Mission and Pain Merchants

It is the season for walking in the sunlight. Staring at the honey color moon. A day of wanting to pull back from the worst of social media but I can't help but notice more than a few of us ain't got our heads wrapped too tight in the skull.

Yes. I now have to be specific as to which head I am referring to. On account some folks are stuck in Peen-land.

But first, a little music. This is the second band that I recorded at Make Music Pasadena. The band is Dig The Kid and I do because I like enthusiast musicians.


Ah, the mission.  Music has been a tool to help engage a connection with the other.

I'm going to find you. I'm going to love you come rain or come shine. Be mine, be my baby.

Yep. And the there is:

Shoot da load, shoot da load, drill, drill, drill come hard with the thrill.

(I made those lyrics up cuz I don't listen to rap except when a car stereo is turned way up. It always sounds like this to me.)

You hope to find the one or two people that resonates with your vibe. The music war of the sexes is usually presented as a playful non-violent skirmish with no real losers. In reality, it is a battlefield and people are getting killed, maimed and scarred.

There are dangerous people and there are predictors. Also, there are carpetbaggers.

Brief Background

Thousands of women participated in the #YesAllWomen on Twitter to bring to light the minefield that a woman can experience dealing with certain types of men. Very few women don't have a story about an interaction with a man that got scary.

The originator of the hashtag has been harassed by trolls, received death threats and god knows what else. The hashtag has been co-opted by quite a few men using women avatars to spew hate. There are also some men that are very proud to tell you that women ain't shit and deserve all the trouble we get.

It has also been co-opted by a company using the hashtag to sell t-shirts.

There are questions but bottom line for me is that this company rolls in after other women, particularly black women, white women, Asian woman and every other type of woman on the planet put their stories in public view about how common it is to feel anger and threats from (some) men. The same anger that drove that man to kill in Santa Barbara.

Yet this business rolls out a storefront, t-shirt photos and your newly claimed Twitter handle. Ready for business. And yet, there is this mess right here...

This business has decided to make money off of the pain and hire a counselor? This company  wraps t-shirts in a non-profit cloth of respectability. Got a Facebook page as well. Yes, indeed they are gonna work that SEO.

It is the business of being a pain merchant. There are customers who want to buy the clothing. There are people that are actively trying to get the company to change its name. There are trolls that just won't stop.

I turn away and look for laundry to wash. Still, I ask the universe how in the hell did we find our way out of the cave?

Go On and Catch Some Tail for Yoda's Daddy

The man put up 93 million dollars of his own money to make an all black action movie? Or an action movie with a black cast? You can say this has my attention. In a few days, the movie Red Tails will open at the box office. A gentleman by the name of Mr. George Lucas has produced a movie that is inspired by the Tuskegee Airmen of World War 2.

As a rule, I do not like war movies, shoot em up bangs bangs or glorified murder. I do like a good story. I am 110% down with encoding our history into the collective but often forgetful memory of this nation.

This is a trailer of the movie: 



Mr. Lucus is a little concerned that if folks don't turn out for the flick than will put the kibosh on future multi-million dollar movies staring black folks with white actors in minor supporting roles.

This is a clip from the daily show where he talks about how studios told him they didn't know how to market the movie or that it would not do well internationally because other countries would not want to view "limited appeal" movie.



Dear Mr. Lucas, do not fret about blowing $93 million dollars. I think it is safe to say you are going to recoup that investment in about a 10 hours of the movie's release. Not to mention that as soon as a couple dozen grandmas get wind of the movie a couple thousand junebug grandsons are going to be dragged into the theaters.

But that isn't what the movie studios where talking about, is it? They said they didn't know how to market the movie so that white folks would want to go see it. 

Understandable myopia coming from that crowd.  Need new blood in Hollywood. Those vampire and zombie movies they keep making have drained what little sense they have about modern audiences. 

People will turn out for a good movie, period.

I got my calculator out on this one:

• Living WW2 war vets of any ethnicity $$$
• Living vets of any war who appreciate military history $$$
• Every living Tuskegee graduate $$$$$
• Military historians $$$$
• People who want to see their history on the screen $$$$$$
• Loyal Fanboys and Fangirls who want to get in on the ground floor of a possible new gaming world $ x infinity.

