“Change will come...with Revolution or Evolution. Which one are you waiting for?”
“[People of color] in Amerikkka have received half of what is good and double of what is bad.”
Meet The Family
FAHARI-LIBERTAD Fa-ha-ri: (noun)
Dignity, respect, a good reputation, derived from the language of KiSwahili.
Li-ber-tad: (noun) Spanish for FREEDOM!
Reggy Rivers Editor In Chief 2008-2009
Janea Thompson Public Relations
The Fahari-Libertad is committed to printing the political, social, and economic views and concerns regarding people of color here at SUNY New Paltz. It is a published in the spirit of cultural unity as well as bringing about the spiritual unification of all people. The main goal of the FahariLibertad is to enrich and educate all with knowledge and enlightenment. We accept anyone who is truly committed to these goals to work with us.
Mission
To seek knowledge, truth and unity with pride.
Saki Rizwana President Spring 2010 - Fall 2010
Contact Us
The Fahari-Libertad SUNY New Paltz Student Union Building, Rm. 323 New Paltz, NY 12561 Email: faharilibertad@gmail.com Facebook: Fahari Libertad Magazine Blog: faharilibertad.blogspot.com
Jada Young Historian
Krystal Miller Vice President
56 Fahari
Copies of The Fahari-Libertad can be found in the SUB, the MLK Center, the Black Studies Department, The Lecture Center, and the Fahari Office (SUB 323), along with various residence halls.
THE FAMILY President Faisal Awadallah Editor-In-Chief Shatera Gurganious Vice President Krystal Miller Layout Editor Euclyn Williams Cover Design Judea Costes Staff Writers Janea Thompson Josette Ramnani Jada Young Roger Whitson Guest Writers/ Matthew Mueller Contributors Jalisa Franklyn Dee Hughes-Rivera Recherché Brown Kasey Caminiti Jay Espy Alumni Vixon “V-Jay” John Contributors Shante' Cozier Carmen Mojica Regina “Reggy” Rivers Student Saki Rizwana Advisor
The Fahari-Libertad is currently seeking staff writers, copy editors and photo editors. A major/minor in Journalism/English is NOT a requirement. Please inquire via email at faharilibertad@gmail.com. Special thanks to the Department of Black Studies and all of our brothers and sisters who submitted articles, toons and poetry for showing the support needed to publish this magazine. Libertad
March 2011 For older issues contacts us at faharilibertad@gmail.com
Meet The Family Faisal Adawallah President
Euclyn Williams Layout Editor
Meetings Thursdays 9pm Student Union 408
Shatera Gurganious Editor In Chief
Vixon John President 2007-2009
Josette Ramnami Secretary
2 Fahari
Libertad 55
EARGASM INSIDE THIS ISSUE 04 From the President’s Desk 05 From the Editor-in-Chief’s Desk 06 From the Vice-President’s Desk
Untitled Janea Thompson
Snow Ballad Roger Whitson
These vibrations can’t escape it these vibrations give me hope that I will make it. My inspiration my frustration when I’m loosing control it helps me to just let go. Emotions just flow with the 4/4 beat emotions flow when the mc spit that heat. It’s addictive always on repeat replenishes my winning spirit after I taste defeat sometimes paralyzing me no longer can feel my feet. Sending shock waves through my body each movement is unique. It’s my lover when my heart is sane and my friend to numb my hearts pain. It’s my companion in the sunshine and the rain, even the snow and sleet yea I’m addicted. Daily doses of roses, in the form of intangible sensations, vibrations from my favorite radio station. Music you are my mistress and my main squeeze. The music gives me mood swings, educational forums teaching our black people they are queens and kings. You remind me that marriage is dependent of love and not the size of your engagement rings. Days when I’m trapped in a straight jacket, days when I cried because one called me a faggot, I came to you and you released me from my daily negativities and set me free to that utopia. When all else fails I have an encyclopedia of remedies characterized by genres. My dosage of hope, faith, and love can be found in a song. Music keeps my heart at night while I’m yearning for body heat. Soothes my broken areas almost making me complete. Music resides within me, it hides in my soul and these vibrations help me lose control. Music is my world.
54 Fahari
Snow fell from midnight on and was still snowing at dawn. Snow flakes fell like spikenard white as salt on boulevard. She hoped that it would stop soon but it snowed till half-past noon.
Eargasm 08 09 10 12 14 15 20 20 22 27 28
Art, Profit, Control Balanced Rhythm Imagine, A Key to My Soul Kanye West: Political or Pathetic? Father, Where Art Thou? Turn it Up A Stroll Through My iPod What Puts the “I” in “I-Tunes?” Is That All There Is? Far Away What you rappin’ bout?
What the #@$%?! 30 [Fighting] Like An Egyptian: The Spirit of Revolution Overseas 32 Stop Faking 33 Peace to The Invisible 34 My Frustrations with Natural Hair 36 Black Studies = Tupac? Poetry Corner 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52
Don’t Ask Me Hip Hop Inside Us as Women?? Brandy Oldborn …No Red and White Octagon Outside Redemption. Excerpts from I’m [Only] Human Be Poem, xii-xxxi-x Libertad 3
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK Hotep, Thank you for reading our new issue of Fahari-Libertad, our theme is music and our instruments are words. This is my first semester being President of our student organization and it is my honor to be President of this publication that has been alive for almost forty years. Since before I was born, students of color in New Paltz have been writing and printing Fahari on this campus. Without these revolutionary students of color voicing their feelings (in written form) there wouldn‟t be this same outlet for me and many other students today to continue the legacy. This position is an important responsibility for me and I hope for forty more years of Fahari-Libertad. I often hear “I would absolutely die without listening to music (my iPod) every day.” I used to think it was also true that I could NOT survive without headphones in my ears for the majority of the day. Since the semester started I have not been in possession of electronic devices oozing music through my ears . . . and I‟m still LIVING. Instead, I have been hearing music wherever I go, paying close attention to the subtle sounds and noises that influence my mind, body and spirit. I believe people constantly want music in their ears so that there is no “awkward silence,” the silence is never actually “awkward” until you define it as such. There are a few questions I would like to ask the readers: Have you heard absolute silence? If you ever heard the silence, how soon until you disturb it by listening to your thoughts? When your thoughts arrive what are they and how does the idea/thought connect? After being ambushed by your thoughts, is the silence the same silence from before? Or is it a new nonsense noise? Peace & Blessings Faisal Awadallah President, Fahari-Libertad
Sonnet Roger Whitson An avatar on word guitar sought to play what folks can't say in light of day or dark of night though erudite. But he supposed that his worst verse was not worse than his best prose. Yet still he thought the work he wrought had been for naught.
I Think of You and Smile Shatera Gurganious
I look into your eyes, hoping they will say something different. I stare at your lips, wishing they will tell me what I want to hear. Time stands still. I wait patiently. Nothing. I’m alone. I stare into the sky asking for a sign. Reassurance. Peace. But I don’t find it. The stars lie to me. I’m amazed at their wonder. Mystery. Depth. The constellations tell me stories. Of past loves. And future encounters. Waiting for me. I think of you and smile.
4 Fahari
Libertad 53
Be Poem, xii-xxxi-x Roger Whitson
Thet sat beside rune loon lake her half asleep him half awake.
As munckins said 'start at beginning' & it was beginning of first inning.
Newburgh Josette Ramnani
What happens to potential detained? Does it throb with compliance Like a heart in its cage? Or does it marinate in its own agony Like an innocent prisoner? Does it crack into pieces, Too small to reassemble? Or does it stay preserved, like a bottle of wine That much better with its age?
She was closed book, inscrutable, that's irrefutable. But he opened her & took a look. They lay beneath a cloak of oaks. The lake asleep when woods awoke. Both of them wanted to be free but neither had temerity to be.
FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHEIF’S DESK Music is integral to my being. I couldn‟t imagine my life without being able to sing, listen to or dance to music. My voice, my body, my energy and my emotions are all intertwined with the beauty that is music. For as long as I can remember, music has been a constant force in my life. I know that many others also feel this way. A while ago I sat and wondered how life would be if we couldn‟t express ourselves musically and I couldn‟t even fathom the idea of this thought. I can‟t go a day without singing or having the desire to listen to music. I couldn‟t imagine not being able to connect to others in this way. It‟s truly a gift to be able to produce art with your voice, or using instruments. For me, music is tied into every single emotion, and every situation in life. There is no area music cannot touch. The spectrum goes from nonsense, „I just wanna shake my ass‟ music to melodious, „I close my eyes and just feel every note and every word‟ music and everything in between. I get passionate about my music, my artists, and lyrics. At times I feel like I was born in the wrong decade because my taste is nothing like that of my peers. Sometimes I get angry with where music is going but I can‟t be mad because music is forever evolving. Besides, there are always artists making real music, you just have to dig a bit to find them. But I don‟t mind the work, it‟s always worth it. Stay Beautiful Shatera Gurganious Editor In Chief, Fahari-Libertad
Maybe it just collects dust Like a book unread.
Or is it dead?
52 Fahari
Libertad 5
FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT’S DESK
A simple mixture of dust and water, yet so intricately designed for multifunction, I‟m a human. A product of the image of God himself, I‟m only human.
Welcome to the new semester everyone! Well, I‟m a little late with that but I‟ll take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new VP of The Fahari-Libertad Magazine! Are you excited? I know I am. Now for this beautifully named issue…
But other so-called humans, with so-called souls, think otherwise of others like myself because of little things like skin color and other physical features or how to say a name and other unseen features. Everything is not all that it seems whether you look like you or you look like me.
I have this poster on my wall and I feel like it sums up exactly what music has the potential to be. I vividly remember times from my childhood where my cousins and I would create dances based off of 702, Xscape or even (the original) Destiny's Child. When I would turn on MTV, BET or VH1 and they would...you know...play music videos. Matter of fact, they would play them for most of the day. I remember having a song for every feeling, even those feelings that I couldn't yet describe because of my young age. Whenever I felt the least bit alone music was always there. It was almost as if these artists were speaking to me and my situation. I know many who feel like this, too. That's the power of the music from my youth. There was always something new...something that you could relate to. There are so many music odes out there that show the power of what music can do to your mind, body and soul. So now that I am older I have to scratch my head and give the true WTF face because, besides the diamonds in the rough that many overlook in the industry, I feel like we've hit a dead end. When I look through these articles that discuss the music from our generation I see that there are clearly many holes that need to be filled, many answers that need to be addressed. I know that music changes throughout the years but this integration and blending of our genres is really fucking up the passion that I used to see in Hip-Hop and R&B. The only real hope I have is that these diamonds in the roughs finally break through and STICK to what their true mission was.
It‟s the music that keeps my sanity Even when the world around me is trying to get to me It‟s the harmonies that put everything right where they ought to be You release me to be everything I want to be You will forever be everything I‟ve been searching for in me ~Choklate “Dedicated to Music”
**Please please please, look for the real music out there. You won‟t be disappointed. ** Hotep Krystal Miller Vice President, Fahari-Libertad
Excerpts from I’m [Only] Human Justified Insanity
“Music is What Feelings Sound Like”
White is not all white and Black is not all black and neither is the same for red, yellow, or brown. Someone, somebody of a dominant society declared that there is a criteria to be human even though we eat and thirst and laugh and cry the same way and bleed the same color… I‟m a human. Not a monster. Not an animal. Not a sex toy. Not a nothing. I‟m someone‟s daughter and she‟s someone‟s daughter and he‟s someone‟s son. So what if the first name sounds “Black?” So what if the last name sounds “Jewish?” Embrace the non-western sense of fashion And yes, we like to talk in foreign tongues! Don‟t torture innocent ones just like yourself and get off on illogical terrorism. It‟s like psychological BDSM and warefare, and airplanes flatulating in the air. The chemicals between us deceive us into fallacious illiteracy… Don‟t be fooled by curvier frames, darker skin, creative follicles, and linguistic skills. I‟m no different from you. A human.
6 Fahari
Libertad 51
Inspired by Redemption Song by Bob Marley
Redemption. Redemption. Not possible for those with a diminished faith, To be delivered from sin? But wait, Before you can be delivered from sin, First you have to suffer; make a sacrifice. Redemption, I’m sorry I fail to acknowledge you Because if I still find those who believe in you Still in a pain that won’t go away, You are nothing but a lie. We have to follow the book. The book? Redemption. You say good things will come to those who make sacrifices, Those who made them continue to wait. You are the freedom for those of strong faith. You give those who believe in you a false hope. Why don’t you show up when needed? I used to be a Christian, Yes used to be. Do I need to believe in you and the God Almighty to live a fulfilling life? Redemption. Robert Nesta said you were all he ever had, My mother looks to you to make her family stronger, Across the world you possess believers. Followers of you, Redemption. I’m sorry I don’t believe in you.
EARGASM
spit me dream… Recherché Brown 50 Fahari
Libertad 7
ART, PROFIT,
CONTROL By Faisal Awadallah, President
Hip Hop started out as a subculture and is now a worldwide phenomenon. The record executives are monopolizing off of the music that Hip Hop produces. Black communities have a bigger voice but at a certain cost. The commercialization of Hip Hop has furthered stereotypes of Black and Latino people. Commercialization filters out the essence of Hip Hop and brings forth the negative depictions of Black and Latino people. The earliest form of popular culture in America was the Minstrel show in the early nineteenth century. In these shows white men would put on black face and act like what they thought was “authentic blackness” (Ogbar15). They would make fools of themselves on stage and show every negative stereotype black people have been facing since slavery. White people such as Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain were fans of the minstrel. Later on black people would eventually star in the minstrel show and continue it through modern day Hip Hop. Commercialization has stifled the progression of Hip Hop. Instead of Hip Hop culture becoming a social movement it has become a glorified minstrel show. The advertizing in Hip Hop started as early as when Run DMC signed with Adidas. Then we start to see the big ass gold chain and being the flyest as one can be. This has started in the 80s and is still here today (i.e. Kanye West). Listeners of Hip Hop are receiving a distorted message from record executives who want a certain type of music being heard. White people are the top consumers of commercialized Hip Hop because they are the majority. Since mostly white people are not living with Black and Latino people, they are not 8 Fahari
getting the whole experience of the subculture that is Hip Hop. White people watch these minstrel-esque rap videos that tell them: THIS IS BLACK CULTURE! They see these images and this is how many of the stereotypes and prejudices of Black and Latino people come about. I remember my roommate, who lives in a white suburb near Albany named Delmar. He is a big rap fanatic, the first time I saw him he was wearing a Tribe Called Quest t-shirt. I did not think there was anything wrong with this until he told me “I’m blacker than you.” Blonde hair, blue eyes, ivory skin said he’s blacker than me because he’s been influenced by the commercialization of Hip Hop. He owns many pairs of Jordan’s, wears his pants below his waste and can recite many Lil’ Wayne lyrics, and I have none of that. I then asked him has he ever dealt with racial profiling, welfare, child services or any situation many black people go through daily from this racist society. Kanye’s appearance on Def Poetry Jam shed some light on the psychology of why rappers find themselves in the dilemma of aspiring to be “the best dressed rapper in the game.” He raps about being self-conscious in the beginning and then he goes more into a “gold digger” kind of rap. He was saying that he IS self-conscious, the jewelry, best shoes and designer clothes are just defense mechanisms for his own insecurities as a black male. Today, rappers are boasting about how much money they have but still talking about being in the hood when they no longer live there and do not plan on going back. Mainstream Hip Hop has now become a mirror to reflect what society wants the black commu-
It’s the moment when all else fails, But you don’t wanna think about anything but it It’s the time in between the first and the latter… you feel ashamed. Heartbroken, and unsure Wounded and battle scared A subtle drop of faith leaving behind any obstacle, and any enclave of support It needs not to be interrupted by harsh feelings and sentimental regret Hang me up Let me fall Let me live without any feeling … Feeling …Feeling Outside, Outside of anything Outside of any culture, or physique No one seems to feel Because I feel so numb Numb to anything Feeling so hurt, it silences my feelings My tears roll down my cheek, like blood The weight on my chest, immense.
Outside
Euclyn Williams
Knowing pain doesn’t cease And doesn’t have a remedy Pain does show weakness It heightens it And at the height of the sensation I feel numb And at the height of feeling numb I realize where I am Outside
Libertad 49
…No Red and White Octagon…
Matthew Mueller
48 Fahari
Look into your eyes, see myself shining back I can see in your soul, all the things I lack attack, seek, destroy, rebuild my very being viewing the cosmos without actually seeing third eye traveler, theoretical babbler string theory untangler mangle the ignorant, but I don’t leave a trace after the discussion, I shoot off to space living in a black hole, the all and the nothing got a wait a second, buffering, buffering, buffering chuckling at the cosmic jokes and punch lines can’t stand still, waiting in the lunch line munching on books left and right I might just be too busy to put up a fight at least on the surface, the deep levels my purpose hurting your egos, killin’ you softly my goals are lofty, but I won’t stop, can’t quit I’m not one to just take one hit of this sweet and sour diesel my mind is the paint, everyone’s an easel please and thank you, for making me who I am today I got work to do, but let’s make it play I got a way about me where I can’t take it laying down…pausing I’m the whisper in the night, the calm before the sound, haunting does a falling tree make noise in a vacant forest? yeah it does, but I ignore it more important things to do than intellectual jerk myself off you can stay weezy, I’ll be the cough off to another planet, cuz this ones too frightful the universe is on my dinner plate, lemme take two bitefuls Insightful, the workings of my mental stamina I’m like a speaker, and I’m gonna hammer ya gamma rays, x rays, ultra violet you can just call me the silent pilot ninja of the library, lecture halls, and the books they just the king, we’re the rook the bishop and a pawn I’m not tired, but here comes a yawn up before dawn, got too much to do 2.0 before the old versions even new up to you, what you see and you hear working on your looks or you mental gears? listen here, I might have something to tell ya flame so hot, I’ll probably melt ya helter skelter, but with a ankh on my forehead are you dying to live, or living to be dead? life already read, it’s on my bookshelf don’t follow my blueprints, you gotta save yourself
nity to behave like. Rappers like 50 Cent and Soulja Boy are not representatives of black people. They are not what every black person listens to or acts like. 50 cent has an album titled “Get Rich or Die Tryin” which clearly illustrates the materialistic nature of his album. This album title has now become a mantra to his many fans and is exactly what society wants and expects black people to do. Hustlin’ on the streets is not beating the system it is only playing into it. Dead Prez is a “conscious rap” duo who does not conform to the mainstream ideals on Hip Hop. In the song “Hip Hop” Dead Prez calls out rappers who are making money off of “sex drugs and rock n roll.” This is an excerpt from the song : “I’m sick of that fake thug, R & B, rap scenario all day on the radio Same scenes in the video, monotonous material, y'all don't here me though These record labels slang our tapes like dope You can be next in line, and signed, and still be writing rhymes and broke You would rather have a Lexus or justice? A dream or some substance? A Beamer, a necklace or freedom? Still a nigga like me don't playa' hate, I just stay awake This real hip hop, and it don't stop until we get the po-po off the block.” He calls these rappers “fake thug” and shows how record executives will make all the money off your music and leave you with close to nothing. He asks a moral decision: would you rather have freedom or money? Most rappers choose the money. Hip Hop should be political and revolutionary and until the commercialization of Hip Hop is broken, so too will be the black community.
Balanced Rhythm Matthew Mueller Imagine if Hip-Hop was a human being. As a youth, Hip-Hop was connected to the family. It consisted of many spoken word artists in America who dealt with the collective unconsciousness of Africana people throughout the Diaspora. Arguably that is why artists were so conscious and connected to their roots, just like a child is connected to the family during the first years of their life. Hip-Hop is now in the “teenage rebellious” years, where outside influences are changing its personality and thoughts. The music industry and the materialistic tendencies of the West have warped the cognitions of Hip-Hop. We see this in music today; on the radio, in the club, at award shows, in the news, etc. Soon hopefully, this time within Hip-Hop’s life will be over, and Hip-Hop will realize that neglecting one’s past does not make for a healthy or successful life. Now, it’s not to say that this music is “bad,” there’s no need to make a value judgment on such a popular sub-genre. Modern rap music is definitely a necessary thing. However, rap needs to make a return home and back into the hearts and spirits of the people. When I took “Rap and Spoken Word” with Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis (Ashé) she constantly made the point that rap music, and all the other pillars of Hip-Hop, are AfricanCentered, that is, based off of an African understanding of the universe. Looking at rap music, one can see how it is based off of the oral and rhythmic traditions of Africana people throughout the world. Djing is the physical manifestation of interconnectedness, being that DJs work to make two songs flow seamlessly together. Breakdancing shows how rhythm can put you into a trance-like state, as if a spirit is guiding your physical body. HipHop began with the goal of liberating people;
Continued on Page 16 Libertad 9
Imagine,
A Key To My Soul By Carmen Mojica
By Jada Young, Historian
10 Fahari
“Imagine” John Lennon Imagine there's no Heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the world
Oldborn
If you know me personally, chances are you know that my favorite song in the entire history of the world is “Imagine” by John Lennon. Nothing comes close to comparison, except maybe “Woman” also by John Lennon. “Imagine,” though is the most perfect song to ever be made. I love the song and the message behind it so much that it will be played at my wedding and the word “imagine” will soon be tattooed on my wrist. The song itself is simple in both its composition and lyrics but the message is as powerful as a speeding train. “Imagine” was named the 3rd Greatest Song of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine and is probably the most replayed in John Lennon‟s entire catalog of music. Besides all of the much deserved accolades, I love the song for what it has meant to me. “Imagine” has brought my mom and me closer. She and I have a similar love for the perfection of it, and we have since bonded over our admiration of the song and the man who wrote it. The song also has informed my “worldview” and hopes for humanity. It simply asks you to imagine a better world, and once something is imaginable, it is attainable. As activist Angela Davis beautifully stated: “the song „Imagine‟ is so powerful and so necessary because if we can‟t imagine a better world, then a better world is not possible.” The power behind a mutual imagining of a better world is that everyone is included in it. Even if imagination is not “reality” it is still just as powerful. Lennon himself believed in the power of imagination and dreams. He stated “…who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?” If we can accept a world where reality is not limited to what can be perceived through the five senses, then we can feasibly create a world without war, racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of man-made terrors. And that is the power behind a simple, beautiful, and elegant 2 minute 58 second song.
