UltravioletUnderground, the digital realm of Purple Magazine and Conscious Ink

Kam Moye- Let's Be Honest

noreply@blogger.com (Dazjae) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:53:00 +0000

' I don't mind if my life's told in the short story. I believe it's all about the lives that you touch by the time that you leave here. [Just] being honest.'

Word. I'm all about it. Enjoy this gem again and again. Props to Audible Treats for the intel.

Blue Scholars- HI808

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:01:00 +0000

Posting this mad late, but didn't come across it in the Summer.
I know I've seen this guy (with the half-sleeve) at the Bluebird's house (the microblog/mass text service that shall not be named),
just can't think of his name at the moment.
<3 Gailsfknawesome for the intel

Visit them at www.bluescholars.com

Shabazz Palaces- Belhaven Meridian

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:01:00 +0000

img: LineOut

Mindblowingly dope to see Butterfly
in this meta-gem of a vid.
Love the subtle message that we look at
ourselves from a different perspective.
Props to Liberator for the intel.

warning: Some colorful language in the vid,
watch at your discretion with kids in earshot.

Sadly, there doesn't seem to be a
Shabazz Palaces Myspace (or equivalent)
for further exposure to their magik.

Please pardon delays w/ the print ver. of Issue 8

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:42:00 +0000

Our new distributor has been having site difficulties since the beginning of the month. I've been assured they're working on it and we'll be notified as soon as they recover and the listing is available. I'm just as itchy to have it made available to you, and am heeding your messages expressing desire for the print version. We try to have print available in tandem or at least relatively soon after the digital offering releases. We'll get the rhythm right once we find the right printer <3
You can check back to IndyPlanet.com on your own if you like, but I will send a mass email to everyone in the mailing list as soon as I hear from Indyplanet regarding the Issue 8 listing. If you're not on the mailing list and wish to be let me know and I'll take care of it (usually within 24-48 hrs): purplemag at gmail.com

note: If Indyplanet doesn't resolve the difficulties by early next week there's another printer distributor I can list the magazine with from now on who is also very affordable where the end price is concerned. I truly apologize for the inconvenience. For some reason, we've had a time landing the ideal printing experience. Hopefully this is a passing glitch.

Shine on Stars
-PZ

Audiovisual Splendor- Skyzoo, Erik Flowchild, Eniqo, Wax&Eom

noreply@blogger.com (Dazjae) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:35:00 +0000

Truth be told, even with some improvements to the mainstream, there's alot of wackness to wade through out there. UU offers up the following vids, which range from nice to decent in comparison to the nonsense we won't feature. Your tips are always welcome, especially where uncompromised indie artists are concerned.

Skyzoo-Popularity

The message is blah, but the beat's on-point.

Erik Flowchild- Over Here

Not mad at Flowchild at all,
but do want to hear him on a stronger track.

Eniqo- Somewhere in the Sky

Quite appreciable.

Wax and Eom- Relax
warning: Language within is not for kids

Honorable Mention:

ZionI- (missed this when it first came out) Coastin
MSTRKRFT- Heartbreaker
Fefe Dobson (Found this a little late *_^ It's rather dope)- I want you
NinjaSonik- (not for kids)Hold the Line

Saidah Baba Talibah- The Phone Demos

noreply@blogger.com (Dazjae) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

This moon's voice makes no sense. The samples I've heard conjure a sexy, gritty vintage blues rock sound, over which her voice in its husky, magnanimously soulful kittenish roaring and skillful purr struts the etheric room in sonic 4 inch heeled maryjanes.

This femmie is a star.

Visit her in the den of rebels

-PZ

Am I Not Human: Taser Justice

noreply@blogger.com (Dazjae) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:01:00 +0000

The Blogging day on December 4 demanding Taser Justice is timely, and direly needed. The first day of blogging event opened alot of eyes, but there are more minds that need to be aware of the serious lows taser abuses plummet to on what appears to be a regular basis.
The amounts of murders by taser over the past few years and this year alone is astounding. Calls for congressional hearings have been made in the Afrosphere, and we're still waiting. Can we trust officers to stand for justice or is the overwhelming majority of law enforcement intent on killing with unnecessary deadly force? Aren't officers subjected to Mental Health screenings before they're given positions? And if yes, how is it possible so many have taken blood-thirsty action against innocent citizens?

