This edition of “These Are Our Gods:…” highlights assassinated San Francisco supervisor and GLBT cultural icon Harvey Milk. Milk was very influential in the legitimization of gay rights and San Francisco’s gay community. I have to admit, I have trouble agreeing with some aspects of homosexuality but after watching the film Milk, I came away with a new understanding for their struggle. I not only sympathized but empathized with their search for respect, justice & equality.

Thier struggle is no different from that of African Americans, Latino Americans, Jews or the lower/middle class members of society.

Milk was born in Woodmere, New York on Long Island on May 22, 1930. He was the younger son of Lithuanian Jewish parents. “As a child, Harvey was teased for his protruding ears, big nose, and oversized feet, and tended to grab attention as a class clown.”

As a teen he acknowledged his homosexuality but of course kept it secret. High school and college friends never suspected that he was gay. They described him as a “man’s man”. Which goes to show that not all gay men are sassy and flamboyant.

After graduating from the State University of New York at Albany, Milk joined the United States Navy during the Korean War. “He served aboard the submarine rescue ship USS Kittiwake (ASR-13) as a diving officer.”

He later moved to New York City and then briefly moved to Dallas, Texas before returning to the city. It was here that he met and courted gay activist Craig Rodwell. This was Milk’s first intimate encounter with gay activism. Unfortunately Rodwell’s habit of agitating the police turned Milk off to their relationship.

However, it was not as if Milk didn’t have a political bone in his body. Now living in San Francisco, Harvey would undergo a series of life altering changes. Human beings are more likely to rectify a dilemma when it affects.   them directly. The case was no different with Milk. “In 1970, increasingly frustrated with the political climate after the U.S. invasion of Cambodia, Milk let his hair grow long.” When told to cut it, he refused and was fired from his place of work.

Rodwell had indeed rubbed of on Milk. Friends recall Milk kicking in the television during a speech that was being given by Attorney General John N. Mitchell. The political climate was changing and the wrongful persecution of homosexuals emerged as one of politics most volatile issues. Harvey had become fed up and knew that there was work to be done:

“I finally reached the point where I knew I had to become involved or shut up.” – Harvey Bernard Milk

Milk knew it was time to for action; he decided to vye for the seat of city supervisor. Which is a decision that I admire greatly because few of us possess the will to put up when it’s time to shut up. We all judge, we all critique, murmur, curl our lips and  twist up our faces but we never do anything about it. Milk inspires all of us to get involve.

Although Milk made the poignant choice to get his hands dirty it wasn’t easy. Ironically, Milk’s first encounter with opposition came in the form of his own peers. “Jim Foster, who had by then been active in gay politics for ten years, resented the newcomer’s asking for his endorsement for a position as prestigious as city supervisor.” Foster, who headed the Alice Club (one San Francisco’s gay activism organizations), snidely told Milk:

“There’s an old saying in the Democratic Party. You don’t get to dance unless you put up the chairs. I’ve never seen you put up the chairs.”

This infuriated Milk but it did not discourage him. Most bar owners in the area, facing frequent harassment by the police, have grown impatient with the Alice Club’s latent approach to squelching the abuse by law enforcement and decided to endorse Milk.

In his first attempt for public office, “he supported the reorganization of supervisor elections from a city-wide ballot to district ballots, which was intended to reduce the influence of money and give neighborhoods more control over their representatives in city government.” He believed in a government for the people by the people. He also supported the legalization of marijuana.

Unfortunately Milk wasn’t elected in his first bid for public office so he decided to adopt a “cleaner” image, he cut his hair and stopped smoking marijuana. This shows that Harvey was willing sacrifice a few battles in order to win the war. Despite numerous campaign failures Milk has forged some powerful alliances and garnered a reputation as “The Mayor of Castro Street”.

Those sacrifices and alliances eventually paid off and Milk was elected to a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in what would have been his last election. By now Milk had began to receive intense death threats and similar to many great civil rights activist before him, he feared for his life. “Concerned that his raised profile marked him as a target for assassination, he recorded on tape his thoughts, and whom he wanted to succeed him if he were killed.”

Finally Milk had realized a dream. Now in a position of power, homosexuals had a voice in their government. They were no longer subjected to “harassation” without representation. Harvey was one of them, he knew their struggle and felt their pain; and each one of us who’ve endured oppression should seek to do the same. He was willing to fight for them, even if it should cost him his life.

“The Castro District was not the only neighborhood to promote someone new to city politics. Sworn in with Milk were also a single mother (Carol Ruth Silver), a Chinese American (Gordon Lau), and an African American woman (Ella Hill Hutch)—all firsts for the city. Daniel White, a former police officer and firefighter, was also a first-time supervisor, and he spoke of how proud he was that his grandmother was able to see him sworn in.”

Once in office Milk made his presence felt. He also sponsored and helped passed a civil rights bill that prohibited companies and employers from discriminated against an individual based on his or her sexual orientation.

“The biggest targets of Milk’s ire were large corporations and real estate developers. He fumed when a parking garage was slated to take the place of homes near the downtown area, and tried to pass a commuter tax so office workers who lived outside the city and drove into work would have to pay for city services they used.”

Harvey didn’t just represent the gays. He presented the middle and lower class who were victims of careless greed and prejudice. He represented us all.

