Rants from The Literary Prince

Part I

In the midst of a car accident, and the crazy Houston traffic I had a great weekend with a few inspiring people. I was on pins and needles waiting for my friend and fellow BWRC mate Anita Heiss. Anita is a native of Australia  and a member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales. She traveled from Australia to do a few events in Houston.

I first met Anita at the Black Writers Reunion & Conference in Tampa, FL. Ever since our first meeting we have been great friends. We were scheduled to meet Saturday, and the hellacious holiday traffic in Houston delayed my meeting with Anita for hours. No matter what, I know my Aussie soul sistah, will not let me live down my CPT slip. For those that don’t know what that is means Colored People Time. I know it sounds stereotypical, but C. Mikki brought this up in…

View original post 893 more words

Continue reading

Q & A with Children’s Book Author Tanya Michelle

Every so often you run up on a great book or a ground-breaking author. I have been blessed to know this lady from grade school and now into adult-hood. Tanya Michelle is the author of The President Looks Like Me (Bee’s Ink Publishing) a trail-blazing children’s picture book that has been the talk of the literary world since its release. I had the chance to sit down and talk with Tanya Michelle and ask her the questions that many of her readers wanted to know.

This is the first installment to my Excellence in the Creative Arts -Black History Month Tribute. Enjoy!

1. How long have you been writing? I wrote  alot as a small child and as a teenager, but I have been writing professionally for about two years.  

2. Where do you find your inspiration? I find inspiration in different places, but I am mostly inspired by issues children face, by real world events, and by instilling hope and purpose in others. 

3. Who are some of the authors that you look up to? In terms of children’s book authors, Shel Silverstein, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary were my favs growing up. Right now I would have to say ReShonda Tate Billingsley. 

4. What made you decide to do a children’s picture book? This was a dream of mine since I was a little girl. When the opportunity came up, I ran with it!

5. What were some of the challenges you had in writing this book? Finding the illustrator was one challenge in the beginning. The greatest challenge now is getting the book out there and spreading the word.

6. What has the feedback been like since the The President’s Looks Like Me was published? People seem to really love it. Adults and children alike have embraced the message and seem to have been inspired. That excites me because those were my intentions. 

7. Tell us a little about your background and what influenced your writing journey. I have always wrote, but never considered myself a writer. My writing journey was influenced by my son, my students, and my family. 

8. Since it is black history month, why do you think it is important to shed light on the African-American culture and experience. I think it is important to not only inform our people, but to let people of others culture be aware of our experiences, our history, and our strength. 

9. What do you like to read? I mostly like to read books that enhance my spiritual life. I am a huge fan of Joyce Mayer, Joel Osteen, and Tommy Tenney.

10. Has your son influenced your writing and if so how? Being a mother is a daily journey, and even though our job is to teach and mold our children, they also teach us so much in the process of parenting. I have always taught my son to believe in himself and his dreams, and what better way to instill this in my child than to model this same belief by following my own dream? This was my primary inspiration for writing this book. 

11. In reading this book, there is no political agenda pushed, just the plight of hope, why did you make a choice to go that route to convey the story? I felt like it would make a bigger difference, and making this a story based on real life events I believe it helps the child, as well as the parent, make a greater personal connection to the events. 

12. What was it like to work with Brandon Fall? So much fun. Brandon is so talented and creative, and he truly brought my words to life!

13. What was your favorite book as a child? I had so may. Some that come to mind are The Berenstain Bears series, The Giving Tree, Superfudge, and The Babysitters Club series. 

14. What was the most important thing you learned in writing The President Looks Like Me? That no matter the situation, when a dream is in your heart, you must follow it and never let it go. Ruby Dee said it best when she stated that passion can lead you to your purpose…it has truly led me to mine. 

15. Has President Obama seen the book yet? I have sent him a copy, but I am not sure he has read it yet.

16. During black history month you are grateful for…? For ancestors who fought and made sacrifices to ensure a better future for us. 

17. What message do you want the reader to leave with once they get to the final page of your book? To believe in themselves, follow their heart, and never give up, no matter what it looks like. 

