NATURAL IS COOL ENOUGH...N.I.C.E.

Kendrick Lamar Returns To Black Love With The Heart 5, Phenomenally!

2022-05-15T16:12:00.002-07:00

Admittedly, I had to listen to and watch The Heart Part 5, at least five times, to grasp all that this brother is saying.  First, I had to feel the beat as it resonated through my soul and I began to chair dance just feeling the vibe.  Then, as I watched the video, I had to take in, value and appreciate his hair, thinking this brother knows that Natural Is Cool Enough.  Then as I watched the faces changing, as his words washed over me and he repeatedly said the word culture, I realized that this is not just music but soul-stirring knowledge. 

I visited Chengdu, China on many occasions and witnessed something called Face Changing, Bian Lian,which goes back at least 300 years. The technique is used in Sichuan (where Chengdu is located) as art in Opera performances. I am not saying that Kendrick's deep fake, face changes were based on Chinese culture, but the technique is reminiscent of a similar art form. Lamar took "face-changing" to another level as his face morphed to show us many of our brother's faces and offers us  glimpses of their stories in this society that we live in. 

I felt Black Love in Lamar's piece, deeply. "I am all of us" are the opening silent words, as he caresses himself gently, with sad eyes, at the opening of the video.  It is at that moment, that his eyes and hair speak to us as Black people, naturally. He talks about the wisdom of getting older and points out that the reality is that  "Life is Perspective."  I paused there and thought, ain't that the truth.  The older we get, the more we understand that fact. He continues to say that our perspectives differ.  What you see is not necessarily what I see. He expresses gratitude, by thanking everyone who has been down with him.  Those moments when we express gratitude are so deep, because being down with each other in this society, as Black people, is a challenge that is not always met, as we try to navigate through a system that was not designed for us. He speaks of his beautiful fans and anyone who has ever given him a lesson, hence life Teachers.  I found that profound, because I have learned that we are getting lessons all day long, from almost everyone that we meet, both the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, based on our perspectives. If we think about it, almost everyone we encounter is a Teacher in some way, shape or form. 
 
Then he takes off. He emerges out of his self-caress and begins to preach. He begins to preach like the brothers that many of us have known for all of our lives.  He is in the proverbial pulpit, moving his arms, breaking it down with mind-blowing insight about the realities of life as a Black man in this nation. His rhythm and cadence makes you not only hear his words, but you feel them.  They reverberate with his hands, his body and his movement--Kendrick movements--that help you to connect with him, mentally, spiritually and physically as you ponder whether you should dance, listen or both. I felt the need to move to the beats, but also listen, deeply. He repeatedly mentions culture as he spits out words that are a cacophony of insight and rhythm, combined soulfully with his physical movements. "The Culture" reverberates, as he embraces himself again while stating " I want you to want me too." Damn.  You feel it. "I want the hood" he says. Doesn't everyone want to be wanted?  It's a cry for gratitude and recognition of place and time that helps you understand his quandary about "the culture."
     
Then, the morphing starts. The "Face-Changing," deep fake technology begins with OJ and again he mentions "culture." Next is Kanye, as Lamar explores mental health, namely, the experience of being bi-polar, followed by  Jessie Smollet and how the streets can swallowed him up, "the streets got me fucked up" to be exact. Next, we see the face of  Will Smith and he states "in a land where hurt people hurt people, Fuck calling it Culture."  Damn, I love that line. He implores us to look at this term culture and how it is used to codify the experience that Black people may experience, in a land where hurt and systemic pain prevail.  Yes, I know that some people, including some Black people, don't want to hear that reality. Many believe we are in a post-racial society but that notion is so ludicrous that I liken it to the argument that the Egyptian Pharaohs were not Black and the pyramids were built by other than Black people.  That is relegated to nonsensical conversation in my mind.  I just rather send people with that warped sense of history to a timeline and a map.  The same goes for systemic racism.  Just read history, up to the present, and anyone will understand the truth.  Why do hurt people hurt people is the salient question? I guess another question is where else does one put all that pain? He moves his body rhythmically as he again points out "I want you to want me too"  Sometimes, it's impossible to see those people that really want us.  Perhaps that is why Will Smith slapped Chris Rock because of  confusion so deep that basically no one understands it, to the point that perhaps we can conclude that it wasn't real, even though we saw it with our own eyes.  Was it Guerrilla Marketing or crazy pain, gone wild to the point that one brother, Willl Smith, hauled off and slapped another brother, Chris Rock, while millions watched on television? The slap recipient, just took it, without laughter. Laughter is normally Rock's gift to us, but we felt his pain. The "why" we will never know for sure, but we all felt that slap and many of us understood it, although it was extremely convoluted and some of us continue to love both of those brothers, because in a strange way, we get it. 