Precipitating understanding on the arid lands of my confusion, a light in the right direction illuminates the method to my madness This dreamer’s disease that has run rampant long enough to be my biological condition; I have few remedies that exist outside of cigarettes, weed, sex and this writing habit I’ve picked up over the years I speak to you from the flipside of my frontal lobe, eyes forced open to see the hole I dug for myself Maturation of my senses has risen me from the bed I made quite comfortable by lying in it Oldborn That is to say, birthed into wisdom by age Thrusted into a world of comprehension that castles in the skies need not be dismantled but supported My childish flights of fantasy landing in a heap of what I have to do This is no surrender. There is no giving up of the dreams I have conjured; it is understanding that they must’n die but be brought to earth and manifested My ambition not only to conceive of them but nurture them to thrive in the conditions of this world Don’t worry; there is no defeat here Just a new way of moving in my existence Pinning down my aspirations and mapping them out so that I keep my remedies as inspiration for the next move
You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one Libertad 47
Brandy
(the drink, not the singer) By Reggy Rivers, Alum writer
A random song I made up about a fictional, nameless alcoholic [He was on] Brandy, he was calling out to me because he was in the need of severe stability. Brandy, downing it all day and night, always had it by his side, more times than I see his wife.
His lover said she’s had enough, with no intent to give him up she screams, “What you’re doing is hurting all of us!” She packs his clothes, throws them out the door, he must make or break the score Slowly he was staggering searching for some He’s left to choose between his wife and kid fulfilling or his beloved… acting like Bacchus when in Rome I can see her baby cryin’ when the mother Brandy, he was calling out to me because he has to lie and was in the need of severe stability. promise that daddy will be home. Brandy, downing it all day and night, always had it by his side, more times than I see his He tries to creep in silently, the drink’s react- wife. ing violently he’s looking for an answer in his wife’s eyes. He knows he’s hurting himself and the But he ignores her silent cries while she looks woman he loves up to the sky yet he keeps on pursuing that bottle and cup praying that this night is over and that he’ll As he’s fallin to the floor, this old poison hits get sober from the… him once more looking like a mess, he confesses for his love Brandy, he was calling out to me because he of… was in the need of severe stability. Brandy, downing it all day and night, always Brandy and out come the cries and all of the had it by his side, more times than I see his lies to himself! wife. And he has earned back his family, from this liquid demon he has been set free. He’s been skipping out on sessions hoping that he’s not forgettin Brandy, it’s no longer calling because he he can’t do this on his own knows how to keep control of his sanity. Favoring social wealth over his emotional Brandy, he recalls the waste of time, not a health friend of mine, he says, not a friend of mine. to his spirit he is sadly prone. 46 Fahari
Blitz the Ambassador is Back With Anticipated New Album Native Sun Out Worldwide on May 3rd, 2011 By - Zenaida Referred by Shante Cozier, Alumni Contributor Blitz the Ambassador will follow up his critically-acclaimed debut album, Stereotype and follow-up live album Stereolive, with the 12-song Native Sun - a deeper, more roots-oriented record with the first single, 'Best I Can' and Les Nubians on the track 'Dear Africa.' The Ghanaian-born, Brooklyn-based MC/Composer recently returned from Ghana where he shot a compelling and beautifully shot short film also titled 'Native Sun.' The new album provides a vivid soundtrack to the story of a young boy's daunting pilgrimage from the countryside to the capital city of Accra to find his father, who he only knows from a photo given to him from his deceased mother. Blitz told Public Radio International {PRI) Afropop Worldwide recently, "We have to create other things that will make our music noticed. It's very difficult to get anyone to buy music today, so it's more about creating worlds, so if you create a world that other people are willing to exist in, and they're willing to support it, and willing to spread the word about it, so we are making a short film that's gonna add another element to the album, and I'm really excited about it." Watch the Native Sun film teaser: http://vimeo.com/channels/blitz Stereotype hit top ten on iTunes where it remained for a month following its independent release on Blitz's record label, Embassy MVMT. Blitz says about his debut effort, "I wanted to pay homage to make people understand that like anything, hip-hop has its lineage. It starts somewhere and it's gonna go somewhere." The album lead Blitz and his seasoned band, The Embassy Ensemble to tour across the United States, including sharing the stage with Public Enemy at NYC's Summerstage and The Roots & Talib Kweli at Celebrate Brooklyn! as well as all over Europe hitting festivals like Belgium's AfroLatino Festival with Sean Paul and France's TransMusicales Festival with Bomba Estereo, M.I.A. and Janelle Monae. Summer 2011 will have Blitz and The Embassy Ensemble all over Europe for more festival runs, in support of Native Sun. Watch 'Best I Can' performed in Rennes, France at the prestigious TransMusicales Festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_EPQY_3OJc Quotes about Blitz: "Every once in a while, I find myself back in the audience, wide-eyed and helpless to explain what my senses are telling me. That's what happened when Blitz the Ambassador visited Soundcheck." - NPR "The djembé-playing artist rocked the stage. He lived up to his name as an ambassador, introducing the audience to his intoxicating, world-wise hop-hop." - Huffington Post "Step outside of an American-centric perspective, and it's a fact that on the global stage, African hip-hoppers are winning the race to the top. Blitz the Ambassador is one of the most exciting artists to emerge from this ascending group." - Washington Post For press inquiries, please contact Natalia Linares / nati@conrazon.me For booking inquiries, please contact James Bartlett / james@mvmt.com Libertad 11
Kanye West There is no doubt in my mind that as soon as you saw the title of this article, you have already passed your judgments on Kanye the man (or the little we know of him as a man). Whether you consider him a sell-out, a “gay fish,” or a musical genius, there is no denying that Kanye is somehow on your radar. Regardless of whatever beef Kanye is involved in at any particular moment, he has a very unique appeal to fans and haters alike. This is why he is culturally relevant enough to be spoofed on South Park, and this is one of the reasons why his opinion on “George Bush [not caring about] Black people” was worthy of news and gossip even 6 years after the incident. If asking someone whether you believe Kanye West is more “political” or more “pathetic,” you will be bound to receive different answers from different people, I‟m sure that you may also see a racial divide in these answers as well. Throughout his career, however, Kanye West has been much more political than pathetic. Kanye has always sparked controversy, for as long as I have known of his existence. I remember sometime in the early 2000s, Oprah interviewed Kanye and questioned him about his supposed arrogance and cockiness. One of his responses was something to the effect of him “knowing the level of greatness” that he has, so there being “no point” of him “trying to hide it,” or be humble about it. I remember thinking at the time that that had been one of the most unnecessary comments I had heard out of the mouth of a celebrity in all my life. But thinking back on it as an adult, you have to accept it as Kanye telling his truth the way he sees it. And you can‟t hate the player, only the game. 12 Fahari
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There‟s no way to write an opinion piece on Kanye West and leave out the Taylor Swift fiasco. I was watching the VMAs (Video Music Awards) live when he did his infamous “Taylor, Imma let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time. OF ALL TIME *insert Kanye Shrug*!” The first thing that came out of my mouth was “oh snap” and then I laughed. My suitemates at the time were like “OMG that‟s so mean. Kanye sucks,” but my roommate Jaleesa and I were laughing like we were watching a Chris Rock special. I honestly found the situation to be quite a funny one, and at the moment I didn‟t think it would be blown out of proportion like it had been. But, following the incident, Kanye was called a variety of names: racist, asshole, loser, jerk, etc. But I think all the criticism that followed was much more unnecessary than the whole debacle was to begin with. Was interrupting Taylor a necessary display of disagreement? Probably not. Was it rude? I guess. Was it entertaining? HELL YES! And doesn‟t Kanye West, Taylor Swift, Beyonce and everyone else in the music business get paid to be entertainers? Absolutely. Again, this was simply an example of Kanye expressing the truth as he sees it. I think you also have to take into account that Kanye was still, at the time, mourning over the unexpected death of his beloved mother. It is normal, if not expected for someone to act rather irrationally after having to deal with such a traumatic event. Regarding the “George Bush doesn‟t care about Black people” statement, the criticisms following that declaration were ignorant to the facts. If you remember the Katrina hur-
Why do we do these things to ourselves? Why do we allow ourselves to be trapped in these predicaments...these things we can’t erase? Why do we let these opposites take control? Why...why is it so hard to let go? When we know...we know what will happen... We have these instincts that tell us what to expect but we never follow.... we never take into account what they say... He will leave you in a flash and we never... We never respect that opinion.... We never... Do we respect ourselves? Do we need a man next to us to feel like something? We ignore the things that they can do. They hurt us so many times… And if so many of us are being hurt...
Us as Women?? Jalisa Franklyn
Why do we choose to believe that sometime everything will be right...? We bring cakes and celebrate birthdays and try to see the life in them... The love, their heart... But why don't we understand that they will never do it for us? They may love us but their eyes can always wander their brains always wonder. They have doubt... Why don't we? Why should we make excuses for them? When they don’t defend anything for us?
Libertad 45
By Faisal Awadallah
Hip Hop teaches lessons like it’s a story, Nowadays the Mc’s message is gettin’ kinda blurry. If the youth can’t learn then I’m getting kinda worried. If only they picked up a book and studiedThe history and philosophy of Hip Hop culture The lyrical attitude wouldn’t be so gangsta, There’d be no more shooting of our neighbors Every MC would keep a pen in their holster and be a poet like they supposta. Hip Hop bursts through the spirit and transforms your perception You can see clearly now with symbolic cognition The lesson plan is lyrical and metaphysical, If you wanna sit in this class, knowledge of self is critical. Hip Hop can be the entrance to your own human beingness The rhythm of the universe isn’t solid but it’s formless Permeating in all things throughout space and time If you listen closely you can even trace the rhyme. I don’t care for the color-line, but I’m not colorblind I walk the middle path and just look for the signs.
44 Fahari
Jada Young, Historian
ricane, then you will surely remember the terrible government response. Nearly 50% of those dead due to the hurricane were Black people. If you ask me, Kanye had all the reason in the world to make that kind of statement. I wish he hadn‟t backed away from the comment late last year when George Bush cited it as one of the toughest moments of his presidency. To those of you who still might not be convinced that Kanye is more political than pathetic, I suggest that you consider the good that he has done for the world. Along with his late mother, Kanye created the Dr. Donda West Foundation. The goal of the organization was to take an active role in reducing the number of young people who drop out of school. One of the first initiatives for the organization was “Loop Dreams” which challenged “atrisk” teens to learn how to write and produce music while maintaining good grades in schools. Kanye has also been an outspoken advocate for “broader education issues.” He has also publically supported organizations such as: Doctors without Borders, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam America, The Lunchbox Fund, Food Bank for New York City, Common Ground Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, LIFEBeat, Live 8, Live Earth, MusiCares, Red Cross, and The Art of Elysium. If this is not an example of someone being politically oriented then I don‟t know what is. As far as Kanye‟s music goes, as an artist, he has a unique position to be able to effect change in the world and to be a positive force for people in the Black community. It seems that more and more his music evolves from being more conscious to being much more in-
dividualist and materialistic. While it is true that Kanye is simply a human and is no better or worse than any of the rest of us, the role he has is an important one and it should not be taken lightly. Kanye has the position as a representative of the Black community and as such, he should do more to inspire young Black people to strive for more for themselves and use their God given talents to make the world a better place for them and for all of humanity. While he is moderately lacking in this area of his fame, I still believe that Kanye is less pathetic and more political. Regardless of the level of fame he has reached, he has stayed true to his beliefs and his ideas and does not allow public opinion to skew or alter that. Kanye “mans up” to his mistakes and takes life as learning experiences rather than moments of shame. Kanye recognizes that as a person in the constant spotlight, he faces “a lot of pressure for one human being” and the cycle of fame in America‟s media/celebrity obsessed society is that we love to build celebrities up and then watch them crumble and fall. Kanye‟s current place is nothing more than that cycle repeating itself, and we should all remember that.
Photo Courtesy of itsralphybaby.com
Hip Hop Inside
Political or Pathetic?
Libertad 13
Father, Where Art Thou? (Dedicated to Kool Herc) Kool Herc. He’s the man many say is responsible for the creation of hip-hop when he came from Jamaica so many years ago and DJ’d a party in the Bronx in 1973. The father of a now multi-billion dollar culture and industry, we owe him the credit for giving life to a genre of music that has transcended language, economic, cultural and, in some cases, political (re: President Barack Obama) barriers. Hip-hop is a lifestyle that has been adapted by all walks of life worldwide and we have Kool Herc to thank for it. And with such a phenomenal accomplishment to his name, he’s now dead broke and can’t afford his own medical bills. And I’m not donating. Blogger for XXL Magazine, Bryon Crawford a.k.a. Bol, does make some points in his very convoluted and not very articulate piece about why he’s not donating to Kool Herc’s fund. His non-involvement basically stems from him believing Herc to be a “real douche” after instances he outlined in his article; however, I’m refusing on totally different grounds.
Nick Florest Editor in Chief of FahariLibertad '06
use their fame to try and serve as an inspiration, like Snoop Dogg providing fatherhood tips on The Martha Stewart Show. Unfortunately, many do not have a male role model to turn to, which has positive and negative results for fans, particularly the youth. The broader hiphop audience has always related to our favorite artists when they speak on “no spouse [husband] in the house” or “[my father] tryin’ to get a nut and got a nothing” and other phrases relating to not having a father in the home because many have grown up in similar circumstances. This can be helpful as many can listen to these songs as a form of group therapy. However, it reflects poorly of the male figure in the hip-hop generation as 30 years later, we’re still asking the same question: “Where’s my father?” And so the question on the mind of some of the newer generation, as seen in the comments of Bol’s blog, to Kool Herc and many other pioneers is just that: Where have you been?
While Kool Herc is said to be the founder of hip -hop, one thing that always annoyed me was the fact that he was rarely ever in the spotlight. He never much capitalized on his creation for valid reasons (I won’t say good reasons. Personally, I think he’s a fool for not coming away with anything more than just the title of ‘Founder of Hip-Hop’) and therefore, was forgotten. Out of sight; out of mind. For me, though, his plea for financial support for his medical issue, essentially coming out of the blue, speaks something much deeper about the hip-hop community. One of the stigmas closely associated with hiphop, American hip-hop in particular, is the abandonment by father figures. It’s a very sensitive subject that’s been touched upon by some of the greats, including 2Pac and Jay-Z, as the majority of emcees come from fatherless homes. Oftentimes, rappers will become fathers themselves in public light and sometimes
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Why should I care about you? Why weren’t you there for me? These feelings of resentment from the children of hip-hop music mirror those of children of real life parents living in the same communities hip-hop was birthed out of. Fathers haven’t taken a major interest in the children and the children don’t take an interest in their fathers or their legacy. A family broken where the children left to ask those simple yet complex questions about our fathers… I mean, hip-hop forefathers.
Don’t ask me for the east or the west, I’m too busy getting my direction Don’t ask me what came first; I’m too busy making my history Don’t tell me who I am, I’m defining my own destiny And you, lion’s den And you, sadistic force You, troublesome relic You’re not gonna stop me. Don’t tell me my branches aren’t gonna grow high enough, my tree is still growing Don’t tell me my tears aren’t worth it, the twinkle shows I’m still alive Don’t tell me what you see when you look at me, your only looking with man’s eyes I am invincible I am destined for prosperity And I… Will not settle for your remedy I struggle at the sight of the demons passing thru Trying to fight my battles on my own When the tempters tempt me I must remind myself that they’re not on the other side… The flames are. Oh silly you are for thinking you could break me I am not who you say I am. Don’t play me for your fool Don’t tame me, for I am not a force to be reckoned with Don’t tempt me, don’t ask me, don’t tell me. I define it I chose it I am it. Euclyn Williams
Don’t Ask Me
Step up. Peace and Love…
Libertad 43
This term is a prime example of the evolution of language. We took the words "ear" and "orgasm" and combined it. How clever. Now, to define it. For me, music and eargasm can be used interchangeably, because music is anything that is not meaningless noise. With sound, there are only two types: music or noise. Nothing else. So, music is organized sound that is appealing to the person listening to it. That's it. For me, eargasms are the bridge between the spirit and material world. Music has natural rhythm that harmonizes with the innate, circadian rhythms of our soul. With music, we can do anything we want. It is a universal language. It is organized vibration that stimulates the cells in our body in a way that calms us and relieves our stress. For that, I love music.
Eargasm
Now, for an untitled poem by yours truly, Jay Espy Words... words... words... Have more power when they’re said without thought Don’t resort to the mind when the soul does without When the soul does astound more people who wonder Where do we come from? When will I pass on? Get it straight... Realize that the earth breathes like us, cleans itself just like us, interbreeds just like us, feeds its hunger like us, fights disease just like us, grows its seeds just like us, bends its knees just like us, kicks the breeze just like us, prone to freeze just like us think about it... It’s not my heart that beats in It’s my heart that beats out ‘gainst the ambiance around me like the defensive line ‘gainst the offensive side shifting power around me it’s the butterfly causing hurricanes around me don’t dodge me, dislodge me, don’t espionage me give me strength...
you are the air to my lungs the high snare to my drums the daycare for the young the asy- to my -lum you are my stop at the station...of no return like harry potter I’m chasing what’s mine but time’s wasting what’s fine and what’s basic the sign that I’m aching to reach for salvation to breach the vibration absorb the hydration demobilization although I’m just blazing, this shit is just none...of your concern you feel the burn it’s not your turn don’t stop their progress just let them learn you want the glory, Why you so stern? Wait on that bread line Get what you earned Follow the process You’re just an object; Meeting adjourned.
Thank you for reading. Hotep, and be safe.
Turn it Up Kasey Caminiti
Eargasm. Has a lot of weight doesn’t it? I heard this term and a million and one things started twirling throughout my head. I’m deaf in one ear. I am loud and proud. Sometimes my family blames my loud voice on my hearing impairment but I believe I would want to be heard by others even if I had one hundred ears in excellent working condition. Oh, when I say that I would want to be heard by others, I mean by everyone and their moms. When I listen to my iPod, I only put my right ear bud in. The left one is useless so I don’t bother. Then I’ll come across a song that is strictly instrumentals… I don’t usually listen to songs without lyrics so I’ll look at my iPod, which I have already assumed has broken. I am quickly brought to the realization that this particular song was recorded with the instrumentals coming through one bud and the lyrics playing through the other. Tough choice. I choose to skip to the next song. Kind of rude of those producers, right? I’m over it. So besides the fact that I am totally baffled by why the music industry doesn’t take people like me into consideration, I can also come off as a very rude person due to my dumb ear being deficient in its only job. If someone is standing to my left and says anything below a roar I will not
hear a thing. The amount of times people have had to hit my arm and ask me why I am ignoring them is infinite. Its actually gotten to the point where my friends are constantly forced to switch sides and walk along my right side just to avoid having to answer my “what?” every other sentence. Oh well, it’s not like I get a real kick out of making them repeat their stories over and over again. What I do get is a real excuse to be as loud as I can. I mentioned before that I would be loud with or without this impairment, but it definitely helps to have something tangible to pass my obnoxious moments off onto. Sometimes my volume might annoy people, and I totally understand that. But at the same time, I am proud of my voice and my ability to express myself. Our country’s right to freedom of speech is envied from all corners of the earth and from that freedom stems our diverse outlooks, communication skills and creativity among other things. Yes I am able to just yell and have an intense volume but I am also able to use my voice in a productive manner whether in class or just among my friends and family. I am going to be expressing myself at double the volume than most of you for the rest of my life. So turn up your dial.
let go of the pain let it pass like the rain extinguish the flames that remain 42 Fahari
Libertad 15
Continued from Page 9 their thoughts and words, and bringing change through intelligent rhythm. Hip-Hip, as a whole, has lost its intelligence. Admittedly, the lyricism and word play today is much more entertaining, from this perspective at least. With entertainment, however, there’s always room for some substance. Some kind of message that will grab people’s attention and make people question the world around us. Attraction to the artist’s work and intelligence go hand in hand for me. Today’s rap music has definitely influenced my style, but there’s something missing. The one thing that is missing today from Hip-Hop is that goal that was put forth by spoken word artists and early rappers decades ago. When I first heard the poem “Telegram” by Saul Williams, one line stuck with me; “The master of ceremonies have forgotten that they were once slaves and have neglected the occasion of this ceremony (stop) Perhaps we should not have encouraged them to use cordless microphones, for they have walked too far from the source and are emitting a lesser frequency (stop).” Hip-Hop was originally a way of using rhythm to speak about the problems within the black community, as a way of bringing about awareness and change. One can see that in the works of early artists, during the Golden Age, as it is now called. These socially conscious artists use their words to illuminate the realities that people of color face in their daily lives. Whether it is about racism, the police, family, drugs, these artists conveyed their message to help liberate their people from the problems they face. That’s the sub-genre I have always felt a connection with, and I have been listening to it almost exclusively for years. Recently, with the start of some DJ work, I’ve been listening to current artists in order to connect with people who listen to today’s rap music. As much as the beat speaks to my soul, the lyrics, overall, are not doing what 16 Fahari
I believe the goal of Hip-Hop is. Talk of material possessions, getting drunk, and having sex with women (that’s a vast generalization) may be cool at the club, but where are all the socially conscious rappers today? There’s Mos Def, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Dead Prez, Lupe Fiasco, Jay Electronica, Tribe Called Quest, just to name a few, but we don’t hear them on the radio, and it isn’t “cool” to listen to that type of rap music anymore. We have club music today; we need some conscious music as well, to have some balance. If you want to listen to Lil Wayne, T-Pain, and Waka Flocka, that’s cool, but why limit yourself? Sometimes listening to some realness is cool, so you can appreciate the club music even more on the weekends. Maybe people do listen to conscious music, but it doesn’t seem to have such an impact on this generation’s life as it has others. We have been called the “post-ideological generation” and looking at peers it’s easy to see why that is valid. Thinking has become a way of the past, especially with technology today. Our thoughts are cut-off at 140 characters, and everywhere in this culture, there are signs telling us to accept the world the way it is. Perhaps today’s rap music has had something to do with this, but if we look more holistically, it is the entirety of our culture that is stripping us of our critical thinking skills, our creativity, and our passion. A balance of styles and messages are needed, because listening to any type of rap music exclusively is never healthy; no extreme is ever good. If we hear some conscious messages with some rhythm, we’ll feel more attached, and maybe we can begin to make some changes in this world. Black art is functional, and therefore artists have a responsibility to contributing to social, political, and spiritual advancement for the world at large.