18. How can your readers keep in touch with you and what you are doing? Please visit me on my website at www.authortanyamichelle.com as well as visiting me on my Facebook page under Author Tanya Michelle and like me!

19. Are you attending any writers conferences or workshops in the future? There are quite a few conferences coming up in the summer, and I am hoping to attend several of them. Please check the calendar on my website for any upcoming events I will be attending. 

20. In three words describe The President Looks Like Me…Always dream big!

There it is folks! I was so inspired by this interview and I hope that you are as well. Even though I am taking the time this month to spotlighting the creative efforts of African-American, I want you to understand that every month is black history month, or Mexican-American History month etc… We have to embrace our past completely in order to know where the journey lies ahead. Stay tuned next week as I talk with Tia Ross the literary it girl. Til then happy reading!

the Literary Prince…

The JTF Experience

I must say that when I began to work at BATAVA the buzz about Junior Theatre Festival bounced off of the walls of my dance studio daily. I wanted to know what was this all about. In 2011 I choreographed Fiddler Jr. for our group but I did not attend the actual festival. Well here we are a year later and I have to say that this is truly one of the most exciting events I have attended. I felt like I was at the final taping of the Oprah Show. At any moment she was going to come out from one of those large screens and say, “You get a car, You get a car, YOU ALL GET A CAR.” Yes, that would have been exciting but the true meaning and intent behind this wonderful event touched me deeply. The energy in the room was contagious and off the charts. To be in a room filled with 3,000 theatre lovers was epic. I have gone to my share of conferences and festivals and I have to say that The Junior Theatre Festival is the most exciting of them all.

Day One- Affirmation

The butterflies were fluttering in the pit of my stomach as I walked into the massive room with 3,000 empty seats. We were blessed to have the opportunity to showcase Dr. Dolittle Jr. at the Disney New Works Showcase. We worked with Tim McDonald and Steven Kennedy before the holidays to fine-tune the segment. Our kids were excited and did a great job. We had a successful dress rehearsal with Marty Johnson and I met Cindy Ripley. Both Johnson and Ripley were great spirits and a treat to meet. The looks on some of my kids’ faces was priceless. This was a large venue and many of them have been accustomed to performing in our small theatre. Theatre is about the experience, and if we as educators and artists can make that happen for our kids, half of the battle is over, and that was my affirmation.

Day Two-Confirmation

I am by no means someone who gets star struck, but when you are in the presence of a true artist you have to give reverence. I remember as a little boy living in Houston and I saw the 1^st National Tour of Dreamgirls I knew from Jennifer Holliday’s first note that I wanted to study theatre and go to Broadway. The more I obsessed over Dreamgirls I learned of the creator Director/Choreographer Michael Bennett and my journey as a Broadway Greek began. Two of my favorite shows Michael Bennett Directed and Choreographed were Dreamgirls and A Chorus Line. Ronald Dennis and I Baayork Lee’s character were the two that I most identified with. So while at the conference I was pleased to meet Baayork Lee, and just to have to time to talk to her about her journey as a dancer, now Director/ Choreographer, and we marked bits of the opening number together! Can we say FIERCE! Lee was one of the adjudicators from last year that saw and remembered our performance from Fiddler. She loved the choreography and that made me blush with joy! I am a person that is inspired by the stories of other people, and Jeff Calhoun was someone who opened his heart and let us in. In our workshop together he talked about his experiences as a Broadway Director and young performer. He said, “Stealing from life is the creative process.” These are words that I have put on my vision board, to help me as an artist understand that life and my surroundings are my creative playground! Thanks Jeff!

From the workshops with Baayork Lee, Jeff Calhoun and Deidre Kelly Lavrakas and the awesome performances by some of the countries talented children; this was a defining moment for me. Often times as an artist we question the path that we take, and decisions we make. Just to be in a room with a magnetic energy for one common love which is theatre was all I needed!

 

Day Three Infatuation

The final day came and I wanted to wave a magic wand to turn back time. This was a moment that I enjoyed and wanted to re-live over and over again. But we know that all good things come to an end. I am hooked, well let’s say infatuated! This was a theatre festival on Red Bull. To see so many talented children, and hear the inspiring stories made my weekend. The festival is held during the MLK holiday weekend and I can say that is a great time. As children we all had some kind of dream, and Martin Luther King was the epitome of someone who had a dream. It is events like this that can spark a dream in a child.  In the directors workshop with Baayork Lee she said that you never want to live a life with regrets. Walt Disney said, ” All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. Dare to dream, and help someone fulfill theirs! 

