culture – The Fyne Prynt

Culture Commentary: A Day Without Woman

Posted on March 8, 2017March 8, 2017 by The Fyne Prynt

#ADWAW is a point of privilege. I feel its necessary to go ahead and plop that out right up front.

While its intentions are good and wholesome and very kumbaya, it is a point of privilege nonetheless. The woman. The woman who already works more only to be paid less, who uses sick days and vacation days to care of all but themselves. The woman who works … with NO paid time off. The woman who cannot afford to take a day off but is now forced to do so because schools are closed.

I salute each woman who has the mind to participate in #ADWAW. But I remain puzzled about its benefits; its beneficiaries. What good does our absence do when, tomorrow, we will have to work even harder to make up for today?

Absence, like quitting, is easy. The real work of the movement is in presence. The real work is in inviting women into your space who do not look like you, who do not worship like you, who do not live like you do and certainly not where you do. It is our presence that builds, that grows, that lifts. We are beyond the point of ABSENCE.

Resistance cannot only be about what we’re “not gonna do”. Resistance is and always has been about breaking barriers. INSISTING that your child’s school celebrates women’s history; INSISTING that Black history is everyone’s history; INSISTING that a girl’s/woman’s body is her own to control; INSISTING absolutely and on every available platform that Black Lives Matter; INSISTING that your coworker not be unfairly treated simply because her skin has been forever kissed by the sun.

Now is the time to be PRESENT

Now is the time to STAND

Now is the time to SPEAK

Now is the time to FIGHT

Now is the time to ACT

It is wonderful to have a national platform to showcase “solidarity” but the truth, for many/most of you is that the real platform – the place where the real work needs to be done, is WITHIN.

culture, expression, headline, Uncategorized

Culture Commentary: Oh, You Mad?

Posted on February 21, 2014February 21, 2014 by The Fyne Prynt

Every time a Person of Color (POC) has to swallow yet another blatant injustice, it becomes more and more difficult. The anger and rage continue to fight against one’s individual peace. Even for that one POC in your life that you feel you know very well and you consider a friend; that person you can’t imagine ever being angry; Yes, her too.

It is a difficult circumstance to describe. It is truly peculiar to live a life that others try to summarize based on ‘cover’ rather than ‘content’. Many have and continue to try to articulate it in a way that resonates beyond our own voice.

Books like “Why Black People Tend To Shout”, a more recent article of a similar title, “Why Black Folks Tend To Shout” and works by James Baldwin … to name a very, very, few.

So, in absence of explicit explanation, I will provide examples instead. Ok? Ok.

For every instance when a woman pulls her purse close when you walk by – in a store where you’re both shopping …
For every instance when he’s told in a surprising tone: “oh you speak so well” …
For every instance when a woman says “do you work here?” even though there are 3 people who are also in her line of vision, actually wearing a uniform …
For every unsavory “inside” “joke” that is told in your presence at the office because “oh, she’s cool” …
For those moments when those same coworkers see you out in public and clearly pretend like they don’t so they won’t have to acknowledge you in front of their friends/family …
For every promotion that goes to someone less qualified …
For every time “they” sound genuinely surprised that your child is well dressed and well behaved …
For every son who gets “stopped & frisked” because he’s “walking while Black” …
For every daughter who has to speak on behalf of the entire race when she’s asked about her hair …
For every person who says: “why can’t we have a white history month?” …
For every person who says: “if we had a ‘White Girls Rock’ Black people would be screaming racism” … {ref. Black Girls Rock/Black Girls Rock}
For every major news outlet that granted an interview to an admitted murderer of an unarmed Black teen and went free …
For every state representative who sees nothing wrong at all with the Confederate flag and what it stands for …

This list is a very brief example but all these are real things.

And even after every injustice, whether purposeful or byproduct of other things – there is a spirit that still calls for peace. There is still a fight towards justice for all. There is still forgiveness. But also in that, these can never be forgotten.

