The other night, Suite Suzy was going through boxes of her old photos when she stumbled across some of her high school photos.

This was great for me because I hadn’t seen any of these particular photos in all of the time that we have been together (13 years).

Thumbing through the images inspired many good chuckles from the early 80’s fashions, wild mulatto girl hair, interesting eye brow arches & “sexy wanna be model” poses. It was a Suite Suzy that I’d never seen. And it was almost like unlocking a mystery. Not like she was keeping secrets but it was like a time capsule of sorts.

The photo above is from her 1984 high school senior portraits. I found this image to be so beautiful. And until I saw it, I never thought that out daughter Olivia favored Suzanne but this image makes them appear to be twins.

I asked Suite Suzy if I could hold on to the photo for a while & she obliged. The next morning I woke up, picked up the photo again & smiled at it.

Jíbaro, mi negro lindo
De los bosques de caña
Caciques de luz
Tiempo es una cosa cómica.

Jíbaro, my pretty nigga.
Father of my yearning for the soil,
The land,
The earth of my people.

Father of the sweet smells of fruit in my mother’s womb,
the earth brown of my skin,
the thoughts of freedom that butterfly through my insides.

Jíbaro, my pretty nigga.
Sweating bullets of blood and bedbugs,
Swaying slowly to the softly strummed stains of a five string guitar
Remembering ancient empires
Of sun gods and black spirits and things that were once
So simple.

How times have changed Man.
how Man has changed time.
“Unnatural,” screams the wind.
“Unnatural.”

Jíbaro, my pretty nigga man.
Fish smells and cane smells and
Fish smells and cane smells and
Tobacco
And oppression makes even God smell foul.

As foul as the bowels of the ship
That vomited you up on the harbors of a cold metal city to die.
No sun, no sand, no palm trees

And you clung,
Yes, you clung to the slimy ribs of an animal
Called the Marine Tiger,
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost Amen.

Jíbaro, did you know you my nigga?
I love the curve of your brow,
The slant of your baby’s eyes
The calves of your woman dancing;
I dig you!

You can’t hide.
I ride with you on subways.
I touch shoulders with you in dances.
I make crazy love to your daughter.
yea, you my cold nigga man.
And I love you ’cause you’re mine.

And I’ll never let you go.
And I’ll never let you go.
(You mine, nigga!)
And I’ll never let you go.
Forget about self.
We’re together now.
And I’ll never let you go!
Uh’uh
Never, Nigga.

Art Credits:
Poem: “Jibaro My Pretty Nigger” by Felipe Luciano
Image: “Obama” by Andrew Bannecker

Back in November 09, I was finally able to see the movie “Precious” (Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire). I had not read the book prior to seeing the film, but friends who had “warned” me about what to expect.

To put things mildly, what I was told really didn’t prepare me for what I saw. I mean I left the theater without being able to close my mouth from shock.

There were several scenes that had me about to break down in major tears but somehow I was able to keep from going there. The emotional/sexual/physical abuse, overt colorism, etc were almost too much. But… the story of a young woman fighting to survive for her sake & the sake of her children helped me make it through the movie. I was hoping that this girl who had everything against her finally won.

Once I got home, I sat down to figure out how I was going to talk about the movie & was stuck. I guess I was stuck because I felt like I was missing something. What did the movie not cover from the book. And I also wanted to know more about Precious’ friends from the “alternative.” So, at this point, I logged onto Amazon & purchased “Push.”

Flash forward>>>>>>>>>>>>

I’ve read the book & it filled in all of the holes that I knew were missing and I was satisfied knowing the complicated back-stories of Precious’ friends.

One thing that stuck with me through the book was this passage from chapter 1:

“I big, I talk, I eats, I cooks, I laugh, watch TV, do what my muver say. But I can see when the picture come back I don’t exist. Don’t nobody want me. Don’t nobody need me. I know who I am. I know who they say I am-vampire sucking the system’s blood. Ugly black grease to be wipe away, punish, kilt, changed, finded a job for.”
~ Precious

Is the book hard to read? Yes! The vernacular is written phonetically & some may struggle with that as I’ve heard.

Is the book graphic? Hell yes! The book makes the movie look like a PG rated after school special.