If it is good movie and some white folks can mentally cross that bridge then yeah, whoopie and good on ya. You have a hit.

But if it isn't then it will be okay too. The world will still turn. There are black movies being made and that will happen inside and outside of the current film industry. Looks like it will be outside because even if this is a block buster they will attribute it to Lucas skills as a filmmaker and promoter and not the film or subject matter.

The stories will be told with old tech or new tech. The days of traditional film making filters is coming to an end anyway.

So take a load off G. From the looks of it I don't think it will be flop. I stopped looking toward Hollywood for quality movies a long time ago. I might make an exception for this film but have no expectation of finding a good film to pay $12 for a long time.

Now in your next film if you could do a little something that celibates the slightly older but wiser women with some curves it would be greatly appreciated. If she happened to be driving a space ship that would be very cool too.

Poetry In Plain Sight - Pete Justus

There is such a richness in Pete Justus poems. He gives you visuals and language. You have to be present and just listen.



This is Pete Justus reading his poem, Section 60.

For more information about Pete check out his Facebook page

This is my Day 5 video for National Videoblogging Posting Month.

Memorial Day and What I Learned About Black Confederate Soldiers

It is a pip of a topic. It came to me on the serendipity flyer. I was cruising through Ms. Lady Deborah’s Renaissance Gallery blog. My eyes locked on the name of the video, Black Confederate Soldiers.

My brain had an instant system scramble. It made no rational sense to me. Then I started to think; maybe it is a parody video or some kind of joke. It wasn’t. Every history book I picked up contained white men in a grey suit holding a gun. I do not ever recall seeing a photo of black man in a confederate uniform.

This is another video that has footage of the Confederate soldiers and a discussion of Nathan Bedford Forest who had 41 of his slaves go with him into battle:

I’m not sure if this is propaganda or a historical distortion. It could also be the truth or a part of a greater truth. So for two and half hours I've been looking for verifiable sources of information.

What is My Agenda?

For me, I want to know if this is true or not that there was voluntary service of free black men in the Confederacy. More importantly, I want to know why. My 21st century personhood really wants to know why.

When you start to research a controversial topic you need to be clear as to what you are searching for and what is my expectation of a result. Then you have to be prepared to jettison the expectation.

The Facts and The Truth

There were people in the U.S. Army and in the Confederate Army who wanted to conscript slaves and former slaves.

Once word got out that there was going to be military action the free blacks and former slaves rushed to enlist. They were turned away because of a pre-existing Federal law that barred Negroes from bearing arms for the U.S. Army.

The U.S. Army resisted as long as it could until there was a drop in white enlistment. Things changed. The rest is history.

Over on the Confederate Army side of the fence is a little more complicated and to me, psychologically mind boggling. Confederate offices and slave owners did bring their slaves along with them into military service.

Slaves were conscripted to assist and support confederate troops. Not a big deal, kinda thought that would have happened. This was not voluntary action by the slaves. There was no choice in the matter. Slaves had to serve their owners.

The bigger question is did people of color try to or indeed voluntary serve in the Confederate Army? Yes. And No. Really, I am not playing words games here.

This is complicated. There is a very good article at the University of Maryland Baltimore County America History site that started to clear things up for me.

Things were not going well in the Confederacy. After black recruitment shot up in the Union Army the Confederacy started looking around for allies and assistance.

One of those places was Louisiana. There was a large number of free people of color. Some who called themselves Creole. In their perception of reality they were not Negro, black or of African decent.

A Creole person of that time would have had a stroke being called Negro or African. It did not matter what they looked like on the surface. They were Creole. Not white and certainly not African. They had their own society and business concerns.

Looking at the odds between the Underdog and the long term Big Dog a certain percentage of the free and Creole population that went into the Confederacy figured that the Big Dog (the Confederacy) was gonna win.

It was in part an economic decision. Some of the Creoles were slave owners themselves. They had property and a lifestyle negotiated long ago. They had more to lose with the Union than with the southern states.

