The Cliche of RIP

Micheal Jackson died yesterday, and it still seems unreal to me. There are good things and bad things that people can say about his life,but still, in the end, it is still a life. Someone died, and honestly he made a big impact on my life, and in his own way opened up my appreciation for music to another level. The thing about this whole situation is that I have yet to do the cliche thing of posting his videos on my Facebook page or placing a “RIP Mike” on my status. It just seems odd. I told a coworker of mine today that Michael Jackson was like that  grand uncle or great-grand aunt that you had in your family who you didn’t see all the time, and often took for granted, but felt that they will always be around ,and then when they die you feel ultra bad for taking them for granted. That’s how I feel. Well, dare I say it: RIP Mike.

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As I wait for my new ipod to upload the almost 2500 songs (Apple gave me a new ipod ’cause the old, the one I just bought in January, had some hardware issues–happy birthday!) I have on my computer, I am hoping that the computer holds out until this process is finished. I will be meeting up with my friends tomorrow to celebrate and be goofy in Korea Town, in Manhattan. Nothing better than Karaoke in celebration of your birthday! I hope it will be fun. It will be fun.

By the way: How about that Obama speech?!!

The Tie That Binds

Funny: Yesterday I posted a blog entry on the challenges of living with my parents again, and presto– there was an article in today’s Times about this same topic!

The Case of the Missing Gym

You want to know what happened to my gym? Well, I wanted to know what was going on…and I found out!

His Country, Too

Former Secretary of State, Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama yesterday. I was particularly moved when he talked about the young Muslim soldier who died in Iraq. Colin Powell’s speech was a much needed one, where he described the need for a transformational leader like Barack Obama at this time. We, as a country are indeed polarized at this moment and in order for this nation to take its place as a world leader again, we have to be united. Senator Obama has the ability to do just that.

The story of Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan is not unlike that of any American young man who wanted to serve his country. I wanted to learned more about this brave young man and so I found some more information here . Although I detest war, I think there something to be said about his bravery and the way in which his life illustrates that we are all Americans who love our country, Jews, Christian, Black, White and yes, Muslim. Thank you, Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, for your service.

Here is a little bit of what Powell said:

“I feel strongly about this particular point because of a picture I saw in a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay was of a mother in Arlington Cemetery, and she had her head on the headstone of her son’s grave. And as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone. And it gave his awards — Purple Heart, Bronze Star — showed that he died in Iraq, gave his date of birth, date of death. He was 20 years old.
And then, at the very top of the headstone, it didn’t have a Christian cross; it didn’t have the Star of David; it had crescent and a star of the Islamic faith. And his name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, and he was an American. He was born in New Jersey. He was 14 years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he can go serve his country, and he gave his life.
Now, we have got to stop polarizing ourselves in this way. And John McCain is as nondiscriminatory as anyone I know. But I’m troubled about the fact that, within the party, we have these kinds of expressions.”

Us vs. Them

Here’s the thing: most of my posts have been very introspective. If you are one of my friends on Facebook you would know that I am really into the political scene; I post like totally serious articles, dude! Anywhoo, if you only read this blog, you would never really know that. However, something has gotten me outside of myself, outside of my mind: this issue of undecided voters in this presidential election and them maybe being, get this– RACISTS!

According to a recent Stanford University/Associated Press/Yahoo study, Obama would be six points higher in the polls if he were white. Wow! Kristof, from The Times wrote about this in a recent Op-Ed piece. In addition to articles that I have read and news shows that I have watched discussing this issue, I have heard this with my own two ears: undecided whites discussing this issue. When listening to NPR two days ago, a working class white woman from Pennsylvania stated that she was afraid that if Obama gets into the White House he would only “help them,” his own. Questions started to swirl around inside my mind: which “them” are you talking about, woman? Are you talking about the poor and working class? Are you talking about the average American? Who are you talking about?

Tim Wise in one of his speeches discussed this race myth and talked about the categorization of race and what that meant for poor whites to actually feel important and subsequently work for rich whites. The first blacks who came to this country were not slaves, they were indentured servants like the other indentured servants who were whites. The poor–black and white, were together. This paradigmatic shift (race classification) occurred and has been perpetuated for centuries– some poor whites feeling a sense of superiority against blacks just because of the color of their skin and yes there are blacks who buy into this myth, as well. So, when that woman talked about her concerns regarding Obama only taking care of blacks, she is ignorantly enforcing this systematic form of oppression that has been placed on the poor, regardless of race. So go ahead and vote for the Republicans, my dear and see if you are going to be one of “them.”

Olympic Fever

Jamaican me crazy!!! lol… I am so proud of my country. Well, I have always been proud, but my little country is totally dominating this last week of the Olympics. So, blogging is on the back seat, for I am watching The Games, honey.

The Marvels of Jamaican Jerk

Today, while skimming the online version of The Times, I got a sweet surprise: an in depth article regarding the Jamaican style of cooking that is similar (but not the same) to American barbecue — Jamaican Jerk. Personally, I think that Jamaican Jerk is far better that any American BBQ, due to the way in which the food is prepared. I am talking about good Jamaican Jerk, done the right way, with the pimento wood and pimento leaves (both burned to smoke the meat throughly, during the cooking process) , and the correct seasoning—pound for pound some good s***,lols

I remember growing up in Jamaica, the jerk huts would be in various places: the country side, (visiting my extended family), near the markets, and close to the bus station. On Fridays especially, all the huts would open and the jerk fragrances would permeate the air.

I really appreciated the article today. Once my parents came home I immediately told them about the article, and the pride came across their faces: their sweet culture, once again, appreciated by the masses.

The Pressure Is On…Well, Sorta

So, the African leaders are coming down on Mugabe…finally.

Wait, Wait… Mugabe is still here?

I am listening to Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me on NPR, online, while writing this and it is hilarious. Right now they are talking about getting energy from bouncing breasts! lol

Okay, so now to more serious business: what the heck is going on in Zimbabwe?! Kristof of The New York Times wrote an interesting Op-Ed piece about Mugabe and the hypocrisy of other African nations in holding  him accountable for his actions. Zimbabwe, once the richest country in Africa, has succumbed to a being a country where hunger is rampant and Mugabe, butchers and terrorizes anyone who opposes him.

Kristof entitled the article, “If Only He were White,” and I think that this such a true statement. Black African leaders would be calling for the ousting of Mugabe from his post months ago, if he were white. However, Mbeki of South Africa is standing by him strong, and other African leaders are turning a blind eye, with the exception of Zambian President, Mwanawasa (yeah, ask me to pronounce that for ya!), and people are starving and being tortured. Will we ever get it right, as human beings?