Open Letters

Minstrel Show

Taking exit 62nd Street off I- 95 south in Miami, Florida one can’t help noticing the murals painted on the understructure of the highway. The colorful murals are of Martin Luther King Jr. including  excerpts of some of his speeches. This exit drops you in eastern section of Liberty City which is a predominantly African American neighborhood; an area riddled with crime for decades and is used as the proto-city for the video game Grand Theft Auto IV. Now be don’t be fooled by the luxury cars that uses this exit; because it one of the quickest way to reach Biscayne Corridor which leads to some of the most affluent neighborhoods and islands. Your first thought would be that it’s the work of one of the kids from the high school that’s located across the street. It’s been there for years and it keeps getting larger as time goes on.

 

A few months ago there was a new addition to the murals. It was a potrait of Senator Barack Obama. Placed beside that of Martin Luther King and written to the left  an excerpt of the “I have a dream” speech. Simplistic in it’s interpretation but widely understood. About a month ago the image of Senator Obama was painted over to now a silhouette, a star shines  above  Martin Luther King  casting a ray of light shining brightly on both images. (See image below). Just looking the silhouette anyone can recognize that it’s Barack Obama.

 

Then the story broke in the local news. Apparently a local artist was commissioned to beautify the area by painting murals. It’s an ongoing project and he decided that a rendition of Senator Obama would be an appropriate addition  to the tribute of Martin Luther King. Congressman Kendrick Meeks a fervent Clinton supporter was not pleased. Liberty City is a part of his constituent and he wasn’t having it. It was reported in the local Biscayne Times that he called the Department of Transportation and demanded that the artist go back and remove the image of Obama, which the artist did, but left a more affecting image. Now the current mural has created more buzz around Miami than Congressman Meeks intended.

 

  

 

Why, oh why would he waste tax-payers money to do something so counter-productive? Not only did he interfere with an artist's message (you know how artist are sensitive to their craft) but I thought that in an area like Liberty City where the schools (note Miami Edison High is right across from the mural) are failing, drop-out rates are high, but this school in the most impoverish area of Miami is  filled with African American children where the image of Senator Obama can be a reminder of their possibilities. Just to think, that each time one of these young boys or girls leaving that school with thoughts of turning to a life of crime; the Obama’s image may give them a second thought. Or for residents in that neighborhood to feel proud just walking down that street knowing that someone who looks like them have made it this far. But Congressman Meeks a minstrel for the Clinton’s got caught up in the nastiness of the election that he would prefer to suppress encouraging his constituent than to offend Senator Clinton just in case there is the remote chance of her visiting Liberty City!

 

Now that Senator Obama has clinched the Democratic Nomination, I wonder what Congressman Meeks think now.

 

The tide is high; The waves will be rough

When I was teenager, my group of friends decided to spend the day on Lime Cay (a tiny island off the south coast of Jamaica). One of my friend’s relatives had a tiny boat and arranged for us to use it to transport us and all our sundries. As soon as the word got out it, the party grew from a 3 to 12. Which meant it was going to require multiple trips to get us all there. I volunteered to be among the last group.

I remember filled with anticipation because everyone who has been to Lime Cay came back with raving reviews of how much fun they had. As the boat started I shuffled on the tiny seat to get closer to the helm, with my face turned eagerly in the direction where we were headed. Then the first big wave came, I recalled with horror at how high above the boat this wave came. I thought I was going to die and if not; I knew for sure it was going to unpleasant. It seemed as if the boat was lifted about 6 feet high from the water’s surface, my butt was raised a good 24 inches off they seat before it came crashing with a wicked thud on that hard-ass fiberglass seat. I couldn’t collect myself fast enough before another big wave hit. This time I noticed how the force of the water stung my face and exposed body parts. No sooner I thought what the fuck, came another massive wave. I looked at the driver of the boat and he smiled at me said “Is yu first time on a boat? Bwoy, the sea is rough today--- if yu might get sick, just hang over the side” No time to respond, another colossal wave, I clumsily figured out how to ride it with minimal damage to my spine, but got water in my mouth. This continued for about 10 minutes forcing my mind and  body to submit to the sea's rhythm and I eventually got the hang of riding the choppy waves. I got to Lime Cay a little dazed by the experience but nevertheless had fun day.

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Which brings me the political wave that’s about to start. As I am basking in the satisfaction of Senator Obama’s nomination, I know the ride is going to be rough between now and November (remember the above boat ride).  I am bracing myself for the dirty slimy tactics that groups like 527 will wage. Not to mention Fox News who will do everything to propagate rumors.  Hang on tight, get ready . . . because here it comes!

You better listen to your Mama

Don't you just love Donna Brazile.

 

She called it as it is.  "Obey the rules and when you try to change it halfway through it called cheating"

 

Math 101

My First Rally

I have been eligible to vote for the past 20 years, and I must say I have never been excited about politics until this season. So excited, that I was about to attend my first political rally. !

