Oscar Grant, Unarmed Black Man, Shot in the Back

It really warms my heart to know that we have finally reached that golden age of post-racial awareness, solidarity, and kindness amongst humankind (via Womanistmusings). Because if we hadn’t, then I would probably be reading, six days into the new year, that an unarmed, subdued black man was shot in the back by a San Francisco Bay Area subway police officer.

Oh, wait.

I have to disagree with John Burris here. There was a reason that a firearm was pulled out and used with deadly force, even though it appears that the victim had been subdued. You get three guesses as to what that reason was.

Happy New Year, Folks!

Here’s to a happy New Year to everyone! I’m stuck inside, snowed in, but enjoying life right now. I hope you are all having a wonderful time, and here’s to a wonderful New Year for us all!

And Yet, All Is Not Bad

This is what can happen when workers stand up to unfair treatment:

Chicago workers end window plant sit-in.

Laid-off workers at a Chicago window factory ended a five-day sit-in after banks agreed to lend the failed company $1.75 million for outstanding wages and benefits, union officials said Wednesday.

“The occupation is over,” said Armando Robles, president of the United Electrical Workers local 1110, which led the sit-in.

About 200 workers launched what they called a “peaceful occupation” of the Republic Windows and Doors factory Friday after Republic gave its employees three days notice of the layoffs. According to the workers, Republic told them that Bank of America had cut off credit to the company.

Federal law requires 60 days notice or 60 days paid compensation for workers when they close plants.

Tip o’ the fedora to Shakesville.

Props To The Voters

I often miss living in the city. Today, however, as I spent the all of twenty minutes it took to go to my polling place and vote, I was glad that I live in a smaller place. No BS to deal with at all. But I recognize that it’s not that easy for every one else out there. Long lines and BS is the order of the day for many voters today. So, I give props to everyone out there who don’t have it as easy as I do, yet are still getting out there and casting their vote today. Big props! It is those that travel the rough path that we need today, and those of us who have it easy thank you.

Might I add that I’m feeling a combination of emotions right now that I don’t think I’ve ever felt before.

Much Obliged, Very Much Obliged

The wonderful ShAé – ShAé has extended her helping hand to me. The idea, which originated from SJP at Soujourner’s Place, is to recognize both those in the blogging world that have mentored and supported you as a blogger, and to offer your own support to other bloggers out there.

Receiving the Emblem in recognition for your mentoring, support, and encouragement to a fellow blogger is no small fete! It is evidence that you have gone well beyond the call of duty by your continued efforts to “leave the pile higher than you found it”! It is further evidence that your blog(s)has been identified as the epitome of excellence and is certainly admired.

Receiving the Emblem from a seasoned blogger is a testimony to your that you’re on the right track! That your voice is being heard. And there are those out here in the blogosphere that recognize your potential even if you don’t. Keep up the good work, and remember to “Pay it Forward”.

Here’s how it goes:

The Rules:

1. Select 10 bloggers: 5 you consider your blogging Helping Hand then “Pay it Forward” by extending your “Helping Hand” to 5 additional bloggers in support and encouragement for their efforts.
2. In passing on the Emblem, each recipient must provide the name of blog or blog author with a link for others to visit.
3. Each recipient must show the Emblem and put the name and link to the blog that has given it to her or him.
4. Link the Emblem to this post: Helping Hand: Much Obliged and Paying it Forward so that others will know it origin and impetus.
5. If you have not already done so, show your recipients some love by adding them to your blog roll, Technorati Favorite list, or in any other way to further let them know that their blog voice is important to you and being heard.
6. Add your name to The Helping Hand meme at my new blog entitled The Emblem of the Helping Hand and don’t forget to leave a comment as a permanent record of all Helping Hand recipients.
7. Display the rules

So it is with pleasure that I extend this emblem to those that I feel have been invaluable to my blogging. Thanks for your helping hands.

To the folks at Shakesville, in particular Melissa McEwan and Portly Dyke, both whom have been more than generous in their link love to little ol’ me. That they see fit to link to me every once in a while isn’t the point, though. The writing at Shakesville is always insightful, witty, and just plain on point. Their commitment to anti-oppression work, in all it’s forms, is tremendous.

