I Rise!

Fire of Soul

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise....
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

maya angelou

Goddess within Heather Salmon in 2012 by Les Gadula 2

Baad Biker Chick

"Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you 

have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it." 

-- Maya Angelou

Baad Biker Chick
January 23, 2014

Self-determination for a bound people:

In the spirit of African American spirituality I submit Black History is a touch stone that should begin in its appointed month, and be propelled into the upcoming months with Nguzo Saba's 7 principles starting with Kujichagulia, self-determination. Self-determination is the basis of identity reconstruction. Keeping it very simple start with the spiritual discipline of changing the voices inside your head. Maya Angelou's words are as good as scripture.

- Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 2.4.15

Aaron Neville at 73 years of age

“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.” ~Maya Angelou

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style” ~ Maya Angelou

Blanca Vasquez, community activist

WORD for this DAY

Mary J. Blige performed at 2015 BET Honors in Washington DC at Warner Theater

Mary J Blige Gallery 

Maya Angelou

 

IN The Human Condition

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." ~ Maya Angelou

Black in recline. 

We Belong to Each Other

Capital Hideaway

Pole dancing fun
Dec. 26, 2013



The words spoken, "Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it" is a powerful reminder to people of color who've been subjugated to a foreign mindset when the European came and took and took and took. Maya Angelou's reminder today serves the general public, but it is special to the need of colored ethnic groups hard at work to unlearn what subjugated their minds, spirits, and bodies robbing most of their ancient collective knowledge, and knowing. In our relationships with the whites we all suffered, and do suffer; particularly outside of the United States. The hope is in the possibility of reconciling because neither side of the negative equations really won. The soul loss is staggering!


These are good words to share. It allows the reader to take what she or he needs to grow. Everyone of us are adjusting to the new day with its cumbersome memories and legacies. At some point each day a word has to go forth into the winds to remind us of what connects, and why and how it connects us to each other! - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 1.6.14

Beauty's Everywhere
"Paper Sculpture" by Allan Eckman

Being Single-Minded, white women present a problem!

15 hrs 

PROGRESSIVE BLACK THINKERS

21 hrs 

Quite an image of the white woman, whose famous face symbolizes the white feminist movement of the 1960's '70's & '80's, clenching her fist alongside a proud dark skinned woman with a tight afro herself raising her fist in the Black Power salute. But the poster crosses out the word Black and replaces it with women over the word power. Women Power. 

What is women's power in a patriarchy? What is Black Power in a white society? Is the suggestion a comfortable one replacing, or diminishing the role and need for Black empowerment? If white people, as a whole, cannot stop being invaders and warmongers how can white women and Black women co-exist in a movement centered around power? What does women power mean between two women's groups hostile and envious of each other? 

Women power? What energies will such a movement start with? Will it evolve into the higher planes of the Sacred Feminine, or wrestle with the old demi-gods who have consistently been the bane of women's existence in the Western world? 

Starting from the Western perspective and worldview how will women clinging to their traditions in other cultures in the United States and abroad strategically place themselves in this movement that by its inception in the States is polarized between Black and White women? - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 6.16.14

21 hrs 

Monique Thompson

37 mins 

MAYA means illusion...

a joyful moment a good hearty laugh.
Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou singing as a young woman.

"As she aged many of us moved along with her evolution and didn't notice that her aging process produced the evolution of beauty in an engaging way that affirmed life..." - Gregory E. Woods 5.28.14

Maya Angelou.
Nothing beats a great pair of legs. . .

"You hear her words and feel her wisdom and try to plunge into the depths from whence she comes and forget how fine she was. There were whole chapters of her life to be studied and serious subjects any question asked of and about her that would lead  one to clarity into spheres of power... 

It is a strange weird feeling losing true Elders from this lifetime." - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 

Words from Maya Angelou

"If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love."

"The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free."

"I'm a woman Phenomenally." 

