Woman Crush Wednesday - Ida B. Wells-Barnett

A week and a half ago I went to the movies by myself.  Not a rare situation around these parts. I know Lefty doesn't want to see all the movies that I do, and since he works second shift, it just so happens that I have evenings open for silently watching movies in a room full of strangers. The last movie I saw was Selma. Critically acclaimed. Nominated for a ton of awards. Directed by a woman, Selma. That is the one. I thought it was well done...for what it is, but there was one area where I really thought the movie was lacking-- there was only one woman that was consistently shown as an active participant in this portion of the Civil Rights Movement. She was part of the meetings, the marches and she was not married to a man that was in the inner circle. One woman. One.

Um. So I feel the need to be snarky when I say that there is no way that the Civil Rights Movement, as we know it, would have been as successful as it was without the help of the fairer sex. No way. So to see only one woman involved in the inner circle in this movie was slightly disheartening, to say the least. I know that this movie was about one portion of the Movement, but damn. It seems to me that in large AND small instances it is really easy to write women out of the story, or make us background characters and supporting cast members. Nothing could be further from the truth. There were several thousand women who participated in the Civil Rights Movement. Thousands who were marching right along with men, getting the brunt of the police dogs, fire hoses, beatings, jail time and death. Several thousand. It is my contention that we should try to get to know their names-- it truly is the LEAST we could do. So my first Woman Crush Wednesday highlights Ida Wells Barnett.

So, Ida has a special place in my heart because she did a ton for the city of Chicago AND once married she had a hyphenated name (like me) which was a super bold move in 1895. Ida was born a slave on July 16, 1862 in the deep South (Mississippi). She had a swift tongue (like yours truly) and it often got her in trouble. She got a job as a teacher to help her siblings stay together - and out of foster care- after their parents died. While she was teaching, she began to write about the racial injustices that surrounded her-- including the large numbers of lynchings that were happening. This chick was so BAD, she was good!! She received so many death threats that she had to leave Memphis for the great city of Chicago, where she worded tirelessly to improve the conditions of Blacks in the city.

Ida co-founded the National Association of Colored Women, the National Afro-American Council and the Women's Era Club. She was a suffragette, women's rights activist, newspaper feature writer and editor, wife, mother and one of the greatest known figures in the anti-lynching movement.

Ida passed away in Chicago on March 25, 1931-- a little less than 7 months before my maternal grandmother was born, 84 years ago. The work that she started still helps women and society today. How about that for my very first WCW?! :)

BHM2014 - Margaret Danner

Margaret Danner was born on January 12, 1915 to Caleb and Naomi Esse. She came to age in Chicago, during the Great Migration. 

Danner later attended Loyola and Northwestern Universities, where she was taught by Karl Shapiro and Paul Engle. She continued her writing while in Chicago and first became recognized in 1945 when she won second place in the Poetry Workshop of the Midwestern Writers Conference at Northwestern University.  In 1951, while in Chicago, Danner become an editorial assistant for Poetry: the Magazine of Verse. It was this publication that introduced her poem series “Far From Africa” for which she is best known.  These poems won Danner the John Hay Whitney Fellowship on 1951, which was intended to fund a trip to Africa scheduled for that same year.  Danner postponed the trip for personal reasons and in fact did not go to Africa until 1966.  In 1955 Margaret Danner became the first African American to hold the position of Assistant Editor of Poetry: The Magazine of Verse…

During her lifetime, Margaret Danner was married twice and had one daughter with her first husband. A number of her later poems were inspired by her grandson, Sterling, which she referenced as “Muffin Poems.” In 1961, Danner became poet-in-residence at Wayne State University in Detroit.  It was during this time that Danner became involved in the Baha'i faith, which would influence her poetry.  From that point many of her poems would refer to that faith.

In 1966, Danner took her long-desired trip to Africa through the John Hay Whitney Fellowship to join prominent African-American cultural figures at the First World Festival of Negro Arts in Dakur, Senegal.  In the late 1960s and 1970s, Danner published her third and fourth volumes of poetry, Iron Lace (1968) and The Down of a Thistle: Selected Poems, Prose Poems, and Songs (1976). Her work continued to draw upon African (as well as Western) art, flora and fauna, relationships with her fellow poets and scenes from urban life. Several of her poems address or discuss her grandson, Sterling Washington, Jr., whom she calls “Muffin,” and who seems to represent an African-American future. Her writing has been called a celebration of black people, their history, as well as their struggles.

Margaret Danner died in Chicago on January 1, 1984.

You'll Take Happy Holidays... And Like It!

Lefty and I have been traveling fools lately. We have spent the holiday season all over the Midwest (Ohio, Chicago, Green Bay). I have some fun posts about eating because we enjoyed some fabulous food in the last couple of months, but that is not what this post is about.