THE POETRY SPOT
Ashé: Paying respect for the lives who have left the physical world Libertad 41
Recycle Bin Janea Thompson, Public Relations Whenever I hear a song with a real catchy beat I wonder if the song was sampled from an earlier decade. From my musical experience, contemporary R&B and Hip Hop sample a lot of their music from Disco, Doo Wop, and Classic Soul. Some of the biggest hits of our time most likely were already hits before our generation. I thought of some popular songs that made an impact on my generation and looked closely to see if the song was an original or a sample from a classic. More than one artist has taken a sample from one song and created two completely different songs. In 1968 The Delfonics released their single “Ready or Not Here I Come.” In 1996 The Fugees released their single “Ready or Not.” The beat was not the same as the Delfonics, but the chorus was based off this single. A year later Timbaland produced the smash hit “Sock it To Me” for Missy Elliot, also based off “Ready or Not Here I Come” by the Delfonics. I remember singing the lyrics to Monica’s 1998 song “The First Night,” “I should make a move but I won’t.” I loved this song so much because the beat was so tough. Producer Jermaine Dupri sampled the smoothest part of Diana’s Ross 1976 disco classic “Love Hangover.” One of the most notable duos was Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye. Their timeless song “Your All I Need to Get By” became a hood classic when Method Man used the opening chords of the song for the intro with Mary J. Blige, adding a raspy, edgy rendition of the hook made famous by Tammi Terrell. During the Will Smith frenzy two of his biggest hits were actually samples from two
even bigger singles from the group the Whispers and Patrice Rushen. In 1998 Will Smith’s smash hit “Miami” hit the charts, which was actually sampled from the Whispers’ 1980 hit “And the Beat Goes On.” The title track from the blockbuster movie Men in Black was also sampled from Patrice Rushen’s 1982 “Forget Me Nots.” Mary J. Blige used a few samples throughout her career. One that may be unfamiliar is her single “Everything.” This 1997 single gives a modern day vibe to the original classic “You Are Everything,” which was released by the Stylistics in 1973. A softer side of Bow Wow emerged in his collaboration with Omarion from Bow Wow’s 2005 album Wanted. One of the most popular songs of this album was “Let Me Hold You,” produced by Jermaine Dupri. The intro of “Let Me Hold You” samples Luther Vandross’ “If Only for One Night.” This wasn’t the only time Luther Vandross was sampled to
Photo Courtesy of: knowyourconjurer.blogspot.com
Continued on Page 21 40 Fahari
Libertad 17
Always In My Head India.Arie You're like a cool breeze, on a summer's day You are a river running through the desert plain You are my shelter, from the pouring rain You were my comfort, even before the pain I can hear the sound of five drummers in the wind The leaves blowing in the breeze, ring out like guitars A tin can rolls across the gravel like a tambourine I am but a vessel, so I sing, because you are In my head, you're always in my head In my dreams, you're always in my head In my pain, you're always in my head In my peace, you're always in my head A rainbow of rhythm stretches across the sky An airplane in the distance, plays a beautiful cello line It's no coincidence; it's in tune with the music in my ears If you were a shoulder you're where I would rest, but I am your vessel so I hear, you
India Arie‟s Acoustic Soul is a beautiful album dedicated to music. She has a lovely voice and a true love of music that shines through in her art. Acoustic Soul is her debut album from 2001. If you‟re not familiar with her music, I suggest starting with this album. - Josie Ramnani, Secretary
In my head, you’re always in my head In my fears, you’re always in my head In my joy, you’re always in my head In my tears, you're always in my head You're like a cool breeze, on a summer's day You are a river, running through a desert plain You've been my shelter, from the pouring rain You were my comfort, even before the pain…'cause I hear you In my head, you're always in my head In my dreams, you're always in my head In my pain, you're always in my head In my peace, you're always in my head How can I live a day without music? You're always in my head (How can I live a day without you?) In my fears, (How can I live a day without music?) you're always in my head, always in my head In my joy, (How can I live a day without music?) you're always in my head, (How can I live a day without you?) In my tears, (How can I live a day without music?) you're always in my head (always in my head)
How can I live a day without music? How can I live one day without you? How can I live a day without music? You're always in my head You are, you are love You are, you are light You are, you are joy 18 Fahari
Songwriters: Wi Mueller & India Arie Simpson Courtesy of: Motown Records Libertad 39
Blogs,
Blogs,
Blogs
By Reggy Rivers, Alumni Contributor
Like TV ain’t bad enough, now there are blogs dedicated to them?
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Il y a deuxans depuis que j’ai recontré mon meilleur amie. Elle est née en 1966 et elle est une très bonne écoute. Plus importante, elle est la seule personne qui peut se traduire exactement ce que je veux dire, et il n’importe pas de ce langue que je parle. Elle est toujours là pour moi et je ne sais pas qu’est-ce que je faisais sans lui. J’avais beaucoup d’amies comme elle, mais aucun avec une voix et un corps aussi jolie que lui. J’espère que cette amie reste dans ma vie pendant un temps très long. Elle s’appelle Epiphone SG-400 mais sa pseudo est <<Epi>> et elle est mon meilleur amie de cinq ans. À première vue, on est vraiment captivé par sa belle figure et ses couleurs vives. De la tête aux pieds, elle est d’un beauté pas comme les autres. Son visage est constituée principalement de métalliques et de bois, avec six yeux et un nez qui a son nom de famille <<SG>>. Elle a un cou très long qui est composée de vingt-deux vertèbres. Certaines de ses vertèbres du cou on une forme trapézoïdale sur eux, plus précisément sur son troisième, cinquième, septième, neuvième, douzième, quinzième, et le dix-septième vertèbres. Son cou est attachée à ses épaules qui se courbent vers le ciel avec des bouts pointus. Pour protéger son corps brillant gris métallisé corps, elle porte une armure de torse pour éviter les rayures. Elle est superbe à l’extérieur, mais c’est ce qui est à l’intérieur qui fait d’elle la plus belle. Sous la surface de son corps, on se trouve ses intestins qui se connectent à ses cordes vocales qui sont composées de six cordes qui varient en taille de la plus faible hauteur au plus haut. Étrangement ses cordes vocales sont situés sur son corps de la tête aux pieds. Sa voix est plus douce qu’un bon bain chaud et elle a une gamme vocale qu’aucun humain ne pourrait rivaliser avec. Elle peut chante des notes très bas ainsi que crier des notes très élevées. Il n’importe pas ce que note je lui dit de chanter et elle m’impressionne chaque fois. Elle a quatre boutons au bas de son corps qui lui permettent d’augmenter le volume de sa voix aussi que le ton. De la même façon, elle a un switch dessus de ces boutons qui lui permet de choisir entre le rythme et l’aigus. De temps en temps, elle est accompagnée par un autre de mes amis qui s’appelle <<DigiTech>> et avec cet accompagnement, elle peut se traduire sa voix en diverses frequencies differentes qui lui permet de chante le blues aussi que le rock et roll. Si je devais choisir une chose à apporter avec moi sur une île déserte, je prennais mon meilleur ami instanément parce que je ne me sens jamais seul avec lui. L’ennuie n’existerait pas parce que je pouvais créer des nouvelles pièces musicales tous les jours avec ma meilleure amie. Je survivrais sur cette île déserte parce que j’aurais de la musique à mon côté toujours. J’espère que mon amie sera dans ma vie pendant un temps très long et j’espère aussi qu’elle me prend quelque part magnifique un jour bientôt. Mais si le monde n’a pas appris à connaître mon amie et moi, ce ne sera pas un dommage parce que je l’aime, et de la musique, n’importe pas ce qui se passe.
Dee HughesRivera
You catch my drift, yes? After weeding out the negatives of such new media technology, I looked at it from a creative POV. For video bloggers, it’s no different from Vimeo or Youtube if you’re using it as another outlet to put yourself out there as a freelance filmmaker, videographer, poet, chef, hair stylist, or if you just wanna show something awesome to the world. It’s called self-marketing. The same goes for blog radios. You have something to inform the peo-
ple about on the airwaves. The products are great, however just like the internet, it can be abused. I know a few friends who have had their blogs hacked into and information was either twisted or replaced by inappropriate pictures, making their web pages look bad (I absolutely hate that crap). Sadly, some unhappy soul[s] sentenced to impotence decide to abuse or rob innocent individuals of their hard work to make the most out of their creations. The big timers, like New York Times, Essence Magazine, and CNN have created blog sections for people to post videos, thoughts, and sounds to start conversations and get points across. I still don’t understand how I tied all of this in with the concept of free will, but I’m still gonna roll with it *thinking out loud*! They say the best things in life are free. Things like love, happiness and friendship are free. Everything else has taxes and interest fees. This blog evolution is free and gives free will for people to do, say and post whatever they feel is relevant to them or the current situation. In a like manner, people have the right to also use them to cause unnecessary trouble for others. When I heard counselors and teachers tell their students, “Watch what you post on Facebook, Youtube…,” I came to the conclusion that most people just don’t give a flying eff. That’s them, but you’re you. You’re smart; you know what you’re doing. Don’t mean to sound like a stiff broken record, but just be careful. And oh yeah, have fun.
Mon meilleure amie
I have learned to love blogs; one of my reasons is because they’re free! So what if you can’t have your own domain name? A blog can give you an idea of how to design and manage your webpage. I like to blog-hop around the internet to see what people are talking about. The blog has really evolved into some cool innovations; now we have BlogTV and BlogTalkRadio? Even though I grew to love these new things also, my inner media critic was at odds with my artistic side. After reading Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman, I found myself bombarding my computer with rhetorical questions: Why can’t you listen to regular radio? Is this really necessary? Do people really have to do everything on the internet?
I know a lot of people don‟t really listen to live music, especially that has socially conscious lyrics, but if you‟re looking for an album that matches this description John Legend and The Roots‟ album Wake Up! is a good find. It came out in September of 2010 and primarily consists of covers from the 60‟s and 70‟s. Not surprisingly the lyrics are still painfully relevant. You can listen to the entire album at johnlegend.com and there is also a pretty sweet online concert on YouTube directed by Spike Lee called Unstaged. The performance contains a cover of Arcade Fire‟s Wake Up, which is awesome. I highly recommend checking it out. - Josie Ramnami, Secretary
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A Stroll Through My iPod Jada Young What would I do without my iPod? It keeps me in my own personal zone while walking to class; it works as my own personal force-field when I don’t want to sit near anyone while at Hasbrouck and it lets me bask in my amazing musical taste. So I want to introduce you guys to the wonder that is my iPod. My baby is an 8 Gig, touch-screen iPod, when you look at it, you might think it’s just like any other iPod in the world, but mine is special: by virtue of it being mine! Even though the time now is 11:50pm, my iPod claims that it is currently 8:59pm. I’m just too lazy to fix the time. It’s been that way for a few weeks now. Going through the “Artists” section, I have everyone from Aerosmith to Bette Midler, to Kanye West, to Lauryn Hill, to Willow Smith. I would consider myself to have very eclectic taste in music. But, my iPod is not only limited to music, as it were. My baby also contains John Lennon interviews as well as Malcolm X, Winston Churchill, Mother Theresa, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speeches. It also contains slam poetry from a very amazing, talented, Joshua Brandon Bennett. I won’t sit here and lie and make it seem as if everything in my iPod is socially conscious, because it definitely is not. One of the most played music Photo Courtesy of: timelessbre.tumblr.com
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files on both my iPod and my iTunes is “Stu’s Song” from The Hangover. I’m also a Nicki Minaj, Drake and Beyonce glutton. Sometimes after all the thinking that I have to do as a college student and as a human being, the excess thoughts need to be neutralized by some booty shaking, sexually explicit music. When I see someone with the same iPod that I have, except with a cracked or damaged touch screen, I think about what I would do without my iPod, or if my baby were damaged in such a way. I would definitely be upset because for one, my warranty has been up for about a year now, so there would be no replacement. I would also be sad simply because I am intensely attached to my iPod and the level of comfort it gives me. On my way to class or even on the long, public transportation journey back to Staten Island when I go home, my iPod keeps everything calm and puts me in my own little world. I love my iPod, I love everything that is on it and I love the way it makes me feel.
What Puts the “I” in “I-Tunes?” Josette Ramnani I often find myself cringing as someone scrolls through my I-Tunes. It almost feels like an invasion of privacy. It‟s all good when they see my impressive collection of Marvin Gaye but once they get to the embarrassing stuff like Dolly Parton‟s greatest hits I start to get squeamish. Most of “my” music I get from other people, but I -Tunes doesn‟t distinguish which albums I bought from the ones I had to import to make a CD for my dad (the sole reason I have any country music on there, though I will admit I listen to it from time to time). It doesn‟t provide a disclaimer to the random onlooker such as: “the owner of this computer knows this song sucks, she just hasn‟t gotten around to getting rid of it.” No, to the casual observer all the song in my I-tunes are there by choice, and are most likely listened to on a
Black Studies = Tupac? Faisal Awadallah, President After taking many Black Studies courses since my attendance at SUNY New Paltz, I have been asked “What is Black Studies?” once, twice or three times . . . a week. So, it is my responsibility to educate people on what exactly is Black Studies. Black Studies is an “interdisciplinary discipline;” in other words it is an academic field of study which includes, Sociology, History and Psychology designed to investigate phenomena concerning Black people. The subject is the Black experience, the perspective is an Afrikana conceptual framework, and its goal is social change. The funniest response I received from someone who asked me my major is: “Black Studies, is that like Tupac?” My initial response was a huge laugh in his face and then I noticed this young white boy was very intoxicated and was not joking. I told him “Tupac is a part of Black Studies . . . you can say, I took a Rap and Spoken word course and we analyzed Tupac and his lyrics. . .” That’s as much as I could tell the kid before he started to vomit from all the liquor he drank. Most conversations with white people about Black Studies are usually linear because of their ignorance of all things concerning people of color. Sometimes you can find yourself educating white people about Black Studies, often times while explaining Black Studies they become defensive and it’s like talking to a white wall. Recently, I taught a group of 30-40 middle school students from Newburgh about Black Studies. These kids were smarter than I expected and knew a lot more about Black Studies than the average college student. I was taken by surprise when a student responded “Philosophy!” when I asked the question “What is culture?” I’m not going to pretend that I knew anything about philosophy in sixth grade, but I was entirely impressed with his answer. This was a very uplifting moment for me and it gave me hope for our future generation. Libertad 37
Continued from Page 27 aid to the long journey for understanding, tolerance and acceptance. ‘Far Away’ may have only been a video but it had a huge impact. It was groundbreaking to see those raw images on my TV screen and to see people actually discussing homophobia. While it was disheartening to hear all of the negative chatter, I choose to chalk that up to people’s complete and utter ignorance on the matter. Unfortunately, there are many people that just won’t ever accept people in the gay community. As an Ally, I always try to dispel the negative things associated with the LGBTQ community when it comes up in conversation. At times it is frustrating, but other times it can be quite rewarding. An example would be BSU’s cosponsored the Homophobia in the Black Community program with APU, MANU, AWA, QAC on February 21, 2011. We had a great turnout and discussion. Euclyn Williams, who orchestrated the program said, “I was very pleased with the turnout. It shows that the campus is moving in a more tolerant and accepting direction, especially among the people of color on this campus. It’s a good look for BSU because it shows that BSU is willing to delve into different realms.” I can’t help but agree. The fact that BSU co-sponsored with so many orgs shows unity, which is something we have been trying to achieve. There was a good discussion of the ‘taboo’ topic of homophobia. People were open and honest and I appreciate that. The only improvement I would have made is that I feel we didn’t dig as deep as we could have. I don’t think we got to the core of why homophobia is so disgustingly horrible in the Black community. But at the same time this is a good thing; that just means there’s room for improvement. I feel like we barely scratched the surface but this is the start to what we can achieve and where we can go. I look forward to seeing more programs like this in the future.
regular basis. This begs the discussion of what constitutes “good” music, and also the tendency to defend the music one listens to, as if somehow we have personal stock in it. No one, except the artist and recording label, owns music. Why do we feel the need to claim ownership over the music we choose to listen to, insisting that it is good rather that simply stating that we enjoy to listen to it? Furthermore why do I feel the need to disassociate myself from the so-called “bad” music that plagues the airwaves and my I-Pod, as if my position on it somehow reflects my character? Maybe all music is good and should not be judged so harshly. When you‟re filtering through my I-Tunes, suspend your judgment and entertain the idea that at some point in my life, this song had some significance, or possibly never had any significance. Maybe I should distance myself from the music I listen to, and not consider it an extension of myself. That way when someone insults my taste in music I do not get so offended. When it comes down to it we all have different predilections and experiences that shape the music we listen to. Music is a personal choice and as such should not be held to universal standards of good and bad. Then again, I cannot comprehend why anyone would listen to Soulja Boy on a regular basis, and if someone considered his music an extension of their soul I would be concerned for their sanity. In the end, our conceptions of music do not hold any weight in what other people connect to. If it did, most of the songs on the Billboard top 100 would not be there. Still music is not just an individual experience. It can bond a community or social clique together. It can shape and encompass an entire generation, culture or country. I can access a multitude of other people‟s I-tunes, picking and choosing what music I like. I use my judgment to discern what music is relevant for me, and that which is irrelevant does not necessarily have to be deemed bad or even reflect on the person who listens to it (mainly because I don‟t know whose I-tunes it is that I am rummaging through). At the same time I can‟t in good conscious overlook the fact that Gucci Mane is one of your favorite artists, because while that doesn‟t define you, it definitely lets me know something about your values.
Continued from Page 17 create another monster hit for another artist. Vandross’ song “Don’t You Know That” was used by two different artists creating more of a hip hop sound. Heavy D re-created the song and named it “Got Me Waiting” in 1994. Sean Combs also remixed the song for his group 112’s song “Love Me.” Stevie Wonder’s “Living for The City” is sampled in the bridge of Usher’s “Lil Freak,” produced by Polo Da Don. I wonder how many people know what song I’m singing if I said “you down with OPP? Yea you know me.” Naughty by Nature made a worldwide hit regarding casual sex. This 90’s party song is actually sampled from the Jackson 5 timeless record “ABC.” Kanye West is well known for his beats. Most know about his sample of “Through The Wire,” originally sang by Chaka Khan. A less obvious sample was “Overnight Celebrity” by Twista featuring Kanye West. The beat to this song is so hot you want to give Kanye credit. The only real credit he deserves is being familiar with good music. He sampled this from the greatest love song of all time (in my opinion): Lenny Williams’ “Cause I Love You” in 1978. A local artist from my hometown Poughkeepsie named Tashan also had a major impact for Indi-artists by remaking Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You.” Airplay of this song was a major victory from him and Poughkeepsie as a whole. Marvin released this single in 1976 and Tashan made his rendition in 1993. These are just some examples of how music is recycled and used in different ways. Next time you hear a song don’t hesitate to think where it originated from. Photo Courtesy of: ustrendz.blogspot.com
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Libertad 21
Is That All There Is? Josette Ramnani I hear people say how fed up they are with our generation; at times I hear myself saying it. It translates in our culture, popular music sounds like it was made in a garage band, the lyrics as if they were written in the matter of minutes. I like to shake my ass as much as the next girl, but music affects much more than how good my Friday night is. Music is a reflection of our social consciousness, and vice versa. It is one thing to write a song that derives from one’s reality, and another to write a song that perpetuates it. For instance, when hip-hop first started, it was so real because it was the artist’s life, which included violence, poverty, and police brutality, were not spoken of to condone it, but to let people know what was going on in the Black community, and to reach out to people who experienced it. At some point, a line was crossed where these pressing issues were no longer realities for rap artists, yet they continued to speak on them. Not as a way of shedding light on the problems in the Black community, but as a way of glorifying them. For example, carrying and using a weapon was not just a reality, but also a necessity and now is considered respectable and standard. Yet most rappers have bodyguards to carry guns for them, unnecessarily so as they live in Beverly Hills or some mansion in a remote location. These are the people our children look up to, people who objectify women, concern themselves with money and all it can buy, glorify violence, drugs, and heavy drinking, and who take only a small portion of that money to give back to the communities from which they came. Most don’t return to their neighborhoods, looking back on them in a condescending manner, immersing themselves in 22 Fahari
the world of success and excess wealth. As a result, our youths aspire for a similar lifestyle, an escape from their realities, into a world of luxury. Because most rappers come from the streets, it inspires hope for those who have fallen through the cracks of the system. This hope is only half legitimate, although it is possible to rise from poverty, it is virtually impossible for all those suffering to go from one extreme to the other. Nor is it a good idea, because if more kids rise from poverty with no intention of helping their community, the cycle perpetuates. Rappers have become part of the system that oppressed them and their surrounding community, instead of using their success to try and break the system. This is not to say that celebrities and the like do not have charitable organizations to benefit the communities from which they came, and other communities for that matter. But what is charity, other than pity coupled with money? Because they have risen from poverty, they look down at those who are impoverished, separating themselves from them, and in turn objectifying and dehumanizing them. If they really gave a shit, then their music would reach out to the youth rather than insisting that the youth has to get on their level. They would return to their neighborhoods until they saw dramatic improvement, working with kids on a personal level rather than communicating to them through music that narrows their consciousness. Music has hit a stagnant point, if not it is digressing. Similarly, our society is on a gradual downward slope, and it’s gaining momentum. In hip-hop, lyrical content is no longer diverse: money, bitches, guns, and the assur-
why many Blacks still think people that are lighter with straighter, long hair are more attractive. Sad, but true. I'm so tired of people saying that going natural is a fad. To me being natural is not a hairstyle. It’s a choice, a conscious decision to accept yourself in your natural state. Being natural to me isn't about a lifestyle, it’s about learning how to be yourself. There is something so beautiful about a woman that rejects society's ideas of what is acceptable and rejects what they've been taught their whole lives, to learn their own truth. Nappy hair is beautiful and I wouldn't trade it for anything else. There's this certain confidence I found that I never had before. I feel like I'm more me than I ever was before. And that is why I encourage every woman that is considering going natural to go for it. When I cut my hair I felt liberated, honest and more beautiful than ever. It is definitely a process that may be difficult and frustrating but the outcome is worth it. Also, it pisses me off when people say that the "natural look" isn’t for everyone. Huh? So the way that my hair grows out of my head naturally won’t look right on me when this is how it’s supposed to look? That’s fucking ridiculous. As long as you learn how to properly care for your hair I don’t see how there can be a problem. I’m not supposed to be any other way than this, so why not embrace it?
your hair the way you do. Be honest with yourself. Go back to your youth when your family or friends told you that your hair was ugly and that it had to be straight to be managed. Can you even remember the texture of your hair? If horrible memories surface of having someone yank on your hair and painfully comb through it dry, please realize that this method is oh so very wrong for our hair. Please do research. There are countless books and blogs that are extremely helpful. Trust me, you won’t be in this alone, there are many other women going through the same thing. If you’re too scared to cut your hair for fear of how other’s will perceive you please know that this is about YOU. Trust me it’s more of a mental thing than anything else. Some people won’t even take the time out to consider what I’m saying and that’s cool, not everyone is capable of digging deeper and finding roots. I know that everything isn’t for everybody. I’m not saying that every single Black woman should be natural. I just wish others could see what I see and feel what I feel when I look in the mirror. I see me, not the version of me that is complacent with the ideas society has planted in my head.