Next, Lamar commands, "Take the drums out."  He breathes, deeply, in and out, as if to prepare himself and all of us, for what is coming. You can feel the heaviness of what is about to emerge, which are the faces of Kobe Bryant, followed by Nipsy Hussle. We then hear resounding words, including  lessons, sacrifice, temptation, heaven, patience, productivity, euphoria, regret, neighborhood, babies, genius, the hood, fears, energy, consciousness, my creator...so much is said. Through Lamar, Hussle says "And to the killer that sped up my demise I forgive you, just know your soul’s in question." That was an everything line for me.  It helps one to understand that you do what you feel you need to do, but on a deeper level you will have to reckon with your actions. He points out "I can’t stress how I love y’all. I don’t need to be in flesh just to hug y’all." This is a profuse statement of Black love, in spite of it all, that goes beyond the physical realm.  He's  preaching.  He's prophetic.  To me, Lamar in his tribute to Hussle is  saying what we all want to hear.  "I want you." The fading of Lamar, in the form of Hussle, at the end of the video, reminds me of all of the fading pictures of my elder/ancestor family members who preached, loved, prayed, questioned, and used many of the Hussle tribute words above and who wanted me and all of our generations after as I want my husband, my children and my people, Black people, now and always.  That's Black Love. For The Heart, Part V, thank you brother Kendrick.  
Black people want you and each other. We have to just realize, THAT is the culture. 

Mother's Day Is Coming: Goodies For That Special One in Your Life

2022-05-02T13:53:00.004-07:00

Hello Naturalista's,

As I am sure you are aware, Mother's Day is upon us on May 8th and if you are still looking for ideas, I think I have a good one for you! Check out the detail below and get your goodies for that special mother in your life at my new website! There is still time to order! Enjoy!

A Return to Black Love Reviews That Move The Heart !

2022-05-02T13:49:00.002-07:00

Recently, I received this review (excerpted), from a person that I will keep anonymous, for the sake of privacy, as he sent it to me personally. This is a truly educated, elder brother, whose words absolutely matter to me. When I saw the email from him, indicating that he had read my book from cover to cover, and was sharing his critique, I braced myself because he goes IN with his insight, bringing all of his wisdom and knowledge to the table. This individual was very prominent in his field, and still is, albeit retired, with great respect. No one is flawless, so I won't say that about him, as the pandemic experience has lead to some litmus test insight about folks, but nevertheless, the brilliance remains at the forefront of who he is. Hence, I will stop here and ask you to take a quick look at this review of A Return To Black Love. Other reviews are found on the Amazon site for my book. They are also beautiful reviews that moved my heart and I am grateful to each person that wrote one. Thank you for taking the time to appreciate/critique my work, which is another form of love and support. If you have purchased and read A Return To Black Love, please write a review. As an author, I find reviews helpful and encouraging.

Check out this one though (an excerpt)!  To this brother, elder, I say #GratitudeExpressed as  I am deeply grateful for the wisdom of those individuals who have roamed this earth longer than I have. Receiving such  deep, heartfelt thoughts, as I try to make a difference through my words, is truly a form of Black Love. 