My favorite laughable take aways from the book not fully played out in the movie? “Cunt Bucket.” & “Hasta la vista, baby.”

“She look at me like I said I wanna suck a dog’s dick or some shit. What’s with this cunt bucket? (That’s what my muver call women she don’t like, cunt buckets. I kinda get it and I kinda don’t get it, but I like the way it sounds so I say it too.)” ~ Precious

——–

“My muver say, “Eighty –six that bitch.” I says into the intercom. “Hasta la vista, baby.” That’s Spanish for good-bye but when niggers say it, it’s like, kiss my ass.” ~ Precious

Without a doubt, “Push” is a MUST read, if you’ve seen or want to see the movie “Precious! The short novel fills in the missing links & believe me there are many. This is surprising because the book is a quick 192 pages compared to the 110 minute movie.

Flash forward one mo’ gin’ (Negro Dialect)>>>>>>>>>>>>

This past Monday I attended a MLK symposium talk sponsored by the University of Michigan titled “Push, Literacy, Women, and African American Literature” given by poet & novelist Sapphire.

Sapphire coming to town was too much like right! While at the talk, I planned on getting my book autographed & asking some of the pressing questions on my mind regarding the movie & book.

After the very exciting session was said & done, I wasn’t able to get my book signed but I did get the chance to ask two of my three questions which are addressed in the audio link here.

I wish I could have asked my 3rd question regarding the content on 111 para 4. I just wanted to be sure that what I read was what I read & not what I was thinking it was.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

A few of my Tweets from the Talk:

• I’m at the Sapphire lecture & the hall is almost at standing room only. Wow! http://twitpic.com/yoj1t http://twitpic.com/yoj1h
• Sapphire is reading from “Push.” I’m loving this!
• White people are leaving the Sapphire’s talk. I guess they cannot handle her reading from “Push.” Interesting!
• Standing in line to ask Sapphire a question. http://twitpic.com/yow8y
• I actually talked with Sapphire. Posting audio later. I’m excited!!!!
• Sapphire just read this woman who tried to read her. Shit!!!
• Male rape victim now at the mic talking to Sapphire. Wow!
• The line was way too long to get my book signed by Sapphire but I was able to get a photo. Yes! http://twitpic.com/yp4kx

Did you see the movie, read the book or both? What are your thoughts?

Two Words: Bling Bling

And yes, I’m still on the grind to meet my wedding job quota for 2010.

Over the Labor Day weekend, my best friend, road dog, & ace boom cool Cousin Dee got married to her long time boo Mato Allen (you know him as the “Yellow African”).

The wedding was months in the making & of course, I was slated to be the photographer to capture their special day in only a way that I can.

I would be lying if I said this was an easy wedding to work because it wasn’t! 1st of all there were 325 guests, we had 3 stops for post wedding/pre reception on location photos & African traditions that I was not accustomed to but had to capture. There was almost too any things going on for me to keep my mind right, so I’m very happy that I hired an assistant to help me keep it all together.

I tell you, it was a long 12 hour day but it was all worth it for my cousin.

Earlier this week, I joked that I had to watch “Coming to America” to get me prepared for this wedding & that was quite funny but it was so true. Mato’s family hails from Sierra Leone & they were thick up in that piece. My family & Verlisa’s friends probably made up 15-20% of the quests with everyone else from Mato’s side.

And let me tell you, they were sharb! Sharb as hell! Afro sharb! Yes I did say Sharbbbbbb. Very colorful dashikis, agbadas, head wraps, dresses & everything in between.

Knowing what to expect in terms of dress, I made it a point to find the sharbest agbada that I could & I got lucky at the last minute with a piece straight from Nigeria. Later in the evening, Cousin Dee joked that it was the 1st time that my African clothes actually fit in anywhere. I couldn’t do anything but laugh because she was so right.

Anyway, there are some other things I want to discuss about the wedding & the interaction of the cultures but now is not the time. I think I’m going to do a vlog about it after discussing it with a few of my friends about the stark cultural differences that I noticed.

Oh wait, here’s a link to a few preview photos from the big day.

Last weekend, I embarked on my 1st destination wedding in Cancun, MX at Dreams Resort.