“In one controversy early in his term, Milk agreed with fellow Supervisor Dan White, whose district was located two miles south of the Castro, that a mental health facility for troubled adolescents should not be placed there. After Milk learned more about the facility, he decided to switch his vote, ensuring White’s loss on the issue—a particularly poignant cause that White championed while campaigning. White did not forget it. He opposed every initiative and issue Milk supported.”

Milk had made an enemy. White had a vendetta, he also seemed to have a hard time as supervisor. He was out of touch; a white knight of the old regime. He represent citizens who seemed unaccepting of and uneasy about the changing of the times. A supervisor’s annual salary of $9,600 didn’t help either; White complained that his family was struggling and resigned from his position.

He requested to be reinstated a few days afterward to which Mayor Moscone initially agreed but fellows supervisors, including Milk, expressed that “someone more in line with the growing ethnic diversity of White’s district and the liberal leanings of the Board of Supervisors.” Mayor Moscone had also came to this conclusion after further consideration of White’s reinstatement.

This enraged Dan White.

On November 27th, 1978 Dan White avoided City Hall’s metal detectors by slipping through one of its basement windows. He headed straight for Mayor Moscone’s office where the two engaged in a shouting match just before White brandished his police-issue revolver. Witness are said to have heard loud arguing and then gunshots. “White shot the mayor in the shoulder and chest, then twice in the head after Moscone had fallen on the floor”

He quickly walked into the direction of his former office and on his way he intercepted Milk. He asked Milk to step inside for moment. Dianne Feinstein rushed into the office to find Milk lying face down. He had been shot five times, two of the gunshot wounds were in Milk’s head.

White turned himself in the same day. While being held in his cell, he and other officers told Harvey Milk jokes. A few days after the murder, policemen wore “Free Dan White” t-shirts. A undersheriff for San Francisco later stated:

“The more I observed what went on at the jail, the more I began to stop seeing what Dan White did as the act of an individual and began to see it as a political act in a political movement.”

Gay and minorities were excluded from the jury pool. Instead, the jury consisted of mainly white Catholics. The trial spawned the infamous “Twinkie defense” in which White’s attorney claimed that “White’s mental deterioration was demonstrated and exacerbated by his junk food binge the night before the murders, since he was usually known to have been health-food conscious.”

“White was sentenced to serve seven and two-thirds years. With the sentence reduced for time served and good behavior, he would be released in five.” The law is blind but those who enforce it are more than capable of poor sight. White had gotten away with murder.

On October 21, 1985, a year and a half after his release from prison, White was found dead in a running car in his ex-wife’s garage… Maybe even White had realized and regretted what he had done.

The death of Harvey Milk devastated the gay community. Their hero was taken from them. Their savior was struck down before his deed was done. If Harvey had lived, the provocative issue of gay marriage would be a mole hill compared to the mountain of civil issues this country has to overcome.

Harvey has taught the true meaning of empathy and understanding; the true meaning of identifying with another human being’s struggle. He taught me that it’s never too late to make a difference. It’s not about skin color, gender, sexual orientation or creed. It’s about freedom, tolerance, fellowship and equality. We are all brothers and sisters in struggle.

If you some how forgot the lessons from Reason #3, either through sheer irresponsibility or denial, let’s recap:

1. You’re faker than a three dollar bill.
2. Make-up doesn’t make up for your lack of self esteem.
3. Fake hair can keep you from a real relationship.
4. The absence of true self will lead to a false romance.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am no relationship guru. Despite being with my girlfriend for 8 years I still, up to this day, have no idea what she is saying. This list is merely compiled from observations of and experience with the opposite sex. You can pass this off as another male blogger expelling his inadequate and unneccessary opinion or you can actually take heed! And watch your love life flourish. Maybe.

Reason #4: You’re Toxic.

Now this reason, in a way, resembles the first reason (“You Suck.”) but don’t go dismissing it just yet. Although Reason #1 did touch on why you cannot sustain a healthy relationship, it had more to do with why you’ll never have one at all.

This reason further explains your inability to conduct a successful relationship and what causes you to lose one. It is time that your subconscious methods of sabotage be brought to light. One can only spend so much time feeling around in the dark for love. Okay, that last sentence was a little over the top but I trust you’re getting my drift. These are relationship killers.

The theme of Reason #4 is “Don’t Fuck It Up.“

The One Who Laughs Last, Laughs Alone.

This is for the girl with “zero” losses under her belt. Some women are more concerned with winning the battles and less concerned with winning the war; meaning when an argument strikes they usually do or say something that is extremely detrimental to the situation to either prove their point or ensure their ”victory”. They fail to see the bigger picture.

 They often resort to petty and childish tactics that do nothing to help both parties reach a resolution. In all, they fail to realize that they are more healthy ways to win an argument. These kind of women usually feel slighted and retaliate by “teaching their man a lesson”; only to further escalate the problem.

They also feel the need to have the last word; not knowing that the last word does not win an argument. These “wins” are nothing but deposits in a man’s animosity bank. He’ll view you as immature and impulsive. He will mostly likely agree with you just to avoid confrontation and you making ass of yourself.

The Perils of Persistance…

This is for the girl who holds on to an issue like a german shepherd on a civil rights activist’s arm.  A real man has no need for a “Stepford Wife“. We don’t want a submissive docile woman who is afraid of bruising her man’s ego but it does help to have a healthy sense of knowing when to back off. Sometimes, when emotions are at their high point, it’s best to take time to cool off and revisit the problem at a time when tempers are less flared.

