ALL BLACK EVERYTHING, THE OFFICIAL COLOR OF 2012

My Birthday Celebration 12/3/11 @ Magnet w/Neice & Sister beside me.  Photo Credit: Sam Cox

I am proud of my roots & culture and my parents taught me at a very young age who was born where, from what Islands and to embrace the diversity and languages in my family.  That being said, in the words of Jay Z "All Black Everything" and in the words of the CB4 Rapper "I'm Black y'all, cause I'm black Y'all, I'm black, da black, cause I'm black y'all" YES I'M A BLACK WOMAN and quite proud.  Black History Month is designated as February, but you can celebrate it in your own way every day.  You do without even knowing it, like when you take out your ironing board to get ready each day - that credit goes to a BLACK person. (look them up the names not coming to me right now)  When you jump in your ride and obey the traffic light - credit goes to a BLACK man (his last name is Morgan)  Yeah we have a deep heritage and WE contributed so much to society in the advancement of the U.S. and beyond.

I have filed lots of interesting Black History Facts that I could share with you throughout the 29 days of Black History Month.  From Engineers, to million dollar hair dressers, to peanut butter inventors to washboard scrubbers and more.  Even in the "Laibhen" family (that being my last name which is German meaning Life/love & also to work) I found registered patents for machinery used to help the process of grains flow more quickly when the Agricultural boom was big in the U.S. and the need for slaves in the West Indies to till the ground an integral part of economic growth for the land of the free & the home of the brave.

I deemed the color black the official color of 2012 because you can't go wrong with the color BLACK.  Black is classic, we all know you can wear it with anything.  Black is a dominant color, even within race relations you have Black in you then that would be the square to check.  I would have to say that over the years that government has tried to accommodate other races outside of Black, White & Latino on their paperwork.  There is always "other" and now "Pacific Islander" or "Asian Pacific"  Sometimes I crack up at the different classifications the Gov't wants you to adhere to.  What about the bollywood specials that come into this country their skin is just as dark as the pavement outside but would hold an argument with you that they are not black - OKAY, uh I guess you're white?

My mom taught me to love myself & respect others no matter what their race, creed, religion, or economic status. Those precepts made me a more well rounded person and I definitely wasn't raised with a closed mind.

I was born & raised in Brooklyn!!! Sak Pase, Wah Gwaan? Que hora es? & what's good? Yeah I'm from the hood, you never know what language will fly out my mouth. My cultural diversity is part of my make up.  Don't be ashamed of your heritage embrace it & walk upright!  Cause I'm BLACK Y'ALL!  (lol)

 

GOOD TIMES WITH THE AMBASSADOR

DJ Roy & I @ The New Year's Eve Ball 1/1/2012. Photo Credit: Allyson Ione

As we enter the 2nd week of 2012, I wanted to touch on mistakes.  You can't change any mistakes that you may have done last week or last year.  You are suppose to learn from them.  For example, did you celebrate just a tad bit too much when you rang in the new year?  Was your head still ringing in the morning or afternoon depending on the time you actually got up?  Here's a good one, did you attempt to go to a church, mosque, synagogue you know what I mean on the first day of the new year?  Now those questions I wouldn't call mistakes, it's just the actions that may have left you quite uncomfortable as a result thereof.

How many of you gave her cab fair to go home?  How many of you decided to give him a ride home and as he was putting his keys through his door you were right along side of him?  A mistake can cost you your life in one shape or form. Physically by some fatal end or mentally,  especially if you didn't learn from the mistake your bound to repeat it.  In respects to how you celebrate EVERYTHING in moderation; that way by maintaining balance your decision process would be more transparent to you.  As you gain confidence with your choices you become more responsible and respectful towards yourself & others.

DON'T dwell on your mistakes and beat yourself over the head with out even giving yourself the opportunity to forgive, let go & find solutions.  Do reflect, then seek to change from within.  Progress is essential for sustainable growth.  In order for you to grow from your mistakes you must first identify it, examine it, and learn from it so you don't fall into it again.  

I rang in the new year in God's house by sunset, holding my son's hand @ midnight then celebrating with family @ Mangoville Ballroom in Queens.  I had a "Good Time" with my brother from another mother, DJ Roy and a host of other radio peeps and massive.  If you haven't already heard - DJ Roy & Road International are the official Ambassadors of Digicel.  That's a good look on their part & Digicel's for choosing a multiple award winning sound such as Road International.  By the way you can always catch Roy hosting "Irie Mawnings" @ 10AM on WVIP 93.5FM everyday & in the evenings on Irie Jam Radio on selected days as scheduled.

Whatever you do MAINTAIN a POSITIVE perspective it will help you steer better through your trials, mistakes and day to day living.  Till my next entry...  

HOLIDAY OVERLOAD? WHAT SHOULD YOU DO FOR KING DAY?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! FROM SIMPLY SAID MEDIA

It's now January and some of you already have or will be receiving your next billing statement for your credit cards.  You may sigh in disbelief with the amount owed, vow that you won't spend beyond your means, but before coming down from the Fall holidays & end of year celebrations, we move right on into another one.  Do not let the wave of persuasion in getting you into the stores to shop and shop and shop, get the best deal syndrome lock you.  It's like an addiction of sorts.  Almost EVERY month within the calendar year has a holiday, thus giving you a reason to buy, CONSUME, consumer allow the economy to grow after all it is an election year.

Putting my sarcasm aside.  January is a special month as we honor Civil Rights Leader & Warrior of his times - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  With the new monument erected in his honor & the White House having a Black President, a trip to DC sounds like a good idea.  Here are some tips on how to celebrate King Day:

1.  Google the I have a dream speech & actually read it

2.  Google the Jim Crow laws

3.  Make a donation to a domestic violence organization

4.  Ask yourself how far have we come as a people since the Civil Rights Era

5.  Do something within your community that demonstrates or fosters equal rights & justice.

6.  Go to Washington, DC and sight see

7. Eluding to the next holiday in February, do something special for your KING on MLK Day.  Talk about your dreams, promise not to be violent to each other & treat each other as equals.

If you'd like to share how you celebrate King Day, feel free to comment below.  I sure hope the November & December Holidays brought you all Joy; and as the 2K12 Holidays roll in that you have just as much fun.  Here's to the New Year everyone!

SAVE THE DATE:  SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2012 @ UPPERDECK  BAR & LOUNGE IN QUEENS - A NIGHT CALLED "BODY 2 BODY"  Celebrate with me as I release a new mix tape CD "Lovefest 2012" a must have for your collection.  Get your complimentary copy!  More info to be announced :)

Photo Credit: Simply Said Media/Dubbmaster Chris of Irie Jam Radio WVIP 93.5FM @ BB Kings