                            

The beginning of last week I heard that Senator Obama was going to be in Florida campaigning. I must have sent out 50 emails trying to get information on venues since it wasn’t posted anywhere not even on his official site. Finally on Tuesday his campaign sent an email invitation of the Broward Rally for which I had to register since space was limited. I quickly signed up and forwarded to two other friends who I knew wanted to go.!

                            

The appointed day came. He was scheduled to speak at 3:30pm. We arrived at exactly 2pm and there was already a huge crowd circling the arena. They seemed to be no lines, disorganized, just people bunched together, so my friends and I decidedly bunched in with the crowd. South Florida is known as “the lightning capital of the world”, and the lightning decided to put on a show while people bunched and shuffled forward toward the arena doors, but not one single person budged as if they changed their minds. Security was unbelievable, no bags, no umbrellas, cell phones checked to see if they were really cell phones, secret service men stationed all over the place. The excitement that filled the air was intense.!

                            

Finally we were through security and tried to get the best seats possible that non-VIP’s could get (which we did). The wait was long, but there was entertainment; a steel band, a jazz band, they were lively and upbeat. They kept the audience moving and the excitement high. Couple of things I noticed as his campaign put things together. They only gave campaign signs and banners to people sitting directly behind the podium—at first I thought it was to save money (hey that why he has 34 million of campaign money in the bank and Missus Clinton is in the negative), but I think it’s for photo-op. The other thing I noticed was the VIPs were the ones seated along the section where he would be walking. So note, when you see him shaking hands along the way, it’s not haphazardly done, these are local politicians, party members or big donors.!

                            

The music now changed, gone are the steel band and jazz band to overhead blaring music like “There is hope” by India Aire, “I’ll take you there”, “Change is gonna come”. Half way through the music stopped for the introduction by Congressman Wexler and Obama’s local campaign manager (can’t remember her name. . . all I kept thinking while she spoke was, girl is going to get a sweet position if he ever gets elected president). Anyhooo the will.i.am song started and he was introduced

“And hereeee’s the next President ------of -------the United States------- of America!”

An arena of over twenty thousand stood to their feet and went wild. Wow! Out he saunters as cool as they come. (Kool-Kat has no cool on this dude-oh-k )Wide grin from ear to ear; waving, shaking hands (remember those VIP’s I mentioned). Finally he gracefully bounds on stage (something Senator McCain could never do). He stood at the podium thanked all who needed to be thanked and then said “Where is my campaign people, Am I stuck at this podium or can I get a microphone where I can be mobile like Oprah?”  Yeah all twenty thousand of us chuckled.

He gave his usual stump speech, complimented Senator Clinton (at the same moment she was probably suggesting his assassination), he talked about the war, his commitment to ending Iraq’s and finding Bin Ladin (remember him?), he took tiger-paw swats at President Bush and Senator McCain. He talked about establishing better foreign policies, bringing an end to the partisanship in Washington, improving the education system so today’s children can be competitive with China’s, rewarding teachers, work towards improving our environment and yes he talked about his plans on improving the economy and healthcare.  His speech was 40 minutes, as always good and ended with the song “Signed, Seal, Delivered”.

                        

I lost my voice shortly after and the next day suffered a headache like I partied all night long, but nonetheless I was glad I was apart of it and will fondly remember my first political rally.

The Sartorialist

 

Can we say GQ? This is a picture of Senator Obama on his way to the Oregon rally last week. Mid-stride, sporting that tailored suit, the sunglasses and yeah the book!

Oh yeah this belong on some glossy cover. I have been waiting patiently for a picture that I can truly say “Now its official I have a crush”.

 

Chick, you ain’t seen nothing yet

Don’t you just cringe when these young starlets say stuff like “Even though I’m just 19, I been through a whole lot!” Ugghh, that's what Julianne Hough (formerly of Dancing with The Stars) said the Sheri Shepard on The View today. Apparently she now has an album where the lyrics (which sound much more mature than her 19 years) are reflection of her life.

Julianne, you ain’t seen nothing yet!

 

 

Snort, Snort

I couldn't help it...... I thought everyone was so skirting around the issue                       

                                                      

While we were paying attention to. . .

. .. Wright and Wrong, there was another scandal , brewing in Washington that once again seemed to have missed the main stream media’s attention.

Where is story?

What's wrong with this picture?

Here’s what we are looking at:

§         Climate Crisis

§         The Country is in a recession

§         The oil price over $4.00 per gallon

§         Housing foreclosure doubled since January

§         Wall Street powerhouses straining to stay afloat

§         The US dollar descending against the Euro

§         War in Iraq

§         War in Afghanistan

§         Rumors of more war (Iran)

And all they gnash about is Rev Wright! The main stream media is driving me nuts.

Great article about this by Bob Cesca