Send birthday greetings to Kola Boof!
I'm a bad friend. I haven't posted that much about the goings-on for this wonderful person. Visit her site for all the latest news, including her tour, her upcoming return to Eqypt and her message board set up by Troy Johnson & Co.
I'll post info about another gathering later today.
Today, Thursday, March 10th, 2005 you are invited to Day O's
Restaurant located at 103 Greenwich Street in the village in New York
City to further discuss ways we can fight violence and murder and
whatever might be on the minds of men of color today. Please join us.
Time; 6 p.m.
Our meeting or get together is in no way formal or requiring anything
but you being there.
Some have emailed me asking for an agenda or list of topics to be
discussed, suffice to say, there isn't one. We must talk. And it
starts with each of us showing up to the table and bringing his or
her own mind and thoughts to the idea of better-ment, understanding,
and reasoning.
We are moved and hurt by Rashawn Brazell's death, but let his death
not be the stopping point for us to bring about a plan for change.
Take up the place where he once was hanging out and being at his best
to do your best to show we matter and our lives are as significant
today as it was for him. Please come through.
[ from Herukhuti of Black Funk ]
Peace Everyone,
When the story first broke a couple of weeks ago about the murder of a young brotha “in the fam”, I mentioned it to a few of you because the circumstances surrounding it were so familiar to my own dating contexts even to the fact of the overlapping geographic areas. I’ve remained silent in public about the murder because I’ve been in mourning – mourning the fact that this young brotha murdered was one of us, black, male, and a man who has sex with men; mourning the serious possibility that the man who murdered him was probably one of us, black, male, and a man who as sex with men.
Anyway you can read more about the story and several community comments thru these links:
http://blog.stevengfullwood.org/archives/000398.html
http://phib.blogspot.com/2005/03/tears-and-rage.html
http://larrylyons2.blogspot.com/2005/03/rashawn-brazell_05.html
http://www.anzidesign.com/archives/000484.html
Another reason for my silence was that I didn’t yet know what to DO. Then it came to me this morning. And I’d like your participation if possible. I’d like to host a ritual here at Black Funk for all those who need to come and talk, receive/offer comfort, offer healing and comfort to the spirit of Rashawn given the violence of his transition and the desecration of his body, and pray for justice.
I’m thinking Sunday would be a good day and that it would be several hours maybe 2pm-7pm. This would allow people time to talk, vent, and heal and then have space for ritual.
Let me know what you think. If you can help with the design and/or stuff needed to make this happen, let me know. Also I think we should make participation available to POCC, GMAD, ADODI, and the Network so that means getting the word to them and coordinating their participation (whatever that will be).
Anyway let me know ASAP if you’re interested.
Peace Pleasure and Passion,
Herukhuti, M.Ed., M.A.
Chairman and CEO
KHPRA, Inc.
Profound Moments
"Experiencing those profound moments with you"
Founder, Black Funk
Hi Everyone,
Recently, 3/10/05, an assembly of Black Gay organizations: People of
Color in Crisis (POCC), Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD), New York
State Black Gay Network (NYSBGN), and Black Men's Xchange New York
(BMX NY), and community citizens gathered together at Day-O, a Black
owned soul food restaurant, to discuss the murder of Rashawn Brazell
and what action plans should take place.
A pre-meeting is scheduled at POCC on Monday 3/14/05 at 7:00 pm (food
and refreshments will be served). This meeting will revisit the ideas
that were discussed at Day-O and also formulate action plans for
Tuesday 3/22/05.
We look forward to seeing all of you here at POCC on 3/14. For
further information and questions, please contact David Curry at 718-
230-0770 x 235. Thank you for your time, understanding, and care.
Directions:
People of Color in Crisis
468 Bergen Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-230-0770
#2 or 3 train to Bergen Street. Across the street from Silver Spoon
Diner between Flatbush Avenue and 5th Avenue.
Regards,
Howard Lee
Executive Assistant
People Of Color in Crisis
468 Bergen Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(O) 718.230.0770 x 226
(F) 718.230.7582
OK, I don't have to really play with it, but the launch of Google X is making the rounds of Mac rumor/news sites. More later. (Maybe.)
Update: Mac Minute offers details on Chikai Ohazama's app for Google Labs.
Update 2: Google X has been pulled, but Elliot Back has it archived and includes a screenshot.
Via Steven G.
Please join us for this fundraising event towards the completion of this important film. And, meet and talk with the filmmakers! To find out more about the project, visit our website at www.sakiagunnfilmproject.com.