They burrow deeply into the dreams of better days ahead. They hibernate in notions of moving beyond easy assumptions and stereotypes. They remain still and quiet and are such a part of everyday life that they cohabitate seamlessly with the business of each day. Until …

Until that last injustice becomes the last injustice; Until the words of peace and justice for all become too bitter to speak; Until the tears cease to flow because so many have come before; Until, the rage bubbles up and over out of its containment because the burdens of peace and respectability have become too much to continue to bear…

There is a rage that although there is no visible flame, its coals are burning hotter and hotter still.

For Marissa Alexander
For Jordan Davis
For Renisha McBride
For Jonathan Ferrell
For Oscar Grant
For Kendrick Johnson
For Michael Giles
For Miriam Carey
For you
For me
For us

Photo: @thafyneprynt

culture, news, Uncategorized

July 16, 2013

Posted on February 15, 2014 by The Fyne Prynt

The Verdict has been read. We’ve been angry. We’ve been sad. We’ve been inundated with images of “post-racial” America that really aren’t so pleasing to the eye or the spirit.

And perhaps more importantly we’ve been left with the question of “What Now?” And to this question, provided numerous answers – but the most viable of all those recommendations is to Start Where You Are and Use What You Have.

READ: find at least five different credible/reliable news sources and subscribe to/follow them. Being informed across issues and platforms is critical.

VOLUNTEER: find a local organization that provides services to an issue that is important to you and give some of your time.

MENTOR: share your life, skills and awesomeness with a child who could use a great influence.

VOTE: the past several months have shown us the power of the vote. And with the latest changes to the Voting Rights Act, now more than ever our voice at the polls matters.

SHOW UP: if you’re summoned … get there!

GIVE: if you prefer a more hands-off approach, there is always an organization willing to accept financial gifts to support your cause. But if you’re a first time giver be sure to do a bit of research and vet your chosen agency/ies well.

NONE of these things will bring back Trayvon Martin, Oscar Grant, Jordan Davis or the countless others. But perhaps if each one of us takes some action now – it can prevent the next one…

To each of us, His Strength, Peace & Blessings

*I wrote this just a few days after Trayvon Martin’s murderer was found “not guilty”. And so tonight, just hours after the verdict in the murder of Jordan Davis – sadly, here I am again. Heavy hearted, as though he we were my own …. Tomorrow would have been Jordan’s 19th birthday.

Photo: @thafyneprynt

creative writing, creativity, culture, expression, Uncategorized

Where I’m From

Posted on January 27, 2014 by The Fyne Prynt

I come from a long line of beautiful women. Although it is true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, my eyes have seen these women and know that they are the epitome.

Some of these women I know, others of them I have never met outside of my imagination or in the pages of a book or magazine. With rich hues and spirits the color of the setting sun – I am entranced by each one.

I come from a long line of beautiful women who live the words that “life and death are in the power of the tongue”. From distant places they come to me whenever I am in need; I don’t even have to ask or plead. If I am feeling lonely , I feel their warmth, their love.

When I am going astray I hear their words of redirection and I can only reflect on the fact that I am glad someone prayed for me.

My mind, my body, my soul, are wrapped in the comfort of these beautiful women. I come from a long line of beautiful women but I realize that I must stay on the journey that makes me a part of their legacy – their empire …

… a beautiful woman.

Photo: Jackie Parvati “Bembe Do Mercado”

creativity, culture, expression, music

My Life: In Six Songs

Posted on January 21, 2014 by The Fyne Prynt

Recently, NPR proffered a bit of a challenge: “If you could tell your life story — chronologically, up to now — in six songs, what would they be?”

I was intrigued and so, I gave it a shot. This isn’t necessarily a story in the traditional sense but it takes a LOT of thought and creativity to represent your life in six measly songs!

I wouldn’t say that mine are necessarily lyrically literal but these songs capture the essence of my life up to now …

Southern Girl – Frankie Beverly

Got To Give It Up/Party – Marvin Gaye

I will Survive – Gloria Gaynor

Brown Skin – India Arie

A Change Is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke

Crave – Gareth Asher

I would love to hear yours!

