Bridging the gap to men’s intimate feelings; BLK Frames Vol.II

BY ADRIAN REECE

BLK Frames Vol.II came to fruition, an art show created by Sam Tita, founder of Black Men’s Style, to highlight the hearts and minds of Black men. As the name suggests, part II continued from a successful event by the same name in 2022. This year BFV2 (Black Frames Vol.II) was held at Withrow Commons, located at the Toronto Exhibition Place, across from the Princess Margaret Fountain, a venue with the perfect setting to host the art of the evening. A group of Black men were highlighted, and we were given insight into which they were through their lens, reflected in brush strokes, fine pencil lines and artistic technique.

In the typical fashion of BLK Men’s Style (Black Men’s Style), together in the shared interest of the love of art, curios their efforts and talents. In an awe-inspiring demonstration, these pieces, although carefully curated, were finished in just a few short hours displaying intense focus, skill and passion for their chosen craft.

The portraits displayed are a look into the hearts and minds of Black men, and as such Black women were the focal point of most pieces that decorated the walls. Their pain, happiness, pleasure and beauty were poured into pictures through the mixture of depth and colours. Circling the room, it was easy to become entranced by the simplicity yet intricacy of the pieces in the exhibit; the talent blew away those who dabble in artistry and newcomers to this side of the emotional psyche. Every piece conceived new thoughts that left you glued to the floor, trying to sift through your mind to understand how you feel about the work and, two, what was the motivation behind this beautiful display?

Attending this event caused a revelation that we are not so divided in common goals and desires. Black women inspire Black men to become their best selves. Although different, the core elements and emotions of many pieces all came back to the love of the Black woman in all of their roles and stages of life, showing that they are beautiful no matter what. You realize that the world does not accurately depict what we think of one another. Still, deep love and admiration cause talent and creativity to bloom in the most beautiful fashions.

BFV2 showcased what BLK Men’s Style is all about, the depiction of Black men in their most authentic essence. Their talent, creativity, focus and vulnerability are laid out on the table for the world to see, and it is a beautiful display. You left the venue feeling renewed in your thoughts of what Black men can create when intention and purpose are apparent in the mind’s eye. Witnessing the depth of a Black man’s thoughts is a refreshing change from the stereotype that they do not voice their feelings, but this event showcased everything inside them and much more. We can now take a different approach to some of our preconceptions, and one of the most important ones is that Black men intimately love Black women with everything in them, and we do not have to be as divided as we have been up until now. BLK Frames Vo.2, in all its beauty, served to bridge the gap to men’s intimate feelings and reveal their thoughts in a way we do not often witness.

The list of contributing artists who made BFV2 a success.

• Jesus Bondo Lance Freeman

• Shane Stephens

• Josh Hyman

• Phillip Saunders

• Kwame Delfish

• Hans Poppe

• Blicser Elliot

• Adrian Hayles

• Aliuomoakin

Returning artists From Vol I

• Joseph Cain

• Wayne Moore wanted to run away from the situation, but not I. You see I have worked with drug addicts for years, spending my evenings communicating, getting to know ladies and men of the night, addicts and homeless too in: the Bronx (NY), Washington DC, Toronto and Philly. I walked over and put my wife through a half hour of stress, talking to them, finding out where they received assistance and were there other places they could go instead of this localized area. They gathered around free injection sites, as well as certain groceries and restaurants that hand out free food when closing. will attract addicts to their region. When the Toronto City Council and Federal Government (they pay for free services) offer free drug runways (injection clinics) they attract those who are already on the down and out, and yet these same medical-security professionals cannot force the addict into a program that would make them clean once again. Bad, but well meaning programs feed addictions, but do not solve the problem. Statistics Canada has shown that 61% of homeless do use illicit drugs at least once during the period of homelessness, and with the opioid Fentanyl pandemic all you need is to use a pill once to die. When someone takes illicit drugs they are not of proper sound mind, especially if they know these drugs are harmful, or even lethal. What do we do with people who will harm themselves? Well we call the police, or officials to take them to the hospital right? So instead of feeding an addict’s hunger for drugs, why not force them to rehab? They cannot hurt themselves or others while they are in someone’s care right? them to leave. Thankfully they did. Their weapon of choice was a knife. I took control, knowing all they needed was a few dollars to continue their high. corrugated boxes, filled at night with people you would not want to meet. Is it true is it not? Middle class citizens want to stay away from such people, keep them outside of their communities, don’t want to see, hear or speak to them right? The: dirty unwashed, diseased and forever walking about in a drugged state.