So I challenge all the women that read this to dig deeper and think about why you wear I highly recommend reading Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America by Ayana Byrd and Lori Tharps. This book gives a comprehensive look at the history of Black Women’s hair in America. Libertad 35
Can We Dig Deeper Please? My Frustrations with Natural Hair Shatera Gurganious, Editor In Chief Deciding to wear your hair straight has more to do with just choosing a style. Why do we even consider straightening our hair to begin with? Why is it so normal for us to want straight hair? Why has that even become a choice for us? It’s not about Blackness. It’s about acceptance and rejection. I don’t think I’m "Blacker" than other women just because my hair is natural. But I do feel I have accepted myself more. I honestly believe that women, whether consciously or subconsciously, choose to straighten their hair because of insecurities and what society tells everyone. It’s so ingrained in us that we don’t even stop to think why we think the way we do. We no longer know how to take care of our hair in its natural state. So getting a relaxer has become a way to make things easier. This is because we don’t know how to properly manage kinky/curly hair. Our views on hair care are skewed from what they once were. People get relaxers out of convenience and because everyone around them does. It’s a rite of passage, it’s expected. I get it. I just want people to stop and think about why things are this way. Why is it that we think being able to comb our hair everyday is a normal practice? Or that relaxed hair is more “manageable?” I’ve had both relaxed 34 Fahari
and natural hair and honestly the only difference is that now I have to take care of my hair in a different manner. I had to learn how to take care of my hair in its natural state and stop trying to care for it as if it was straight. I had a “discussion” on Twitter a while ago and someone said natural hair isn’t for everyone and that some people look more civilized with straight hair. She then went on to say that preferring straight hair is just an opinion, which has nothing to do with our experiences as Black people. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Of course I respect opinions that are different from mine but this shit was just ridiculous. I read it and said huh? It kills me that people fail to realize the influence Europeans have had on Black people. During the time of enslavement whites considered us animals and subhuman. Our traits were foreign to them and looked down upon. So when they encountered Black people with straighter hair and lighter skin, they were deemed more acceptable and more attractive because they looked closer to what whites considered "normal." Everything is connected, what happened those many years ago still shows up today. We have internalized this white standard of beauty, which is
ance that the artists in question are better than you. In this country the gap between the rich and the poor is tremendous and it is getting worse. The messages we get through music are the same we get from our society: they have money, we don’t, and it’s our fault not theirs. Instead of directing our anger at them, those who hoard the wealth and mock us while they do it, we idolize them, aspire to be like them, and take our anger out on each other. We think that because they did it we can do it, and if we don’t it’s our fault. In reality it is the system that is designed to keep us impoverished, uneducated, and complacent. In return we blame ourselves and value that which is the only thing separating the poor from the rich: money. To transform our consciousness requires a shift in values. No easy task, so perhaps the easiest way to go about it would be to change the music we listen to, music more in touch with our experiences that speaks truth and heightens awareness and maybe
even offers solutions. There is plenty of music out there that does just that, the majority of it however does not play on the radio, or was even made during our lifetime. If music from the 60’s and 70’s is still relevant now, what does that say about our societal progress? To me it says we gave up the fight, lost touch of what is important in life, and our blind to what is really hindering our progress: oppressive elites determined to keep the rest of us down. Instead we play into their hand and destroy each other, with hopes that one day we’ll be just like them. Personally, I have no desire to be like them. What good is expensive shit if your soul is dirt poor? Sure it’s easier to listen to music that makes life sound so simple, but it’s all lies. They live in an illusion and when we buy into it, we are deluding ourselves from the harsh reality that is life. Until we start demanding more from ourselves and the elites we will continue to get what is provided for us: bullshit.
Half on a Baby Playlist Courtesy of: thisisrnb.com
Krystal Miller, Vice President Raheem DeVaughn - “Single” Dwele ft. Raheem DeVaughn - “Dim the Lights” Avant - “Making Good Love”
I feel like I should write this not only to show that you can be sexy and not blunt as an artist, but also because we could all use some “half on a baby” music. I would usually say “baby making music” but we don't want little Jarquisha's running around because of this music either. That's probably how a lot of us got here. You know your parents were bumping Marvin Gaye back in the day. So this is ours.....
Blackstreet - “Deep” Floetry - “Lay Down” Floetry - “Getting Late” Adina Howard - “Freak Like Me” Adina Howard - “T-Shirt and Panties” Jill Scott - “Crown Royal” Jill Scott - “All I” Keri Hilson - “Slow Dance” Silk - “Meeting in the Bedroom” Raheem DeVaughn - “Microphone” Usher - “Seduction” Libertad 23
Techno R&B
Krystal Miller Really though? What the fuck is going on with this techno shit that they are trying to sell off as R&B? Between Rihanna‟s last two albums and Usher‟s OMG song, I am really getting fed up with the state that Black music is going. Singers don‟t sing anymore. Everything is electronic…well, that‟s not a total problem. But we definitely hit an all time low once we started depending on Auto-Tune. Once I caught wind that Usher‟s next album was going to be all techno and produced by the same people who did “OMG” and “DJ Got Us Falling in Love” I (figuratively) turned the water on to wash my hands of R&B. I sometimes feel like I don‟t give R&B artists of today a chance because I‟ve totally made the switch to NeoSoul. I‟m not about to fake the funk to be cool. I won‟t boycott artist like Rihanna or Usher but I will give a big ole “fuck you” to this assimilation that is going on. It‟s like you‟re abandoning what real R&B is about to please the masses (i.e. White people). Clearly I am angered by this. I must say that I am glad that my Neo-Soul artists and even some R&B artists are trying to take it back to basics, but sadly they aren‟t getting the play that they deserve. R&B crooner R. Kelly‟s (say what you may about his personal life, that man can saaaaang) is trying to bring it back with his newest album entitled Love Letter (don‟t quote me on the quality of the entire album yet though. I‟ve only heard like two songs on it and so far I‟m not disappointed). I wish we would start going back to where we came from. Back to the 90‟s when there was actual singing and dancing in the videos. And I mean actually dancing, not crotch thrusting and winding à la Keri Hilson (“The Way You Love Me” anybody?). Yet somehow I feel as if I'm asking for too much. It seems as if getting the attention of White people...errm...pleasing the masses is more important than staying true to the music.
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Spotlight:
Joshua Brandon Bennett Peace to The Invisible By Kasey Caminiti
Jada Young, Historian Joshua Brandon Bennett. Remember that name. This brother will make waves on the world. Quote me. I first became aware of this powerful brother’s work late last semester when a friend of mine posted a poem of his on my Facebook wall. Since then, I have been no better than a drooling 16 year old. Actually, I might even be comparable to a Justin Bieberobsessed 16 year old. But my love for him is not based on shallow, meaningless bullshit like how he looks or how much money he has. My gravitational pull towards this beautiful man is much deeper. I’m intensely attracted to his heart and every single beautiful piece that he makes from what is within it. The poem “10 Things I Want To Say To a Black Woman” (YouTube it!) was my introduction to JBB. The poem is his letter to the Black women of the world. He celebrates our beauty, our voices, our diversity and he also takes it much more personally: Joshua celebrates the women in his life who have made him into the man that he is today. Hearing it for the first time made my heart sing. It was so radically different from the mainstream perception of Black women that I did not know what to do with myself. While Black women are publically called bitches, nappy headed hoes and seen as hypersexual tools, Joshua calls us Queens and takes our strengths (making kings out of bastards, turning a fatherless Christmas into a floor full of gifts and a kitchen that smells like the Lord is coming tomorrow and we must eat well tonight.) and showcases them in a way so beautiful that it is sure to make the coldest heart melt into a puddle. After seeing “10 Things” for the first time, I’ve made a point to watch nearly every single video of his that YouTube offers (I’m trying to hold off on watching every video of him because I don’t want the excitement of finding a new one to go away anytime soon). His poetry is power. The way he uses the English language is something of mastery, skill, finesse, perfection, art, love, power, beauty, spirit…it’s just all -around amazing in every single way. No exaggera-
“You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one” -John Lennon
The peace sign has evolved from a cultural phenomenon and a national icon during the 1960’s to a commercialized symbol that 13 year olds have plastered onto their backpacks. The meaning of it has completely dissolved into something driven by the retail stores and people have totally forgotten the importance of it. Recently I went to an event on campus sponsored by The Invisible Children’s Club. The event consisted of a new documentary titled “Tony” which is based on the life of a boy from Northern Uganda who has spent his entire life in a war zone, just like hundreds of other children in Uganda. The film focused on how Americans’ attitudes can be truly helpful
for those less fortunate than us in some situations, but then at other times we are so oblivious to what is going on outside of America. Children in Africa are being abducted and used as child soldiers while we are complaining about how the food in our campus cafeteria doesn’t exactly meet our high standards. It really opened my eyes especially, being a white, female, college student. I find myself complaining about the smallest things and actually believing that my complaints are valid. Watching how these unfortu-
nate children were living was an eye opener and if everyone could be affected by this documentary the way I was I think our world could actually change. I know that change takes a lot more than watching a movie. But it also has to start somewhere. Peace was a common goal among Americans at one point in history and I think that as a country we have lost the enthusiasm that used to flood our communities. Personally this film shed some light on the idea of working hard for unity and harmony not only within our own country but throughout other suffering countries as well. Here is a link you can visit if you are interested in helping out with the Invisi-
Libertad 33
Stop Faking Shatera Gurganious, Editor In Chief As the end of my third year in college approaches I’ve come to recognize a trend with students. Most students come into college still stuck in a high school mindset or stuck in the ways of our communities back home. During or after the first year many students’ minds have been opened and they begin to question their thoughts and actions connected to those of our society. In an attempt to make sense of all the lies that we’ve been told since birth, discussions and events only solidify our newfound awareness. I notice many students that take Black Studies courses that are mind opening, intriguing and inspirational, automatically take on the role of the “revolutionary.” They start speaking of all the social ills, our upsetting or uplifting history and how they are burning to change the world. While this is a positive, beautiful occurrence, I can’t help but wonder if it is real. There is nothing wrong with acquiring knowledge and trying to spread it to others, I just wonder sometimes if the right motive is there. I love all that I have learned about my people and myself and I’m slowly coming into my new awareness. So no, you won’t catch me walking around with a dashiki, a pick in my hair with a clenched fist facing the sky yelling “I’m Black and I’m Proud.” I refuse to waste my time 32 Fahari
looking like the movement instead of being a part of it. I’m just not there yet and honestly, I question people that are after a couple semesters as Black Studies majors. There’s a difference between walking it and talking it and I see a large number of students whose mouths are moving with their feet planted on the ground. Yes my hair is natural but it isn’t because I wanted to become “more Black.” I remember seeing my aunt right after I cut my hair and she said “oh look at you, you went off to college and became all Afrocentric.” I just smiled and said, “no, I didn’t.” And that was the truth. I don’t claim to be Afrocentric because I know that it includes more than just looking, acting, or sounding a certain way. I haven’t completely devoted myself to finding my inner African or how she can be of use to her people. Yes I want to advance all African descended people, especially those close to me, but I also understand that this is a journey. It takes time, nothing happens overnight and I’m in for the long voyage ahead. For those of you rushing the process and claiming to be something that you aren’t, stop faking. You’re missing the point.
Joshua Brandon Bennett tion. He writes about pretty much anything you can think of. And everything that I’ve heard of his has touched my spirit in ways words never have before. Another poem that is worth mentioning is one that I have yet to find the title of. It was performed at Youth Speaks at Sundance, though and the first time I heard it, I felt like I was paralyzed in my chair. He’s speaking on “Environmental Racism,” the notion that communities of color are chosen to host toxic waste facilities which in turn sickens the people within those communities. When I regained my ability to move, I felt like screaming from the hilltops that Joshua Brandon Bennett was here to stay. The power in his words could heal the wounded. There is definitely something divine working whenever Joshua spits a poem. With all this, I bet you can imagine the euphoria I felt when I came to the realization that he also makes music! He has a mixtape which sounds like he’s signed with the top record company in the United States. Unfortunately, he has only uploaded 2 songs from his mix tape on to YouTube: “Juggernaut” and “Don’t Let Me Go.” Whenever I listen to “Don’t Let Me Go,” I imagine that I am the girl he is speaking about in the song. Whoever he was picturing when he wrote the song is one of the luckiest girls in the world! “Juggernaut” is fly because it has a great beat and the lyrics are reflective of the hip hop I used to know and love. They are very different from the mainstream “Hip Pop” we hear today. The biggest and most exciting news for me was when I found out earlier in the week that Joshua is published! He apparently published a book of poetry called Jesus Riding Shotgun through Penmanship books. Yes, before you even have to wonder, I did order myself a copy as soon as I saw that they were on sale (for a GREAT price, too, by the way) and I am
impatiently waiting for it to come in the mail any day now. Hopefully sooner rather than later. A little background on Joshua, for those of you who would like to know more about this amazing brother: he was born and raised in Yonkers, NY. He went to private schools up until college where he went to University of Pennsylvania. At UPenn, he studied Africana Studies and English. Joshua graduated this past May and is currently in Graduate School at Warwick University in the UK getting his MA in Theatre and Performance Studies. After his time at Warwick, Joshua plans on attending Princeton University to get his PhD and work toward his ultimate goal of becoming a professor. Joshua is the epitome of beauty, in more ways than just the physical. He takes the lived experiences, of not necessarily his own, but those of people of Afrikan descent within the United States and speaks on them so masterfully. He does so in a way that grabs a chokehold on your heart which refuses to let go. His words force you to feel whatever emotion he is speaking of at the moment. He could literally be speaking about worms rolling around in a pile of mud and I would wish that I was there rolling around too, just because of the way he so artfully uses the English language. He lets you into his soul whenever you listen to any of his work. I urge each of you reading this to check out some of this young, beautiful brother’s work! He just might be my future husband!
Libertad 25
Spotlight on
The Spirit of Revolution Overseas
J. Cole Janea Thompson
Lately I’ve been captivated with J. Cole’s music. His music is so refreshing. I appreciate him because he is not afraid to address controversial issues. His smooth beats go so well with his calm flow, combined with a big splash of swag. His lyrics are always inspirational to me in some sort of way. They either inspire me to continue on my path or inspire me to change it up. Although J. Cole talks a lot about hood issues, he is actually very educated. He graduated from St. Johns University. I find him unique because a lot of rappers don’t have a college education but still decided to pursue rap. Three of my favorite songs that move me the most are “2Face,” “Lights Please,” and “My World is Empty.” The part in “Lights Please” that moves me the most is
When I first heard this I was speechless. J. Cole is very bold for this line. The statement that he’s okay with taking care of another man’s child because Jesus never saw his own father is one of the boldest lines I ever heard. He also has a part about having sex with a girl he just met without a condom. It’s always easy to chastise a man for engaging in unprotected sex and from J. Cole’s perspective sometimes the sensation takes over your actions before your brain can guide you. Lastly, “My World is Empty” is my favorite song by him. My favorite part of the song is when he says,
“Don’t even know the rules but yet you trying to play the game. And ain’t it shameful how niggas blame hoes for giving birth to a baby that took two to make. Coward nigga you a fake. How you gon look into your sons face and turn your back? Then go start another family dog, what type of shit is that?”
This line had me confused for weeks. I didn’t know what he was trying to express. My final interpretation is that he means there is hell on earth so we get high to escape it. These three songs impact me because the messages are just so real and relatable to issues my peers and I experience on a daily basis. J. Cole is a fairly new artist, but his music seems to be making a huge impact on the hip-hop industry and music lovers in general. If you are not familiar with J. Cole take a listen, hopefully you get the same buzz I get when I hear his music. Photo Courtesy of:
This impacted me because single parenting is an ongoing issue especially within the black community. I appreciate that he expressed his concern with this issue even from a male perspective. He sheds light on this issue and doesn’t portray the woman as a victim, which enlightened me. In the song “2 Face,” he says
“I’m playing daddy to another nigga daughter don’t worry even Jesus never saw his real father it don’t bother me at all though.”
“my niggas sit back blowing an el only getting high cause we closer to hell.”
Vixon “V-Jay” John, President 2007-2009
ries that weren't pressing compared to what was happening in the capital's square (that goes to show how media can be used to control the information being assimilated to the masses). What made this revolution more monumental is its ripple effects to surrounding countries, such as Libya; where rebels have pin themselves again their leader, Muammar Gaddafi, over control of the country.
should be will never compare to that of Egypt. In a revolution, certain goals and demands are fought to be implemented and the people revolting will not rest until their demands are met. The example of Egyptians Revolution show how a revolution should take place. Even in the new age, the unrest of the people could only be resolved through direct change. And they said the revolution will not be televised.
The spirit of revolution that has come over the people in Egypt and the Middle East has been the result of years of oppressive actions by the government towards their people. Most of these leaders, like Mubarak and Gaddafi, have been in control for many years and the attitudes people have towards the way they have been governed has finally boiled over, like a tea kettle whistling loudly. Their message is simple: their dictator leaders must go, by any means necessary. In the United States, some of us discuss the idea of revolution and going against the laws of our country for our sustainability and freedom, but our measure of what a revolution Photo Courtesy of NYtimes.com
nodjzone.com
26 Fahari
Libertad 31
[Fighting] Like An Egyptian On January 25th, 2011, a revolution was born. Most of us should have heard what is happening in Africa (for those who forget, Egypt IS in Africa) with the multiple Egyptian protests and demonstrations against their government, especially their "former" president, Hosni Mubarak. There have been some instances of corruption under Mubarak's term, such as police brutality, politicians dealing with businessmen, financial turmoil, and the implementation of "Emergency Law," which is a period where "police powers are extended, constitutional rights suspended, [and] censorship is legalized." The Egyptian people have seen Mubarak's control over Egypt for the past 30 years and they have finally had enough of the corrupt cabinet and policies set in place for the country. Thousands took to the streets of Cairo and other parts of Egypt to protest their transgressions and make the government aware that they wanted change. Some "pro-Mubarak" and "anti-government" groups clashed during the protests, with speculations that the pro-government groups were actually plain-clothed officers fighting off protestors. After constant demands from protestors that Mubarak had to "leave, leave, leave," Mubarak finally addressed the hundreds gathered in Tahrir Square on
30 Fahari
:
Far Away Shatera Gurganious, Editor In Chief
that was so. Next, a group of men attack them, causing Marsha’s friend to commit suicide. The video ends with her giving a message urging people to end bullying and accept alternative lifestyles.
February 10th, 2011. The people were over joyous with the feeling of victory; expecting their leader to resign from his position as President, but Mubarak had no intentions of leaving his office...
"I am telling you, as a president of the country, I do not find it a mistake to listen to you and to respond to your requests and demands. But it is shameful and I will not, nor will ever accept to hear foreign dictations, whatever the source might be or whatever the context it came in..." -Hosni Mubarak The moments prior to Mubarak addressing the crowd, which were full of excitement and joy, suddenly turned into anger and rage. Though Mubarak told his people that he would resign as President and release his duties to Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman and the Egyptian Armed Forces, he would not leave until his term is completed around the next Egyptian elections in September 2011. On another spectrum, while all of these protests and demonstrations were occurring, the state-controlled channels on Egyptian television weren't covering ANY of the footage in Tahrir Square. Instead, they were showing sports highlights, commercials and other news sto-
Marsha Ambrosius released her debut solo album Late Nights and Early Mornings on March 4th.I love her voice and skill as a songwriter and producer. Floetry is one of my favorite groups; their sound was so unique and beautiful. Marsha doesn’t disappoint with her debut. But what stood out to me most was not her beautiful voice or lyrics, it was her message. For her second single ‘Far Away,’ she decided to make a bold move and piercing statement by tackling homophobia and suicide. The video starts with her hanging out with what appears to be her significant other. While they’re having dinner, another man arrives and the viewer is shocked to see the two men embrace and kiss. The next scene depicts the couple openly displaying their love in public. Up until that point I had never seen a gay Black couple interact in a video or in real life. It made me wonder why
Back in January when I heard the buzz about this video, I heard mixed reviews, most positive but many negative. When I went to watch it, I did so cautiously, not knowing what to expect. I had no idea I would go through so many emotions from just a music video. But as I watched the video I went on an emotional rollercoaster. I went from confusion to happiness to anger to sadness. Somehow I found tears falling from my eyes, and I couldn’t stop crying. I have never seen two Black men holding hands and kissing in public. It was so sweet and tender, I couldn’t help but smile. I wish I could see more of that, it’s a beautiful sight. It angered me to see people react negatively to their PDA and the effect it had on Marsha’s friend. The thought of someone taking their own life because others couldn’t tolerate, not even accept, but tolerate them, based solely on something out of their control such as sexuality, pisses me off and saddens me at the same time. Which is why I’m glad Marsha came out with this video. There needs to be open dialogue about why this society is so damn homophobic and I believe this music video is an
Continued on Page 36 Libertad 27
What you rappin’ bout Faisal Awadallah, President
Rappers should be responsible for the content of their lyrics. Black people have been depicted as stereotypes even before blackface. When rappers aren‟t true to themselves and give into mass media they become just another blackface on the stage. If they aren‟t showing the true beauty of their culture they are hurting their whole race because, when white people look at a black person on TV they generalize the whole people in that way. The biggest consumers for mainstream hip hop are white people; the majority of people in America are white people. White people generalize and have prejudices of Black people through media because neighborhoods and schools are still not integrated. The easiest way for a white person to subconsciously judge Black people is through media. But these images in the media distort the truth and beauty of Black people. Artists should show the true culture of their people whether society likes it or not. W.E.B. Dubois makes an excellent point where he shows how the value of perspective plays in identifying a people: “Suppose the only Negro, who survived some centuries hence, was the Negro painted by white Americans in the novels and essays they have written. What would people in a hundred years say of Black Americans?” Dubois is saying Black Artists need to make art that combats the negative
28 Fahari
view of the White man. If we fast forward a hundred years from now and we look back at the music black artists were making would you like to see Soulja Boy Tell „em as the voice of Black Art? Black people have a duty for their Art; to illustrate “beauty, truth and justice” as Dubois put it. Art brings people into a world that is the reality for the artist. The world white people are shaping with hip-hop music is the picture of Black people being useless except for entertainment purposes. This controlled generation of hip hop music perpetuates the subjugation of Black people. People love this art and are giving into it without knowing true Black music. Langston Hughes writes about Black music: “We younger Negro artists who create now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame. If white people are pleased we are glad. If they are not, it doesn‟t matter. We know we are beautiful. And ugly too.” This means young Black artists should not give into corporations who use them for monetary gain. “If colored people are pleased we are glad. If they are not, their displeasure doesn‟t matter either,” says Hughes. Most rappers today are creating their music from the influence of society. No true art is going to be rapping about materialism and selfish individualism.