THE  REVIEW

Dear Patti,

I finished reading your book several days ago and have been reflecting and savoring the richness of your excellent, candid, compelling and persuasive writing. 

As I thought about providing candid feedback, I came to a few conclusions about the essential arguments that you adduce and the heavily nuanced unique arguments that you also adduce. The essential import of your book is compelling and persuasive if:

1] one wants to encourage Black men and women to believe that they will find the most fulfilling love when they deliberately choose a love who is also Black — ergo, “A Return to Black Love; this should awaken especially our young Black children and grandchildren to deeply reflect on present and future love relationships; well done, Patti!;

2] one wants to express substantial pride in the enduring success of Black parents under extraordinary conditions over the years that White parents have experienced “charitably" to a considerably lesser degree; you and Jeff have parented and continue to parent brilliantly! I’m very proud of you and I’m pleased that it is chronicled in your book; your parenting success deserves its own book!;

3] one wants loved Black children to know that respect and honor for their parents and elders, and we for each other, are the undeniable foundation stones of essential, life-long, enduring Black Love; 

3] one wants White folks to truly understand how critically important it is to Black folks to, through Black Love, contribute, through our hard work and wise investments, build the educational, familial, social, religious, and financial wealth that were denied and robbed from us for centuries by White enslavers and White supremacists who to this day hugely benefit from centuries of denial and governmentally sanctioned oppression; yet we RISE!!

2022-04-27T11:36:00.004-07:00

Hello Naturalistas!

It has been a while and I hope all is well! Mother's Day is coming soon so I am sure you are thinking about what to get for that special Mother in your life. Below is exciting information about my Mother's Day Promotion which includes a signed copy of "A Return to Black Love," with a special message and a free gift (hat or tote bag with the "A Return to Black Love" logo)! The book is 30% off the regular price for this special sale! To view all, visit my new website: Authordrrose.com and go to the SHOP. Enjoy your Mother's Day Shopping! In the meantime, always remember, Natural Is Cool Enough!!!

2022-03-09T11:09:00.003-08:00

Below are some fantastic quotes from the interviews from my new book, A Return to Black Love, available on Amazon. I interviewed Teachers, a Professional Basketball Player, the President of a CUNY College, a DJ, a Music producer and more. Each of these individual (s) shared their views about Black love, on a very personal level, based on their relationships, as newlyweds or long term, and why Black love matters and what it means to them. Check out their quotes and then grab the book. I think you are going to enjoy it! By the way, every woman in this book is a naturalista because within Black Love experiences, we know that Natural is Cool Enough!

A Return To Black Love: The Joy of Black Fatherhood, Motherhood and Marriage Revealed

2022-02-24T10:46:00.001-08:00

During the past couple of years, I thought a lot about Black people and how we are coping during the turmoil in our society and world and I realized that no matter how intense things get,what matters most is BLACK LOVE, which in itself is a critical point of unity. To that end,I proceeded as I always do when I write a new book. I opened my computer, created a new Microsoft Word File and then wrote the words, Chapter One. I created a working title and then I let the writing begin from my heart and mind. As always, I used my journal to free write my thoughts and then I incorporated some of that detail, with modification as I desired. The result this time is here:

Below is a description of this book, which is available on Amazon. I hope you will get a copy, spread the word about it and read it, absorbing every morsel of the goodness of Black Love in your heart,mind and soul and share it with others. I would also love to know your thoughts, so we can engage in dialogue about it, so feel free to write to me. Most importantly though, I want you to enjoy it! #BlackLove is the answer for Black people! Description This book, simply put, is about Black love. Beyond insight about black fatherhood, motherhood and marriage, it gets personal. There are six, heartwarming, intimate and delightful interviews about Black love with a Professional Basketball player, a President of a College, a DJ, a Music Producer, Teachers, an Actress and more. Reading their stories is an opportunity to feel and understand Black love, through their lenses, and learn from the successes of their relationships. Meeting the newlyweds, the single father and those Black men who have been married for the long term is encouraging and shatters the myth of the missing Black father. Pearls of wisdom are dropped in each interview, which are truly gems. Before and after these soulful sojourns, the reader gets to participate in this jaunt into Black love through exercises, throughout the book, which are followed by a list of Black love ingredients and affirmations for everyday consideration. This book, is not written as a discourse about segregation or division, but rather to invite everyone to understand, explore and appreciate the beauty of Black Love, in a very diverse world.

