An actor portraying Abraham Lincoln at the Smithsonian Museum of American History is swamped by guests for a photo op.
Monday, January 19, 2009
View #6
The Jumbotron before the Washington Monument at 17th Street broadcasts Marion Anderson singing "My County 'Tis Of Thee".
View #7
Two visitors to the Mall dance with abandon as the Jumbotrons' blare the reggae anthem "One World" performed on the previous day live at the concert "We Are One" by Will I. Am among others.
View #8
What goes up must come down! Workers disassemble the stage at the Lincoln Memorial the day after the Inaugural Concert "We Are One".
View #9
The reflecting pond from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument. A Metaphor? Frozen and unable to reflect our images in this present dark night of the American soul? If so, don't worry, "There's a change in the air!"
View #10
The crowds reminded me in number of the Cherry Blossom festival or the Folkways Summer Expositions. In composition, they were unique in my experience of nearly 15 years here in DC. At any other event that I have ever attended on the Mall (America's backyard) the ratio of Black Americans rarely reaches 1 in 20. Today, I was thrilled to see 50% of the people were African American.
From utter disenfranchisement to enthusiastic participation may not bring change overnight to heal this nation's deep wounds of racism, but until the wounded both feel and respond to a hope greater than the system--a hope NOT beholden to me, a white guy, and my perceived power and role in racist oppression, change will not occur.
There are jokes a plenty about Obama being a Messiah. Of course, in a religious context that's blasphemous. Yet, in a cultural way, he really is.
It's been a long time coming...and thank God, I am alive to see it happen!
From utter disenfranchisement to enthusiastic participation may not bring change overnight to heal this nation's deep wounds of racism, but until the wounded both feel and respond to a hope greater than the system--a hope NOT beholden to me, a white guy, and my perceived power and role in racist oppression, change will not occur.
There are jokes a plenty about Obama being a Messiah. Of course, in a religious context that's blasphemous. Yet, in a cultural way, he really is.
It's been a long time coming...and thank God, I am alive to see it happen!
View #11
The bleachers and phalanxes of barriers on the plaza right behind the White House. I presume that this will be where the Obama's view the parade.
View #12
"Change: All eyes are on you" A floor mural/message at the Farragut West Metro station alligned so that everyone exiting the station for the Inaugural events can read it as they walk over it.
Nothing like pressure!
Nothing like pressure!
It's Alive!
The poster for Hope has taken on a life of it's own. I find such creative interest hopeful.....not helpful.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Yes We Can
Yesterday, I posted a video poking a stick at the old, today let's shine a light on the present. Our dumb night of the national soul is almost over.
Yes We Can Obama Song by Will.I.Am
Yes We Can Obama Song by Will.I.Am
Friday, January 16, 2009
Die Du So
Something new from Rivo Drei! I love this German band. Their music is so utterly vicseral.
I don't speak German--or much of it; but then I hold tenuous claim to any of the languages I dabble in: Latin, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Italian, Portuguese, English. Yet it doesn't stop me from listening to music sung in or waching films spoken in any of those languages and Moldavian, Swedish, Russian, Japanese, and Dutch besides. The truth prevails. I experience the Joy, the Sorrow, the Anger, and the Mercy. And of all mediums, music transcends the linguistic barrier most perfectly.
Fortunate Friday!
After a long week at work, I decided to stop by a local Chinese Take Out for dinner. My choice was influenced by my need for gas, and so I went to Panda China off of Riggs Road nearest to the closest Shell station to my home. Immediately it was apparent that while it was 14˚ outside, inside this store front establishment it had to be all of 18˚! They had NO heat. I made my order and waited. And waited, and waited....and froze and still waited.
Naturally, most people would have left at the first sign of no heat; but having lived in China, I'm more tolerant of such things--they add a layer of authenticity to the restaurant.
When the food came, the hostess added two sodas gratis to apologize for the wait. And, as if to add icing to the cake, the fortune cookie offered this blessings: "You look pretty". Ha! Don't we all?
Naturally, most people would have left at the first sign of no heat; but having lived in China, I'm more tolerant of such things--they add a layer of authenticity to the restaurant.
When the food came, the hostess added two sodas gratis to apologize for the wait. And, as if to add icing to the cake, the fortune cookie offered this blessings: "You look pretty". Ha! Don't we all?
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Lego Factory Series #10
My latest creation inspired by the current urban buildings series is based on the Polish consulate built in New York City in the 19th century.
What I'm Watching #181
After watching the first commercially distributed gay themed film made in the United States, "A Very Natural Thing," I watched the first commercially distributed gay themed film made in the United Kingdom: "Nighthawks."
And, like, WOW.
The U.S. entry was made in 1973; the Brits weighed in five years later in 1978. The comparison ought forever dispel the notion of a liberal European ethos.