Regal Maya Angelou in white. . .
 

 

"Nothing can dim the light which shines from within."

"Nothing will work unless you do."

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain."

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

“Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances."

"While one may encounter many defeats, one must not be defeated."

"My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return."  

MAYA ANGELOU died today!!

Maya Angelou's Wisdom Distilled in 10 of Her Best Quotes

Stars, Politicians Mourn Maya Angelou's Death

VIDEO: Maya Angelou's Milestone: Her 80th birthday

VIDEO: 'Sunday Spotlight': Maya Angelou

WALKING WITHIN RACE

Interracial Dating
August 18, 2013

None of the comments I've read reflect the thoughts, and feelings of Black men who have married white women. Granted there is a lack of self-examination within many who do, but to engage these men to learn is another dynamic immaturity will not listen and learn from. In this forum without looking into each others eyes a lot is missed.

Millions of Black women who base their relationships in conflict miss the nuances more sophisticated men need to be touched and understood. They are angry for reasons based on history, and experience, but they miss the important clues to understanding this riddle. There is a different caliber of man who lives by the vision given to him by the Creator. These men cannot function in an environment tense with competition and conflict. Anger, and harshness in eligible Black women miss this open secret, and private need.

Being unevenly yoked, as the New Testament tells it, is more than a married couple of the same religion. A person's religion is subordinate to the cause one lives, the calling of one's life, and most important the energetic needs of the individual in the union of two... 

There are deep things to consider, but without the maturity, and sophisticated thinking, and impeccability of spirit there is only so much peace and depth allowed in any relationship between a man and his wife, and only so much ground will be covered discussing the 'why' of this issue. 

These are my words. - Dawn Wolf, Keeper of Stories 8.20.13

Haters

walking Black woman

walking Brazilian model Lais Ribeiro by Victor Demarchelier

THE RIGHT TO BE

Honoring Michael Hondo Whisperingbull
African, Cherokee, Mvskokee Creek & Blackfoot heritage. July 22, 2013

I Love Ancestry



As a traditional dancer in the New York powwow circuit, Michael strives to make Black & Native presence known through his diligent and respectful participation in ceremonies and powwows.

He always strives to be seen in a dignified and graceful way as this reflects well on his people. He dances for those who cannot. He uses his gift as a straight dancer to heal, educate and empower those who have been taught that people of African and Native heritage do not exist.

Michael's mission is where ever he goes to provoke a response from people via the way he dresses or speaks to create a conversation.

It was surprising to him to find out how many people have not heard of Americans of African and Native heritage, or even worse not believing of their existence  However, for Michael it is refreshing to know that after few conversations with such people, they have a much different opinion.

"I let people know we are real! I take great pride in all of my heritage." - anon.

Harlem Newsboy by Gordon Parks 1943

"My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance, but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and more intelligent than college professors." --Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou honors mom, grandmother in new book

AP: You went through a lot as a young, single mother. What role did your mother play during those years?

Maya Angelou: At one point, Guy was about 3, maybe 4, and I had told him never to go into my purse. Every penny had to be accounted for as far as I was concerned. And I found one day he was chewing gum, so I asked him where did you get the gum. He said out of your purse. So I said you went into my purse? ‘Yes, I wanted the gum.’

So I got a switch from a tree outside, and I pulled his pants down and I spanked him with the switch. And he just looked at me and said, ‘But don’t you love me anymore? Ain’t this your baby?’ And of course it just broke my heart. I said, ‘Well I hope you’ll never do that again.’ He said, ‘And I hope you won’t, either.’

I said, ‘You had lip and I’ve just given you a seeing-to and you still have lip?’ And he said, ‘I mean, do you realize how big you are. I’m only 4 years old or something.’ My mother, who was in the house, heard all of this and she asked, ‘So what will you do?’ I said, ‘Well I’ll never hit him again.’ She said, ‘That’s smart.’

The Interview