Afrofuturism & My Big Chop: "The Rain [Supa Dupa Fly]" by Missy Elliott

I am an Afrofuturist. Though the term has been around since the nineties, I am just now discovering the Afrofuturism community.

What is an Afrofuturist and what is Afrofuturism?

Good question. Ingrid LaFleur, art curator and Afrofuturist, explains it best in her TEDx presentation on the visual aesthetic: "I generally define Afrofuturism as a way of imagining possible futures through a black cultural lens..."

In a nutshell, it's people of African descent creating stories, music, literature, paintings, multi-media works, and all manner of creativity you can imagine that project black people into the future. Organizations like the Black Science Fiction Society; comic book artists like Erik Reeves; musicians like Janelle Monae; authors like Octavia Butler and Ytasha Womack; and sooooooo many other academics, scientists, and visual artists are producing amazing images of a more diverse future.

For me, Aftrofuturism combines all of my interests. As a mechanical engineer (the only black female in my undergraduate class), artist, and author of futuristic and steampunk stories - I'm used to seeing very few representations of black and brown skinned people in science fiction literature, movies, and television. (If they were present, they seemed to get killed at some point during the movie. At least Idris Elba survived most of Prometheus, thank you Jesus! LOL!)

In all honesty, I am one of Lt. Uhura's children. It was Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura who inspired my interest in space flight that ultimately led me to engineering school. I'm sure that Uhura's lack of story lines / screen time is at least part of the reason why I am a writer, today.

So what does all this have to do with my 'Big Chop'?

Ok - for those of you who aren't familiar with the term 'Big Chop,' it is the 'going cold turkey' form of transitioning from chemically straightened hair back to your natural hair texture. You can Google 'Big Chop' to find tons of videos and stories sharing individual experiences with going natural (both good and bad).

As I began my research on slavery, plantation life, the American Civil War, and Reconstruction for my current steampunk manuscript, I felt a need to find ways to honor the sacrifices made by my ancestors that have allowed me to be who I am today.

On an even more personal level, I had a difficult time finding artwork, children's stories, coloring books, and dolls for my three year old niece that utilized images of black and brown skinned females with natural hair. (Etsy was a godsend in this area.)

In the end, what ultimately made me decide to start off 2014 with a fresh head of hair was this:

I believe that WE need to be the change we want to see in the world.

Which means that if I want to see more diversity in literature, I need to contribute my stories. If I want to see more women of color sporting their natural hair, then I need to let my natural hair out to play, too. Talk about a real root revival on soooooo many levels. My goal is to write stories that allow all little girls to think, explore, and see a place for themselves as leaders today and in the future. My hope is that they have ways to freely express and accept who they are and what they value.

A 'one size fits all' approach to beauty no longer applies. I am beautiful, just as I am. And now I feel that I really OWN it.

"The Rain [Supa Dupa Fly]" by Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott is a true creative powerhouse. What I love most about her is all the collaborative work she does. With a variety of 'partners in crime', Missy Elliott defied the traditional standard of 'skinny-video-ho' imagery. Raising rap music videos to a new level of artistic expression, while utilizing a futuristic aesthetic, quickly became her visual calling card.

Please enjoy this latest addition to my mixtape. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

"Me, I'm supa fly, supa dupa fly..."

Day One photo after my Big Chop - feeling Supa Dupa Fly!

Friendship: "No Rain" by Blind Melon

I'm...different.  No, really, I am different.  Now, I don't consider myself to be weird or an extreme odd ball.  But I can say that I struggled to find my fit in the world. 

I discovered that I am a whole brain thinker.... too geeky for the artists and too artsy for the techno weenies.  So, I spent a lifetime learning how to swim in both ponds.  I admit that shifting between the two worlds has taken its toll on me.  In college and during the early part of my corporate career, I worked to bend and mold myself into what I thought was the "right" girl to be. 

Each phase of my life was filled with a cast of characters who came from all walks of life and lived all over the world.  Some of these folks became permanent fixtures and eventually grew to become chosen family.  Others passed through, leaving drama in their wake. 

Over the years, I came to realize that it is the support of God, my friends, and family (both inherited and chosen) who helped me immensely to grow and gain wisdom.  And despite all of my bending and twisting, somehow, I managed to become the woman I always wanted to be.

