The promise of independence, bright city lights and singing gigs is what lures Twilight Amery to an Alabama field along a cargo train route just outside her home town. She may not be a runaway slave but picking cotton is a memory not far enough in the distance.  As she stows away among train’s cargo headed for Harlem, she shares her stash and her dreams with two men on a similar journey. Twilight and the men, one gay the other bi-sexual, form an interesting triangle of lust, jealousy and vulnerability.

After the cargo cars are raided and the trio barely escapes, their adventure truly begins. Without enough money for the trio to make it to Harlem, the lay-over at an Atlanta whorehouse singing and dancing for tips. In exchange for some loving of her own, Twi is the perfect decoy for the complicated relationship between massive and possessive Daniel Stone and equal opportunity lover Hector.

A wrestling challenge turns deadly while Stone is defending both his and Twi’s honor and safety against a strong and menacing debt-collector. The three are forced to flee to Harlem with their winnings only to discover that death doesn’t stop the repercussions of their fatal deed from finding them.

Green paints an interesting story with plenty of time period details. However, the reader will soon realize that the story is all about the journey and very little about the destination as the trio is forced to flee again when their whorehouse troubles fail to be resolved. While the jealousy between Twi and Stone subsides as both realize that neither of them alone would be enough for the charming Hector, their interactions become emotionally suffocating threesomes where eventually there is always an odd person out.

Amber Green’s Steal Away earns three Sable Seals for the characters you come to care about and the fine details of the time period.

Format: E-book

Publisher: Loose Id

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Ms. Lena Horne was a beautiful sight to see delivering a melody like no other. May you rest in peace.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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The events of Thursday, June 25th 2009 are probably not lost on anyone with a television, an Internet connection or a cell phone with texting capabilities.  Like most people, I was working when I heard the news of Farrah Fawcett’s death. When my co-worker mentioned it while looking at a news website while eating his lunch my initial reaction was “na-uh!” (yes, I know very eloquent!) I felt a moment of sadness and nostalgia before returning to my routine. I had watched the majority of Fawcett’s documentary and knew that she’d been fighting cancer. While I thought her courageous for surviving the battle as long as she did, I figured at least she wouldn’t be suffering anymore.

Click here to view the embedded video.

A fan said it best, when it was quoted that “…Michael Jackson’s passing is like a piece of my childhood dying with him.”

I hadn’t posted sooner about Michael’s death because it is still so hard to believe. Someone at work made a snarky comment like, “you actually like Michael Jackson?” All I could say was, that I know he was very screwed up but the days of Thiller were the best ever in terms of music.” I didn’t like what he’d become in recent years, kind of a caricature of his former self, but it never changed the value of his music.

It’s funny how we are not allowed to be flawed. I find myself constantly trying to correct my flaws, hide them and even search for those who will love me in spite of them. In the end, I think that’s what Michael wanted too.

As I sat this weekend watching all the coverage…the biographies…the music video tributes…the speculation over his death and his life, I wondered what made him the way he was. It could have been loneliness or baggage from a very unique, challenging and rewarding childhood, (there’s definitely irony in that sentence…) but only he truly knows. His transformation or metamorphosis as some like to call it definitely added to the mystique that is Michael Jackson. We don’t know what he saw when he looked in the mirror or why he wanted to change it, but it leads me to wonder how as a society we come to mourn someone we don’t really know…

I’m a constant thinker… in fact thinking often keeps me up at night. And what I came up with almost as quickly as I asked the question is that we mourn the loss of a person’s contributions when they die. Someone like Michael Jackson or Princess Diana for instance are known for the contributions they made to society. Whether it’s philanthropy or entertainment, it has value and it is the loss of that contribution and the admiration for the people who share such great talents with us that makes us sad when they pass. We know people for the contributions they make, whether they are celebrities or not. If it is a positive contribution then there’s a bond of abstract friendship or kinship. We may not know someone like Michael Jackson personally but we know the talent and the contributions he’s made that has inspired others to chase their dreams and taking command of their lives. We even know the benefit of someone’s generosity even if that generosity isn’t bestowed on us directly. (Think : We Are the World).

Michael Jackson will now go the the place where all great unique talents go. Like Elvis, Janis, Jimmy, Marilyn, Marvyn and Diana, Michael  will live on in the contributions his talents have made to modern culture for many generations to come.

