Disillusionment

There are times when I expect to hear, how do I say this, less than politically correct, perhaps even mildly racist, comments, though that would not even enter into the mind of the speaker. I mean, there’s a Christian radio station here in Chicago, quite popular, plays mostly crap music, and sometimes I find myself listening to it. I used to listen to it all the time but stopped because I couldn’t handle all the underlying racism and sexism that seemed to run through the program that I listened to, specifically their morning show.

But Sunday morning I was listening to the local NPR station. Oh NPR how I love you. The programs and witty conversation. The unabashed criticism of this presidential administration. Fabulous world programming or economic news on my drive home. And This American Life. Don’t even get me started. Really the most fabulous radio program I could ever imagine. All the stories are available online and you can buy them for a road trip or something. Might I suggest the 1/11/02 show, particularly Act IV. So yes, I Love them. And should probably join because I love them so much.

But. BUT. People, NPR has grown feet of clay. I was listening Sunday morning as I got ready for the day and heard the beginning of Hello Beautiful!, a quality program that looks at art. And I was enjoying the gallery review but was suddenly blindsided by this blatantly racist comment by the person providing commentary.

See, there’s this artist. His name is Kehinde Wiley and he has a show up in the Rhona Hoffman Gallery in Chicago. I’ve actually seen some of his work and it’s quite well done. I’ll wait while you go take a look and read more about the idea of the show. Which is fantastic. I love the idea. I love challenging the ideals of people. And then...

Then Margaret Hawkins, as she was commenting on gallery shows, said this

“There’s a painting of St. Peter where he’s holding the keys to the kingdom. But instead of the elegant gesture with the little key he’s holding this enormous key. It’s like a big piece of bling. You know, it’s a real interesting juxtaposition. It suggests that you know, what are the keys to the kingdom? What is heaven? Maybe it’s a big casino somewhere.”

MAYBE IT’S A BIG CASINO SOMEWHERE?!?

And I don’t think I heard much else after that. Because really people, what is this woman saying? Men dressed in traditional hip-hop clothing would not, in fact, have access to the keys of the kingdom? Or maybe that black men would clearly rather go to the casino than participate in a more traditional spiritual endeavor?

What would a modern translation of St Peter look like to this woman? The reality is probably a lot less like what she thinks and a lot more like Kehinde Wiley’s work. Needless to say, I'm a little dismayed. And here's the worst part, she probably doesn't even think there's anything wrong with what she said.

Kelly recently shared about a conversation that she had with some other teachers at her school and their assumption about her as a Black woman and her choice of music. She felt it was her responsibility to note their racist intonations and started a bit of a firestorm. And I had to agree with her. But lots of other folks out there, they questioned her interpretation of the comments and the underlying racism that may or may not have given birth to said remarks. So, maybe you might question my interpretation of Ms. Hawkins comment. Or maybe you might agree with it.

But I think I have a letter that I need to write.

overheard from my front porch at 1 am

You know what? I could chop your head off right now if I had a knife.

Chop your head off and put it in a big pot.




Umm... yeah. Really hoping they were drunk.

Ahh Community

Community is a lovely thing. Most of the time.

But sometimes? Community people? Hard. Very hard.

Sometimes hard enough that it makes me want to crawl under a rock and hide or go live in a cave away from everyone. Because then? All the crap that comes out of me wouldn't need to be dealt with. And yeah, I wouldn't have to adjust to you and your changing and growing up and self-actualization either.

There are moments when the work of having friends around is hard. There are also moments when things are good. You are surrounded by the people you love, flawed as they are, and everyone is at peace and laughing. And you realize it's way better than hiding away from it all.

Bike Rant

OK. I have to get this out. It comes to mind almost every morning and it just pisses me off.

I Really Dislike most people on bicycles.

There I've said it. Send me your hatemail. I can take it.

Now let me tell you why. I am all for the biking to and from work or getting out and exercising. Good for you. Good for the environment. All excellent.

But what I hate is when people complain about how dangerous it is for bikers out there on the roads. Granted, you are hard to see at night if you don't have reflective clothing or a light. But, if you complain, guess what? You should be following the laws. It's not OK to run a stop sign because you are on a bike. It's not OK to ride your bike on the sidewalk, particularly when you act as though I, a pedestrian, must get off the sidewalk because you are barreling through. (I hate you lady who made me do that this morning! And if I see you again, I might just push you over.)

If you are on a bike, please, for the love of Pete, follow the rules of the road. Perhaps I might have a little more respect for you and your own desire for respect.

Music Bliss

There's nothing quite like getting good (in my opinion), cheap music and free shipping. Thanks Amazon.

I might be revealing a little too much when I say I ordered Kelly Clarkson's CD. I'm rather ashamed, honestly. Mostly because it's American Idol. American Idol! People! I do not watch that show. Nor will I. I know, lots of folks out there are big fans, but it just seems like silliness to me. But then I heard the new CD and I was actually impressed. Shocked. Completely shocked that I liked every single that came out so I finally bought it.

In my defense, Blue October and Audioslave were also part of that order.

Pachanga!

Happy Latino Heritage Month Everyone!
It starts today and ends October 15.
Go have some Cuban food tonight to celebrate. C'mon, if I assigned you Mexican food it would be too easy.
And give a big kiss to your favorite Latino in your life.
For your viewing pleasure, I give you:

The Kickoff Event my kids planned.

They're pretty much fantastic college kids.

Chillin', Yo

Know how I am aware that Fall is on it's way? Not because the weather has taken a drastic dip to the mid-60's. It will be back up to 80 by Friday, I'm sure. Not the leaves changing - you can see it in the tips, but it hasn't become terribly obvious. It's not the crazy weather - dreay and raining for the past two days. None of those things.

It's the cats. Suddenly they are my best friends at night. Pressed up against me, seeking warmth. Even my standoffish one.

And I? Can't. Move.

Lead me not into temptation

The thing about going back to school and entering back into a different social circle of folks is that one is reminded that there are good looking, single men out there.

Huh.

Who knew?

Watermelon Lemonade and this...

Gasping for air

Hi! Did you miss me?

I missed you terribly.

It's been a crazy week. Classes ended last week. Freshmen moved in last week. My student worker was helping with orientation so she wasn't around much. Fall semester classes began this week. All the kids are back. Along with the noise that they seem to bring with them. My class began this week too. I have this feeling that I will love it. It helps that my prof. has a fun Scottish accent and says things like "okaaaay" much like I would if a joke had just fallen flat, except he means it as a transitional word. Also, "eeh." Not a Canadian sounding "eh?" but a nasal sort of piercing noise if he says it too many times. Also the kids in my student organization that I advise are meeting and organizing. They have to hit the ground running because Latino Heritage Month starts mid-September. There are dances and dinners to be planned for two weeks hence.

Not to mention the added stress of people I don't know/completely trust camped out at my apartment. Oh, and some good friends moving last night so I helped paint some walls and then lifted (not many) boxes. When really all I wanted to do last night was crawl into bed and read a book. Except for that moving thing. The boys also needed some food. So I did grocery/cat food shopping.

But this weekend! It is a long weekend. I do not have to work on Monday and I am so excited because I get to relax and frolic on a beach somewhere. And spend time with great friends. I'm a little giddy just thinking about it.