There's Hope (smile everybody)

So this is my current theme song. I love it because it sings to my soul. To anyone out there that's going through, or just tired of our present conditions. Know that there is Hope, for today, tomorrow, and forevermore! More importantly, know that the change dwells within you! Be the change you wish to see in the World. Because of YOU, there is HOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An Ode to the Black Man

This is for the Black Man in America and abroad. This is my love letter to you, In the midst of the hatred you receive from outsiders and people who look exactly like you, and stereotypical media portrayals that leave you looking more like the devil incarnate than the divine gift I know you to be. I love you for sooo many reasons, and just in case you've never been told before, allow me to tell you why.

I am nothing without you, my life dependant upon your spirit mixed with my mother's, you are my father and the father of civilizations. Your hands have built cities and caressed your children.

You are humanity's diamond, hard, strong, and beautiful. The centuries of struggle have transformed you into a specimen quite like no other. Diamonds are girl's best friend and you, my brotha, are my light; resilient, radiant, luminous. Your spirit, heart, and soul blings; the gold teeth and chains are unnecessary. Your smile is the moon's glow, always with me in my darkest hour. There's a fire in your eyes burning with the promise of revolution. You are Martin, Malcolm, Marcus, Mandela!

Don't be fooled by history books which describe you in terms of prison numbers, and limit your potential to that of a hoodlum, addict, dead beat or criminal. You belong not in the ghetto but at the top of the world,take your place! Anything less is beneath you. And I know life has thrown you some powerful blows but you have overcome them with the determination of a King. You can do anything, Genocide,War slavery, middle passages, racism, Apartheid,Colonialism, disease, and poverty have all fallen on your shoulders, no weapon formed against you has ever prospered and never will.

I love everything about you, your creativity makes you a masterpiece money can't buy, Auction blocks underated your abilities; and although popular culture either steals your artforms or deem them dead, your skills are incredible. You are the epitome of perseverance and the reflection of the power of God. I salute you, I adore you, I love you! Be encouraged black brotha.

There's a Market for Ni$$as

I can add nothing more to this message! Ya'll just listen! This is Taalam Acey, my favorite spoken word Artist! Google him!

Double Dutch

There are two words to describe the history of the African American Woman, Double Dutch. She jumps between two ropes, racism…jump, sexism…jump, repetitively, leaping and landing with graceful steps and courage. Those who’ve come before her, from the sidelines, encourage and chant the songs that have gotten them through the tricky ropes, “challenge, challenge 1…2…3”And she jumps, knowing she must be in perfect rhythm and precision or suffer the dire consequences discrimination brings. She’s aware of the fact that at some point, her jumping will end; sooner or later she’ll feel the lashes of inequality. Until the ropes no longer exist, every Woman, every African American is at risk. So why does she jump?

She jumps in reach of blessings, they exist between the clash of the ropes, in the roar of revolving twine that ironically produce no change. She will not be conquered, even with whelps on her limbs and mind. Without struggle, there is no progress, and progression for her, her children, and her grandchildren means sacrifice. Her resistance of racism and sexism makes the fight that much easier for the next generations. She fights with her soul and her soles. Jump girl…jump!

Are You Sexy

Today I looked in the mirror and saw sexy despite my stained t-shirt, dingy sweat pants and dusty Nikes. I saw sexy in my extra large lips (a gift from my ancestors), thick and loc'd, hair and uneven complexion. I realized the journey that brought me to that point, a journey I continue to travel on wasand is a tough one. See girls that look like me are often dwell in the shadows of what pop culture deems sexy.

In American Culture, we have personafied sexy, and given her an identity, Sexy has fair skin and long silky hair. Her face perfect 24/7, her body, thin, and fragile except for her huge breasts. Sexy has a porno tape, she's a video vixen, she's provocative,promiscuous, she's a sexual servant to men. And even if she says no, she's thinking yes.

