BlogHer 08

I’m at the BlogHer conference this weekend. I moderated a panel on Race and Gender, check-out the live blog here.  The recorded version should be available on their site soon (that’s where it gets interesting).

I’m experiencing conference burn-out, so I’m taking an early flight home and will try to digest and write about the conference in the next few days.  I have mixed feelings about the overall message, the general intent of the conference and especially the sponsors. Although, I want to make sure I give myself a little time to process my own message before I put it out in the world.

Off to the processing lab, where WOC learn to reframe, readjust and regurgitate bland words for mass production!

BlackAmazon & Brownfemipower

From BlackAmazon

Congratulations.

I quit.

I’m done. My blog will go live again when I’m compiling stuff for  my time to apply to gradschool but  I am done for now.

I want to say that this is permaent or that this is just a small break but no , this is teh beginning of a death knell.

 Continue reading at Problem Chylde

 

I have to admit I’m not very active in the blogsphere, for a number of reasons. It takes me forever to write something, I get lost in what’s going on at home and work, and my debating skills are a work in progress. Plus I still feel like I don’t know enough, like I’m always trying to catch up. But there are women (people) who, unlike me, have spent long hours engaging with the community, speaking to issues most of us ignore and opening themselves up to critique and personal attacks for what they believe in. BlackAmazon and Brownfemipower have always been two of those people. While we’re on the subject of defending people’s character and careers, it deserves mentioning that besides being amazing bloggers, they are genuinely good people. This is important and it often gets lost in the debate raging around issues.

Whether you’ve disagreed with them in that past, taken issue with some of their ideas and opinions, or just outright refused to dialogue with them, doesn’t erase the fact that they always remained willing to give.

We’ve arrived at a point where two important, prominent leaders - not only of the women of color community, but the feminist community in general - feel they are better off shutting down. I’m not sure who wins from this, but certainly not us - not any of us (although I don’t begrudge them their right to do what they think is best).

So please don’t come to this blog looking for my resume, or to ask me what I’ve written and where you can find my contributions. I am merely one of many addessing these issues. Instead, ask me to help you find the women who taught and never asked for anything in return; the women who wrote/worked for me even when I couldn’t see it, and gave when it was easier to take.

BlackAmazon and BrownfemiPower, thank you - and thanks are not anywhere near enough!

Read:

Mamita Mala

Angry Black Woman

Thanks Elaine, for helping me retrieve this post.

Weekend Break

 I’m taking a weekend break to get some work done.

I want to concentrate on writing a recap on the Sex Trafficking Conference, which was a full weekend with many important lessons and painful realities.

I will be attending Race Sex Power: New Movements in Black and Latina/o Sexualities and Labor Notes: Rebuilding Labor’s Power and I want to be fully present for them.

I also want to read the two Hermana, Resist zines Noemi gifted me and take them in silently.

Lastly, I’m planning a nice long conversation with my brilliant niece. And there’s nothing I anticipate more!

Have a great weekend!

Great Stuff happening in Michigan

Christopher Onstott / The Portland Tribune

When I first moved to Michigan from New York City, my three biggest concerns were: finding a reputable literary community, still being able to engage in the types of activities I was used to in a big city, and getting involved with a feminist group that emphazied women of color, and drew from their wisdom.

Within three months each concern was put to rest. So, for transplants like me, or for those of you who have been in Michigan too long and can no longer see its beauty, here is a small list of amazing, inexpensive events, as well as ways to get involved, taking place this month and next in our fine state.

Theater:

Real Women Have Curves by Josefina Lopez, is a funny story of five full-figured Mexican-American women who are racing to meet a nearly impossible production deadline in order to keep their tiny dress-making factory from going under.

Price Range: $10 - $20

Escanaba In Love: In the new comedy by Jeff Daniels, audiences will visit the Soady deer camp in the midst of World War II, forty original “Escanaba in da Moonlight.”

Meet the love of young Albert Soady Jr.’s life, Big Betty Baloo - the woman destined to become the mother of Reuben and Remnar Soady - along with a whole new cast of wacky and good-hearted Yoopers.

This production is recommended for mature audiences. Price range: $20 - $35

Creative: Visual Arts, Film, Museums, History, Science, Life, Outdoors, Attractions:

The Kreft Center Gallery of Concordia University-Ann Arbor will host John Issac: The Odyssey of a Photojournalist, an exhibition of photographs and reportage by photojournalist John Issac.

Throughout his 20-year career as a UN photographer, John Issac has traveled to more than 100 countries capturing the tragedies and triumphs of our changing world. His worldwide coverage includes the Israeli/Lebanon conflict in 1978, the boat people in 1979, and US/Iranian hostage crisis in 1980. In the 1980’s he worked throughout the African nations covering drought and famine. Besides his work with the UN, Issac provided coverage for UNICEF, working closely with the late actress Audrey Hepburn, Harry Belafonte, and Liv Ullman.