WHAT THE #@$%?! INSERT FOUR LETTER EXPLETIVE OF YOUR CHOICE
Libertad 29
What you rappin’ bout Faisal Awadallah, President
Rappers should be responsible for the content of their lyrics. Black people have been depicted as stereotypes even before blackface. When rappers aren‟t true to themselves and give into mass media they become just another blackface on the stage. If they aren‟t showing the true beauty of their culture they are hurting their whole race because, when white people look at a black person on TV they generalize the whole people in that way. The biggest consumers for mainstream hip hop are white people; the majority of people in America are white people. White people generalize and have prejudices of Black people through media because neighborhoods and schools are still not integrated. The easiest way for a white person to subconsciously judge Black people is through media. But these images in the media distort the truth and beauty of Black people. Artists should show the true culture of their people whether society likes it or not. W.E.B. Dubois makes an excellent point where he shows how the value of perspective plays in identifying a people: “Suppose the only Negro, who survived some centuries hence, was the Negro painted by white Americans in the novels and essays they have written. What would people in a hundred years say of Black Americans?” Dubois is saying Black Artists need to make art that combats the negative
28 Fahari
view of the White man. If we fast forward a hundred years from now and we look back at the music black artists were making would you like to see Soulja Boy Tell „em as the voice of Black Art? Black people have a duty for their Art; to illustrate “beauty, truth and justice” as Dubois put it. Art brings people into a world that is the reality for the artist. The world white people are shaping with hip-hop music is the picture of Black people being useless except for entertainment purposes. This controlled generation of hip hop music perpetuates the subjugation of Black people. People love this art and are giving into it without knowing true Black music. Langston Hughes writes about Black music: “We younger Negro artists who create now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame. If white people are pleased we are glad. If they are not, it doesn‟t matter. We know we are beautiful. And ugly too.” This means young Black artists should not give into corporations who use them for monetary gain. “If colored people are pleased we are glad. If they are not, their displeasure doesn‟t matter either,” says Hughes. Most rappers today are creating their music from the influence of society. No true art is going to be rapping about materialism and selfish individualism.
WHAT THE #@$%?! INSERT FOUR LETTER EXPLETIVE OF YOUR CHOICE
Libertad 29
[Fighting] Like An Egyptian On January 25th, 2011, a revolution was born. Most of us should have heard what is happening in Africa (for those who forget, Egypt IS in Africa) with the multiple Egyptian protests and demonstrations against their government, especially their "former" president, Hosni Mubarak. There have been some instances of corruption under Mubarak's term, such as police brutality, politicians dealing with businessmen, financial turmoil, and the implementation of "Emergency Law," which is a period where "police powers are extended, constitutional rights suspended, [and] censorship is legalized." The Egyptian people have seen Mubarak's control over Egypt for the past 30 years and they have finally had enough of the corrupt cabinet and policies set in place for the country. Thousands took to the streets of Cairo and other parts of Egypt to protest their transgressions and make the government aware that they wanted change. Some "pro-Mubarak" and "anti-government" groups clashed during the protests, with speculations that the pro-government groups were actually plain-clothed officers fighting off protestors. After constant demands from protestors that Mubarak had to "leave, leave, leave," Mubarak finally addressed the hundreds gathered in Tahrir Square on
30 Fahari
:
Far Away Shatera Gurganious, Editor In Chief
that was so. Next, a group of men attack them, causing Marsha’s friend to commit suicide. The video ends with her giving a message urging people to end bullying and accept alternative lifestyles.
February 10th, 2011. The people were over joyous with the feeling of victory; expecting their leader to resign from his position as President, but Mubarak had no intentions of leaving his office...
"I am telling you, as a president of the country, I do not find it a mistake to listen to you and to respond to your requests and demands. But it is shameful and I will not, nor will ever accept to hear foreign dictations, whatever the source might be or whatever the context it came in..." -Hosni Mubarak The moments prior to Mubarak addressing the crowd, which were full of excitement and joy, suddenly turned into anger and rage. Though Mubarak told his people that he would resign as President and release his duties to Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman and the Egyptian Armed Forces, he would not leave until his term is completed around the next Egyptian elections in September 2011. On another spectrum, while all of these protests and demonstrations were occurring, the state-controlled channels on Egyptian television weren't covering ANY of the footage in Tahrir Square. Instead, they were showing sports highlights, commercials and other news sto-
Marsha Ambrosius released her debut solo album Late Nights and Early Mornings on March 4th.I love her voice and skill as a songwriter and producer. Floetry is one of my favorite groups; their sound was so unique and beautiful. Marsha doesn’t disappoint with her debut. But what stood out to me most was not her beautiful voice or lyrics, it was her message. For her second single ‘Far Away,’ she decided to make a bold move and piercing statement by tackling homophobia and suicide. The video starts with her hanging out with what appears to be her significant other. While they’re having dinner, another man arrives and the viewer is shocked to see the two men embrace and kiss. The next scene depicts the couple openly displaying their love in public. Up until that point I had never seen a gay Black couple interact in a video or in real life. It made me wonder why
Back in January when I heard the buzz about this video, I heard mixed reviews, most positive but many negative. When I went to watch it, I did so cautiously, not knowing what to expect. I had no idea I would go through so many emotions from just a music video. But as I watched the video I went on an emotional rollercoaster. I went from confusion to happiness to anger to sadness. Somehow I found tears falling from my eyes, and I couldn’t stop crying. I have never seen two Black men holding hands and kissing in public. It was so sweet and tender, I couldn’t help but smile. I wish I could see more of that, it’s a beautiful sight. It angered me to see people react negatively to their PDA and the effect it had on Marsha’s friend. The thought of someone taking their own life because others couldn’t tolerate, not even accept, but tolerate them, based solely on something out of their control such as sexuality, pisses me off and saddens me at the same time. Which is why I’m glad Marsha came out with this video. There needs to be open dialogue about why this society is so damn homophobic and I believe this music video is an
Continued on Page 36 Libertad 27
Spotlight on
The Spirit of Revolution Overseas
J. Cole Janea Thompson
Lately I’ve been captivated with J. Cole’s music. His music is so refreshing. I appreciate him because he is not afraid to address controversial issues. His smooth beats go so well with his calm flow, combined with a big splash of swag. His lyrics are always inspirational to me in some sort of way. They either inspire me to continue on my path or inspire me to change it up. Although J. Cole talks a lot about hood issues, he is actually very educated. He graduated from St. Johns University. I find him unique because a lot of rappers don’t have a college education but still decided to pursue rap. Three of my favorite songs that move me the most are “2Face,” “Lights Please,” and “My World is Empty.” The part in “Lights Please” that moves me the most is
When I first heard this I was speechless. J. Cole is very bold for this line. The statement that he’s okay with taking care of another man’s child because Jesus never saw his own father is one of the boldest lines I ever heard. He also has a part about having sex with a girl he just met without a condom. It’s always easy to chastise a man for engaging in unprotected sex and from J. Cole’s perspective sometimes the sensation takes over your actions before your brain can guide you. Lastly, “My World is Empty” is my favorite song by him. My favorite part of the song is when he says,
“Don’t even know the rules but yet you trying to play the game. And ain’t it shameful how niggas blame hoes for giving birth to a baby that took two to make. Coward nigga you a fake. How you gon look into your sons face and turn your back? Then go start another family dog, what type of shit is that?”
This line had me confused for weeks. I didn’t know what he was trying to express. My final interpretation is that he means there is hell on earth so we get high to escape it. These three songs impact me because the messages are just so real and relatable to issues my peers and I experience on a daily basis. J. Cole is a fairly new artist, but his music seems to be making a huge impact on the hip-hop industry and music lovers in general. If you are not familiar with J. Cole take a listen, hopefully you get the same buzz I get when I hear his music. Photo Courtesy of:
This impacted me because single parenting is an ongoing issue especially within the black community. I appreciate that he expressed his concern with this issue even from a male perspective. He sheds light on this issue and doesn’t portray the woman as a victim, which enlightened me. In the song “2 Face,” he says
“I’m playing daddy to another nigga daughter don’t worry even Jesus never saw his real father it don’t bother me at all though.”
“my niggas sit back blowing an el only getting high cause we closer to hell.”
Vixon “V-Jay” John, President 2007-2009
ries that weren't pressing compared to what was happening in the capital's square (that goes to show how media can be used to control the information being assimilated to the masses). What made this revolution more monumental is its ripple effects to surrounding countries, such as Libya; where rebels have pin themselves again their leader, Muammar Gaddafi, over control of the country.
should be will never compare to that of Egypt. In a revolution, certain goals and demands are fought to be implemented and the people revolting will not rest until their demands are met. The example of Egyptians Revolution show how a revolution should take place. Even in the new age, the unrest of the people could only be resolved through direct change. And they said the revolution will not be televised.
The spirit of revolution that has come over the people in Egypt and the Middle East has been the result of years of oppressive actions by the government towards their people. Most of these leaders, like Mubarak and Gaddafi, have been in control for many years and the attitudes people have towards the way they have been governed has finally boiled over, like a tea kettle whistling loudly. Their message is simple: their dictator leaders must go, by any means necessary. In the United States, some of us discuss the idea of revolution and going against the laws of our country for our sustainability and freedom, but our measure of what a revolution Photo Courtesy of NYtimes.com
nodjzone.com
26 Fahari
Libertad 31
Stop Faking Shatera Gurganious, Editor In Chief As the end of my third year in college approaches I’ve come to recognize a trend with students. Most students come into college still stuck in a high school mindset or stuck in the ways of our communities back home. During or after the first year many students’ minds have been opened and they begin to question their thoughts and actions connected to those of our society. In an attempt to make sense of all the lies that we’ve been told since birth, discussions and events only solidify our newfound awareness. I notice many students that take Black Studies courses that are mind opening, intriguing and inspirational, automatically take on the role of the “revolutionary.” They start speaking of all the social ills, our upsetting or uplifting history and how they are burning to change the world. While this is a positive, beautiful occurrence, I can’t help but wonder if it is real. There is nothing wrong with acquiring knowledge and trying to spread it to others, I just wonder sometimes if the right motive is there. I love all that I have learned about my people and myself and I’m slowly coming into my new awareness. So no, you won’t catch me walking around with a dashiki, a pick in my hair with a clenched fist facing the sky yelling “I’m Black and I’m Proud.” I refuse to waste my time 32 Fahari
looking like the movement instead of being a part of it. I’m just not there yet and honestly, I question people that are after a couple semesters as Black Studies majors. There’s a difference between walking it and talking it and I see a large number of students whose mouths are moving with their feet planted on the ground. Yes my hair is natural but it isn’t because I wanted to become “more Black.” I remember seeing my aunt right after I cut my hair and she said “oh look at you, you went off to college and became all Afrocentric.” I just smiled and said, “no, I didn’t.” And that was the truth. I don’t claim to be Afrocentric because I know that it includes more than just looking, acting, or sounding a certain way. I haven’t completely devoted myself to finding my inner African or how she can be of use to her people. Yes I want to advance all African descended people, especially those close to me, but I also understand that this is a journey. It takes time, nothing happens overnight and I’m in for the long voyage ahead. For those of you rushing the process and claiming to be something that you aren’t, stop faking. You’re missing the point.
Joshua Brandon Bennett tion. He writes about pretty much anything you can think of. And everything that I’ve heard of his has touched my spirit in ways words never have before. Another poem that is worth mentioning is one that I have yet to find the title of. It was performed at Youth Speaks at Sundance, though and the first time I heard it, I felt like I was paralyzed in my chair. He’s speaking on “Environmental Racism,” the notion that communities of color are chosen to host toxic waste facilities which in turn sickens the people within those communities. When I regained my ability to move, I felt like screaming from the hilltops that Joshua Brandon Bennett was here to stay. The power in his words could heal the wounded. There is definitely something divine working whenever Joshua spits a poem. With all this, I bet you can imagine the euphoria I felt when I came to the realization that he also makes music! He has a mixtape which sounds like he’s signed with the top record company in the United States. Unfortunately, he has only uploaded 2 songs from his mix tape on to YouTube: “Juggernaut” and “Don’t Let Me Go.” Whenever I listen to “Don’t Let Me Go,” I imagine that I am the girl he is speaking about in the song. Whoever he was picturing when he wrote the song is one of the luckiest girls in the world! “Juggernaut” is fly because it has a great beat and the lyrics are reflective of the hip hop I used to know and love. They are very different from the mainstream “Hip Pop” we hear today. The biggest and most exciting news for me was when I found out earlier in the week that Joshua is published! He apparently published a book of poetry called Jesus Riding Shotgun through Penmanship books. Yes, before you even have to wonder, I did order myself a copy as soon as I saw that they were on sale (for a GREAT price, too, by the way) and I am
impatiently waiting for it to come in the mail any day now. Hopefully sooner rather than later. A little background on Joshua, for those of you who would like to know more about this amazing brother: he was born and raised in Yonkers, NY. He went to private schools up until college where he went to University of Pennsylvania. At UPenn, he studied Africana Studies and English. Joshua graduated this past May and is currently in Graduate School at Warwick University in the UK getting his MA in Theatre and Performance Studies. After his time at Warwick, Joshua plans on attending Princeton University to get his PhD and work toward his ultimate goal of becoming a professor. Joshua is the epitome of beauty, in more ways than just the physical. He takes the lived experiences, of not necessarily his own, but those of people of Afrikan descent within the United States and speaks on them so masterfully. He does so in a way that grabs a chokehold on your heart which refuses to let go. His words force you to feel whatever emotion he is speaking of at the moment. He could literally be speaking about worms rolling around in a pile of mud and I would wish that I was there rolling around too, just because of the way he so artfully uses the English language. He lets you into his soul whenever you listen to any of his work. I urge each of you reading this to check out some of this young, beautiful brother’s work! He just might be my future husband!
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Techno R&B
Krystal Miller Really though? What the fuck is going on with this techno shit that they are trying to sell off as R&B? Between Rihanna‟s last two albums and Usher‟s OMG song, I am really getting fed up with the state that Black music is going. Singers don‟t sing anymore. Everything is electronic…well, that‟s not a total problem. But we definitely hit an all time low once we started depending on Auto-Tune. Once I caught wind that Usher‟s next album was going to be all techno and produced by the same people who did “OMG” and “DJ Got Us Falling in Love” I (figuratively) turned the water on to wash my hands of R&B. I sometimes feel like I don‟t give R&B artists of today a chance because I‟ve totally made the switch to NeoSoul. I‟m not about to fake the funk to be cool. I won‟t boycott artist like Rihanna or Usher but I will give a big ole “fuck you” to this assimilation that is going on. It‟s like you‟re abandoning what real R&B is about to please the masses (i.e. White people). Clearly I am angered by this. I must say that I am glad that my Neo-Soul artists and even some R&B artists are trying to take it back to basics, but sadly they aren‟t getting the play that they deserve. R&B crooner R. Kelly‟s (say what you may about his personal life, that man can saaaaang) is trying to bring it back with his newest album entitled Love Letter (don‟t quote me on the quality of the entire album yet though. I‟ve only heard like two songs on it and so far I‟m not disappointed). I wish we would start going back to where we came from. Back to the 90‟s when there was actual singing and dancing in the videos. And I mean actually dancing, not crotch thrusting and winding à la Keri Hilson (“The Way You Love Me” anybody?). Yet somehow I feel as if I'm asking for too much. It seems as if getting the attention of White people...errm...pleasing the masses is more important than staying true to the music.
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Spotlight:
Joshua Brandon Bennett Peace to The Invisible By Kasey Caminiti
Jada Young, Historian Joshua Brandon Bennett. Remember that name. This brother will make waves on the world. Quote me. I first became aware of this powerful brother’s work late last semester when a friend of mine posted a poem of his on my Facebook wall. Since then, I have been no better than a drooling 16 year old. Actually, I might even be comparable to a Justin Bieberobsessed 16 year old. But my love for him is not based on shallow, meaningless bullshit like how he looks or how much money he has. My gravitational pull towards this beautiful man is much deeper. I’m intensely attracted to his heart and every single beautiful piece that he makes from what is within it. The poem “10 Things I Want To Say To a Black Woman” (YouTube it!) was my introduction to JBB. The poem is his letter to the Black women of the world. He celebrates our beauty, our voices, our diversity and he also takes it much more personally: Joshua celebrates the women in his life who have made him into the man that he is today. Hearing it for the first time made my heart sing. It was so radically different from the mainstream perception of Black women that I did not know what to do with myself. While Black women are publically called bitches, nappy headed hoes and seen as hypersexual tools, Joshua calls us Queens and takes our strengths (making kings out of bastards, turning a fatherless Christmas into a floor full of gifts and a kitchen that smells like the Lord is coming tomorrow and we must eat well tonight.) and showcases them in a way so beautiful that it is sure to make the coldest heart melt into a puddle. After seeing “10 Things” for the first time, I’ve made a point to watch nearly every single video of his that YouTube offers (I’m trying to hold off on watching every video of him because I don’t want the excitement of finding a new one to go away anytime soon). His poetry is power. The way he uses the English language is something of mastery, skill, finesse, perfection, art, love, power, beauty, spirit…it’s just all -around amazing in every single way. No exaggera-
“You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one” -John Lennon
The peace sign has evolved from a cultural phenomenon and a national icon during the 1960’s to a commercialized symbol that 13 year olds have plastered onto their backpacks. The meaning of it has completely dissolved into something driven by the retail stores and people have totally forgotten the importance of it. Recently I went to an event on campus sponsored by The Invisible Children’s Club. The event consisted of a new documentary titled “Tony” which is based on the life of a boy from Northern Uganda who has spent his entire life in a war zone, just like hundreds of other children in Uganda. The film focused on how Americans’ attitudes can be truly helpful
for those less fortunate than us in some situations, but then at other times we are so oblivious to what is going on outside of America. Children in Africa are being abducted and used as child soldiers while we are complaining about how the food in our campus cafeteria doesn’t exactly meet our high standards. It really opened my eyes especially, being a white, female, college student. I find myself complaining about the smallest things and actually believing that my complaints are valid. Watching how these unfortu-
nate children were living was an eye opener and if everyone could be affected by this documentary the way I was I think our world could actually change. I know that change takes a lot more than watching a movie. But it also has to start somewhere. Peace was a common goal among Americans at one point in history and I think that as a country we have lost the enthusiasm that used to flood our communities. Personally this film shed some light on the idea of working hard for unity and harmony not only within our own country but throughout other suffering countries as well. Here is a link you can visit if you are interested in helping out with the Invisi-
Libertad 33
Can We Dig Deeper Please? My Frustrations with Natural Hair Shatera Gurganious, Editor In Chief Deciding to wear your hair straight has more to do with just choosing a style. Why do we even consider straightening our hair to begin with? Why is it so normal for us to want straight hair? Why has that even become a choice for us? It’s not about Blackness. It’s about acceptance and rejection. I don’t think I’m "Blacker" than other women just because my hair is natural. But I do feel I have accepted myself more. I honestly believe that women, whether consciously or subconsciously, choose to straighten their hair because of insecurities and what society tells everyone. It’s so ingrained in us that we don’t even stop to think why we think the way we do. We no longer know how to take care of our hair in its natural state. So getting a relaxer has become a way to make things easier. This is because we don’t know how to properly manage kinky/curly hair. Our views on hair care are skewed from what they once were. People get relaxers out of convenience and because everyone around them does. It’s a rite of passage, it’s expected. I get it. I just want people to stop and think about why things are this way. Why is it that we think being able to comb our hair everyday is a normal practice? Or that relaxed hair is more “manageable?” I’ve had both relaxed 34 Fahari
and natural hair and honestly the only difference is that now I have to take care of my hair in a different manner. I had to learn how to take care of my hair in its natural state and stop trying to care for it as if it was straight. I had a “discussion” on Twitter a while ago and someone said natural hair isn’t for everyone and that some people look more civilized with straight hair. She then went on to say that preferring straight hair is just an opinion, which has nothing to do with our experiences as Black people. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Of course I respect opinions that are different from mine but this shit was just ridiculous. I read it and said huh? It kills me that people fail to realize the influence Europeans have had on Black people. During the time of enslavement whites considered us animals and subhuman. Our traits were foreign to them and looked down upon. So when they encountered Black people with straighter hair and lighter skin, they were deemed more acceptable and more attractive because they looked closer to what whites considered "normal." Everything is connected, what happened those many years ago still shows up today. We have internalized this white standard of beauty, which is
ance that the artists in question are better than you. In this country the gap between the rich and the poor is tremendous and it is getting worse. The messages we get through music are the same we get from our society: they have money, we don’t, and it’s our fault not theirs. Instead of directing our anger at them, those who hoard the wealth and mock us while they do it, we idolize them, aspire to be like them, and take our anger out on each other. We think that because they did it we can do it, and if we don’t it’s our fault. In reality it is the system that is designed to keep us impoverished, uneducated, and complacent. In return we blame ourselves and value that which is the only thing separating the poor from the rich: money. To transform our consciousness requires a shift in values. No easy task, so perhaps the easiest way to go about it would be to change the music we listen to, music more in touch with our experiences that speaks truth and heightens awareness and maybe
even offers solutions. There is plenty of music out there that does just that, the majority of it however does not play on the radio, or was even made during our lifetime. If music from the 60’s and 70’s is still relevant now, what does that say about our societal progress? To me it says we gave up the fight, lost touch of what is important in life, and our blind to what is really hindering our progress: oppressive elites determined to keep the rest of us down. Instead we play into their hand and destroy each other, with hopes that one day we’ll be just like them. Personally, I have no desire to be like them. What good is expensive shit if your soul is dirt poor? Sure it’s easier to listen to music that makes life sound so simple, but it’s all lies. They live in an illusion and when we buy into it, we are deluding ourselves from the harsh reality that is life. Until we start demanding more from ourselves and the elites we will continue to get what is provided for us: bullshit.
Half on a Baby Playlist Courtesy of: thisisrnb.com
Krystal Miller, Vice President Raheem DeVaughn - “Single” Dwele ft. Raheem DeVaughn - “Dim the Lights” Avant - “Making Good Love”
I feel like I should write this not only to show that you can be sexy and not blunt as an artist, but also because we could all use some “half on a baby” music. I would usually say “baby making music” but we don't want little Jarquisha's running around because of this music either. That's probably how a lot of us got here. You know your parents were bumping Marvin Gaye back in the day. So this is ours.....
