The Revolution is ….wHERE?
The question at hand is what comes first? Revolution or Evolution? Can we afford to sit back and evolve over time- or do we take action?-
Brrrap Brraap
Fire the Revolver to begin to evolve her…
**And by Her, I mean the World whom has to be referred to as the Feminine. Because that which we take for granted everyday, the earth-the soil, the concrete and lush jungles, the corners and front stoops, the Mothers and sons- that which we forsake everyday has to be female… easily forgotten, but so readily missed when the absence hits.
That which we take for granted but love so fucking much it hurts. We adulterate this earth, and fornicate her people. We sit at a stand still longing for an Era where pro-active change was easier to fight for because the issues were easier to see…
Now, we have the same shit. But the institutions hide it. The same racism. The same Sexism. Classism. The same homophobias and all of the other Isms- Schisms…that we need to fight but cant even find them in broad daylight- But we feel them… they are here. They are present.
Evolution requires revolution even if the war begins alone. We’ve been riding the progress of our predecessors for to long- So we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day one day out of the year- Shit- Confuse the masses- lets celebrate it 6 times a year-..two times in one month. Throw a few weeks in For Malcolm, Frantz Fanon, Frida Kahlo, Che Guevara, Mother Teresa, Ghandi and Andre 3000. Shit- let’s give Mos Def a minute too.
Give MLK’s wife her own WEEK because she held him down even after he was cheating… shit ain’t perfect heh?
As we march down the roads this weekend, toast to Barack on the 20th… Ask yourself what have you done recently? As far as I’m concerned- kindness to strangers is a start. (Not over the internet though- that ish is just getting creepy, lets be honest.)
Our generation (again with the 20 somethings/ college students) are far to concerned with the paper, their pockets, and swag- not enough with their credit score and GPA. GET IT TOGETHER people! That financial aid is dropping right about now and we are about to single handedly rescue the Recession in Gainesville, Florida. If your GPA is not a B level you best take it to the library and begin swiping that gator one like it’s a visa at Macy’s…My ladies- pay your own bills. It is the ONLY look. My Men, handle your business. Open the door- THAT’S A REVOLUTION in this age- Geeeood Damn. Go to Class- take your asses to class! And pay attention- As a teacher I can honestly say- this is a damn shame what’s happening now even in College. Ignorance is ugly…
Maybe we can’t fight the war like it was fought in the past- but if we don’t pull our heads out of our asses soon… I guarantee we are going to be left asking what the hell did I do? Spread the necessity to be better…God knowsWe need it. She needs it…. She’s crying for it.
One Love
Mandi.
By: Amanda HerreraCurrently I am a Graduate Student in battle with Academia. At Heart, I am Mother Teresa in 6 inch Heels. I appreciate coffee, conversations, people with life experience, art, and the human condition. I believe in the power of being a living contradiction and making people think twice.
Website: http://www.myspace.com/13mandi23
i think we’re in a state on nonchalance. i remember a year and a half ago, when the Jena6 incident received nationwide coverage, BSU was very proactive about having forums concerning racism; they even talked about getting a bus to Louisiana and protesting. and whenever the megan williams case happened, there were a plethora of facebook groups demanding justice, but now you NEVER hear about cases like this.
stuff like that happens all the time, but they never reach the ears of the media. we know about racial profiling, dwb, sales clerks staring at us funny, but we don’t care as long as it isn’t blatant. well, scratch that, we do care, but we don’t say anything because it’s more of a psychological warfare. we don’t want to be labeled the “typical angry” minority, who’s super sensitive because things are SO much better than they were before. Rev. al sharpton said it best… “if I stab with you a 6 inch knife and then remove 2 inches, then i could say yes, things are better for you… but you’re not happy because there are 4 more inches you need to get out”
the celebration part about MLK makes me think of this little girl i met when i volunteered at the boys and girls club. it was the beginning of february and she was complaining to me about the fact that it’s february but she’s learning about valentine’s day and if it’s black history month, why does she have to wait until the end of the month to learn? why can’t she learn about it every single day of the month.
and it sucks because our generation has less values than the ones before us. guys don’t like opening doors for girls! when a guy opens a door and looks at me like he expects me to grab it, i walk around him and say thank you.
bottom line is that people don’t like to think, people are content with the status quo as long as they aren’t affected.
Miss Mandi, Urban Elegance at its finest…
This blog entry brought me so much energy and should set fire under a lot of people’s asses. Your interpretation of how we celebrate and observe the lives and contributions of our leaders AND their companions, as well as your idea to pay homage to those other progressive radicals CRUCIAL to our history, are absolutely brilliant my lady. It’s so easy for people to forget about the others who put their lives on the line, demanding social change…It’s so easy for people to tune out those voices peripheral to the mainstream, insisting that we subvert the powers that be. It is imperative that while we commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. AND watch history right before our eyes with the inauguration of Barack Obama all within the same week, we do not contribute to the erasure of those who were and are all about revolutionizing and radicalizing those structures which prolong oppression with their “isms-schisms.”
It warms my heart to be a part of this historic week, this historic year (of course sharing these moments with you, as I sit next to you in our living room damn near about to cry watching CNN). As I glorify in these moments of change, I will make it my duty, my responsibility to continue applying and educating myself about the worldviews of those who refused to settle for injustice.
I’m so proud of you, and I look forward to reading more about your enlightening perspectives, visions, and experiences – you inspire me and give women like me much hope and lifted spirits. Keep up the good work love! xoxo
I love this!The problem is that most people (grown men and women, college kids) like that equilibrium state (set by someone else) and they get stuck in it for tooooooo long.
I wish there was more people like you who see the importance ” of day to day change”…IT IS the every day change of thoughts and approaches to the situations by our past leaders WHAT made succesfull revolutions and days like MLK, Obama first black president, etc
You can’t start revolving or evolving, changing, upgrading, downgrading…without leaving those things that you are accostumed to-DAILY
Amanda H- I love ur opinions!