The new Elevate Lounge is a spoken word forum - base on spirituality - a counseling and bereavement Group.
Elevate is about spirtual awareness and consciousness of self as women. It is to promote a positive self image of women and serves as a forum to express and share our hurts, pains, disappointments, fears as well as our joys. There is abuse counseling, rape and bereavement support. A completely Second Life project that we hope will grow and be able to thrive in Real Life
I am not going to dig too far into this issue because it's been discussed in-depth for centuries. But on a personal note, for over a month or so I (Vertigo Verb) have been on a self exploration about who I am and where I fit in society. It's funny but now at the near completion of my quest for knowledge and a deeper understanding of my community sadly, I've only arrived at more questions. For example... What is good hair? What is speaking Black or acting White? What truly defines race or culture? Where do the lines begin and end? I mean, what if you're like me (bi-racial) Where do we "fit" or "belong" in society? Let's say you were a Caucasian girl brought up in a African American (It's difficult being so P.C.) household does that define who you are or will be? Who defines what is beautiful? And who wrote all these unwritten laws of behavior that everyone seems to subconsciously follow? Ah so many questions.
I was speaking with a friend of mine two days ago, swapping stories about our childhoods. We grew up similar households. Both with Mother and Father present, possessing secondary education, and the occasional family trips. By having parents with decent priories it afforded us better opportunities in education and pretty much our overall quality of day to day life. Instead of being embraced by our community we were teased and ridiculed. Singled out as either "Boojee" or "trying to act White." She even shared with me a story about how she would deny where she was from in her attempt to be accepted. I mean since when did having both parents in a home become a luxury? Since when did being able to go to a school where the likely hood of getting gunned down is less than average become a character flaw?
Can somebody please help me understand????
And what the hell is Good Hair?
Here is a poem I found to be both entertaining and informative.
Let's Elevate?
"White" Nafessa Monroe
also if you enjoyed that poem check out Zora Howard's poem called "Bi-Racial Hair"
I had every intention to post something here about Childhood and how it shapes who we are today. Instead I've decided to post this video from Lauryn Hill. It features a poem she did entitled "Motives And Thoughts" on the show Def Poetry Season 5, Episode 1 in 2005. It had me thinking all types of things about what I believe and why. Hopefully it will do the same for you. Go ahead... get lifted.
"Motives and Thoughts" by Lauryn Hill
Rotating bodies, confusion of sound Negative imagery, holding us down Social delusion, clearly constructed Human condition, morals corrupted Trapped in reaction, lawlessness war Dissatisfaction from bowels to core Devil’s technology, strategy for Human mythologies, urban folklore Sick of psychology, counterfeit cure Wicked theology, robbing the poor Scheme demonology mislead the pure Strictly strategically studying war Light shown in darkness, image exposed Few can see through the new emperor’s clothes Lustful this hustle turn humans to hoes When the blind lead the blind Just more trouble and woes It’s the mind that they chose Its designed to stay closed Standard of jokers, court just a logic Sick looking cosmics, from schoolyards to college Primitive man with civilize knowledge System collapse and he still won’t acknowledge God is the saviour, studies behavior Trying to fix the mix mind that he gave ya Stiff-necked scholars on prescription meds Wishing their problems were all in their heads Morale dilemma, pride is the root Misguided from youth, heart divided from truth Egyptians and Grecians, spiritually dead Imperially led, by the gods in their heads Motives and thoughts Industrial wealth Global economy, in it for self Heart full of madness, covered with kind Pleasure designed to take over your mind Furnished in godliness, painted in good This tainted priesthood got real saints misunderstood While classes in government, set up the veil And cultivate minds for more mythical tales Typical Hollywood follies good girl While vice and corruption take over the world Motives and thoughts Check your motives and thoughts Blind with the wickedness, deep in your heart Modern day wickedness is all you’ve been taught Lied to your neighbors, so you get ahead Modern day trickery is all you’ve been fed Motives and thoughts Check your motives and thoughts
