by Victoria Anderson

I recently read that the secret to understanding a city and it’s people is to learn what is the Word of the Street? According to this author, every city has a single word that defines it and identifies most of the people that live there. For example, many may agree that the word for the cities below might be :

Los Angeles = Success

New York = Achieve

Vegas = Debauchery

The gist is that every city, and its people, have a word which defines it. For example, when many people think of New York they may think Achieve; or for Vegas one might think Debauchery or Sin City!!!

My word? Frankly, I struggled to come up with just one!  And though I’m still tossing it around a bit, the closest I’ve come to being able to define ‘my word’ is…solution-ize.

I am forever: thinking, reflecting, analyzing, doing–with most things my mind works in what I call a ‘4 step process’ : 1) analyze to understand 2) problem-solve to generate alternatives 3) “solution-ize” and 4) resolve or compromise. Oh, and I am so prone to over stimulating, lol.

Let me tell you, this can be kind of annoying–even to me– given that being 3 ‘thoughts’ ahead takes me out of the present.

Don’t get me wrong. There are times when this works and makes sense. However, there are plenty of times when it SO does not. And it causes me to miss or overlook the details, or focus too much on the future.

I think there is a serious need for me to think/do less, and just BE more. My goal–yes, I’m aware this may defeat the purpose of thinking less just a tiny bit–is to have a new word ‘define’ me . If defining it, means I will be more of it, then this is at least a step in the right direction. Right??  So, what is that new word, you ask?

If this is, in fact the case, then my “in progress word” is:

BE

…as in: present, in-the-now, at-hand, in-the-moment–fully and completely here and aware of the current stuff I am doing or experiencing.

With that, what is your word?!

by Victoria Anderson

Victoria is a Human Resources Professional, and currently works as a HR Manager for General Mills—Yoplait Division. Prior to joining General Mills, she spent 4 years as a HR Manager with Pepsi. Victoria received her Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) in HR Management & Labor Relations; and her Bachelors of Science in Industrial/Organization Psychology from ISU.

For kicks, she enjoys spending traveling, writing, spending time with friends, and trying just about anything new. 

There’s many perspectives on relationships, analogies on the subject matter, but I found this one quite interesting, yet accurate.

“relationships are like outfits, you don’t always have to match…

…just as long as you coordinate.” - Cliff V. Dailey

Mr. Cliff and I initially met at the schoolhouse (FAMU) and formed a bond through the legendary/infamous/great/notorious Alpha Xi chapter of KAΨ. Even more so, I hand-picked this man to help take the chapter to the next level…and that he did.

Visit this young man’s blog @ http://cliffvaldez.blogspot.com/

Re: relationships & outfits…thoughts? Feel free to comment.

If you may be so inclined to be a guest writer, I’m searching for someone who can provide the following content aimed at the progressive audience:

Weekly Book Review

Weekly Movie Review

Weekly Restaurant/Lounge/Happy Hour Review (Los Angeles)

Aside from that, I’m open any other suggested weekly/daily/monthly contributions; scroll down the list of categories on the right panel for ideas.

Contact: blog@kenbillups.com

In my short-lived life, I’ve been blessed with many great friends and family…people from all walks of life and individuals talented in so many regards.

As it relates to the arts, I was first introduced to the theater element at my very own Taylor Tot’s Playhouse (a blog post forthcoming on the significance and legacy). Fast fwd to high school, I was introduced to a young man in my [St. Bernard's High School] graduating class of  ’98 by the name of Aaron White.

Aaron always took the arts very seriously…even impressed me enough to seek out his knowledge and experience in helping CLIMB develop a CLIMB Youth Performing Arts Academy. Nowadays, you can find Mr. Aaron White spearheading a movement of consciousness, with very enlightening one-man performances highlighting the journey and struggle of “our people.”

Upon hearing of the new production, I made a surprise visit in Winter of 2005, and to my knowledge, this same performance has received rave reviews and national recognition. With that said, I’d encourage you to not only embrace the arts, but also lend yourself the experience of opening your mind to other outings and happenings (especially here in LA)…in the meantime, I give you Aaron White’s The Blood They Shed.

contact info: thebloodtheyshed@gmail.com

Have you ever witnessed two ducks get into a fight? Yeah, well, neither have I.

Why do I ask? Well, I’m “reading” a book in true VA fashion (audio style) which is turning out to be quite significant for me. I recently finished a chapter that detailed a pivotal lesson, in such a humorous fashion, I simply had to share.

According to Eckhart Tolle in A’ New Earth’, the aforementioned duck brawl would go something like this…

After two ducks get into a fight (which apparently never lasts very long) they separate and float off in opposite directions. Each will then flaps their wings vigorously a few times to release surface energy built-up during the fight. After flapping, they each float off peacefully as if nothing ever happened.

Now, if the ducks had a human mind, this little tiff would be kept alive loooooong after the fight ended. How you say? By the uniquely human tendency, and ability to, well…think. If the ducks were human, their thoughts after the fight might go something like this…

“I don’t believe what he just did!” ” He came within 5 inches of me.” “He thinks he owns this pond!!” “She has no consideration for my personal space.” “I will never trust him/her again!!” “I’m not going to stand for this.” “I will teach him a lesson he won’t forget.” And on, and on, and on….their mind would keep spinning their story, thinking about it days…months…even years later.

Unfortunately, most of us are stuck in this thought pond, or know a couple folks that live their life this way. For us humans, these thoughts are driven and kept alive by our EGO. And, as far as the body is concerned, the fight is still continuing as long as you leave them on ‘repeat’. You see the energy generated by these negative thoughts–in turn generates negative emotions–which in turn then generates more negative thoughts.