Make sure your demands for justice are heard?
There are a few actions we can currently take. Please visit the information beyond the links to see which you're able to lend energy to:

Sign the petition demanding a congressional investigation into Taser Torture

Join the March for Dignity (to protest the non-punishment decision of Police renegade Stephanie Phillips who murdered Michael Jacobs. A march for 10,000 people is being called and organized.

Join the December 4th Day of Blogging for Taser Justice.

On behalf of the victims of taser torture who cannot ask on their own because they have been murdered, we ask:

Reviewed: Idle Warship- Party Robot

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

note: I try to do reviews as often as I can, which as it happens, isn't often. Our previous music reviewer is a busy man, you see, and I tend to wo-man the layouts, main blog and mailbox *_^ This review had to be written however. My horoscope said so (even if it was a day off). We may have a new music reviewer on board. Stay tuned.

warning: Not for the kids.

Idle Warship's full-length debut' Party Robot brings synth-kissed neon-electro speakerpunk, with nods to mood heavy 80's-reminiscent siren stylings, the etheric grace of boombastic involuntary head-nod conjure, and system rebooting 'electro-gangsta'.

Easily classified as perfection on this LP are:

Trk 6: Try it on'.
Trk 7: The title track 'Party Robot', is infused w/hypnotic-bass, beats are alive on this joint. Alive.
Trk 8: 'The Warship'
Trk 9: Fyah- Graph Nobel
Soundtrack to a punk romance. Graph spreads her wings with this one. She's her best here.
Trk 10: World on Wheels feat. Saul Williams
is an etheric intoxicant that should come with a warning label. I love, love love this song, and will play it until I can play in my head, at will.
Trk 11: Girls of the Dancefloor Remix
is sexy, clublicious (as alot of the album tracks are), and will also remain on the playlist.

Party Robot is a beautiful oddity. I agree, it doesn't need a genre.
If you needed this review, because you haven't listened to it yet, download here, and
Enjoy the Heartglow Induction.

"Idle Warship welcomes you to our first full length offering, Party
Robot. This started out as a path to musical freedom. When we
established Idle Warship, we did it for us. Now that we are giving you
this music, Idle Warship no longer belongs to us, it belongs to the
world. We don't believe in labels for music. Labels make stop you from
hearing something before you listen to it. We appreciate those who
have taken this journey with us without judgement and enjoyed the
ride. To everyone who purchased our music on itunes and anyone who has
bought a ticket to an Idle Warship show, this is for you. All my party
robots stand up!"
-Idle Warship

Source

Blessings 'pon the GreenPeople.

noreply@blogger.com (Dazjae) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:30:00 +0000

Enjoy delicious gems from the mindgardens of lovely greenmen of Motherland-root.

Vegan HipHop Movement
in the lab w/ Veg Pizza

Vegan Hood

Extreme Props to Safari Black for the activism and intel.

Legendary Ladies Trading Cards

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:42:00 +0000

Intent to knock out stereotypes by simply being oneself, Superhussy media whose documentary exploring what it is to be a Black woman releases early 2010, has stocked trading cards featuring a League of Extraordinary ladies.
Click the image to get yours. Contact her to applaud her fabulousness.

SuperSelf-making 101 *_^ Issue 8 has arrived.

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 07:01:00 +0000

Update: Please Read regarding Print Issue 8. Read on below to acquire the digital version.

Peace Starlings ^_^
Issue 8 (technically issue 9 if you include the half-sized Out-of-box issue 7.5), the first in the Dream Definition series, has finally arrived. It gave layout-issues like no other before it, but it was worth the difficult birth, from which the layout faeries are still recovering. Intent on reminding us of the importance of creating your path as opposed to letting it happen to you, the dream definition issue focusing on heart-fueled identity is glowing with metaheart light. The feisty brainchild includes Modern Myth by Tonya Moore, Valjeanne Jeffers and Dazjae Zoem, lovely talks with Aqua Islanders Startist and Bacchanal, Samax Amen, Robert Trujillo, Corinne Stevie! (painter of the cover image and femcee extraordinaire), and Valjeanne Jeffers to name a few of the gems.

Download here, and check back for the print link in this description's update within 2 weeks.

note: We're testing out a new printer who, if all works out, will have issues available as low as 6- 8 beans an issue vs. Lulu's insanity which is usually 17 beans an issue with no mark-up... If we have to use Lulu, we will, but we are steadily looking for the best alternative to stick with for the long haul. Your patience is appreciated. We've tried a few printers that just didn't work out, but we're not giving up, and this new one looks veddy promising.

