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.!