No event ever ends in such a mind, to the point that the event becomes a part of ones identity…kept alive by thoughts…aka the ego…or the mini me. I mean, how many friendships and/or relationships have ended because of ego?? In other words, a failure of folks to flap their wings, shake it off, walk it out….you get the gist…

What is the lesson you ask?

Well, it tis all about letting go of resentment, guilt and perceived grievances. In other words, emotional and mental baggage. At the end of the day, we are all giving this whole navigating life thing, our very best go. And to err is human…and always divine.

At the end of the day, all we can ever truly be defined by is the present moment. Everything else is but a story…about the past or the future…kept alive by our thoughts, which are generated by our ego. If we are not careful, these stories (our stories) can become a part of our identity. That is to say, the stories become how we define ourselves….and just as critically, how we engage (or not) with others.

Be gentle with yourself and others…In other words…Flap your wings folks….vigorously if need be.

…don’t say I never learnt you nothing…;-)

by Victoria Anderson

Victoria is a Human Resources Professional, and currently works as a HR Manager for General Mills—Yoplait Division. Prior to joining General Mills, she spent 4 years as a HR Manager with Pepsi. Victoria received her Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) in HR Management & Labor Relations; and her Bachelors of Science in Industrial/Organization Psychology from ISU.

For kicks, she enjoys spending traveling, writing, spending time with friends, and trying just about anything new. 

It was October 2007, on a 10-day trade mission trip to China as an associate of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. Joined by my esteemed colleague Olu Davis, he put me onto the adult beverage that is now my beer of choice:

Stella Artois.

Brewed by InBev, and Latin for star, I still can’t quite put my finger on why this particular lager has become my favorite, but trust me, it is.

Upon introduction, in our travels throughout China, Stella seemed the be the most available and common beer; for some reason that intrigued me. Upon returning to home to the States, I have come to realize that it is certainly a popular beer here as well. And now, it has become a lot more available and visible due InBev’s recent acquisition of Anheuser-Busch.

Enjoy the beverage as I have…I look forward to a toast to a nice good cold Stella.

Cheers!

by Aaron Berry

Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee-Isaiah 26:3…

“Perefect Peace”. I don’t know about you but I can not honestly say I am at perfect peace with anything, not even the things over which I have control, like uhhhh…my life. Don’t get me wrong I love my life and I love myself. I mean there are times that in the words of the late Great Godfather of Soul, “I wanna jump back and kiss myself” but, I am not at perfect peace with a damn thing: I am not at perfect peace with my job, my relationships, my appearance, my financial situation, so on and so forth. Maybe its me or maybe somebody knows what its like to doubt what they are doing because they are just not meeting expectations.

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African American men wonder if the wider culture will finally start to see them as true equals or if the president-elect will just be seen as yet another exception.

By Carla Hall and Marjorie Miller (LA Times)

Hakeem Holloway may be a classically trained musician who has played with orchestras around the world, but when he crosses an L.A. city street wearing his typical uniform of jeans and a hoodie, white women have been known to eye him, a black man, and clutch their purses more tightly to their sides. 

Frank Gilliam, the dean of UCLA’s School of Public Affairs, sometimes flies first class. When he does, white passengers often ask Gilliam, who is black, if he’s a record producer — if they talk to him at all.

Even as millions of black Americans revel in Barack Obama’s victory and plan trips to his inauguration that are turning into pilgrimages, many still wonder if this transformative moment in American politics will truly transform perceptions of black men. How much, if at all, they ask, will Obama’s victory shatter that glass ceiling?

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by Femi Ajetunmobi

And I cried!

I saw Jesse Jackson in the crowd weeping. I saw Oprah Winfrey sobbing in the crowd on the shoulders of strangers. I saw the young and the old, blacks and whites and coloreds, rich and poor, famous and the unknowns, holding hands and hugging, screaming and crying, all at the same time, completely overwhelmed by the enormity of the moment. I held my emotions in check during all these. I saw people celebrating in Sydney, Australia. I saw people jumping up and down in Nairobi, Kenya. I saw people displaying unmitigated joy in Hong Kong. From the East coast to the West coast, from North America to Africa, every one recognized the significance of the moment. Still, I held my emotions in check.

Never before have I seen so many people gathered in one place – like they did in Grant Park, Chicago, that night – reveling in the magic of the moment. Never before have I seen the world come together in the moment – like we all did on Tuesday night – to celebrate a night that would be talked about from generations to generations and for centuries until the end of time. It was one of those moments that we would all be able to say, years down the line, that we knew exactly where we were when Barack Hussein Obama was elected the first black leader of the free world!

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The right to marry does nothing to address the problems faced by both black gays and black straights.

by Jasmyne A. Cannick

I am a perfect example of why the fight against Proposition 8, which amends the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage, failed to win black support. 

I am black. I am a political activist who cares deeply about social justice issues. I am a lesbian. This year, I canvassed the streets of South Los Angeles and Compton, knocking on doors, talking politics to passers-by and working as I never had before to ensure a large voter turnout among African Americans. But even I wasn’t inspired to encourage black people to vote against the proposition.

Why? Because I don’t see why the right to marry should be a priority for me or other black people. Gay marriage? Please. At a time when blacks are still more likely than whites to be pulled over for no reason, more likely to be unemployed than whites, more likely to live at or below the poverty line, I was too busy trying to get black people registered to vote, period; I wasn’t about to focus my attention on what couldn’t help but feel like a secondary issue. 

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