Anyone Can Whistle

Stephone Sondheim

Anyone can whistle,
That's what they say-
Easy.
Anyone can whistle
Any old day-
Easy.
It's all so simple:
Relax, let go, let fly.
So someone tell me why
Can't I?
I can dance a tango,
I can read Greek-
Easy.
I can slay a dragon
Any old week-
Easy.
What's hard is simple.
What's natural comes hard.
Maybe you could show me
How to let go,
Lower my guard,
Learn to be free.
Maybe if you whistle,
Whistle for me.

I can slay a dragon
Any old week-
Easy.
What's hard is simple.
What's natural comes hard.
Maybe you could show me
How to let go,
Lower my guard,
Learn to be free.
Maybe if you whistle,
Whistle for me

Abolishing Whiteness

I think a huge step that could and should be taken in this country in terms of forming an egalitarian and humanity-based society would be to abolish whiteness in all of its past glory. Those who know and identify themselves as white in this country should cease to go so and identify themselves as either "German-American" or "Scot-Irish" or "Irish-American" or even "American"(which in more ways than one is already synonymous with white). Redefine what you are and abolish the hierarchy and the evil legacy that was created by those pasty, evil white men long ago.

American Bullying of Iran

The United States is antagonizing Iran. I have heard countless "reports" and stories on NPR, CNN, and other news programs. A question to ask is, what is this money that the United States is using to fund a coup of the Iranian government? Should this government be concerned with trying to stage coups at this point in time, or at any time? What this reminds me of, somewhat, is what Antonia Fraser called Henry VIII's "Rough Wooing" of Scotland. Its repeated advances into Scottish territory, trying to stir the Scottish lords against James V and his mother, and pestering the Scots at whatever turn he could get. The United States is on a fatal course.

Orange Party

Since I love orange juice so much, I came up with the idea of an Orange party...to celebrate orange.

Peace Begins with One Person

This is a beautiful essay by a lady named Ivory Harlow on what she believes is fundamental to peace. Very inspirational.I encourage everyone to read.

Monica Gooding's Opening Statement and Is Ordered to Testify

U.S. Attorney Firings

It seems to me that Karl Rove and George Bush were out to make the Justice Department their own little Reichstag. Removing people to replace with their pawns? Playing politics with the justice system? Hmm. Impeach these people.

Monica Gooding Before Congress

I saw some of Monica Gooding's testimony before Congress this morning. I am defintiely interestd in hearing all that she has to say.

Sandra Bernhard Salute to Nina Simone

Keep On Movin'

Now, I have always loved Soul II Soul. I love TLC too, but Soul II Soul more.

Soul II Soul

Keep on moving
don't stop like the hands of time

Click clock
find your own way to stay

The time will come one day.
Why do people choose to live their live this way?

Keep on moving
don't stop
no
keep on moving

Keep on moving
keep on moving
don't stop
no

Keep on moving.

It's our time
time today
the right time is here to stay

Stay in my life
my life always
yellow is the colour of sunrays.
I hide myself from no one
I know the time will surely come when -
You'll be in my life
my life
my life always

yellow is the colour of sunrays.

Keep on moving
don't stop like the hands of time

Click clock
fing your own way to stay
the time will come one day.

Keep on moving
don't stop
no
keep on moving
...

I know the time
time today
walking alone in my own way

Extremely cold and rainy day
friends and I have fun along the way

Yes
we do! I hide myself from no one

I know the time will really come when -
You'll be in my life
my life always

yellow is the colour of sunrays.

Keep on moving
don't stop like the hands of time
...
Keep on moving
don't stop
no
keep on moving.

I have always been ambivalent about TLC's song "Waterfall." I think I appreciate it more now, but I still am not sure that I feel completely good about it. Don't go chasing waterfalls? I think I get the message, but it sounds like a very discouraging message incorporated as well.

Concrete Steps to Confront Racism

Today there was a letter to the editor in the Exponent(which I by chance happened to pick up) concerning racism and the sparse representation of Blacks at Purdue. I have had this conversation many times over and at one point I came up with a list of some things that we might do in terms of tackling the problem of racism and the lack of a true spirit of diversity at Purdue(we will see what happens with the new president- a woman of color). In my response to someone else, this is what I came up with:

In regards to what we can do concretely, I think we need to firstly remain firm in challenging and confronting racism where we find it. In terms of specific actions however, I think

1. We should write articles about our thoughts and feelings concerning racism at Purdue and submit them to publications that would be sympathetic to our cause(not the journal and courier or the exponent--I mean ebony, essence, Chronicle of Higher education, The Black Scholar,etc....)

2. Write Letters about our observations concerning Purdue's falsity in its appearance as diverse(little representation of indigenous minority ethnic groups--where are the native americans?)

3. Urge student groups on this campus(take your pick--POLE, which ever ones) to take up the issue of racism and the racist atmosphere on this campus.

4. VOCALIZE it to death

5. Establish contacts with civil rights organizations and other black student and community groups around the country and especially at other universities.

6. Establish a body here at Purdue where Black students--and for tha matter other students of color can voice concerns and report racist incidents and develop a group to keep track of it and investigate and advocate if neccesary.

Also, study the history of this place and the racial legacy that is left here.

Gonzales must have been real firmly entrenched in the bullshit that led up to this war. Bush is holding on to him like it's his dick.

Barbra on Youtube Singing Cry Me A River

A Call to Black Bloggers

I would like to see what types of blogs are maintained by Blacks on the web. I read a few, but I there are definitely a lot more I don't know about. I would be obliged to be led to some sites.

Where Are the Stars In This Dark Night?

This is a powerful essay by Margaret Wheatley at the Berkana Institute. She gives a powerful critique of the place where American society and culture is right now and the direction in which we are headed. She sees our obsession with militarism, war, and our belief that competition creates healthy relationships as the beginning of death for America. This is a powerful essay and Wheatley powerfully beckons the American people to take a look at themselves and how they live.

Raging Grannies

Black Panther Party Anthem

Written by Elaine Brown

He turned and he walked Past the eyes of my life.
And, he nodded and sang without sound.
And his face had the look Of a man who knew strife
And a feeling familiarly came around....
I said, Man, where have you been for all these years
Man, where were you when I sought you
Man, do you know me as I know you
Man, am I coming through....
And, he spoke in a voice That was centuries old.
And, be smiled in a way that was strange.
And, his full lips of night Spoke about our people's plight
And a feeling familiarly came around....
I said, Man, where have you been for all these years
Man, where were you when I sought you
Man, do you know me as I know you
Man, am I coming through....
And, we sat and we talked About freedom and things.
And, he told me about what he dreamed.
But I knew of that dream Long before he had spoke
And a feeling familiarly came around....
I said, Man, where have you been for all these years
Man, where were you when I sought you
Man, do you know me as I know you
Man, am I coming through....