"No Rain" by Blind Melon

In truth, the lyrics to this song are rather depressing.  They reflect a deep feeling of loneliness and isolation, combined with an extreme longing for connection.  All of these emotions are the exact opposite of my post message.  However, I LOVE the video's message!

Yes, yes, dear reader, I selected this song based purely on the video. <gasp, then click on the above link>

Why do I like the video sooooo much?  Well, I spent most of my life feeling like the little 'Bee Girl.'  I was just wearing my tu-tu, doing my thang, feeling quite lonely in my life long quest of self-discovery.  Of course, I met a few bumble bees and doodle bugs in random spots along the way.  (Gerry, Tia, McGyver, Murph, and Tiffany - What up?!?)  Then I moved to Portland, OR.  And like the Bee Girl in the video, I found my wacky hive of eclectic friends. But we prefer to dance in downtown Portland and Forest Park.  Life is good!

"And all I can do is just pour some tea for two and speak my point of view..."

Heading to Race for the Cure in our pink Minnie Mouse ears

Crazy Week: "Rollercoaster of Love" by Red Hot Chili Peppers

This past week was a real roller coaster ride, full of emotional highs and lows.  Unlike the song I chose for this week, there weren't any affairs of the heart involved (for me), but there was plenty of drama brewing and boiling over.

I guess, the overall theme for the week would be: Lost and Found Opportunities.

At work: a co-worker's poor judgement led to their termination.  They were a really nice person, smart, with unlimited possibilities....but one horrible choice led to their demise.  I mourned the termination of my friend.  (I hope they land on their feet, despite the poor state of our economy.)  But at they same time, I recognize that it was their decisions that led them to this exact place and time.

Personally: two of my dearest friends cancelled their wedding.  It is true, that it is better for the decision to be made now than to find themselves in divorce proceedings later.  However, this fact doesn't make sending out "the wedding is off" notices, returning gifts, and separating any easier.  He made the choice.  She has to move out.  They have to heal.  Sounds simple, but the reality is much more messy.  We, the friends of both, are struggling, too.  How do you help one without offending the other?  The truly sad part is that they do, indeed, love each other and that the wedding was only two weeks away.

So, those are the lows of the week.  The high points were wonderful!  I reconnected with a dear friend who now lives in Oregon.  Another sweet voice from the past sent me a warm message from California.  My family is doing beyond well, they are awesome!  We had a team lunch, to celebrate the launch of a new product, at the Portland City Grill.  I am starting a new project researching opportunities in Latin America.  And I hung out with my writing friends at a book signing at my favorite indy bookstore, Jan's Paperbacks.

My hope is that I am now entering a period of calm.  Soooo much negative energy was swirling this week, it's time to get some positive juices flowing!

"Rollercoaster of Love" by Red Hot Chili Peppers

The original version of this song was titled Love Rollercoaster and was a huge hit for the R&B funk band The Ohio Players in 1975.  Given the fact that I was born and raised in Ohio, this song was played often on the radio in my youth.

One of my favorite bands, Red Hot Chili Peppers, covered this song in 1996 for the film Beavis and Butt-head Do America.  This film is not anything to write home about, but the Chili Pepper's cover of Love Rollercoaster is a real treat.

"Your love is like, a roller coaster, baby, baby...."

View from our private dining room at the Portland City Grill.

What memories does this song bring to your mind?  Let me know - leave a comment below.

Bonus Track - What Was I Thinking?: "Insane in the Brain" by Cypress Hill

This past Saturday. Stacey, Mindy, and I headed to Washington to participate in the Zombie Run for Your Life 5k.   Ok - so some of the runners said that it was a little shorter than 5k, but who's really taking the time to count miles when zombies are chasing you!

What the HELL was I thinking?  I guess thinking about STARTING your training on race day is a little late, huh? <sigh>  I was on the fence about actually attempting the course until it was time to line up for our heat.  The organizers were kind enough to line us up based on speed: Appetizers (fast runners), Entrees (medium speed runners), and Dessert (the slow pokes).  I looked for the "After Dinner Liqueur" sign without success.

