I’ve always wanted to be a writer…one of my proudest moments was in the 9th grade when Ms. Simms handed me my essay and said, “You’re a good writer.” Another was when this super hot, intellectual Kappa guy wrote an editorial in the Southern University Digestabout how campus beauty queens were basically whack. I, a proudly elected campus queen, wrote a reply that was published and people responded favorably. A final memory was when I was selected Editor in Chief of a law school paper. My final editorial raised hairs, causing my Dean to not acknowledge me at graduation. I realized a long time ago the power of my written word. But I was hesitant to say I was a writer.
I remember telling my friend Holly over brunch that I wanted to write more. She said I had to meet her friend Jewel. I checked out Jewel’s blog and was immediately intimidated. She was a WRITER writer-as opposed to me, a person who liked to write. Jewel and I kept in touch and she invited me to a gathering of writers of color in New Orleans. Her goal was to create a space for writers in the city where we can cultivate our stories. This meeting was full of heavy hitters and we had to share something we had written. My favorite Times Picayune writer Jarvis DeBerry was there and he read from a piece I had read in the paper. His wife Kelly recited an original poem that was amazing. My now friend Kasimu there and he shared a post Katrina story that was hilarious and melancholy all at once. Nik Richard was there and read from his PUBLISHED book. My now friends Gian, Jamey, Maurice, Jeri and Jewel (and many others)…we all went around sharing these stories. I was OVERWHELMED with the talent in that room. I felt like I was among great writers and awaited them to tell me thank you for your interest but you’re not ready yet. That never happened. Instead they embraced me and have been nurturing my writing ever since. When it was time to produce my play, it was my writer’s group that helped iron out the kinks. I am a part of a something bigger than myself and we are sharing our stories.
Now everyone can see what we’ve been up to as our group gets ready to host our first summer reading series! I’m OVERWHELMED with emotion as I share this with you. I’m daily realizing my dreams and this is yet another reason why I am so grateful my journey found its way through New Orleans!!! Save the dates so you can come share our stories!
I had the thrill of my acting lifetime when I got to be a part of a production of FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF. Ricknise, our stage manager on the show, is a mass comm major. Here’s a great piece she did on the show!!!!
Tonight I’m going celebrate in literary style!!!! My friend L. Kasimu Harris, a talented photographer and writer I met in the fab New Orleans Melanated Writer’s Group I’m proud to be a part of, does an awesome blog for the Oxford American! (Yep you remember correctly-he’s the fab photog behind my bday brunch photos!!!) So exciting since in our first meeting he stated his goal was to tell stories with both his pen and camera and focus on things he loves. And if you’ve met Kasimu you know he’s got a “thing” for style!!! CONGRATS to him! In New Orleans? Come check him out at the party tonight! If not, check out the blog anytime by clicking here. Au revoir! (It’s my Parish Chic ta ta for now! LOL!)
The best and worst part about my life is that I’m always busy…most of the time the busy fuels me and I love being on the go…but sometimes being busy makes me miss things. For instance, tonight I want to be in Baton Rouge to support my cousin JUSTIN GARNER at his album release party. Instead, I have to be at rehearsal for this play I’m in on Saturday. There’s an old saying that alludes you make time for what you want to make time for…I don’t agree. Sometimes you simply can not be in two places at one time! The good news is that the show must always go on. So tonight even though I won’t be there, my lil cousin is going to wow ‘em tonight! If you’re in Baton Rouge you should check him out!!!! If not visit his website www.justingarner.com !
I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest authority on art history but I do know what I like when I see it. I think the point of great art is to force an emotion from its viewers. My good friend BANT is an artist that pulls emotion from me with all of his drawings. When I first met him, he was extremely private with his art, only sharing with his close friends. I’m glad for the rest of us he decided to show the world what he’s got! In his latest exhibit, he’s created some great pieces in a collection entitled PIECES OF ME. I sure which I could be in L.A to see them live and in person but alas, I’m grateful to be able to see them. My favorite thing about BANT’s pieces is that there’s always something else going on underneath. Not only does his work tugging at my emotional core, they challenge me to find something slightly hidden from plain sight. Take a look at a few of his pieces and let me know your thoughts!
Develop Emotions
Her Mind In Body
My Mind In World
Last night my coworker and I were discussing Bill O’Reilly, Sarah Palin and those types who seem hell bent on a divisive view of America. When they spew rhetoric about how they want America back, I wonder if they care about how it makes minorities and disenfranchised citizens of this country feel. It reminds me of one of my favorite poems by Langston Hughes. Amazing how his stance so long ago captures exactly how I feel today. Enjoy the poem then get to know more about Langston Hughes.
I, TOO, SING AMERICA by Langston Hughes
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong.
Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table When company comes. Nobody’ll dare Say to me, “Eat in the kitchen,” Then.
Besides, They’ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed–
I, too, am America.
