I always know when I am starting to slip into the madness again. The voice in my head takes on a British accent. When it speaks to me in Italian I am just mildly perturbed, Spanish - just kinda off. But when that skull crashing union jack takes over, it's time for the looney bin. I know this sounds too rational for confinement, but keep in mind that just a few sentences ago I did say, “voice inside my head”. All my favorite Beat poets spent some time in a padded cell, so I feel no shame in needing a straight jacket or two. But, I wish I could claim it was the byproduct of too much time in the darkroom or staring to far into the lens. To be perfectly honest, it's reality that's driving me crazy. The reality of Amy Goodman whispering to me the secret doings of ALEC on my podcasts in the morning. The reality of wondering if the kids down the street are now counted among the staggering 31 million American children living in poverty. The reality that mother nature is tiring of our abuse and has started fighting back with wilder storms and deeper droughts. The reality of Dick Cheney on a book tour instead of under the basement of the Hauge doing 30 to life. The reality that we are losing a whole generation of American graduates due to our inability to overthrow our corporatism mindset. These little things just keep tickling in the back of my mind no matter how much I serf the People magazine website or rabidly watch TMZ. I can not get that cockney accent from reminding me that as a nation we are tripping down a path of no return. Pushed and prodded from the right by Republican politicians with a burning hatred in their eyes, and continuously let down on the left when we HOPE for the support of our weak willed Democrats. It’s enough to make anyone paying attention wonder if they are the first, or the last, to give into the insanity.
Look Ma, I'm in the Schomburg Collection!
This past Friday the 15th, I had the honor of turning in the Cloth Series to the Photographs and Prints Collection of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. I am so honored to have my work included in such a prestigious collection of works. Since its founding the Schomburg has been one of the premier collections of art representing and celebrating the Black condition nationally and internationally. A special thanks to the curator of the collection, Mary Yearwood, for being such a great resource and hand holder as I went through this process. As budget cuts threaten our great institutions, let's remember and support the institutions that remember and support us. For more information on the Schomburg click here!
Faces of the Great Recession Closing - Saturday, July 9th
Faces of the Great Recession will be closing Saturday, July 9th! It has been such an honor to have this work be apart of the amazing Faces of the Economy exhibition at the Art for Change Gallery. Please come out for the final chance to see this amazing exhibition. The closing and artist talk will be held from 7-11pm at Art for Change. The gallery is located at 1699 Lexington Ave. between 106th and 107th streets. Take the 6 train to 103rd street station. Hope to see you there! Make sure to check out the profile on the Faces of the Economy done by NBC news!
Faces of the Great Recession on NBC
View more videos at: http://www.nbcnewyork.com.
Hey Ma! We're on the news! Faces of the Great Recession was shown in this feature on East Harlem. The current Faces of the Economy show at the Art for Change Gallery was profiled and Faces of the Great Recession was shown as part of the current exhibition. You can scroll to 2:12 to catch the profile of the gallery. Do check out the whole profile, Gabe Pressman is a New York classic!
It Was A Beautiful Day for a Protest
It's been a while since I blogged, but today I was literally moved to tears watching people come together to fight for the future of this country. Before I get to story of how I was almost bawling watching the young, the old, even the handicapped, march for their rights, I want to say thanks to the wonderful people at Art for Change for letting me know the May Day rally was happening. Seriously, I miss everything!
But back to the story.....The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the protesters were raising their voices in unity. Organizations represented workers' rights, immigrants' rights, women's rights, 3rd party political parties, and on and on and on, were out shouting to wake up the sleeping giant of the American middle class. Now what made little ole me cry? I have been waiting to see this moment for too long. The people are rising and fighting for their futures. Get out on the streets and join them! Below are some of the pics from the day and you can see the full portfolio here! THE PEOPLE UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED!
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April 30th - Mortality Series on Display in the Bronx Art Space!
Excerpts from the Mortality Series will be on display (and for sale) in support of the Fantastic Funds Exhibition fundraiser for the Bronx Art Space. Help us keep the Bronx Art Space open! Festivities are from 6:30pm to 10:00 pm Saturday, April 30th. The Bronx Art Space is located at 305 East 140th Street, 1A (#6 train to 138th street). Come and support Art in the Bronx!
Faces of the Great Recession Opens!
