Sugar N Spice

Can't You Pump That Crude Any Faster?

How about TV One is airing The Color Purple right now...with commercials! You can't show that damn movie with commercials! Gee whiz. I was just telling Spice that I'm going to order myself a copy of that novel, some Zora [Neale Hurston], James Baldwin, etc. I mean, what self-respecting, professional African-American doesn't own copies of those books? Especially an English Literature major. Sheesh! I'm going to order just enough of them to fill the book case I already have, but when I move into a house, I'm going to go nuts! I'd like to have a very well-stocked library of books in my future home. I think it's important. Of course not just African-American books, because Shakespeare is very near and dear to my heart, but I definitely want to make sure I have those on hand.

I like a lot of today's African-American literature, but there is a stark contrast between the writing of today and the writing of yester-year. It's actually quite amazing. The depth of thought in works by Baldwin and the likes of Toni Morrison is so amazingly different to most of what's out there today it's nearly unnerving to me. Is it that the authors of way back when were more educated and now almost  anyone with a thumb drive and access to MS Word can possibly get something published? Or, is it that the struggles of way back when were so harsh and bone-scraping that those writers couldn't see fit to write something similar to today's urban fiction? Lolita Files' Child if God reminds me so much of the writing of some of our original greats. I need to see what she's been working on lately. Check out her blog in the blogroll on the left [The Lo Zone].

Anyway, I was supposed to just be writing a quick ditty about The Color Purple, but this mind of mine is all over the place. Buy books Black people. Buy some books! --SUGAR

Black Blogging: The New Harlem Renaissance

I was over at Lord Hannibal's blog just now, trying to prove my point that black men and women both get their fare share of thrashing in the mainstream media. I told him that he needs to diversify his news intake and told him about the new gem I've been introduced to at My African Diaspora. Good stuff. But, as I was writing my comment, I told him that one of the reasons I've embraced blogging in a way I never thought possible is because it is a meeting of the minds like never before in the Black community. We are swapping thoughts, ideas and opinions in real time and it is amazing to me.

I'm blessed to read your (all of you!) wonderful and powerful words and thoughts from day to day and this is something I haven't expressed before, but I'd just like to say thanks for all of your effort! From DJ Black Adam (with his mildly insane self...I'm JOKING!!) telling us what's happening in the Motherland to Tafari over at the Mindspill blossoming into a major force in the photography world to the Hostess over at The Afterparty dropping knowledge like it's hot and making readers really exercise those brains on a plethora of topics from week to week. Shai is a poet extraordinnaire and MizJJ has more wit than she can handle! Babs is taking the blogosphere by storm with her own take no prisoners wit and insight. Her daily posts are heart-warming, thought-provoking and one of the best things I find in her posts--short. Lord knows my own are way too long sometime!! I know, I know we've all got a lot to say!! But, I love how I can stop over to Babs' site, read a little something right quick and then keep it moving.

Black bloggers, and I'm only talking about the few I connect with on a regular basis (think of how many more are out there!!!), are proving that we are excellent writers, thinkers, philosophers, problem-solvers and all the like. It is excellently refreshing and it is a part of my spirit food for the day every single day. Lets me know that there is hope for our community. Oh, and let me say that I haven't intentionally not mentioned anyone's site. I just don't have time to list them all dammit! Look to the left if you want some love.

We have our issues. I mean come on, the slaves couldn't even get it right as a team and they were getting their asses whipped and stomped on a regular basis. So, some strife from time to time is going to happen. We're human. I think that if we truly, collectively put our heads together we could make for a powerful force FOR REAL. I try to click on your ads as often as possible and try to encourage many of you to post some ads. That alone is a simple way to help build up our singular efforts.

