Amnau Eele, co-founder of the Black Artists Association made a public complaint about the fact that Michelle Obama did not use any black designers during the inauguration. She argues that using well established black designers such as Tracy Reese, Reginald Walker or B. Michael could have boosted their careers tremendously. For example, the First Lady's ball gown designed by Jason Wu is now in the First Ladies Collection at the Smithsonian.
I guess anyone would want to have their product worn, talked about or even looked at by the Obamas.
Apparently Amanue Eele's comments were a bit controversial. Strange enough she got death threats a day after making her statements. Also, a well known designer distanced himself from her remarks.
One designer who remains anonymous said, "President Obama spoke about change."
"What about inclusion?" she asked.
"Every African-American designer doesn't necessarily have the capacity to do what she wants to do, but there are enough of us out there -- those of us who are in stores, give us a chance," the designer said.
Does Amanue Eele have a legitimate beef? Is it the First Lady's responsibility to intentionally "look out" when it comes to the clothing she decides to wear?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Michelle Obama Joins Jaqueline Kennedy and Hillary Clinton at Madame Tussauds
In the near future you will be able to see Michelle Obama at Madame Tussads in wax form.
According to ABC News, Michelle Obama's wax figure is currently in the works. London artists have intensely observed the first lady's gestures and features through hours of video footage and tons of photographs.
Take a look at the work in progress.
According to ABC News, Michelle Obama's wax figure is currently in the works. London artists have intensely observed the first lady's gestures and features through hours of video footage and tons of photographs.
Take a look at the work in progress.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Something Like Beautiful...
I'm not only supporting this book because I photographed the cover. I am supporting this book because I absolutely love Asha Bandele's work. I am eager to see what she so intimately shares in this book...
Book Description
From the author of The Prisoner's Wife, a poetic, passionate, and powerful memoir about the hard realities of single motherhood
When Asha Bandele, a young poet, fell in love with a prisoner serving a twenty-to-life sentence and became pregnant with his daughter, she had reason to hope they would live together as a family. Rashid was a model prisoner, and expected to be paroled soon. But soon after Nisa was born, Asha's dreams were shattered. Rashid was denied parole, and told he'd be deported to his native Guyana once released. Asha became a statistic: a single, black mother in New York City.
On the outside, Asha kept it together. She had a great job at a high-profile magazine and a beautiful daughter whom she adored. But inside, she was falling apart. She began drinking and smoking and eventually stumbled into another relationship, one that opened new wounds. This lyrical, astonishingly honest memoir tells of her descent into depression when her life should have been filled with love and joy. Something Like Beautiful is not only Asha's story, but the story of thousands of women who struggle daily with little help and much against them, and who believe they have no right to acknowledge their pain. Ultimately, drawing inspiration from her daughter, Asha takes account of her life and envisions for herself what she believes is possible for all mothers who thought there was no way out—and then discovered there was.
Book Description
From the author of The Prisoner's Wife, a poetic, passionate, and powerful memoir about the hard realities of single motherhood
When Asha Bandele, a young poet, fell in love with a prisoner serving a twenty-to-life sentence and became pregnant with his daughter, she had reason to hope they would live together as a family. Rashid was a model prisoner, and expected to be paroled soon. But soon after Nisa was born, Asha's dreams were shattered. Rashid was denied parole, and told he'd be deported to his native Guyana once released. Asha became a statistic: a single, black mother in New York City.
On the outside, Asha kept it together. She had a great job at a high-profile magazine and a beautiful daughter whom she adored. But inside, she was falling apart. She began drinking and smoking and eventually stumbled into another relationship, one that opened new wounds. This lyrical, astonishingly honest memoir tells of her descent into depression when her life should have been filled with love and joy. Something Like Beautiful is not only Asha's story, but the story of thousands of women who struggle daily with little help and much against them, and who believe they have no right to acknowledge their pain. Ultimately, drawing inspiration from her daughter, Asha takes account of her life and envisions for herself what she believes is possible for all mothers who thought there was no way out—and then discovered there was.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Alligator Bait...