Faces of the Great Recession opened Friday, April 15th 2011 at the Faces of the Economy exhibition at the Art for Change Gallery. The exhibition had wall to wall powerful work from 17 artists focusing on bringing attention to the humanity behind our current economic turmoil. I feel privileged to be apart of such an amazing visual statement. Thanks so much to all of you who came out to support the show! Leave it to a photographer to forget take pictures of the event! But I did get some of you in front of my phone! The closing and artist discussion will be held July 9th from 7-11 pm. Hope to see you there!
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Faces of the Great Recession Opens April 15th
Faces of the Great Recession, the latest photo series by photographer Ijeoma D. Iheanacho, is opening at the Art for Change Gallery April 15th. As part of the Art for Change exhibition, Faces of the Economy, this series brings into focus the human beings behind the statistics:
“Everyday the news tells us the unemployment rate as some percentage that is just hovering under 10%. But, who is that 10%? Who are those Americans that have had their American Dream derailed by the Great Recession? In this series I am presenting the stories of the 10% through the efforts of the non-profits working to help them hang on to some semblance of their dreams. This series serves a three prong effort: to make the public see beyond the statistics, to give voice to the citizens that are not being heard by our politicians, and to provide information to others going through a similar situation by linking them to the organizations that are working to help them. The series focuses on the non-profit organizations and the community of people it serves. I hope to make each viewer think of the people behind the headlines and tie the struggles of its citizens back to the hopes of the country. While the Great Recession is technically over on paper, its affect on the lives of ordinary citizens will be felt for generations. As the coverage moves from Wall Street to Main Street, we need to look at the discussions being held around the kitchen tables of America. Faces of the Great Recession is a look into not only the problem, but also the solutions and courage that can stand as a reminder that the next Great Generation may be in the making and the American Dream can still be a reality for those not yet awakened from the nightmare of the Great Recession. “
Please join us at Art for Change to view the Faces of the Great Exhibition. Art for Change is located at 1699 Lexington Avenue (between 106th and 107th Streets). The opening is Friday, April 15th, 7-11pm with a closing reception and artist dialogue Saturday, July 9th 7-11pm.
AfroPunk Series: Slim
Afropunk Series: Khay
Afropunk Photo Series: Moe
idiStudios is now on Afropunk.com
Check out the new "Life in Technicolor" photo series updating weekly on Afropunk.com! Check back every Friday for the newest series! -Ijeoma
Resolutions
Happy New Year! It’s that annual time of year for reflection and resolutions. As we all plan to finally drop those last five pounds or call Mom more, let’s add an even larger resolution to our list. Let’s all be our own hope makers. Let’s inspire and see hope in each other. Let’s remember that when we work together, we can hold our leaders accountable. Yes, it sounds daunting, but really it only takes a change in our frame of minds. We must all look at the next person as a participant in our shared human narrative. We all live the same story. We all suffer from broken government and impending climate crisis. When the islanders of Manhattan can relate to the suffering of the islanders of Tuvalu, we will be on the road to progress. When it becomes more important to fight for the future of our world than our respective nations, we would have made progress. When the word austerity strikes fear in the hearts of the richest of our nations, and not just the poorest, we will indeed know progress. Let’s return dignity to the human condition. Let’s make how a person lived their lives more impressive than how much money they amassed and couldn’t take to the grave with them. So, my New Year’s resolutions: Yes, drop those last five pounds, call my mother more often, and open my eyes, ears, mind and heart to all the peoples of the world. Wishing everyone a happy and progressive New Year!
Happy Holidays!