In a nutshell: the film demonstrates 1) why there was a closet, 2) why emulating Judeo-Christian heterosexual mores is like fitting a square peg into a round hole, and finally, 3) how breaking ground in this arena in the 70's was a career killer!
Only anthropologists, sociologists, and gay film buffs need apply.
And, like, WOW.
The U.S. entry was made in 1973; the Brits weighed in five years later in 1978. The comparison ought forever dispel the notion of a liberal European ethos.
In a nutshell: the film demonstrates 1) why there was a closet, 2) why emulating Judeo-Christian heterosexual mores is like fitting a square peg into a round hole, and finally, 3) how breaking ground in this arena in the 70's was a career killer!
Only anthropologists, sociologists, and gay film buffs need apply.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Senatorial Reality Check
Roland Burris is about to be sworn in as only the 6th Black member of the Senate. How is that a bad thing? Rod Blogoavich is an ego-maniacal syncophant with delusions of devine predestination--i.e. a spoiled freaking brat without limitations: Shame on BOTH of his PARENTS.
But why should Roland Burris be a victim when Blogo did his terchiary legal duty in appointing him? Such a legal act may not have been Rod's desire, but after the lights were turned on, he acted with propriety. Assign blame later. The act was and is lawful.
So enter Roland Burris into one of the most exclusive of exclusive clubs--no wonder he is photographed with a shit-wide smile! Who can blame him? In 232 years only 6 African Americans have served in the U.S.Senate and none together to that the percentage of representation has never risen above 1%. While the population of Black Americans has never dropped below 10%.
Here are photos of the 6. Can you name them?
Left to Right, here are their stories in brief:
1) Hiram Rhodes Revels (September 27, 1822 – January 16, 1901) was the first African American to serve in the United States Senate. Since he preceded any African American in the House, he was the first African American in the U.S. Congress as well. He represented Mississippi.
2) Blanche Kelso Bruce (March 1, 1841 – March 17, 1898) was an American politician. Bruce represented Mississippi as a Republican U.S. Senator from 1875 to 1881 and was the first Black American to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate.
3) Edward William Brooke, III (born October 26, 1919), is an American politician and was the first African American to be elected by popular vote to the United States Senate when he was elected as a Republican from Massachusetts in 1966, defeating his Democratic opponent, Endicott Peabody, 58%–42%. He was also the first African American elected to the Senate since the 19th century, and would remain the only person of African heritage sent to the Senate in the 20th century until Democrat Carol Moseley Braun in 1993. He remains, as of 2008, the last Republican senator from Massachusetts.
4) Carol Elizabeth Moseley Braun (born August 16, 1947) is an American politician and lawyer who represented Illinois in the United States Senate from 1993 to 1999. She was the first, and to date, the only, African-American woman elected to the United States Senate, the first African-American senator to be elected as a Democrat, the first woman to defeat an incumbent senator in an election, and the first female senator from Illinois. From 1999 until 2001, she was the United States Ambassador to New Zealand. She briefly participated as a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination in the 2004 U.S. presidential election.
5) Barack Hussein Obama II; born August 4, 1961) is the President-elect of the United States of America, and the first African-American to be elected President of the United States. Obama was the junior United States Senator from Illinois in 2004 and served until his resignation on November 16, 2008, following his election to the Presidency. His term of office as the forty-fourth U.S. president is scheduled to begin on January 20, 2009.
6) Roland Wallace Burris (born August 3, 1937) is a Democratic American politician and former statewide officer in the U.S. state of Illinois. Burris served as Comptroller of Illinois from 1979 to 1991 and as Attorney General of Illinois from 1991 to 1995. On December 30, 2008, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) announced he was naming Burris to fill the seat in the United States Senate vacated weeks earlier by President-elect Barack Obama.
But why should Roland Burris be a victim when Blogo did his terchiary legal duty in appointing him? Such a legal act may not have been Rod's desire, but after the lights were turned on, he acted with propriety. Assign blame later. The act was and is lawful.
So enter Roland Burris into one of the most exclusive of exclusive clubs--no wonder he is photographed with a shit-wide smile! Who can blame him? In 232 years only 6 African Americans have served in the U.S.Senate and none together to that the percentage of representation has never risen above 1%. While the population of Black Americans has never dropped below 10%.
Here are photos of the 6. Can you name them?
Left to Right, here are their stories in brief:
1) Hiram Rhodes Revels (September 27, 1822 – January 16, 1901) was the first African American to serve in the United States Senate. Since he preceded any African American in the House, he was the first African American in the U.S. Congress as well. He represented Mississippi.
2) Blanche Kelso Bruce (March 1, 1841 – March 17, 1898) was an American politician. Bruce represented Mississippi as a Republican U.S. Senator from 1875 to 1881 and was the first Black American to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate.
