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Mural in Baltimore by the great Ernest Shaw. To me, the true essence of art is disintegrating the senses to raise consciousness as forms of resistance to reclaim power rooted in love. Imagine when kids pass this and ask who these people are. This opens that narrative, which shows the power of the arts--igniting agency and action to break down walls and thrive in resiliency.
“Imperial Dreams” - the name itself captivates you, and is what drew me in my search of the next flick to absorb on Netflix. It centers on the life of 21yo Bambi (played by John Boyega), a rose born outta concrete, with roots so deep--he was bound to make the earth shake--just so he could flourish. Bambi returns home from jail, reunites with his son and through the power of his pen--is determined to leave the streets behind and tell his story to preserve the future of his son while lifting the shadow of others. Yet anything of substance comes with a fight, and we see him battling opposition of the temptress’ plight to “steal, kill, and destroy.” Will he falter or will he rise? Be another statistic or kill the course of demise? Catch it on Netflix to find out. [Directed by Malik Booth]
Part of a 7-day writing assignment for my mentee, Khalid, and I. We each chose various topics to write a poem and/or essay for this week. This poem is from the theme: "Love & Loss." My mentee, who I met in a program I taught at Juvenile Hall is now locked up at SF County at the tender age of 18yo. Prayers and love to all our Black and Brown Queens & Kings held down and their families, who are right there with them lifting them in faith and hope.
[Street mural by artist, Joe Lurato]
i turn pages and see no end of a gypsy's stare emptiness another soul fills the space my father forgot to the hunger a 10 year old faces when she tastes abandonment lingers on souls she is quiet like a thief escapes like a magician opens floodgates to quench drought yet all the while she remains thirsty.
JSR
Photo credit: Phoebe Rudomino
her heart turned the water in his glass into ice it’s funny how a kiss from Judas stains through white cotton sheets resentment bleeds and hopes and dreams are enslaved behind prison walls of regret
A wise man once told me that in North Africa, they have a saying, “Del beh del rah dareh,” which means, “Your lover is the one whose work speaks more than your work–but to your journey.”
May we fly courageously to the depths of the sea, soar into the unknown space of vulnerability to receive and give real love. A love that transforms you to reach endlessly for hope, a love that makes a dance of fury look beautiful in the light, a love that reminds you of purpose–that you are more than what meets the eye.
Photoshoot paying tribute to the 90s w photographer Martin Eng
The Saving Grace of Music
Music finds me. It’s as if the world knows and feels everything I do and so, brings an encounter, person, or situation that feed me with new songs. And they become my saving grace--helping me work through, heal and process, and learn and grow. Music is Life, and without it--we are numb.
Here are the songs that my heart called for, and is my life vest as I swim and find my way to back to shore.
Nina Simone’s “I Shall Be Released” - https://youtu.be/iHWOrquJ3Ak :
They say everything can be replaced They say every distance is not near So I remember every face Of every man who put me here
I see the light come shining From the west down to the east Any day now, any day now I shall be released
