Hip-Hop + Theater = Goodness
A month ago I was in church and a guest pastor was delivering his sermon. All in all he was pretty good but something he said kind of rubbed me the wrong way. He had a 5-8 minute monologue about language and more specifically how young kids have butchered the English language with slang. His examples (rather out-dated) were "bad meaning good", "dope meaning exceptional" and the phrase "sick, crazy dude" meaning a guy who is remarkably impressive. Funny, right? Some what. Although the entire church laughed and enjoyed his jokes about slang and his admittance to being out of the loop I realized that the entire church congregation was made of people at and over over the age of 40. Then something happened. When the pastor continued with another anecdote he said the word sucker-- "sucka" to be exact.
The inquisitive cultural observer and challenger of authority in me quickly pulled out my phone, got online and looked up the definition of sucker.
Sucker- A shoot which arises from an underground shoot or root of a plant. He didn't use sucker in that context. Here's the definition of sucker the pastor was referring to; Sucker- Slang: any person or thing.
I was shocked {and delighted} that the pastor who just finished passionately politicking about how we should denounce the use of slang and how we should come together as a country to reclaim our common language {which isn't really ours anyway much like everything else in this country} just dropped a big ole slang bomb without it even occurring to him he did so.
That's when it hit me. The issue wasn't with the use of slang, it was with the use and creation of slang words he doesn't understand. It wasn't a slang thing at all it was a generational thing. This chasm between my generation and the pastor's isn't anything new but I am impressed at how one organization in particular is bridging the generational gap in an artistic way-- the Hip-Hop Theater Festival. I know the theater may not be for every one but I would like to think that the number of potential theater-goers in my generation would increase if they knew depictions of relevant subject matter was being created and performed with them in mind. That's the beauty of the Hip-Hop Theater Festival.
I found out about this amazing initiative while watching Current TV {if you aren't watching Current by now you have missed the train} and my mouth hit the floor. I was so drawn to the connection this organization was making between hip-hip culture {CULTURE people not the corney "bling-bling, make it rain, rolling on dubs" simpleton antics crammed down our throats over radio stations} and performance art. To me the strength of the Hip-Hop Theater Festival is their understanding of their target. They work with and speak to members of the hip-hop generation while serving the young, urban communities across the U.S and around the world. Check out the website to learn more and if you have a short attention span jump over to the Hip-Hop Festival Current TV pod. Lazy rascal.
Commonwealth: Anything but Common
Anyone who knows me KNOWS I likes to look good which means I pay attention to clothes. All kinds. Personally I call my style "Project Preppy" because I switch it up from jeans and sneaks to loafers and a vest any day and pull it off everyday. Of course I stuck out like a sore thumb in my little small town and there really weren't too many places to shop so we all ways hit the malls up in VA. I wish Commonwealth was open then.
Commonwealth {owned and operated by cousins} is a fly retail space in downtown Norfolk, VA {not even an hour from my hometown} and they also have a spot in Washington D.C. If you value eclectic pieces, original design and underground street fashion labels then Commonwealth is the spot for you. In addition to dressing those who love to dress {including me in the near future} they also hold events so if you're in the area check them out. There is also a great interview of one of the co-founders {Omar Quiambao} written by Michael Bercasio with Inquiringmind Magazine. It's a great read so check it out and get your browse on at the same time.
VA stand up!!!
Black History's History
I, for one, don't relegate the accomplishments and contributions of my people to this country to 28 days {or 29 depending on the year}. I always find a way to celebrate Black history everyday. Hell, I even started the Black History Quiz Bowl at my high school {whether they continue it or not I don't know but your boy is to thank for that one *wink*}. Much to my surprise I was slightly disappointed and ashamed at how little I knew about the origins of Black History Month itself.
This is when my good friend Current TV {I told y'all don't sleep on Current} stepped in and gave me the rundown on the come up that was Negro History Day, then Negro History Week and eventually Black History Month. Check it out.