If you are a theatre instructor of any sort I hope that you take the time to see what the creative geniuses at iTheatrics are cooking up! If you know of a school that’s in need of musical theatre please learn about the NBC “Smash” Make a Musical program at http://www.juniortheaterproject.org/

As I stated in my facebook post I have been renewed, restored and recharged! So what are you waiting for? Let’s get to rehearsal and create some awesome theatre!

Break A Leg…

Here are few highlights from the festival… Stay tuned for more clips and pictures!

BATAVA at Disney New Works Showcase JTF 2012

Seize The Day from Newsies at 2012 JTF

From JTF to Success

Q&A from the Stars of NBC’s “Smash”

Does God Care About Your FICO Score?

The holidays are filled with eating, family time and catching up on the latest gossip. I must say the conversation around the table this Christmas has me yet again on another writing tangent. I have a relative who is a pastor and he was telling us about this church, which will remain nameless and their criteria they use in picking a new pastor. OK, please brace yourself for this ISH, cause this has truly set the Literary Prince on a Rant for your lives. This “church” feels that checking the pastor’s credit history is a key determining factor to lead the sheep. Now mind you they also feel that they need to have the liberty to do this whenever they see fit. I don’t know about you, but this is ridiculous. Do I understand this philosophy? HELL TO THE NO! Sorry for stepping on some toes but this is just STUPID!

I have worked in the inner circle of leadership with the church, and some of the things I have witnessed were out-right sacrilege; enough tomfoolery to fill the pages of ReShonda Tate Billingsley and Victoria Christopher Murray books with more juice and drama.  There comes a time when you just have to say enough is enough. I have been turned off by the church’s desperate ploys and worldly tactics for some time now. This is yet another “Church” antic that will turn away more people. Since when is your credit score a salvation issue? What about the good word? Was this much thought considered in this pastor’s criminal background check? I know that we all have seen and read the stories about Bishop Long-Stroke, I mean Bishop Eddie Long, and what kind of background check was done on this man. I am no judge by any means, but if it quacks and has webbed feet it is a duck. The church is an organism and using modern-day business tactics truly become mans’ stamp and not lead with divinity and the word of God. In Titus 1:9 it reads; “a pastor must hold a faithful word,” not a healthy FICO score. Read that good book Church-folk!

So to those young pastors out there that are in seminary, please make sure you get on those student loans because if you want to pastor a church they might want your score in the 700’s. It is time to step up and voice your opinion about things like this. Too many of the wrong people have finagled their way into the inner-circles of leadership and they are making important decisions. I want to see a church that is not led by Equifax, money, and not fueled by mans’ personal goals and agenda. So to this church that will remain nameless why don’t you check the bible and leave that pastors credit alone! Remember, “He That Is Without Sin Among You, Let Him First Cast a Stone As Christ Forgave You, So Also Do Ye” cause If we get to digging in your closet I am sure that a bone will fly out and knock me in me out.

Good Day Good People and Happy Reading!

The Literary Prince…

Abandon Arts!

Nakia R. Laushaul, Dr. Anita Heiss, Tia Ross and The Literary Prince

Part I

In the midst of a car accident, and the crazy Houston traffic I had a great weekend with a few inspiring people. I was on pins and needles waiting for my friend and fellow BWRC mate Anita Heiss. Anita is a native of Australia  and a member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales. She traveled from Australia to do a few events in Houston.

I first met Anita at the Black Writers Reunion & Conference in Tampa, FL. Ever since our first meeting we have been great friends. We were scheduled to meet Saturday, and the hellacious holiday traffic in Houston delayed my meeting with Anita for hours. No matter what, I know my Aussie soul sistah, will not let me live down my CPT slip. For those that don’t know what that is means Colored People Time. I know it sounds stereotypical, but C. Mikki brought this up in a conversation and thought it was so funny!