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Every school year growing up, I can remember the bulletin board my teachers would dedicate to the monthly calendar. It would be decorated to represent that month’s holidays or seasons. There would be the summer sun for June since school lasted well into the month of June on the East coast back then. Months with popular holidays like Christmas, Presidents’ Day, Thanksgiving, Halloween and Valentine’s Day symbolized the winter months.

Nowadays every month can make a political, cultural or philanthropic statement. Monthly themes have gone beyond Black History or Hispanic Heritage months. There’s even a govenment website with a page dedicated to all the causes that earn awareness each month. Some last a week others last all month. I was certainly out of the loop on most of them.

In case you were wondering the link is at citizencorps.org. The abbreviated list of causes and holidays are as follows:

June

• Flag Day
• National Safety Month
• Home Safety Month

July

• Independence Day
• National Parents’ Day

August

• Water Conservation
• Annual National Night Out

September

• Labor Day
• National Assisted Living Week
• National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15)
• Citizenship Day
• Deaf Awareness Week

October

• Diversity Awareness Month
• National Cyber Security Month
• National Crime Prevention Month
• Fire Prevention Week
• National Red Ribbon Week
• School Bus Safety Week

November

• Thanksgiving
• Veterans Day
• National American Indian Heritage Month

December

• International Day of Disabled Persons
• Christmas
• Kwanzaa
• Hannukah
• Winter Storm Awareness

January

• National Volunteer Blood Donor Month
• National Mentoring Month
• New Year’s Day
• MLK Day

February

• Black History Month
• National Burn Awareness Week
• Valentine’s Day
• President’s Day

March

• The Great American Clean-up
• National Women’s History Month
• National Poison Prevention Week
• Flood Safety Awareness Week

April

• National 9-1-1 Education Month
• National Financial Literacy Month
• National Volunteer Week
• National Infant Immunization Week

May

• American Stroke Month
• Mental Health Month
• National Older Americans Month

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Sometimes culture has far more factors affecting it than ethnicity. I came across a series of videos on Youtube which chronical the evolution of dance in America. It’s entertaining, comedic and nostolgic.

It also got me to thinking our so many characteristics that make us unique are all variable when it comes to culture. There are so many aspects that change with characteristic that makes up our lives. From where we live, how we live, who we love, where we work and what we do to make a living. Even how we dress,what we eat and how we seek leisure places is largely affected by our culture.

I’m sure I’ll come up with additional insights on the role culture plays on dance.

But for now…enjoy the videos.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Photo Courtesy of beverlybutler42

The celebration of motherhood began with the honoring of mother gods known as Greek goddesses. Known as Mothering Sunday in Europe during the 1600s, motherhood was honored within the context of Catholic religion. Its spiritual and religious origins are symbolic of its observance on the most religious day of the week. The celebration commenced with a Mothers day flower, jewels and fruit, which were used to decorate the church. The day was also called Mothering Day, which became Mother’s Day with U.S Proclamation of 1870 but was not actually observed in the U.S. until 1907. The proclamation was the result of a mother’s outrage over the deaths caused by the Civil War.

A Mothers day flower along with other gifts are given on the second Sunday of May to express appreciation for the sacrifices our individual mothers have made for us. Companies like 1800flowers may not be commercializing Mother’s Day, but merely enforcing the traditional custom associated with honoring mothers by supplying the most beautiful gift found in nature.

Giving the enormous sacrifice of bodily co-habitation for up to nine months, risking health and life itself to bring us into the world and then being responsible for our growth and well-being for another 18 years or more, it is only fitting that we take a day to observe the selflessness of motherhood. Most will attempt it, many feel entitled to the honor but not everyone is capable of carrying it out as it was intended.

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Having just returned from a trip to New York City and New Freedom, Pennsylvania, I realized each state has its own culture. I was fully aware of the cultural differences among the regions, but I never paid attention to specific state cultural contrasts. Sure, there’s a difference between Arizona and New York, but was there a difference between Pennsylvania and New York? After all the east coast is the east coast right?

During my travels I discovered that there was a huge difference between New York and Pennsylvania. The pace is faster and everything has its price. Parts of Pennsylvania has a Midwest appeal with dollar theatres, cheaper gas and a dairy farms.

Meanwhile, New York City waits for no one. Get up and get moving or get run over. Be book smart and street smart or get cheated. Brands are huge and deep sense of uniqueness resonates.

