If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has goodwill, who am I to judge?
– Pope Francis
Monthly Archives: July 2013
Papal Shift
Capital Vandalism
A woman has been arrested for vandalizing two chapels in the National Cathedral this afternoon. Green paint was splattered inside. Green paint has been found on other DC landmarks: the Lincoln Memorial, a statue of Martin Luther as well as inside the nearby church (white paint), a statue outside of Smithsonian castle. Although the cases are yet to be linked, it’s a hell of a coincidence.
Meanwhile, as tourists crop paint splatter from their pics, scaffolding is a bit more difficult to navigate. The Monument, MLK Jr. Memorial and WWII Memorial are all under construction. It’s rough out here for DC tourists!
Honeysuckle Air
Caught me some honeysuckle air today.
Just a whiff,
Unexpected…
While driving on the freeway
Windows down, hair blowin’, music blarin’
Trying to be carefree.
The sweet, heavy scent reminded me of Grandma’s
In the summertime.
Of climbing trees,
Playin’ kickball
And eating blackberries and sugar ‘til we could burst.
Of running fast with the wind on my face and barrettes stingin’ my back
As my plaits slapped.
That honeysuckle air
Punted me back into memories of my pink and white Huffy
And rollerskatin’ on concrete.
Scraped knees and lightning bugs,
Summer vacation, freeze tag
And the days when my universe consisted of home, Grandma’s house and school.
Caught me some honeysuckle air today.
And I could see Grand-dad in the kitchen,
Fussin’ over sugar roses and tiers of buttercream and promises.
Bright, blue days that stretched forever and never-ending, gut-busting laughter
Between childhood friends.
The smell of the grill, cherry popsicles and shit-talking
From relatives playin’ Spades.
Sittin’ in the cherry tree with Metri,
Gigglin’ and talkin’, ignorant of the world.
Firecrackers and pop guns
Jumpin’ over the pond and catchin’ guppies…
That honeysuckle air.
$900,000, Really?!?
Scaffolding and fences are up today at the King Memorial in order to remove an inscription that some felt mischaracterized MLK Jr.
I was a drum major for peace, righteousness…
Those who spoke out did so AFTER the memorial was finished. The change has a price tag of $900,000 and threatens to have the memorial under construction for the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington (Aug. 24).
Ridiculous.
I Know Many Trayvon Martins…
Too many. In fact, a lot of people that I know, know too many Trayvon Martins. And most people have the luxury of knowing only this one.
We are broken-hearted because they know too many. Most of whom received less justice than this one.
That is the issue.
Strange Fruit
Southern trees bear a strange fruit,
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root,
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze,
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.Pastoral scene of the gallant south,
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth,
Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh,
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh.Here is fruit for the crows to pluck,
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck,
For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop,
Here is a strange and bitter crop.
– Billie Holiday, 1939
Nine for IX
Celebrate Title IX turning 40!!!
Airing Tuesdays on ESPN at 8pm EDT through August, Nine for IX is a series of nine documentaries highlighting female trailblazers in sports.
These short films are all directed by women. Film features include Venus Williams, Coach Pat Simmons, Sheryl Swoopes, ’99 World Cup Women’s Champion, Coach C. Vivian Stringer and more inspirational women from their perspectives.
Co-executive producer Robin Roberts is a trailblazer in her own right, as the first African American female commentator for ESPN. Roberts’ passion is infused in this project.
I’m tuning in.
Mule of the World 