The Urban Alternative

She writes, “i want to remember my pain/ but i don’t want to live with it/ everyday” in the ‘for the rainy day…” We’ve all been through pain, physical/emotional. Red Summer articulates very poignantly that it is acceptable to remember that pain as a reminder but don’t dwell on it to hinder you from your greatness. Maybe I embellished a little bit, or maybe her words resonated with me and my experiences.

In Raw Sugar Red Summer has shown her pain, triumphs and intelligence. Red Summer mixes shorter and longer poems and sprinkle in a few prose pieces, but she gains momentum and power in her longer pieces. Most of all Red Summer articulates humanity as her life unfolded. As she continues on her journey of discovery, love and life, I cannot wait to continue to read her poetry and prose as she does it.  

Last week I received my absentee ballot in the mail. Excitement grew as I bubbled in my votes. The very next day I put my ballot in the mail so it would be counted in today’s election. As a lifelong resident of New Orleans, not only I had to decide the POTUS but also nine amendments that would affect the state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans for years to come.

I’ve heard all of the excuses why people don’t vote. That is their choice. But my choice is to vote. Like many I feel that the electoral college and two-party political system is antiquated and goes against what true democracy is. But I voted because so many people fought for my right to vote.

I wasn’t the only one who thought the same. In my home state of Louisiana, it is estimated that 70% of registered voters will vote. Hour-long lines didn’t deter these voters. They cast their votes despite being late to work or missing classes.

Additionally, the website for Secretary of State Tom Schedler’s office and its “GeauxVote” mobile app were down due to high traffic, but residents could still call 800.883.2805 to find information about polling places.

Since Katrina my city, my state has changed drastically. I voted to keep New Orleans the New Orleans I know and love. I voted for better education for New Orleans. Voting is only way to get this done. Today, I voted for a better New Orleans, a better Louisiana and a better United States of America.

It’s not my place to tell you who to vote for. For me my choice is obvious, but the best thing about a democracy is that you can make a decision based off your personal experiences and beliefs. I may not agree with you, but we can agree to disagree.

As a voter I have the right to disagree with the person who I voted for. I can hold them accountable for the promises they made to get my vote. I can hold myself accountable to not wait on just government to create change.

I voted. Did you?

Happy Vote Day! 

With such a young team it probably better that they have this mishaps in the beginning of the season. Without Eric Gordon, rookie Austin Rivers, son of Celtics coach Doc Rivers, gain more experience as a NBA shooting guard. Without Davis, Ryan Anderson and Robin Lopez can use their experience to provide depth on the bench.

Opening night at the New Orleans Arena the Hornets lost to the veteran team San Antonio Spurs, 86-88. Despite Anthony Davis’s 21-point performance, the Spurs with the clutch performances from Tony Parker and Tim Duncan beat the Hornets.

Two nights later the Hornets returned the favor of winning a close game when they beat the Utah Jazz with the same score, 88-86. Ryan Anderson had a strong performance with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. But Greivis Vasquez’s game winning basket showed his confidence as a playmaker.

The New Orleans Hornets will be a young and exciting team. This year will have its growing pains. It will be a enjoyable ride with core that wants to play as a team not a one man show. Tonight the Hornets is traveling to Chicago to play Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. 

Dear Citizens of the Northeast especially New York/New Jersey,

Everything has changed in a matter of days. The destruction of Hurricane Sandy reared its ugly head. The upcoming days and maybe months will be long and tedious, but you will get through it. You will get through it together as a neighborhood, as a city and as a state. 

This was the first time I ‘hunkered down’ through a hurricane alone. It’s something about being with family and/or friends during those times. In recent memory I weathered Isaac with my mom, brother and the neighborhood of Wagner Street in Algiers. Days without lights everyone congregated outside reminiscing about other hurricanes, thanking God it wasn’t another Katrina and being naturally New Orleans. For Gustav I evacuated to Atlanta with my then-girlfriend and had a true hurrication as I relaxed and did a little partying. Even with Katrina, I was with brother, mother and maternal grandmother (R.I.P.) before we were separated at the Superdome. Then it was my brother and I who walked through the waters to safety only with God’s grace and mercy.  

I missed that as I sat alone in my friend’s apartment. I missed the bond that you make with your family, friends and sometimes strangers during these stressful times. What I realized is that we are interdependent. We need each other especially during times like these.

Citizens of New York and New Jersey, as a veteran of hurricanes, I understand what you’re going through. Lives lost. Damage to homes and cars. Days without electricity. Transportation not servicing. Schools closed. Jobs closed, meaning lost of wages. I understand. There’s no sense of normalcy. Everything is chaotic. This is the time to band together because we are responsible for each other. It’s the only way to live. Maybe we should remember this even when there isn’t a catastrophe. 

You’ve survived worst. You will survive this TOGETHER and begin to live again. 

Love,

A New Orleanian Who Cares

girlplaytv:

Girl Play will be filming the first season this month in New Orleans Louisiana. Who’s excited?? We are! I hope you all enjoy the finished product. Make sure you subscribe to Girl Play on Youtube tell a friend about the new series. Stay tuned for the FIRST official mini trailer which airs the first week of November.

www.youtube.com/girlplaytv

Ladies, ladies, ladies, you’ve been wishing for something like this, a lesbian web series that deals with relationships, friendships and love. I know you’re tired of lesbian drama. We all are. If you want something different, if you want something refreshing, if you want to see something that reflects your life and your experiences, check out Girl Play.