Focus, People Focus
The saddest thing that has come out of this tax the poor to pay the rich debacle is the Democrats lack of political focus. Yes, we are all pissed that President Obama (yeah, I’m to mad to call him Barry) has cut a deal we all hate. Instead of carping on that, we need to remind the American people who the real culprits are in this situation. The fact that the Republicans have put the country in this position should be screaming from the headlines. To be honest, I have to say I feel a hint of respect for the position President Obama (still mad) took. He knew he would hear it from the Left (and rightly so), but he actually put the American citizens ahead of politics. Sort of…. It’s easy for pundits and our millionaire Congress to say let’s fight it out. We can back pay the unemployment benefits to those who lose out while we argue. You can not pay the rent with promises of unemployment checks. You can not feed your children with back pay. Promises will not make your car payment. My problem is that President Obama (really angry here, people) should have gotten a better deal. If you are going to play chicken with my grandchildren’s financial future, you need to at least get the unemployment benefits extension to match the length of the unnecessary tax cuts. Thirteen months versus two years? Honey you are part African, you can haggle better than that! Giving tax relief to the dead and losing tax cuts for the working poor? Do they have dirty pictures from your college years? Yes, it is a blow to the Democratic agenda. No, we do not need to be putting all the blame on President Obama (yep, still pissed). We need to remember, and remind the country, that this situation has stemmed from one thing: the Republicans trying to keep themselves from becoming an unemployment statistic. No tax cuts for the rich, no campaign funds, no jobs. It’s up to us as Democrats to remind the public of who is really at fault, and come 2012, make the Republicans regret that unemployment was only extended thirteen months.
Pulse
I love walking through these streets anonymously. Drifting through the crowded sidewalks like a spirit pulsating to the rhythm of the city. The glare of the lights giving form to my features and the noise of the traffic is my only voice. The slap-slap and tap-tap of the 16 million feet on the pavement playing on my iPhone. Gliding through the lights of the night and slipping through the shadows of the day. I can hold the city’s pulse in my heart and reach out my finger tips to stroke the pulses world wide: Tokyo, Rome, Lagos, Sao Paulo, Hong Kong, Mexico City, Cape Town, Seoul, Mumbai, Jakarta! Fingertips pulsing and heart beating, the beats align - for one blinding moment we are all connected and moving to the same beat of the street. Human to human - children of whatever deity we choose to give thanks to. We all feel the grind and the pleasure of rubbing against each other. The heat of the friction binding us to the common goal - make it to the next day, see another sunrise, give in but push back. Slip back into that night and that welcoming front door that is the portal in, and out, of our urban experience.
Adjust Your Channels
Okay so I am paraphrasing The Twilight Zone, but really that is what I feel like I have tuned into every time I turn on the TV to watch the mainstream media coverage of the “news”. Yes, I did put that in quotations. No, I am not trying to be ironic. Basic cable has ruined journalism. I remember watching Ted Koppel on Nightline when I was growing up. We all used to tune in with my Dad explaining the issues to us kids during the commercials. I am not sure if it was Ted’s reporting or my father’s running commentary, but I always felt like I was being informed of what was really happening in the world. Now they have turned Nightline into some generic “infotainment” show. Poor Ted. At least there is still the MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour, another staple in my younger years. But, what about CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News? Well, let’s just go ahead and burst Fox News’s bubble and admit that there is no actual news on that channel. Please stop calling yourselves Fox News and go by your real intentions - Fox Opinions and Drivel. You are allowed your opinions, but you are not allowed to call them facts nor news. I have to say I feel almost the same way for MSNBC. Their key “anchors” are really pundits, but at least their opinions are based on actual facts and investigative journalism. Again, I don’t mind them having an opinion, but they should call it reporting with an *. Yes, I agree with the reporting* on MSNBC, but what about just straight news, just giving the public the facts? We have CNN, right? Wrong! This hurts me to say. I have been an avid viewer of CNN since my father declared me old enough to watch all the hard truths of world. What I have noticed over the past two decades of watching CNN is a shift away from asking any really hard questions. I would love just once to see John King say to a conservative pundit, “Well how are going to balance the budget and pay down the deficit when you want to continue throwing tax dollars down the throats of the rich? Have you found a third dimension where jobs magically spring from a unicorn’s butt?”. Just once John, just once. But, I do have to give props to Candy Crowley for holding down the fort, I tune into her with a smile on my face every time. So where can I get real, actual reporting you ask? Here is a list of various sources I have found both informative and entertaining:
-If you are looking for real journalism: Amy Goodman of Democracy Now. Talk about putting yourself out there to inform the public! Please find her at democracynow.org
-If you are looking for a gateway: The Best of the Left Podcast produced by Jay! Tomlinson (his exclamation point, not mine). It is a compilation of a number of news sources and a good way to find other outlets to news. You can find him at thebestoftheleftpodcast.com.
-If you need to chuckle while you learn: The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, and my personal favorite, Real Time with Bill Maher.