I know men are famous for dodging conversations. We always seem to NOT want to talk about things. On the other hand, just because we men go running for cover from your shower of “Let’s talk about it” bullets, does not mean that you should continue to unload your clip.

To further explain, there are less combative ways to settle yours difference. You and your man have to cultivate an understanding. An understanding that there are times when issues MUST be discussed because it is important to you that this discussion occurs.

Open your man up to the idea of expressing himself and explaining his actions in a non-aggressive way; that means stop getting angry at him or catching an attitude when he says something that you don’t agree with. Also don’t forget to allow him to speak without constant interruptions and vice versa. If he’s a good man, he’ll recognize this as an effective form of resolution. This will help you discuss your problems in a more healthy manner.

Also develop the understanding that neither of you goes to bed angry. This will allow you to give your man the space he needs to sort out his feelings and it ensures that WILL discuss the issue before the end of day. I know its hard to hold your feelings in and wait for a conversation to happen but if you corner your man and force him to discuss something, you may be doing more harm than good. 

Men aren’t built like women. When they get angry they tend to shut themselves off verbally. There are times when a man is so angry or annoyed by a situation that he simply has no words. We can always use your help opening up but sometimes “I don’t want to talk about” means that I DO NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.

A man likes to have a victory every once in a while but it has very little to do with a man’s ego. Sure our egos need stroking every now and again but a man who is constantly concerned with the bruising of his ego isn’t worth the trouble. It has more to with you being overly aggressive. A woman who doesn’t know when to back down shows that she has a lack of respect for others opinions, especially her spouse’s. She also, in an indirect way, reveals that she has control issues; stripping the man of his ability to control when he wants to discuss something. There is such a thing as agreeing to disagree.

Sure a relationship is about compromise but not everything has to be about compromise. There are times when you just have to let things go. I’m not telling you to sweep everything underneath the rug . I’m not telling you to pack your emotions away in a tiny spot in your stomach until it hurts. I’m just suggesting that you pick your  battles. Not everything has to be an issue that requires a discussion to resolve it. Say “Whoosah.” and let it go!

Shut Your Food Hole.

I know, that was kind of rude but since we’re on the subject of relentlessness I figured I’d touch on a woman’s inability to shut the fuck up. This is for the girl who mouth doesn’t have an off switch. Please, do not misconstrue, no man wants Helen Keller for a wife. Men love a woman who “don’t take no mess” and possesses the ability to hold her own but we absolutely hate a nag.  If you spent less time talking and more time listening and observing, you’d probably gain a better understanding of what questions to ask and how to ask them.

There are two kinds of nags, the venom spewing, ball lopping, ”What the fuck were you thinking? How dumb could you be?” nag and the whiny, inquisitive, worrisome, overly emotional and dramatic nag. I know the word nag is an inflammatory and nasty word but it is truly the only way to articulate the contempt that a man has for a woman who seems to love verbal confrontation.

First up, the man-eating nag: A woman who feels the need to constantly complain and voice her disdain can be easily perceived as verbally belligerent; and a verbally belligerent woman usually ends up with a man who is okay with his spirit being broken or a man who secretly despises her. Usually, this woman can be found cursing her man out in broad daylight or scolding him in the privacy of their own home.

Similar to saving to film “Saving Silverman“, his friends will seek to rescue him from his personal hell or he’ll leave you for a “Good Witch”; a woman who appears to be substantially less bitchier than you are. It may also weasel its way into your sex life, causing your man to be sexually timid and unsure of himself. Your man will begin to perceive sex as an opportunity to compensate for his feelings of inferiority and/or lack of dominance in the relationship; this pressure may get to him, resulting in moments of flaccidity and somewhat inadequate lovemaking. Which in turn affects you because it will take away from the quality and frequency of your orgasms.

Then we have the soap opera nag: She loves to ask questions. She loves to investigate. She always wants to be in the know… by any means necessary. She’s Nancy Drew in the flesh. This means she will interrogate, berate and badger her man until she gets the information that she desires; but the means in which she goes about collecting this information makes a world of difference. There are more evasive and less intrusive ways to get information out of your man. I know what you’re saying:

“What do you mean? I’m just asking a simple questions. What wrong with asking questions?”

That’s the thing… men absolutely hate questions. “Where are you now? Where are you going? Who are you with? Who’s going to be there? What do you mean by that?” In some ways it reveals your lack of self esteem. It also reveals a lack of trust. On top of that it’s down right annoying.

Outlandish sobbing, unnecessary fits of rage and constant questioning is a very harmful way of getting the information you want . A bossy woman can shrink a man’s balls 7 out of 10 times but a whiny woman with a flair for the dramatics is usually met with dismissal. Her man begins to see her as an annoyance. He will mostly likely not answer your phone calls or even worse, break up with you because you lack composure and are prone to being a pain in the arse.

The Clinger.

This is for the girl who puts static electricity to shame. I’m not saying to stay out of your my man’s life but a man respects when you give him space. Every relationship has a stage where the couple is inseparable. Some couples grow out of it and some pay a surgeon tons of money to have themselves joined at the hip. Either way, choosing not to spend every waking moment together does little to discredit the bond that the couple shares or how much they love each other.