Fire in the dark

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:37:00 +0000

Serious work is underway in the lab. Of that work, one of the projects that took up a good portion of the month releases tomorrow (see sidebar) ^_^

Pardon the sparse posting. You still mad? Because I've come bearing a gift. Visiting Bold as Love, I found out the 'Fire in the dark' compilation Monsieur Field's been working released this month. Yay! It's complimentary and fiercely worth the time (as it includes MilkPlus, Tamar Kali, California King, and a host of other sonic titans). Click the album cover below to visit the site for download details.

But that's not all, Sir Fields has posed a solid raising of awareness at Huffington Post regarding Damon Dash's BlacROC effort containing not a one rocker of color. It's a shame, with all of the buzz the Other Black Experience movement's been receiving, that it doesn't even receive a mention in the BlacROC promo, let alone invite to participation. Rob elaborates on why Damon should have given his move at getting back into industry limelight, more thought. It's a good piece. Share your thoughts with him after you check the article.

And finally, this year's AAAMC event at Indiana university is focusing 'pon Black rock, with a gorgeous lineup including Tamar Kali, Kamara Thomas and James Spooner to name a few. Click the flyer for details about the event which spans November 13-14.

Shine on lovelies ^_^

The Tao of Wu

noreply@blogger.com (Dazjae) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:17:00 +0000

Rza's been a student of Eastern spiritual disciplines for years, dropping gems here and there for those of us listening. He's always been one you'd want to kick it with about the recurring principles in varying schools of thought, because you know he doesn't approach it sideways, or in vain. He's serious about the sciences he commits his mind to. You know he's got a wealth of knowledge and perspectives few have approached higher-level thought from. Fortunately, he's sharing some of those gems now in a recent release, The Tao of Wu. Click the book image to get your copy.

Props to Samax for the intel.

Indiefied: Recent Tumbling at DrinkYourLavenderSoda *_^

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:02:00 +0000

I heart Miss Stevie.

Click the image above to check for the new release.

via Zola's Candy Anomaly and Drink Your Lavender Soda

William's Windmill

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:02:00 +0000

14 year old William Kamkwamba couldn’t find books with instructions on how to make windmills, so he worked it out with pictures of them.

Props to Compound Egret for the intel.

Conscious Ink: Dresden Codak's Hob,

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:01:00 +0000

The search for diversity and multi-culturality in Fantasy and good-media-in-general continues...

Here are a few recent finds:

Clockworks:

Possibly featuring a Native American character (see update below), Clockworks is an online RPG for the Steampunk movement. Click the image to visit.

update:
Shawn, the creator of Clockworks helped clarify the heritage of the Clockworks character, Thorton, in the comments:
"Thorton (the possibly Native American character) is from Irone, which has a number of influences, probably the closest would be middle/near eastern. He and his father moved to the city when he was 5. "Thorton Nickelby" wasn't his birth name, but one his father gave him upon arriving in the city."

Hob

Though it appears to be mostly Eurocentric, characters of color including the main character, a Europeanized blue-eyed Asian girl named Kimiko, are featured. The art is exceptional, and the delivery of the content is witty and fun-lovingly sci-fi. The author, Aaron Diaz a.k.a Dresden Codak, a lover of the wonderfully executed Riceboy, appears to be Euro-American.
Many thx to Gaslamp Fantasy for the intel.

Click the button at PurpleMag.com to check for regular ConsciousInk updates and link to other digital dimensions keeping track of non-stereotypically Diverse media releases/finds.

Somewhat related:

One day we have to make it to the Alternative Press Expo
Participate in Pretend To Be Time Traveler Day on Dec 8

Vortex 9/29

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:00:00 +0000

"Vortex is a peek into the diverse richness of black music centering on musical genres such as: Rock, Punk, Metal, Hip-Hop, Electronica, Avant-Garde Jazz, Ska and Future Soul as well as the heroes and heroines that are bringing this music to the forefront." -SOB's

I dearly hope to make a future Vortex event *_^ If you attend and flash pics and/or vids you'd like to share with the underground, drop a sistah a mail or comment.

Props to Kaos Blac for the intel.