Picture this: Chicago, the day after Christmas. Less than a dusting of snow on the ground, but the winds were blustery. I do mean that they were bowl you over on the street strong. Wow. And guess who forgot her gloves in Columbus? Yep, they were doing me all kinds of good in Columbus. Duh. So, Lefty and I set out from our hotel to do some glove shopping on State Street. We couldn't find scarves and gloves in Macy's -- and what the fuck was that about?! We asked employees and still could NOT find them. Customer Service sucks at that store. Anyway, we made our way to TJMaxx, found some gloves and stood in a forever line to check out. When we were called to a register, we passed someone who was done and this is the conversation that took place.

Cashier: "Here is your change and receipt, thank you and Happy Holidays!"

Customer: "Um, Christmas is over."

And he walks out.

Now, I don't know if this man was brought up in a barn or not, but I was taught that when someone says something nice to you, you respond with "thank you." What the hell? I actually had to unfriend more than a few pages and people on facebook because their biggest gripe wasn't about the fiscal cliff we just averted, the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary or ending the war in Afghanistan, bringing home troops, finding a cure for cancer... Nope, their biggest complaint was that the holiday card that was sent out by the White House didn't have a Christmas tree on it. Bitch, please find your life. Let me let you all in on a little secret that I was hoping I would never have to type because people should REALLY just know: Um, the United States of America is NOT a Christian nation. Everyone who lives here does not go to a Christian church on Sundays. Christmas is NOT the only holiday celebrated during this "holiday season." You really seem like a jackass when you are unable to meet a nice gesture with a thank you.

I mean, have we devolved into this? Whatever holiday season you celebrate (or if you don't celebrate at all) would it kill you to be nice? I mean, think about that... and who it is coming from. I have perfected being mean and tactless and even I was bothered by the egotistical, Christian centered behavior that I observed last month, especially. Would it kill you to take a "Happy Holidays" without bitching about how politically correct life has become? How about a "thank you" or "same to you"?? How about thinking: "wow, that was nice for this person to take the time out of their day to say something nice to me"?? There is no rule stating that everyone has to celebrate the same. Some of us need to resolve not to be walking dicks this year... and for the first time, that I can remember... that group does not include me.

Happy (all) Holidays!

Happy New Year- make it count!

 

I Have A Secret

I have been a little reclusive lately. I have been writing, but not posting; flaking out on my friends and not keeping appointments. Essentially, I have been a mess. There is a reason. I have been busy... keeping a secret. For the last seven and a half years, life has been... consistent.

On January 1, 2005, I moved to the Chicagoland area and almost immediately fell in love. I love the food (not shocking for those of you who know me) and the access to the city. On certain days, I even love the people that live here, shocking, I know. I've grown to accept that February through April will probably be so cold that the first couple of breaths I take when I walk outside will make me question whether my trip is actually necessary; that trips to the grocery store will be ridiculously expensive; and that any sort of traffic ticket will likely aid in putting you in the poor house. I don't bat an eye when a drink costs as much as a ticket to the movies or there is "free" entertainment on the el. I don't think it is 100% weird when someone on a street corner tries to sell me socks or ice cold water on very warm days. I just think it comes with the territory. These are the things that make the city consistent.

For better or worse, this secret is making me break out of the consistency of my life and begin anew. The most consistent thing in life is the idea that life is consistently changing. By the time you read this, my change will already be in full swing. My secret is that I am leaving Chicago. For the last two months (almost) I have been making plans to move back to my hometown-- closer to family, best friends and all that comes with that. Chicago has been my home for the majority of my adult life. I will miss the friends that I have made. I'll miss my favorite haunts in the city and more than I would like to admit, I will miss the city. With all her faults there is no other place that I would have wanted to spend these years. This Queen on Lake Michigan has given me tons of laughs and even more tears. I bought my first home here; struck out on my own here; and stubbornly made my way... here.

I've had great jobs and shitty ones- same with bosses... same with acquaintances. I've met people that I will be in contact with for the rest of my life, and those whose information won't make the move back to Ohio. I carry some of you in my heart and some of you are permanently on the bottom of my shoes. My love runs deep; my appreciation for the life lessons runs even deeper. As I pack another box, I remember you all- most of you fondly; hoping beyond hope that I have made an impact on Chicago, since she has definitely made one on me. Farewell Chicago. I look forward to seeing you again someday.


 

Just Call Me Captain Save a Hoe!!

