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

I first met Suheir Hammad in about '96. At that time, I had the honor of working with my mentor, friend, professional and spiritual advisor Marie Brown. Marie Brown Associates was located at 625 Broadway. 625 Broadway was a collection of offices of many different types of businesses. There was an Inner-city program, an Independent Film association, and even a music-publishing company. Amidst all of these offices were two very meaningful ones to me: Marie Brown Associates and Writers and Readers. Writers and Readers was this publishing company founded by Glenn Thompson. Glenn Thompson was a visionary. He published folks such as Huey P. Newton and Suheir Hammad. Suheir, about my age, had just published her first book Born Palestinian, Born Black.  Glenn was dedicated to giving voice to every one. The existence of his publishing company, and all of its imprints, was exclusively dedicated to producing stories that balanced the rather skewed perception that can be cultivated throu...

“I somewhere am perhaps deeply unmercantile, and it is market forces as they are now called who at the moment are ruling - both materially and socially, and politically - the planet. Therefore if one can take decisions and do things which have nothing to do with the values behind those market forces, then so much the better.” John Berger

The Coconut Revolution is a 2001 multi-award winning documentary film about the struggle of the indigenous peoples of Bougainville Island. The movement is described as the "world's first successful eco-revolution". The movie tells the story of the successful uprising of the indigenous peoples of Bougainville Island against the Papua New Guinea army and the mining plans of the mining corporation Rio Tinto Zinc (RTZ) to exploit their natural resources. The documentary reveals how the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) managed to overcome the marine blockade strategy used by the Papuan army by using coconut oil as fuel for their vehicles.

It sounds like it's raining outside, but I am too sick in bed to get up and look. My green wrap from Tahita, which was bequeathed to me one birthday, many years ago by my friend Amy, hangs over my window, with not even a peak of the outside world available to me. But I have prepared well--surrounding my bed is an array of yarn, crochet needles, candles, fruit, tea, books, a sketchpad and my computer, of course. So now that my body has demanded my attention, has forced me to slow down, what are my thoughts? It's easy to think I have an idea of my thoughts on things when I'm plunged into the depths of my life: my job as a teacher demands that I'm being pushed and pulled in many directions, many times at the same time. It is easy to forget about myself, and get involved in the garden all around me, doing my best to cultivate not only my students, but myself as well. One of the best disciplines one can possess, is the ability to flow with the now. It means not getting ...

Lodden Land from ThorstenCoo on Vimeo . I'm a big admirer of Gina Thorstensen's work. Here's the illustration she has in Bureau 39... gina thorstensen's "love is a fish" as featured in bureau 39, issue #1

Dreamt about a maple leaf... To see a maple leaf in your dream symbolizes your physical awareness in relation to smell, touch, sight, hearing, and taste. It can also imply assistance and guidance. Perfect.

Meet the newest member of my family. This beautiful little bundle of joy, is my cousin's first child, born not even a week ago.  This picture makes me feel good. This baby is the potential of humanity. This baby has African, East Indian, Portuguese, Corsican and Japanese coursing through his veins.  I am in awe of this biological miracle. I am in awe of the spiritual power inherent in such a small being. I am in awe of life.  Welcome to the world little R! Thanks for making my heart swell with love. And your father? He's one of the coolest human beings I  know.  With Love,  BGOM 

RT speaks to British MP Paul Flynn who was thrown out of Parliament for voicing his opposition to the Afghan war.

This is a video of last June, hanging out with Stine & the kids on Bornholm. We had a lot of fun! See what they made me do!?!

I spoke to my brother today and he told me that Ramona Parker had died this summer. I was really young back then, but I do remember seeing her around the block. I found this rap, featuring her...it makes me proud of what hip hop was once about.

"One of the aims of poetry is to change emotion." -- Audre Lorde As I was  walking out of my school today for a little air, I saw a parent ahead of me. He was checking out his bike, as though something was wrong, and I paused a minute. Should I say hello? Or remain quiet...gifting us both with silence. I chose to say hello. And I am happy I did. "They are showing an Audre Lorde documentary tonight at Copenhagen University." He tells me. "Really?" I ask, not believing my luck, "I'll be there." So at around 4:30 I bike, literally, around the corner to the Copenhagen University. I find the auditorium and take a good seat. I get my yarn out and start knitting. Just as I recognize this parent entering, I see Dubie. I used to hang out with Dubie's ex-partner back in the day. Sara is a half-Persian, half Canadian woman who I met back in 2000 (?) when we were both being "activated", that is, going to Danish Language school. ...