Photo: WFMU

culture, expression, Uncategorized

Culture Commentary

Posted on January 20, 2014January 20, 2014 by The Fyne Prynt

Ok. So I was really trying to un-see this tweet from last week but the more I tried to not think about it, the more I thought about it.

I’m hoping with all my heart that this person {late teens, female, non-POC} was just trying to get a rise or response or just acting out of boredom.

I’m hoping.

Since that post I’ve seen many, many other things that have given me pause and made me scratch my head a bit. I know that like religion, we should never ever ever ever bring up race in a discussion. It’s a “bad” word, right up there with the best swear words.

However, I remain troubled. From Madonna hashtagging a picture of her son using the N word, to some of the rather disgusting comments about Richard Sherman after the NFC Championship game because of his behavior, it seems like more than ever we NEED to talk about race.

I don’t pretend to be so naive as to think that this society will ever be kumbyah. Ever. But there are SO many stops on the journey prior to that place: knowledge sharing, conversation, question asking, understanding and respect to name a few.

Racism and other race issues are not simply a problem for POC but for ALL of us. If we never discuss it, then how do we move past it? If we never teach racial or social justice, how will people know to make a different or better choice before purposely harming someone {physically, emotionally, psychologically}.

Because as this young lady reminded; like so many learned behaviors, the act of racism is indeed a choice.

So let’s start by making some better choices. Even if no one knows but us that we made it, every better choice is a better choice.

creative writing, culture, expression

Boots

Posted on January 16, 2014 by The Fyne Prynt

{in honor of those who have fought and continue to fight the good fight}

Boots on your feet
Boots on my neck
Oppressing my soul
Strangling my spirit
Forcing me to choke on words of freedom

‘Soon I will be done’ with the troubles of this world
Not because you so desperately want me to depart it
But because I choose to hold on and provide solace for my soul, encouragement for my spirit

No greater power can be possessed as having control
Of your own body
Your own mind
Your own self

Boots on your feet
Boots on my neck

But the POWER remains in me

culture, expression, headline, news, Uncategorized

This skin requires Courage, Hope, Love.

Posted on January 7, 2014January 8, 2014 by The Fyne Prynt

Isn’t it always so amazing the things we experience each day, each moment? Today would have been the 123rd birthday of acclaimed author Zora Neale Hurston and of all her wonderful words, I was struck most by this quote from How It Feels To Be Colored Me:

“Sometimes, I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It’s beyond me.”

With all the talk of our “post-racial” society the tragedy is truly that too many things are happening to individuals daily based on nothing more than the color of their skin – both “positive” and negative. It is certainly true that not EVERY thing is racial but it is also true that the things that are racial should not be overlooked.

For instance their is jubilant news that SNL has hired it’s first African American female comedienne in 7 years. That’s great but in a post racial society should/would it be news? Is the ascension into one’s passions and attaining one’s dreams so rare for People of Color (POC) and specifically Women of Color (WOC)? Is it generally seen as a supernatural event for POC/WOC to reach this level?

I don’t have the answers and I’ll leave it here for now but in the meantime I salute every person who has the Courage, Hope and Love to truly live in their own skin!

Learn More. Love More.

culture, expression, music, Uncategorized

Leaving On A Jet Plane …

Posted on January 4, 2014January 4, 2014 by The Fyne Prynt

For some reason “Leaving On A Jet Plane” was on my mind this morning when I woke up. And by on my mind I of course mean that continuous loop of music that starts playing in your head and won’t stop.

{And in all transparency let me state that the very first song on loop was “Flawless” because of course, ” I woke up like dis”}

But alas, I digress. Perhaps because it’s the beginning of a New Year and there are always so many things we say we’re going to leave behind. So many things {people} we’re going to gather up then send packing.

Wouldn’t it be great if it could BE that simple?!!

But leaving the past behind isn’t really isn’t the way to go I think. The lessons we {hopefully} learn serve as our foundation, boosting us up and pushing us ever closer to our better selves.

So I’m going to go through my “past bags” and instead of sending them away to some place from which they might very well return someday — I’m going to unpack the lessons and get to learning.

Not just onward, but upward!