Poets, Poet

Hiatus

2009-07-26T10:55:00.002-05:00

Ok so cleary to the one person who follows this, sorry for the long hiatus, LOL. I won't allow that to happen again, look for me to blog just about everyday now (or at least try to)
I come today to say that sometimes we go through situations and are not really sure why, but God is still in control. I feel like, I've come to a place where I'm treading water, and not really moving. This is the first time in my life that I've felt this way, I panicked at first because it was so new and it was uncharted territory. I've learned over the last few weeks that God is transitioning me to another place and that means new territory. But even in this new place God is saying keep your feet planted and plow ahead. He hasn't brought me this far to leave me, He's just making a way for me to go higher in Him. The lesson I take from this, is that God is using our pain to make us stronger and better people. We must keep our joy and not let the devil dictate how and when we react. God is to good, and has been to good to us all to forget that. I'm full and happy because I know God has been good to me, and if He allowed it there is purpose in it. Rejoice and be happy know that it aint over, and that what's ahead will be better than what's behind!!!

Amen

Post of Disgrace

2009-02-19T06:50:00.002-06:00

As most of you know by now the New York Post illustration department published a clear and blatantly racist cartoon in yesterdays paper. It was two police officers one with a smoking gun and a chimp lying dead with bullet holes riddled through it's body. The other officer looks on and says "Now they'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill". The NY Post wants you to believe that this is a parody of today's issues, i.e the Connecticut monkey who mauled a woman. Then they said that the monkey is suppose to "represent" congress. Okay for one second let's consider this...first why wouldn't you make it clear that the monkey represents more than one person, by putting a collar around the monkey's neck that says "Congress or Senate". If they had done that, then it wouldn't have been any question as too who or what the cartoon was about. The fact that you equate a black president to a monkey brings on so many racial connotations. People who aren't African American always try to justify that it isn't all that crucial. Well it is crucial, when you have relatives who have been considered less than a man or woman. The argument is that there have been pictures of Bush, and Cheney and no ones said anything. Well for one, you can't compare apples to oranges. A race of people who have been demeaned and compared to animals throughout their history in this country,especially monkeys. There are just certain things that call for common sense and the NY Post didn't use any in this situation. The Post as always done edgy work, and their lack of diverse employment throughout the years shows in the lack of sensitivity in this cartoon. These cartoons are always up to the reader to get what they want out of it, and for the majority of Americans this was overt racism. Whether folks want to acknowledge it or not, it's a new day, deal with it. If you agree or disagree with President Obama he is the president, and we are moving forward, with or without you. African-American,Hispanic,White,Native American, Asia are ALL tired of the BS and we are no longer going to except the ignorance of a few. This nation is going to move forward, and the old wall of organizations like the NY Post have to realize that we are not going to sit by and allow this or anything like this to continue. I reiterate that this is a new day, and like President Obama said the ground is shifting and if you want to remain still you will be left behind. We are living in a time where jobs are being lost by all Americans, health-care is fading for all Americans. The last thing we need is for the old head of racism to rear it's ugly head only one month after the most historic election in our nations history, and no less during Black History Month. I join millions of others who are fed up and no longer will stand for ignorance to reign supreme or be allowed to go unchecked. New York Post office number 212-930-8000

Spring, Summer Feeling

2009-02-13T07:32:00.002-06:00

Greetings, wow, it has been a while since I put finger to keys to type up a blog. ( I know I have got to get better!!) As we venture further into Feb 09, (which is flying by) I find myself trying to move into second gear for this year. Feb is always a great month artistic wise, with it being Black History Month alot of shows always seem to come up. I'm trying to gravitate more towards being just an artist 24/7. As most cats who do this know, that is easier said then done. I work all the time, just not every gig is paid. Had this convo with my roommate last night, if more of the stuff we did "artist" wise on a daily basis was paying, we'd be fulltime (working) artist. God is opening my eyes to soo much and I'm just praying I listen and hear what He is telling me. You will be hearing so much more from me this year guarantee it. I know that I will continue to become more complete as a person and an artist this year. I'm excited for what's coming in the spring/summer. I refuse limitation!!! I will not loose, because I've already won!!! Watch me work.

Who are You?