So, generally, I am not the nicest person. Especially on my commute to and from work. I just don't have time to be cordial, what with all of my... judging and picture taking. That's right, I said it! If you look a mess, please trust and believe that I have talked about you on facebook, twitter and I may have even taken some pics. You deserve it. There are mirrors all around, but I digress. Today, instead of spending my time taking pictures of the fashionably challenged I took action, y'all!! Story below. I walked on the bus (one of several that lets me off on the end of my street-- hey, don't judge my laziness) and I see them. Two "ladies" of African American descent were at the front of the bus- one was extremely pregnant and they were joined by three children... one of whom was in a stroller. You know I bypassed them as quickly as possible, right? We all know that I cannot stand bad ass kids, so I couldn't chance it! It was a long bus (think two buses, joined together) and I sat next to the back door- far away from the possibility of screaming children. I sat down, turned on my kindle, pretended to read and starting my... eye sweep of the bus, searching for a fashion victim. The bus crept along State Street in relative silence, but just as it turned onto Lake I heard this gruff, weird voice. I swear the first sentence was "What? You just want someone to pay for you? Fucking faggot." Um, guess who shot into action? Yes. He got exactly two more sentences out of his hate filled mouth before I shot out of my seat. There was the random "fuck", "scum"... He might have actually said "I pay taxes so you can do nothing, stupid scum." I had enough. No one was saying anything-- and I think that may have upset me the most. The bus was turning onto Michigan Avenue and I got up and made the voyage from the back of the bus. As I got up, I noticed that an elderly woman also got up from her seat and went to complain to the bus driver. Me? I go straight to the annoying source. Hanging onto the strategically placed straps, I make my way to the offender. He is drooling (actually drooling) and spewing out hurtful shit. I walked up to him and said "Sir, stop talking to them like that before I call the police." That kind of took the air out of his jaws for half a second. He points his finger at the woman and continues to yell. I tell him to shut up and that I am calling the cops. When I tell you that there was absolute silence on the bus at this time... you could have heard a pin drop. He takes his flip phone (OMG- please get rid of all flip phones... seriously) and told me that I could call from his phone because those women were freeloading scum. My response? "Um, no-- I will call from my own phone, which your tax dollars do not pay for." Jeez-- I might be an asshole! :) The bus driver started to slow down. Our voices got louder. He kept talking, I kept countering. He threw down some more "f" bombs... but never at me. My last sentence to him? "I don't care. You don't know her and there are children on this bus while you curse like a moron. Get off the bus." He did. Yeah. As I headed back to my seat a girl said "thank you for sticking up for her." I nodded in her general direction, put my phone back in my pocket and headed toward my home in the back of the bus. As I get comfy again in my seat (still far away from the kids) a guy says "Thank you for doing that. None of us had the guts to say anything." I looked at him and said the most sincere answer I could come up with on the spot: "Yeah, well all it takes is a short girl with a Napoleon complex to control a CTA bus." Today was a good day.

Throwing Each Other to the Wolves?

A little over a year ago, I had the pleasure of meeting a Chicago icon. A true Chicago icon. Someone who makes a difference in people's lives EVERY day. Someone who touches thousands with her story, her struggles with AIDS, medication, and people who misinterpret her message-- Ms. Rae Lewis-Thornton. Now listen, I am not one for blowing smoke up people's asses. I don't really flip out about celebrities (except for Prince, Eddie Vedder, Zac Efron, David Beckham and Ralph from New Edition... you know, all the people I want to have love children with). Generally, I just think that they are just like every day people. They get lost in their own shit, just like I do. They wake up, go to sleep, eat (well some of those hoes don't eat, but again, I digress) all like we do; it just so happens that they get paid (large amounts of money in some cases) to sing, dance, act or whatever the hell they do. I say that to say, I wouldn't call Rae a Chicago icon, if I didn't really think she was.

 Icon status goes to her because she is so crystal clear with her message. The way that she speaks, writes and vlogs is just so... truthful. It is real, y'all. She has no problem tweeting, blogging and telling whoever will listen that she is a Diva with AIDS. She has a no holds barred kind of approach (kinda like my approach) and she shows the faith that she has, her good days AND her bad. She doesn't mince words- curse words, bad words, good words- whatever it takes to get the point across-- You always know what you are going to get with Rae and THAT is the thing that I love about her outreach. You know that no matter what you WANT to see, how pretty you WANT her explanation to be, she is going to give it to you straight and honest. Plus, she is a dog mom (absolutely AMAZING).

Rae is on a countdown to turning 50. (Go girl!) She puts up videos and tells about her day. Right now she is on an IV medication that is slowing her down a bit, so when I clicked to watch today's video and saw a sad face, that is what I thought the topic would be about. Oh no. Today Rae took to the airwaves to say that her honorary membership in a Black sorority has been revoked. Now- full disclosure- I am not a member of a sorority, black or otherwise. Some of my friends are and they absolutely enjoy it. I know the tenets of the Black sororities because I once thought of joining and I wanted to be able to make an educated decision about which organization would be the best fit for me, but again, I am not a member of any sorority-- and I am not going to post the name of the sorority that rescinded Rae's membership (I'll post her video).