A little space goes a long way. It allows your man to miss you, to want for you. Most clingers scoff at the idea of absence making the heart grow fonder but I myself have witnessed this phrase prove itself true. After a long day of not hearing from or seeing my girlfriend, I find myself rushing home just so I can hear how her day went.

It’s healthy to maintain some space because it keeps the relationship fresh. How can I tell you how my day went if we spent all of it together? Sure we can talk about how our day went but we both know it isn’t the same. There is a special something that goes along with someone telling you a story that you failed to witness with your own eyes. There is a certain brand of suspense that goes along with your man telling you about how his day went and vice versa. If the two of you are constantly with one another, those kind of stories and that brand of suspense comes far in between.

Some women cling because they’re insecure. Some women cling because their afraid that the man might seek another woman. Some women cling because they’re just plain old possessive. No matter the issue, clinging serves no purpose but to smother a man and drive him away. He’ll find it adorable at first, he may even find it adorable on and off throughout the course of the relationship but it WILL become a strain.

Give your man the chance to come to you. It keeps him interested. A balance of devotion and independence is attractive. Everyone wants to appeal to their spouse, whether it’s a nice outfit or the ability to cook a decent meal. Think of your independence as an accessory to your overall appeal. You don’t have to wear it (your independence) everyday but twice a week wouldn’t hurt.

A Fire that Burns All…

Flaming insecurity! This for the girl who lashes out because she feels she isn’t good enough. Okay, you’ve figured out that men are willing to settle; that doesn’t mean that we’re constantly examining your flaws. It also doesn’t mean that you have to go on a never ending quest to be perfect. In fact, what women see as “settling” we men like to think of as “not being picky”.

After all, men don’t always settle. I know many men who think their girlfriends are the bee’s knees. A lot of men genuinely adore and love their woman, flaws and all. We wouldn’t be with you if we didn’t think you were attractive. In most cases, men don’t notice your flaws until you mention them. No one is perfect but if you’re always harping on your imperfections your man will eventually begin to share your sentiment. That is if he doesn’t break up with you due to the headaches caused by your insecurity.

Women commit many foolish acts due to insecurity. You will call your man on a consistent basis in fear that he will pursue another girl in his spare time. You’ll show him numerous examples of how uncomfortable you are with your body image. You’ll accuse him of doing things that he’s has no knowledge or intentions of doing just because you feel wronged; the negative possibilities are endless.

I do recognize that this insecurity doesn’t just appear out of thin air. It’s usually brought on by other women and men. Television is constantly bombarding you with reasons why you’re not pretty or why you’re too fat. It isn’t fair but you must realize that the only way to combat the onslaught of fad diets, the “perfect” figure and overrated Cosmo advice, isn’t by getting frustrated and questioning your worth.

You have to realize that you are You and there is no one who can love You more than you. Now some women tend to take that last sentence and run with it. They overcompensate and become narcissists; it either appears as a hollow facade or a stubborn wall that refuses to crumble. I am simply suggesting that you love your Self the way that you would want your man to love You: genuinely and free of scrutiny.

This edition of “Musikal Haikus” highlights the art rock band …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead. The song, appropriately titled “An August Theme”, comes off of their most recent album The Century of Self.

This song is very seasonal for me, I only listen to it in August; it’s a tradition that is in its second year of infancy. I’m sure you all probably have a song that you only listen to at certain times of the year… Maybe this can be one of them.

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When I saw this quote I immediately marveled at its simplicity and relevance.

If you doubt yourself, then indeed you stand on shaky ground. ~Henrik Ibsen

Below is a knitted rendition of Finn and Jake, the titular characters of the cartoon Adventure Time (Formerly titled “Adventure Time with Finn & Jake”. Complete with backpack and the coolest hat ever, Finn stands out the most between the two. What I would give to have one of those hats!

Finn & Jake (Front)

Finn & Jake (Back)

There are few things better than waking up to a beautiful Sunday morning. One filled with sunshine, relaxation, euphoria and music. I’m a fan of rainy days but a sunny Sunday is one of the greatest things known to man. Especially when everything is just right.

I was wondering what my 200th post should be on but it came to me this morning. From when I first opened my eyes this morning I had a song in my head. Ghostface Killah‘s “The Sun”. It’s a blessing to see the Sun in the morning. There are many who’ve been stripped of this privilege.  I woke up and said:

“Sun! Sun!… Sun! Sun!”

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[Ghostface Killah]
Good Morning, Good morning
Time to get up

Look at the sun so pretty today
it’s so bright, it’s so smashing
Lasting, helps out the grass and
Smile when it’s morning time
Last night I wrote 3 rhymes, I woke up to see the sun shine
If, God is my witness
In scriptures and pictures
The Sun kiss scrumptious son, it’s Nutricious
It makes me wanna climb
Take a bite out of shine
This little light of mine
Yo, the son could never be pussy, He always come out
He’ll sit right there, even if you pull your gun out
He can never run out, when the lights go out
It’s Japan’s turn now, the Earth had spun around
I see Yellow and Green, It’s a beautiful thing
The sky’s blue, ‘cos the sun hit the water like “BING”
A reflection (uh-huh) and that’s all it is (word)
You can’t stare at him long, cos your face’ll do like this

[CHORUS - Ghostface & Slick Rick]
Look who’s shining again
(Oh My My MY)
We’ve Been Rhyming again
(Oh My My My)
Ice be blinding the men
(Oh My My My)
We come through time and time again
(Oh My My My)