Personalized Educational Enhancement: Let's Make Up For Lost Time!

2021-08-04T10:43:00.001-07:00

Why Is There A Rule Against Braids for A Child At School?

2021-04-22T10:16:00.004-07:00

The questions that we must ask are: 1) What is wrong with these grown people? 2) Why does representation of African/Black heritage offend anyone, so much so that they have a rule against it? 3) What is going on in the minds of adults who have punished a child for having his hair in braids at school? #naturaliscoolenough any and everywhere! <a href="https://www.bet.com/news/national/2021/04/18/texas-school-district-lawsuit-suspending-boy-braided-hair.html">

Maternal Mortality and Black Women: #LetsTalkAboutSolutions

2021-03-16T12:05:00.002-07:00

It's Women's History Month and I want to take this opportunity to have a candid discussion about a challenging topic, but from the vantage point of solutions! Do you know that in terms of maternal mortality, Black women are 3 to 4X more likely to die than white women when giving birth or shortly after? Do you know that there are readily available solutions to this problem that could help Black women survive this egregious problem? I hope you will take time to watch and share this video widely so that people can understand what is happening, but also recognize that there are real solutions. After watching,let me know if you have questions/thoughts but most importantly, #LetsTalkAboutSolutions #WomensHistoryMonth #MaternalMortalityAndBlackWomen #LovingBlackWomenIntoHealthyBirths #CreatingPositveWomensHistory for Black women #Doulasupport #Midwifery

Part 2: Q & A--Univ. of Miami Med School Grand Rounds--Health Disparitie...

2020-11-24T14:13:00.000-08:00

Health Disparities & Inequities: Fact vs. Fiction & Potential Solutions:...

2020-11-06T17:14:00.000-08:00

A Naturalista's Travel Adventures in Tanzania: See the Masai, The Sereng...

2020-10-29T12:06:00.001-07:00

A Naturalista's Travel Adventures in Kumasi and Cape Coast, Ghana: Women...

2020-10-12T08:30:00.001-07:00

The Digital Divide During COVID-19: Controversies and Solutions

2020-09-25T12:52:00.002-07:00

In case you missed it, check out my webinar regarding the Digital Divide During Covid-19! Lot's of questions and answers took place after the discussion of this important topic. I hope you will find it useful and feel free to share widely. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twFq4yzH14o&feature=youtu.be&list=PL1uGOXWHANCyz7ApvNAtggi-y1sV0ZU_u #LetsTalkAbouSolutions #theDigitalDivide #Covid19 #healthequity

An Informative Webinar for All, Including Naturalistas: The Digital Divide During Covid-19

2020-09-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

Today, check out my webinar-- Wednesday, September 23 at 1:00 PM EST I will explore a long-standing concern, the digital divide, which has been magnified during COVID-19. Registration is free and here: Lack of digital inclusion primarily impacts low income, racial/ethnic emerging majorities, rural communities, the elderly and other marginalized groups. After discussing key issues such as how #COVID-19 #lockdown policies impact low-income homes without computers and broadband access, language and literacy issues, #digitalhealth illiteracy, and geographic isolation, I will propose potential solutions including the need for technologically adept community health workers, #digitalempathy, #e-health, #telehealth and more. I hope you will join me for this important discussion!

Forgiveness Of Your Student Loans Seminar with Dr. Patti Rose for SNABV...

