Coconuts and Papayas

Riti and Tracy

[coconutsandpapayas]

These 7 Cities Expose Exactly What Gentrification Is Doing to America

A very relevant topic for every Chicagoan and even suburbanites. Recently I learned that where I work off North and Clybourn in Chicago is actually just a few blocks short of what used to be Cabrini Green. For those readers who don’t know what Cabrini Green is, in short, it used to be public housing to low-income families. It opened originally home to Swedish, Italians, and Irish immigrants, but as America’s racial divides changed so did the people who occupied Cabrini Green. In the later 1900’s it became predominately African American. When the Civil Rights movement developed and progressed there was a trend in higher violence in the area. With time gangs formed and the area became highly known for its crimes and instability. In efforts to transform the area the Chicago Housing Authority decided to boost money into the project and essentially gentrified it, demolishing homes and forcing thousands to relocate to the southside of Chicago. Old Town and Goose Island area now looking bougie and hipster.

The article takes a closer look into other major cities in the U.S., Chicago among them. 

-Riti 

[coconutsandpapayas]

Movimiento Original is a rap group from Chile. There is no cool story on how I found them, just stumbled upon them in my everyday internet cruising. 

They have this really cool mix of reggae and hip hop which I loved!

On repeat.

-Riti 

[maxkirin]

The whole culture is telling you to hurry, while the art tells you to take your time. Always listen to the art.

Junot Diaz  (via blacklonerism)

I just love this.

-Riti

[two-browngirls]

UPPING THE AUNTY - MEERA SETHI

I’ve always loved Meera Sethi’s colourful and unique work but her ‘Upping the Aunty’ project really changed the game. 

'Upping the Aunty' celebrates the South Asian “aunty”; her personal style and unique role in our lives. Meera flips the script on street style, by focusing her lens on aunties with swag. 

Here are some of the awesome Auntys you can find on the Tumblr page…

1. Unknown Swag Aunty - Photo: Vivek Shraya

2. Rita Aunty - Photo: Meera Sethi

3. Gunalaxsmi Aunty - Photo: Meera Sethi

4. Sita Aunty - Photo: Meera Sethi

Meera is on the lookout for contributors to the project, so If you have an aunty whose style you love, send a new or vintage photo (with your aunty’s permission) over to [email protected]!

- S

[bigfatphallusy]

UM irresistible-revolution DO YOU KNOW THIS BLOG?

[coconutsandpapayas]

I love every single one of these photos. These women give swag a whole new meaning. 

-Riti 

[coconutsandpapayas]

FemaleFoundersFund Nears $5M Fund To Back Female-Led Startups

The funds' founder said that creating a formal fund, instead of being an independent angel investor, helps add structure to one’s investments and bring more utility to entrepreneurs.

Because when you invest in women, you get returns. - Founder of Female Founders Fund, Anu Duggal

Get at this! Women of colour making splashes in the start-up community! 

-Riti 

[dynamicafrica]

A Brief History of Cumbia and its African Roots.

Like many dance and music styles that have emerged and have been popularized throughout Latin America, and in Latin American diaspora communities, Cumbia has its backbone and roots in the culture, traditions and practices of the enslaved Africans brought to this region of the world.

Although there are many forms of cumbia ranging from cumbia Peruana and cumbia Argentina, to cumbia Chilena and cumbia Mexicana (named after the respective countries they emerged from), the heart and origins of traditional cumbian music and culture lie mostly in Colombia’s Afro-Colombian community.

Birthed from a cultural style of music known as Folclor Colombiano (Colombian folklore music played by Afro-Colombian musicians), Cumbia has developed to become an amalgamation of musical and cultural blends that reflect the mixed cultural heritage of Colombia. The very word ‘cumbia’ is said to have come from the word "cumbé" which was (and continues to be) a dance form Guinea. In 17th century Colombia, enslaved Africans (mostly from West Africa) would carry out a type of courtship dance that, altered by various influences throughout the years, began being referred to as ‘cumbia’ in the 1800s.

Where it began using mostly West African percussion and vocal styles, Amerindian and Spanish instruments, clothing and other cultural traits began to become infused with the original African cumbian styles to give birth to a reinvented style and sound that has become the backbone for various other Latin American music styles. Many musicians, dancers, and historians here say that cumbia’s percussion represents the African influence, its melodies and use of the gaita or caña de millo (cane flute) represents the Native Colombian influence, and the dress represents the Spanish influence. 

(continue reading at Global Conversation, Discover Colombia, Grupo Fantasia)

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[coconutsandpapayas]

From my experience in the Coastal city of Barranquilla, Colombia, this fusion of Afro-latin culture is present in everyday life, but especially through the traditional Colombian music and dance of Cumbia. I even got to learn some Cumbia moves here and there. I must say, it is an art!

-Riti 

[coconutsandpapayas]

A Response - 10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman

I posted a video a few days ago (or more) of a woman walking through the streets of NYC being catcalled. As a woman who has experienced similar catcalling on streets, I sympathized with her and I support her in making the point that catcalling must come to an end. But even with that being said, I didn't realize the other implications the video was suggesting. 

Tracy the other day offered some insightful observations. She said that it was interesting that there were no white males catcalling. After some investigative research, I found that Rob Bliss of Rob Bliss Creative, the company that worked with Hollaback on this video said most of the remarks that white males made were either not captured on video or were said in "passing." 

Moreover I thought to myself how white males were usually the ones accused and convicted of corporate harassment in the workplace, which I don't find much different from street harassment. 

I also would have liked to see a woman of colour walk through the streets of NYC and see what types of catcalls she gets. Probably some relating to how "exotic" she is or something.

It just goes to show how different identities process street harassment or just harassment differently.