My expectations were somewhat mixed because I did not know how things were going to finally work out, so I over packed everything.

Fortunately, Suite Suzy & I got to chill on the beach for 3 days before the jump off. And when I say jump off, I mean jump off.

The wedding was really something to beautiful to behold & watching it all come together was quite amazing.

I’ll tell you, anyone who thinks the work of a wedding photographer is a breeze is a fucking liar! I worked non-stop from 3pm-11pm in the heat, rain & sand.

After all was aid & done, I laid in the bed listening to the ocean crash against the rocks outside my window & thought about what I learned.

The next time around, which is in 2 weeks, I’ll be ready, with more comfortable shoes & pants. A photographer should not try to be sexy while working. It just doesn’t help the process.

Speaking of weddings, I’ve set a goal to try for 5 weddings for 2010. When I posted my goal on Facebook, many of my supporters & friends rallied & told me that my goal was too low. The encouraging words really helped to boost my confidence! With that said, I have my 1st consultation for 2010 next Tuesday. Wish me luck!!!!

Before I bounce, check out a quick snippet from Mr. & Mrs. Reginald Butler’s wedding here.

Oh BTW; check out the newest page on my website devoted to wedding photography & tell a friend! I have a passport so the world has no limit on distance I will travel. Shit, Tafari needs some new stuff boo!

Meet Reggie Butler & Adrienne Holmes, soon to be knows as Mr. & Mrs. Butler.

Today we met up for an engagement photo session downtown Detroit. This was a very interesting session because the locations were very random & not necessarily in the best nor safest locations.

I would love to tell you about the homeless man, the crack head, & the piles of goose mess we encountered while shooting, but I’ll spare you those undesirable details. Nonetheless, we had great time working together as we made our way around town.

Reggie & Adrienne will be officially hitched 3 weeks from now in Cancun, Mexico. And yes, I’ll be there too, capturing this wonderful union of two great people.

Oh did I mention how excited I am to be doing my 1st destination wedding?!?! Hopefully, there will be more to come! I’ve been very lucky to link with great clients.

To see more shots, click here. Hope you enjoy them.

Like millions of others yesterday, I stopped my life’s goings on to take part in one of the biggest celebrations of life that we may ever see for our beloved and sometimes misunderstood Michael Jackson.

Watching the celebration online was totally surreal & I can only imagine what the energy inside the Staple Center must have been like.

I was moved many times almost to tears but I stayed strong plus, I did not want to be all crying in public. I do have a rep to maintain.

Anyway, the point I almost lost it for the first time was when my boo Queen Latifah read Maya Angelou’s poem “We Had Him”

“Beloveds, now we know that we know nothing, now that our bright and shining star can slip away from our fingertips like a puff of summer wind.

Without notice, our dear love can escape our doting embrace. Sing our songs among the stars and walk our dances across the face of the moon.

In the instant that Michael is gone, we know nothing. No clocks can tell time. No oceans can rush our tides with the abrupt absence of our treasure.

Though we are many, each of us is achingly alone, piercingly alone.

Only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him.

He came to us from the creator, trailing creativity in abundance.

Despite the anguish, his life was sheathed in mother love, family love, and survived and did more than that.

He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style. We had him whether we know who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his.

We had him, beautiful, delighting our eyes.

His hat, aslant over his brow, and took a pose on his toes for all of us.

And we laughed and stomped our feet for him.

We were enchanted with his passion because he held nothing. He gave us all he had been given.

Today in Tokyo, beneath the Eiffel Tower, in Ghana’s Black Star Square.

In Johannesburg and Pittsburgh, in Birmingham, Alabama, and Birmingham, England

We are missing Michael.

But we do know we had him, and we are the world.”

Maya’s (like we’re on 1st name basis) words are always on point and right on time. Her words are magical & legendary!