[Raekwon]
Check out my nephew
He jumped up in the window just to see you
Look what he drew
A car, house, always wants to be with you
He’s just as Jolly, He always begging me to let him see you
I’m like “probably if you clean up, and read a little”
You make people eyes glow
You got the weather channel bugging and you stubborn when it snow
You my mentor, Mothers name their Kids after you
New slang, nothing personal, we knowin what you been through
(Sun) You roll like, one in a million yo
(Sun Sun) You always find like, one in a building yo
We those babies from day one
All I had was you on my birthday baby- think you owe me one
The way the world look when you around
Prisoners get out, look up, run at you and then kiss the ground
You my favorite, I wish we had three more of you
I adore you, plus I even go to the store for you

[Chorus]
Look who’s shining again
(Oh My My MY)
We’ve Been Rhyming again
(Oh My My My)
Ice be blinding the men
(Oh My My My)
We come through time and time again
(Oh My My My)

[Slick Rick]
I would die for a sun , can be enriching and cruel
Reachin a full 98, and got the kids in the pool
Isn’t it cool how it spreads joy, hons lay in it
And it’s hard to go back to work, when your lunch breaks finished
? before, so it’s a fact I support
Feeling the warm sun rays, upon your back as you walk
The heat-driven, A theory I clung to deep living is
Souls have to go through the sun to reach Heaven
And, sensing retreat, our souls badden the scene
Madame believe, since dinosaurs, and Adam and Eve
That Sun’s hovered, to the extermination of us
It’s a peephole, which leads to the firmament above us

[RZA]
Who can take a raindrop
And turn it to 3?
And draw it up 6 miles, over tropical isles
and bring it to the sea

[Chorus]
Look who’s shining again
(Oh My My MY)
We’ve Been Rhyming again
(Oh My My My)
Ice be blinding the men
(Oh My My My)
We come through time and time again
(Oh My My My)

Thanks For Reading, Whether You Read One Post or All 200… Thank You.

I wasn’t always a David Lee fan. I was more concerned with the homecoming Stephon Marbury, the fiery offense of Nate Robinson and the sweet post game of Eddy Curry. It took time for me to fully admire Lee’s talent. When he was drafted 30th by the Knicks in 2005 NBA Draft, along with Channing Frye, I said to myself: “Who are these guys?”

By the second year of Lee’s career I was very sure of who he was; a slam dunking rebound machine who possessed tenacity and heart.

Humble Lee-ginning (Sort of)…

Although Lee was relatively unknown amongst most Knicks fans on draft day, he had actually earned quite a fair reputation in high school and college. He was a heralded player in high school and was a McDonald’s All American; he even won its 2001 Slam Dunk contest.

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Welcome to the Lee-ague.

Almost instantly Lee was solid contributor for the Knickerbockers. He wasn’t exactly putting up 20 points and pulling down 15 boards every night but he did prove to be a crafty inside scorer and keen rebounder. Most can recall the grueling win in triple overtime against the Phoenix Suns where Lee scored 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, not to mention 3 steals.

Unfortunately his averages in his rookie year weren’t very impressive but you could clearly recognized his potential. In his sophomore year he proved that potential, “at the All-Star break, Lee had averaged 11.1 points on 61.05% shooting (first in the league), an 80.0% free throw percentage, 10.8 rebounds (8th in NBA) and 1.8 assists in 30.9 minutes a game.”

He went on to be named the Most Valuable Player in the 2007 Rookie Challenge, finishing with 30 points on 14 of 14 shooting from the field and 11 rebounds; and he was also the star of what could easily be the best Knickerbocker highlight since Larry Johnson‘s infamous 4 point play:

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Despite Lee’s improvement, the Knickerbockers only seemed to be getting worse. In his third year Lee found himself playing the role of a spectacular contributor off the bench. Although many fans felt that he should be a starter, most were aware that he provided a great spark when the starting five would suddenly become comatose.

Dear-Lee Departed.

In his fourth year he became a full time starter, posting career highs. “He also became the first Knicks player with 30 points and 20 rebounds in a game since Patrick Ewing had 34 points and 25 rebounds on Feb. 23, 1997″; and if that wasn’t enough, he became only the 11th Knick ever to score 10 consecutive double-doubles.

The LeBron fire sale had already been underway and at the end of the 2009 season the Knick organization seemed reluctant to put forth the monetary effort to secure Lee for the coming years. (The same went for another fan favorite “Nasty” Nate Robinson) Instead, blinded by the allure of attaining a false king in the summer of 2010, they tossed Lee a measly one year contract.

It was the 2009-2010 season and the clock was ticking. Not only was the Knick organization freeing up cap space for the coveted soon-to-be free agent LeBron James, they were still undergoing the process of banishing anything that still carried the scent of Isiah Thomas. (Curry, you’re next!)

 After the 2010 All-Star break, Nate was gone and the organization seemed less concerned with winning and more concerned with the star studded free agency of the coming summer.

Few cared that Lee’s 15 foot jumper was coming along nicely. No one bothered to cherish his almost nightly double-doubles. There was no pat on the back for being the first Knick to play in an All-Star game since Latrell Sprewell.