In the midst of being frazzled and waiting on me, as soon as she got in the car her infectious energy and beautiful smile filled my Toyota Camry. We headed from the Galleria to Galveston to partake in the monstrosity known as The Festival of Lights in Galveston at Moody Gardens. In the car ride to the travesty I learned a few Aussie phrases that I am going to use in for my next character in my book. I now know what the queue is (Standing in line), and what a Big Noter is(Someone viewed as bourgeois/ important) . Upon arrival I saw the masses of people walking towards the event and this was not going to be an exciting event to take my Aussie sistah to. We stood in the queue for a bit and got off the Island. We headed back to League City and I dropped her off with my Birthday Twin Tia Ross for girls night out.

Me and Anita Heiss at The Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens.

Once that crazy day was complete we decided to meet up for breakfast at Le Peep before Anita headed off to NYC.  I must say, when you get three Leo’s that are authors at a table for breakfast there is no telling what may ensue. I am sure the two HPD cops sitting behind us got an ear full. If ever you wanted a laugh you must go out to a restaurant with Tia, Anita, Nakia and I. From the “Dead Ass Coffee” to the learning of the Wobble Line Dance I knew the patrons at Le Peep thought we were insane. This was some of the best table talk I’ve had in a long time;  not to mention I got a few one liners. That the Black Writers Reunion and Conference has connected me with some great contacts in the industry, but what matters is the friendships that I have made. Yes, we are all working towards something creatively and professionally, but to have a support system that is there for you no matter what is priceless. This is something that I have searched for as an artist/ writer. To find a support system of great people who care about you and not just your art is cathartic. I truly can’t wait for the experiences that I know will come out of the 2012 BWRC.

Steven Kennedy and Tim McDonald working with the students of Bay Area Theatre & Voice Academy

Part II

As my Sunday came to a close, I had one more major event. The great people from iTheatrics came to work with our students at BATAVA. This year we are debuting Dr. Dolittle Jr. for the Disney New Work Showcase at the 2012 Junior Theatre Festival. JTF is a major theatrical event held in Atlanta, GA which celebrates theatre and exposing children to the wonderful world of theatre arts.

I’ve worked the staging, choreography as well as character development for our showcase and adjudication. I am overtly excited about the final product these talented young artists will bring to JTF.  We have tirelessly rehearsed the students for their showcase and adjudication performances. I know that we push our kids to the max, and we expect so much from them. Our rehearsal iTheatrics executives with Tim McDonald and Steven Kennedy was an ode to the results of hard work and perseverance. This was also a learning experience for the students as well as the directors. We all come from different disciplines and have different methodology but the essence of theatre surpasses all of that. Our students at BATAVA are so talented and I just thank the Theatre gods for allowing me the opportunity to work with them. I learned from watching Tim and Steven that you can go for it, and just get “dirty;” of course dirty in a good way!

Often times as young artist we are so focused on technique we forget about the natural God-given gift. I watched two separate interviews with Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle and they both talked about the essence of “the gift.” I found this to be such a divine moment coming off of the great rehearsal with Tim and Steven. When we think about Opera we immediately think about the technique and of course the discipline needed to be successful, but this was not the case for Norman and Battle. They have never forgotten about the essence of the gift/ talent.

Tim asked the students what the word abandon meant, and this was an ah-ha moment for me. One of my students Ashley Devereaux answered and this was an eyebrow rising moment for me. Once the students let go in their rehearsal they were allowed to truly enjoy the theatrical moment. When so focused on technique you aren’t allowing the artistry of the discipline to come forth and the essence of the “moment” is dead and gone. Instead it becomes lifeless notes, words and steps.

The Literary Prince with Tim McDonald, Steven Kennedy, Relana Gerami, Ben Luss and the students of BATAVA

So as I reflect today on my weekend as an artist and creative being I can say that I am truly blessed. I have a great community of talented and compassionate artists that I can call my family and this little Texas Boy with big dreams will continue to live in the moment. I will teach and create with abandon and continue to dream. Have a great week and most of all a blessed Holiday Season. 2012 is around the corner, so go into the New Year with abandon!