2008-11-03T10:17:00.002-06:00

As we are less than one day before the most historic election of our lifetime, we must ask the question "Who are You"?. In the past week or so I've had a dozen or so coffee shop conversations, (some heated at times, but always in the spirit of good debate) about the implications of Tuesday. Some of the convo has ranged from agreement with having a black president, all the way to nothing will change I won't vote. This really disturbs me when in 2008 you have African Americans who don't understand the totality of what's at stake. Regardless if your democrat,republican, or independent you have to agree that this is big for a people who 400 years ago where enslaved by this very country. A people who 60 years ago weren't able to sit and eat at stores, and had water hoses turned on them. I people who just a month ago still got dragged behind trucks for being black. Far we have come yes, but so far we have to go. So I raise the question again, who are you, to destroy what the ancestors, and our fore parents prayed for. Who are you to disrespect their long labor, of sun up to sun down cotton picking and disparaging treatment. Who are you, to have their lives,prayers, and sacrifices be in vain. Some of us fail to realize that the only reason we are here is because someone prayed for us. Our grandparents gave their lives, literally!!! Who are we to act as if we can't stand in line for a few hours to make history. We get so caught up in ourselves that we fail to realize how crucial this moment really is. This is bigger than Barack, like the movement was bigger than Malcolm and Martin. Just like them I believe that Obama understands that. On Wednesday gas will still be high,homes will still be lost, but as an African American something inside you should definitely change. I was talking to a friend of mines little boy, and I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up and he said"president". A four year old little boy, we have to look at the whole picture and understand what this means, not just for us, but to our children. So who are you to say I'm too tired to stand in line, or my feet hurt, or this isn't that important we got it. Voting on tomorrow isn't something you should be doing just for you, you should do it for Medgar and the countless others who lost their lives just to have the chance to vote. Now we sit on the cusp of the first African American president, and some have the nerve to say, "oh it's not that important, Who are you to disrespect those who labored,died, and prayed for us, me and you to be sitting here right now with the opportunity to have those prayers answered. WhoAre We, we should be a people with race pride and understand, that our voices will be heard, we will be counted and this fight will go on because "I don't feel no ways tired" Ashe ( Ahh-Shay)

Sadness, Monday Mourning Blues....

2008-10-27T10:12:00.002-05:00

My thoughts and prayers go out to Jennifer Hudson and her Family, also out to the two students killed in Arkansas and the anchor woman who died in the hospital. This list could go on and on senseless deaths.

Monday Mourning Blues

I got the Monday mourning blues, woke up to a day I'd never seen before, before, so I adore the Father for allowing me to see what some will never see again on this side, this side, 7years of completion then He's snatched from this life, said I've got the blues, the Monday mourning blues, was suppose to be a day of rejoicing, just knew they'd find him scared and hungry, not the way I envisioned it, I got the blues the Monday mourning blues, so tired of destruction, the taking of innocent lives, this battle is so spiritual, the enemy is a liar, I can't even begin to imagine the way the family must feel, only seven years old, 2,555 days, I feel like shedding 2,555 tears, still know that won't be enough to bring back life, but maybe the rain from my eyes, will help grow new seeds, as he looks down from his now heavenly home, still so wrong, Lord we ask why, know we may never know, your will is your will, but sometimes Lord it hurts, I said sometimes it hurts, we pray for the babies, and hug and kiss them even more today, cause he could have been ours, said he could have been your nephew or my niece so I pray for peace, cause even though the sun is shinning bright with magnificent glory...I've got the Monday mourning blues...Ashe(ahh-shay)

(For Julian King, 7 year old nephew of Jennifer Hudson)

Falling into our Destiny, Palin, The Children,Marvin Gaye(Live)

2008-10-24T11:44:00.002-05:00

Okay so enough serious soapbox talk for one day...lol sorry had to get it out!!! LOL

Tonite Marvin Gaye "Live"
The whole "What's Going On" album performed by different artist throughout the city...go to www.myspace.com/kidelectricconcerts or www.myspace.com/nashvillepoet for more details doors open at 8 show starts at 9. Benefiting "Voting is Priceless" $10 or $8 with "I voted sticker" go early vote, then come to the show tonight!!!

12thandPorter 12th ave south downtown.

Joey Rich,Tim Dillenger,Jason Eskridge, Descendants of Reality,Juan Winans,Lisa Kimmey,Rashad"thaPoet", Joint Heirs, and MORE!!!!!

