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Comment by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke on November 28, 2008 at 8:31pm

How are you honoring World AIDS Day? Join Bloggers Unite's Campaign campaign to spread the word about HIV/AIDS awareness during the month of December. http://unite.blogcatalog.com

Comment by Diane on November 26, 2008 at 4:01am

A Buck For Books For Kenya

Books For Africa Donation Drive
This drive kicks off our goal to raise $10,000 in the next year for the White Cots School Centre in Kenya and to supply them with all types of books - fiction and non-fiction, especially text books. Each book costs 40 cents to send to Africa. It costs us 40 cents per book to ship them to the Minnesota BFA warehouse. That's why we ask for a minimum donation of $1.00.

Help us spread literacy, knowledge and to end poverty throughout the world.

If you are in the Washington, D.C. area, please drop off a "Book and a Buck" at the Black Author Showcase Holiday Book Fair on December 13th, 2008, 10 am to 5 pm at the Show Place Arena, Upper Marlboro, MD.
http://www.basbookfair.com

Thank you from all of the literary lovers at the Black Author Showcase.Can't attend the book drive? Help our efforts by donating as little as $1.00.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TODAY!

Comment by Gina on November 24, 2008 at 8:39pm

What Is The Root?


I see you, I hear you,But what do I do?
I cannot do it alone, See, I need you.
I understand because I’ve been there.
Who knows, I probably am there.
Oh Well, you say, you have your own problems
So what do you care?
Yeah, I’m fully aware that we all have problems in our lives.
Experiences are the same for many.
What I don’t understand is why we’re not there for one another,
Let’s bond, come together,
I’ll fight for you with everything in me.

How can we ever become one if you’re set on having enemies?
How can we come to Love one another,
When you are killing off families.
The pain is deep, But what is the Root?
What causes you to decide to take your gun and shoot?
Give me the Loot - Give me the Loot
Is it to take from another?
Probably on the grind just like you,
Trying to feed his younger brother
Who, just like you, Crack has taken control of their mother.
The Pain is Deep, But what is the Root?
What causes you to pull out your gun and shoot?
What causes you to disregard our children playing outside?
How would you feel if it were your child, brother, sister, cousin or other who died?
Babies, Young Children, Caught up in drive-bys.
Immune to the cries of a mother’s heart broken
Acting out the pain in your heart
Leaving words unspoken
Speak your peace
At this point, you have the communities’ full attention
We marching through the streets of the hood on a consistent basis,
Trust me, We’re Listening.
But what do we do to end the Drama?
I know you want to live too
So Please, Let’s end this saga
United We Stand, Divided we fall
You must understand that Love Conquers All.

I need it –You need it
The children need it the most.
What? You just don’t care how much it hurts,
For these parents out here, burying their child or children first?
What’s worse is you are someone’s child yourself.
But I guess what’s more important is Your Money, Your Power, Your Wealth.
That’s just Selfish!
Without you – to someone or many – Things just wouldn’t be the same.
Are you dying for a purpose or are we dying in vain?
Yeah I know,
The pain is deep, but what is the root,
What causes you to grab your gun and just shoot?
Your Status, Your Pride
I’m asking because I don’t know what’s going on in Your inside
I’m left to think what I may – I sit back and I analyze
So much going on in my head – My mind is on overdrive

Catch 22 cause I hurt for you
Don’t want to see you down, too much of that going on, I know the statistics
But what do I do?
I have children to protect.
You obviously have no respect!
I’m tryna’ raise a child up in the way in which he should go
You Actually Object?
Follow the Street Code.
Even now that things have changed?
Cause tell me, since when was it part of the code to, In Front of a Child
Shoot a man in the brain
Back to the code: A parent and her child is supposed to protect you
Keep you out of jail
F*ck what they going through!
It becomes all about you.
How is that when You’re Wrong?
Lord knows People are tired of singing the same song.
It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye, Especially when you know it won’t be your last cry.
Pictures on shirts, Eulogizing those who have died.
It’s become a Booming Business
Getting Rich off Lost Lives.
It’s Sad and It Hurts
I’m Angry, Fed Up, and I don’t understand it.
We can’t just want or hope for change, We have to Demand It.
We also must pray, Keep God at the center
There is no match for him; He’s always going to come out the winner.
It’s all in his plan, which path will you take?
You do know that your life is determined by the decisions you make?
What side are you on?
Live Right or Live Wrong.
The choice is yours,
But can I ask you,
Why have a brief stay when you can livelong.

©November 24, 2008
Written by Gina Buckner Camp a.k.a. So Sincerious

Comment by Valjeanne Jeffers on November 19, 2008 at 4:04pm

Diane:

How are you:)? I've sent this query to info@Blackauthorshowcase too: if I just send a copy of IMMORTAL do I need to pay a promotional fee? And what else do I have to send?

