Friday, May 31, 2013

Basketball, Meri Jaan

A film by a good friend of mine...

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Rev. Michael

My Los Angeles Spiritual community.




James Brown

Because I am constantly on the net, might as well share the gems....


American Promise

Because it is necessary to share these type films.


Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Mistakes

I have made some...




I will probably make some more...


I forgive me...


The end...

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Sorrow

Today a deep sorrow hit me.

One that I hadn't felt in sometime. It has been 27 plus years since I've been able to hug my mother...

I will never be able to do it again...

It hurts...

I hurt...

There are no words that can make it better...there is only one mother's hug...one mother's love

I'm grateful for the surrogates in my Life...

My aunts were/are amazing to me...

Still...

Some days it just hurts...

Mother's Day

Birthday

Some years are easier that others...

Some days I'm a wreck...

Time heals...

Still...

Some days it just hurts...

Mother's Day Part II

Another one...

Happy Mother's Day

It is no secret that I was a Momma's Boy...In hindsight...I am cool with that...I love and miss You Yvonne Benson...




My Mom...






Thursday, May 2, 2013

Wildcat

Beautiful film...

Shorts on Sundays: Wildcat on Nowness.com.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Experiential Teaching

My thoughts on teaching folks to use their own experiences as a learning tool.



Monday, April 29, 2013

Let Me Introduce MySelf






Sunday, April 28, 2013

Games People Play

Yesterday I had a conversation via Twitter with my cousin regarding an article I read on Philly.com about a Philadelphia based Reverend who was dis-invited from speaking at Morehouse commencement ceremony for an article he had written in a news paper being critical of President Obama. The article (I will attach a copy) questioned the amount of Black people in his cabinet as well as his lack of addressing Black issues during his Presidency. Of course the article drew a wide range of reactions from various people. A lot of people defended the President and some sided with the Minister. I was curious as to how my cousin felt about this, since he lives in Philly and has a closer pulse of what is going on the city than I do. I visit Philly but haven't really lived there in years. Anyway, he didn't disagree with the main points in the article he just disagreed with the timing of the article. He felt that the minister had his own agenda and wasn't playing the political game correctly. I don't like to really go deep on Twitter because a conversation can fill up a whole TL is you're not careful, but we went back and forth not really disagreeing in substance but really on the timing issue in the article.

For the record I don't agree with the Morehouse decision, even though they claim that the article was not the reason for the change. I felt their timing was off and it does not encourage critical thinking in a society that becoming more and more devoid of critical free-thinkers. Basically it is censorship of those we disagree with. Now to be open about it, it is often pointed out that I am not a "supporter" of the President which is true, but I don't support too many politicians on either side of the "aisle". I have been a staunch proponent of a 3 (4 or 5) party system for roughly 20 years now. We need more options... Better choices... Too many people in this current system go under on unserved and many of them are Black and/or poor. This system has not addressed poverty, failing education or unemployment in a substantive way. Yet Black people support the Democratic portion of this system anywhere from 85 to 95% per any given election, but the return on investment doesn't match the effort put out to get them elected. Honestly it is more aggravating at this point because it is clear that things won't change as long as we keep doing the status quo, and keep using the lame argument that they are better than Republicans for "us". Being better than something that is bad doesn't make it good for anyone. We are stagnant, complacent and comfortable in a situation where should not be any of those. We can do better.

The argument that also annoys me is when I hear folks talking about the political game that needs to be played. Well it is not a game when children go to bed hungry, when the people cannot get proper medical attention because even under the new medical reforms they can't afford it. It is not a game in Chicago (or other major cities) where the crime rate is sky rocketing on  weekly basis, and the high school dropout rate is soaring as well. It is not a game for those who have to give up their homes and cars because they can't find a job. Life is not a game for most people, or at least not a game they feel they can win. We can do better. We have to ask more questions about why the resources don't trickle down in a political system that is supposed to spread the wealth. The dream is too often deferred for many. If this was a game the clock is running out on way too many of us. It is time to move beyond symbolism, we need tangible improvement not simply change. We need better! We need to do it now!

http://www.phillytrib.com/newsarticles/item/8637-a-president-for-everyone,-except-black-people.html

http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20130427_Group__College_disinvites_Phila__pastor_who_criticzed_Obama.html


Friday, April 26, 2013

An oversimplification...


Random thoughts....


The film....




The Video...Pharcyde Runnin'




Monday, April 22, 2013

Preying On The Vulnerable

A little post about questioning thing, and folks who prey on our vulnerabilities...


Friday, April 19, 2013

Searching

Searching for something that doesn't exist
In a clinched fist
Or open hand
Love on Demand
Temporary Rental
Serene yet temperamental

T
O

B
E

C
O
N
T
I
N
U
E
D
!




Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Central Park 5

A last minute post on my thoughts about the Central Park 5, and my own personal experience.

Peace,
MAB

Creative Something




So in this vid, I am really just free-styling about the creative space I am in. Yeah.

Peace,
MAB



The End Of Eating Everything

I love the trailer for this film. The visuals are crazy. I will be posting more things the creatively inspire me too.




Peace,
MAB

Monday, April 15, 2013

Compassion and Courage...Courage and Compassion

In this vid I kind of talk about Jackie Robinson's indirect impact on me, and a little bit about having compassion in the wake of disaster.

Peace,
MAB



Love IS In Need of Love