But He Was Cool,or: he even stopped for green lights by Haki Madhubuti

super-cool
ultrablack
a tan/purple
had a beautiful shade.

he had a double-natural
that wd put the sisters to shame.
&his beads were imported sea shells

(from some blk/country i never heard of)

he was triple-hip.

his tikis were hand carved
out of ivory
&came express from the motherland.
he would greet u in swahili
&say good-by in yoruba.
woooooooooooo-jim he bes so cool &ill tel li gent

cool-cool is so cool he was un-cooled by other niggers' cool
cool-cool ultracool was bop-cool/ice box cool so cool cold cool
his wine didn't have to be cooled, him was air conditioned cool
cool-cool/real cool made me cool--now ain't that cool
cool-cool so cool him nick-named refrigerator.

cool-cool so cool
he didn't know,
after detroit, newark, chicago &c.,
we had to hip

cool-cool/ super-cool/ real cool
that

to be black
is
to be
very-hot.

becoming refined.

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy --when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

HE IS SO AWESOME

3RD AND FAIRFAX

This is my spot! Just remind me to bring more cash next time! I found the best smelling incense here....good to my soul.

dizz yBalloon

So, there's this band outta Piedmont, CA (city annexed from Oakland - their Bay Area cred is veritable) who are making music independently (?) and are constantly growing in number of fans. With poppy beats, catchy lyrics, and a lead singer with a unique voice, I'm sure that they will not be vanishing from the scene anytime soon. For a few weeks now, their music has been played on one of the Bay Area's most popular radio stations, and I think their new album is on iTunes. No, it's not the kind of music i listen to that often, but i must admit that what they are putting out is hot as hot dog water. My favorite song by them is Chinatown (thats my ish)

Also, the pianist is like my best friend.

http://www.dizzyballoon.com/

www.myspace.com/dizzyballoon

gyea.

Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable

Of Afrikan and French descent, Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable was the son of a Haitian slave and a French pirate who was educated in Catholic schools in France. After graduating from school, du Sable became a fur trader, a job that would lead him to Louisiana and present day Michigan. It was in Michigan where he married his Native American wife Kittahawa. Because it was customary to be a part of the tribe that ones wife belonged to, du Sable became a member of Potawatomi tribe and was designated as "Black Chief". During his marriage, the area that is now known as Chicago was a tiny trading center with no inhabitants. It wasnt until du Sable formed an elaborate fur-trading post as well as a house for his family that the area known as Chicago was officially founded and populated in the early 1770s. He sold the land for a mere $1200 and moved to Peoria, Illinois and later St. Charles, Missouri. When sold, his property included a 22 by 40 foot log cabin filled with art and needed amenities, several barns, a mill, a bakehouse, a poultry house, and a smokehouse (yep he was barbecuing!) Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable was imprisoned in Detroit for a short while on the accusation of being a US spy by the British army (ALWAYS tryna keep a Nubian oppressed), after which he moved to Missouri where he is buried in an unmarked grave in a Catholic cemetery.

Today, Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable is noted as being the first inhabitant / founder of Chicago. Parks, schools, postage stamps, museums, and streets are named in his honor today throughout the Chicago Metropolitan Area.
Yay Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable!

Vegan Soul Food????

For those who know me, you know that I have flirted with vegetarianism, but I'm a meat and potatoes guy at heart, so I really doubt it'll ever happen. Still, from time to time, I have no problem eating vegetarian meals. So today when two friends of mine invited me to walk to the unique cafe just east of Normandie, I had no problem walking with them. On the bus going to church (bus 38 woot woot) I often pass Vegisoul, and have always wanted to go experience the unique fusion. Though I have noticed that though the main clientele seems to be fellow Nubians:-), I have also noticed droves of white hipster kids and asians at the restaurant.

I really enjoyed my meal at the restaurant! It consisted of bbq chik'un, rice, beans, greens, and cornbread, but it wasn't "heavy" or super greasy at all. The prices are comparable to that of Roscoe's (or maybe that's just all LA restaurants), but I think it's worth it. Beware though, a friend of mine ordered food worth $10 and only got a half-filled styrofoam container of food. But friend #2 and I were WELL fed...and friend #2 couldn't finish and brought home leftovers.

The place is clean (it has an "A"), the workers are very friendly, the music is tight, and you can sit outside if you like. I really like the fact that though the food is vegetarian it hasn't lost its "soul" and I did not feel robbed of that "something" that makes soul food what it is. I don't know Roscoes, you may have a rival?!?!?!?! All I know is...I will be back!

dyed.fried.and.laid.to.the.side.-part 1

So, I'm at the shootout that USC hosted and I see style all around. But, in the midst of basketball shorts, big diamond earrings, and the usual straight leg jeans was something young, fresh, and new. Her name was Chase and she entered with unbeatable swag. I mentioned earlier that the blog would highlight things that were fresh and interested me, and indeed Chase did. Originally from California, but hailiing from Nashville, TN, Chase rocked a properly tied red scarf, red glasses to match, and fedora that was killin!! Since Im not a female, I dont really recognize girl shoes and purses, but I'm sure that her purse game and shoe game was on point!! It's nice to see people who make their own path, they inspire me. So, we exchanged information since we seemed to share good vibes and also maybe and hopefully, Chase will be highlighted on the blog again!! Thanks for being cooperative Chase....and get at me whenever you're in L.A.!

my favorite L.A. Restaurant so far....