 Rae says that the reason for the revocation of her membership was vulgarity. Now, let me say this, as noted about Rae is crystal clear with her message. She meets people where they are. She uses words that I use :) and from speaking with her, the night we met, it is my understanding that she/her message/her words haven't changed much in the 29 years that she has been an HIV/AIDS advocate. If that is true, has this sorority kicked Rae out because of the delivery of her message? If they are claiming that she is vulgar, but she hasn't changed her format, why would they have offered her membership to begin with? If her format has not changed, is it right for them to rescind her membership now? Knowing of some women in their rosters (both honorary and regular membership) who have not always been poster children for pure living, including extensive drug use, several out of wedlock children, behavior that was seen as less than lady like-- have any of those women had their membership rescinded? Has any of their behaviors been categorized as "vulgar"? Or is it JUST Rae? One of this organizations points of interest is Physical and Mental Health... don't they NEED the likes of Rae Lewis-Thornton? Don't they NEED someone like her to teach our children that sex today has consequences, some of which never go away? Don't they need her crystal clear, no holds barred message to be shouted from the rooftops in order to help their objective of bettering the African-American community? Have they used her for all that they could and have now thrown her to the wolves? IS THIS ACCEPTABLE? And if it is- are these sororities and fraternities really working towards the betterment of the Black community? You decide.
 

Random Bitter Musings about a Bitter Saturday Night

Just a few tips for the crazies that I saw last night. The span of these happenings was about 45 minutes, which makes me question the sanity of some of my fellow Chicagoans... or maybe it is me? Either way, it made for an... interesting kind of night. Yeah, this entry should probably be under Fed Up Friday, but it happened on Saturday, so there you go.

Dear lady breathing super hard next to me on the el: First, seriously, there are literally hundreds of other places you could have sat on this train. This train is not crowded. Why are you sitting RIGHT next to me? Is it for body warmth? If so, we probably should have agreed that you would wash your body BEFORE you plopped down next to me, invading my space. I don't care WHY you are breathing hard, just know that you are disrupting my silent reading time, while depositing cooties on my person. If I wake up, and heavy breathe just one time tomorrow, I will wish some other plague on you... like seriously maybe a shower, or some breath mints. I hate riding the train with weirdos.

Dear dude asking for money on the corner: 1- I saw you with a cup overflowing with cash about 2 hours ago, now you have two cups- one with steaming hot Starbucks coffee in it and one for the change that you want from me. 2- something is wrong with this picture because one of my new years resolutions is to make more coffee and spend less money at expensive ass Starbucks, but now a man asking me for money is taunting me with the most expensive coffee on the planet? I just can't. I would have totally given you the 63 cents in my pocket if that were a McDonald's coffee cup. I mean, $1 for any size coffee shows that you are economical. $4+ for a fru fru drink from Starbucks? Not so much.

Dear old guy asking me for my number at the train station: Yo, here is the deal: I expect it from you now. I get off at two train stations in my neighborhood, have seen you a LOT, so I am well versed what I am going to get when I encounter you. You are messing up your moment. Do NOT say "hey darling, you are looking so fine today" when I am wearing yoga pants, salty winter boots and the pom poms that dangle off my super thick socks are now dangling from my boots. Not when I am having a natural hair disaster and am comatose from sitting next to smelly Sally on the train. You take away the special. I know I don't look fine today. Save it. Save it for a day when I am looking so fabulous that everyone HAS to comment. Or at least save it for a day when I don't want to punch everyone in the face? Yes. Safety first!

Dear Redbox: Sigh- Oh you have been a gift and a curse. I appreciate the ease of renting, and mostly everything touchscreen, however there HAS to be a way that we can make these touchscreens work while I still have on my gloves. And not those fancy, schmancy $30 gloves either. I'm talking gloves that keep my hands super warm that I ultimately have to take off to work the RedBox. This is Chicago, dammit!! It is winter. My movie watching decision should not rest solely on whatever I can choose on the first page of options so that I can get my fingers back in my gloves as fast as possible. It makes for a MoneyBall watching evening... and I haven't liked Brad Pitt since he took up with that super skinny bitch with the big lips- I'm not even typing out that hoochie's name. Needless to say, I narrowly kept my fingers attached to my hand (frostbite is real!) and now I am stuck with some shitty movie that better be good or my animosity towards to once lovely Brad Pitt (think nakedness on Troy) will grow exponentially.