Last year I saw this photograph in an exhibition at the Schomburg. I wondered why was this photo featuring black babies crying titled, "Alligator Bait?" I was a disturbed and confused. I thought it was a horrible title.
A few months later, I was reading the book Copper Sun by Sharon Draper with my 9th graders. Copper Sun is a wonderful novel for teens telling the story of a young girl from Ghana named Amari who was enslaved in America. Although the book is fictional, it is based on true events. Draper does a great job with her research. There is a very disturbing scene in the book describing an enslaved child being used as alligator bait. The slave master would take the four year old child out to a lake, tie a rope around his legs and put him in the water. The child couldn't swim, so he would kick and scream in hopes of not drowning. This action would attract the alligators. Hopefully, the child would be pulled in before the alligator eats him. The book described this as a normal activity done to enslaved children.
In all of my readings about slavery, I have never come across this type of sickening activity. It just seemed so far out there, that I wondered, how could this be true? I was compelled to research this. During my research I found that there was actually a film called Alligator Bait in 1900. Following is the description:
This is a decidedly unique and interesting picture. A little colored baby is tied to a post on a tropical shore. A huge 'gator comes out of the water, and is about to devour the little kid, when a hunter appears and shoots the reptile.
I tried to get my hands on this film but couldn't find it anywhere.
There was also another film in 1900 titled, "Gator and the Pickaninny."
Both films were produced by American Mutoscope and Biograph. The company is still around today. D.W. Griffith's Birth of A Nation was also produced by this company.
After researching further, I found these pictures online at http://www.authentichistory.com/
Following is an advertisement: 1902 Stainilgo Stain Removal advertisement
Following is a postcard made in 1911
c.1920s Little African Licorice (2 images below)
c.1960s Alligator with Black child Pencil Holder
c.1960s Postcard: "Free Lunch In The Florida Everglades"
"Have you met the Florida gator?
He is the champion negro hater.
Although he finds many things to eat
His favorite morsel is negro meat."
This is just one of sick horrors that are embedded in American History. When will we truly face our history and truly heal?
A few months later, I was reading the book Copper Sun by Sharon Draper with my 9th graders. Copper Sun is a wonderful novel for teens telling the story of a young girl from Ghana named Amari who was enslaved in America. Although the book is fictional, it is based on true events. Draper does a great job with her research. There is a very disturbing scene in the book describing an enslaved child being used as alligator bait. The slave master would take the four year old child out to a lake, tie a rope around his legs and put him in the water. The child couldn't swim, so he would kick and scream in hopes of not drowning. This action would attract the alligators. Hopefully, the child would be pulled in before the alligator eats him. The book described this as a normal activity done to enslaved children.
In all of my readings about slavery, I have never come across this type of sickening activity. It just seemed so far out there, that I wondered, how could this be true? I was compelled to research this. During my research I found that there was actually a film called Alligator Bait in 1900. Following is the description:
This is a decidedly unique and interesting picture. A little colored baby is tied to a post on a tropical shore. A huge 'gator comes out of the water, and is about to devour the little kid, when a hunter appears and shoots the reptile.
I tried to get my hands on this film but couldn't find it anywhere.
There was also another film in 1900 titled, "Gator and the Pickaninny."
Both films were produced by American Mutoscope and Biograph. The company is still around today. D.W. Griffith's Birth of A Nation was also produced by this company.
After researching further, I found these pictures online at http://www.authentichistory.com/
Following is an advertisement: 1902 Stainilgo Stain Removal advertisement
Following is a postcard made in 1911
c.1920s Little African Licorice (2 images below)
c.1960s Alligator with Black child Pencil Holder
c.1960s Postcard: "Free Lunch In The Florida Everglades"
"Have you met the Florida gator?
He is the champion negro hater.
Although he finds many things to eat
His favorite morsel is negro meat."
This is just one of sick horrors that are embedded in American History. When will we truly face our history and truly heal?
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
My Pre-Inaugural experience...