3) Edward William Brooke, III (born October 26, 1919), is an American politician and was the first African American to be elected by popular vote to the United States Senate when he was elected as a Republican from Massachusetts in 1966, defeating his Democratic opponent, Endicott Peabody, 58%–42%. He was also the first African American elected to the Senate since the 19th century, and would remain the only person of African heritage sent to the Senate in the 20th century until Democrat Carol Moseley Braun in 1993. He remains, as of 2008, the last Republican senator from Massachusetts.
4) Carol Elizabeth Moseley Braun (born August 16, 1947) is an American politician and lawyer who represented Illinois in the United States Senate from 1993 to 1999. She was the first, and to date, the only, African-American woman elected to the United States Senate, the first African-American senator to be elected as a Democrat, the first woman to defeat an incumbent senator in an election, and the first female senator from Illinois. From 1999 until 2001, she was the United States Ambassador to New Zealand. She briefly participated as a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination in the 2004 U.S. presidential election.
5) Barack Hussein Obama II; born August 4, 1961) is the President-elect of the United States of America, and the first African-American to be elected President of the United States. Obama was the junior United States Senator from Illinois in 2004 and served until his resignation on November 16, 2008, following his election to the Presidency. His term of office as the forty-fourth U.S. president is scheduled to begin on January 20, 2009.
6) Roland Wallace Burris (born August 3, 1937) is a Democratic American politician and former statewide officer in the U.S. state of Illinois. Burris served as Comptroller of Illinois from 1979 to 1991 and as Attorney General of Illinois from 1991 to 1995. On December 30, 2008, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) announced he was naming Burris to fill the seat in the United States Senate vacated weeks earlier by President-elect Barack Obama.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Tattoo Dreaming #9
From Aztec to Art Deco. It's a commitment to art no matter how you categorize it.
Tarot Time: Death
The cards teach us that death is only a transition. And while it manifests itself in ways that are violent to the heart, Birth is also violent.
After learning of Midge's transition to Ancestry, I got an email from my cousin Trish that her father and my uncle Carrol had died.
And then this afternoon, while napping, I was suddenly awakened with a chilling deathly sensation in my chest and images of Carrol and Midge in my thoughts. Who's to say what that was all about?
Something new is about to happen, something that will replace without challenge what was before.
After learning of Midge's transition to Ancestry, I got an email from my cousin Trish that her father and my uncle Carrol had died.
And then this afternoon, while napping, I was suddenly awakened with a chilling deathly sensation in my chest and images of Carrol and Midge in my thoughts. Who's to say what that was all about?
Something new is about to happen, something that will replace without challenge what was before.
What I'm Watching #180
"A Very Natural Thing" is a movie made at a time (1973) and about a subject (Gay Life) that automatically distinguishes it as anthropologically important. It's been described as the gay response to the 1970 straight iconoclast 'Love Story". And I don't find hubris in that comparison.
The story follows the coming out of David. He leaves a monastery and moves to NYC. There he meets Michael and they attempt a life together that lasts about 3 years before failing due to Michael’s wanderlust. Next, David meets Jason at the 1973 Pride Parade/Celebrations and the process of becoming a couple starts over again. Jason's journey has led him from his first marriage to a woman to wanting a life with another man.
So now Jason is the instigator, but a wiser David keeps things in perspective. The final scene of Jason and David playing in the surf of the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Cod adorns the cover and is an amazingly beautiful finale to the film.
The movie is stark in its portrayal of sex between men. Bold and I'm certain shocking for its time (FORGET "Last Tango in Paris," and "Midnight Cowboy"--they are sad wannabees.)
Of the three principal actors:
Michael - Curt Gareth ~ Was never heard from again
David - Robert Joel ~ Died in 1992 from AIDS
Jason - Bo White ~ Last acted in a bit part in 2004
"A Very Natural Thing" is a very important act of cinema. All three men took part in a statement of personhood that deserves to be seen and remembered.
The story follows the coming out of David. He leaves a monastery and moves to NYC. There he meets Michael and they attempt a life together that lasts about 3 years before failing due to Michael’s wanderlust. Next, David meets Jason at the 1973 Pride Parade/Celebrations and the process of becoming a couple starts over again. Jason's journey has led him from his first marriage to a woman to wanting a life with another man.
So now Jason is the instigator, but a wiser David keeps things in perspective. The final scene of Jason and David playing in the surf of the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Cod adorns the cover and is an amazingly beautiful finale to the film.
The movie is stark in its portrayal of sex between men. Bold and I'm certain shocking for its time (FORGET "Last Tango in Paris," and "Midnight Cowboy"--they are sad wannabees.)
Of the three principal actors:
Michael - Curt Gareth ~ Was never heard from again
David - Robert Joel ~ Died in 1992 from AIDS
Jason - Bo White ~ Last acted in a bit part in 2004
"A Very Natural Thing" is a very important act of cinema. All three men took part in a statement of personhood that deserves to be seen and remembered.
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