Dropping the Ball for a Pretty Fishy

I have to admit it: I haven't followed through with my plan of introducing interesting Black History Facts each day throughout Black History Month. But I have a great excuse! I was busy keeping the dream alive. I was busy living out the freedom that others gave their lives for me to obtain. I was reading and completing assignments for school. I was also learning more about how I could help the kids at work. So, I dropped this ball in order to grab a better one, a bigger, more precious one.

This being said, I have enjoyed one particular assignment. We were to take a children's books and choose a song that complimented the story fluidly. For a while I was just considering a few stupid things simply to get a grade. But my attention was drawn to a book given to me last semester by one of my instructors. It's called The Rainbow Fish. It's about a beautiful, but arrogant fish that learns the importance of love and happiness as opposed to outer beauty. It's a delightful book. And because of the underwater theme, I was reminded of a great composition for ballet by Igor Stravinsky known as The Firebird. I played The Firebird Suite when I was in 9th grade as bass-player in the Florida All-State Orchestra. I could still hear its hauntingly beautiful melody. We only played the finale from The Firebird Suite. The Suite is somewhat of a condensed version of the entire score of the ballet. It's only about 20 minutes long. But the only part we played as about the last 7 minutes. And this is the part I'm using for my assignment.

Tomorrow, Lord willing, I will read the book to my class and my instructor, accompanied by this music. I practiced timing it today with my 7 year-old cousin, whom I will identify by the name of Baby Gila Monster (Gila for short). She really enjoyed it. With her as my audience, I was able to practice it about three times. I still have yet to perfect this. But the overall affect seems to be exactly what I had in mind.

Firebird Suite - Stravinsky


Now...this is supposed to be a creative non-fiction account of my life on both sides of the teacher's desk. It's supposed to consist of my creative reflections of my actions and what I've learned...hence, the title. So, rather than simply spilling facts onto the digital page, I'm going to restart the addition of creative non-fiction sections of my posts...I think.

Anyway, after going upstairs, I opened my room door to see the entire room lit by the enveloping warmth of the mirror's blue glow. I picked it up, and there in its reflective face, was myself, my little cousin seated in my lap. But the room in which we had actually been seated was changed. The whole place looked dim, as if I were seeing it through a tinted glass. Our hair appeared to blow in some kind of wind. Since my glasses need changing, I thought it wise not to trust them and to take a second, closer look. This time, I could see that what appeared to be dimmed lighting was actually the effect of water-water that completely surrounded us. We we were in the ocean, it's teal blue clouded with minnows, sea fans, and...to my surprise, one giant sparkling fish.

"What's this supposed to mean?" I asked the mirror. "I guess combination of the music and the book were just too much for either of us. We were mentally transported into a calm spot in the sea, and we could actually see the Rainbow Fish, huh?"

Sir Coolman laughed. "Actually, that's not the only reason. The main reason for the sea appearing to the child was your own enthusiasm." The scene in the mirror slowly evaporated, revealing Sir Coolman's pleasant face. "Really. The voice intonations were extremely affective. And I'm not sure if you meant to, but it was perfectly matched with the nuances presented in the text- both the music and your voice." He smiled, a rare thing for someone so old, and so weathered. "She felt your feelings towards the text, and you reinforced them with your voice and musical choice, despite its grandiose ending."

As he spoke, I realized the fact that I had been extremely excited about sharing the book with Gila. I couldn't wait to show her this metallic scales of the lovely Rainbow Fish, its beauty enhanced by the melodious masterwork of Stravinsky. The varied vocal intonations were a natural occurrence because I was really feeling the book. Gila could tell. After just one time through, she was able to repeat a significant portion of the text as I read it the second time. Since I had explained why I was presenting the book to her with music, she's been determined to help me in anyway that she could. "That's the octopus part!" she'd exclaimed during a section of the suite in which the bass violins stole the attention of the listener. When I didn't turn to this part of the book, she warned me, eagerly, "You better start reading that part."

"You look awful." Sir Coolman's voice brought me back to reality, out of the narrative proceeding from my own inner mirrors. "You should get some rest. You're liable to be a distraction to the children if you mozy into the classroom looking like that."