Am I Not Human: Finding New Ways To Make A Difference

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:02:00 +0000

image: Allafrica.com

3 points struck me deeply, and somewhere inside of myself the night I finished watching it, I committed to finding a way to do more to support our human siblings in re-developing countries struggling to survive, through different methods. Lots of ideas passed through my mind. I thought maybe a 'PeacefulPens collective' could somehow connect with folks providing relief in refugee camps so we could put a face to some of the people suffering and write their stories. Not sure if that was the exact idea, I turned the idea around in my mind thinking maybe it should be a 'HappyEndings' children's story collective that would feature children from the refugee camps in Darfur and other areas in the world, with the proceeds going completely to funding [healthy] education and survival needs, but I want to begin something I'm sure I can finish surely and thoroughly, and am unsure I could handle writings hundreds, or thousands of short stories in a small space of time without assistance, as it can be hard (especially during difficult financial times like these) to find folks willing to offer their assistance with no promise of profit. Enough working pens would be necessary and no child refugee's story should be left out of such a venture.

So for now I've decided that I can have a trusted non-profit collect monies accrued from 2 forthcoming fantasy anthologies and have them donated in full to ensure healthy education, and survival needs are supported for survivors living in refugee camps, looking to start their life anew, with security, and hope.

Have you been giving thought to what you can do that might go beyond petition-signing, and days of blogging (both good and powerful things, but for those who can do more the need is certainly there)?

On behalf of all of my human siblings barred from communication, or denied the technology to express what they've been enduring at the hand of greedmongering and unimaginable inhumanity, I ask:

A promising way to support the healing of the Motherland.

Click for more information.

Please see today's guestpost at the Roots of Humanity blog.

Reviewed: Fame (The Remake)

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:32:00 +0000

Admittedly, I wasn't terribly excited about the Fame remake, but made it the advanced screening anyways, as I've liked Naturi Haughton's voice and presence since the 3LW days, and was happy for her that she landed the role.
She deserves the shine.

So myself, the teenager, and nephew waited through a disorganized intro-screening presentation, and a foreboding "If you're recording video we'll hang you by your boots and flay you" warning... I jest *_^ (They claimed they'd only have bootleggers ejected from the theatre), we were finally able to watch the film.

Fame-2009 kicked off with a gorgeous, even perfect intro into the film remake of a classic many of us know and still treasure. And because of that perfect intro my hopes for the film raised pretty high early on in the viewing, and I tell you, they almost did it.

They almost made the perfect remake.

The setting was a 10, the choices of instructors? 10, the actors/performers? 10.
Seriously, these kids worked magic with a script riddled with plot holes, managing to make the audience care because they pulled off the impossible with a mind-bogglingly poor script.

If it weren't for the script which is in itself a 3 out of 10 (in the spirit of generosity), the magic that was put into A+ musical and dance performances, solid acting, and a kick a-- setting, would not have been wasted. I hated that I could only say this movie is a C, when it had almost everything it takes to be an A. I feel for the actors. They deserved far better than what they were given. They deserved the award this film would have been destined to receive (maybe it still will receive one- The musical and dance performances were incredible) if only it had been organized in a way that allowed a set of stories within a story to be told.

The movie ended up being sweet.
That's what I can say walking away from it. It was sweet, and 'aawww'-worthy at times, because you fall in love with Naturi's character Denise, and all of the others, even though the script writers thought it would be okay to tell her and their stories in 7 or 8 mostly hollow scenes.

[Spoiler alert] Literally, the experience was like this: 'Bookish piano player meets fellow extremely talented musician type. Several scenes later she breaks down during piano practice and sings Coco's 'On my own' from the first film (which with scanty dialogue we can assume is a big deal because she's always doing as she is asked, making this a rebellious 'breakdown' moment we're supposed to record so we can make sense of the rest of the jagged puzzle pieces to come), Other musician type overhears Denise's breakdown moment and drags her kicking and screaming to an additional musician type (he claims 'She's way better than the other girls we've screened" [paraphrased]--- Of course we never saw the other girls screened), Music made by the three of them (we never see their studio sessions or even her first audition for them) is played at a party and though it's a hit Denise is scared to have her name attached to it because of her strict father, Major producer shows interest in song but only wants Denise as a vocalist (we never see demos being mailed or discussed), finally we see a gig where Denise has to perform and risk her parents finding out that she sings... and that's it. Choppily organized, I would say reasonably acted and definitely charming, but extremely hollow. This should have involved more scenes with 'show don't tell' , ethos. This film deserved that.

The plotlines of the other characters are pretty much delivered the same, with even less scenes in most cases. [/end Spoiler alert]

The original is a long movie (like 3 hours). Viewing the remake I realize 'Fame' has to be a long movie if we're to get to know the characters at all, and be spared leaving disappointed.