(For those of you who don't know me, I have struggled with weight loss my entire life.  Though I have walked several 5k courses and trails, I have never attempted to run one until now.)

Mindy and Stacey actually had trained and lined up with the other Entrees.  I lined up with the Desserts.  Let me tell you something....standing in a line, nervous, and feeling VERY alone in a crowd of people is one of the worst feelings on the planet.  Stacey came over and gave me a big hug.  She smiled and said, "Just have fun."  I almost cried.  In fact, I'm crying (right now) as I am typing this up.  Her simple statement was exactly what I needed to hear at that instant, in that moment.  It is hard for me to express in words how much her support meant to me standing at that starting line.  I will always love her for that simple act of kindness and encouragement.  Now fearless, I waited for our start countdown.

I did manage to finish the course.  It was a HOT day, so I needed to make a few water and shade stops along the way.  I had a blast teasing the zombies, though.  One even gave me a bear hug - which left me slathered with fact blood - yuck! And when I crossed the finish line, caked with mud and soaked from head to toe in nasty, muddy water, I was glad that I overcame my urge to bail.

Stacey and Mindy waited at the finish line for me.  Cold water from a fire hose never felt so good!  It was a GREAT day and I did, indeed, have fun.

I want to take a moment to give a shout out to the guy that gave me a leg up out of the last mud slide pit.  Thanks dude - I'd probably still be standing waist high in mud without your help!

"Insane in the Brain" by Cypress Hill

Zombies eat brains. Combine this 'fact' with how insane I felt before starting this race and Cypress Hill's "Insane in the Brain" immediately came to mind.  Though this track contains some 'beef' digs on Chub Rock (no pun intended), it has a rousing refrain that still fills the dance floor.  Plus, you can tell the guys had fun both writing and performing this rap - especially when you see them perform it live.

"Insane in the membrane...Insane in the brain...."

Where's the "After Dinner Liqueur" line?  Yup - I lost all my lives along the way.

Quick Note: I will be changing my post days to Sundays this week forward.  I think of Sunday as the start of my week.  Therefore, I feel it's a better day to reflect on my previous week.

What memories does this song bring to your mind?  Let me know - leave a comment below.

Manners: "I'm Afraid of Americans" by David Bowie (feat Nine Inch Nails)

Simple question here....What happened to manners?  Are parents teaching and enforcing manners in their homes?  I am sure that many bloggers have written rants about the demise of our culture and the downfall of our society due to our lack of etiquette.  I DO NOT believe that we are going to hell in a hand basket, but I do think that technology has inhibited our ability to empathize with our fellow man.  It's just way too easy to post a mean spirited soliloquy when you can remain shrouded by a goofy screen name.

Take the Denver movie theatre shootings, as an example....I am floored that some online comments have questioned the manhood and bravery of the folks in the theatre.  It's real easy to play "Monday Quarterback" and talk about what you 'would have done' IF you were in the theatre.  My bet is that unless you are combat, special ops, or police trained, you would run for cover - that's called being human...It's a real basic 'fight or flight' response.

A little closer to home, for me, has been some of the comments posted about my friend Elle Zober.  Elle is a beautiful, funny, and creative soul.  She has an AMAZING eye for photography.  In fact, she took the picture that I use for my profile.  Elle is recently divorced and is trying to sell her home.  She found a very creative way to market her house in a near dead housing market.  Her sign has garnered national media attention....it has also garnered vicious comments on her website, blog, and voicemail.  Who are you (cyber bullies)?  And why do you feel a need to comment on anyone's weight, looks, or marriage?

The wild thing is that all of this negativity is completely unnecessary.  Just say, "I'm sorry for your loss." and move on, no other opinions are needed or required.

"I'm Afraid of Americans" by David Bowie (feat Nine Inch Nails)

I love this song and the associated video.  I have long been a David Bowie fan and the addition of Trent Reznor's driving score only enhances the underlying tension in "I'm Afraid of Americans" lyrics. Plus, Mr. Reznor lends his spooky presence as 'Johnny' in the video.

As a writer and artist, I believe in freedom of speech.  I also believe that God is watching over us and holds us accountable for what's in our hearts.  And I know that 'karma is a bitch'.

"I'm afraid of Americans..."