfied with the socio-political state of his country that he sought to do something startlingly different with his theatrical work. His main goal was to get the audience out of their comfort zones, to get them out of this state of simply being for being's sake so that they themselves could begin to question their surroundings, challenge what they'd believed for long and just get real about their lives. They lie to us, rob us of what should be ours and we take it, we allow it. The most we can do if anything is just complain about it.
Should I accept that this is just the way of the world and become nonchalant or should I stand for what I believe really needs to go down. That's a revolution!!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Intuitive Sense is the Key
This world is full of bogus people. It's hard to know what a person is really like from face value. Seems the only I can say I have left is the power of intuition. As I am typing this. The electricity just went out which plain sucks cause I'll have to cut this blog a little short.
My gut will be my guide. In every decision and for every choice I shall consult the inner voice. Always trust my intuition. It is the most powerful natural tool I've got to keep me from harm in this crazy world.
My gut will be my guide. In every decision and for every choice I shall consult the inner voice. Always trust my intuition. It is the most powerful natural tool I've got to keep me from harm in this crazy world.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Time to Chill
Man, today is great. Time for a break. I've been waiting for this one for a while. The last five months have been a whir. Running from lecture to lecture. Sometimes bunking cause I just didn't feel like running. Then sitting in P115 and dozing my ass off through thermal physics I or worse. Ma'f***ing WAVES! Lord, I need to chill. Just wake up late everyday and not feel guilty about it. Cuz since the beginning of the semester I have felt guilty about every unwarranted nap I've taken during the day or any extra four hours I spent online writing blogs when I should have been studying or at least reading ahead for the next lecture (which I never do by the way). I think I'm really gonna grind the books now. Not the textbooks oh no! The novels and maybe some nonfiction here and there and movies...watch lots of them. I now realise how valuable time is. I was a fool last year. There was so much more I could have done with my time besides vegetating and other stuff I can't mention here. This month I'm gonna read as many books as I can and try not to gain weight and perhaps get around to more writing.
I'm feeling good right now! Really feeling great. Liberation, it's a wonderful feeling!
I'm feeling good right now! Really feeling great. Liberation, it's a wonderful feeling!
Friday, May 30, 2008
This Song Has Got Me Strong
It's quite an old tune but it's so touching and it's really plucking at my heart strings right now. When I get low and loose confidence I listen to it and it puts it all into perspective again and I feel so much tougher.
Then I remember women like Grace Jones, Whoopi Goldberg and Naomi Campbell, Alek Wek and being dark and strong and fierce becomes a power trip and I just hold my head up and walk with power!
Then I remember women like Grace Jones, Whoopi Goldberg and Naomi Campbell, Alek Wek and being dark and strong and fierce becomes a power trip and I just hold my head up and walk with power!
Sell Outs...Boredom With Repitition
Okay I'll start with the selling out part. He's only a kid and he's probably just going along with what his record bosses are telling him to do but c'mon. When did Chris Brown start doing dance/techno music and have white girls featured in his videos as the stars of the show. I'm talking about the "Forever" track. I know whose behind this. That big-lipped money hungry man. Everyone is so concerned with making money they'll do anything I mean anything. I'm so bored with the music industry right now and I can't stand that song by Usher - "Love in the Club". Is the absolute worst thing that has happened to me this year. I will even start a hate group against that song!
As for Rihanna. Aka Beyonce part II. Who too has a break-up song. How obvious. The whold video setup is similar if not completely taken from the Irreplacable Video concept. Guy chased out. Girl is strong and has more money and is acting tough about the break up. Her hair keeps getting shorter and shorter. Guess she's trying to shed that sugary, sweet "music of the sun" image she started out with. But c'mon now is this girl's career going to last. Or is she just a flavour for the minute like Cindy Lauper was in the 80's. Time will tell. My guess is she's not gonna last.
All in all. I am so incredibly bored with the music these days (the mainstream that is) so I'll just keep on with my Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, Michael J, Alanis, Coldplay, Jimi, Lauryn Hill, The Fuggees, Erykah, The Roots, Jill Scott all the real music from yesterday and the recent years because mainstream plain sucks!
As for Rihanna. Aka Beyonce part II. Who too has a break-up song. How obvious. The whold video setup is similar if not completely taken from the Irreplacable Video concept. Guy chased out. Girl is strong and has more money and is acting tough about the break up. Her hair keeps getting shorter and shorter. Guess she's trying to shed that sugary, sweet "music of the sun" image she started out with. But c'mon now is this girl's career going to last. Or is she just a flavour for the minute like Cindy Lauper was in the 80's. Time will tell. My guess is she's not gonna last.