Comment by Richard Kenyada on November 16, 2008 at 4:19pm

Hi, just stopped in to thank MISSLADY for posting my essay, Inauguration Ball 2009. I first posted it online about a week before the election, and it seems like it has taken on a life of its own, appearing on websites, blogs and emails. The posted version is actually much shorter than the original which is included in my new book, Reflections in the Dark Room: The Black Essays," available in January. Thanks again, and Best Wishes to everyone.
Kenyada

Comment by Diane on November 16, 2008 at 6:48am

ou can have a presence at the Black Author Showcase™ Holiday Fair even if you can not attend. Buy an ad in the program booklet and/or send your promotional materials to be distributed to every attendee.

Your flyer, postcard, business card, bookmark, pen or other promotional item can be in the hands of book buyers and writers. Become a BAS gift bag sponsor by sending 100 to 500 coupons/samples/flyers/postcards/bookmarks/cards/pens or other promotional giveaways*** to be included in the bags. You will be listed in the official program book and on the website as a goodybag sponsor.

You can also donate a book as a door prize – your book will be described and presented to the entire audience.

Send your promo items to be distributed for the low fee of only $20. Checks will not be accepted, money orders must be received by November 30th, 2008. The fastest way to pay securely is online at Black Author Showcase Holiday Fair Advertising .

Go to the following link: Black Author Showcase Holiday Fair Advertising to register as a promotions participant and pay the fee, then send your promotional items to: Black Author Showcase™ Holiday Book Fair, c/o 22nd Century Press, LLC, 12138 Central Avenue, Suite 223; Mitchellville, MD 20721-1932

Black Author Showcase™ retains the right to reject objectionable materials and return your fee.

Deadline for receipt of promotional items and payment is November 30th, 2008 – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Questions? Contact info@Blackauthorshowcase.com

Remember to allow 5 to 10 days for shipping. Any material received after the November 30th, 2008 deadline may not be included. $20 Fee is not refundable.

***Gift bag items MUST fit in a 9"x12" envelope and should not be regionally limited.

https://dweiums.wufoo.com/forms/black-author-showcase-holiday-fair-advertising/
http://www.basbookfair.com
http://www.blackauthorshowcase.com

Comment by MSSYLADY on November 13, 2008 at 6:03pm

Hi Kiana. I have just read and reread your writing and think you are trying to put together what so many Americans are feeling about our new President Elect. I know what you are feeling...but, I would advise you to delete and rewrite it and reread over and over again. Regain the "feeling" from your soul. Your first or second writing does not have to be in any particular order. Just write. Write again the next day and the next. Dream about your feelings and begin writing again, not in the same book, but another. Feel and write, think and write and then rewrite and then put it all together. Go online or go to a library and read about expressive or creative writing and then put your piece all together and I can guarantee you, there will be a big difference from what you have first contributed here. Your thoughts are good, just not written with continuity.

It is not my intent to discourage you, only encourage you to not stop but continue to write...the same piece again. God bless you my young sister.

Comment by MSSYLADY on November 13, 2008 at 5:22pm

Enrique' Lane, your piece was BEAUTIFUL! Thank you for sharing. It was uplifting and inspiring; speaking straight from your soul. But it felt as if it was coming from my soul.

The phrasing was perfect and began with a thought that developed into an emotional crescendo that was heartwarming and fulfilling. I can hear my Creative Writing Professor say, "Now that is good!" She would still probably have some red ink on your writing, but with her saying it was good would let me know it was an A paper.

So Enrique', "your writing was good, you get an A girl." And I will keep your writing and reread it from time to time for inspiration. Thanks My Sistah!

Comment by Erique' Lane on November 11, 2008 at 9:23pm

Hello Everyone,
Just wanted to share a little something I've been working on. Still have some tweaking to do so work with me on this one please. Oh, and MSSYLADY, I recieved that piece via email a few of days ago and enjoyed every bit of it. To whom ever wrote it, one word - Genius!

"Faith" by Erique' Lane

Often times in a world full of productivity & subjectivity, we, excuse me, I, often times stand alone in the mist of the unknown. Feeling lost, stranded, confused, misguided, and afraid. Unsure of what the future may bring, unconsciously urging favored dreams and silent prayers to demand answers for those questionable uncertainties. I’ve been holding onto the chain of Faith which I knowingly at times mistake for desperate hopelessness. Allowing my nature to focus on what seems the impossible. But isn’t it Faith that makes whatever it is we wish for to be employed a true possibility? Is it so wrong to believe in Faith, when in fact HE has truly remained Faithful unto me? For haven’t I’ve come this far by Faith, withstanding the test of time and holding on to the promise of tomorrow? And so it is in my nature, for I am human, embodied and soaked within sin, to have constant wonder as to when and why not now I live within my own purpose fulfilled destiny. My situation is worse than his situation, but is better than her situation. And still I so selfishly continue to question the inevitable. Time is definitely not on my side. And in front of me lies the infinite battle of reality. I am favored and elected to position myself accordingly, but the path I choose is the one I’ll take. So how do I accept that everything will be okay? The answer is deep within and so I’ll continue to live my life as it will be. However, I can guarantee that Faith will know for sure.

Comment by MSSYLADY on November 11, 2008 at 8:47am

This is NOT my writing, but I just had to share with you all. Enjoy!