"I always know who to call to make me feel really good about myself. Thanks so much for sharing your kind way with words."

I carried the mirror over to the vanity drawer and pulled out its velvet-interior box. "It is what I do, madam." Slowly, his face become a simple reflecting pane. I boxed him comfortably and closed the drawer. I prayed a good while, thanked Jesus for all the wonderful blessings I'd already experienced, and those I had yet to enjoy. And all night long, I dreamed of the most beautiful fish, swimming in a sea of colors, the whole underwater world as beautiful as the music I heard playing.

Black Beauty - Top Ten Eye-Openers

I've recently come to a surprising revelation: I have "good" hair. I never honestly realized this, perhaps in part due to my previous low self-esteem. But I have (practically) wash-and-wear hair the truth of which I have only recently become aware.

So, I've recently begun an exploration of natural hair care. I went to the "I Did it in the Name of Love" Conference this past weekend at Sanctuary of Praise in Orlando. Bishop Noel Jones was the main speaker, and his words were practical, beautiful, enlightening, inspiring, and all-around life-altering. God really used him to bless me. But anyway, the church also owns of one of Florida's top restaurants: Mama N'em's. It's on the same lot as the church, so it's easy to just walk there. Since my aunt and my mom can't do much walking, we drove there.

The wait was 30 minutes; so as we waited a few of us stepped in to a black hair care shop that was adjacent to the restaurant. It's called Highest Point Beauty Supply. I'd seen it before, but I'd always been there very late at night (once we start praising God in there, sometimes it's just hard to stop), and so the store was closed. But the bright "Open" sign was flashing its neon welcome, and we went inside. I was delighted when the beautiful woman behind the counter spoke. Her rich, British accent just tickled me inside. Each one of the was so friendly and genuinely helpful. They are Christians, and one of the store owners even talked me out of buying one product in favor of a less costly, better value product. She made me aware of a product

So, my recent investigations have been focused a lot on health and beauty topics. While on this topic, I came across some intersting information about Naomi Sims. I actually found a 1970's Time Magazine article about Black Beauty in which Naomi's plight for the loveliness of black women was discussed. After this, I found a list of the top tep most influential black super models.

1) Tyra Banks "The first black model on the cover of GQ Magazine, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Magazine, and Victoria’s Secret Catalog.”

2) Naomi Campbell “The first black model on the cover of French Vogue Magazine, and is the highest paid black supermodel of all time.”

3) Tyson Beckford “The first black male model to receive supermodel status, and the highest paid male supermodel, of all time.”

4) Iman Abdulmajid “First Black model to appear on the cover of German Vogue, and was one of the top models of the late 1970’s.”

5) Alek Wek “One of the highest paid black supermodels of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. She was named "Model of the Year" in 1997 by MTV. ”

6) Liya Kebede “She was the first black model for Estee Lauder, and was the first black model to rank number one on models. com official top 50 ranking.”

7) Beverly Peele “Was, one of the well known black supermodels of the 1990’s, and was called "Baby Naomi", because of her success.”

8) Veronica Webb “Veronica Webb was the first black model to sign a major cosmetic contract with Revlon in 1992.

9) Beverly Johnson “The first black model on the cover of U. S. Vogue Magazine, French Elle Magazine, and German Cosmopolitan Magazine.”

10) Naomi Sims “The first black model on the cover of Life Magazine and Fashion of the Times Magazine. Was the first working black supermodel in the late 1960’s.”

While models and other "visual" figures are not ordinarily considered during black history month, their history and its affects on the world are lasting. They have completely metamorphosized the self-perception of anyone of African ancestry. The faces we see everyday have an extrodinarily (almost frightening) affect on the way people see themselves. So, these people have played a great role in helping us to see ourselves clearly and making the world aware of numerous kinds of beauty.

The Sound Man - James West

Inventor, James West

Have you ever witnessed, via television or otherwise, a KKK rally? Have you ever seen protestors that speak loudly of the supremacy of the white race? And what is the instrument that they all use that enables them to speak loudly and be heard? A microphone.

Now isn't that ironic? I wonder if these people know - although I doubt it considering the evidence of their obvious ignorance - that the very instrument they use to get their messages to others was created by a member of the group they are most well-known for hating?