Grade: C (as in 'See if you can do better' in the words of my former think-teacher)

Advice:
If you go to see it, see it for the incredibly delivered music and dance performances. They alone are worth the trip. Don't expect the well-executed story.

Do expect promising young actors you'll want to see again.
Do pray there will be a 3rd remake at some point that does it right.

Note: I am usually very gentle with my reviews, but I was very upset to see the script half-stepped when everything else was so meticulously delivered. It was very disappointing to walk away from something that could have been the perfect homage to a classic, but failed through no fault of the cast, casting director, music, dance and/or set director.
Alot of people obviously worked hard on this, only to have someone or a group of someone's drop a very necessary ball. Giving it a C was gracious.

Black Age of Comics- Chicago 2009

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

For those who missed other conventions this year, and equally for those who've attended, The Black Age of Comics convention organized by Onli Studios will be held in Chicago on October 10 from 9am to 5pm at 5015 so. Blackstone ave. in Chicago Illinois.

The event is described as:

The 12 annual edition of the original Black Age of Comics celebration of the movement and its contributors. Exhibits, fans, writers, artists, vendors, and workshops.

$5.00 Adults
$2.00 Kids

Check the details of the event page on The Black Science Fiction Society

Related conventions:

Ecbacc
OnyxCon

Audiovisual Splendor- Del The Funky Homosapien & Tame One, Camp Lo

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 06:48:00 +0000

Del The Funky Homosapien & Tame One -Flashback

Hilarious and appreciated, feel-good, check-the-industry HipHop ^_^

Camp Lo - Son of A ""

The video message is questionable, but the lyrics, delivery, and beats are insane [in that good way].

Props to OKP for the intel.

Related Intel:

Qtip's Abstractionisms Album Promo for Kamaal The Abstract [Scroll down past performance vid]

Semi-related Intel:

Busboys and Poets celebrate The Harlem Renaissance [video]

ConsciousInk's Ever-growing List of Completed Diverse Spec Fiction Works

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:08:00 +0000

image: Karaotse Prime by Eurayo

Peace *_^

Thought a list of completed Spec Fiction works from all genres would be good to have that we can bookmark and check back on when diverse fantasy and sci-fi finds emerge, especially so we can keep the fire going in spreading the word about under-known works [ahem Charles Saunders Sword and Soul, Sam Delany's High Fantasy stuff and of course the stars shining in the BSFS].

As you post a work with its creation year, I'll add them here. Would be really helpful if you could post with a purchase link online. If a book is out of print a link to a review of it so it's identifiable works. This list will include ALL spec fiction works by authors of color featuring characters of color, not just those released by traditional publishers. No one offering enchantment within the community for the community should be left out.

We'd like at some point to publish the list in Purple Mag. issues, to make sure the word is circulating out there about what's available.

List of Diverse Speculative Fiction by POC authors

1978 Dossouye Charles Saunders [reprint in 2008]
1979 Survivor by Octavia Butler
1980 Wildseed by Octavia Butler
1981 Imaro [reprint in 2006]
1984 Imaro II [reprint in 2007]
1979 Tales of Neveryon by Sam Delany
1997 Dawn: Xenogenesis Book 1 by Octavia Butler
1998 Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson
1998 My Soul To Keep Tananarive Due
1999 Shades of Memnon by Gregory L. Walker
2000 Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
2002 Across Time: A Love Eternal
2001 Dahlgren by Samuel Delany
2003 Charisma by Stephen Barnes
2003 Lion's Blood by Stephen Barnes
2004 Stars In My Pocket Like Grains Of Sand by Samuel Delany
2004 Hogg: A Novel by Sauel Delany
2006 The Books of Zambarau-Maji Omnibus [previously titled MAJI] -YA
2007 Fledgling by Octavia Butler
2007 Seed to Harvest
2007 Immortal by Valjeanne Jeffers
2007 New Moon's Arms by Nalo Hopkinson
2008 Zahrah The Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor [YA]
2008 Monsters 101 Book three- Graphic Novel [appears to be YA]
2008 Taste by B. Sharise Moore
2008 Meji by Milton Davis
2008 Immortal II: Time of Legend by Valjeanne Jeffers
2008? Retro-km Edward Uzzle [Wasn't this created way back? Please share proper creation date if you have it?]
2008? Ancients&Immortals Book 7 by Cailloux Williams
2008 Millennia War by Ashley Woods
2008? Fallen Heroes by Barry Nugent
2009 Shadow Speaker Nnedi Okorafor -YA
2009 Blood Colony by Tananarive Due
2009 A Kiss by Ashen Twilight by Rae Lori
2009 Meji II by Milton Davis
2009 Delroy In The Marog KIngdom by Billy Elm -YA
2009 Night of the Indigo by Michael Holgate -YA
2009 Long Juju Man by Nnedi Okarafor -YA

I know there's way more than this, but wanted to start off the list with ones I know off the top of my head *_^ There are definitely books ConsciousInk's already announced that need to be added to the list. Bear with a sistah. Been multi-tasking like crazy all-year.