While watching the event I Tweeted live & it was awesome sharing this experience with others in real time from across the globe. A few of my Tweets:

• I’m sure the Staple Center will be filled with people just ready to jump into MJs casket. I hope they have it on lock down. #casketjumper about 14 hours ago
• This service would be over the top if Aretha came out singing “Trouble of the World.” That would break all the way down. #imitationoflife about 11 hours ago
• I’ll never forget when Lionel’s wife beat his ass. I haven’t cared for him since then. But I love the old music. about 12 hours ago
• When are they gonna open the casket? about 11 hours ago
• Al Sharpton either has a tapeworm or he got a gastric bypass. No matter what, he keeps it real & the perm is always fully coiffed & spritzed. about 11 hours ago
• Lets be honest, we’ve never seen a Negro’s funeral run this smooth. NEVER!!!! Its almost unnatural. about 11 hours ago
• I want one of them damn gloves! I must have one. Seriously!!! about 11 hours ago

You know me, it’s hard to stay serious when things are hectic. I have to resort to bullshitting.

So after work, I jumped in my car to head to Detroit to record the vibe at the Motown Museum/Hitsville USA. Have a look at my completed photojournal, which also includes photos from Harlem’s Apollo Theater. The pictures tell far more than I ever could.

Suite Suzy has been my baby’s momma for 11 years now & when I think about that time, I’m taken aback. The time has really flown by & our 1st daughter Olivia is growing faster than a weed. Damn, I cannot believe that she will be in the 6th grade this year. Whoa!!!

Within the last 11 years, Suite Suzy has had a near death experience giving birth to the 12 pound Olivia (vaginally), taken on the shared responsibility of raising my little sister Sade since the death of our father years ago & most recently brought our little demon seed joy Amelia into the world.

The journey with our children has been an interesting one & Suite Suzy has been a great captain keeping things together as only a mother can.

I think if I were one of my kids, I would feel very lucky to have a mother like Suite Suzy because she really is great. While I’m pretty restrictive, Suite Suzy reins me in with a voice of reason, even when she bites her hand in a fit of Suzy rage.

Anyway, although Suite Suzy is not my mom, if I don’t get her a gift for Mother’s Day, my ass is GRASS! Every year is a challenge because I try to get something that I know she will cherish & put her in the mood to break me off a piece.

This year, I decided on jewelry. Not just any jewelry, but something custom & quality.

With my mind made, it was easy to get my thoughts translated into reality by contacting my girl the ultra talented & creative metalsmithing DIVA Tamra Gentry.

Tamra always has some out of the box designs she pumping out in her home workshop. Whenever she posts images of her work on Flickr I’m always like damn, your really made that. The woman is bad.

Suite Suzy’s Mother’s Day gift is actually going to be her second piece from Tamra’s creative mind. A few months ago, I surprised my boo with a pair of sterling silver rams horn hoop earrings that she loves. I’m thinking that I should get my money right, so that I can get another piece for her as our 10 wedding anniversary is just a few short months away. Hmmmmm!!!!!

So this is what Suite Suzy will actually be receiving. It’s a handmade sterling silver chain with a sterling/copper mokume gane sphere.

I think I will give it to her over dinner. Well maybe not, I don’t want her getting grease on it from the 8 piece Popeye’s meal that we’ll be enjoying (NOT).

BTW, Im totally proud of the kick ass gift wrapping that I did and Im also wondering when I should start lobbying for Father’s Day.

Yesterday was my Mommies birthday. Mommie is my mother’s mom and the person that I attribute my creative vision to. Mommie was a true artist and no one to fuck with! She encouraged me to be me no matter what I became. She also always told me that the most important things in life are an education & culture.

When I was a teen, she would always tell me how cultured I was in this funny English accent voice she used to do. It was always quite funny.

Mommie was an unconventional grandmother but her love was always there, even between beatings & getting cussed out for causing a mess in her home.

Mommie died 11 years ago & I still miss her so. When I’m involved in situations, I often wonder what she would say or do. I miss her so much that words could not express it. The only why that I could possibly express my feelings would be through a heavy tear filled with the best memories that a grandson could offer.

Cousin Dee and I often talk about Mommie & recount funny stories. Even more funny, we say things they way she would & in her voice.

But I don’t think anyone misses Mommie more than my sister Baby. She went out and got tattoo with Mommies name on her hand & it’s big. She’s so damn hood.

Factoid: Mommies favorite word was nigga (hmmmmm) & she used it in it seems like every sentence no matter who she was talking to.