Inauguration Ball 2009

Guests began arriving early. There are no place cards and no name tags. Everyone knows everyone else here. Now, there's a grand
foursome - Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz sharing laughs with Martin and Coretta Scott King. Looks like Hosea Williams refused the limo again, keeping it real. And my goodness; is that Rosa Parks out there on the dance floor with A. Phillip Randolph? Seated at a nearby table, Frederick Douglass has a captive audience in W.E.B. DuBois and Fannie Lou Hamer, and Medgar Evers has just joined them.


Marian Anderson was asked to sing tonight, but she only agreed to do it if accompanied by Marvin Gaye, John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix.
Look, there's Harriet Tubman. No one knows how she arrived, but there she is. And my guess is that, when the time comes, no one will see her leave.

There's Jackie Robinson swiftly making his way through the hall as the crowd parts like the Red Sea to the unmistakable sound of
applause. "Run, Jackie, run!"Along the way he is embraced by Jessie Owens. Three beautiful young women arrive with their escorts - Schwerner, Goodman and Chaney. Ms. Viola Liuzzo flew in from Michigan, exclaiming, "I could not miss this." Richard Pryor promised to be on his best behavior. "But I can't make any guarantees for Redd Foxx and Moms Mabley," he chuckled. Joe Louis just faked a quick jab to the chin of Jack Johnson, who smiled broadly while slippingit. We saw Billy Eckstine and Nat King Cole greet Luther Van Dross. James Brown and Josh Gibson stopped at Walter Payton's table
to say hello.

I spotted Congressman Adam Clayton Powell of Harlem having a lively political discussion with Eldredge Cleaver. Pearl Harbor WWII
hero Dorey Miller shared a few thoughts with Crispus Attucks, a hero of the Revolutionary War. And there is Madam C.J. Walker talking
with Marcus Garvey about exporting goods to Africa. General Benjamin O. Davis flew into Washington safely with an escort from the 99th Fighter Squadron - better known as The Tuskegee Airman. At the table on the left are three formidable women – Shirley Chisholm, Sojourner Truth, and Barbara Jordan - gathered for a little girl-talk... about world politics. As usual, all the science nerds seem to have gathered off
in a corner, talking shop.

There's Granville T. Woods and Lewis Latimer needling each other about whose inventions are better. Someone jokingly asked Benjamin Banneker if he had needed directions to Washington. And George Washington Carver was overheard asking, "What, no peanuts?"

Dualing bands? Anytime Duke Ellington and Count Basie get together, you know the place will be jumping. Tonight is special, of course,
so we have Miles, Dizzy, and Satchmo sitting in on trumpet, with Coltrane, Cannonball, and Bird on sax. Everyone's attention is directed to the
dance floor where Bill "Bojangles" Robinson is tap dancing. Right beside him is Sammy Davis Jr., doing his Bojangles routine. And behind his back, Gregory Hines is imitating them both. Applause and laughter abound! The Hollywood contingent has just arrived from the Coast. Led by filmmaker Oscar Micheau, Paul Robeson, Cana a Lee, and Hattie McDaniel, they find their way to their tables. DorothyDandridge, looking exquisite in gold lamé, is seen signaling to her husband, Harold Nicholas, who is standing on the floor with brother Fayard watching Gregory Hines dance. "Hold me back," quips Harold, "before I show that youngster how it's done." Much laughter!

Then a sudden hush comes over the room. The guests of honor have arrived.
The President and Mrs. Obama looked out across the enormous ballroom at all the historic faces. Very many smiles, precious few dry eyes.
Someone shouted out, "You did it! You did it!"

And President Obama replied, "No sir, you did it; you all - each and every one of you - did it. Your guidance and encouragement; your hard work and perseverance. .." Obama paused, perhaps holding back a tear. "I look at your faces - your beautiful faces - and I am reminded that The White House was built by faces that looked just like yours.

On October 3, 1792, the cornerstone of the White House was laid, and the foundations and main residence of The White House were built mostly by both enslaved and free African Americans and paid Europeans. In fact, most of the other construction work was performed by immigrants, many of whom had not yet become citizens. Much of the brick and plaster work was performed by Irish and Italian immigrants. The sandstone walls were built by Scottish immigrants. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that The White House is, ultimately, The People's House, with each President serving as its steward. Since 1792 The People have trimmed its hedges, mowed its lawn, stood guard at the gate, cooked meals in the kitchen, and scrubbed its toilet bowls.

But 216 years later, The People are taking it back! "Today, Michelle and I usher in a new era. But while we and our family look toward the future with so much hope, we know that we must also acknowledge fully this milestone in our journey. We want to thank each and every one of you for all you have done to make this day possible. I stand here before you, humbled and in awe of your accomplishments and sacrifice, and I will dedicate my Presidency, in your honor, to the principles of peace, liberty and freedom.

If it ever appears that I'm forgetting that, I know Ican count on you to remind me." Then he pointed to me near the stage..."Kenyada, isn't it time for you to wake up for work? Isn't it time for all of us to wake up and get to work?"

Suddenly I awake and sit up in bed with a knowing smile. My wife stirs and sleepily asks if I'm OK. "I've never been better," I replied, "Never better. It's gonna be a good day."


BLESSINGS,
SUZZY

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