I worked with the artist to this video on Bureau 39. I love her work. And the song is pretty lovely too... adios, the lab

here she is...the publication of my latest translation!  Yesterday I went to the post office because I had to pick up a package. What could it be? I wondered...I wasn't expecting anything. Or so I thought. Well, here she is...my latest translation job...the New Nordic Cuisine cookbook. I'm pretty happy to have been a part of this process. It's a beautiful cookbook, with both Danish and English text. Published by Politikens forlag. If you are into cooking, and like the New Nordic cuisine movement...well...this book is a must-have! farvel, the lab

Bornholm, June 2012 I don't understand how it all goes so fast,  yet I experience it as going so slow. One of the reasons I don't get into the details of my life, is because there is simply so much to get into.  Take yesterday for example. Yesterday I had four classes. two periods with grade 7, and two with grade 6. Grade 7 is an amazing class (they all are, actually). The dynamic that each of these kids contribute to is inspiring and they shine. I could genuinely say I'm equally fascinated with each of them. This is the class that put on the production of The Seed last year. This was a class that co-wrote the play with me, and really gave an amazing performance. They loved the experience and want to continue doing theatre. We were talking about going to Amsterdam for a minute, and played with the idea of making the production available to the public to raise money for the trip. One of my students asked, "Do you really think people would want to see us perform...

Fucking Swag Bike -- Østerbro, 2012 One of the things that living in Copenhagen has gifted me with, is the time to develop a relationship not only to my bike, but to biking, as well. Before moving to Copenhagen, I could count the number of times I had ridden a bike in my life. The first time I rode a bike, it was because my big brother Gerry took the time and to teach me. He's not the most patient of teachers, but his love always managed to soften the sting of the scowl that he insisted to wear, rather than appear weak and soft with love, in front of his friends. I managed to borrow a bike here and there, and biked from one corner of my block to the next. In those days, we all hung out in front of our buildings on Ocean Avenue, and most of my world consisted of Ocean Avenue between Glenwood and Faraget.  There I would bike from one corner to the next, making my way from 1199 where I lived, past the pair of houses that were located between the tall buildings, past the white ...

"Christiania is dead!" he pronounced, once he told me about the first temple he had built. "They destroyed it!  There is no such thing as freedom here in Christiania!"  "All that is left are tourists. There isn't any one awake here anymore..." He is the man who hangs by the boat. He is the man who built the tower with 13 steps that represent masculine energy, atop the round frame of the dwelling...which represents female energy.  He says, "it is a mob mentality running this place. I can not write what I want in the local paper. If I do, they will destroy my temple."  "Who will destroy your temple?"  "Whomever does not like what I say. Remember, there is no freedom in  Christiania ."  (Source: Huckleberry Strange) 

bandit queen press hits the street (bornholm, june 2012) I'm feeling very thankful and inspired right now. I had my first day of drama with the 5th graders, and this class kicks butt! The creativity and discipline that they have already met me with can only mean one fun year collaborating & inspiring each other. I really look forward to that. There are a few projects I want to get done with the kids: I want to put together an anthology of their work, I want to get a dramatic production underway (that's kind of half-way there with the seed) and inspire them to create their own cinematic content.  I work in a very special place, and I do believe in the power of every one's voice, including children!!!! be heard in the pubic dialogue. On another note, the I received the following link from fellow blogger, Issa Eugenia from BlankBareClean : The Coloreds Only Bookshelf: Madness in the Publishing Industry  by Eye Candy over at Afro Punk . Well, I must say that the art...

room with a view, amager 2012 I think I might be on to something.  It's called not having any appointments.  It's called not having your phone ring.  It's called not calling anyone.  It's called not talking all day cause you are alone and you can create.  But for every inhalation, there is an exhale... an ebb and flow of energy... And right now I am ebbing, for sure. Creating, putting things together, getting in touch with purpose, source... so that in the end,  there is  flow... farvel,  the lab

originality, june 2012 I really like the kids at my job. I really do.  Each child is such a fascinating facet of humanity--holding so much potential!  If there is a feeling I am certain of, it's that feeling of belonging I felt the first day I walked into that school.  I see it especially among the kids of color...they seem relieved to see someone who looks like them, in front of a classroom.  This is one of the reasons I have done what I have done so far.  I didn't tell you that I'm now teaching my son 7th grade English, right? Yes, he did move to my school. Before moving, he asked, "I don't understand how you and dad could have sent me to that Danish school. I could understand if you two were like, normal Danes, but--". He seems to be loving it & he landed in one of my all-time favourite classes, you know, the one who did the Seed last year? Funky bunch of kids, I tell you.  But teaching is not something I can continue to do ba...