Dear people taking up the WHOLE sidewalk: Get out of the way, fuckers. I can see you, so I KNOW you can see me. Your conversation about whether or not Khloe is, in fact, actually is a Kardashian is not world altering so move your punk asses over! I wouldn't give you a pass if you were talking about nuclear physics, do that shit in a single file line when you see someone coming from the opposite direction, you rude assholes. You have to take up the WHOLE sidewalk? You bitches HAVE to carry those large ass bags? I seriously want to push you into oncoming traffic.

And that was Saturday night.

I might need to give anger management a whirl in 2012. Nah, it couldn't possibly be me, right?! Nah! :)

Need Some Inspiration?

It is hump day and in Chicago it is raining! If you need some inspiration, like I do, I have it for you!! Check these out-- Be Great!

Fed Up Friday

It has been a while since I wrote a Fed Up Friday. I don't think I should take so long in between Fed Up Fridays because now I don't think I can fit everything in! I am an observer, by nature, I think. When I am out, no matter where, I am always seeing what some may overlook and hearing things that others may not hear. I say that because I often have public service announcements on facebook and twitter. Oh yes, I am totally that chick typing about you in your walk of shame dress on the el platform. My social media buddies know all about your tacky outfit and how you probably have your underwear in your purse- bad girl! But Fed Up Fridays are more than just a service announcement, more than comments on you and your frat boy escapades. It is a bit more reaching-- or at least it is supposed to be! :) without further delay-- the newest episode of Fed Up Friday...

1. I am so fed up with: The over-sexualization of our children. So, I'm a tv watcher (read: obsessed). There are shows that I watch online because I just cannot miss them. There is some nonsense that I have been roped into watching & now I watch all the time. During one of my tv watching sessions a news story popped up about a new toy on the market. Baby doll, bikini top, suckling noises when you bring the baby up to your chest. What the hell? Let's not be confused- I support the breastfeeders. I'm sure that it is the best interest for babies-- if the mom is able to do it. I'm all for moms being able to breastfeeders when they need to; and teaching their children why breastfeeding is the best choice. HOWEVER, a three year old faux breastfeeding a baby doll? Um, no. I also firmly believe that you shouldn't dress small girls like whore- I don't care what they see & want in the store- everything that is made for small children is not necessarily appropriate. Parents are around to know the difference- right? Take for instance the tshirts that were selling at JCPenney (and have since been pulled). They read: I'm too cute to do homework so my brother does it for me. There were also ones that said: Future Trophy Wife. WTF is that? If you have ever bought some shit like that for your daughter, you need to be arrested. We have GOT to let children know their value while they are in our homes so they know how to behave when they leave our homes. Attractiveness, overt sexiness and dumbing themselves down should not be accepted as a career move!

2. The "controversy" about Cam Newton. WTF?!?! Who gives a shit that Cam Newton's boss doesn't want him to get tattoos or piercings?! Why is that a bad thing? Who remembers when Johnny Damon had to cut his hair to be a Yankee? Um, there was no controversy then and there shouldn't be with Cam. It is not a racial thing and there is no rule (written or unwritten) that says that professional athletes have to be all tatted up. Grow up. Professional sports is a business. A very high earning business and if his boss does not want him to look like a tatted up party boy, then so be it. That man signs his checks and his checks have a LOT of zeroes on them-- as does Derek Jeter's, Alex Rodriguez's and anyone else who plays for the Yankees. Stop complaining about EVERYthing.

3. Tolls and taxes in Illinois. MAN, between Quinn, the tollway and the Chicago Public Schools tax hike, Chicago is going to tax people right out of the city. Why is it becoming SO expensive to live here? Money mismanagement is going to do us all in. :( The CPS Board just voted to raise taxes so more money can go to or school. Our schools that are failing us and have been failing us. What the hell are we paying for? Do you know that Chicago public schools routinely only graduate 55% of their students-- meaning that 45% drop out or otherwise do not complete high school. Is that what I am paying for? Disgruntled does not even begin to describe my feelings on that.

4. People are up in arms about Chaz Bono being on Dancing With The Stars? I am appalled that people watch Dancing With The Stars like that. Who gives a shit if he wants to dance? Who cares? He is not going to be fucking on your tv screen, so why do you care if he is going to be doing the foxtrot with some skinny heifer? I'm telling you-- all of you who think that there is only one way to live life, one way to be happy, one way to love... You are going to reflect back on life, if given the chance, and hate that you didn't open yourself up to every possibility out there. You are not God. You cannot dictate what kinds of people there will be in this world. You can't and if you knew what was good for you, you wouldn't want to. Let Chaz shake his thing on the dance floor. Your life would probably be better if you got off your ass and had some fun too.