Last season was just another year of under appreciation; and I’m not talking about the fans, we recognized all of these accomplishments. I’m referring to the Knicks organization. We all knew they would let Lee slip through their fingers. We all saw it coming but we wanted to believe that the Knicks organization would be smart this time. We thought they would’ve recognized the unstoppable front court they would’ve had with Lee and Stoudemire. We wanted them to finally show some trait of loyalty but it never came.

Lee is now a Golden State Warrior and Knickerbocker fans are now left with questions. One of them being:

How Could You Ever Let Go of David Lee?

I’ve been meaning to do something on Brooklyn rapper Che Grand for a while now. I discovered his music sometime in 2008 on the now dreaded MySpace. At first I just listened to a few track on his page, then I downloaded his mixtape Breakfast at Wimbledon some months later.

I’m somewhat of a bimbo when it comes to mixtapes. It has to appeal to me visually. The cover art. The titles of the tracks. The font. Breakfast at Wimbledon passed my superficial test with flying colors. Soon, I even had a favorite tune. “Usain Bolt Rap Shit”, blink and you’ll miss it.

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There is a subdued madness about the summer days. Everyone is into something, even if that something is nothing at all. Kool & the Gang‘s “Summer Madness” always plays in my head around four in the afternoon, everything slows down… and I can do nothing but relish in the beauty your life and mine.

i.

By All Means, Enjoy the Summer.

I was walking down the street last week, somewhere on the outskirts of Union Square, and as I stood waiting for the light to turn green, I noticed that was surrounded by attractive women. I looked across the street to avoid ogling but the action yield no refuge, for that corner was also saturated with beautiful faces and eye catching figures.

So as the light changed and we all stepped off the curb to resume our journeys, Jimi Hendrix’s “Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland)“ starts to play in my earphones… It was like I was riding a wave that was destined to collide with another wave… It was like the Red Sea rejoining itself, except this sea was made up of succulent women…

They were young, old, middle-aged, short, tall, black, white, asian, hispanic, indian, fat, skinny, athletic, chubby, blonde hair, black hair, brown hair, red hair. It was a chaotic mosaic rainbow of lady parts.

The moment almost seemed surreal. It was perfect, too perfect. The song, the women; it all felt like it was taken from a movie or music video. I smiled to myself as I swam through “the sea”; thinking about women and the beauty of their differences. It all generates inspiration.

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Have you ever been (have you ever been) to Electric Ladyland?
The magic carpet waits, for you.
So don’t you be late
Oh, (I wanna show you), the different emotions
(I wanna run to) the sounds and motions
Electric woman waits for you and me
So it’s time we take a ride,
we can cast all of your hang-ups over
the seaside.
While we fly right over the love filled sea
Look up ahead, I see the loveland, soon you’ll understand.

Make love, make love, make love, make love.

(I wanna show you)
The angels will spread their wings, spread their wings
(I wanna show you)
Good and evil lay side by side while electric love penetrates the sky
(I wanna show you)
Lord, Lord I wanna show you
(I wanna show you)
Hmm, hmmm, hmmm
(I wanna show you)
Show you
(I wanna show you)

But enough about me and my shortcomings, let’s talk about my peer and her longcomings. Uh,  no pun intended.

For today’s edition we’ll be peering into aspiring writer and fledging “fashion enthusiast” Griselle Jeanetta Rodriguez. I first met Griselle through a friend on a blustery summer night in 2007. I saw her sporadically here and there during 2008 and had yet to tap into her persona; that chance presented itself in the Spring of 2009.

Since then I’ve discovered that we share a lot of the same taste; in humor, music, and overall artistic expression. Did I mention she’s a life long fan of PAPER magazine? Which is not something that we have in common but knowing her she wouldn’t mind me mentioning it.

I first knew of Griselle as a writer but then recently discovered that she also as a knack for drawing. While perusing through one of her online photo albums I spotted some interesting sketches:

 “Vladek & Anja of MAUS” by Griselle Jeanetta Rodriguez

When I asked what inspired this piece, she answered:

“I have loved Maus since the 5th grade. I love how such a powerful story about one of the most dark[est] times in history is told with drawings! So I was just in the mood to draw and grabbed the book and just went to town.”

At the time I had no knowledge of Maus: A Survivor’s Tale, laying eyes on her drawing was a welcomed introduction. But her creativity doesn’t stop there; as I mention before she is a splendid writer and is currently blogging on fashion for YRB magazine (Be sure to check to it out.). Her reason for aspiring to be a writer and not an artist:

“My medium of choice is writing. I am in love with the look of words. I am also a fashion enthusiast, not so much a fashionista; hence why I choose to use my first love (writing) to express my interests.”

She’s also the proud owner of her own blog baby named [Cien.]. I had the pleasure of asking Griselle, “What inspires you exactly?”. She answered:

“Everything I guess. I try not to take the everyday things for granted. I’m grateful for having sight, sound and the blessing to be able to experience life (Imagine if you never knew what the moon looked like? Or a sunset?) I just try to be a walking sponge.”

Dope song by genius trumpeter Miles Davis called “Summertime”.

i.

But enough light-hearted brow beating, let’s recap! :

1. You’re dumb.
2. Don’t be dumb.
3. Stop talking like you’re 16 years old.
4. Stop spelling like you’re 8 years old.
5. Learn how to formulate an educated opinion.
6. Stop having sex and watching T.V., get a degree.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am no relationship guru. Despite being with my girlfriend for 8 years I still, up to this day, have no idea what she is saying. This list is merely compiled from observations of and experience with the opposite sex. You can pass this off as another male blogger expelling his inadequate and unneccessary opinion or you can actually take heed! And watch your love life flourish. Maybe.