All in all. I am so incredibly bored with the music these days (the mainstream that is) so I'll just keep on with my Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, Michael J, Alanis, Coldplay, Jimi, Lauryn Hill, The Fuggees, Erykah, The Roots, Jill Scott all the real music from yesterday and the recent years because mainstream plain sucks!
Eros!
I chilled at the XClusive Books, Sandton the night before last night for a while. Great fun! I need to make my way to the bookstore more often to go and check out them books. Well I came across, "Eros" by Jeff Marano in the popular culture section and my oh my was I blown away.
Cover to cover endless shots of beautiful I mean beautiful bodies. Incredible bodies, and fine faces to match. I'm thinking I could just plaster these sexy things on my wall and just fantasize. Wow, there are some really beautiful men out there. I just wonder why I can't see these guys in real life. Where are they? Where are the hot men at and why can't I get a chance to feel up on some nice abs some time huh?
Cover to cover endless shots of beautiful I mean beautiful bodies. Incredible bodies, and fine faces to match. I'm thinking I could just plaster these sexy things on my wall and just fantasize. Wow, there are some really beautiful men out there. I just wonder why I can't see these guys in real life. Where are they? Where are the hot men at and why can't I get a chance to feel up on some nice abs some time huh?
Okay, this is pure lusting but hey I can't help it. I have needs! I'll satisfy my visual hunger. It's the most I can do.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Look, I'm Just Me Alright
I just don't roll with the tides. I prefer to swim upstream and be influenced by my own idiosyncratic wavelength of thinking. What's all this about being "cool", I think there is nothing cooler than someone who expresses their true self and is not afraid to show that.
Wits is full of people pleasers, God help me! It might look wierd how I'd rather just walk aroung the place with my huge-ass bluetooth earphones instead of mingling in with the sheep and become one of them - a commoner with no identity of his own. My mind is drawn to an image of mass production in an industrialist setting fabricated to meet the general public's consumer need. So I ask myself how I will differentiate myself from these generics, these mass products with no minds of their own. These absorbing, feeding, brainwashed media zombies that lack the inititiative to question, apply logic and rationalize.
There is nothing more pathetic!! I tell you, and when you're on a pursuit for something deeper, something which actually requires the use of your grey matter. I am boring, I do not want to get out of my comfort zone. Puh-lease! I'm on a mission of my own here just cause it doesn't involve getting high, sleeping around, drinking your liver to destruction and partying nonstop it doesn't mean it is not a mission worthier still.
(Just you watch, I'll be making more cheese than you with my ish - loyalty and discipline pay off in the end)
I'm a geek who reads voraciously, I am a writer who writes insatiably, I respect intelligence and integrity above all other qualities in people. I refrain from objectifying others, they are not people out there for me to use and exploit. I think Darwinism has made us cold, we discard the weak and use others to achieve selfish goals because after all we are just evolved apes arent't we! NO, I think we need to start loving and valuing each other as human beings again!I believe in love not Natural Selection, LOVE. Peace is attained through love and above all I aim to love others (platonically if you should know because your mind is always in the gutter I presume).
Call me a wierdo if you please, I choose to swim upstream with my beliefs.
Wits is full of people pleasers, God help me! It might look wierd how I'd rather just walk aroung the place with my huge-ass bluetooth earphones instead of mingling in with the sheep and become one of them - a commoner with no identity of his own. My mind is drawn to an image of mass production in an industrialist setting fabricated to meet the general public's consumer need. So I ask myself how I will differentiate myself from these generics, these mass products with no minds of their own. These absorbing, feeding, brainwashed media zombies that lack the inititiative to question, apply logic and rationalize.
There is nothing more pathetic!! I tell you, and when you're on a pursuit for something deeper, something which actually requires the use of your grey matter. I am boring, I do not want to get out of my comfort zone. Puh-lease! I'm on a mission of my own here just cause it doesn't involve getting high, sleeping around, drinking your liver to destruction and partying nonstop it doesn't mean it is not a mission worthier still.
(Just you watch, I'll be making more cheese than you with my ish - loyalty and discipline pay off in the end)
I'm a geek who reads voraciously, I am a writer who writes insatiably, I respect intelligence and integrity above all other qualities in people. I refrain from objectifying others, they are not people out there for me to use and exploit. I think Darwinism has made us cold, we discard the weak and use others to achieve selfish goals because after all we are just evolved apes arent't we! NO, I think we need to start loving and valuing each other as human beings again!I believe in love not Natural Selection, LOVE. Peace is attained through love and above all I aim to love others (platonically if you should know because your mind is always in the gutter I presume).
Call me a wierdo if you please, I choose to swim upstream with my beliefs.
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