This blog is a visual articulation of MY views of the world around me. I will present various sides of arguments, and always sum them up with my own personal take.
My more entertaining/diverse/ridiculous/lovable blog can be found at http://mrjdjude.tumblr.com/ and I'll do all of my following from that blog as well!
Thanks and enjoy!
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
On Blacks and Fat: Danielle Moodie-Mills
The older I get, the more I try not to pass judgment on people.
It’s a work in progress…
I highlight this article not to pass judgment on members of the Black community who are overweight or obese, or whathaveyou, but rather, to highlight the importance of staying physically active. I’ve always been a huge proponent of sports, and the value it can bring to one’s life, ESPECIALLY because it keeps people physically active.
The systemic inequalities Black communities have faced for centuries have resulted in a HUGE health disparity. We, as a community, need to do as much as we can, baby-step by baby-step, to do our part to fight for our health. Staying as physically active as possible is one way we can do that.
Article Share: "Luther Campbell running for mayor of Miami (seriously)"
This article is a little outdated. It was one of the one’s I’ve been meaning to comment on for a while not but never got around to it…
I think Campbell actually has a legit shot here. After reading about his platform, he seems to be saying the right things. Here is an excerpt from the article:
expansion of small businesses, creating affordable housing options, including secure inner-city dwellings, and balancing the budget by improving established revenue streams and eliminating unnecessary allocations, starting with payroll aka, “the jobs of government employees who have been around for decades and aren’t doing anything.” The Mayoral hopeful also proposes decriminalizing marijuana and taxing exotic dancers
It seems like all of his ideas directly respond to the needs and opportunities of the city. In the article they said Campbell gre increasingly frustrated by politicians who told the citizens what they wanted to hear during their campaigns but once in office, they failed to change the status quo. Fed up with seeing the same impoverished communities, high crime and mortality rates, Campbell has decided to be the change he wanted to see.
I actually think he can get things done. Like it states, Campbell is not concerned about public image, he has gone toe-to-toe with the systems to fight for what he believes. One would think that he could and would bring the same type of “get shit done” attitude to the office. With all of the craziness my home state is doing, electing Uncle Luke as mayor of one of the most popular cities, not only in the state, but in the country, just doesn’t seem that out of whack. What you think?
bell hooks
Cultural Criticism & Transformation
on Rap Music (Pt. 8)“Renowned intellectual bell hooks examines popular culture in the context of patriarchy, white supremacy, and capitalism.”
SELF: This was recorded and commentated on nearly ten years ago. Sadly, not much has changed and many of the arguments made here still apply….
Just another reason why I love this woman…
Reblogging because:
- bell hooks keeps it real
- It is another viewpoint on the cultural appropriation posts from last week
- I want to see what K.O.S. Determination has to say about this. I’m sure she’ll enjoy this video!
Cultural Borrowing or Cultural Appropriation: What is the Line?
Came across this post (shoutout to afrocentricmiss and colormysoul. So many good DMV blogs!) while going through my mrjdjude Dashboard.
I’ve never claimed to be a hip-hop head, on the contrary, I’ve openly and publicly stated that I’m NOT a hip-hop connoisseur.
What does “authenticity” mean in reference to Hip-Hop, an art form often based on “sampling” music from other performers?
The film posits that identifying with black culture has offered white performers and consumers a means to lift inhibitions, and in the case of Hip-Hop has given white men license to act aggressively masculine.