5. Last but not least-- I'm going to need el Presidente to grow a backbone. Barack, if you want to do your speech on Wednesday-- don't let that dick Boehner tell you no. You are the President, he is a lackey. You need to start making his life miserable. All this back and forth nonsense, seriously? Not why I voted for you. make him look stupid and get your agenda done. There has to be a way, because he is certainly doing his damnedest to make you look like a fool.

Of course there are the normal pet peeves that I have run into: time wasters, liars, fakers who will remain unnamed... because they know who they are (plus I don't share my limelight with anyone!) Happy Friday, y'all.

A Fool's Code

Sometimes watching the news is more than a little depressing. Sometimes it makes you question the sea of humanity that surrounds you. To have a short synopsis of the people that you live around is often times too much for your brain to comprehend. You see these people that share your city and feel a sense of sadness. Sadness that their conscience allows them to do some of the most unthinkable deeds.

All of the newscasts that I watched for the past 24 hours led with the death of Arianna Gibson. You know what she was doing when she died? She was sleeping on her grandmother's couch. At 6 in the morning a young criminal- some low life thug- climbed the stairs of her grandmother's house, stood on her porch and fired into the front windows of her house. He struck two teenagers and fatally shot Arianna in the chest. She was supposed to start school today. She was 6 years old.
The story goes on. Faces come across the screen shouting of injustice around the city, begging for someone- anyone- to come forward, pinpoint the shooter, tell what they know. References are made to the 13 year old who was playing basketball on a school playground four days ago when he was shot and killed in a driveby. Another young, unintended victim of the ghetto lifestyle.

The neighbors seem cold on tv, even though I know first hand that is not the case. Mothers are begging, crying on tv for their children. Asking over and over again for the neighborhood to stop this code of silence and tell the police what they know. It never happens. Why is that? How could anyone know the identity of a person who killed a sleeping six year old and not say SOMEthing? How do people think that there is honor in letting a coward roam the streets, enabling them to do this again, to make parents weep for their children- again; to make our community miss out on the potential of another dead young person- again?

Momma Mox always used to tell me "if you don't stand up for something, you'll fall for anything." We need to stand up for our children; our neighborhoods. We need to stand up for the safety of our elders, our blocks. You do no one any favors by remaining silent. You don't ensure your own safety or the safety of your family. The only thing that being quiet does is make sure- without question- that violence will happen again in your neighborhood, that once again a life will end too soon, that the tears of another mother will flow in the streets of Chicago.
RIP in those affected by street violence in Chicago, may all your families find solace.

Wordless Wednesday - Feel the HEAT!

It Gets Better- Chicago

Now, I am NO Chicago cubs fan... but this is awesome- even for them (a little league team.) :) Seriously- the message needs to be heard, no matter who is telling it...
It gets better!!!

Happy Pride Weekend, Chicago!!

Holy Moving Monday, Batman!!

Attention: If you are reading this, I am more than likely the sleep deprived zombie on the red (or brown) line that is speeding downtown. I may or may not have a coffee in my hand and daggers in my eyes, daring somebody to touch me or say something a little too loud. I probably have on matching shoes... and I am waiting for the day to end, before it even begins. Why? Because I moved out of the ghetto, bitches!!! :)

If you have been sleepwalking (like me) you may not have realized that I have not really been blogging as much as I usually do. I have been packing up my life, adopting out dogs and working like a crazy person. As I type this, I am tired. Like, eyes closing involuntarily tired. Ah well- I will sleep when I am dead.

Things have been a little weird, because I have been sad. Closing a chapter in your life is not easy- even if the chapter was AWFUL. I mean a few things have been going on and maybe that is why I am acting like I have some attachment to my little house in the middle of bastard-land? Whatever the case, it is over. These past three weeks I have been looking around and breathing in my old neighborhood, consuming its essence, allowing it to infiltrate my inner being and guess what? It sucks- like I thought it would... but honestly, not as bad as I thought. That said- my social experiment is over-- and I never want to live like that again. Ever. Ghetto living is SO not for this princess. Give me the preppiest part of the city any day (as long as there is parking) and I will be happy. Hey- it is all about knowing where you will be happy and I think we can all agree that the West Pullman neighborhood was not aligned with the workings of Miss Hot, Black and Bitter.

Unfortunately, in order to run away from the realities of West Pullman, I signed an agreement with the devil and... moved to the North Side of the city. No worries. There is no way in hell I'll ever become a cubs fan (because I actually like major league baseball versus the pee wee level that the cubs play on). In fact I think I will put up my White Sox flag for all to see... Right next to my Ohio State Buckeyes flag. Oh, that's right haters... Y'all went IN while I was on a blog vacation, but I will read you the riot act soon. Allow me to catch up over the next week-- I have a lot to say (as usual!)