Don't forget to stop by our "Contributions Page" to learn how to make your 100% tax deductible contribution to the project. Also at this event, see bonus footage by filmmaker Chas. B. Brack
Chas. B. Brack
Executive Producer/Director
Sakia Gunn Film Project
And Steven makes some important points:
Let's come out and support this project. I know we only have a few dollars to spend, but for $15 it can make the difference in this film being produced. Think about the investment. To see a film produced about the tragic death of Sakia is a small price to pay when you compare it with the value of her life - priceless.
I have had several conversations with people who decry the lack of unity in the black LGBT/SGL community. We have no this or that, they say. We don't stick together, they say. Well, here's an opportunity to help birth something beautiful, something that will hopefully remind us of our humanity, of our struggle to simply have our stories told.
From the Asian American Film Newsletter-
NEW YORK ALERT: "FACE" and "AFTER THE APOCALYPSE" SCREENING NOW!
Bertha Bay-Sa Pan's feature film "Face" opens Friday, March 18, in New York City. Catch it at the Village East Cinemas, 189 2nd Ave. (at E. 12th St.).
An interracial love story starring Bai Ling, Kristy Wu, and Treach, "Face" premiered at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival and will open theatrically in New York on March 18. The San Francisco Chronicle calls Bai Ling's portrayal of Kim in "Face" "the best performance of her eclectic international career."
Read the New York Times review
Read the Hollywood Reporter review
Read the AsianAmericanFilm.com interview with director Bertha Panl
"After the Apocalypse" is a futuristic fable about five survivors trying to make sense of a New World after a devastating urban catastrophe challenges all their human needs. The film has screened in over 30 film festivals, including Los Angeles and SXSW.
Read the New York Times review
As is always true with scrappy independent films, the opening weekend is the most critical. So if you're looking for a movie this weekend, check out "Face" and “After the Apocalypse” and make a difference for independent and Asian American film!
via FlickrBlog
Yahoo actually does acquire Flickr
Holy smokes, SOMEBODY out there is bad at keeping secrets!! Yes! We can finally confirm that Yahoo has made a definitive agreement to acquire Flickr and us, Ludicorp. Smack the tattlers and pop the champagne corks!
Woohoo! What does this mean? It means that we'll no longer have to draw straws to see who gets paid, schedule conjugal visits between trips to the colo....wait! That's not what you want to know. This is what you want to know: What is going to happen to Flickr?
You're not going to become a bunch of suits?
No, no, no! The precious DNA we've got -- that of the Ludicrew -- is on side and revving up for building Flickr. Having the team building out the team's vision for Flickr has been stressed as our number one priority, and keeping us around -- in spite of our wiseassery, tomfoolery and tendency to hoot spontaneously -- is crucial for preserving the Flickrness that is Flickr. They're not going to replace any of us with suits, nor induce us to wear them. Lapel? I don't know what you mean.
Are you going to become Yahoo Photos?
No. Yahoo Photos will get a lot of Flickr features, and there are alot of other areas around Yahoo that will also be Flickrized where Flickrization would be good. Yahoo Photos and Flickr have different kinds of users with different needs, and will remain separate for the foreseeable future. Flickr would also suffer from a sudden deluge of LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! omg! so we're going to grow it carefully.
Do I have to have a Yahoo ID to use Flickr?
No. In the future, you'll be able to log into Flickr using your Yahoo account, but you can continue logging on as before.
Will Terry Semel do the Developers Developers Developers shtick?
The fabulous Flickr API will continue to be open wide as all the outdoors, though we really gotta work on those commercial use licenses. Terry is as brilliant a businessman as Ballmer, but alas, does not dance. It messes up his hair.
I liked Flickr BEFORE you even heard of it!
You shall be recognized for your discerning taste in web sites!! I bet you also liked the Flaming Lips before they appeared on Beverly Hills 90210, and for that we salute you. Pro account holders will get super mega bonuses, to be announced soon.
But I never upgraded!
Free accounts will have more storage and uploads -- pro accounts too -- AND they'll be cheaper.
Waaaaaaaah!! I don't want Flickr to change!
Don't forget to breathe. It's not the end, it's the beginning! As the wise woman who taught us The One True Way of Flickr Massage says, the only thing permanent is change. But we're going to stay true to our vision and to the people who made us what we are -- that's you, the Flickr pioneers. Thanks for making the first year of Flickr so wonderful.