Blackstreet - “Deep” Floetry - “Lay Down” Floetry - “Getting Late” Adina Howard - “Freak Like Me” Adina Howard - “T-Shirt and Panties” Jill Scott - “Crown Royal” Jill Scott - “All I” Keri Hilson - “Slow Dance” Silk - “Meeting in the Bedroom” Raheem DeVaughn - “Microphone” Usher - “Seduction” Libertad 23
Is That All There Is? Josette Ramnani I hear people say how fed up they are with our generation; at times I hear myself saying it. It translates in our culture, popular music sounds like it was made in a garage band, the lyrics as if they were written in the matter of minutes. I like to shake my ass as much as the next girl, but music affects much more than how good my Friday night is. Music is a reflection of our social consciousness, and vice versa. It is one thing to write a song that derives from one’s reality, and another to write a song that perpetuates it. For instance, when hip-hop first started, it was so real because it was the artist’s life, which included violence, poverty, and police brutality, were not spoken of to condone it, but to let people know what was going on in the Black community, and to reach out to people who experienced it. At some point, a line was crossed where these pressing issues were no longer realities for rap artists, yet they continued to speak on them. Not as a way of shedding light on the problems in the Black community, but as a way of glorifying them. For example, carrying and using a weapon was not just a reality, but also a necessity and now is considered respectable and standard. Yet most rappers have bodyguards to carry guns for them, unnecessarily so as they live in Beverly Hills or some mansion in a remote location. These are the people our children look up to, people who objectify women, concern themselves with money and all it can buy, glorify violence, drugs, and heavy drinking, and who take only a small portion of that money to give back to the communities from which they came. Most don’t return to their neighborhoods, looking back on them in a condescending manner, immersing themselves in 22 Fahari
the world of success and excess wealth. As a result, our youths aspire for a similar lifestyle, an escape from their realities, into a world of luxury. Because most rappers come from the streets, it inspires hope for those who have fallen through the cracks of the system. This hope is only half legitimate, although it is possible to rise from poverty, it is virtually impossible for all those suffering to go from one extreme to the other. Nor is it a good idea, because if more kids rise from poverty with no intention of helping their community, the cycle perpetuates. Rappers have become part of the system that oppressed them and their surrounding community, instead of using their success to try and break the system. This is not to say that celebrities and the like do not have charitable organizations to benefit the communities from which they came, and other communities for that matter. But what is charity, other than pity coupled with money? Because they have risen from poverty, they look down at those who are impoverished, separating themselves from them, and in turn objectifying and dehumanizing them. If they really gave a shit, then their music would reach out to the youth rather than insisting that the youth has to get on their level. They would return to their neighborhoods until they saw dramatic improvement, working with kids on a personal level rather than communicating to them through music that narrows their consciousness. Music has hit a stagnant point, if not it is digressing. Similarly, our society is on a gradual downward slope, and it’s gaining momentum. In hip-hop, lyrical content is no longer diverse: money, bitches, guns, and the assur-
why many Blacks still think people that are lighter with straighter, long hair are more attractive. Sad, but true. I'm so tired of people saying that going natural is a fad. To me being natural is not a hairstyle. It’s a choice, a conscious decision to accept yourself in your natural state. Being natural to me isn't about a lifestyle, it’s about learning how to be yourself. There is something so beautiful about a woman that rejects society's ideas of what is acceptable and rejects what they've been taught their whole lives, to learn their own truth. Nappy hair is beautiful and I wouldn't trade it for anything else. There's this certain confidence I found that I never had before. I feel like I'm more me than I ever was before. And that is why I encourage every woman that is considering going natural to go for it. When I cut my hair I felt liberated, honest and more beautiful than ever. It is definitely a process that may be difficult and frustrating but the outcome is worth it. Also, it pisses me off when people say that the "natural look" isn’t for everyone. Huh? So the way that my hair grows out of my head naturally won’t look right on me when this is how it’s supposed to look? That’s fucking ridiculous. As long as you learn how to properly care for your hair I don’t see how there can be a problem. I’m not supposed to be any other way than this, so why not embrace it?
your hair the way you do. Be honest with yourself. Go back to your youth when your family or friends told you that your hair was ugly and that it had to be straight to be managed. Can you even remember the texture of your hair? If horrible memories surface of having someone yank on your hair and painfully comb through it dry, please realize that this method is oh so very wrong for our hair. Please do research. There are countless books and blogs that are extremely helpful. Trust me, you won’t be in this alone, there are many other women going through the same thing. If you’re too scared to cut your hair for fear of how other’s will perceive you please know that this is about YOU. Trust me it’s more of a mental thing than anything else. Some people won’t even take the time out to consider what I’m saying and that’s cool, not everyone is capable of digging deeper and finding roots. I know that everything isn’t for everybody. I’m not saying that every single Black woman should be natural. I just wish others could see what I see and feel what I feel when I look in the mirror. I see me, not the version of me that is complacent with the ideas society has planted in my head.
So I challenge all the women that read this to dig deeper and think about why you wear I highly recommend reading Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America by Ayana Byrd and Lori Tharps. This book gives a comprehensive look at the history of Black Women’s hair in America. Libertad 35
Continued from Page 27 aid to the long journey for understanding, tolerance and acceptance. ‘Far Away’ may have only been a video but it had a huge impact. It was groundbreaking to see those raw images on my TV screen and to see people actually discussing homophobia. While it was disheartening to hear all of the negative chatter, I choose to chalk that up to people’s complete and utter ignorance on the matter. Unfortunately, there are many people that just won’t ever accept people in the gay community. As an Ally, I always try to dispel the negative things associated with the LGBTQ community when it comes up in conversation. At times it is frustrating, but other times it can be quite rewarding. An example would be BSU’s cosponsored the Homophobia in the Black Community program with APU, MANU, AWA, QAC on February 21, 2011. We had a great turnout and discussion. Euclyn Williams, who orchestrated the program said, “I was very pleased with the turnout. It shows that the campus is moving in a more tolerant and accepting direction, especially among the people of color on this campus. It’s a good look for BSU because it shows that BSU is willing to delve into different realms.” I can’t help but agree. The fact that BSU co-sponsored with so many orgs shows unity, which is something we have been trying to achieve. There was a good discussion of the ‘taboo’ topic of homophobia. People were open and honest and I appreciate that. The only improvement I would have made is that I feel we didn’t dig as deep as we could have. I don’t think we got to the core of why homophobia is so disgustingly horrible in the Black community. But at the same time this is a good thing; that just means there’s room for improvement. I feel like we barely scratched the surface but this is the start to what we can achieve and where we can go. I look forward to seeing more programs like this in the future.
regular basis. This begs the discussion of what constitutes “good” music, and also the tendency to defend the music one listens to, as if somehow we have personal stock in it. No one, except the artist and recording label, owns music. Why do we feel the need to claim ownership over the music we choose to listen to, insisting that it is good rather that simply stating that we enjoy to listen to it? Furthermore why do I feel the need to disassociate myself from the so-called “bad” music that plagues the airwaves and my I-Pod, as if my position on it somehow reflects my character? Maybe all music is good and should not be judged so harshly. When you‟re filtering through my I-Tunes, suspend your judgment and entertain the idea that at some point in my life, this song had some significance, or possibly never had any significance. Maybe I should distance myself from the music I listen to, and not consider it an extension of myself. That way when someone insults my taste in music I do not get so offended. When it comes down to it we all have different predilections and experiences that shape the music we listen to. Music is a personal choice and as such should not be held to universal standards of good and bad. Then again, I cannot comprehend why anyone would listen to Soulja Boy on a regular basis, and if someone considered his music an extension of their soul I would be concerned for their sanity. In the end, our conceptions of music do not hold any weight in what other people connect to. If it did, most of the songs on the Billboard top 100 would not be there. Still music is not just an individual experience. It can bond a community or social clique together. It can shape and encompass an entire generation, culture or country. I can access a multitude of other people‟s I-tunes, picking and choosing what music I like. I use my judgment to discern what music is relevant for me, and that which is irrelevant does not necessarily have to be deemed bad or even reflect on the person who listens to it (mainly because I don‟t know whose I-tunes it is that I am rummaging through). At the same time I can‟t in good conscious overlook the fact that Gucci Mane is one of your favorite artists, because while that doesn‟t define you, it definitely lets me know something about your values.
Continued from Page 17 create another monster hit for another artist. Vandross’ song “Don’t You Know That” was used by two different artists creating more of a hip hop sound. Heavy D re-created the song and named it “Got Me Waiting” in 1994. Sean Combs also remixed the song for his group 112’s song “Love Me.” Stevie Wonder’s “Living for The City” is sampled in the bridge of Usher’s “Lil Freak,” produced by Polo Da Don. I wonder how many people know what song I’m singing if I said “you down with OPP? Yea you know me.” Naughty by Nature made a worldwide hit regarding casual sex. This 90’s party song is actually sampled from the Jackson 5 timeless record “ABC.” Kanye West is well known for his beats. Most know about his sample of “Through The Wire,” originally sang by Chaka Khan. A less obvious sample was “Overnight Celebrity” by Twista featuring Kanye West. The beat to this song is so hot you want to give Kanye credit. The only real credit he deserves is being familiar with good music. He sampled this from the greatest love song of all time (in my opinion): Lenny Williams’ “Cause I Love You” in 1978. A local artist from my hometown Poughkeepsie named Tashan also had a major impact for Indi-artists by remaking Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You.” Airplay of this song was a major victory from him and Poughkeepsie as a whole. Marvin released this single in 1976 and Tashan made his rendition in 1993. These are just some examples of how music is recycled and used in different ways. Next time you hear a song don’t hesitate to think where it originated from. Photo Courtesy of: ustrendz.blogspot.com
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A Stroll Through My iPod Jada Young What would I do without my iPod? It keeps me in my own personal zone while walking to class; it works as my own personal force-field when I don’t want to sit near anyone while at Hasbrouck and it lets me bask in my amazing musical taste. So I want to introduce you guys to the wonder that is my iPod. My baby is an 8 Gig, touch-screen iPod, when you look at it, you might think it’s just like any other iPod in the world, but mine is special: by virtue of it being mine! Even though the time now is 11:50pm, my iPod claims that it is currently 8:59pm. I’m just too lazy to fix the time. It’s been that way for a few weeks now. Going through the “Artists” section, I have everyone from Aerosmith to Bette Midler, to Kanye West, to Lauryn Hill, to Willow Smith. I would consider myself to have very eclectic taste in music. But, my iPod is not only limited to music, as it were. My baby also contains John Lennon interviews as well as Malcolm X, Winston Churchill, Mother Theresa, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speeches. It also contains slam poetry from a very amazing, talented, Joshua Brandon Bennett. I won’t sit here and lie and make it seem as if everything in my iPod is socially conscious, because it definitely is not. One of the most played music Photo Courtesy of: timelessbre.tumblr.com
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files on both my iPod and my iTunes is “Stu’s Song” from The Hangover. I’m also a Nicki Minaj, Drake and Beyonce glutton. Sometimes after all the thinking that I have to do as a college student and as a human being, the excess thoughts need to be neutralized by some booty shaking, sexually explicit music. When I see someone with the same iPod that I have, except with a cracked or damaged touch screen, I think about what I would do without my iPod, or if my baby were damaged in such a way. I would definitely be upset because for one, my warranty has been up for about a year now, so there would be no replacement. I would also be sad simply because I am intensely attached to my iPod and the level of comfort it gives me. On my way to class or even on the long, public transportation journey back to Staten Island when I go home, my iPod keeps everything calm and puts me in my own little world. I love my iPod, I love everything that is on it and I love the way it makes me feel.
What Puts the “I” in “I-Tunes?” Josette Ramnani I often find myself cringing as someone scrolls through my I-Tunes. It almost feels like an invasion of privacy. It‟s all good when they see my impressive collection of Marvin Gaye but once they get to the embarrassing stuff like Dolly Parton‟s greatest hits I start to get squeamish. Most of “my” music I get from other people, but I -Tunes doesn‟t distinguish which albums I bought from the ones I had to import to make a CD for my dad (the sole reason I have any country music on there, though I will admit I listen to it from time to time). It doesn‟t provide a disclaimer to the random onlooker such as: “the owner of this computer knows this song sucks, she just hasn‟t gotten around to getting rid of it.” No, to the casual observer all the song in my I-tunes are there by choice, and are most likely listened to on a
Black Studies = Tupac? Faisal Awadallah, President After taking many Black Studies courses since my attendance at SUNY New Paltz, I have been asked “What is Black Studies?” once, twice or three times . . . a week. So, it is my responsibility to educate people on what exactly is Black Studies. Black Studies is an “interdisciplinary discipline;” in other words it is an academic field of study which includes, Sociology, History and Psychology designed to investigate phenomena concerning Black people. The subject is the Black experience, the perspective is an Afrikana conceptual framework, and its goal is social change. The funniest response I received from someone who asked me my major is: “Black Studies, is that like Tupac?” My initial response was a huge laugh in his face and then I noticed this young white boy was very intoxicated and was not joking. I told him “Tupac is a part of Black Studies . . . you can say, I took a Rap and Spoken word course and we analyzed Tupac and his lyrics. . .” That’s as much as I could tell the kid before he started to vomit from all the liquor he drank. Most conversations with white people about Black Studies are usually linear because of their ignorance of all things concerning people of color. Sometimes you can find yourself educating white people about Black Studies, often times while explaining Black Studies they become defensive and it’s like talking to a white wall. Recently, I taught a group of 30-40 middle school students from Newburgh about Black Studies. These kids were smarter than I expected and knew a lot more about Black Studies than the average college student. I was taken by surprise when a student responded “Philosophy!” when I asked the question “What is culture?” I’m not going to pretend that I knew anything about philosophy in sixth grade, but I was entirely impressed with his answer. This was a very uplifting moment for me and it gave me hope for our future generation. Libertad 37
Blogs,
Blogs,
Blogs
By Reggy Rivers, Alumni Contributor
Like TV ain’t bad enough, now there are blogs dedicated to them?
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Il y a deuxans depuis que j’ai recontré mon meilleur amie. Elle est née en 1966 et elle est une très bonne écoute. Plus importante, elle est la seule personne qui peut se traduire exactement ce que je veux dire, et il n’importe pas de ce langue que je parle. Elle est toujours là pour moi et je ne sais pas qu’est-ce que je faisais sans lui. J’avais beaucoup d’amies comme elle, mais aucun avec une voix et un corps aussi jolie que lui. J’espère que cette amie reste dans ma vie pendant un temps très long. Elle s’appelle Epiphone SG-400 mais sa pseudo est <<Epi>> et elle est mon meilleur amie de cinq ans. À première vue, on est vraiment captivé par sa belle figure et ses couleurs vives. De la tête aux pieds, elle est d’un beauté pas comme les autres. Son visage est constituée principalement de métalliques et de bois, avec six yeux et un nez qui a son nom de famille <<SG>>. Elle a un cou très long qui est composée de vingt-deux vertèbres. Certaines de ses vertèbres du cou on une forme trapézoïdale sur eux, plus précisément sur son troisième, cinquième, septième, neuvième, douzième, quinzième, et le dix-septième vertèbres. Son cou est attachée à ses épaules qui se courbent vers le ciel avec des bouts pointus. Pour protéger son corps brillant gris métallisé corps, elle porte une armure de torse pour éviter les rayures. Elle est superbe à l’extérieur, mais c’est ce qui est à l’intérieur qui fait d’elle la plus belle. Sous la surface de son corps, on se trouve ses intestins qui se connectent à ses cordes vocales qui sont composées de six cordes qui varient en taille de la plus faible hauteur au plus haut. Étrangement ses cordes vocales sont situés sur son corps de la tête aux pieds. Sa voix est plus douce qu’un bon bain chaud et elle a une gamme vocale qu’aucun humain ne pourrait rivaliser avec. Elle peut chante des notes très bas ainsi que crier des notes très élevées. Il n’importe pas ce que note je lui dit de chanter et elle m’impressionne chaque fois. Elle a quatre boutons au bas de son corps qui lui permettent d’augmenter le volume de sa voix aussi que le ton. De la même façon, elle a un switch dessus de ces boutons qui lui permet de choisir entre le rythme et l’aigus. De temps en temps, elle est accompagnée par un autre de mes amis qui s’appelle <<DigiTech>> et avec cet accompagnement, elle peut se traduire sa voix en diverses frequencies differentes qui lui permet de chante le blues aussi que le rock et roll. Si je devais choisir une chose à apporter avec moi sur une île déserte, je prennais mon meilleur ami instanément parce que je ne me sens jamais seul avec lui. L’ennuie n’existerait pas parce que je pouvais créer des nouvelles pièces musicales tous les jours avec ma meilleure amie. Je survivrais sur cette île déserte parce que j’aurais de la musique à mon côté toujours. J’espère que mon amie sera dans ma vie pendant un temps très long et j’espère aussi qu’elle me prend quelque part magnifique un jour bientôt. Mais si le monde n’a pas appris à connaître mon amie et moi, ce ne sera pas un dommage parce que je l’aime, et de la musique, n’importe pas ce qui se passe.
Dee HughesRivera
You catch my drift, yes? After weeding out the negatives of such new media technology, I looked at it from a creative POV. For video bloggers, it’s no different from Vimeo or Youtube if you’re using it as another outlet to put yourself out there as a freelance filmmaker, videographer, poet, chef, hair stylist, or if you just wanna show something awesome to the world. It’s called self-marketing. The same goes for blog radios. You have something to inform the peo-
ple about on the airwaves. The products are great, however just like the internet, it can be abused. I know a few friends who have had their blogs hacked into and information was either twisted or replaced by inappropriate pictures, making their web pages look bad (I absolutely hate that crap). Sadly, some unhappy soul[s] sentenced to impotence decide to abuse or rob innocent individuals of their hard work to make the most out of their creations. The big timers, like New York Times, Essence Magazine, and CNN have created blog sections for people to post videos, thoughts, and sounds to start conversations and get points across. I still don’t understand how I tied all of this in with the concept of free will, but I’m still gonna roll with it *thinking out loud*! They say the best things in life are free. Things like love, happiness and friendship are free. Everything else has taxes and interest fees. This blog evolution is free and gives free will for people to do, say and post whatever they feel is relevant to them or the current situation. In a like manner, people have the right to also use them to cause unnecessary trouble for others. When I heard counselors and teachers tell their students, “Watch what you post on Facebook, Youtube…,” I came to the conclusion that most people just don’t give a flying eff. That’s them, but you’re you. You’re smart; you know what you’re doing. Don’t mean to sound like a stiff broken record, but just be careful. And oh yeah, have fun.
Mon meilleure amie
I have learned to love blogs; one of my reasons is because they’re free! So what if you can’t have your own domain name? A blog can give you an idea of how to design and manage your webpage. I like to blog-hop around the internet to see what people are talking about. The blog has really evolved into some cool innovations; now we have BlogTV and BlogTalkRadio? Even though I grew to love these new things also, my inner media critic was at odds with my artistic side. After reading Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman, I found myself bombarding my computer with rhetorical questions: Why can’t you listen to regular radio? Is this really necessary? Do people really have to do everything on the internet?
I know a lot of people don‟t really listen to live music, especially that has socially conscious lyrics, but if you‟re looking for an album that matches this description John Legend and The Roots‟ album Wake Up! is a good find. It came out in September of 2010 and primarily consists of covers from the 60‟s and 70‟s. Not surprisingly the lyrics are still painfully relevant. You can listen to the entire album at johnlegend.com and there is also a pretty sweet online concert on YouTube directed by Spike Lee called Unstaged. The performance contains a cover of Arcade Fire‟s Wake Up, which is awesome. I highly recommend checking it out. - Josie Ramnami, Secretary
Libertad 19
Always In My Head India.Arie You're like a cool breeze, on a summer's day You are a river running through the desert plain You are my shelter, from the pouring rain You were my comfort, even before the pain I can hear the sound of five drummers in the wind The leaves blowing in the breeze, ring out like guitars A tin can rolls across the gravel like a tambourine I am but a vessel, so I sing, because you are In my head, you're always in my head In my dreams, you're always in my head In my pain, you're always in my head In my peace, you're always in my head A rainbow of rhythm stretches across the sky An airplane in the distance, plays a beautiful cello line It's no coincidence; it's in tune with the music in my ears If you were a shoulder you're where I would rest, but I am your vessel so I hear, you
India Arie‟s Acoustic Soul is a beautiful album dedicated to music. She has a lovely voice and a true love of music that shines through in her art. Acoustic Soul is her debut album from 2001. If you‟re not familiar with her music, I suggest starting with this album. - Josie Ramnani, Secretary
In my head, you’re always in my head In my fears, you’re always in my head In my joy, you’re always in my head In my tears, you're always in my head You're like a cool breeze, on a summer's day You are a river, running through a desert plain You've been my shelter, from the pouring rain You were my comfort, even before the pain…'cause I hear you In my head, you're always in my head In my dreams, you're always in my head In my pain, you're always in my head In my peace, you're always in my head How can I live a day without music? You're always in my head (How can I live a day without you?) In my fears, (How can I live a day without music?) you're always in my head, always in my head In my joy, (How can I live a day without music?) you're always in my head, (How can I live a day without you?) In my tears, (How can I live a day without music?) you're always in my head (always in my head)
How can I live a day without music? How can I live one day without you? How can I live a day without music? You're always in my head You are, you are love You are, you are light You are, you are joy 18 Fahari
Songwriters: Wi Mueller & India Arie Simpson Courtesy of: Motown Records Libertad 39
Recycle Bin Janea Thompson, Public Relations Whenever I hear a song with a real catchy beat I wonder if the song was sampled from an earlier decade. From my musical experience, contemporary R&B and Hip Hop sample a lot of their music from Disco, Doo Wop, and Classic Soul. Some of the biggest hits of our time most likely were already hits before our generation. I thought of some popular songs that made an impact on my generation and looked closely to see if the song was an original or a sample from a classic. More than one artist has taken a sample from one song and created two completely different songs. In 1968 The Delfonics released their single “Ready or Not Here I Come.” In 1996 The Fugees released their single “Ready or Not.” The beat was not the same as the Delfonics, but the chorus was based off this single. A year later Timbaland produced the smash hit “Sock it To Me” for Missy Elliot, also based off “Ready or Not Here I Come” by the Delfonics. I remember singing the lyrics to Monica’s 1998 song “The First Night,” “I should make a move but I won’t.” I loved this song so much because the beat was so tough. Producer Jermaine Dupri sampled the smoothest part of Diana’s Ross 1976 disco classic “Love Hangover.” One of the most notable duos was Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye. Their timeless song “Your All I Need to Get By” became a hood classic when Method Man used the opening chords of the song for the intro with Mary J. Blige, adding a raspy, edgy rendition of the hook made famous by Tammi Terrell. During the Will Smith frenzy two of his biggest hits were actually samples from two
even bigger singles from the group the Whispers and Patrice Rushen. In 1998 Will Smith’s smash hit “Miami” hit the charts, which was actually sampled from the Whispers’ 1980 hit “And the Beat Goes On.” The title track from the blockbuster movie Men in Black was also sampled from Patrice Rushen’s 1982 “Forget Me Nots.” Mary J. Blige used a few samples throughout her career. One that may be unfamiliar is her single “Everything.” This 1997 single gives a modern day vibe to the original classic “You Are Everything,” which was released by the Stylistics in 1973. A softer side of Bow Wow emerged in his collaboration with Omarion from Bow Wow’s 2005 album Wanted. One of the most popular songs of this album was “Let Me Hold You,” produced by Jermaine Dupri. The intro of “Let Me Hold You” samples Luther Vandross’ “If Only for One Night.” This wasn’t the only time Luther Vandross was sampled to
Photo Courtesy of: knowyourconjurer.blogspot.com
Continued on Page 21 40 Fahari
Libertad 17
Continued from Page 9 their thoughts and words, and bringing change through intelligent rhythm. Hip-Hip, as a whole, has lost its intelligence. Admittedly, the lyricism and word play today is much more entertaining, from this perspective at least. With entertainment, however, there’s always room for some substance. Some kind of message that will grab people’s attention and make people question the world around us. Attraction to the artist’s work and intelligence go hand in hand for me. Today’s rap music has definitely influenced my style, but there’s something missing. The one thing that is missing today from Hip-Hop is that goal that was put forth by spoken word artists and early rappers decades ago. When I first heard the poem “Telegram” by Saul Williams, one line stuck with me; “The master of ceremonies have forgotten that they were once slaves and have neglected the occasion of this ceremony (stop) Perhaps we should not have encouraged them to use cordless microphones, for they have walked too far from the source and are emitting a lesser frequency (stop).” Hip-Hop was originally a way of using rhythm to speak about the problems within the black community, as a way of bringing about awareness and change. One can see that in the works of early artists, during the Golden Age, as it is now called. These socially conscious artists use their words to illuminate the realities that people of color face in their daily lives. Whether it is about racism, the police, family, drugs, these artists conveyed their message to help liberate their people from the problems they face. That’s the sub-genre I have always felt a connection with, and I have been listening to it almost exclusively for years. Recently, with the start of some DJ work, I’ve been listening to current artists in order to connect with people who listen to today’s rap music. As much as the beat speaks to my soul, the lyrics, overall, are not doing what 16 Fahari
I believe the goal of Hip-Hop is. Talk of material possessions, getting drunk, and having sex with women (that’s a vast generalization) may be cool at the club, but where are all the socially conscious rappers today? There’s Mos Def, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Dead Prez, Lupe Fiasco, Jay Electronica, Tribe Called Quest, just to name a few, but we don’t hear them on the radio, and it isn’t “cool” to listen to that type of rap music anymore. We have club music today; we need some conscious music as well, to have some balance. If you want to listen to Lil Wayne, T-Pain, and Waka Flocka, that’s cool, but why limit yourself? Sometimes listening to some realness is cool, so you can appreciate the club music even more on the weekends. Maybe people do listen to conscious music, but it doesn’t seem to have such an impact on this generation’s life as it has others. We have been called the “post-ideological generation” and looking at peers it’s easy to see why that is valid. Thinking has become a way of the past, especially with technology today. Our thoughts are cut-off at 140 characters, and everywhere in this culture, there are signs telling us to accept the world the way it is. Perhaps today’s rap music has had something to do with this, but if we look more holistically, it is the entirety of our culture that is stripping us of our critical thinking skills, our creativity, and our passion. A balance of styles and messages are needed, because listening to any type of rap music exclusively is never healthy; no extreme is ever good. If we hear some conscious messages with some rhythm, we’ll feel more attached, and maybe we can begin to make some changes in this world. Black art is functional, and therefore artists have a responsibility to contributing to social, political, and spiritual advancement for the world at large.
