The pic above is from the dedication wall that runs about a quarter of a block on 125th St. next to the Apollo. It was taken on Saturday, June 27, 2 days after Mr. Jackson passed but was already covered in sharpie memorial RIP messages, and 2 plastic covers and brown paper so more people could write their goodbyes. I wrote a message for my best friend and sister, and her 5 year-old daughter (my godbaby who i LOVE with all my heart!). My best friend and I met in college and we have been "shamon" to each other probably since then. I didn't realize how much it was a part of our vernacular until I was visiting them in May. We were getting ready to leave out of the house, my friend was in the car and little miss (my godbaby) says "Shamon, Ti-Ti!" I couldn't stop laughing! Shamon lives on :)
Fast forward to June 25, and MJ transitioned. I called my girl to talk about it, and I told her how happy I was that her baby would know who Michael Jackson was, even though she wasn't around during his hey day.
Fast forward to a slightly muggy slightly cool August night, I'm walking with one of my oldest friends (I'm talking elementary school) on 116th and 3rd. In front of us, this little Latino/indigenous boy about 3 years old, was dancing on the sidewalk. Upon closer inspection, he had on this tank top, shorts lil' hightops and sweatband; and was clearly doing classic MJ moves. This little dude was grabbing and thrusting his crotch while pointing the other arm out, spinning, moonwalking, all around jammin' out. It was like he was on repeat, he kept going over and over for minutes! We were so tickled! I had to stop and watch him for a bit, he was so serious with his. Even funnier, a group of 3 young girls that must know him from the block (ages 6, 7 and 10?) saw us watching, walked by and were making faces like "oh, he's at it again" and were cracking up. This little boy was so dope. Shamon lives on.
I think Michael is happy to see his legacy carried on in the children. He was openly dedicated to young people and creating peace through his music, art and influence. Children now still react to him the way we did, he's timeless.
Vh1 Classic played the below video/film on rotation the weekend he transitioned; I must have watched it at least 10 times in those 48 hours. Before his passing, I only remembered the 5 music video version from when I was a kid. But alas, there is much entertainment, comedy and drama jam packed into this 16 minutes. Amidst all that with, he maintains a serious message of peace, understanding and brotherhood. Who knew? :)
Happy birthday, MJ. I couldn't get out there and dance for you today, but I had a private party in your honor. I never realized how much you shaped my childhood and my world as a dancer and music lover until you passed. My dad and I used to watch music videos all throughout my childhood. I remember cracking up at "Shamon" and "Chickood," your ad libs from "The Way You Make Me Feel." And from then on "shamon" became a part of my vocabulary. It lives on. The legacy continues.
Watching all those videos again reminded me of your excellence at your art. I'm inspired by your work to give 200% in anything I do, especially creatively. Anything is possible. You gave it all for us and a better world, and we'll love you for it forever. Thanks for inspiring generations to come.
I took that picture this April walking back from the 40th Annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest, probably the biggest annual live music festival hosted by the city. As I walked by, belly full of assorted varieties of crawfish, all I could think about was Spike Lee's "When The Levees Broke" and learning that the spray-painted X found on many of the homes, indicated the number of dead people found in that home. These chilling and humbling reminders remain throughout the city four years later, a symbol that the struggle for recovery continues.
Today marks the 4th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, completely changing the landscape of the Gulf Coast, and particularly New Orleans, undeniably one of the country's greatest historical and cultural centers. I don't want to focus on the negative because there are a lot of beautiful things that remain, have returned, or have emerged post-Katrina, but it is undeniable that the city and its people need our help. Yes, OUR as in American citizens, as humanitarians, as fellow humans.