One of the things I valued most was how a car ride can lead you to another state and another culture with time to explore both.  I even ventured into D.C. for a few hours taking in all the historic building  and statues. The only thing that kept me from documenting the sights digitally was the constant rain that poured for three days.

A trip to a different state isn’t just a trip to a different place, it’s a trip to a different culture with different experiences and expectations.

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photo courtesy of Library of Congress (Flickr)

Ironically, on April 1st, I came across an article about Arizona Senator John McCain’s mission to see  the first African American World Heavyweight Champion, Jack Johnson, pardoned for his alleged violation of the Mann Act in 1913. The Mann Act which made it illegal to transport women in interstate or foreign commerce i.e. prostitution, debauchery or any other illegal purpose.

What activity did Johnson engage in to bring about a conviction?  It was his frequent romantic association with white prostitutes.  At least two white former prostitutes were documented as his traveling companions during his successful boxing career. He also married another white woman, Etta Duryea, but their marriage was troubled and she committed suicide. Johnson, a widower, took up with another white woman, a former prostitute, when he was charged with violating the Mann Act.

Johnson constantly defied the era in which he emerged. First, by pursuing the World Heavyweight Championship title, an honor thought only worthy of talented white boxers. His earning of the title sparked riots and debate of its authenticity for many years. When he could not be restricted professionally, he was prosecuted for his personal relationships causing him to flee the country. He later returned and served his sentence.

While many at the time and even to this day view the case as a cover-up for society’s discontent regarding interracial relationships, now that Jack Johnson and those who prosecuted him have passed on, what true purpose would it serve to issue a posthumous pardon? Will later generations always be burdened with the task of righting the misdeeds of our forefathers?

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Like viewing the past through a different set of eyes, things look familiar but they are just not quite the same. This greatly describes our recent focus on race relations. Due to the election of a multicultural president and nearly everyone’s economic struggle, a light shines brightly on the topics of race and class. I’ve seen an abundance of articles on multiculturalism, interracialism and race relations.

While I am excited by the sudden abundance of information and reading material, one article caught me off guard. I am sure by now most have heard about Elwin Wilson. He is the South Carolina man who has received pubicity for the apologies he’s given as a result of his previous racist behavior. His misdeeds run the gamut from racial slurs to harrassment and assaults.

Many have commended him, riduculed him and proclaimed him a hero. The article left me wondering, ”Is it too late to apologize?” While apologies should always be recognized, I am not sure lifting Wilson to the status of hero is appropriate. Many have asked, “Why now?” and I have that nagging question too. We seem perfectly comfortable with people making amends as they near entry into the pearly gates or the firery depths. Maybe it is not for us to judge or questions his motives but to acknowledge the apology. But, are we to believe that  a man who still refers to people of color as separate from himself because of skin color has really changed his ways. In one quote, his motive becomes clear.  According to the Associated Press, he said “And I found out there is no way I could be saved and get to heaven and still not like blacks.”

We all know the way a genuine apology sounds. Wilson, who is dealing with poor health, probably has nothing to gain but peace and an emotional boost from those quick to label him a hero. The sincerity of his apology is really between him and his maker.

We are in desparate need of a hero these days. In a society that has been “all about me” for several years now, it seems like almost any kind gesture will do. I hope we can be more selective in the future, because while Wilson’s apology may set a good example for others who shared his original opinions about race, the act of forgiveness is really between those directly involved.

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From the simple wedding band your grandmother wore to the favorite pair of jeans you can’t live without or even the lucky socks you wear to every job interview, we give inanimate objects meaning and life.

We all have that special object that holds a certain special something for each of us. Recently, a friend sent me pictures of the new USS New York LPD 21, it is the fifth in a new class of warships being built for special terrorist military operations. It is made from the most meaningful scrap metal possible–scrap metal from the World Trade Center.

With the motto, “Never Forget” the USS New York gives recycling a whole new meaning. This warship will carry 360 sailors and 700 Marines to be delivered by helicopters and assault craft. The WTC scrap steel was melted down and poured into molds on September 9th 2003. That metal didn’t belong to just one person; it belonged to America’s people. As a result, it held meaning and represented life to all that came in contact with it, from the point of scrap metal all the way until it was fashioned into its finished product.  

I can’t think of a more appropriate use for the steel remnants of that day. That steel, in the shape of a building, did its best to protect its inhabitants on that unforgettable day and now in the form of a ship, it will protect some of our bravest Americans as they defend our freedom.

All Hail the USS New York–Never Forget.

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