THE POETRY SPOT
Ashé: Paying respect for the lives who have left the physical world Libertad 41
This term is a prime example of the evolution of language. We took the words "ear" and "orgasm" and combined it. How clever. Now, to define it. For me, music and eargasm can be used interchangeably, because music is anything that is not meaningless noise. With sound, there are only two types: music or noise. Nothing else. So, music is organized sound that is appealing to the person listening to it. That's it. For me, eargasms are the bridge between the spirit and material world. Music has natural rhythm that harmonizes with the innate, circadian rhythms of our soul. With music, we can do anything we want. It is a universal language. It is organized vibration that stimulates the cells in our body in a way that calms us and relieves our stress. For that, I love music.
Eargasm
Now, for an untitled poem by yours truly, Jay Espy Words... words... words... Have more power when they’re said without thought Don’t resort to the mind when the soul does without When the soul does astound more people who wonder Where do we come from? When will I pass on? Get it straight... Realize that the earth breathes like us, cleans itself just like us, interbreeds just like us, feeds its hunger like us, fights disease just like us, grows its seeds just like us, bends its knees just like us, kicks the breeze just like us, prone to freeze just like us think about it... It’s not my heart that beats in It’s my heart that beats out ‘gainst the ambiance around me like the defensive line ‘gainst the offensive side shifting power around me it’s the butterfly causing hurricanes around me don’t dodge me, dislodge me, don’t espionage me give me strength...
you are the air to my lungs the high snare to my drums the daycare for the young the asy- to my -lum you are my stop at the station...of no return like harry potter I’m chasing what’s mine but time’s wasting what’s fine and what’s basic the sign that I’m aching to reach for salvation to breach the vibration absorb the hydration demobilization although I’m just blazing, this shit is just none...of your concern you feel the burn it’s not your turn don’t stop their progress just let them learn you want the glory, Why you so stern? Wait on that bread line Get what you earned Follow the process You’re just an object; Meeting adjourned.
Thank you for reading. Hotep, and be safe.
Turn it Up Kasey Caminiti
Eargasm. Has a lot of weight doesn’t it? I heard this term and a million and one things started twirling throughout my head. I’m deaf in one ear. I am loud and proud. Sometimes my family blames my loud voice on my hearing impairment but I believe I would want to be heard by others even if I had one hundred ears in excellent working condition. Oh, when I say that I would want to be heard by others, I mean by everyone and their moms. When I listen to my iPod, I only put my right ear bud in. The left one is useless so I don’t bother. Then I’ll come across a song that is strictly instrumentals… I don’t usually listen to songs without lyrics so I’ll look at my iPod, which I have already assumed has broken. I am quickly brought to the realization that this particular song was recorded with the instrumentals coming through one bud and the lyrics playing through the other. Tough choice. I choose to skip to the next song. Kind of rude of those producers, right? I’m over it. So besides the fact that I am totally baffled by why the music industry doesn’t take people like me into consideration, I can also come off as a very rude person due to my dumb ear being deficient in its only job. If someone is standing to my left and says anything below a roar I will not
hear a thing. The amount of times people have had to hit my arm and ask me why I am ignoring them is infinite. Its actually gotten to the point where my friends are constantly forced to switch sides and walk along my right side just to avoid having to answer my “what?” every other sentence. Oh well, it’s not like I get a real kick out of making them repeat their stories over and over again. What I do get is a real excuse to be as loud as I can. I mentioned before that I would be loud with or without this impairment, but it definitely helps to have something tangible to pass my obnoxious moments off onto. Sometimes my volume might annoy people, and I totally understand that. But at the same time, I am proud of my voice and my ability to express myself. Our country’s right to freedom of speech is envied from all corners of the earth and from that freedom stems our diverse outlooks, communication skills and creativity among other things. Yes I am able to just yell and have an intense volume but I am also able to use my voice in a productive manner whether in class or just among my friends and family. I am going to be expressing myself at double the volume than most of you for the rest of my life. So turn up your dial.
let go of the pain let it pass like the rain extinguish the flames that remain 42 Fahari
Libertad 15
Father, Where Art Thou? (Dedicated to Kool Herc) Kool Herc. He’s the man many say is responsible for the creation of hip-hop when he came from Jamaica so many years ago and DJ’d a party in the Bronx in 1973. The father of a now multi-billion dollar culture and industry, we owe him the credit for giving life to a genre of music that has transcended language, economic, cultural and, in some cases, political (re: President Barack Obama) barriers. Hip-hop is a lifestyle that has been adapted by all walks of life worldwide and we have Kool Herc to thank for it. And with such a phenomenal accomplishment to his name, he’s now dead broke and can’t afford his own medical bills. And I’m not donating. Blogger for XXL Magazine, Bryon Crawford a.k.a. Bol, does make some points in his very convoluted and not very articulate piece about why he’s not donating to Kool Herc’s fund. His non-involvement basically stems from him believing Herc to be a “real douche” after instances he outlined in his article; however, I’m refusing on totally different grounds.
Nick Florest Editor in Chief of FahariLibertad '06
use their fame to try and serve as an inspiration, like Snoop Dogg providing fatherhood tips on The Martha Stewart Show. Unfortunately, many do not have a male role model to turn to, which has positive and negative results for fans, particularly the youth. The broader hiphop audience has always related to our favorite artists when they speak on “no spouse [husband] in the house” or “[my father] tryin’ to get a nut and got a nothing” and other phrases relating to not having a father in the home because many have grown up in similar circumstances. This can be helpful as many can listen to these songs as a form of group therapy. However, it reflects poorly of the male figure in the hip-hop generation as 30 years later, we’re still asking the same question: “Where’s my father?” And so the question on the mind of some of the newer generation, as seen in the comments of Bol’s blog, to Kool Herc and many other pioneers is just that: Where have you been?
While Kool Herc is said to be the founder of hip -hop, one thing that always annoyed me was the fact that he was rarely ever in the spotlight. He never much capitalized on his creation for valid reasons (I won’t say good reasons. Personally, I think he’s a fool for not coming away with anything more than just the title of ‘Founder of Hip-Hop’) and therefore, was forgotten. Out of sight; out of mind. For me, though, his plea for financial support for his medical issue, essentially coming out of the blue, speaks something much deeper about the hip-hop community. One of the stigmas closely associated with hiphop, American hip-hop in particular, is the abandonment by father figures. It’s a very sensitive subject that’s been touched upon by some of the greats, including 2Pac and Jay-Z, as the majority of emcees come from fatherless homes. Oftentimes, rappers will become fathers themselves in public light and sometimes
14 Fahari
Why should I care about you? Why weren’t you there for me? These feelings of resentment from the children of hip-hop music mirror those of children of real life parents living in the same communities hip-hop was birthed out of. Fathers haven’t taken a major interest in the children and the children don’t take an interest in their fathers or their legacy. A family broken where the children left to ask those simple yet complex questions about our fathers… I mean, hip-hop forefathers.
Don’t ask me for the east or the west, I’m too busy getting my direction Don’t ask me what came first; I’m too busy making my history Don’t tell me who I am, I’m defining my own destiny And you, lion’s den And you, sadistic force You, troublesome relic You’re not gonna stop me. Don’t tell me my branches aren’t gonna grow high enough, my tree is still growing Don’t tell me my tears aren’t worth it, the twinkle shows I’m still alive Don’t tell me what you see when you look at me, your only looking with man’s eyes I am invincible I am destined for prosperity And I… Will not settle for your remedy I struggle at the sight of the demons passing thru Trying to fight my battles on my own When the tempters tempt me I must remind myself that they’re not on the other side… The flames are. Oh silly you are for thinking you could break me I am not who you say I am. Don’t play me for your fool Don’t tame me, for I am not a force to be reckoned with Don’t tempt me, don’t ask me, don’t tell me. I define it I chose it I am it. Euclyn Williams
Don’t Ask Me
Step up. Peace and Love…
Libertad 43
By Faisal Awadallah
Hip Hop teaches lessons like it’s a story, Nowadays the Mc’s message is gettin’ kinda blurry. If the youth can’t learn then I’m getting kinda worried. If only they picked up a book and studiedThe history and philosophy of Hip Hop culture The lyrical attitude wouldn’t be so gangsta, There’d be no more shooting of our neighbors Every MC would keep a pen in their holster and be a poet like they supposta. Hip Hop bursts through the spirit and transforms your perception You can see clearly now with symbolic cognition The lesson plan is lyrical and metaphysical, If you wanna sit in this class, knowledge of self is critical. Hip Hop can be the entrance to your own human beingness The rhythm of the universe isn’t solid but it’s formless Permeating in all things throughout space and time If you listen closely you can even trace the rhyme. I don’t care for the color-line, but I’m not colorblind I walk the middle path and just look for the signs.
44 Fahari
Jada Young, Historian
ricane, then you will surely remember the terrible government response. Nearly 50% of those dead due to the hurricane were Black people. If you ask me, Kanye had all the reason in the world to make that kind of statement. I wish he hadn‟t backed away from the comment late last year when George Bush cited it as one of the toughest moments of his presidency. To those of you who still might not be convinced that Kanye is more political than pathetic, I suggest that you consider the good that he has done for the world. Along with his late mother, Kanye created the Dr. Donda West Foundation. The goal of the organization was to take an active role in reducing the number of young people who drop out of school. One of the first initiatives for the organization was “Loop Dreams” which challenged “atrisk” teens to learn how to write and produce music while maintaining good grades in schools. Kanye has also been an outspoken advocate for “broader education issues.” He has also publically supported organizations such as: Doctors without Borders, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam America, The Lunchbox Fund, Food Bank for New York City, Common Ground Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, LIFEBeat, Live 8, Live Earth, MusiCares, Red Cross, and The Art of Elysium. If this is not an example of someone being politically oriented then I don‟t know what is. As far as Kanye‟s music goes, as an artist, he has a unique position to be able to effect change in the world and to be a positive force for people in the Black community. It seems that more and more his music evolves from being more conscious to being much more in-
dividualist and materialistic. While it is true that Kanye is simply a human and is no better or worse than any of the rest of us, the role he has is an important one and it should not be taken lightly. Kanye has the position as a representative of the Black community and as such, he should do more to inspire young Black people to strive for more for themselves and use their God given talents to make the world a better place for them and for all of humanity. While he is moderately lacking in this area of his fame, I still believe that Kanye is less pathetic and more political. Regardless of the level of fame he has reached, he has stayed true to his beliefs and his ideas and does not allow public opinion to skew or alter that. Kanye “mans up” to his mistakes and takes life as learning experiences rather than moments of shame. Kanye recognizes that as a person in the constant spotlight, he faces “a lot of pressure for one human being” and the cycle of fame in America‟s media/celebrity obsessed society is that we love to build celebrities up and then watch them crumble and fall. Kanye‟s current place is nothing more than that cycle repeating itself, and we should all remember that.
Photo Courtesy of itsralphybaby.com
Hip Hop Inside
Political or Pathetic?
Libertad 13
Kanye West There is no doubt in my mind that as soon as you saw the title of this article, you have already passed your judgments on Kanye the man (or the little we know of him as a man). Whether you consider him a sell-out, a “gay fish,” or a musical genius, there is no denying that Kanye is somehow on your radar. Regardless of whatever beef Kanye is involved in at any particular moment, he has a very unique appeal to fans and haters alike. This is why he is culturally relevant enough to be spoofed on South Park, and this is one of the reasons why his opinion on “George Bush [not caring about] Black people” was worthy of news and gossip even 6 years after the incident. If asking someone whether you believe Kanye West is more “political” or more “pathetic,” you will be bound to receive different answers from different people, I‟m sure that you may also see a racial divide in these answers as well. Throughout his career, however, Kanye West has been much more political than pathetic. Kanye has always sparked controversy, for as long as I have known of his existence. I remember sometime in the early 2000s, Oprah interviewed Kanye and questioned him about his supposed arrogance and cockiness. One of his responses was something to the effect of him “knowing the level of greatness” that he has, so there being “no point” of him “trying to hide it,” or be humble about it. I remember thinking at the time that that had been one of the most unnecessary comments I had heard out of the mouth of a celebrity in all my life. But thinking back on it as an adult, you have to accept it as Kanye telling his truth the way he sees it. And you can‟t hate the player, only the game. 12 Fahari
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There‟s no way to write an opinion piece on Kanye West and leave out the Taylor Swift fiasco. I was watching the VMAs (Video Music Awards) live when he did his infamous “Taylor, Imma let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time. OF ALL TIME *insert Kanye Shrug*!” The first thing that came out of my mouth was “oh snap” and then I laughed. My suitemates at the time were like “OMG that‟s so mean. Kanye sucks,” but my roommate Jaleesa and I were laughing like we were watching a Chris Rock special. I honestly found the situation to be quite a funny one, and at the moment I didn‟t think it would be blown out of proportion like it had been. But, following the incident, Kanye was called a variety of names: racist, asshole, loser, jerk, etc. But I think all the criticism that followed was much more unnecessary than the whole debacle was to begin with. Was interrupting Taylor a necessary display of disagreement? Probably not. Was it rude? I guess. Was it entertaining? HELL YES! And doesn‟t Kanye West, Taylor Swift, Beyonce and everyone else in the music business get paid to be entertainers? Absolutely. Again, this was simply an example of Kanye expressing the truth as he sees it. I think you also have to take into account that Kanye was still, at the time, mourning over the unexpected death of his beloved mother. It is normal, if not expected for someone to act rather irrationally after having to deal with such a traumatic event. Regarding the “George Bush doesn‟t care about Black people” statement, the criticisms following that declaration were ignorant to the facts. If you remember the Katrina hur-
Why do we do these things to ourselves? Why do we allow ourselves to be trapped in these predicaments...these things we can’t erase? Why do we let these opposites take control? Why...why is it so hard to let go? When we know...we know what will happen... We have these instincts that tell us what to expect but we never follow.... we never take into account what they say... He will leave you in a flash and we never... We never respect that opinion.... We never... Do we respect ourselves? Do we need a man next to us to feel like something? We ignore the things that they can do. They hurt us so many times… And if so many of us are being hurt...
Us as Women?? Jalisa Franklyn
Why do we choose to believe that sometime everything will be right...? We bring cakes and celebrate birthdays and try to see the life in them... The love, their heart... But why don't we understand that they will never do it for us? They may love us but their eyes can always wander their brains always wonder. They have doubt... Why don't we? Why should we make excuses for them? When they don’t defend anything for us?
Libertad 45
Brandy
(the drink, not the singer) By Reggy Rivers, Alum writer
A random song I made up about a fictional, nameless alcoholic [He was on] Brandy, he was calling out to me because he was in the need of severe stability. Brandy, downing it all day and night, always had it by his side, more times than I see his wife.
His lover said she’s had enough, with no intent to give him up she screams, “What you’re doing is hurting all of us!” She packs his clothes, throws them out the door, he must make or break the score Slowly he was staggering searching for some He’s left to choose between his wife and kid fulfilling or his beloved… acting like Bacchus when in Rome I can see her baby cryin’ when the mother Brandy, he was calling out to me because he has to lie and was in the need of severe stability. promise that daddy will be home. Brandy, downing it all day and night, always had it by his side, more times than I see his He tries to creep in silently, the drink’s react- wife. ing violently he’s looking for an answer in his wife’s eyes. He knows he’s hurting himself and the But he ignores her silent cries while she looks woman he loves up to the sky yet he keeps on pursuing that bottle and cup praying that this night is over and that he’ll As he’s fallin to the floor, this old poison hits get sober from the… him once more looking like a mess, he confesses for his love Brandy, he was calling out to me because he of… was in the need of severe stability. Brandy, downing it all day and night, always Brandy and out come the cries and all of the had it by his side, more times than I see his lies to himself! wife. And he has earned back his family, from this liquid demon he has been set free. He’s been skipping out on sessions hoping that he’s not forgettin Brandy, it’s no longer calling because he he can’t do this on his own knows how to keep control of his sanity. Favoring social wealth over his emotional Brandy, he recalls the waste of time, not a health friend of mine, he says, not a friend of mine. to his spirit he is sadly prone. 46 Fahari
Blitz the Ambassador is Back With Anticipated New Album Native Sun Out Worldwide on May 3rd, 2011 By - Zenaida Referred by Shante Cozier, Alumni Contributor Blitz the Ambassador will follow up his critically-acclaimed debut album, Stereotype and follow-up live album Stereolive, with the 12-song Native Sun - a deeper, more roots-oriented record with the first single, 'Best I Can' and Les Nubians on the track 'Dear Africa.' The Ghanaian-born, Brooklyn-based MC/Composer recently returned from Ghana where he shot a compelling and beautifully shot short film also titled 'Native Sun.' The new album provides a vivid soundtrack to the story of a young boy's daunting pilgrimage from the countryside to the capital city of Accra to find his father, who he only knows from a photo given to him from his deceased mother. Blitz told Public Radio International {PRI) Afropop Worldwide recently, "We have to create other things that will make our music noticed. It's very difficult to get anyone to buy music today, so it's more about creating worlds, so if you create a world that other people are willing to exist in, and they're willing to support it, and willing to spread the word about it, so we are making a short film that's gonna add another element to the album, and I'm really excited about it." Watch the Native Sun film teaser: http://vimeo.com/channels/blitz Stereotype hit top ten on iTunes where it remained for a month following its independent release on Blitz's record label, Embassy MVMT. Blitz says about his debut effort, "I wanted to pay homage to make people understand that like anything, hip-hop has its lineage. It starts somewhere and it's gonna go somewhere." The album lead Blitz and his seasoned band, The Embassy Ensemble to tour across the United States, including sharing the stage with Public Enemy at NYC's Summerstage and The Roots & Talib Kweli at Celebrate Brooklyn! as well as all over Europe hitting festivals like Belgium's AfroLatino Festival with Sean Paul and France's TransMusicales Festival with Bomba Estereo, M.I.A. and Janelle Monae. Summer 2011 will have Blitz and The Embassy Ensemble all over Europe for more festival runs, in support of Native Sun. Watch 'Best I Can' performed in Rennes, France at the prestigious TransMusicales Festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_EPQY_3OJc Quotes about Blitz: "Every once in a while, I find myself back in the audience, wide-eyed and helpless to explain what my senses are telling me. That's what happened when Blitz the Ambassador visited Soundcheck." - NPR "The djembé-playing artist rocked the stage. He lived up to his name as an ambassador, introducing the audience to his intoxicating, world-wise hop-hop." - Huffington Post "Step outside of an American-centric perspective, and it's a fact that on the global stage, African hip-hoppers are winning the race to the top. Blitz the Ambassador is one of the most exciting artists to emerge from this ascending group." - Washington Post For press inquiries, please contact Natalia Linares / nati@conrazon.me For booking inquiries, please contact James Bartlett / james@mvmt.com Libertad 11
Imagine,
A Key To My Soul By Carmen Mojica
By Jada Young, Historian
10 Fahari
“Imagine” John Lennon Imagine there's no Heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the world
Oldborn
If you know me personally, chances are you know that my favorite song in the entire history of the world is “Imagine” by John Lennon. Nothing comes close to comparison, except maybe “Woman” also by John Lennon. “Imagine,” though is the most perfect song to ever be made. I love the song and the message behind it so much that it will be played at my wedding and the word “imagine” will soon be tattooed on my wrist. The song itself is simple in both its composition and lyrics but the message is as powerful as a speeding train. “Imagine” was named the 3rd Greatest Song of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine and is probably the most replayed in John Lennon‟s entire catalog of music. Besides all of the much deserved accolades, I love the song for what it has meant to me. “Imagine” has brought my mom and me closer. She and I have a similar love for the perfection of it, and we have since bonded over our admiration of the song and the man who wrote it. The song also has informed my “worldview” and hopes for humanity. It simply asks you to imagine a better world, and once something is imaginable, it is attainable. As activist Angela Davis beautifully stated: “the song „Imagine‟ is so powerful and so necessary because if we can‟t imagine a better world, then a better world is not possible.” The power behind a mutual imagining of a better world is that everyone is included in it. Even if imagination is not “reality” it is still just as powerful. Lennon himself believed in the power of imagination and dreams. He stated “…who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?” If we can accept a world where reality is not limited to what can be perceived through the five senses, then we can feasibly create a world without war, racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of man-made terrors. And that is the power behind a simple, beautiful, and elegant 2 minute 58 second song.