The narrative goes on to talk about the decision of Virginia free and slave populations to consider joining the Confederate Army. It wasn't necessarily love of Dixie, more like being between a rock and a hard place.

Having said that, there were black confederate soldiers that were proud of their service. Their descendants also want it known that these men served in honor. That is not something that can be dismissed.

Knowing When to Back Off

I found the first level answers. But the questions those answers generate are far more complex and deep than I can handle in 1500 words. I'd need 300,000 and a couple of Ph.Ds after my name. There is a important context to the answers that cannot fit a sound bite or a quick post.

I'd want to find diaries and recordings of these gentlemen, if they exist, to really understand.

I want to know living conditions and how do you deal with inter-troop and external racism? I'd want to know if they felt that a life in slavery was better to them than a life as a free person?

Those questions take time and respect for the truth to find the answers.

Final words. I will not be a party to revisionist history for the sake of advancing a political agenda. There are bloggers who are doing this now - searching through every historically prominent person of color writings to find "the hidden Republican or conservative streak."

Also, if you think you found a sympathetic African American that understands the right to praise the Confederacy think again. I neither praise nor condemn. The Civil War is a historical fact with many dimensions. Each soldier and the family he or she was attached to has a viable story.

My only commitment is to find the truth and validate as best I can.

I don't play it the other way either. I have words for some liberals; you can't continue to ignore Booker T. Washington either. If the system is going to collapse then damn well we better be prepared to build anew.

Somebody needs to hip the hydroponic boys to diversify the crop. Pop some veggies in between the ganja if you catch my drift.

As for me? I have to find something else to write about.

Resources Used and Discovered For Those That Are Curious:

• Article on Black Confederates Jim Garamone, Armed Forces Defense Services accessed at the Department of Defense web site.
• Federal Resources for Educational Excellence - long lists of Civil War topics and references.
• Library of Virginia Civil War List of Publications and Resources.
• North Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial - A three year recognition of the Civil War and hopefully a complete and inclusive history. Also check out the section on North Carolina freed and slave persons of color page.
• National Archives - Teaching With Documents, the Fight for Equal Rights: Black Soldiers in the Civil War. You can click on a recruitment poster that explains the Emancipation and a request for service.
• UMBC's Did Southern Free Men Fight for the Ideals of the South? The pdf link doesn' t work but if you click the Topic Background you'll get the full scoop.
• UMBC's Teaching American History Lesson Plans

When Creativity and Politics Meet - Ron Paul Ad

I am not a supporter of Ron Paul. I am still making up my mind about who I will vote for in the election. But I do like to pay attention to how a candidates ideas are presented.

Ron Paul - The High Tide Video on YouTube

After viewing this ad/promotional video I have an understanding on his position on the war, the presidency and we are in a whole heap of trouble. It is simple, concise and put his voice out there.

It invokes the same resonance that the Obama video does; that is to engage the viewer in the vision of the candidate. There will be more of this to come.

The Price of War - Ali Shafeya Al Moussawi

Ali Shafeya Al-Moussawi was a videoblogger/journalist Alive From Baghdad. He was 23 years old at the time of his death. He was murdered in his home with 31 bullets to his body. Alive from Baghdad produces video and news produced by Iraqis to show what the conditions are in their country from their point of view. They are documenting what has happened to their country.

Photo from Alive From Baghdad

You didn't hear about Ali's death from CNN and your M$M news spent way too much time talking about the pregnancy of a teenage actress.

Please know that for every mention of a goofy YouTube video by M$M know that there are talented writers, photographers and videographers who are using the tools of blogging and new media to tell the truths of their world. Being open to telling this truth can have a terrible price.

To contribute to the on-going work of journalist of Alive from Baghdad please visit the website and make a contribution.

Cell Phones For Soldiers - Don't Bogart That Phone

A good friend of mine knows that I like books but don't care for the holidays. So she splits the difference and buys me books knowing I'm not going to kick up too much of a fuss about having one more book in my home.

www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com

Anyway, in the box was a bag for recycling cell phones to help the troops call home. Cool. It is real simple. If you got a new phone and don't want to the old one send it to these folks, they will do the good karma thing and fix it so that soldiers stationed in harm's way can call home.