(Yeah Yeah Yeah created March 2012) May You  Be  Happy Yay Run Hug Love  &  A Huge You CAN DAY! (yeah yeah yeah)

I do believe this is a Kalimba... Today I met up with an old friend of mine for coffee. He's  half-American and half-Danish and have lived in New York for much of his life. I haven't seen him in a while, and he strolled in shining. He just got back from the South of France. We caught up on each other's lives. He's going through a divorce--but seems light about it. "Are all marriages shitty, he asks. "I honestly don't know." I answer, because I honestly don't. "But they say that people who are married are happier." He argues... "They say if you live in Denmark, you are happy..." And we laugh. "Who in the world wrote that?" He asks, incredulously, "I swear," he continued, "It's only someone who is visiting Denmark, who would say such a thing. The happiest country in the world? Yeah right!" "I'm ok being here as long as I can get out every once in a while. I was just in Madrid...

Bornholm, June 2012 For the past few years, I have been earning an extra income as a translator. All of the jobs I receive are from word-of-mouth, and I have translated everything from cookbooks, art books, anthropological books to websites for the Danish Film Institute, the Jutland Art Institute etc etc. There are many people who translate here in Denmark. Some get into it because words are their passion (like me, I truly enjoy working with words!) and others get into it by accident, need etc.  Some get into it knowing what they are doing, others? Well, let's just say that you want to give your work to a proper translator. And you want to pay them. You do not want to feel like you got a bargain for the translation of your baby. You want the translator to feel VALUED -- that is the key to getting a job done well. You can not pinch the kroner (Danish pennies! lol) on that.  For the last few years, I've been toying with the idea of being self-employed... Perhap...

This is a picture I took on the island of Bornholm last June. I haven't been photographing lately--if only because I am toying and enjoying the idea that no moment can ever, truly be captured. Today I awoke at 6am despite the fact that I had very little sleep. After showering and getting dressed, I hopped on my bike and immediately realized that my tired body wanted to take the metro, so I biked towards the station. When I got there I realized left my wallet home. Hmmm...what to do? Go home and get my wallet? Bike to work? Ride the metro without a ticket (yeah right!). I listen to the Universe and bike to work.  Instead of biking to Vesterbro through Amager, I decide to make my way through Christianshavn. There I bike over Knippelsbro (Knippels bridge). I love biking over this bridge towards  Christianshavn, because once you bike over the initial hump it feels so good to go sailing down the slight slope of the other side, and if the light is green, it could almost fe...

There are 6 million Americans engaged in the Criminal Justice system.  There are more black men in the prison today than were enslaved in 1850.  Pray tell, what is happening? 

Today Pim passed away. Pim was my son's hamster. I had a funny relationship with him because I was, well, afraid of him. This fear usually crops up when we become distant from something, like nature. I started to work on getting to know Pim . I ended up rising in love with him.  I appreciated re-connecting with how interwoven it all is, how clearly Pim communicated with me. It was truly humbling to experience how intelligent and loving he is. I began taking Pim out of his cage so that he could explore more interesting horizons (my apartment). I don't think any living creature should spend its life in a cage. That's a hard belief to hold onto when you live in a city, cause in the end, I feel like I'm living in a cage...but I do know that, without doubt, freedom is sweeter than confinement... But what is freedom? What are the things that confine? Is it you calling me yours & me calling you mine? Or is it the wages, the taxes all the demands on your ...

I often think about the fact that modern humanity's consciousness is ill-equipped for the onslaught of modern media-- especially at the rate in which we seem to be hit. I used to pride myself in the fact that I was able to block them out, but umh, am I really doing that?  Aren't the images hitting my subconscious, quicker than I can blink? So how are these images effecting me? What are the messages telling me, informing me? 

Tagetes Flow- Etheric Mix by CoaGoa She reflected deeply, until this feeling completely overwhelmed her and she reached a point where she recognised causes; for to recognise causes, it seemed to her, is to think, and through thought alone feelings become knowledge and are not lost, but become real and mature. adapted from Hesse's, Siddhartha

Last year, when I decided to use hemp paper for some of my Bandit Queen Press publications, I ran into a pickle. I couldn't seem to find any in Copenhagen. None of the art stores had it. I couldn't understand it--I had read about all the benefits of using hemp paper--how environmentally friendly it was and the potential number of trees that are saved. So why wasn't anyone selling it? For all you transplanted Americans, or Danes who know the good stuff: Eco Ego has all your Dr. Bronner needs, reasonably priced too!  Luckily for me, I biked passed this little gem of a store right on Nørre Farimagsgade 82, Eco Ego . When I walked in, I fell in love. Not only did I fall in love with the store, but the owner, a central New Jersey transplant, had what I was looking for: Hemp Paper and he was extremely helpful.  Eco Ego has everything you need to jump into a green lifestyle...and what's great about it is that, I kid you not, the prices at this place are prett...