Of course, we will be happy to answer questions, accept backslapping, and do deep breathing exercises with the Flickr community.
Thanks to Donald for the reminder:
Community Vigil for Rashawn Brazell
Friday, March 25, 2005
6:30pm
Nostrand Ave Station (A/C Train)
This Friday, March 25th, 2005 there will be a candle light vigil held for the remembrance of Rashawn Brazell who was brutally murdered in February here in New York City.
The vigil is open to all who wish to attend and will be held at Nostrand Avenue Subway entrance at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, eastern standard time. No special speakers are expected or slated to be there, and nothing is required for those that want to be there and share in remembering Rashawn Brazell. Our prayers and thoughts and positive actions are in the hopes that we this may never again happen to any one, no matter who they are, at any time.
We propose at that time, to light one candle, in Rashawn Brazell's memory and saw a few words as we think about and offer hope to a better day and change in the way we live and how we live in our different but linked communities.
Please stop by and show your support in recognizing this one life ended due to violence and hatred in our world. You and your prayers can change things if we each of us come together as one.
For more information, email troynotorious@yahoo.com or rashawn@nysbgn.org.
via AppleInsider
Amazon is offering a $35 rebate for pre-order of Tiger, Apple's upcoming upgrade of Mac OS X.
Apple is giving one iPod Shuffle for a student per week till Septempber. Enter now!
And for the rest of us, a chance to win a Mac mini.
From Steven G. who got it from ej (I think.)
1. IF YOU COULD BUILD A SECOND HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE? Toss-up between Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
2. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ARTICLES OF CLOTHING? My orange bike shorts and orange tees (from my baby).
3. THE LAST CD YOU BOUGHT? Peace African Youth Ensemble -- Mama Africa & Thesalah -- No Sleep, More Fun.
4. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING? Usually between 6:30am and 7:00am.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE? My beat-up toaster.
6. IF YOU COULD PLAY AN INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Mos def the piano.
7. FAVORITE COLORS? Orange, altho Burgundy is overtaking it; use to be light Green in combo with a pale Blue. When I want to dress up tho, it's Black with Gray or Silver.
8. WHICH VEHICLE DO YOU PREFER, SPORTS CAR, Motorcycle, OR SUV? I live in Planet Brooklyn, so it's the iron horse.
9. Do you believe in the afterlife? Yes, I am living at least my fifth life.
10. FAVORITE CHILDREN’S BOOK? Anything by illustrator R. Gregory Christie.
11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON? Fall with Spring thisclose.
12. IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT IS IT? Ain't nevah gonna get one (unless it's done by a shaman during a religious rite).
13. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I already have supa powers... ask my baby. ;-)
14. CAN YOU JUGGLE? See the above answer. ;-)
15. ONE PERSON/PEOPLE FROM YOUR PAST YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK AND TALK TO: My high school friends from John Dewey (esp. Khan B. who I may have seen in the Union Sq. area a few weeks ago).
16. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED? Dust, dust and some mo' dust.
17. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DAY? Sundays.
18. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SUSHI OR HAMBURGER? Burger,esp. if it has crispy bacon on it.
19. FROM THE PEOPLE YOU WILL EMAIL THIS TO, WHO’S THE MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST? Yeah right. I only do these online from blogs. Otherwise, I delete the mofos pronto.
20. WHO’S THE LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? See the above.
21. WHO DID YOU RECEIVE THIS FROM? Jacked it from Steven, who jacked it from ej.
22. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? I'm corny, so it's roses.
23. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEAL? Turkey wings, collard green, baked mac & cheese and cornbread. Reminds me of Sunday dinners by moms.
24. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? Ahem,July 31st.
25. DESCRIBE YOUR PJ’s. My fugly plaid pants. My baby has a matching pair (he bought them both!)
26. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BREAKFAST? Either a bowl of non-kiddy cereal or toast with jam (no butter!)
27. DO YOU LIKE YOUR JOB? Hell no!!
28. WHAT ARE YOUR DREAM JOBS? Publisher of an extremely successful independent press.
29. WHAT AGE DO YOU PLAN TO RETIRE? Never. I'll either wind up in a coma for several years or have a heart attack at work.
30. WHERE DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE OR SIGNIFICANT OTHER? Beleive it or not, on the 'net (in of all places, a Yahoo! club populated with Rice Queens and others with Jungle Fever!).
31. BONUS: SOMETHING YOU’D LIKE TO DO THAT YOU’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE? Swim naked in the Nile!