Social Atelier: Fashion as Change Agent
I've already confessed my affinity for fresh clothing {see Commonwealth} but the combination of fresh clothes and social change makes elbj a very happy boy. Social Atelier is a company that uses fashion to increase social awareness and increase change pertaining to key issues facing our culture(s) today like war, AIDS, global warming and poverty. The SA donates a portion of their proceeds to certain causes and this season's proceeds of SA sales will be donated to the Solar Cooker Project. "This project significantly improves the safety and survival of women in the refugee camps by alleviating the need for them to go out and seek cooking fuel, an action that puts them at severe risk for assault, rape, and even death. (http://www.socialatelier.com/Awarness.html)".
Check out video of Social Atelier's latest collection. Social Atelier is an example of social entrepreneurship and fashion at its best...that is until I step onto the scene. Y'all ain't ready for that yet.
TED & Sir Ken Robinson
I have to admit when I heard about TED I thought it was some dude who had an amazing ego and demanded people spell his name with all upper case letters. Don't ask where I got that from. Much to my delight TED is far from that. TED has been going on since 1984 and stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. Since inception TED has been an organization and conference which brought bright minds from all three of those fields together to share their wisdom. Over the years what started as a humble conference has turned into a global powerhouse of intellectual, cultural, technological and inspirational resources. I really want to go to TEDAfrica later this year...hopefully a brother can get his pockets right. {Yeah I said it}.
Yesterday a good friend of mine {whatsup RoRo!!} sent me a link to someone who has the potential of being my next Man Crush {see last post}. A midst a daydream, reading about
flood insurance and customizing my Legos Sir Ken Robinson {right} inspired me with his talk of children, creativity, intelligence and how we, as a people, teach the creativity out of our most precious resource. He was speaking my language and I watched his video 5 times in a row. It's the bomb but don't take my word for it. See for yourself. I may have to induct Sir Ken into The Genius Syndicate Hall of Fame.
If you are one who is motivated by insight and inspired by truth then you will absolutely enjoy what Sir Ken and the rest of the TED Talks have to offer.
Quote of the Day
“A fully functional multiracial society cannot be achieved without a sense of history and open, honest dialogue.”
A month ago I was in church and a guest pastor was delivering his sermon. All in all he was pretty good but something he said kind of rubbed me the wrong way. He had a 5-8 minute monologue about language and more specifically how young kids have butchered the English language with slang. His examples (rather out-dated) were "bad meaning good", "dope meaning exceptional" and the phrase "sick, crazy dude" meaning a guy who is remarkably impressive. Funny, right? Some what. Although the entire church laughed and enjoyed his jokes about slang and his admittance to being out of the loop I realized that the entire church congregation was made of people at and over over the age of 40. Then something happened. When the pastor continued with another anecdote he said the word sucker-- "sucka" to be exact.
The inquisitive cultural observer and challenger of authority in me quickly pulled out my phone, got online and looked up the definition of sucker.
Sucker- A shoot which arises from an underground shoot or root of a plant. He didn't use sucker in that context. Here's the definition of sucker the pastor was referring to; Sucker- Slang: any person or thing.
I was shocked {and delighted} that the pastor who just finished passionately politicking about how we should denounce the use of slang and how we should come together as a country to reclaim our common language {which isn't really ours anyway much like everything else in this country} just dropped a big ole slang bomb without it even occurring to him he did so.
That's when it hit me. The issue wasn't with the use of slang, it was with the use and creation of slang words he doesn't understand. It wasn't a slang thing at all it was a generational thing. This chasm between my generation and the pastor's isn't anything new but I am impressed at how one organization in particular is bridging the generational gap in an artistic way-- the Hip-Hop Theater Festival. I know the theater may not be for every one but I would like to think that the number of potential theater-goers in my generation would increase if they knew depictions of relevant subject matter was being created and performed with them in mind. That's the beauty of the Hip-Hop Theater Festival.