Mary J. Blige’s My Life II CD Review

Mary J. Blige

My Life II: The Journey Continues (Act II)

2011 Geffen Records

One thing I can say about Mary J. Blige is that she is truly an artist that reinvent herself. I have been a MJB fan since the days of rocking Cross Colors in 1992 to What’s the 411? with my hat turned to the back in middle school. No matter where you are and what’s going on in your life there is a song or album that Mary has produced that you can identify with. My twitter timeline has been a-buzz with the release of My Life II: The Journey Continues (Act I). Right out the gate the title drew me because the first My Life was an epic CD, and the pathos that went into the project was heart wrenching. I have jammed this CD from track to track and I can say there isn’t one that you want to skip, but I can’t sit here and talk about ever song. So here are a few tracks that truly hit me hard, and I hope you enjoy.

Out the gate the Intro with Mary and Puff (P.Diddy) brought me back to the first My Life, I already knew that this was going to be a journey. The first cut Feel Inside featuring Nas set me back to the epic track Love Is All We Need, but in this track Mary talks about the conflicted feeling inside that one has in a relationships. Nas’s verse truly hits hard from the males perspective in the song. It is the epitome what we deal with in relationships. A great bob-ya head beat but the lyrical content is on point.

On Track 2 Mary’s alter-ego Brooklyn makes yet another appearance. I love this gangsta street side that comes out spitting out catchy verses that will make you think about that infamous Midnight Drive that we have all made. Have you ever had some loving so good that it will get you out of the house at Midnight, and make a drive to Timbuktu. If you haven’t then cop this track.

Track 5- Ain’t Nobody was an ode to one of my favorite vocalist, the incomparable Chaka Khan, and if you were an 80’s baby this was a song that had you thinking about those break dancing, converse wearing days. This was a throwback that was right on time!

Track 6- 25/8 is so going hard! Ever had someone who put it down so good that 24/7 of their loving wasn’t enough, well just add one more day and one more hour.

Track 9- Mr. Wrong is one of those songs that many can identify with. We all know that the wrong one is the one that gets all our attention and time. My favorite lyric from this cut: “Bad Boys ain’t no good, good boys ain’t no fun.” Every now and then we need a thug in our life. The soft bass driven track is infectious. Drake spitting on the track adds a hint of what’s going on musically in 2011 but when Mary sings the first note, this song becomes a heart driven story. You can feel the passion in the love hate in the lyrics of Mr. Wrong. I know that we all have had a Mr. or Ms. Wrong, and this song makes you reminisce.

Track 11- Love A Woman featuring Beyonce is a ladies anthem to the fullest. Dudes listen to this song and take notes. MJB and Bey let you know out the gate what a real woman wants, needs and thinks about. There are moments vocally that make me think of Michael Jackson, and I must say this is a match made in R&B Heaven. This is a nice soulful cut that is timeless, and really gives a female perspective in what it takes to love; I mean truly love a woman. My favorite lyric, “A Woman don’t only want your make-up sex, she wants your respect.” DAMN THAT’S SOME KNOWLEDGE right there. This is the song you put on while you are giving you boo a bubble bath, take her out the tub dry her off, lay her on the bed and make her FEEL like a woman! Ladies when you hear this song being played, be ready to get it in, because he is about to Cater 2 U.

The first 11 tracks brilliantly confirm why Mary J rules the streets and keeps the true Hip Hop lovers wanting more, but in the final three tracks we see the true versatility and elegance of MJB. Need Someone is a track that can easily crossover to Contemporary Country, and an artist like Mary can even swing Country music.

This CD is packed with star power, from hot tracks produced by Rico Love, DarkChild, and Danja and star-studded appearances by Nas, Busta Rymes, Rick Ross, Drake and Beyonce. When I say MJB pulled out the big guns, she did the damn thang! I love seeing an artist that knows how to speak to the people no matter where they are. As I was jamming the CD I noticed that this CD speaks to all of her fans. This album is truly current and relevant. It is something that the music industry needed. We see the many facets that make Mary the ground-breaking artist that has captivated use through the years. This release has inspired me on so many levels as an author and storyteller. Like I always say, we have to write from within, to discover the essence of the truth. This musical journey that I took on My Life II was well needed. No matter what; Mary proves why she holds the crown and all I have to say; all hail, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul is still reigning. Bow down and take notes!