-If you need to chuckle and learn enough swear words to make your merchant marine brother blush: The crazy kids of Citizen Radio Jamie Kilstein and Allison Kilkenny. WARNING: This show is Not Safe For Work or your Grandmother with a heart condition! You can find them at wearecitizenradio.com.
This is a very abbreviated list of my personal favorites. I hope you know of some and go look for others because the only way we are going to bring about a real and lasting change is to become the educated citizens that keep a democracy alive and strong.
Running with Scissors
What does the new American reality mean for the overlooked in society - women, minorities, and the poor? What is the new American reality you ask? It’s a reality that parents are facing when they finally admit they cannot afford to send their straight A honor student children to college. It is a reality that seniors are facing when health care costs are creeping into their grocery budgets. It is the reality that those striving to get back to work are facing when they keep emailing resumes and attending every job fair possible to no avail. It is not coincidental that as resources become more scarce, women, minorities, and the poor are the groups most harshly affected. Compare the national unemployment rates and the unemployment rates of minorities. The national unemployment rate is currently 9.6%, while the rate of African Americans is at 15.5% and for Hispanics it is at 12.4%. The unemployment rate has jumped by 4.7% for African Americans while falling from 8.6% to 8.3% for White America. Kinda hard not to miss the discrepancies there. Now after hearing the draconian cuts the leaders of the Budget Commission want to make, I shudder for the future. Of course the cuts look to slash into everyone but the absurdly rich and their corporate hounds. Of course they are going after Social Security, but amazingly they want to also go after the healthcare of our veterans. Yes, they ask for cuts in the Defense department and the Pentagon, yet no mention of killing the Bush tax cuts for the rich or ending the wars that are bleeding us all dry. If there has ever been a time for the Obama administration to put bipartisanship on the shelf, it is now. I hope Barry becomes President Veto in order to protect the 98% of the American public that is not rich or tied to a multinational conglomerate.
Going Native
It’s always funny being this little voice thinking - maybe if I scream loud enough the city may hear me. It might even pause for one brief moment and look me in the eye. Acknowledge my presence and remind me that I exist. I can stop being that creeping shadow, sliding through the bright streets, cutting into tourists pictures so someone will note that I was here, I walked these streets. Bill and Margie will grumble to their friends in Bends Oak, Tennessee - oh those New Yorkers are so impatient, this one couldn’t even pause for a moment to let Dad snap the picture. So busy in the big city, so busy. In Bends Oak I’ll be noticed, but its the tender attentions of New York City all us transplants crave for. Name in lights, top of the towers fame. The glitz of the paparazzi, the familiar winks of the maitre d’s. That’s the New York we have all come for. We don’t prepare ourselves for the stench belched out of the Port Authority or the cruel elbows of the truly busy natives when you just don’t move fast enough. The heart break that follows the shattered dream is the worst and the best thing to happen to all us hopefuls. It makes us face the mirror and either jump the bus home or dig in deeper and fight back. Claws out, teeth bared, those of us that stay are up for the fight. Even if we have to take half of SoHo with us, we will make it here. “Make it” gets redefined every couple of years from name in lights, to name on mortgage (Yea! I own a piece of the city!). But the battle scars are worth it, when that one glorious morning you wake up (or stumble home) a Native!
Moving Forward
Well, it’s over. The overwhelming coverage of the 2010 Midterm Elections is finally winding down. CNN is putting away all its new toys and the pundits are cashing their very fat overtime paychecks. The hecklers on the right are reveling in their apparent victory, and the hecklers on the left are licking their wounds. What seems to be left out of the tallying of the “chicklets”is the very basic question: what happens to the Middle Class now? What happens to the 9.6% that can’t find a job? What happens to the mothers who pray their children just don’t get sick? What happens to the homeowners who are so far underwater that drowning sounds like a good thing? We can only wait and see. We can wait to see just how much “anger” can be turned into governing. We can wait to see how the Middle Class will benefit from the privatization of Social Security and the demise of Medicare the Tea Party candidates were calling for. We can wait to see if the Obama administration will continue to acquiesce too much in the name of bipartisanship to the conservative establishment that refuses to move anywhere near the center. But, we can’t wait for long. Yes, let’s hope that now that this election cycle is over, we can actually begin the real work that it will take to save the Middle Class. Let’s hope that now that the Republicans have a personal stake in the success of the country, the will begin work on the side of the American people. I know, I may be holding my breath until 2012.