Please help enter creation year and book links for the ones you know of, by adding them to the comments?
This could be a valuable tool for everyone overtime, and will definitely give us a list to direct others to when we're evangelizing Diverse Spec Fiction. If you list Euro-American writers, please indicate it in brackets next to the selections you add [in those works people of color should be main characters or at least very prominent to the story]. Please also indicate if works are YA [Young adult] so folks know what's meant for adults and what can be consumed by all ages.

Completed works only please.
I'll check comments and add books to this list as we go along.

Shine on
-PZ

This page wouldn't be complete if you weren't given quality linkage of other Diverse Media Cheerleaders *_^

Enjoy them regular-like [check for updates]:

Black Science Fiction Society

GhettoManga

ComeBien Books (Accepting submissions)

ColorOnline

Black Eyed Susan

The Bottom of Heaven

ZettaElliott.com

Expanded Horizons

Ecbacc.com

Speculative Fiction Directory

Onyxcon

Recently Launched and Calling All Black/Multicultural
Faery Whisperers: Black Faery Collective-[Satellite]

Sword and Soul [Media Group]

Know of others?
Please drop links in the comments *_^

A Moment of Yay.

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:14:00 +0000

Two legends have released their loooong-awaited albums for your listening elation.

Click the images to purchase.

Props to Rob Fields and Negrita for the intel.

Related Intel:

God, I love Pink! {a majestic performace}

Unrelated Intel:

Arise: African fashion

Infant mortality in the Black community

The first twitter novel gets signed

Rage: A Mini-episodic film.

Original Diaspora-Obscura

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:30:00 +0000

It's always refreshing to see representation of underrepresented culture in blogs that aren't necessarily set up to feature it. Ashe Mischief gets respect not only for her glamourous eye [as displayed quite regularly] but also for shining a light on Native South African fashion. Click the image to visit her blog post about the abundant flyness shining in the Motherland.

The original source of the photos can be found via Black Cigarette [the above layout was organized at Dramatis Personae].

3 points

noreply@blogger.com (PurpleZoe) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Peace. Protection. Punishment.

Our voices and ingenuity are still needed. How can we get the attention of politicians that will make a positive difference in the struggle Darfurees and Chadians have faced at the hands of the Janjaweed and the Governing of Omar Bashir that empowers them?

Are you a solid indie game designer? Can you create a game that will attract interest in masses of Americans and other national citizens to take action? Can you write a song that makes a difference, and donate the sales to aid refugees in need? Would you rather write a children's story, or dedicate a collection of art to supporting aid, protection, and education efforts for Darfuri's and Chadians? Will you design greetings cards that remind loved ones that they have the power to save lives in areas where the voices of the people have been assaulted? Maybe you love to bake, and can organize a bake sale and create a special Peace cookie. There are many ideas that will remind your local news, national, and international news that we haven't forgotten what happened in Rwanda, and know what is happening in Darfur, Chad, The Congo, Uganda, and Somalia for that matter. We know we have to make our concern known.

Our job is to raise awareness, write letters to our local representatives, to our President, to make our desire heard. Omar Bashir and those complicit in the inhuman atrocities that have targeted the innocent [likely over the oil in Darfur] must be brought before the International Criminal Court. It is essential to the safety of Darfuri's and Chadians, as well as the rest of the world. If crimes against humanity such as those exacted upon the innocents of Darfur and Bordering Chad are allowed to continue without punishment, these kinds of crimes can easily spread throughout the rest of the world and become seen as commonplace. We have the power to do something now.

What are you going to to do?

I'm over here brainstorming a master-plan for something I can do from my level of creativity, but for right now I can write letters to the government, and keep writing them, at least.

Eventually the government will have to start listening to what the people truly ask for, rather than invade lands criminally themselves. There's alot of clean-up to do and it starts with us.

Click here to watch the film
Visit Tracy Mcgrady's Darfur Dream team website