Many of those who know me know that I am currently trying to stay "on the path to healthiness" by eating a little bit better than I normally do. For instance, this morning I ate oatmeal, strawberries, grapes with a glass of pure orange juice, and for lunch I had pineapple slices, a banana, and a bagel with limeade. Yeah, look at me, eating like an Angelino...but there are those times when its hard, very hard to resist the food of my "youth". I am Black. I am from the South. And my Mama's been cooking since she was probably six...these are all the ingredients needed for good eats, great times, and high cholesterol, so lately ive been trying to rid my body and soul of excess toxins (Note: i said excess, sometimes, i feel like i need those toxins) while still not straying far from the food that i love.

I first experiences Roscoes with a friend of mine who lived on my dorm floor freshman year. I hadn't had some of Mama's food for a few months and to me, Roscoe's was great. It was a trip back home, it was what i needed in my system after eating stale cafeteria food for months, it was wonderful. I continued to go with other friends during my first semester of college life and enjoyed it thoroughly. Then, i went home for Christmas break, and had some REAL food. I have to say/must admit, I realized that when that element of love is put into the food, it trumps over anything Roscoes can offer. No, no now, im not saying i dont like Roscoes (cuz if u called and asked me to go--id go to the bank right now and get a 20 out to go enjoy myself). Im just saying that Roscoes is needed at times (alot of times) when a.) you dont want to cook or b.) when you dont have mama, aunties, and cousins to cook for you.

My mom went recently when she came to visit me here in the City of Angels and was not impressed LOL!! But then again, she is Lady T, and Lady T can make what Roscoes makes for free! On the other hand, I have a friend (yea, he's white) who absolutely loves Roscoes without contest...hes white, hes from CA, and i doubt that his Mama cooks like the women (and men) in my family.

Dont get it twisted though, I will be an appreciative patron of Roscoes until the day i die or the day it closes (whichever comes first) and if you have never gone before, get the #1 (Scoe's with a breast and leg) to start off with. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

why

...do the people who speak Hindi in the library feel as if can't nobody hear em!!!! I mean...i dont know what you sayin, but i can still HEAR you...and you interrupting my studies!!!!!

so...

...i rode the bus downtown today. Usually, i stay on the southern end of downtown, but today, i went to mid/the nw part of downtown i think. I really appreciate the Los Angeles "landscape", and the weirdness of it all. Im guessing i was in the Jewelry District (yea LA has that) bcuz i kept seeing all these seedy-looking jewelry stores. Downtown LA is in no way glamorous (or sunny). Instead, it is a mix of silvers, browns, blacks, and greys that blend together to make this almost scary and shadowy environment.....and i love it.

The lady on the bus across from me kept asking me questions about directions, and i kept answering as if i was a native...i liked that. Then some lady got on and started speaking Spanish to her, and i acted like i knew what she was saying by looking at her with intensity and laughing when they laughed...that was fun :-) they prolly was talkin bout me!!

SUPRA GRECO HI (FISHNET) & ADIDAS MICROPAPER HAMPER CONSORTIUM SERIES - new release biyaah

B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.

GASPAR YANGA....

...was a leader among the maroons of Mexico during Spanish colonial rule. He was responsible for the slave rebellions that led to the formation of a tiny independent nation within Mexico populated by escaped African slaves and their descendants. This nation lasted for about 28 years, and survived / flourished by the escapees ability to "live off of the land" and by seizing ships en route to trading posts on the coast. Spanish colonists attempted to seize the land, even after treaty attempts made by Yanga that would have created a give-and-take relationship between Spanish colonials and the African maroons. Eventually, the Spanish government fought to reclaim control of the land, and after a battle that was somewhat victorious for Yanga and his followers, burned the area. Still, after realizing the might and later they gave in to Yanga's treaty proposal in some ways and deemed Yanga and his family the official ruling family of the "nation". It wasn't until 1630, some 60 years after Gaspar first banded his fellow Africans together, that the coastal city of Veracruz was officially founded as a part of the Mexican nation. We salute you Gaspar Yanga for your courage, strength, and love for others.

he's baaaacccckkkk

k yall. no more of that "yall reading sundiata's business" blog!!!! this is a new time in his life and he is going to be setting the record straight on what's hot and what's not (with a little bit of commentary concerning his life~just a little bit) and some cultural info from around the globe as well to expand your minds.

he's at work right now...new job at the library....graveyard shift...first day of work...probably his last day of work. bleh.

but anyways...for those of you who know how much he likes to fantasize about being on the receiving end of attaining expensive material goods, let us speak about the NEW 15" MACBOOK!! Tis beautiful in his opinion.
He is sure you already the know the details about the features on this thingy like everybody else so lets look at pictures of it!!










ooh.







aah.







...it got that too!






k/he/is/done/talkin/in/3rd/person/he/really/likes/to/do/it/but/he/knows/it/will/get/on/the/readers'/nerves/