-Riti 

[coconutsandpapayas]

It's been some time, but Megan Smith, formerly a Google employee, is now the CTO to the White House. A woman, a IT wiz, a mother and openly gay, she now is not only revamping the archaic ways of IT systems in the government, but she is also advocating educators to embrace the STEM education platform. Go get 'em girl!

-Riti 

[pro-gay-deactivated20170112]

[coconutsandpapayas]

As a fan of this show, I literally had an aneurism when I saw this part of last week’s show. The effects of gentrification explained by Ms. Viola Davis as Annalise Keating. 

-Riti 

[coconutsandpapayas]

A little indie (or a lot), but I love this group, Pelota Chingo from Rio de la Plata in Argentina. They formed back in 2011 and they to do covers of popular songs. In recent years they have been a big hit and been touring many part of South America. 

 This particular song, La Complicidad, is a cover of Cultura Profetica's original La Complicidad, which is my personal favorite. Originals tend to always hold high standards. 

Special thanks to my good friend Vladamir from Argentina for introducing me to them!

-Riti 

[gozamos]

A classic from @laloalcaraz http://ift.tt/1GaqKTz

[coconutsandpapayas]

Wishing all who are celebrating a wonderful Día de los Muertos! 

-Riti 

[beowvlf]

[coconutsandpapayas]

Oh the irony. Click on this link to read the whole article.

-Riti 

[coconutsandpapayas]

Check out Hollaback!

-Riti 

[coconutsandpapayas]

As a 5-foot-6 point guard, decorated WNBA veteran Becky Hammon has never had the experience of shattering a backboard with a dunk.

A late announcement, but back in August the NBA announced it first female assistant coach, Becky Hammon, who will be working for the San Antonio Spurs. 

Ms. Hammon played for Colorado State before she pursued a basketball career in the WNBA and during the offseason playing for teams in the Russian women's league. 

Hammon seems more than ready to take on the sexist backlash she will receive and has already received. With 16 years of player experience, both international and national she has definitely very qualified. But even with this impressive resume, reporters continue to ask her ridiculous questions and challenge her ability to lead men. (Check this out to read about some of the BS she has dealt with.)

While there are still occasional racial tensions and sexist remarks, the NBA surprisingly has made many corporate moves to ensure women's participation in leading men's professional sports. It has had a number of female NBA minor league head coaches including Stephanie Ready and Nancy Lieberman. Lisa Boyer served as the first NBA assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2001-2002 season, but as a volunteer position.

This past August the NBA hired Michele Roberts as the executive director of the NBA. In fact about 40% of NBA office jobs belong to females and because of this the Institute for Ethics and Diversity in Sports. Now 40% obviously isn't 50%, but that is substantially better than leagues like the MLB and the NFL.   

Hope to see this trend continue with other leagues and the NBA makes a run for a female head coach of a major league team!

Source: Slate

[sirilaf]

The immigrant artist shares with all other artists the desire to interpret and possibly remake his or her own world. So though we may not be creating as dangerously as our forebears—though we are not risking torture, beatings, execution, though exile does not threaten us into perpetual silence— still, while we are at work, we never forget that bodies are littering the streets somewhere. People are buried under rubble somewhere. Mass graves are being dug somewhere. Survivors are living in makeshift tent cities and refugee camps somewhere, shielding their heads from the rain, closing their eyes, covering their ears, to shut out the sounds of military “aid” helicopters. And still, many are reading, and writing, quietly, quietly.

Edwidge Danticat - Create Dangerously: The Immigrant Artist at Work

One of my greatest literary discoveries as an adolescent was the work of Edwidge Danticat. I first heard her mentioned in a newyorker fiction podcast interview with Junot Díaz and picked up her novel-in-stories The Dew Breaker. What a powerful experience. Later, in the stories of Krik? Krak! I was further enraptured with her articulate exploration of diasporic politics. She is simply magnificent, and it is a delight to read her writing.

- Tracy

[theijeoma-deactivated20180827]

Here’s to the security guards who maybe had a degree in another land. Here’s to the manicurist who had to leave her family to come here, painting the nails, scrubbing the feet of strangers. Here’s to the janitors who don’t even fucking understand English yet work hard despite it all. Here’s to the fast food workers who work hard to see their family smile. Here’s to the laundry man at the Marriott who told me with the sparkle in his eyes how he was an engineer in Peru. Here’s to the bus driver, the Turkish Sufi who almost danced when I quoted Rumi. Here’s to the harvesters who live in fear of being deported for coming here to open the road for their future generation. Here’s to the taxi drivers from Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt and India who gossip amongst themselves. Here is to them waking up at 4am, calling home to hear the voices of their loved ones. Here is to their children, to the children who despite it all become artists, writers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, activists and rebels. Here’s to Western Union and Money Gram. For never forgetting home. Here’s to their children who carry the heartbeats of their motherland and even in sleep, speak with pride about their fathers. Keep on.

Ijeoma Umebinyuo - Immigrants. First generation.

The strength and sacrifice of the immigrant experience.

- Tracy

[coconutsandpapayas]

I've been meaning to share some of my favorite African music on here, so tonight I'm starting with this track from the Lijadu Sisters.

Taiwo and Kehinde Lijadu are identical twin sisters who were born in Ibadan, Nigeria in 1958. Their music is an energetic fusion of afrobeat, soul, reggae and disco, and they sing in English and Nigerian dialects. The sisters released their first album, Iya Mi Jowo, in 1969 and became top stars in Nigeria throughout the 1970s. While their success in Europe and the United States was moderate, they did travel and generate some buzz outside of Africa. They performed at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games and at the World music Festival. Most recently, they appeared at a live tribute for William Onyeabor in London.

The album that this song is on, Danger, is quite good, and features other soulful Waka-style tracks. Enjoy!

- Tracy