Wanda's Picks Radio Show: Black Art and Culture presents: Melanin Magic II -- Raising Consciousness through Art

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!


This show is the second in a special series of shows featuring healers who will leave us with tools we can use to strengthen ourselves during a time when isolation is encouraged while the soul cries for communion. 



1. Baba Opesanwo Ifakorede Fadairo, Alagbigba Babalawo


2. Queen Hollins is a sovereign being and founder of the Earthlodge Center for Transformation where she practices and teaches earth-based nature medicine and curriculum. The philosophy at the Earthlodge is to see each Human Being as a sovereign entity holding power and inner technology to create a way for individual and global liberation by deeply connecting with the Earth.  Her journey into the mysteries of the Earth began under the tutelage of her grandmother as a little girl growing up in Mississippi.  Her spiritual practices include that of Ifa, Black Gnostic Aquarian gospel, sacred Afrikan dance, sacred healing serpent dance, science of mind, plant medicine, and listening to the stories of my elders, which includes Trees. Queen facilitate a sacred Earth ceremony for healing and restoration, a sacred Earth pit journey which includes Sacred Blood rites (menstruation), Lunar/Solar rites & Seasonal rites. She is also a certified Kundalini yoga instructor, intuitive counselor, spiritual activator and offer individual/group sessions and retreats. And with all that she says she is still learning... To stay connected with Queen and the Earthlodge community sign up at earthlodgecenter.org


3. Since 1991, Dr. V.S. Chochezi and Staajabu, a mother daughter poetry duo, originally from Camden, NJ, have self-published seven books of poetry, one Sci-fi Anthology, produced 2 spoken word CDs and produced many programs in Sacramento.They have made over 600 appearances as featured readers, speakers, presenters, panalists and workshop facilitators. Their writings have appeared in publications too numerous to name.  Dr. V.S. Chochezi, is a college professor, writer, poet, editor, mosaic artist and photojournalist. Staajabu is a writer, editor, producer, poet, health advocate, graphic artist, Air Force veteran, UC Davis retiree and serves on the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commission. Both are members of ZICA Creative Arts and Literary Guild.  https://www.straightoutscribes.com/

Poems and weave dedicated to: Sojourner Truth by Elizabeth Catlett (1919-2012) http://sacpedart.com/?p=3840 (statue) http://sacpedart.com/?p=3840 (block print)

Update on MOVE 9 and Ramona Africa and Mumia Abu Jamal
https://mobilization4mumia.com/actions



http://tobtr.com/11697714

Social Distancing --

White space is a negative space

I ring my bell to let pedestrians know I am about to pass so they can give me space to get by.  I sit 8 feet away from two white men blocking the road with bikes and bodies. I ask them to stand next to each other so I can pass and only one moves, closer to me. I tell the fool as I pass that I am trying to honor the six feet buffer.

On my way back from Bay Farm Island in Alameda, I walk my bike on the wooden bridge so the older man walking his dog can get a head start. So when I get ready to pass him and his dog, I ring my bell so that he can stop occupying both traffic lanes. He does not move his dog over.

I am so through with white people.

I see a person crossing the street so I stop far enough for him to cross in the crosswalk and he walks behind me less than six feet away.

What is wrong with these people?! Good grief. I know white people don't usually have to think about public space, especially sharing public space-- let's not even talk about dogs and how dogs are valued more than Black people. They are congregating, blocking public roads. They don't even move to the side. These people stand in the middle of the sidewalk and other walkers have no where to go. Then they get into the street and block the bike lanes.

One stupid woman said in response to over crowded beaches in Marin that it's to be expected that after being home all week, people would head for public spaces. What part of pandemic doesn't she not understand? The field trip could cost her or someone else their lives.

I was walking and it is just getting too difficult to find a place on the sidewalk or in the street. Parents have all their kids on their bikes in the bike lanes and sidewalks.

White people, listen up. You do not own public space. It belongs to all citizens, people, not animals. White people, I want you to keep six feet or more from everyone especially, Black people. I know, you have to get used to seeing us first. Acknowledging the space we occupy is a first step.

I do not want you to bump into me or get close enough to remember my features. Stay the hell away from me. Act like some of your ancestors did when he or she thought my child was going to get into the swimming pool with his or her child. Reach back, and it won't be too far a grab to a place where my people sat in the balcony to watch the same movie you were watching for the same price.

Just know, however, that I am not stepping off the sidewalk. You can. My ancestors have stepped off enough sidewalks to last a lifetime-- yours and your children's. However, I am not going to fight you over public space-- space that does not have a genetic marker with your DNA written across it.

Ultimately, to ignore social distancing is not just unsafe and puts everyone at risk, it is disrespectful and rude. It is a level of inconsideration only a person who is completely self-absorbed would demonstrate.

White people especially white women and white youth and young people in general have been ignoring the social distancing order. With numbers increasing everywhere, does the disease have to affect someone you know for you to take this warning seriously?

Two weeks ago a person I know whom I was speaking to in Target came down with a virus, not "the virus." It was confirmed by Kaiser. How close is that, right.  Imagine all the people I might have passed or spoken to in the store, who later became sick whom I will never see again?

Wanda's Picks Radio Show: Melanin Magic Take I

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!


We have a special series of shows kicking off this morning with healers who will leave us with tools we can use to strengthen ourselves during a time when isolation is encouraged while the soul cries for communion. 

1. Michele E. Lee, author, Working the Roots: Over 400 Years of African American Healing, joins us to talk about how the literal earth is the best medicine. She is joined by her partner, visual artist, healer, Asual Kwahuumba

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQwtbtFOowg and https://kpfa.org/episode/the-herbal-highway-may-9-2019/

2. Sister Bisola Marignay joins us to share wisdom, poetry and mindfulness practice. 

Bio: Bisola Marignay, Ph.D., educator, performing artist, writer, and therapeutic facilitator conducts three differently focused self-healing group in community institutions with a practice of mindfulness and singing. In addition to facilitating self-healing workshops, Ms. Marignay performs with Odinma Performance Ensemble and Seasoned Dance Ensemble. She teaches and provides academic support and coaching for students at the California Institute of Integral Studies, for private clients, and the community. Ms. Marignay brings aspects of her self-healing practice into her academic teaching and coaching to support learners in being present, resolved, and confident. She facilitates and promotes self-understanding as a necessary basis of competent and meaningful thought and expression, and of wellness in general.


Dr. Adeshima Penn joins Sister Bisola to share a guided meditation to help us to use our breath to keep grounded in heart and balanced in spirit. Visit http://www.selfcarereform.net/


3. We close with a conversation with Major Joe Womack, Africantown, native. Visit http://africatownhpf.s442.sureserver.com/ and http://www.africatown-chess.org/  Short bio at: https://bridgethegulfproject.org/users/joe-womack


Music: Labi Siffre's "(Something Inside) So Strong" and Sounds of Blackness's Hold On.

Show link: https://www.blogtalkradio.com/wandas-picks/2020/03/20/wandas-picks-radio-show

Wanda's Picks Radio Show Special

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!

Today we speak to her Majesty Queen Mother Dowati Desir Hounon Houna II and Yeye Luisah Teish about their spiritual practices and how African Dispora Spirituality is best practice for Diaspora citizen well-being. They are a part of a series of events beginning Wed., March 4-Sun., Mar. 8, to explore this topic.

We close the show with a rebroadcast of an interview with choreographers featured in BCF Here and Now 2020 which continues this weekend at Mills College.


http://tobtr.com/s/11684526