Princeton University professor, MSNBC commentator (and brilliant, fierce, down-to-earth diva) Melissa Harris Lacewell and 2010 New Orleans mayoral candidate and Executive Director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center (GNOFHAC) James Perry, have been on the soapbox (rightfully so) making rounds, speaking out on the needs of the New Orleans community and Gulf Coast, offering perspective on how Katrina affected, and continues to affect, the entire country. Their thoughtful piece "Katrina Nation" asks the government and this country to look past racialized politics, to start connecting human development with economic development, and to concretely invest in infrastructure. Not only are these 2 a dynamic force in advocating for the future of New Orleans, they are a fly power couple following in the footsteps of our favorite image of Black love, Mr. and Mrs. President Obama. My heart smiles :)
Also in the wake of the 4th anniversary of Katrina, the Institute for Women's Policy Research, released their report "Women in the Wake of the Storm: Examining the Post-Katrina Realities of the Women of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast". Apparently pre-Katrina, women in NOLA were already subjected to lower wages, having one of the worst gender gaps in pay out of the 50 states. Post-Katrina the trend has worsened along with less health and child care facilities, along with a rise in sexual assault and violence due to the severe housing shortage. Many women are living in dangerous situations, just to have a roof over their heads. The report also offers solid policy recommendations, and with a commitment from Obama, we hope to see special attention given to the special needs of Gulf Coast women. When the women are unwell, a community cannot survive.
The report notes the New Orleans Women's Health Center which I've just found out has closed because they can't find a medical director who is willing and able to work with trans-women. This clinic served primarily women of color, low-income women, and trans-women, a part of the community in dire need of services, especially since Charity Hospital has never been re-opened, and will now become part of Tulane University's massive industrial medical complex (which is not being designed to replace the Charity's services). According to RaceWire, the complex is also displacing 600 NOLA residents from their homes, 88% of those people are people of color. Let me not get started on that. This article from Feministe has more details, so in the meantime, please support the work of INCITE: Women of Color Against Violence; their New Orleans chapter is at the forefront of this movement.
There's a bunch of organizations doing direct service work around New Orleans that you can donate to, ensuring your money is helping actual people. One is YOUTHanasia Family, which operates the Teen Center for Non-Violence providing mental health services for young people. They will close on Monday, August 30th, if they do not raise enough money. From what I've read, there's a scarcity of mental health services, specifically for post-traumatic stress. Please help young people process these events through peaceful means.
Josh Charles, a pianist, singer/songwriter, who has been heavily influenced by New Orleans, is donating ALL proceeds from his song, "Healing Time," dedicated to the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans. In an interview with Tavis Smiley, he talks about moving to New Orleans 4 days before Katrina hit, and his dedication to the city ever since. Although he hasn't moved back, he considers himself a traveling champion for the cause. You can purchase his song on Amazon, and on iTunes, it's only 99 cents, but will go a long way!
The Katrina Information Network, a national colloboration of groups working for change, has a page dedicated to how you can support New Orleans organizations through political advocacy, donations, or even joining their Facebook and Twitter pages to stay informed. They only ask for 5 minutes a day, or even each week.
If you are visiting New Orleans, venture off of Bourbon Street and visit local museums that represent African-American culture and history in New Orleans, such as the Backstreet Museum in historic Treme, and The House of Dance and Feathers in the Lower 9th Ward. Learn about Mardi Gras Indians culture, paying homage and respect to the historic connections between Native American and Black peoples. Support local businesses and artists.
(Member of the Mohawk Hunters from July 4th tribute to the Ancestors, Algiers Point)
Survivors are also telling their stories through documentary films, notably Sundance winner, "Trouble the Water." A couple with no means to evacuate turns the camera on themselves, capturing the storm and their 2 year struggle to fight for their city. It's finally available on DVD after receiving critical acclaim and being featured at IFC theaters and various other independent art houses. Check out the trailer below:
This was a long one...and I still don't feel I've even scratched the surface. I feel like I left a lot out. New Orleans changed my world. I fell in love. I'm still in love. It opened my heart, my soul and my eyes. There's an indescribable energy there, perhaps a thin veil between living and unliving that touches your spirit. I wish I had been able to experience it before Katrina, where locals and folks who visited say it was even more vibrant, COLORFUL, musical and downright amazing. Kinda unfathomable. It's one of my biggest regrets. Perhaps this is why I'm committed to the fight to maintain this magical city. Everyone is richer for knowing her.
I have to end with my favorite brass band, New Orleans staple, the Soul Rebels. I saw them in February 2008 at their annual Lundi Gras jam session bash at the Blue Nile. I had no idea...incredible! It was my first trip to New Orleans and I haven't been the same since. Truly. Thanks to GR contributor, NPR Fan, for introducing me to them, I couldn't have asked for a better birthday present :) Below they talk about re-grouping after Katrina and love for their city. There truly is no place like home.