JAMES MERCER LANGSTON HUGHES 1902-1967 
Poet, writer, playwright. Born February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. After publishing his first poem, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” (1921), he attended Columbia University (1921), but left after one year to work on a freighter, traveling to Africa, living in Paris and Rome, and supporting himself with odd jobs. After his poetry was promoted by Vachel Linday, he attended Lincoln University (1925–9), and while there his first book of poems, The Weary Blues (1926), launched his career as a writer. Read More
Today I was in the mood for great poetry. I found some pieces of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s that spoke to my spirit. Please enjoy his poem, ACCOUNTABILIY, and his bio below.
ACCOUNTABILITY by Paul Laurence Dunbar
FOLKS ain’t got no right to censuah othah folks about dey habits; Him dat giv’ de squir’ls de bushtails made de bobtails fu’ de rabbits. Him dat built de gread big mountains hollered out de little valleys, Him dat made de streets an’ driveways wasn’t shamed to make de alleys.
We is all constructed diff’ent, d’ain’t no two of us de same; We cain’t he’p ouah likes an’ dislikes, ef we’se bad we ain’t to blame. Ef we’se good, we need n’t show off, case you bet it ain’t ouah doin’ We gits into su’ttain channels dat we jes’ cain’t he’p pu’suin’.
But we all fits into places dat no othah ones could fill, An’ we does the things we has to, big er little, good er ill. John cain’t tek de place o’ Henry, Su an’ Sally ain’t alike; Bass ain’t nuthin’ like a suckah, chub ain’t nuthin’ like a pike.
When you come to think about it, how it’s all planned out it’s splendid. Nuthin’s done er evah happens, ‘dout hit’s somefin’ dat’s intended; Don’t keer whut you does, you has to, an’ hit sholy beats de dickens,– Viney, go put on de kittle, I got one o’ mastah’s chickens.
Paul Laurence Dunbar was the first African-American poet to garner national critical acclaim. Born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1872, Dunbar penned a large body of dialect poems, standard English poems, essays, novels and short stories before he died at the age of 33. His work often addressed the difficulties encountered by members of his race and the efforts of African-Americans to achieve equality in America. He was praised both by the prominent literary critics of his time and his literary contemporaries. Read More
This seems quite interesting. I love WHAT THE BLEEP DO WE KNOW and think it would be a great event to host…hmmmm…
When you say the word “artist” in New Orleans the focus generally turns to music. Thoughts typically go to singers, rappers or bands as music is such a major part of the city’s unique culture. However, visual art is and historically been a huge facet of NOLA’s tradition. Visual artist Myesha Francis is set to reveal her debut solo exhibit, La Vie En Rose: The Red Trumpet Series on Saturday, November 20.
Artist Myesha Francis of M Francis Gallery
“I’ve done shows exhibits but I’ve never had a solo show,” says Francis. “My thing has always been to be able to represent other artists and give other people an opportunity to show their work. But as a new gallery owner and an artist, it makes more sense for me to sell my own work and do my work. Right now for me it is about the aesthetic and showing who I am as an artist.”
As she continues to define who she is as an artist, the native New Orleanian drew from her own experiences to create the collection. The McDonough 35 graduate was born and raised on second line music and dancing in the streets. As she grew in experience and maturity, so did her love of jazz. After watching LOVE JONES she became infatuated with the deep bass sound-the “da doom” as she puts it. Francis’ quest to have a more evolved view of jazz led her to the music of trumpet legend Miles Davis and right back home to Louis Armstrong. Her love for Armstrong is clearly present in La Vie En Rose and the only influence more prevalent in her work is a much higher authority.
“What I will always do is stuff that is filled with a lot of spirit and happiness and joy and life, be it jazz pieces or figurative works,” says Francis. “My ultimate mission is that God will be pleased with what I do and that God would get some glory out of what I do. If I can define it I would say I am a servant of God disguised as an artist.”
A highly spiritual individual, Francis feels that God led her to her chosen profession. After studying fashion design and marketing, she was perplexed concerning what to do with her life. One day in church the then nail technician asked God what was it she was created to do. Francis recounts that a still small voice responded, “You are painting on six inch nails and I have six foot canvases for you.” A novice to art, she had no idea what canvas was, nor where to buy it! Francis decided that voice was divine intervention and she immediately enrolled as a student in art history and studio art. The third time was a charm and she went on to graduate from the University of Texas and pursue a master’s degree in museum studies from Southern University New Orleans. The now bonafide artist is a member of several guilds and organizations including New Orleans Arts District, New Orleans Museum of Art, African American Museum of Art, American Association of Museums and African American Association of Museums. As she and her gallery continue to grow, she continues to allow herself to be led by the still voice.
“Many times I could have gone another way to chase the money, but instead I followed wherever the still small voice was leading me,” Francis said. “It hasn’t always been the way I necessarily wanted to go but something in me said that if you follow THAT voice you’ll be alright. And not just for today, not just for tomorrow, but throughout.”
La Vie en Rose: The Red Trumpet Series opens November 20, 2010 7-9 p.m.
M. Francis Gallery 604 Julia Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
I’m super excited for Sunday afternoon! I’ll be attending a great event featuring some talented female writers-most are members of the writer’s group I joined a few months back. I’m so excited to hear what they will share. If you are in New Orleans on Sunday, stop by!!!
Young, Gifted & Black