On Saturday night I heard that President Elect Obama would be giving his first speech at a free concert in DC....My sons wanted to go to inauguration soooo bad, but I was afraid to take them because of the crowd. The older two are eleven and eight. If anything I would let the eleven year old troop, but my eight year old...I don't know. I didn't even think about bringing the four year old. However, when I found out about this concert on Sunday, I said to Howard, let's go. So we left Brooklyn at around 4am..... "on the road again" this is our travel song. I only brought Amal and Che because I still thought it would be too much for Kofi. We arrived in DC at around 8am. We dropped our things off at Aunt Cookie's house and got right on the Metro to the Lincoln Memorial. When we got off the train we saw signs that led to the Memorial.
As we walked down the sterile, army patrolled blocks surrounded by government buildings, several thoughts ran through my mind: "Will my children be warm enough" "Hopefully we can find something to eat" "I'm going to make sure they use the bathroom before we get out there" "I hope they don't have to go into those smelly porta potties" "damn, I wish I had a press pass," "I wonder if any of the photographers that I know are here," "shux, I wish I knew about this earlier, I would have gotten a press pass."
We found a little spot to get something to eat and then made our way over to the memorial. The walk to the memorial was great. I saw children, elders, teens, adults of all races and ethnicities. People sold hand warmers, flags and Obama products along the way. When we finally arrived, we went through a security check and then walked about two miles to the memorial. It was not at all what I expected. People were basically camped out on the floor with blankets. Wow, I thought, that's what we needed, blankets so that we could at least sit down on the floor too. It was only 9AM and the concert was supposed to start at 2:30 PM. I didn't like the right side of the memorial, it looked like we could get closer to the stage on the left side. So we started to make our way over to the left of the memorial. While walking I heard a man preach to a crowd of people, "Obama is not the answer," he said. "I know that you all do not agree with me," he continued, "but, Obama is not the answer." He continued to speak about the bailout and the economy....People stared at this man in shock. One man stood up and sang in a deep strong voice, "My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land were my fathers died...." He continued to sing and got a standing ovation from the crowd. What a beautiful site this was to me. It showed the conflicts that exists in our society. Some people have hope for a brighter future, while others feel that much more work needs to be done to obtain real change.
I thought that I would witness more dissent within the sea of people, but that was not the case at all.
It was definitely a wonderful site to see people gather from all over the world to witness this historical event. I met people from London, Amsterdam, Arkansas, South Africa and Bosnia. They all said they came to DC just for this event.
The man from Amsterdam said that Europeans have already begun to feel the change that Obama will bring. This man is literally loved all over the world. I heard that today is a national holiday in Kenya. Wow.
We passed the time in the cold interviewing people and just experiencing all of the powerful energy. At 2:30 on the dot, the show began. It moved rather quickly and by the time we knew it Barack Obama took the stage. My sons watched in awe and I was excited more for them than anything else. Regardless of how the next four years turns out...this man has officially opened the doors of possibility in this country. Amal and Che will remember this day forever.
Although we were so far away, I did my best to capture as much of my perspective as possible.
some video and pics soon come
As we walked down the sterile, army patrolled blocks surrounded by government buildings, several thoughts ran through my mind: "Will my children be warm enough" "Hopefully we can find something to eat" "I'm going to make sure they use the bathroom before we get out there" "I hope they don't have to go into those smelly porta potties" "damn, I wish I had a press pass," "I wonder if any of the photographers that I know are here," "shux, I wish I knew about this earlier, I would have gotten a press pass."
We found a little spot to get something to eat and then made our way over to the memorial. The walk to the memorial was great. I saw children, elders, teens, adults of all races and ethnicities. People sold hand warmers, flags and Obama products along the way. When we finally arrived, we went through a security check and then walked about two miles to the memorial. It was not at all what I expected. People were basically camped out on the floor with blankets. Wow, I thought, that's what we needed, blankets so that we could at least sit down on the floor too. It was only 9AM and the concert was supposed to start at 2:30 PM. I didn't like the right side of the memorial, it looked like we could get closer to the stage on the left side. So we started to make our way over to the left of the memorial. While walking I heard a man preach to a crowd of people, "Obama is not the answer," he said. "I know that you all do not agree with me," he continued, "but, Obama is not the answer." He continued to speak about the bailout and the economy....People stared at this man in shock. One man stood up and sang in a deep strong voice, "My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land were my fathers died...." He continued to sing and got a standing ovation from the crowd. What a beautiful site this was to me. It showed the conflicts that exists in our society. Some people have hope for a brighter future, while others feel that much more work needs to be done to obtain real change.