2020-09-20T16:01:00.001-07:00

A Naturalista's Travel Adventure in the Maldives!

2020-09-16T13:59:00.001-07:00

A Naturalista's Travel Experience in Accra, Ghana!

2020-09-10T11:03:00.001-07:00

A Naturalista's Travel Adventures: A Visit to the Grocery Store in Reykj...

2020-09-09T11:32:00.001-07:00

A Naturalista's Travel Adventures in China!

2020-09-09T11:30:00.001-07:00

The Shanghai Waldorf Astoria

2020-09-09T11:29:00.001-07:00

A Naturalista's Travel Adventures: A Copenhagen Moment: Danish Joy!

2020-09-09T11:28:00.001-07:00

A Naturalista's Travel Adventures: Buying an Icelandic Sweater (A lopap...

2020-09-09T11:19:00.001-07:00

Pattern Deluxe Styling Bundle Tryout: Did We Like it or Nah?

2020-08-31T10:08:00.003-07:00

Recently, I received the new Pattern Deluxe Styling Bundle, as a gift from my son, and I decided to try out the products with my daughter, Courtney. So we grabbed the deluxe bundle products, after I washed my hair, and she was ready for a refresh (Courtney explains this term in the video) all set to decide if we liked the bundled products or not. Below is our video, which takes you through this little journey and at the end, you will find out if we liked the items that we used from the bundle, or not, with all kinds of insight in between. Our hair textures and lengths are very different so hopefully, that wll be helpful for you. So, enjoy the video below and feel free to comment if you also use Pattern. I would love to know your thoughts about it! Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel as their will be many more videos to come! Otherwise, just enjoy and let me know what you think about the Pattern Deluxe Styling Bundle or any other products that you are using and remember, #NaturalIsCoolEnough!

Breathing Trauma and Pain In and Letting It Out: It's Yoga Time!

2020-08-27T09:40:00.012-07:00

The meaning of the word "Yoga" is "union" as derived from the Sanskrit root "yuj," (pron. "yug") meaning "to join", "to unite." As the pandemic continued and society gradually began to open up, I was finding plenty of time for introspection and reflection about the most meaningful and important aspects of my life, and the most important people in it. Then the death of George Floyd happened and literally, all hell broke loose in the United States of America. Society went from isolation to traumatic devastation due to the killing of another Black man, this time with a knee to his neck, until he died, as he uttered, "I can't breathe."

This took my yoga practice to another level as it literally became my way, along with my husband, to figure out how to breath through anguish, pain and trauma, as I watched Black people all over the nation cry, march, express rage and join together in protest, with other individuals, sometimes for the benefit of Black people and sometimes to our detriment. I also went to a March with my husband and we walked with a large crowd of protesters, in Miami, with our fists in the air, chants of support for George Floyd towards justice and more, in 90 degree weather, while being told that the pandemic is still in effect.

In the midst of this tragedy of the death of George Floyd, we continued our yoga practice, every single day, as we have done consistently throughout the pandemic lockdown, of which part of the process is to breath in and out, with intensity. I no longer take that breathing for granted because I realize, consciously, that it is a gift, beyond measure to do so. As I watched the breath of life being taken from a Black man, George Floyd, just because of the color of his skin, I felt the anguish of his suffering and the trauma experienced by Black people at large in the United States on a consistent basis. Now, when I breath in and out, I acknowledge the fear that we, Black people, have for ourselves and our children as we simply walk around, doing ordinary and extraordinary things. It doesn't matter who are what we are and what we do. Our Black skin continues to be a target for those people who have the audacity to think that they are superior--essentially racism in the United States. I breath that trauma and pain in and then I let it out.