I am not sexy. My waist, extra large with pertruding hips and a big back side. My hair, extra kinky and loc'd, nothing close to silky. My complexion, sawdust brown not milky white. I am the total opposite of this sexy chick. If we define sexy this way, then sexy excludes a large population of Woman. Should I conform to this standard, get on Jenny Craig, chop off my dreds, perm my hair and make a sex tape? Not a big deal. I mean I must be the problem right? Maybe, or maybe the definition of sexy is all wrong!

Why does sexy have to be submissive, and represented only by physical features? Why can't sexy be intelligent or kind or talented? Who the hell is the Author of sexy? I can imagine the bastard to be some selfish perverted and stupid man. He probably believes that forced sexual acts on women isn't rape but what women want when they look sexy. He's probably the same man who came up with bitch, and ho, and nigger.

Well I am bringing sexy back! The new and improved definition of sexy is you, and me, and every woman with a beautiful soul. Sexy is intelligence, and grace, and courage. Sexy is imperfections and flaws, and growth. Sexy is like snowflakes, there are so many versions and no two are the same. Sexy does not require anorexia, bulemia, or botox. sexy only requires you to be yourself.

On the quest to find sexy, through mountains and valleys I finally found her, she was quirky and crazy and passionate about people and she loves hard. She gives blood and really thinks she can change the world. She sings in the shower,has a messy room, has dreds down her back, and wears size 16. She once thought she wasn't good enough and was too embarassed to look in the mirror, but she is fierce. When I found her, I said "damn she's sexy!" That woman is me!

I know sometimes its hard to look in the mirror and love what you see. I"ve also played hide and seek with myself, hoping to find someone new but having to settle with me. But then I realized that who I am surpasses the expectations of the so call "sexy". The next time you look in that mirror, don't compare yourself to someone else, fall in love with the view and take it for what it is, a creation of a perfect God who doesn't make mistakes. It makes me feel good to know that I am a one of a kind masterpiece made by a higher and pefect power. Mona Lisa doesn't have anything on this piece of art. Smile, you are beautiful and you are sexy!

What to expect from this blog

1.Commentary on Black issues
2.Inspiring writings & quotes
3.Writings for Women
4.Self Esteem boosters (we all need it every once in a while
5.Thought provoking opinions
6.Politics
7. things the make you go "hmmmmmmm"
8. local issues
9. college issues
10. Any ideas of what you would like me to cover (leave comment or email:shaniquejk@yahoo.com)
11. lots of cool shit including youtube and audio inclusions!
12. Random things that will make you laugh :0)
13. Rants (you've been warned)

Please come back!!!!!!!!!! And thanx for stopping by! :0) :0)

So this is me!

I thought I should introduce myself. I'm dreadhead age 23, no children yet; Paula's daughter, Bertom's seed.So from the looks of this blog, you may view me as some violent, paint the white house black type of chick. I'm actually peaceful and kind to others, but I also believe in resistance and defense. My mind is often a dichotomy of Malcolm's "by any means necessary" and Martin's peaceful mantras. I am a lover of words and people. I know I cannot live without either and above else, I am nothing without God! My hero is my Mother, she is the wind beneath my wings and the epitomy of what a strong black woman is.

So I struggled alot with the title of this blog; I love Donny Hathaway's song "Young Gifted and Black". And I as many urban youth are gifted and precious. We are dangerous not because we are violent, gun shooting thugs, but because we have power to change our surroundings, because we are the contradiction of what media portay us as. We are Powerful because we challenge the status quo of what young and black means to America. We will fight our way out of ghettos physically, and mentally. In the process, we will never forget where we've come from, and reach our hand backwards to help somebody else out. Our gifts will be our guiding light, moving us toward a divine destiny.

There isn't a chapter of African American History that doesn't include the contributions of the young gifted black minority. From slavery to current times, they have always been at the forefront of change; powerful, energetic and dangerous. They were dangerous because they were a threat to the sytem of oppression they suffered. Today, we need more than ever, a united group of black youth who will stand for righteousness and change. We need to show our government how powerful we can be. This is not a call to gangsta's, this revolution will not be led by killers, let your only weapons be knowledge, your heart and your gifts. Let's challenge the status quo and make history once again. Because to be young gifted and Black, like Donnie Hathaway states, "is where it's at"! Please come again!