Reason #3: You’re Fake.

Contrary to popular believe one can witness a mirage without being stranded in a desert or deprived of sustenance. One can witness a flock of these mirages trotting down our city streets covered in 2 1/2 inches of make-up and numerous fashion clichés. Now if you still think I’m referring to actual mirages, you should hurry back and read Reason #2 because more than likely… I’m talking about you.

Like a pizza, a human being is allowed to have toppings. It can be plain old cheese or a cacophony of meats, cheeses and vegetables; as long as you wear it well and it’s all in good taste. But unlike pizzas, if a human being has too many “toppings” you start to forget that there’s a human being underneath it all and eventually it leads you to resent them for making you do all that digging.

The theme of Reason #3 is Acceptance.

Maybe She’s Born with It?… No, my bag. It’s Definitely Maybelline.

Why so serious? It’s because you have a bad case of Joker face. Two things can be said for a women who wears too much make-up:

1. You’re ashamed of the way you look.
2. You have no qualms with using deception.

Okay, maybe number two was a bit rash but if you are willing to falsify your appearance in order to snag a mate, the morality of your tactics come into question. Of course it’s not all about seething insecurity, some women just enjoy the act of dolling themselves up. After all, they’ve been conditioned to do so since so they’ve been out of diapers. Mattel and Barbie Millicent Roberts has instilled a faint trait of girly glamour in every girl who has had the pleasure of tearing her out of her pretty little box.

Let me put it this way, natural beauty is a thing of beauty. There are many women who don’t feel pretty without the aid of mascara, concealer, eyeliner and blush; this is a problem. Any girl can slather on make-up and call herself Elizabeth Taylor. It takes a lady to own what nature has given to them and display it with nonchalant confidence.

A lenient application of lipstick and eyeliner doesn’t hurt. In fact, I am a closet fan of smokey eyes and glossy lips; but nothing arouses men more than a women proclaims her own natural beauty.

Dark circles or bags around your eyes, own it. Pock marks or blemishes, own it. Laugh lines or crow’s feet, own it. Purple lips from smoking too many blunts, own it. Unless you’re fuglier than the BP oil spill, self confidence will take you a long way in a man’s eyes; or anyone’s eyes for that matter.

“If You Weave It, They Will Come”?

This is for the girl who wears more wigs than Lil’ Kim in the “Crush On You“ video. I know the natural look isn’t for everyone but constant concealing of one’s true image says something about their level of honesty, not just with others but themselves.

I am in no way condemning the use of synthetic hair. I’m just suggesting that you adopt a more natural look. This means get rid of the faux coif. An “artificial” look, in many cases, attracts “artificial” men. By adopting a more natural appearance, you increase your chances  of attracting a man with a less, superficial pop-culture influenced value system.

Again, I understand that not all natural doos are do’s but underlying  insecurity and denial is just as unattractive as a bad hairstyle. Accepting your hair for what it is can speak volumes for your self esteem and it also, in a very subtle way, conveys what you expect from a mate. Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest said it best on their song “Butter“:

“If your hair and eyes were real, I wouldn’t have dissed ya
But since it was bought, I had to dismiss ya
If you can’t achieve it, then why not try and weave it
If you can’t extend it then you might as well suspend it
If you can’t braid it, best thing to do is fade it
I asked who did your hair and you tell me “Diane made it”
If you were you and just you, talk to you, maybe
But I can’t stand, no bionic lady”

This doesn’t mean that fake hair dooms you to a life of failed relationships and heartbreak. I know a couple of women who wear weaves and wigs out of pure convenience. It isn’t because they can’t grow their own hair, they just find a wig or weave to be more manageable; but you have to consider the possibility of your hair sending a certain message.

Chameleon Days.

This is for the girl with no personality of own. There are women who have no desire to cultivate their “true self”; instead they absorb whatever trend or fad is around them and cloak themselves in it. You can find this girl likening herself to or pretending to be Beyoncé, Rihanna or any other female singing/rapping sensation that happens to be popular at time. If she is not mimicking them directly, she’s more than likely representing what they stand for; either way she’s a blank canvas waiting to be painted with whatever color pop culture has to offer.

If you were to place this type of girl in a white room with no television or radio, she probably wouldn’t be able to remember her own name.

Then there are women who are afraid to let their personality stand on its own two feet. You can usually find these women in a clique of some sort, hiding themselves behind the general personality or interests of the group.

To further explain, these women rarely choose moments to be themselves. Some of them are scared to be their true selves and some of them can’t be themselves because they don’t know who they are.

If you want to assert your independence and generate a genuine brand of adoration from a potential mate, start with your personality. Men love it when a woman genuinely admires herself, without being conceited, and is unafraid of her flaws.

For me, this year is shaping up to be one of self-realization. Hopefully it is the precursor to a year of self-actualization… even so, in the mist of this transformation I can’t help but think of the times when I was terrified; times when I believed that the world was a scary and hurtful place that fed off its young and alienated its elderly.

I was jaded, frustrated and disappointed with life and its unnecessary politics.

Thankfully, Chuck told me not to believe the hype.

