Monday, November 30, 2009
Get Affirmed ;-)
Second best quote of yesterday (and I'm paraphrasing):
"Some people look at great success stories and get inspired...that's it. They never actualize what inspires them. Their response is emotional. Others look at great success stories and get affirmed because they are already en route to their own version of that success."
E. Omar Silver (at it again!)Sunday, November 29, 2009
"What's In Your Hands?" speech by Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.
Today is the birthday of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. He would have been 101 years old.
Here's one of my favorite inspirations...period. Also, check out his autobiography: "Adam by Adam" (1971).
Amazing Man!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Quote of the Week
"Nothing replaces diligence and discipline in the pursuit of growing your business...not hope, not good intentions, not luck. Nothing."
~ April R. Silver
~ April R. Silver
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Five Black Women Discuss "Precious"
The radio show earlier today about Precious was powerful. Esther Armah said that the calls and emails came in ALL DAY!! I posted bits and pieces on my Facebook wall. Pure fire!
The women on the panel broke down the movie with such great precision. I was honored to be a part of the discussion. I made my point about Lee Daniels being twisted. Stacey bought it home later when she said, with such simple passion: "There's something wrong with Lee Daniels!" Classic! Akiba's handling of the film and the story was brilliantly compassionate and very intelligent. Nikki kicked off a firestorm at the end when she said (and I'm paraphrasing): Movies are for entertainment. I go to the church or somewhere else if I want inspiration, etc. Oooooo-weeee! She almost got pounced, LOL! but the show was over at that point.
I love it when we can talk, build, disagree strongly, and still be okay with one another. You have to listen for yourself. Check the archive for the show (all shows on WBAI are available for download about 15 minutes after airing). Get the download at www.wbai.org
Shout out to Esther, Stacey, Nikki, and Akiba! Great to share the airwaves with you!
Here are a few of my after-points:
1. I have always maintained that everyone is naturally creative, but not everyone is a talented artist. And Toni Blackman taught me this: There is a difference between being an artist and being an entertainer. There is nothing entertaining about sexual abuse, rape, incest, teenage pregnancy, etc. Movies can not be seen merely as a tool for entertainment. They have power and they have long lasting (and sometimes irreversible) impact on how we think, how we view the world, who we want to be when we grow up, and so on.
4. If you know me at all, then perhaps you have heard me talk about what I first learned as a student at Howard University, the place where I matured as a Black woman thinker and activist: We do not yet live in a world where we have the luxury of creating "art for art's sake." All art is political. Also, the clash between art and commerce is as universal as it is old. By default, when art becomes mass produced and commercially distributed, it often sacrifices some of it soul. Precious the film (not the story it seeks to tell...there's a difference) sacrifices a lot in order to get to the screen, I believe...at our collective expense.
More to come.
The women on the panel broke down the movie with such great precision. I was honored to be a part of the discussion. I made my point about Lee Daniels being twisted. Stacey bought it home later when she said, with such simple passion: "There's something wrong with Lee Daniels!" Classic! Akiba's handling of the film and the story was brilliantly compassionate and very intelligent. Nikki kicked off a firestorm at the end when she said (and I'm paraphrasing): Movies are for entertainment. I go to the church or somewhere else if I want inspiration, etc. Oooooo-weeee! She almost got pounced, LOL! but the show was over at that point.
I love it when we can talk, build, disagree strongly, and still be okay with one another. You have to listen for yourself. Check the archive for the show (all shows on WBAI are available for download about 15 minutes after airing). Get the download at www.wbai.org
Shout out to Esther, Stacey, Nikki, and Akiba! Great to share the airwaves with you!
Here are a few of my after-points:
1. I have always maintained that everyone is naturally creative, but not everyone is a talented artist. And Toni Blackman taught me this: There is a difference between being an artist and being an entertainer. There is nothing entertaining about sexual abuse, rape, incest, teenage pregnancy, etc. Movies can not be seen merely as a tool for entertainment. They have power and they have long lasting (and sometimes irreversible) impact on how we think, how we view the world, who we want to be when we grow up, and so on.
4. If you know me at all, then perhaps you have heard me talk about what I first learned as a student at Howard University, the place where I matured as a Black woman thinker and activist: We do not yet live in a world where we have the luxury of creating "art for art's sake." All art is political. Also, the clash between art and commerce is as universal as it is old. By default, when art becomes mass produced and commercially distributed, it often sacrifices some of it soul. Precious the film (not the story it seeks to tell...there's a difference) sacrifices a lot in order to get to the screen, I believe...at our collective expense.
More to come.
We're Discussing "Precious" This Morning
On our weekly media roundtable on WBAI Radio later this morning (at 7:30am), we will discuss Precious, the film. Esther Armah is the host, Stacey Patton and I are regulars but this week we will be joined by Akiba Solomon and Nikki Moore.