Falling into our Destiny, Palin, The Children,Marvin Gaye(Live)

2008-10-24T11:29:00.002-05:00

So as some of you know, I sub to supplement my income when I'm not acting or doing spoken word. So today and really all week I have been at high schools. I broke up a fight today at school (I won't name the school) It was crazy because no other teachers came to break it up, it was just me. Imagine about 50 students crowding around you as you try and break up to huge guys, (without getting hit yourself, (because clearly I was not trying to get hit, LOL) so I got one of the guys and of course the other one ran down the steps. I finally got the one guy calm (or so I thought) then he ran down the steps as well. I first was going to chase him, then figured I'd be right back in the same scenario as before. So I went and called campus security. By the time I got downstairs they had fought again, and the police had them both in handcuffs taking them off to juvie. An hour early one of the guys was in my class and I was talking to a group of girls (who were cussing and using language I don't want to repeat) about being a young lady, and how what they think about themselves isn't true. They were talking about the "beefs" between Mexicans and blacks at the school. Now the guy in my class was black, the guy he was fighting was Mexican. As they were both taking away in handcuffs, by white officers, it just reiterated what I was telling them. Blacks,Latinos,Mexicans, and any other minorities we are all in the same boat. The sooner we realize that and come together the better we will be. Yet some will argue it's hard for us to come together with another race, when we aren't "together". Just goes to show, that we "adults, and those who can reach" have to be more diligent in making a difference. We have to "Save the Children" for real. I get so tired of grown folks being scared of children. If you see someone doing something they shouldn't say something!! Especially this is to grown men, stop being afraid of "what they might do to you." It's all about your approach, if your afraid they're going to smell your fear and dismiss anything you say. Just come at them real, and you'll be surprised how they react. The majority of these children want a positive outlet, but they aren't getting it so they act out. Black men we've got to do better, we gotta save our boys and teach them respect and how to be a man, because they don't know, and black women you've got to teach our you ladies how to act like young women, and respect themselves. We got work to do y'all and I'm in for the long haul....are you?

Falling into our Destiny, Palin, The Children,Marvin Gaye(Live)

2008-10-24T11:17:00.002-05:00

Okay so those who know me, know I get long winded so I broke the post up into 3 different categories....

Palin, wow where to begin...mmm, first off I'll say that I don't think that she is ignorant, I think that she is ignorant of the issues dealing with these particular politics and this election. She is really trying, but honestly she just doesn't have what it takes. I don't wanna sound like I'm bashing her, but seriously she is in "way" over her head. John McCain knows it, the republican party knows it...only probably is Sarah Palin doesn't know it. (or better yet she knows and is like(oh darn it, what have I gotten myself into) Think about it, most would do the same thing she did. You get approached "do you wanna be vice president? "what, who me, seriously? YES!!!" anybody in her position as a governor would have done the same. Politics and elections are chess games, McCain gambled because he was dead in the water before he selected Palin. Some polls had him 12-15 points down. He had to make a power move, he moved and after the initial "oh this is historic and great for our country feeling" folks started to realize, that he totaled "MTSU" (Made That Shisy Up) No disrespect but the first time she opened her mouth on ABC it was a wrap. Then the Katie interview just really took it to another level. Then they say that oh, Katie spinned it into what she wanted it to be. Umm, excuse me the words came out of your mouth!! She asked you questions, and you didn't know the answers, that's not Katies fault. Palin and McCain have no chemistry it was evident on the Brian Williams interview on NBC (you tube it) I usually have a good discerning spirit and it's just so obvious that she is faking...now more than ever. The old regime is so desperate and afraid, be aware and vigilant in these last two weeks, for fakery, BS, and all other schemes. They are afraid,they are so scared, I predict a blowout honestly, but only if "we" handle "bizness". If the African American community votes like we should have in 00, and 04 we will win. Point blank. Palin was a political spin with no aim. After the first four weeks of hoopla, the truth has been exposed. Even though there are still some who belive she can, deep down they know, or need to know she can't, "and that dog on it is just the gash darn truth".