I could go on and on, but I need to wrap it up. Thanks for the effort you all put in from week to week from the bottom of my heart. Thanks for making me laugh, think, get angry :) smile and everything in between. We don't have to agree on everything, but the ability to have intelligent discussions, tempered by common sense and humility make for a hell of a great ride and I don't want to get off just yet! :) --SUGAR

New Blog Reviews Black Books, Major Effort

Today, a new site has been launched that is sure to open up broad, new discussions on the writings of African-Amerian authors. Beyond the Cover is dedicated to strictly reviewing books of all genres by Black authors. Certainly, any author should desire a positive review by the N.Y. Times, L.A. Times or The Washington Post, but who better to truly give insight into what a Black author is saying than Black people? So, to that end, a group has been assembled, including myself, to regularly review books by the numerous Black authors in the field today, and surely some from the past.

There will be reviews by newly released books, and some older ones that may have slipped through the cracks, but should definitely have received a larger audience. It is the hope of the site's owner, Diva(in Demand):

to explore and discuss what’s inside and review books by African American authors. This is the blog that will tell you not only what we’re reading at the moment but also what we think about it from our perspective.

I truly hope that Beyond the Cover will inspire you to pick up a book to read if you haven't done so in a while. Reading is the foundation of education, no matter what field you're in and it is important that young people see adults reading. There is a saying that goes something like this: "If you want to keep something from Black people, put it in a book..." Let's work to prove them wrong....--SUGAR

What Is You Tryina Say, Ms. Daniels?

I just went on Amazon to order it and can't wait for it to arrive. I'm itching to read it. Ghettonation: A Journey into the Land of Bling and Home of the Shameless, by Cora Daniels, is on shelves now. In it, Ms. Daniels makes the case that 'ghetto' is an attitude, a deficient mindset, that has permeated our culture from the boulevard to the cul de sac.

With things like Lil John being proud to be bestowed with Guiness' record for the biggest bling, the popularity (urban and suburban) of the neo-minstrel (I read that somewhere and loved it) Flava of Love, the bruhaha discussed in Sugar's post, Closing of 9 D.C. Area Clubs Has Blacks in Uproar, and the selling of pole dancing kits in a British toy store (WTF!!!) I have a hard time disagreeing with her. Of course, since I just ordered it about 10 minutes ago, I haven't yet read the book. I have read some reviews and excerpts and I am intrigued.

Having grown up in the 'ghetto' myself, there are things about it for which I have an affinity. The hustle and bustle, the diversity and the ability to get something to eat at 4am AND have a choice are just a few. There are, however, things about it which drive me to the brink of insanity. The thoughtless people who blare their music at all hours while riding down the block, dudes who are proud to stand on the corner and sling, swear by the street code and the women that love them and the filth are some. I love it and hate it. It has its pros and its cons. And that is what Cora Daniels says the ghetto attitude is all about. The celebration of the best and the worst of the African American culture.

I'm hoping my book won't be long in arriving. When I've read it I will let you know what I think. Have you heard about it? Interested in reading it? - M

An Icon Amongst Us

Over ten years ago, I cracked open the pages of a novel that would truly change my life. It was Alice Walker's, Possessing the Secret of Joy. It sheds light on a subject which, ten years ago, many of us didn't know much about, female circumcision. It is a custom practiced in many parts of Africa and various other countries across the globe. If you have never read it, do yourself a favor. Enlighten yourself, increase your knowledge base and pick up a copy.

Walker was in the D.C. metro area last week and foolishly, I was unaware, and so I missed the opportunity to be in the midst of one of this country's greatest writers ever. She has released a new volume of "meditations" entitled, "We are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For: Inner Light in a Time of Darkness". Powerful title. I admire her.

Check out the article in Monday's Washington Post for details of her visit and to find out what she's been up to. Walker was Lifetime Television in literary form in her heyday. The stories she published just ten to fifteen years ago dealt with topics that many people weren't comfortable with where a man and a woman's relationship is concerned, but she braved the critics and told those tales anyway. Courage to take on millions, grace under fire, that's what I'm striving for. --SUGAR