Today's focus of black history is inventor James West. He was born February 10, 1931 in Prince Edward County, Virginia. He later interned with, and eventually worked for Bell Labs in electroacoustics, physical acoustics, and architectural acoustics.

West is credited with designing the electroacoustic transducer. This device is an advanced electrical component that enables electric energy into acoustic energy. This device is used in 90% of the microphones, telephones, and video cameras built today.

West has over 200 patents, in the US and abroad, to his name. He's been the recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to acoustical technology, and he has been inducted into several halls of fame and a list of prestigious organizations. He also heads a attempts to encourage black youth in academics, especially science and technology.

Most surprisingly, James West is still alive! He's one of the few people celebrated during black history month to whom our admiration is most joyous.

Considering this, I'd love for some reality show or something to share this information during a KKK rally. I can't imagine how utterly delightful it would be to watch their horrified faces and watch them scramble for some sort of semi-decent response, which would most certainly be difficult for them, to say the least.



Sources: About.com, Black Inventor.com, The Free Dictionary.com, Invent Now.com,

Proud of My People

For weeks leading up to Black History Month, I waited with delighted anticipation. Not only was I feeling happy with the new things I've learned about the contributions of blacks in America, but of course I was inspired by my new president. I couldn't wait. As I do with most projects, I had enormous plans. I was going to throw out facts that much of the world's population had never once heard of. I was going to highlight phenomenal African-Americans that most history books wont take time to recognize. I was going to have a month full of history-induced euphoria.

But here it is, the 5th of February, and my blog is still Black History-free. In an attempt to just get something here about the history of those of African ancestry, I'm going against the ways of many black pioneers...I'm cheating! I Googled "Black History Month" and found some really interesting facts (a hundred and one, to be exact) on the Biography.com site. Here are just a few:

• George Monroe and William Robinson are thought to be the first black Pony Express riders. At one point Monroe was also a stagecoach driver for President Ulysses S. Grant and would navigate through the curving Wanona Trail in the Yosemite Valley. Monroe Meadows in Yosemite National Park is named for George Monroe.
• Otis Boykin (1920 -1982) invented electronic control devices for guided missiles, IBM computers, and the control unit for a pacemaker.
• Harriet Ann Jacobs (1813 – 1897) was a slave who published “Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl” in 1861 under the pseudonym Linda Brent. The book chronicles the hardships and sexual abuse she experienced as a female growing up in slavery. Jacobs fled slavery in 1835 by hiding in a crawlspace in her grandmother’s attic for nearly seven years before traveling to Philadelphia by boat, and eventually to New York. Jacobs was active in feminist anti-slavery movements.
• The “306 Group” was a guild–like club that provided support and apprenticeship for African–American artists during the 1940s. It was founded by the artist Charles Alston at 306 West 141st street in Harlem and served as a studio and meeting place for some of the 20th century’s most prominent African–American artists such as the poet Langston Hughes, the sculptor Augusta Savage, the painter Jacob Lawrence, and the collage artist Romare Bearden.
• Nat Love “Deadwood Dick” (1854 – 1921 ) a renowned and skilled cowboy, was the only African–American cowboy known to have written his autobiography, “The Life and Adventures of Nat Love, Better Known in the Cattle Country as Deadwood Dick”, published in 1907.
• Thomas L. Jennings (1791 - 1859) was the first African-American to receive a patent in 1821. It was for a dry-cleaning process in 1821. He used the money earned from the patent to purchase relatives out of slavery and support abolitionist causes.

These are just a few. More important is the understanding that not all blacks who have contributed great things to the world will ever be known by anyone but God. Perhaps some of the greatest are yet to be recognized. Who knows the talent that lies orphaned and crying in Darfur? Who sees the gifted minds that sit in our schools are influenced to quit in order to earn a living and help meet their family's needs? Honestly, only God knows the greatness that he has given? Who knows but him how much of his gifts have been traded or lost? It's a sad fact. But for those whom we are aware of, we should feel obligated to recognize and honor.


Hopefully, I've talked myself into doing better for tomorrow.