Now once again, we continue our practice after the shooting in the back that has occurred for yet another Black man, Jacob Blake. Each time it happens, I have to get quiet and absorb, digest and come to terms with the painful reality of what has transpired—another unarmed Black man, shot in the back by the police. This time, remaining alive, his body shattered, maimed and paralyzed while his mother and the rest of his family are in agony. Then, I have to confront the reality that I am the mother of a Black son and the wife of a Black man, both loved deeply by me. How do we, as Black people, process these lynchings/near lynchings shown on television and in social media, over and over again? I see that there is some action for this young man, Jacob Blake, including a federal investigation forthcoming, protests are in progress, the NBA and WNBA and other athletes are striking (so proud of these young people), the Black warrior lawyers are ready to fight in the legal system and beyond. All of this is laudable but how will this mend Jacob’s shattered life? This time, I feel weary and numb but connected to his mother, as always, because raising a Black son in this nation causes a kind of love that pushes you to FEEL Black motherhood as my hopes, and dreams include knowing that our seed, our son, will continue our Black family into the next generation, in this patriarchal society, while we love him deeply, now, along with our daughter. If THEY keep destroying our Black sons, primarily, and our Black daughters, how will Black people continue to be fruitful and multiply together? How will the psyches of Black people be healed from such trauma? How will Black parents function without worrying about their young adults as they walk outside? Black mothers and fathers can only hope that our sons and our daughters know that no matter what THEY say or do their #BlackLivesMatter to US with all that we have. I take pride in being Black. I love that I am of African descent, along with my husband and our children, with hopes for Black grandchildren someday, even if our Black bodies are not valued by those who do not recognize our humanity. I offer strength, courage and love to the mother and the rest of the family of Jacob Blake with prayers for his healing. It is a miracle that he is alive. May the miracles continue through him and his little Black sons, who watched their father being shot, at least 7 times, by those who are supposed to protect them from danger. I hope these young, Black, boys, are able, somehow, after being traumatized, to know that their father is a Black man whose name will be spoken across this world and that someday they will rise up and be stronger for him, carrying his name, while knowing an unfortunate truth as stated by our beloved brother and ancestor James Baldwin: “Please try to remember that what they believe, as well as what they do and cause you to endure does not testify to your inferiority but to their inhumanity.” This truth will serve all Black people in this nation, if we allow it to resonate deeply within us. May Jacob Blake and his family be blessed and may our voices and actions roar for justice on his behalf. Power to all who have decided to #RiseUp for Jacob.

In the meantime, while these tragedies continue to ensue, I will continue my Yoga practice with my husband, each day, and my daughter's adorable little dog, Riley, who joins us most days and now when I breath in and out, followed by meditation, I now know that I am not just doing it just for myself, but for every one of us, my fellow Black people, who are seeking to fully manifest one of the most important truths--United We Stand, Divided We Fall. We must breathe. We must breathe for George Floyd, for Jacob Blake for Breonna Taylor, for Ahmad Aubrey, for Trayvon Martin and countless other Black men and women who have died at the hands of white people, who felt that they had the right to take Black lives--to stop their breath. We must breath that pain in and then breath it out.

My suggestion for all Black people is to, keep the fight for justice going, in every aspect of our lives, and to stay strong by eating as healthy as possible, exercising daily, staying as natural as possible, including your hair as a show of our natural Black power, take care of your skin and your entire body, find time for relaxation including reading and doing absolutely nothing, except thinking, travel, once we can do so freely again, beyond the pandemic/lockdown, and stay close to your family and loved ones. While doing all of this, continue the fight for justice for Black people in the United States. Keep it at the forefront of your mind, body and spirit and in your healthy state, be prepared to protest when necessary, and call from wherever you can, for justice, when Black people are killed, simply for existing while Black. No matter your position on spirituality or religiosity stay connected to a source that reminds you that there is a force beyond your self to reach out to for comfort, solace and renewal and never that you can connect with through your breath. Keep that at the forefront in your mind and breath for yourself, while breathing for every other unarmed Black person that has lost their life, or who has been maimed senselessly. I am breathing in and out for me and for you.