“All the critics you can hang’em
I’ll hold the rope
But they hope to the pope
And pray it ain’t dope”

Today’s edition of Black HERstory highlights playwright Lorraine Hansberry. Hansberry was a gifted author who penned the popular play A Raisin in the Sun. She also wrote a number of political speeches, letters, and essays.

Hansberry was born the south side of Chicago and eventually moved north to a mostly white neighborhood named Woodlawn. Her family was one of the neighborhood’s first African American residents. The experience would later inspire her to write her most famous work, A Raisin in the Sun.

After discontinuing her collegiate career, Lorraine decided to make her way to New York City. “She worked on the staff of the Black newspaper Freedom under the auspices of Paul Robeson, and also worked with W. E. B. DuBois, whose office was in the same building. A Raisin in the Sun was written at this time, and was a huge success. It was the first play written by an African-American woman to be produced on Broadway. At 29 years, she became the youngest American playwright and only the 5th woman to receive the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play”

 Unfortunately Hansberry passed away due to lung cancer at the young age of 34. Her close friend, singer and pianist Nina Simone, used the title of a speech once given by Hansberry to write the civil rights-themed song “To Be Young, Gifted and Black“.

According to James Baldwin, cancer wasn’t the sole cause of her death. He claimed that her struggle to remedy world dilemmas with literature was the more a suitable culprit. He stated:

“It is not at all farfetched to suspect that what she saw contributed to the strain which killed her, for the effort to which Lorraine was dedicated is more than enough to kill a man.”

Of course this hot city day has reminded me that Summer is here; kicking ass and taking names! Found a soothing picture of a girl in the summertime taken by Shanti… coupled it with a great poem by the famous bard William Shakespeare.

Sonnet XVIII: Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate.
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimmed;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance, or nature’s changing course, untrimmed;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade,
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st,
Nor shall death brag thou wand’rest in his shade,
When in eternal lines to Time thou grow’st.
So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

Reginald VelJohnson

The ”Father Who Knows Best” is Reginald VelJohnson. VelJohnson is most famous for his role as the often irked Carl Winslow. Despite flying off the handle from time to time, he was always self correcting.

VelJohnson was born in Queens, New York and attended high school with George Tenet and porn star Ron Jeremy. After graduating from New York University with  Bachelor of Arts, Reginald began landing small roles in very popular film such as  Ghostbusters and  Crocodile Dundee.

His big break came in 1988 action film  Die Hard where he played the role of Sgt. Al Powell. VelJohnson also played a police officer alongside Tom Hanks in Turner and Hooch. He often played a cop in most roles.

“Johnson was cast as Carl Winslow in the sitcom Perfect Strangers alongside Jo Marie Payton, who played his wife Harriette Winslow, a recurring character on that series. The Winslows were spun off into the sitcom Family Matters in 1989, on which he starred until 1998″.

Interesting fact: he was the only character to appear in every episode.

If Steve Q. Urkel‘s clutzy antics were paint, Carl Winslow would be its canvas. He was the helpless butt of jokes and a loving protective father. He was stubborn but he always gave an apology when it was needed.

Ed O’Neill

A “Father That Knows Best” is Edward Phillip “Ed” O’Neill, Jr. Ed is best known for playing the role of self loathing shoe salesman Al Bundy. O’Neill didn’t exactly always know best but protected the honor of his family disenchanted vengeance.

O’Neill, a  Youngstown, Ohio native, was a social studies teacher at Youngstown’s Ursuline High School, before becoming an actor. He appeared in the film Deliverance as a deputy and in a Red Lobster commercial before being casted as Al Bundy in the mid-season replacement sitcom Married… with Children in 1985. He is currently starring in ABC sitcom Modern Family, playing the role of Jay Pritchett.

O’Neill’s defeated posture and FML (Fuck My Life) facial expression made him an absolutely shoo in for the role. *Rimshot* Okay, that joke was terrible but not terrible as the Bundy’s luck. Much like his character, O’Neill actually did play football. He was even signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1969 as an outside linebacker but was released before the start of the season. 

The Bundy’s haphazard misfortune and imminent failure made them a laugh riot. You often found yourself laughing at them and not with them. Although they always found themselves broken and bruised, Al was always there to make it all seem okay.

Steve Martin

The ”Father Who Knows Best” is Stephen Glenn “Steve” Martin.  The second film father on the list, Steve  is famously known for many roles but a few can identify him as the overprotective George Banks from the Father of the Bride.

Martin was born in  Waco, Texas and raised in  Inglewood, California. He dropped out of college at the age of 21 to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. His first break came in 1967, writing for  The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. In the 70′s he made appearances on many popular shows such as The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Gong Show, and Saturday Night Live.

“During his frequent SNL guest appearances, Martin popularized the air quotes gesture, which uses four fingers to make double quote marks in the air.”

In Father of the Bride, he played the typical overprotective father that refuses to let go of his “little girl”. He did eventually, through comedy and antics, comes to grip with the reality of his daughter becoming a woman.

Bill Cosby

The ”Father Who Knows Best” is William Henry “Bill” Cosby, Jr. Unless you were born yesterday or lost all of your five senses in a freak accident, this man needs no introduction. Every kid, at some point or another, wished their name was Huxtable.

The Philadelphia native has brought us many works of entertainment, from the famed Cosby Show to the timeless Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. Not to mention his numerous Grammy winning comedy albums. During the run of the Cosby Show, Bill was a surrogate father to black America when they needed him the most.