I missed writing and I am glad for this new beginning. Happy June, more to come.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday- Take Me Out...

Attitude of Gratitude

I have a friend who always reminds me that when I am having a bad day, I should start/revise/go over a gratitude list. The things that I most cherish from every day life. I am feverishly typing this in these early morning hours because while nothing has irritated me YET... something (someone) will later one... and I feel as though I need to be prepared. I'll schedule this for later today... when my phone tells me that it has been published, I will be able to take a few seconds and regroup versus the alternate tirade that I have been mentally preparing.

There is no horror story, per se. I just work with someone who is not as urgent as I would like; not as organized as I would like... and WAY more condescending than I would like (out of the three, clearly the last one is the problem, as it is the way to get punched in the nuts the fastest- please take note). Don't get me wrong, I love having a baby face, but just because I look young does not mean that 1. I am your secretary, 2. I need you to explain things to me like I am dumb or 3. I will put up with this bullshit for very long without reading you the freaking riot act, so that you never forget... See, I am already all up in arms. So- on to my list. I'll do the top 5 because I am just going to need a small reminder of what I am grateful for to put a smile on my face (I hope).

Hot, Black and Bitter is grateful for:

1. My family- I write of them often, but surely not often enough. They are NUTS... like, seriously, there are days when I think we should ALL be committed- from the oldest to the youngest. BUT, I wouldn't trade their nutty asses for anything. Well, mostly anything- catch me on the right day and I might trade off a couple of the little ones for coffee. ;)

2. My friends (extended family)- the only people who know exactly who I am and love me despite it all, when they don't have to. Small number of people in this group, and trust me, they all worked for the title!

3. Doggie kisses on tear stained cheeks. Makes everything ok. I have become a firm believer that having a pet extends your life. Depressed? Get a dog or a cat- works wonders.

4. Job- oh, I'll complain about my co-worker, rightfully so, but I am extremely grateful for a job! Having been unemployed through the vast majority of this economic depression, I am happy to have somewhere to go every day; happy to be able to have a job I do well... and happy/grateful for a paycheck. I just wish there was a little more pride in work/work ethic from others.

5. A horrific day at the office that ends with someone delivering you cupcakes... this is how I made it through Friday. Need some? I know a guy! :)

May this small bit of insight be enough to lead me through the day...

Mary Mitchell and the Death of Black Politics in Chicago

Hopefully we all know that Rahm Emanuel is the new Mayor of Chicago. In total bad ass fashion Rahm (don't you love how I act like I know everyone personally, so I call them by their first names?) was victorious in 40 of Chicago's 50 wards. His huge win was all over the papers today, and everyone, including Mary Mitchell wrote about what his victory means. According to Mary, Rahm's very decisive win over Carol Moseley Braun (CMB) "signals the end of the black political empowerment movement in Chicago."

As with most of her articles- I have an issue with this. She says that CMB was the 'consensus candidate' a title that was given to her by "a coalition of black business and civil leaders, clergy and activists." Um, first of all- who gave this 'coalition' any power over MY vote? I don't even like or respect half of the so called civil leaders, clergy and activists in the coalition. If I don't like them, why would I vote for the person that is going to cater to their needs? According to Mary, I should have voted for CMB because, like Harold Washington, she was picked because she had the best chance of winning City Hall. Apparently not. CMB is no Harold Washington, let's just go ahead and put that out there- she never WILL be on Harold's level, and truthfully, there was not a standout Black candidate in this race that I would liken to Harold, ever.

Mary then goes on to say that when only "40 percent of registered voters turn out to vote in an election...the failure is not just the candidate." Again, I disagree. Mary always seems to gloss over the most rational reason in order to play her race card, and I have to say- that shit is infuriating. Not everything is because Rahm is a successful White man. Not every downfall is because CMB is some lowly Black woman, either. In order to illustrate my point, I have a few take aways for Mary Mitchell and those in her school of thought. Ready?

            *I'm Black and did not even consider voting for CMB, or anyone involved with this "coalition" ridiculousness. CMB did (does) not represent my interests and I have no reason to vote for her. I don't like her personailty and I don't like her as a politician.

            *If Rahm wasn't in this election, I STILL would not have voted for CMB, James Meeks OR Danny Davis. I might have voted for Patricia VanPelt Watkins.

            *CMB showed exactly how outmatched she was when she started (and continued) to belittle her opponents, which was so unnecessary and not classy.

            *If CMB is the best that we have for Black politicians in Chicago, then 1. we should be ashamed of ourselves and 2. until we can get it together, I don't think another Black politician should be elected. Honestly, if I had the choice of CMB and Tony Peraica... I might just abstain from voting.