Rant on Clear Creek Community Theatre’s “Oliver”

Ok I hate to be negative but I must state the truth. This past weekend I went to Clear Creek Community Theatre’s production of “Oliver” the musical. I was truly excited because this was a musical that is a staple in American Musical Theatre, and had many songs that are popular to many. I was familiar with the songs, but I had never seen a full production of the piece. I am going to be truthful in this blog and it is not to bash another organization but it is truly criticism and you can take it with a grain of salt or use it in your next production process. As I take a deep breath and collect my thoughts, I want to just say that I am working with the most talented children in Galveston County! BATAVA you have spoiled me!

Now as I sat in the theatre the production began, and from the first note, and the opening scene I knew that I was in for the ride of my life. Now I do understand what community theatre is, I have been in a few Community Theatre productions and I can say that I learned a lot about my craft. In doing my research I know that the character of Oliver is to be played by a little boy not a 13-year-old girl. Now I do understand that there are slim picking in community theatre at times, but casting is vital in producing a successful show. Many of the characters young and old were rough around the edges and needed more rehearsal and training. You must remember that we the audience have never seen the production and it is your job to tell the story. The story was truly forgotten with the breaks of character and the missed notes and pitch problems of the actors. The rehearsal process is to be used as a time to hammer out all notes, choreography and characterization needed for the actors to convey the story in the manner that the writers intended. Now was I expecting a Broadway production no, but I wanted excellence on the stage and I did not see this.

I do understand that budget can make or break a production, but when you are limited on funds you have to get creative in your approach to all of the design elements of a production. “Oliver” is a period piece that took place in the 1800’s and the Dickens stylized costumes were expected for the period. There was some thought with this but it was not consistent. The set design did not compliment the period. As a Director/Choreographer there are elements of the story that is told through the dance and there was no choreography in this production. On the numbers like “Consider Yourself” and “Oom Pah Pah” the choreography was null and void. There were many choices directorially that needed re-working such as the use of the curtain for transitions. There were many front of curtain songs that were made to use as transitions pieces and many of these songs took place center stage. The transitions in this musical were horrible. There were times when the theatre was in the black for about 5 minutes, and it was obvious there were set pieces being moved during the black out. It became annoying to the audience at the end of every scene and this was something that took me completely out of the production. When I walk into a theatre I want to be taken away to where ever the story is taking place, and Clear Creek Community Theatre’s production of “Oliver” did not do that for me.

In the theatre there is a standard that we must uphold. It is our job to convey a poignant story to the audience. When the theatre goer walks into the theatre they are to leave a changed person.  I was completely disgruntled and I wanted to leave during the intermission, but I did not want to be rude so I stayed. I know that many on that stage will not strive to be a Broadway star but I firmly believe that if we strive for perfection in all aspects of our lives we will catch excellence. When you know better you do better, and I expect that from all theatre companies. In watching this production it took me back to my current situation and where I work, and the wonderfully professional people I work with at BATAVA. We have to hold ourselves to a standard. The theatre is a temple and we are here to evoke the gods of comedy and tragedy! Take the time to support your local community theatre and remember the THEATRE’S THE THING!

On a 5-star scale, I give this production half of a star!

Peace and blessings!!!

Has Reality TV become the Modern Day Minstrel Show?

I must admit that I am a victim of the wide-spread phenomenon as we know it to be the reality show. We have to admit that we are all voyeurs, and we get a rise to have the chance to look through the window of someone’s personal life; especially if it is a celebrity. As time changed so has the make-up of most of these reality shows. Many are driven by sex, drugs and confrontation.  Understanding that sex and girl fights are a great USP for a reality show, have we taken this artistic medium to another level? With shows such as “Flavor of Love”, and “The Basketball Wives” franchise the perception of African-Americans have become a coon show! Yes, I said it! Straight up coonery and buffoonery that has become the modern-day minstrel show.