Falling into our Destiny, Palin, The Children,Marvin Gaye(Live)

2008-10-24T11:05:00.002-05:00

Peace Good people and Happy Friday to you all!!! Sorry to be behind, this week has been hectic, but I have alot to rant about so let's get to it. I finally got the opprotunity to early vote last night. The feeling was so unbelievable, I honestly didn't expect to react how I did. Of course we all know the importance of this election, that goes without saying. Yet as I entered the polling place (no lines, thank God) I saw about 5 elderly black women, voting and it just hit my heart. My mind took me back to Jim Crow and the old south(though of course I wasn't around) I just imagined what they must have went through. The fear and joy of trying to register to vote and being turned away because of bogus reasons. How humilated some of them must have been, while they were given so called "test" to prove that they were worthy of voting, while whites with less education walked right in. I thought about all that then, I thought about my grandfathers both who barely had 8th grade educations but they stressed voting and how they and there Fathers and Mothers weren't able to do so for so long. I thought back to those blacks and whites who were murdered in Mississippi just to gain the right. I thought about those blacks who were hung from trees because in essence they were tired and wanted a change. Now we sit on the cusp of another change. Barack Obama is the hope of the slave, and my grandfathers and those women at the polling place. Yes he is just one man, but to a little black boy who is only two years old screaming out "yes we can, go Barack", that is a heavy thing. There is no magic that will be involved when he is elected president. Gas will still be high, people will still be loosing jobs, we have to understand that this will take time and patience. It doesn't stop when he gets in office, it just begins. It starts with all of us, now, where ever you are. We must all play our part, we must grab these children, and stop being afraid of them. They want a release and it's up to us to give it them. I urge everyone reading this, take the time and go "early" vote, then take off of work the 4th and take elderly and others to the poles. We ALL have a job to do, it's not just Barack it's up to us all...if we want a real Change.

IBFF,Early Voting,Darnell and PJ

2008-10-14T10:39:00.003-05:00

Hello all, this week is the International Black Fim Festival of Nashville www.ibffnashville.com please come out and support the films and workshops this week. Debbie Allen will be in town, along with many other stars. There are also some great films, actor,writer,director Shawn Whitsell's short "The Test" is playing Saturday. Along with many other great films going on all week. Boris Kodjoe will also be in town doing some things. So make sure you go to the website and check out what's going on. Also this week early voting starts here in Nashville. It is imperative that we get out and early vote. You have about 2 1/2 weeks of early voting. You can vote anywhere not just at your precinct. Lets get out and make it happen, we all know that the lines on the 4th are going to be crazy so lets make it happen!!! Also this thurs night at the Rutledge check out Darnell Levine and PJ Morton live in concert, going to be a hot show. That's all for now, may be back later today... blessings

Only in Nashville

2008-10-10T19:33:00.000-05:00

So I was suppose to perform at the Airport monday as part of the IBFF, (International Black Film Festival) "Feels Like Home"....yeah straight got put off the show because, "the airport doesn't allow non-singing vocalist" Wowzers...i,e..no Spoken Word,No Rap...hmmm "Music City" I do music. Your reaction was the same as mine. Come on people we have got to do better. Nashville has got to realize that this isn't just a one genre city, as much as they want it to be it isn't. Though I digress, more things on the way. Just thought I'd share that because it was quite funny. If your in town come check out the Amenesty International show tonite at Cafe Coco $5 great music, poetry,spoken word etc., 7-10.

In other news, 25 days left, 25 days left until Nov. 4th. Now that we have had this massive voter reg. drive, it's time for us to make sure we go vote. I'm urging everyone to go and early vote because it's going to banana's!!! 3 weeks of early voting take advantage!!!

Test...one,two

2008-10-09T13:16:00.000-05:00

Peace people( crickets...) okay so no one is here yet and I am actually blogging to myself???? Well whatever, anyway just letting you guys know that" it's about to go down!!" Folks are always like please blog, we wanna know whats going on....I respond (Really?) o...k... LOL so here we are. What to talk about hmm? Well first and foremost go get the new album "Talk To The People" google it or I-tunes it or amazon it...whatever works best for you. It is the greatest spoken word album you will ever here this year :)...nah just kidding, it's a great body of work, "put my heart and soul into this ya'll" (mos def fans know whats up) Anyway much to talk about, new beginnings, politics, the economy and how it's affecting artist like me and my friends....( shout out to D. Horne, Darnell, Joe Johnson...and anyone else who is on the road alot:) It is soooo not a game right now...whew so bad that I have to SUB!!! LOL. This is just a test, more to come!!! Tell a friend, Rashad is blogging, Rashad is blogging!!! Nashvillepoet.blogspot.com!!!!!