See, I don't prescribe to voting for someone simply because they look like me. There are tons of Black people in America right now who are pissed at Barack because they did just that and now they think that he is an awful President because he has not solved all the ills of the Black community. That is not his jobs and those who are upset should not have voted for him simply because he was the Black candidate. Shame on them. For that same reason, I refuse to vote for every Democrat, simply because that is the party I usually align with. Dude, if you are a moron, I don't care what party you are with-- I am NOT going to vote for you.

CMB did not get elected because she can't play the game of politics. She was a subpar Senator, and has done nothing with her political life since she lost re-election. She embarrassed herself on several occasions during this campaign and she lost. She lost because she was not the best candidate, not because she is Black. Not because the Black political empowerment movement in Chicago is dead, but because the "coalition" is made up of people who are no longer liked or relevant. If the "coalition" continues to back bad candidates, they will continue to lose-- and I will continue to be happy about it.

Wordless Wednesday - Choir Boys 1941

Fed Up Friday- Chicago

There have been several things on my mind about the city that I live in, that I really need to express. It is true that I choose to live in Chicago (thank you to one of my friends for reminding me, every time I say something negative about the city-- you know who you are!!). I love it here. I moved two states away from my friends and my family to make a life in Chicago and MOST days it seems totally worth it. There is always something to do; the people are welcoming without being super touchy feely (hot, black and bitter does NOT do touchy feely); the people of Chicago WORK-- hard, and party hard, which I can appreciate; and the people who make up Chicago's population are hard core. We survive Chicago winters every year, Chicago crime, and Chicago politics-- it takes a strong group of people to make it through that year after year. Trust me- I am six years in and it is hard! But with everything there is room for improvement, right? Right!

So here is part one of my Fed Up Friday- Chicago edition. I have severe issues with Cook County and taxes. Yep, I said it. Cook County has been the highest taxed county in the United States for two years (at least), yet it is all over the news that Cook County is broke. My taxes keep going up but the cops have to take furlough days? I have to go to Meijer in a neighboring state or county to really afford groceries and we can't pay police officers or city workers? There is a deficit? Um... What? I pay higher taxes than Los Angeles and New York and we are broke? Something. Does. Not. Compute.
Not only is the WHOLE county broke (and the state is financially ill too) but where I live is exceptionally bad. Damn. The south side is the step child in the city. The el doesn't come all the way down here (stops at 95th street, city limit stops at 136th street), and the services we receive are substandard. That is all kinds of messed up. I am a homeowner that pays the same percentage of taxes as some homeowners on the north side and I suffer because I live south of downtown? Huh? Let me give you an example: the closest major intersection in my neighborhood is 115th and Halsted. Halsted is a major street, and has mostly been cleared off from last weeks blizzard, but 115th (also a major street and an exit on the expressway) hasn't. In a majority of places it is down to one and a half lanes. Which doesn't sound awful, until you are stuck behind a bus. You can't go around, it sucks. Or it is Sunday and you have to wait for people to get into House of Hope's parking lot (which makes me curse at the people headed to church). And it has been a week and a half since the blizzard. What? On the north side companies are towing cars, clearing the snow and putting cars back. Um, I just more than one lane shoveled.
Where the hell are all my tax dollars going? I look around- we have a failing school system, public transportation systems that are always asking for money and raising rates, we're losing business because our businesses are getting tax breaks in other states-- which also means we are losing jobs, the south side gets ignored, we don't have enough cops, crime is skyrocketing (despite what the reports say-- it REALLY depends on where you live) and like Eddie Vedder says: "the haves be having more, yet still bored." And that is just the beginning. What the hell am I paying for? I want to see some return on my investment... there are just over 5 million people living in Cook County, paying some ridiculously high taxes and we are broke? Impossible.
So then the question remains- why do I live here? It has been asked often- especially during times of unemployment (or break ins), and honestly- it is the easiest question to answer. I live in Chicago and take all that it offers (or doesn't) because I love this city. I sincerely think that I am where I am, so I can help the people in my neighborhood. Everyone might not like my tactics-- hey, if your kid is acting like an asshole, I'm going to call him an asshole-- but it all comes from a good, less bitter place. I want to help the south side get the recognition that it deserves (we aren't all ghetto fab). I want my senior citizen neighbors to be able to feel safe in our neighborhood. I want the kids on my block to know that they can accomplish something more than knocking up some girl or standing on my corner all day. If I don't call attention to the problems and lay out a plan, how are they going to get fixed? Chicago is like a close family member-- if you live here, you can talk shit about the city (or inhabitants) because you live here and you experience this craziness. But you only get that privilege if you LIVE here. No outsiders can talk shit about your close family member or the City of Big Shoulders... When you do, you get to experience the Chicago Way... and that, my readers, has nothing to do with taxes! Happy Friday!