I thought that I would witness more dissent within the sea of people, but that was not the case at all.
It was definitely a wonderful site to see people gather from all over the world to witness this historical event. I met people from London, Amsterdam, Arkansas, South Africa and Bosnia. They all said they came to DC just for this event.
The man from Amsterdam said that Europeans have already begun to feel the change that Obama will bring. This man is literally loved all over the world. I heard that today is a national holiday in Kenya. Wow.
We passed the time in the cold interviewing people and just experiencing all of the powerful energy. At 2:30 on the dot, the show began. It moved rather quickly and by the time we knew it Barack Obama took the stage. My sons watched in awe and I was excited more for them than anything else. Regardless of how the next four years turns out...this man has officially opened the doors of possibility in this country. Amal and Che will remember this day forever.
Although we were so far away, I did my best to capture as much of my perspective as possible.
some video and pics soon come
Sunday, January 11, 2009
My She Shootin' Sis - Kerika Fields: He's Gone...Your Back
Writer and photographer Kerika Fields in doing a special New York City tour to celebrate her new book, He's Gone....Your Back. this book is by no means a male bashing book. However, it does give women advice on how to love themselves more while building self-confidence. A good Valentines Day buy for yourself or a friend.
Click here for Kerika's tour schedule...
Kerika's New York Schedule
HE’S GONE — YOU’RE BACK will guide and reassure you through the worst days, and prepare you for the future — because the best really is yet to come. The book helps women to discover how to commit to their recovery like they were committed to their relationship; to avoid becoming another angry, bitter woman (there are enough of those!); to discover how to keep showing up to their lives no matter how disillusioned or depressed they are; and to fight and win the toughest battle between themselves and their demons. HE’S GONE — YOU’RE BACK is complete with a daily self-love checklist, affirmations, recommended reading, an uplifting “You’re Back” playlist to get you dancing through your tears, and much more. Whether you’re stuck in the limbo of a painful relationship or struggling in solitude, this invaluable book will see you through. Because once there’s no turning back, the only way is forward.
Fields is a writer whose articles examine the arts along with social and cultural issues. Her work has appeared in The Amsterdam News, BELLE Magazine, Black Elegance, Black Noir, Black Issues Book Review, Caribbean Life, City and Suburban Styles, Impact, The Source, Spice!, Sisters In Style, The New York World, and NRG magazine.
Fields is also a photojournalist who has covered entertainment and corporate events for over a decade. Her keen, creative photographer’s eye has been utilized by The American Black Film Festival, ESSENCE Communications, The Studio Museum of Harlem, Film Life, Inc., The National Urban League, The Ron H. Brown Foundation, Uniworld Inc., GQ Media & Public Relations, Inc., Motorola, Lincoln and numerous others.
Her images have been published in national publications and appear in the Deborah Willis photography book, BLACK: A Celebration of a Culture (Hylas Publishing, 2004) and I GOT YOUR BACK: A Father and Son Keep It Real About Love, Fatherhood, Family, and Friendship by Eddie Levert, Sr. and Gerald Levert with Lyah Beth LeFlore (Harlem Moon, 2007).
Fields’ photographs have been exhibited at The African American Museum of Philadelphia, The Brooklyn Historical Society, Aurora Gallery and 40 Acres Art Gallery in Sacramento just to name a few. Fields is a founding member of the She Shootin’ Photography Collective.
An artist and philanthropist, Kerika Fields founded the A.R.R.C. Foundation (Ayofemi Richards Robert Conner Foundation) in 2002 after the untimely deaths of two young family members. The 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization is committed to enhancing the lives of underprivileged youth via scholarships, job/internship information, and access to the arts.
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