On August 23, the BRRC hosted the "Welcome Black BBQ" on Memorial Glade. You may remember my previous blogs and Facebook rants about Memorial Glade (i.e. Parkour, Quiddich and weed smoke). This was different. Although it was Ramadan, so I could not partake in the Watermelon festivities, it was a cool event. There was music, a jumper (aka "Bounce House") and a water balloon toss competition.
It was a beautiful day and a great opportunity to meet new people, and get reacquainted with others. I wasn't able to stay too long, but I got a few photos.
One week ago, I learned that a friend, former student and a good man was no longer with us. Peabo Wellington, a College of Alameda student, was murdered in Oakland on August 23.
A vigil was held in his memory on August 25, "Silence the Violence Day." Peabo was remembered by friends, classmates, co-workers and teachers as someone who was always seeking to help others, and as a source of motivation.
Peabo introduced me to his best friend, Tyrone, a few months back. They were featured in the Oakland Post a few months ago for their work at the ILSP, Independent Living Skills Program.
Balloons are released in memory of Peabo
A co-worker of Peabo's looks up as balloons are released in his memory.
The balloons flew out into a clear blue sky, slowly disappearing.
On August 20, I photographed a fashion show at the Lake Merritt Garden Center in Oakland. The show, "Eclectic Imagination" was organized by Ahsou Saechou and LaTasha Brown.
Their fashions were imaginative, colorful and just fun.
It was the first time I really got to use my new flash attachment for my camera. It worked pretty well, but I have a lot to learn.
Here are a few photos from the fashion show. Enjoy!
LaTasha Brown's "Lavish Empire" Model shows off Lavish Empire tee
Model shows off Lavish Empire tee
AhSou's "Trashbag Dresses"
Model shows off trashbag dress.
Pretty interesting designs, right? Check out more photos with the slide show below.
I was shocked when I heard a three-year old was shot and killed in Oakland. Three year old Carlos Nava was killed during a drive by shooting in East Oakland on August 8.
Residents expressed outrage and grief after the shooting. Within days, Oakland Police had arrested two individuals, with Alameda County's DA charging one with murder. Despite questions related to long-planned gang injunctions, the desire for more police officers by police, police supporters and politicians, the family still mourns the lost of their baby.
The memorial, near the site of the shooting, had balloons, teddy bears, toys, candles, A's caps and more. The ofrenda, or offering for Carlos was visited by many people the week after his death. A large vigil was held August 9 with hundreds in attendance.
Following the shooting, there were no other shootings for days. A silence in a city plagued by gunfire.
The question still remains; when will the violence cease? How many more of Oakland's babies, as young as Carlos and as old a Chauncey Bailey, have to die?
"I am, somebody! I won't be stopped by nobody! I got my fist in the air, and the movement in my feet, I got love for my people, but it starts with me.
This is one of my favorite Oakland Freedom School chants. It was one of a few done at the Oakland Freedom School graduation on August 5. It was held at Dwayne Wiggin's "House of Music" in Oakland. It's a beautiful venue.
Oakland Freedom School, known as OFS, is a five-week summer literacy program for African youth that encourages health and fitness, reading, active parent/family/community involvement, and cultural pride. I didn't teach at OFS again this year, but I still remember many of the kids. And many remember me (that makes you feel sooo good). Let me tell you: OFS is transformational and inspirational.
After beginning the program with libations, each class did a presentation and introduced themselves. Presentations included formations, chants, and even dance. The two most inspiring parts of the graduation were the Black Panther class, and the "Anansi Players" class.
The Black Panther class, led by brother Daniel Muhammad and Thorton White, III (Sirius El) was on point. Not only did they do great formations, but they educated the crowd at the graduation. Taking on the personas of Huey P. Newton, Elaine Brown, Angela Davis, Bobby Seale, Assata Shakur and Fred Hampton, the class–made up of children 8-10 year olds, by the way–explained the conditions that led them to organize the people.
The Anansi Players, led by Tiara Phalon, did a dramatic interpretation of a tale about Anansi the Spider. Wearing Zorro masks, capes and green custom designs on their white tees, they were transformed into the characters of the West African folktale. These children, 5-7 years old, are the ones most inspired by OFS. And their inspiration inspires me to read more.
Among the awards, the Tower also received the JACC's General Excellence Award. It is the first time since I was editor. Major props to current Editor-in-Chief Tracey Tate, the prolific blogger behind BlingingBeauty.com. I won two awards this time that I am very proud of; First Place for "News Photo" and Third Place for "Critical Review." This is the second time I was awarded first place at NorCal for a News Photo.
When I would look at JACC contest results, I always wondered just what people won for. Well, here are the entries that won.
News Photo
The photo above was taken during the March 4 Day of Action in Defense of Education. After a rally at Laney College, march to downtown Oakland, and rally at Frank Ogawa Plaza, a group of protesters hit the streets. The group eventually ended up on the freeway and over 150 were arrested. I call them the "Nimitz 150."
Critical Review This award I am particularly proud of. Although I won an award for News Story and Meritous Award for an Enterprise Story about work-study disparities at Laney College, I had never won for my opinion or arts stories. Until now.
My review of Vagina Monologues at Laney College, titled, "If these (vaginal) walls could talk" was one of my favorite stories that I've written for the Tower. With such a sensitive topic, I knew that I had to enter with care. I had fun and thought it was an interesting twist that a man was writing the story.
As the son of a former Arts Editor for the California Voice, I look forward to writing more about art in the near future. This was great encouragement.
Finally, along with three amazing people I've met at Laney, I share an award for Photo Essay collaboration. Photos by Dan Figueroa (DanFigPhoto.com), Elijah Nouvelage and I were compiled by former Tower Editor-in-Chief Angelica Carapia into a great photo essay about March 4.
I don't have all the specific photos, but you can see all of them within the following video. The song, "Chop from the Top" is Laney College's March 4 anthem.
Shout out to Burt Dragin, adviser to the Tower. Keep up the great work!
The Posey Tube, from leaving Alameda to Oakland, was closed yesterday after a multiple vehicle accident. It's the second time in a week that the Tube was closed.
While the tube was closed, I got this shot of an empty Posey Tube.
Insight into my daily regimen. Obviously of a different specimen. Me, myself & I. So fly. Welcome to the Daily Regiment.
This blog is an outlet for me to write about my life experiences. While there will be consistent themes in my writing -- because I am what I project in written form -- the topics will vary from day to day, and post to post.