I found out about this amazing initiative while watching Current TV {if you aren't watching Current by now you have missed the train} and my mouth hit the floor. I was so drawn to the connection this organization was making between hip-hip culture {CULTURE people not the corney "bling-bling, make it rain, rolling on dubs" simpleton antics crammed down our throats over radio stations} and performance art. To me the strength of the Hip-Hop Theater Festival is their understanding of their target. They work with and speak to members of the hip-hop generation while serving the young, urban communities across the U.S and around the world. Check out the website to learn more and if you have a short attention span jump over to the Hip-Hop Festival Current TV pod. Lazy rascal.
Commonwealth: Anything but Common
Anyone who knows me KNOWS I likes to look good which means I pay attention to clothes. All kinds. Personally I call my style "Project Preppy" because I switch it up from jeans and sneaks to loafers and a vest any day and pull it off everyday. Of course I stuck out like a sore thumb in my little small town and there really weren't too many places to shop so we all ways hit the malls up in VA. I wish Commonwealth was open then.
Commonwealth {owned and operated by cousins} is a fly retail space in downtown Norfolk, VA {not even an hour from my hometown} and they also have a spot in Washington D.C. If you value eclectic pieces, original design and underground street fashion labels then Commonwealth is the spot for you. In addition to dressing those who love to dress {including me in the near future} they also hold events so if you're in the area check them out. There is also a great interview of one of the co-founders {Omar Quiambao} written by Michael Bercasio with Inquiringmind Magazine. It's a great read so check it out and get your browse on at the same time.
VA stand up!!!
Black History's History
I, for one, don't relegate the accomplishments and contributions of my people to this country to 28 days {or 29 depending on the year}. I always find a way to celebrate Black history everyday. Hell, I even started the Black History Quiz Bowl at my high school {whether they continue it or not I don't know but your boy is to thank for that one *wink*}. Much to my surprise I was slightly disappointed and ashamed at how little I knew about the origins of Black History Month itself.
This is when my good friend Current TV {I told y'all don't sleep on Current} stepped in and gave me the rundown on the come up that was Negro History Day, then Negro History Week and eventually Black History Month. Check it out.
Social Atelier: Fashion as Change Agent
I've already confessed my affinity for fresh clothing {see Commonwealth} but the combination of fresh clothes and social change makes elbj a very happy boy. Social Atelier is a company that uses fashion to increase social awareness and increase change pertaining to key issues facing our culture(s) today like war, AIDS, global warming and poverty. The SA donates a portion of their proceeds to certain causes and this season's proceeds of SA sales will be donated to the Solar Cooker Project. "This project significantly improves the safety and survival of women in the refugee camps by alleviating the need for them to go out and seek cooking fuel, an action that puts them at severe risk for assault, rape, and even death. (http://www.socialatelier.com/Awarness.html)".
Check out video of Social Atelier's latest collection. Social Atelier is an example of social entrepreneurship and fashion at its best...that is until I step onto the scene. Y'all ain't ready for that yet.
TED & Sir Ken Robinson
I have to admit when I heard about TED I thought it was some dude who had an amazing ego and demanded people spell his name with all upper case letters. Don't ask where I got that from. Much to my delight TED is far from that. TED has been going on since 1984 and stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. Since inception TED has been an organization and conference which brought bright minds from all three of those fields together to share their wisdom. Over the years what started as a humble conference has turned into a global powerhouse of intellectual, cultural, technological and inspirational resources. I really want to go to TEDAfrica later this year...hopefully a brother can get his pockets right. {Yeah I said it}.
Yesterday a good friend of mine {whatsup RoRo!!} sent me a link to someone who has the potential of being my next Man Crush {see last post}. A midst a daydream, reading about
flood insurance and customizing my Legos Sir Ken Robinson {right} inspired me with his talk of children, creativity, intelligence and how we, as a people, teach the creativity out of our most precious resource. He was speaking my language and I watched his video 5 times in a row. It's the bomb but don't take my word for it. See for yourself. I may have to induct Sir Ken into The Genius Syndicate Hall of Fame.If you are one who is motivated by insight and inspired by truth then you will absolutely enjoy what Sir Ken and the rest of the TED Talks have to offer.
Quote of the Day
“A fully functional multiracial society cannot be achieved without a sense of history and open, honest dialogue.”
-Dr. Cornel West
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