Mulheres do Poder

Diasporic connex are something else. The more we learn, the more we understand how similar our stories and struggles are. Negritude just don't dilute!!! I attended a "Women of Power" forum at the my favorite NOLA museum last week.

Guests included two DOPE female activists. Rosana Silva Chagas from Brasil (far left, white dress) and Marfa Inofuentes (18 yrs in the mov't, Sis w/ the beads) from Bolivia. Email me or comment if you'd like me to send an email re: their background.

Rosana spoke about her growth into Black consciousness from a kid growing up in Liberdade, her involvement with Ile Aiye and matriculation at Steven Biko. Marfa outlined the struggle of Afro-Bolivians to be acknowledged...yes, acknowledged. Up until very rencently, the country denied that they even existed. The story was similar in Brasil - 137 racial categories on the 1980 census - in a country that's 80% Black. They claim that racism doesn't exist, though Bahia (a Black city), has never had a Black mayor. Marfa told a story with uncanny similarity to Mama Fannie Lou's trip to the DNC with the MFDP during Freedom Summer. Crazy connex, I say. Check the links :)

squirrlly gras

Zen...

...and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance

Chat 'bout Wheel-a-Spin (translation: "Speaking of these things...."), yesterday marked a milestone! My Lil' Schwinnie Mandela finally came home (it only took 2 months to build her).

Spare parts shortage and Mardi Gras delays aside, it was a wonderful process. Thanks and praises to all friends (now family) at RUBARB :) Come visit me any Saturday and get ur hands greased up...don't worry, we've got Gojo.

Really though, going from knowing nothing about bikes (save riding and stopping) to gaining functional knowledge of building and mechanics is extremely satisfying and rewarding. And Mr. Louis philosphies are lagniappe icing on the cake. You know how everyone has their "thing" - most find "it" sooner or later. Well bikes are Mr. Lou's "thing." One picnic table conversation consisted of his diatribe of bikes and life. It went something like this...

"bikes are like life...there's the wheel and the spokes going out everywhere, in all directions. but they all come together in the middle, the hub and turn...and then you've got the spokes...."

i said SOMETHING like that. OK, time for me to practice how to true a wheel. Next week...

First post and I thought of this one...why not start with a tune to set the mood???