Hidden Figures, starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe and Kevin Costner, grossed just a little over 22 million to beat out Rouge One for he number one box office spot this weekend, and I could not be more excited. It is a fabulous film with fine acting and well put together dialogue and cinematography. In Hidden Figures "three brilliant African-American women at NASA -- Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) -- serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn (Glen Powell) into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race and galvanized the world." Based on the true story of Johnson, Vaughan and Jackson, this film brought to light not only their involvement but the countless women of color and women all together who contributed to a significant moment in history against all od...

There are times when you have good intentions but those intentions do not translate into action. I am well aware of my own guilt in this. Sometimes it is because I am ignorant. Sometimes it is because I am protecting myself. Sometimes it is because I am not as risky as I would like to be. Nevertheless, if your thoughts and intentions are not lined up with what you are actualy doing then we are not living a fufilled life. We are in essence cutting our selves short. We often discount the words of others when their actions do not add up. We may get dissapointed by the person who says they love us but then turn around and treat us like we really do not matter to them at all. However, what about when we do similar actions to ourselves? Do you have goals? Are there dreams that you would like to see come true? Dreams that are within our grasp if we just made a little effort. Our words and thoughts can be powerful tools for change and actions and motivation or they can be duds. I do not w...

Mankind is made great or little by its own will. -Friedrich Schiller We are made great or little by our own will. How bad do you want it? How hard do you want to work for it? Most importantly, how will we give back to the world in order to contribute to its greatness? Life, existence is all about balance. From balancing a chemical equation to keeping the body at equilibrium in order to maintain health, we rely on balance at every possible turn. Our will to do good has to drive us to take action. It is so much easier to settle and fall into the negative side of things. We feed ourselves on lazy moments and wire our minds to think that it is okay. Meanwhile,  we short change ourselves and the world by not fully engaging in our gifts or passion. We have been given all the tools we need to make an impact. Let us take the time to invest in ourselves and figure out how to use those tools to ignite our passion so that we may be great and make the world better. In this action we ...

Ava DuVernay’s Netflix film ’13th’ shows how mass incarceration is a form of modern day slavery. The documentary is definitely worth the watch. It is moving and powerful and thought provoking. However, with the political climate as it presently is, it inspired a feelings of disappointment, despair and downright anger. Hands Up, my latest cinquain, best describes how I felt at the end of it. Hands up Shackled in darkness my intelligence is mocked Speak not, breathe not, live not- Be a shadow It breeds disappointment in our fellow human beings. At the same time, I think I should not be so disappointed because people were once enslave, children used as gator bait, people were experimented on and thought of as subhuman because of the different color of their skin. Have we not grown in compassion and empathy? It definitely feels like we have not because greed and selfishness seem to rule the way of the world. I am disappointed in those that only stand by to lend blame, point...

What Pains Me There are so many people that are blind to the fact that we live in seperate and distinct realities. One where everything is rosey and people cannot imagine that racism is real in this day and age. The other where good, hardworking, moral, law abiding Black people (yes they do exist. We are not mythical unicorns) face injustices (subtle and overt) like not getting a job or getting profiled and harassed by law enforcement or housing discrimination or inferior education etc. etc on a regular basis. What pains me in this situation is the indignation that the "blind ones" display when the Black community has the nerves to speak out against such things. As though we should simply be greatful that we have been allowed a seat at the table and forget that they are passing the plates to everyone but us and we are there hungry, smelling the food but unable to help ourselves to our fair portion so that we may also partake in the meal. What pains me is the complete...

The Grand Jury ruled against indictment on the Mike Brwon Ferguson shooting case. Officer Wilson will not be heald accountable for his actions. It is unfortunate but not unexpected. Just as the subsequent looting and violence, by a few (have to stress that), in reaction is not surprising. Both situations are dissapointing though. This case is not about one kid, one situation. It is about taking a stance for all of them and thus moving in the right direction. Unfortunately, now there is no direction as evidenced by the looting and rioting which is a baser response to the negative emotions that come from the decision. However, what I find to be the real dissapointment is the reaction by the mainstream.  The media seem to revel in the opportunity to display the short sighted, emotional and reactionary behavior (not that I condone the behavior). It is like they are saying see how these people are. What do you expect! The responses are no better. People have said...

The effort to stop violence and institutionalized injustice is not over. Just because it is not trending on your feed does not mean it is a dead issue or has  mysteriously been solved. Support in whatever way you can. Ferguson October, demonstration/protests against ongoing violence,  going on this weekend. #fergusonOctober #handsup   Activism Now Silence is sometimes a useful tool for results but there comes a time when we must make noise