I spoke to several local police, all concerned about the number of drug related deaths they had been seeing since summer came upon them. Expressions like “There is no end to this mess,” and “The higher ups know not what they do,” showed me the terrible state our police and medical emergency folk were going through. Fatalism everywhere, with no ends in sight. Vaccination sites act like magnets to both users and drug pushers as well. Where you can find addicts, you will find an opportunity for sales and acquiring drugs and paraphernalia too.

Toronto will certainly become like Vancouver and many urban centres in America soon enough. A hard line is needed here. When you deal with a stupid person, you can expect stupid things to be done. Addicts act in a similar manner, needing to be managed with their health in mind. Addiction is a mental disease, so treat it with determination, forceful passion. Don’t ask the addict, tell them what is going to happen, how they will be medically treated, and accomplish the task. A mentally deranged person loses their freedom for a time until they become well.

My wife and I came upon them while strolling about, and my better half

The local government simply does not know what to do, meaning well they enact services that seem to be enabling addicts. Drug users then get high, and walk about the local area in a dangerous uncontrolled state. Discarded syringes are a threat to local children and animals strolling through their parks and community streets.

Toronto is becoming just like Vancouver. The well-meaning, but ill-advised politicians’ programs and services have and

• New York City Crimes: 38+% have some relation to drugs and addiction

• Vancouver City Crimes: 28-36+% drug related

• Toronto City Crimes: They do not provide such information to the public at this time

I was mugged twice while living in New York City, each time by an addict. I recognized the calls, gave the twenty dollars I kept in my pocket for just such an incident and told

Also, forced homelessness is a crime. Bringing people from across the globe to reside in Canada, and not providing them a place to stay makes no sense. The very services needed for those who have left their homes because of: abuse, addiction or unemployment should be expanded. Our local governments squander revenue on programs while the needy have no place to go except the streets.

Middle class citizens have the ability to force governments to manage your taxes better, directing these funds to where they should go. The medical sector has made work programs (like injection sites) that waste your funds and put your family at risk as well. Hard decisions need to be made in Vancouver and Toronto. Once the horde has control, it will be very difficult to regain control of your funds and freedom as well.

Simone Smith

simone@carib101.com

HUMAN SPECIALIST

“I have gone through a lot the last few months, and my life feels like it is in a tailspin. At times I don’t know if I am coming or going. There is just so much to talk about, I really don’t know where to begin…”

I looked up from my hands at the woman sitting across from me. She seemed uncomfortable, but I wasn’t sure if I was projecting. Now that I was sitting in front of someone who could actually help me, I wasn’t sure what I was going to say.

“Why don’t you start from the beginning Simone? What are you thinking about at this moment?”

In my head I was like, if this woman really knew what I was thinking, she would probably tell me to get out of her office. How do you tell someone who is there to help you that you don’t think they can help you? That you think that because they have not gone through what you have that they can’t relate to your pain. How about the fact that because she is an older Caucasian woman, she has no idea about the Black experience? I couldn’t say all of that so instead I said,

“I feel uncomfortable. It is hard to speak about what I have been through. I really am unsure of where to begin.”

"What brings you here today?"

“Well, I believe that I am suffering from depression. I sleep all the time, I don’t feel very confident in myself, or my decisions. I am making choices that are clearly not helping me move forward in my life. I just don’t know what I am doing.”

"Is there anything specific you'd like to focus on or work through during our sessions?"

“I think that one thing that I would like to focus on is making better decisions when it comes to my personal relationships. I have unresolved trauma, grief, anxiety, and this has significantly impacted my emotional well-being. These emotions have spilled over into other areas of my life, and it has affected my relationships, work performance, and as I noted, my decision-making abilities.

I feel drained all the time. Activities that I once found enjoyable have lost their appeal, and I feel disengaged. I feel inadequate, and I know that I have low self-esteem, which has shattered my confidence. I find it challenging to concentrate and perform well at work. I am finding it difficult to meet deadlines and achieve my personal goals. I am not making clear and rational choices, because I know that I am emotionally overwhelmed, and distracted by the ridiculous problems that I cause for myself.”

I felt the tears running down my face and I couldn’t stop them. I didn’t realize how much I had been holding inside. I was also surprised that I was able to articulate them so well to a stranger. It was overwhelming, which explained the tears.

“That is a lot to unpack Simone,” she responded. She leaned behind her