blackgirl on mars: notes on a life in copenhagen (or how my alienation brings me closer to people).

Big Up to Guanaguanare for turning me on to this! There's been a lot going through my mind lately. So much I want to say that I get overwhelmed into silence. But that's what I have to be weary of. The silence. Be careful now, delve in at your own risk: Some connections you must make yourself. On my way to work last week, I read this sweet editorial by a Danish woman who claimed that the world should be allowed to vote for the U.S. President, not Americans. I wanted to slap her. But as a pacifist, I suppose it wouldn't do. The article annoyed me on several levels. First, the general idea that Americans are stupid. Well, if we are so stupid, where do you get the idea that we are so stupid? Yeah, chew on that one for a moment. The other one is this--WE DID NOT VOTE FOR BUSH (Definitely not the first time and if it was pulled off the first time, well ...) The other point is this: Look at YOUR own government and the decisions YOUR fellow citizens have been making the last few y...

I found this very interesting article which, unfortunately, still applies, in The Nation.

Listen to WBAI and send them your support.

African Voices 270 W. 96th Street, New York, NY 10025 • (212) 865-2982 • www.africanvoices.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / Contact (Press): Maitefa Angaza, 347.413.8762 / Anne Lloyd, 212.865.2982 / Alka Gupta , 718.488.1015 From India to Iraq, From Biloxi to Brooklyn: Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival at LIU's Brooklyn Campus, September 27-30 Singer/actress Irene Cara to Receive Reel Sisters Trailblazer Award September 10, 2007 (Brooklyn, NY) ― Cinematic works by more than 30 women filmmakers hailing from India to Brooklyn will screen at the Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival at Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus. Oscar-winning actress and singer-songwriter Irene Cara will be honored, as will Susan Robeson, co-founder of Third World Newsreel and arts promoter Kojo Ade. On Sunday, September 30th the Festival hosts the U.S. premiere of Kadamtole Krishna Nache, a Bollywood film written and directed by Suman Haripriya. Councilwomen Letitia James and Inez Dickens ...

Thanks to Electronic Village for turning me on to this and much respect to The Brooklyn Comedy Company.

Black Women in Europe Do It Again: Notes on The first ever Women of the African Diaspora Conference 27 July 2008 Amsterdam, the Netherlands by Lesley-Ann Brown Nestled amidst the colorful goings-on of the internationally well-kept secret of the Kwakoe Festival, a gathering of Black women and supporters convened. Between Surinamese restaurants that served Lamb roti and Nigerian tents that celebrated clubs in honor of ancestors, we gathered and exchanged ideas. Amidst tables of hair care products and home-made books visions were shared. ”Welcome France,” Vanessa Limon, one of the organizers of this First Women of the African Diaspora Conference in Amsterdam, began, ”welcome Germany, Suriname, Camaroon,” and then she paused for a moment to collect her composure. Upon doing so, she continued, as she wiped away tears, “Welcome Curacao,” and by the time she had mentioned just a portion of the nations represented there, we too in the audience were wiping away tears. How many of us, includin...

“ZaatarDiva summons through moments of lyrical insight and urbane wit, again and again, and before we know what has happened, we are hooked. Here's a poetry that urges a wholeness - a crossing of borders - as the personal is woven into the public, whereby a 'prodigal daughter' possesses her own knowing voice. Each poem in ZaatarDiva is heart-driven by the urgent, raw orality of need. And, there is a glistening barb in each turn of phrase - a lure of quicksilver accuracy." — Yusef Komunyakaa You might know her from her mesmerizing Def Poetry Jam performances, or from either of her two previously published books Drops of This Story and Born Palestinian, Born Black , but I know Suheir Hammad from 625 Broadway -- back when I worked with Glen Thompson and Marie Brown Associates--my two trailblazing mentors. To say that Suheir's voice is important is an understatment. To say it is vital, the truth. For a copy of Suheir's new book visit Cypher Books . Cypher books i...

Life's been strange lately. My trip to Trinidad really shifted something within. My friend Stine said before I left, "This trip is going to be really important. I can feel it in my bones." In Trinidad I came face to face with just how scathing life could sometimes be--even with something as gentle as a familial kiss. But I realized that where I might recognize others unwillingness to change, that I could always demand it of myself: Improve upon those areas of my life that can be improved: be a better mother, more attentive friend, conscientious human being. In other words, whenever I found myself criticizing someone outside myself, I wondered what of that trait resided in me? And most importantly what could I do with this information? I'm still in the process of all of this--but it is a path I'm undoubtedly on. I know I'm being vague but that's what you have to settle with for now. I'll tell you this though: I came really close to losing my faith. Befo...