I sat in my bed watching The Basketball Wives reunion and I caught myself falling victim to what I call the Modern Day Minstrel Show. There are a group of women that call themselves basketball wives and there a bickering back and forth has become the focus of the show. Now the bickering is not the problem, who doesn’t like a good confrontation, but the tact and tone of the ladies on the show is irrepressible.  Expletives are thrown and the stereotypes for the African-American female are played up by 100 percent. So I asked my Facebook friends have this type of programing taking the race back 25 years and the answer was YES YES YES! “It has taken us back actually 100 years. Totally ridiculous… what has been accomplished or learned at the end of the show… or is it PURELY ENTERTAINMENT??? I can’t see ONE positive thing about this show and am actually disappointed in everyone involved in it, including the NBA stars for promoting it. Seems like they are all a little more well to do than the average person, but will be bitches on the set to get another check… SMH nonstop… I HATE that show,” said one of my Facebook friends. There are many other nationalities that feel the same way about their culture being raped on national television. Jersey Shore has made America’s view of Italians one that is obsessed with tanning, sex and partying. The guido/ guiddette image is an injustice to a culture that is rich in history.  So America what do we do when the television programing is full of demeaning shows that take a race of people back to the times when Al Jolson and Emmett Miller were the entertainers that poked fun at African-Americans.

Now I have to go in on the Atlanta Housewives, I mean this has just got to stop! When you are battling many issues in your personal life why would you make things worse and air all of that on television with a ghetto fabulous delivery to boot. You can’t sip Moët and Chandon on Monday and then want to be ghetto fabulous on Wednesday. Let’s be real, many of these women with the exception on Kandi have no true talent and their call to fame is a reality show. It seems in order to get media attention you have to release a sex tape, star in a reality show and POW, you are the hot ticket! America we have to do better! Have they sold their soul and compromised all integrity by giving us a glimpse into their reality? As one of my Facebook friends asked, are we more to blame for tuning in to this? We do have choices in what we watch and it is up to you America on what you deem entertainment.

Well, I tell you to tune into “The T.O. Show” and “LaLa’s Full Court Life.” These shows are full of drama, and the voyeuristic drama that will keep you tuned in. I stayed up one night watching the entire season of the T.O. Show and I can say that I stand firmly behind this show. It is truly refreshing to watch a show where we see African-Americans in a positive light working in a competitive industry and chronicling their lives with the ups and downs in the professional sports industry. Both “LaLa’s Full Court Life” and “The T.O. Show” are produced by the stars of the show. You see black women that own companies working progressively. Yes there is your share of drama and mayhem but there is some class in the midst of the drama that ensues. So to the major networks I ask you that you take the time to truly think about what you put in rotation. Yes in the “now” it is hot and entertaining but the art of production and producing quality programing is slowly losing its luster. Let’s step it up and go back to the days when entertained the people had some panache!

I want to thank my Facebook/ Twitter followers for giving their opinions and insight on this topic. I am sure there is a part two coming…

The Trouble with Love… Part I

Last night I went to bed listening to a few songs on my phone, and then I heard a song by Kelly Clarkson called “The Trouble with Love.” Now I know I am no relationship expert but I can only talk from experience. I have loved and have fallen in love so I do understand the feeling, but there are times when you have to put your heart in check and stop looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. So brace yourself for a little lesson in love from The Literary Prince’s perspective.

Now the first date was awesome, and now you are 3 months into knowing this person. The heart goes pitter patter every time there is a text or you see that number come across your phone. You are thinking to yourself “could this be the one?” Nine months have passed you been intimate but have not gone all the way still the heart skips a beat at the thought of that person. You arrive at work to your co-workers looking at you strangely. When you get to your desk there is a vase with a dozen red roses, and a card that says, “I am falling for you.” This person is pulling out all of the stops and you are thinking about taking this to the next level. After a well prepared dinner and romantic walk on the beach he looks at you and says I love you. Ut oh! Pressed pause and step out of the scene and analyze the entire situation. Do I love him? Love is such a strong word. With having four letters in, the word packs a powerful punch when said with sincerity. Having been through many relationships when the L word was thrown around like a basketball; the heart tends to build a wall to shield itself from those who try to manipulate you. In all actuality you want to respond with “I love you too” but do you really? Where is he coming from with this? Have I shone vulnerability and does he think that he has me?