Doesn't really matter how you feel about the war. If you got a spare cell phone and you don't want to contribute to the growing pile of waste then visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
So do it to help someone not feel so alone or do it to help the planet.

A Soldier's Skin At PCC Gallery - Day 5

We all have feelings about the war but most of us have got it through our thick heads that the troops need to be supported. I would like to see each and everyone of them home but that is a discussion for another time.



Some those folks who are home have a living memorial to those that have paid the ultimate price. Mary Beth Heffernan, an artist and instructor at Occidental College in Eagle Rock, (Los Angeles) went to tattoo parlors near Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. She photographed honor tattoos on the body of the survivors and memory holders.

Visitors were permitted to take home copies of the exhibit in the form of posters. This is a video representation of that event. This was on of the events of the Arts and Ideas Festival 2007

Appeal for Redress To The U.S. Congress

While some folks in Washington, D.C. are talking about non-binding resolutions other folks have other ideas. This is Jabar McGruder speaking at the January 27, 2007 Los Angeles protest event.

A number of active duty soldiers have signed the Appeal for Redress document and it has been submitted to Congress. For more information visit http://www.appealforredress.org

This is the 12.9MB Windows version.

This is the 6.05MB QuickTime version.

I'm a little more than cynical about them getting an honorable response to their request. President fever has hit and there is little incentive to hear them out. If you can, take the time to listen and consider what is being said.

Bear witness to the voices. The voices grow louder.

Granny Peace Brigade Support Protests

A bunch of grandmothers, elders, crones and first class dames headed for Washington, D.C. to speak with Senators about the war in Iraq.

In my area a group of ladies had a mini protest - tribute to the Granny Peace Brigade. It was windy and cold but they represented.

This is the 3.11 Windows Video

This is 1.91MB QuickTime Video

There were only a few people on the corner. It only takes a few to stand for truth but it takes a few more to stand for what they believe. For more information about the group visit http://www.grannypeacebrigade.org

If you would like to do more than honk your car horn there will be a large national protest on January 27, 2007. Many of the anti-war organizations are joining to show support for not increasing troops levels and for planning an exit to this situation.

One of the places you can check out for more info is http://unitedforpeace.org
You don't have to go to D.C. There should be something in your city or town.

2,007 Soldiers Vigil On Brand and Broadway Vigil - Part 2

I was having trouble trying to find the time to do this. I don't think enough people, even to this day truly understand the mess we as a country have created.

Maybe the moment has passed. The event is over and forgotten except for a few videos on my hard drive. I was feeling time pressured. I have to study, do laundry, work, write, investigate, research new purchases, be a human being in under 24 hours a day.
Who other than the mother that just lost her child or the spouse holding an empty hole in their soul, really cares?

Then I just heard that seven more young people died in Iraq.
I guess I still care. Millions do.



I'm not so tired now. This is the least that I can do to try to remind people that war has a price tag greater than the national debt. This is going to cost us dearly. We haven't a clue as to how much.

Do the best you can, stock up on can goods, build your water supply. Change is coming. Speak out against this dark night of the soul.

This is the link to the QuickTime Dial-up version.

Glendale Vigil - Part 1

This is the first video of one of the vigils held around the nation to honor the 2000+ (there will be more) soldiers who have died in Iraq. I asked this young man to tell me the reason he was at the vigil. Someday I will remember to ask folks names as I record.



I wish the quality was better but my ole putt-putt does not like the dark. This was a compromise brokered via Ulead Studio 9. I am getting close to being able to get a quality camera but in the meantime the adventure continues.

This is the link to the dial-up QuickTime version.

2000+ Soldiers Fallen - MoveOn.org: Vigils

Just want to pass the word that there will be vigils around Los Angeles to remember soldiers who have died, were killed or were put in harms way in Iraq.

If you have the time, grab a candle and light the darkness in support of those that have paid the price.

Some say for freedom, others say for oil.

For more info: http://www.moveon.org