To Nezua at the Unapologetic Mexican, whose brilliance continues to inspire me. Nez brings a new definition to the term “poetic justice.” His writing is always focused on justice and it is always poetic, his humor, infectious. Did I mention that he also has mad design skills as well? That Nez has allowed me to grace his own pages is truly an honor.

To Chris Clarke at Coyote Crossing. Chris is one of the best friggin’ witters on the intertubes. No doubt. Doesn’t matter what he’s focusing on. He is a poet of the highest order, writing with a clarity and grace that is not often found online or in print. I spent most of my early blogging trying to write as well as Chris. Oh, who am I kidding? I’m still trying to write that well.

To Elle, Ph.D. And no, not because she recently sent me a lil’ love either. I’ve been reading Elle since I got into this blogging thing, back when she was ABD, and she has always been an inspirational Sistorian to me. And what I said about her being like a sister still stands.

To Villager at Electronic Village. Soujorner’s right. The eternal optimist. My cynicism knows no bounds some times, and Villager is the blogger to bring me back to a more focused and less cynical viewpoint.

To Kai at Zuky. Another poet of the finest order and an inspiration to me for quite a while now. Wise beyond his years (I don’t even know how old he is, but I’m standing by that statement).

To DeviousDiva. *Sigh* How I miss the DDLive sessions. Devious Diva has been there for me from the beginning as well, as I for her. Her courage in the face of some of the most extreme xenophobia (she lives in and writes about Greece) and racism is truly an inspiration.

To BlackAmazon and BrownFemiPower. Two more bloggers that I’ve been reading for ages now. Two more of the most courageous bloggers on the planet. Two more poets (starting to notice a pattern here?). BlackAmazon and BrownFemiPower have been invaluable to my growth as a writer and thinker. They have, and continue to challenge me to, as the Greeks used to say, “Know Thyself.”

Eric Stoller. My partner in geekiness! Been reading him forever too. I’ll forgive you for ignoring our Star Wars Twitter-Convos, but I won’t forgive you for ignoring his blogging.

Now, on to the giving of Helping Hands. Truth be told, none of these bloggers really need any help, especially not from me. Really, they’re just bloggers that kick ass, and I’d like for you to go check them out and then promptly bookmark/add to your feedreader if you haven’t already. I’ll take any chance I get, under any pretenses to spread the love. So get to clicking those links!

MattBastard

Renee

WocPhD

Angry Brown Butch

Joan Kelly

Ilyka

Jose Vilson

Professor, What If…

XicanoPwr

Carmen D.

Miss Crip Chick

Purple Zoe

I could go on and on, I suppose. There is so much goodness out there that I try to keep an eye on (yes, I’m often made fun of for the amount of time I spend on my Blackberry reading blogs while at work; only while on breaks, of course). So, I’m also going to suggest that you check out the links over there on the sidebar as well as the complete Blog Roll for more bloggedy goodness.

Old School Friday – Baby Making Music

It’s Old School Friday once again! As always, much love to all the other OSF participants. This weeks theme is “Baby Making Music.” Yep, they went there and I’m more than willing to follow. Now, I hate to be all obvious and whatnot, but I just have to throw down the Barry White. Awww Yeahhh…

Happy OSF! And be sure to check out the other OSF participants:

Electronic Village
Fresh And Fab
Danielle
Kim
Ms Grapevine
Quick
Marcus LANGFORD
Cassandra
iriegal
Mahogany
Hagar’s Daughter
Lisa C
Chocl8t
DP
Dallassouth
John – CC Groovy
Kreative Talk
Marvalus One
Regina
Clnmike
Vivrant Thing
AJ
Sharon
The Creole Pimp
Invisible Woman
Beleiver 1964
Cooper
SJP
Bria
BklynQueen 86
Hey Shae
From the Battlefield
Thembi
D Spot
Malcolm
Pop Art Diva
Pjazzypar
MsLadyDeborah

Today

I’ve wanted to post all day today, and yet I haven’t been able to muster anything. I feel a profound sense of loss today, and when I feel this way, I inevitably find myself falling back on music and words. My comfort lies in the rhythm of art and passion. In the midst of memory, I must celebrate life. So, I will leave my thoughts for today at this: Get Up, Get Into It. Get Involved. I hope this makes sense. If it doesn’t, my sincerest apologies.