I can truly say that past relationships can be the catalyst to jade your thinking and it might cause you to miss Mr. Right. Yes I have been the one to have a guarded heart, and I will be that way until Jesus comes, but there are times when you have to just let go and let love. Yes, I said it. Love is a many splendored thing, but it can bring pain. I have learned that people will only let you know what they allow and you have to be a great judge of character. Discernment is a trait that you develop with time and wisdom. Yes, I am not going to lie, there are some good actors out there but like my mamma told me when the bushes are rattled the snakes will flee. Coming out of a rocky relationship I can tell you that I have learned a lot, and ALWAYS follow that little voice that is in the back of your head, and when your gut says no, 9 times out of 10 it is right. Now I can say there are some people who don’t follow those God-given mechanisms and they end up being the first one in the Woe is me line. If this person has taken time to get to know you without pretense then you might be looking at your Knight in shining armor. In our society so much is drawn from sex. Sex is a great thing between two consenting adults, but it can be a start to many problems. People… I REPEAT People, get to know that person before you jump in bed with them.  We have lost the mystery in getting to know people romantically and I urge you to take your time. Anything worth having is worth waiting for.

You have weighed all of your options and you this person has  all of the qualities to be a great lover. I think that love is an option. No matter what people say when you first jump into a relationship you have to be leery of all red flags. Honesty is the best policy and if this person has shown and proved that to you I say what the hell, go and enjoy love. We have one life and we can’t let past feelings hinder progression. Now experience is the best teacher and you must learn from the past. If you are making the same stupid choices that you made in the past relationship, you have not learned and you get what you get. I am sorry to say that, but you aren’t emotionally mature and being single for a while might be the best thing for you. But if you know what you want from the other person and they are giving you what you want then love is in the making. As Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, “Love is begun by time, And time qualifies the spark and fire of it,” so take the time and let love run its course.  Now press play and knowing that with love comes a little trouble but with true love anything is possible.

Striving for Perfection- Back to School with Purpose!

WOW! It seems like yesterday we were counting down the last days of school, and here we are preparing for the first day of school. This has been a busy yet productive summer. I have choreographed and help produce one of my favorite musicals (Once on This Island) as well as produce my inaugural Writers Retreat in the Bay Area. As I prepare my lesson plans and other materials for the classes I am teaching this semester I am reminded about excellence. This year I want my students to develop a spirits of greatness.  Often times we tend to just let things be what they are or go with what we have, but that leads to a spirit of mediocrity. I have learned that mediocrity is a form of child abuse and as educators we have to go beyond the call of duty. It does take a village to raise a child and today we MUST adopt the village mentality.

I remember growing up and the influential teachers I had. They were more than teachers; they were an extension of my family. Due to the constant rules from TEA many teachers have forgotten the village scenario. Back in the day, teachers cared more about the student than making a paycheck. I have heard teachers say, “this is just a job that I have to pay my bills,” and with that mentality the heart for teaching goes out of the window. I do understand that teachers are the low man on the totem pole when it comes to pay, but when you take the charge to teach you must remember the good that comes with the bad. We are here to pay it forward.  We were encouraged to be productive members of society, and live life with a purpose and to follow our goals. Have we lost that in the art of teaching. We cannot forget those powerful lesson that were taught by our grad school teachers. Teaching is interactive, and it has to come from a place of love.

As we prepare to decorate our classrooms and get ready for the leaders of tomorrow, think about those that paved the way for you, as well as those that pushed you to do your best. As I type this I think about when I was in the first grade and my struggle with math. I asked my teacher Mrs. Porter, ” do you think  I will ever get it,” and she looked me in the eyes and said, “Bryan Wilson, you can do whatever you put your mind to,” and I truly believed what she said. Children can do whatever they put their minds to but we have to be that bridge! One of my favorite quotes is from an influential Greek writer and philosopher of the 20th century Nikos Kazantzakis, and it reads, “Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own.”

So parents and fellow educators I ask that you go into this school year with not just a sense excitement, but with a spirit of excellence. We are the bridge builders and the village leaders that can be a catalyst for change today for a brighter tomorrow. I have a little saying that goes; if we strive for perfection we will catch greatness. So let’s keep striving!