Precipitating understanding on the arid lands of my confusion, a light in the right direction illuminates the method to my madness This dreamer’s disease that has run rampant long enough to be my biological condition; I have few remedies that exist outside of cigarettes, weed, sex and this writing habit I’ve picked up over the years I speak to you from the flipside of my frontal lobe, eyes forced open to see the hole I dug for myself Maturation of my senses has risen me from the bed I made quite comfortable by lying in it Oldborn That is to say, birthed into wisdom by age Thrusted into a world of comprehension that castles in the skies need not be dismantled but supported My childish flights of fantasy landing in a heap of what I have to do This is no surrender. There is no giving up of the dreams I have conjured; it is understanding that they must’n die but be brought to earth and manifested My ambition not only to conceive of them but nurture them to thrive in the conditions of this world Don’t worry; there is no defeat here Just a new way of moving in my existence Pinning down my aspirations and mapping them out so that I keep my remedies as inspiration for the next move
You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one Libertad 47
…No Red and White Octagon…
Matthew Mueller
48 Fahari
Look into your eyes, see myself shining back I can see in your soul, all the things I lack attack, seek, destroy, rebuild my very being viewing the cosmos without actually seeing third eye traveler, theoretical babbler string theory untangler mangle the ignorant, but I don’t leave a trace after the discussion, I shoot off to space living in a black hole, the all and the nothing got a wait a second, buffering, buffering, buffering chuckling at the cosmic jokes and punch lines can’t stand still, waiting in the lunch line munching on books left and right I might just be too busy to put up a fight at least on the surface, the deep levels my purpose hurting your egos, killin’ you softly my goals are lofty, but I won’t stop, can’t quit I’m not one to just take one hit of this sweet and sour diesel my mind is the paint, everyone’s an easel please and thank you, for making me who I am today I got work to do, but let’s make it play I got a way about me where I can’t take it laying down…pausing I’m the whisper in the night, the calm before the sound, haunting does a falling tree make noise in a vacant forest? yeah it does, but I ignore it more important things to do than intellectual jerk myself off you can stay weezy, I’ll be the cough off to another planet, cuz this ones too frightful the universe is on my dinner plate, lemme take two bitefuls Insightful, the workings of my mental stamina I’m like a speaker, and I’m gonna hammer ya gamma rays, x rays, ultra violet you can just call me the silent pilot ninja of the library, lecture halls, and the books they just the king, we’re the rook the bishop and a pawn I’m not tired, but here comes a yawn up before dawn, got too much to do 2.0 before the old versions even new up to you, what you see and you hear working on your looks or you mental gears? listen here, I might have something to tell ya flame so hot, I’ll probably melt ya helter skelter, but with a ankh on my forehead are you dying to live, or living to be dead? life already read, it’s on my bookshelf don’t follow my blueprints, you gotta save yourself
nity to behave like. Rappers like 50 Cent and Soulja Boy are not representatives of black people. They are not what every black person listens to or acts like. 50 cent has an album titled “Get Rich or Die Tryin” which clearly illustrates the materialistic nature of his album. This album title has now become a mantra to his many fans and is exactly what society wants and expects black people to do. Hustlin’ on the streets is not beating the system it is only playing into it. Dead Prez is a “conscious rap” duo who does not conform to the mainstream ideals on Hip Hop. In the song “Hip Hop” Dead Prez calls out rappers who are making money off of “sex drugs and rock n roll.” This is an excerpt from the song : “I’m sick of that fake thug, R & B, rap scenario all day on the radio Same scenes in the video, monotonous material, y'all don't here me though These record labels slang our tapes like dope You can be next in line, and signed, and still be writing rhymes and broke You would rather have a Lexus or justice? A dream or some substance? A Beamer, a necklace or freedom? Still a nigga like me don't playa' hate, I just stay awake This real hip hop, and it don't stop until we get the po-po off the block.” He calls these rappers “fake thug” and shows how record executives will make all the money off your music and leave you with close to nothing. He asks a moral decision: would you rather have freedom or money? Most rappers choose the money. Hip Hop should be political and revolutionary and until the commercialization of Hip Hop is broken, so too will be the black community.
Balanced Rhythm Matthew Mueller Imagine if Hip-Hop was a human being. As a youth, Hip-Hop was connected to the family. It consisted of many spoken word artists in America who dealt with the collective unconsciousness of Africana people throughout the Diaspora. Arguably that is why artists were so conscious and connected to their roots, just like a child is connected to the family during the first years of their life. Hip-Hop is now in the “teenage rebellious” years, where outside influences are changing its personality and thoughts. The music industry and the materialistic tendencies of the West have warped the cognitions of Hip-Hop. We see this in music today; on the radio, in the club, at award shows, in the news, etc. Soon hopefully, this time within Hip-Hop’s life will be over, and Hip-Hop will realize that neglecting one’s past does not make for a healthy or successful life. Now, it’s not to say that this music is “bad,” there’s no need to make a value judgment on such a popular sub-genre. Modern rap music is definitely a necessary thing. However, rap needs to make a return home and back into the hearts and spirits of the people. When I took “Rap and Spoken Word” with Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis (Ashé) she constantly made the point that rap music, and all the other pillars of Hip-Hop, are AfricanCentered, that is, based off of an African understanding of the universe. Looking at rap music, one can see how it is based off of the oral and rhythmic traditions of Africana people throughout the world. Djing is the physical manifestation of interconnectedness, being that DJs work to make two songs flow seamlessly together. Breakdancing shows how rhythm can put you into a trance-like state, as if a spirit is guiding your physical body. HipHop began with the goal of liberating people;
Continued on Page 16 Libertad 9
ART, PROFIT,
CONTROL By Faisal Awadallah, President
Hip Hop started out as a subculture and is now a worldwide phenomenon. The record executives are monopolizing off of the music that Hip Hop produces. Black communities have a bigger voice but at a certain cost. The commercialization of Hip Hop has furthered stereotypes of Black and Latino people. Commercialization filters out the essence of Hip Hop and brings forth the negative depictions of Black and Latino people. The earliest form of popular culture in America was the Minstrel show in the early nineteenth century. In these shows white men would put on black face and act like what they thought was “authentic blackness” (Ogbar15). They would make fools of themselves on stage and show every negative stereotype black people have been facing since slavery. White people such as Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain were fans of the minstrel. Later on black people would eventually star in the minstrel show and continue it through modern day Hip Hop. Commercialization has stifled the progression of Hip Hop. Instead of Hip Hop culture becoming a social movement it has become a glorified minstrel show. The advertizing in Hip Hop started as early as when Run DMC signed with Adidas. Then we start to see the big ass gold chain and being the flyest as one can be. This has started in the 80s and is still here today (i.e. Kanye West). Listeners of Hip Hop are receiving a distorted message from record executives who want a certain type of music being heard. White people are the top consumers of commercialized Hip Hop because they are the majority. Since mostly white people are not living with Black and Latino people, they are not 8 Fahari
getting the whole experience of the subculture that is Hip Hop. White people watch these minstrel-esque rap videos that tell them: THIS IS BLACK CULTURE! They see these images and this is how many of the stereotypes and prejudices of Black and Latino people come about. I remember my roommate, who lives in a white suburb near Albany named Delmar. He is a big rap fanatic, the first time I saw him he was wearing a Tribe Called Quest t-shirt. I did not think there was anything wrong with this until he told me “I’m blacker than you.” Blonde hair, blue eyes, ivory skin said he’s blacker than me because he’s been influenced by the commercialization of Hip Hop. He owns many pairs of Jordan’s, wears his pants below his waste and can recite many Lil’ Wayne lyrics, and I have none of that. I then asked him has he ever dealt with racial profiling, welfare, child services or any situation many black people go through daily from this racist society. Kanye’s appearance on Def Poetry Jam shed some light on the psychology of why rappers find themselves in the dilemma of aspiring to be “the best dressed rapper in the game.” He raps about being self-conscious in the beginning and then he goes more into a “gold digger” kind of rap. He was saying that he IS self-conscious, the jewelry, best shoes and designer clothes are just defense mechanisms for his own insecurities as a black male. Today, rappers are boasting about how much money they have but still talking about being in the hood when they no longer live there and do not plan on going back. Mainstream Hip Hop has now become a mirror to reflect what society wants the black commu-
It’s the moment when all else fails, But you don’t wanna think about anything but it It’s the time in between the first and the latter… you feel ashamed. Heartbroken, and unsure Wounded and battle scared A subtle drop of faith leaving behind any obstacle, and any enclave of support It needs not to be interrupted by harsh feelings and sentimental regret Hang me up Let me fall Let me live without any feeling … Feeling …Feeling Outside, Outside of anything Outside of any culture, or physique No one seems to feel Because I feel so numb Numb to anything Feeling so hurt, it silences my feelings My tears roll down my cheek, like blood The weight on my chest, immense.
Outside
Euclyn Williams
Knowing pain doesn’t cease And doesn’t have a remedy Pain does show weakness It heightens it And at the height of the sensation I feel numb And at the height of feeling numb I realize where I am Outside
Libertad 49
Inspired by Redemption Song by Bob Marley
Redemption. Redemption. Not possible for those with a diminished faith, To be delivered from sin? But wait, Before you can be delivered from sin, First you have to suffer; make a sacrifice. Redemption, I’m sorry I fail to acknowledge you Because if I still find those who believe in you Still in a pain that won’t go away, You are nothing but a lie. We have to follow the book. The book? Redemption. You say good things will come to those who make sacrifices, Those who made them continue to wait. You are the freedom for those of strong faith. You give those who believe in you a false hope. Why don’t you show up when needed? I used to be a Christian, Yes used to be. Do I need to believe in you and the God Almighty to live a fulfilling life? Redemption. Robert Nesta said you were all he ever had, My mother looks to you to make her family stronger, Across the world you possess believers. Followers of you, Redemption. I’m sorry I don’t believe in you.
EARGASM
spit me dream… Recherché Brown 50 Fahari
Libertad 7
FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT’S DESK
A simple mixture of dust and water, yet so intricately designed for multifunction, I‟m a human. A product of the image of God himself, I‟m only human.
Welcome to the new semester everyone! Well, I‟m a little late with that but I‟ll take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new VP of The Fahari-Libertad Magazine! Are you excited? I know I am. Now for this beautifully named issue…
But other so-called humans, with so-called souls, think otherwise of others like myself because of little things like skin color and other physical features or how to say a name and other unseen features. Everything is not all that it seems whether you look like you or you look like me.
I have this poster on my wall and I feel like it sums up exactly what music has the potential to be. I vividly remember times from my childhood where my cousins and I would create dances based off of 702, Xscape or even (the original) Destiny's Child. When I would turn on MTV, BET or VH1 and they would...you know...play music videos. Matter of fact, they would play them for most of the day. I remember having a song for every feeling, even those feelings that I couldn't yet describe because of my young age. Whenever I felt the least bit alone music was always there. It was almost as if these artists were speaking to me and my situation. I know many who feel like this, too. That's the power of the music from my youth. There was always something new...something that you could relate to. There are so many music odes out there that show the power of what music can do to your mind, body and soul. So now that I am older I have to scratch my head and give the true WTF face because, besides the diamonds in the rough that many overlook in the industry, I feel like we've hit a dead end. When I look through these articles that discuss the music from our generation I see that there are clearly many holes that need to be filled, many answers that need to be addressed. I know that music changes throughout the years but this integration and blending of our genres is really fucking up the passion that I used to see in Hip-Hop and R&B. The only real hope I have is that these diamonds in the roughs finally break through and STICK to what their true mission was.
It‟s the music that keeps my sanity Even when the world around me is trying to get to me It‟s the harmonies that put everything right where they ought to be You release me to be everything I want to be You will forever be everything I‟ve been searching for in me ~Choklate “Dedicated to Music”
**Please please please, look for the real music out there. You won‟t be disappointed. ** Hotep Krystal Miller Vice President, Fahari-Libertad
Excerpts from I’m [Only] Human Justified Insanity
“Music is What Feelings Sound Like”
White is not all white and Black is not all black and neither is the same for red, yellow, or brown. Someone, somebody of a dominant society declared that there is a criteria to be human even though we eat and thirst and laugh and cry the same way and bleed the same color… I‟m a human. Not a monster. Not an animal. Not a sex toy. Not a nothing. I‟m someone‟s daughter and she‟s someone‟s daughter and he‟s someone‟s son. So what if the first name sounds “Black?” So what if the last name sounds “Jewish?” Embrace the non-western sense of fashion And yes, we like to talk in foreign tongues! Don‟t torture innocent ones just like yourself and get off on illogical terrorism. It‟s like psychological BDSM and warefare, and airplanes flatulating in the air. The chemicals between us deceive us into fallacious illiteracy… Don‟t be fooled by curvier frames, darker skin, creative follicles, and linguistic skills. I‟m no different from you. A human.
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Libertad 51
Be Poem, xii-xxxi-x Roger Whitson
Thet sat beside rune loon lake her half asleep him half awake.
As munckins said 'start at beginning' & it was beginning of first inning.
Newburgh Josette Ramnani
What happens to potential detained? Does it throb with compliance Like a heart in its cage? Or does it marinate in its own agony Like an innocent prisoner? Does it crack into pieces, Too small to reassemble? Or does it stay preserved, like a bottle of wine That much better with its age?
She was closed book, inscrutable, that's irrefutable. But he opened her & took a look. They lay beneath a cloak of oaks. The lake asleep when woods awoke. Both of them wanted to be free but neither had temerity to be.
FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHEIF’S DESK Music is integral to my being. I couldn‟t imagine my life without being able to sing, listen to or dance to music. My voice, my body, my energy and my emotions are all intertwined with the beauty that is music. For as long as I can remember, music has been a constant force in my life. I know that many others also feel this way. A while ago I sat and wondered how life would be if we couldn‟t express ourselves musically and I couldn‟t even fathom the idea of this thought. I can‟t go a day without singing or having the desire to listen to music. I couldn‟t imagine not being able to connect to others in this way. It‟s truly a gift to be able to produce art with your voice, or using instruments. For me, music is tied into every single emotion, and every situation in life. There is no area music cannot touch. The spectrum goes from nonsense, „I just wanna shake my ass‟ music to melodious, „I close my eyes and just feel every note and every word‟ music and everything in between. I get passionate about my music, my artists, and lyrics. At times I feel like I was born in the wrong decade because my taste is nothing like that of my peers. Sometimes I get angry with where music is going but I can‟t be mad because music is forever evolving. Besides, there are always artists making real music, you just have to dig a bit to find them. But I don‟t mind the work, it‟s always worth it. Stay Beautiful Shatera Gurganious Editor In Chief, Fahari-Libertad
Maybe it just collects dust Like a book unread.
Or is it dead?
52 Fahari
Libertad 5
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK Hotep, Thank you for reading our new issue of Fahari-Libertad, our theme is music and our instruments are words. This is my first semester being President of our student organization and it is my honor to be President of this publication that has been alive for almost forty years. Since before I was born, students of color in New Paltz have been writing and printing Fahari on this campus. Without these revolutionary students of color voicing their feelings (in written form) there wouldn‟t be this same outlet for me and many other students today to continue the legacy. This position is an important responsibility for me and I hope for forty more years of Fahari-Libertad. I often hear “I would absolutely die without listening to music (my iPod) every day.” I used to think it was also true that I could NOT survive without headphones in my ears for the majority of the day. Since the semester started I have not been in possession of electronic devices oozing music through my ears . . . and I‟m still LIVING. Instead, I have been hearing music wherever I go, paying close attention to the subtle sounds and noises that influence my mind, body and spirit. I believe people constantly want music in their ears so that there is no “awkward silence,” the silence is never actually “awkward” until you define it as such. There are a few questions I would like to ask the readers: Have you heard absolute silence? If you ever heard the silence, how soon until you disturb it by listening to your thoughts? When your thoughts arrive what are they and how does the idea/thought connect? After being ambushed by your thoughts, is the silence the same silence from before? Or is it a new nonsense noise? Peace & Blessings Faisal Awadallah President, Fahari-Libertad
Sonnet Roger Whitson An avatar on word guitar sought to play what folks can't say in light of day or dark of night though erudite. But he supposed that his worst verse was not worse than his best prose. Yet still he thought the work he wrought had been for naught.
I Think of You and Smile Shatera Gurganious
I look into your eyes, hoping they will say something different. I stare at your lips, wishing they will tell me what I want to hear. Time stands still. I wait patiently. Nothing. I’m alone. I stare into the sky asking for a sign. Reassurance. Peace. But I don’t find it. The stars lie to me. I’m amazed at their wonder. Mystery. Depth. The constellations tell me stories. Of past loves. And future encounters. Waiting for me. I think of you and smile.
4 Fahari
Libertad 53
EARGASM INSIDE THIS ISSUE 04 From the President’s Desk 05 From the Editor-in-Chief’s Desk 06 From the Vice-President’s Desk
Untitled Janea Thompson
Snow Ballad Roger Whitson
These vibrations can’t escape it these vibrations give me hope that I will make it. My inspiration my frustration when I’m loosing control it helps me to just let go. Emotions just flow with the 4/4 beat emotions flow when the mc spit that heat. It’s addictive always on repeat replenishes my winning spirit after I taste defeat sometimes paralyzing me no longer can feel my feet. Sending shock waves through my body each movement is unique. It’s my lover when my heart is sane and my friend to numb my hearts pain. It’s my companion in the sunshine and the rain, even the snow and sleet yea I’m addicted. Daily doses of roses, in the form of intangible sensations, vibrations from my favorite radio station. Music you are my mistress and my main squeeze. The music gives me mood swings, educational forums teaching our black people they are queens and kings. You remind me that marriage is dependent of love and not the size of your engagement rings. Days when I’m trapped in a straight jacket, days when I cried because one called me a faggot, I came to you and you released me from my daily negativities and set me free to that utopia. When all else fails I have an encyclopedia of remedies characterized by genres. My dosage of hope, faith, and love can be found in a song. Music keeps my heart at night while I’m yearning for body heat. Soothes my broken areas almost making me complete. Music resides within me, it hides in my soul and these vibrations help me lose control. Music is my world.
54 Fahari
Snow fell from midnight on and was still snowing at dawn. Snow flakes fell like spikenard white as salt on boulevard. She hoped that it would stop soon but it snowed till half-past noon.
Eargasm 08 09 10 12 14 15 20 20 22 27 28
Art, Profit, Control Balanced Rhythm Imagine, A Key to My Soul Kanye West: Political or Pathetic? Father, Where Art Thou? Turn it Up A Stroll Through My iPod What Puts the “I” in “I-Tunes?” Is That All There Is? Far Away What you rappin’ bout?
What the #@$%?! 30 [Fighting] Like An Egyptian: The Spirit of Revolution Overseas 32 Stop Faking 33 Peace to The Invisible 34 My Frustrations with Natural Hair 36 Black Studies = Tupac? Poetry Corner 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52
Don’t Ask Me Hip Hop Inside Us as Women?? Brandy Oldborn …No Red and White Octagon Outside Redemption. Excerpts from I’m [Only] Human Be Poem, xii-xxxi-x Libertad 3
March 2011 For older issues contacts us at faharilibertad@gmail.com
Meet The Family Faisal Adawallah President
Euclyn Williams Layout Editor
Meetings Thursdays 9pm Student Union 408
Shatera Gurganious Editor In Chief
Vixon John President 2007-2009
Josette Ramnami Secretary
2 Fahari
Libertad 55
Meet The Family
FAHARI-LIBERTAD Fa-ha-ri: (noun)
Dignity, respect, a good reputation, derived from the language of KiSwahili.
Li-ber-tad: (noun) Spanish for FREEDOM!
Reggy Rivers Editor In Chief 2008-2009
Janea Thompson Public Relations
The Fahari-Libertad is committed to printing the political, social, and economic views and concerns regarding people of color here at SUNY New Paltz. It is a published in the spirit of cultural unity as well as bringing about the spiritual unification of all people. The main goal of the FahariLibertad is to enrich and educate all with knowledge and enlightenment. We accept anyone who is truly committed to these goals to work with us.
Mission
To seek knowledge, truth and unity with pride.
Saki Rizwana President Spring 2010 - Fall 2010
Contact Us
The Fahari-Libertad SUNY New Paltz Student Union Building, Rm. 323 New Paltz, NY 12561 Email: faharilibertad@gmail.com Facebook: Fahari Libertad Magazine Blog: faharilibertad.blogspot.com
Jada Young Historian
Krystal Miller Vice President
56 Fahari
Copies of The Fahari-Libertad can be found in the SUB, the MLK Center, the Black Studies Department, The Lecture Center, and the Fahari Office (SUB 323), along with various residence halls.
THE FAMILY President Faisal Awadallah Editor-In-Chief Shatera Gurganious Vice President Krystal Miller Layout Editor Euclyn Williams Cover Design Judea Costes Staff Writers Janea Thompson Josette Ramnani Jada Young Roger Whitson Guest Writers/ Matthew Mueller Contributors Jalisa Franklyn Dee Hughes-Rivera Recherché Brown Kasey Caminiti Jay Espy Alumni Vixon “V-Jay” John Contributors Shante' Cozier Carmen Mojica Regina “Reggy” Rivers Student Saki Rizwana Advisor
The Fahari-Libertad is currently seeking staff writers, copy editors and photo editors. A major/minor in Journalism/English is NOT a requirement. Please inquire via email at faharilibertad@gmail.com. Special thanks to the Department of Black Studies and all of our brothers and sisters who submitted articles, toons and poetry for showing the support needed to publish this magazine. Libertad
“Change will come...with Revolution or Evolution. Which one are you waiting for?”
“[People of color] in Amerikkka have received half of what is good and double of what is bad.”