Here are a few points that have been swirling in my head since I saw the film last night:
1. The themes in the film Precious are not mere themes. The story represents real life for far too many people. Incest, sexual abuse, physical abuse, mental illness, and other hard situations are realities experienced by real live human beings. The African American experience on this planet includes these dark sides...right along side our inspirational and feel good stories (which are also valuable). Still, it's okay to talk about it and probe the "hard to handle" sides of being human. In fact, we must.
2. If filmmakers decide to showcase our wildest pathologies and translate them into full length feature commercial films for all the world to see, then I personally believe that filmmakers have an EXTRA responsibility to do it in a way that doesn't betray our humanity.
3. Lee Daniels' lens is twisted. I imagine him a mad scientist pacing back and forth in his dim, dingy, and cob-infested dungeon trying to figure out how to portray people at their worst. In the background, there's a shelf with a box full of "context." He keeps walking past that box...rarely peaking inside.
And I must say this part: I applaud the filmmakers for being bold and caring enough to tell a hard story. That's no easy job and its rarely done.
I just think it was told poorly.
Here are a few points that have been swirling in my head since I saw the film last night:
1. The themes in the film Precious are not mere themes. The story represents real life for far too many people. Incest, sexual abuse, physical abuse, mental illness, and other hard situations are realities experienced by real live human beings. The African American experience on this planet includes these dark sides...right along side our inspirational and feel good stories (which are also valuable). Still, it's okay to talk about it and probe the "hard to handle" sides of being human. In fact, we must.
2. If filmmakers decide to showcase our wildest pathologies and translate them into full length feature commercial films for all the world to see, then I personally believe that filmmakers have an EXTRA responsibility to do it in a way that doesn't betray our humanity.
3. Lee Daniels' lens is twisted. I imagine him a mad scientist pacing back and forth in his dim, dingy, and cob-infested dungeon trying to figure out how to portray people at their worst. In the background, there's a shelf with a box full of "context." He keeps walking past that box...rarely peaking inside.
And I must say this part: I applaud the filmmakers for being bold and caring enough to tell a hard story. That's no easy job and its rarely done.
I just think it was told poorly.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
POETRY: Contains Adult Content
The title of this poem is not "Contains Adult Content," LOL! That is my blog post disclaimer. This is an erotic poem, reader discretion is advised.
"Just Call My Name"
Your voice feels good in my ear
So you can tell me anything tonight...just purr.
Purr into the curve that is the nook of my neck,
Just beneath the lobe, right above that shoulder.
It's the ripple of your purr
That makes my breasts hmmmmm.
Then play. Yes, let your tongue dance deeply
In that canal with hot molasses kisses.
Kiss slowly down the spine: slow thick fire breaths.
Behind my breasts, trace the letters of my name
With your moist piece.
Round them into new meanings all night
Where Left is South and Down is East:
All the same/direction where my head
Is swimming in.
When you call my name
I hear your sex
Heavy in my head.
Like blossoms who obey
Sunshine's calling,
I rise for you,
Arch my spine,
Lift my legs,
Throw my head back,
Nipples attentive for you.
When you call my name
I am April in springtime,
Perched on the shoulder of a
Honeysuckled breeze,
Or a glorious morning
Returning from a silver moonlit gaze.
Yes Love, whisper.
Whisper my name gently
In the tone that is your gift to me.
It's the manhood in your voice
That stirs my sweetness,
And makes me yours tonight.
© 2005 April R. Silver
"Just Call My Name"
Your voice feels good in my ear
So you can tell me anything tonight...just purr.
Purr into the curve that is the nook of my neck,
Just beneath the lobe, right above that shoulder.
It's the ripple of your purr
That makes my breasts hmmmmm.
Then play. Yes, let your tongue dance deeply
In that canal with hot molasses kisses.
Kiss slowly down the spine: slow thick fire breaths.
Behind my breasts, trace the letters of my name
With your moist piece.
Round them into new meanings all night
Where Left is South and Down is East:
All the same/direction where my head
Is swimming in.
When you call my name
I hear your sex
Heavy in my head.
Like blossoms who obey
Sunshine's calling,
I rise for you,
Arch my spine,
Lift my legs,
Throw my head back,
Nipples attentive for you.
When you call my name
I am April in springtime,
Perched on the shoulder of a
Honeysuckled breeze,
Or a glorious morning
Returning from a silver moonlit gaze.
Yes Love, whisper.
Whisper my name gently
In the tone that is your gift to me.
It's the manhood in your voice
That stirs my sweetness,
And makes me yours tonight.
© 2005 April R. Silver
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