You can discover what animals and plants may look like in 5 to 200 million years when the Cranbook Institute of Science presents The Future is Wild.

Based on science and educated imaginations, the new planetarium show offers an exciting picture of the possible future of planet earth and the living things that call it home.

The exhibit is geared to ages 5 and up only. Tickets are required in addition to museum admission.

Muskegon Museum of Arts major fall exhibition, “Women Only? In Their Studios.”  This eclectic assemblage of works seeks to acquaint the general public with the accomplishments of 2o exceptional contemporary women artists…

From abstract expressionism to conceptualism and photography, to appropriationism and everything in between, each of these artists has added distinct markings along the path of modern art. 

Hester Street tells the story of Jewish immigrants who came to the Lower East Side of New York City in 1896 from Europe and who lived on the famous Hester Street.

There is no charge for this program. For more information, call (24 967-4030

Patriot Day Ceremony will be held at the Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion in Riley Park. The American Legion Post #346 of Farmington will present the annual 9-11 ceremony to honor those who served our country in the past and also to honor the men and women who currently serve in the American armed forces throughout the world.

Local officials will take part in the ceremony along with police, fire, clergy, and active and reserve military units, veterans and youth groups. For more information, cal (24 474-8554

Advanced screening of Trade, a film about sex trafficking in the United States.

It will be held at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak, Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 7:30pm. (Courtesy of ThinkGirl.net)

Wayne State University’s Women’s Studies Dept. is showing Beyond Beats and Rhymes, September 13 at noon in the Undergraduate Library and will discuss the film afterwards. (Courtesy of ThinkGirl.net)

Warren Farmer’s Market, The Farmer’s Market is new this year to the city of Warren. Come and check out the Sunday Market.

Vendors will be available from 9am to 2pm at the City Square Park in Warren. The park is located west of Van Dyke, north of 12 mile Road in the City Hall area.

The market runs every Sunday until October 28, 2007. Call (586) 268-8400 for more information.

 At the library, Education/Hands-on, Book signings:

Investor Education: The State of Michigan Office of Finance and Insurance Services is offering a workshop at the Rochester Hills Public Library which will provide independent, objective financial advice to help make you make informed investment decisions.

During this free workshop, participants will learn the fundamentals of stocks, bonds & mutual funds, understanding diversification, understand compund vs. average rates of return, how to select a financial services provider, common investment terms, and where wealth comes from. There will also be one-on-one counseling immediately following the workshop.

Please pre-register by phone at (24 650-7122

Poetry Open Mic is a platform for poets, storytellers and musicians to share their works and the inspiration behind them in an intimate setting. Additionally, each evening will feature a local or international talent, welcoming poet & author Diamond Dancer in August and poet & visual artist Travis in September. Hosted by Ber-Henda Williams.

The event takes place in the Meeting Room of the Southfield Library.

Detroit’s largest on-line literary community, Motown Writers Network

Kimberlee Auerbach, Author of: The Devil, the Lovers & Me: My Life in Tarot, book signing.

Sunday, November 18, 2007, 1:00pm. Free of charge. For more details visit ThinkGirl.net.

Concert:

Bjork: Best known for her expressive range and an interest in many kinds of music. Bjork will  be performing at the Fox Theatre.

Tickets are on sale now, and may be purchased at the Fox Theatre and Joe Louis Arena box offices. To charge tickets by phone, call (24 433 -1515.

Community/Get Involved:

In partnership with Panera Bread Company, United Way for Southeastern Michigan is encouraging everyone to volunteer in local communities, and build stronger, healther neighborhoods through the “Impact Your Neighborhood” program.

Volunteers must register before participating in a program.

Detroit Scavenger Hunt: Scavenger hunt by car! This event offers you and your friends the perfect opportunity for grassroots involvement…with a Motor City Spin! You’ll have the added satisfaction of knowing your efforts will have a direct and meaningful impact on someone’s life.

How to Get Involved

The maximun number who can be on one scavenger hunt is five (5). Our goal is for each team to raise a minimum of $300 for Alternatives for Girls; however, there are extra incentives for teams that raise more.

Sunday, September 16, 2007, starts at noon.

Most links/events can be found at Great Stuff.

 

If you would like to add an event to the list, drop me a line, I’d be happy to include another great Michigan experience.

Life must be lived!

Hora por vacaciones / time for vacation

I’m taking a much needed, well-deserved vacation!

My glasses are off and I’m outta here!  (Be back on the 20th)

Time-out!

I have been avoiding announcing a blog break, but I need a bubble bath

 

and a cigarette (or five!)

 

I’ll be back in about a week, with new material, proper blog formatting/ links, and a yellow tooth.

 In the meantime, visit The Outlet for the better half of my work.