| We’ve enjoyed a full month of celebrating Black History. I’ve been enlightened, informed, and certainly I have enjoyed all that EDC-creations offered during the Black History Online Month event. Kudos to Miss Ella D. Curry!From this month long celebration many things have been birthed in my spirit. Which leads to my blog for this week. Listening to so many talented, gifted, blessed, entertaining, and all out remarkable people has been mind boggling for me. We possess so much talent, so many gifts that the world is in need of knowing about, reading about, hearing about and learning about. We have so much to share, so much to give, so much to pass on to our children, to our future.
It’s time to Step Out. Step Out Into Your Own. It’s time for me to Step Out Into My Own. It’s time to grab hold of the dream and place it into a real, functioning, existing piece of our lives. It’s for you and me to Step Into Our Own by making sure the future of our children and our children’s children is secured. Now is the time to make a difference. Now is the time to stop ‘talking about it’ and start ‘being about it’. We have much to offer, not only by means of the literary world, but the political world, the world of science, techonology and space. We have doctors, lawyers, astronauts, brain surgeons, inventors, scientists, athletes, great literary authors, plus more, more and more! As a people, we can make this world a better place, when we learn that we must first take a step into the right now. Take a step into our future by starting today. Take a step into our dreams and bring them back into the realm of reality. Force our dreams to come true. I must first Step Into My Own before I can reach out and help someone else, especially a child. Most children learn and retain more by watching others. It’s been said that no matter how much we teach our children, that they do most of their learning by watching what we do. How then, can we encourage them to pursue the desires of their hearts when we have given up on our dreams, and allowed them to be snuffed out and placed on the dusty shelves of our frightened minds? How can we tell them to believe, trust, and have faith in God, when all they see when they look at us is fear, self-condemnation and a lack of faith in the very God we tell them to cling to? How can we, as a people, tell them to help one another when all they see when they look at us is a spirit of jealousy and envy over the accomplishments and achievements of our brothers and sisters? How can we, I ask you, guide them in a direction that will point the way to doing and being whatever they choose to be or become in life, if when they look at us, they see us escaping in a sea of drugs and alcohol to hide the fear of failure that camps within our minds. When will you and I, me and you, understand and grasp hold of the fact that tomorrow really is not promised to no man, woman, not even a child? We are a dying people. Death is ineveitable for each of us, no matter of our race, socio-economic class, color, education, or position. We are all headed in the same direction. So, while we live, while the blood runs warm in our veins, while we have the ability and the capability, while we have the source, the means and the talents; while we have these things, now is the time to teach our children to grasp on to every single moment of life that they possess. Now is the time to teach them that they do have what it takes to make good things happen. Teach them that: One person CAN change the world. One person CAN change a community. One person CAN be a leader of millions! One person CAN do what another dared not do. One person CAN…But only if I take the first step. Only if I Step Into My Own…Can You Step Into Your Own! It has to start with one step. Why not start with making it – Your Step? You just read: Words According to Shelia-E Author of |
Monthly Archives: February 2008
Is Life Really as It Seems?
Back by popular demand–Life is Never as it Seems by J.J. Michael (Genesis-Press/Kensington March 2008), is now in mass market paperback. Purchase at all major bookstores and online at Amazon.com.
Lindy Lee’s life changed forever during the summer of 1967.Raised in a strongly traditional religious environment, she suddenly finds herself having extraordinary paranormal experiences that leave her bewildered and frightened. Her grandfather, the minister of a large Baptist church, and her mother do everything they can to suppress Lindy’s intense psychic and healing abilities. In addition, she finds herself drawn to Nick, who has his own dark secrets, and to the mysterious and mystical Paul. Follow Lindy’s harrowing journey as she discovers a world of theology and spirituality through the teachings of a New Age group, called the Awakeners, and as she faces the love and betrayal of those closest to her.
*****by RAWSISTAZ Reviewers Intense Reading-With a mixture of paranormal and scripture revelations we’re treated to an exquisitely written novel.
Discussion questions:
1. Have you ever been betrayed by someone you loved or trusted?
2. Have you had a relationships that you preceived as one way only to find out something else?
3. Have you had to choose between your family’s religious faith and your own?
4. Have you ever had a psychic moment or two? Tell me about it.
Based on actual events: Village Vengeance w/Author Ingrid Brown
What if one man terrorized your small town? A town that had never been tainted by gruesome events. What if you could never see his face, and what if he was always near? Author Ingrid Brown captures all the horrid events of one man’s reign of terror on a small town in Oklahoma. I myself read the book in two days, because that’s just how captivating it was. I later found out that this story is based on the true story about a serial rapist who terrorized a city neighborhood..
I do recommend this book to everyone that I know. Also Ms. Brown’s book was turned into an Indie film. Backcorner Productions produced the Film. Not only is Ms. Brown an amazing author she is also an amazing person. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Wichita State University and a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma.
Ms. Brown has worked in a number of fields including adoptions, mental health, higher education and as a medical social worker. Presently, she is employed as a Social Worker for a hospice agency and is an adjunct professor for Tulsa Community College. I set up an interview with Ms. Brown, you may view the questions and answers below. Ms. Ingrid Brown is an author who well deserves recognition for her work. You may buy Village Vengeance at Amazon.com, and everywhere books are sold.
How did you get the idea for Village Vengeance?
Village Vengeance is a work of fiction, however, it is based on actual events. Of course, the names have been changed and the locations are purposely omitted to protect the innocent. I am the main character, Janiece, and I tell the story from my point of view.
I understand there is a movie to Village Vengeance. Tell me about that.
The movie Village Vengeance was based on a short story I wrote and shared with friends of mine. At the time, I did not know they were interested in filming. However, they informed me of their interest and convinced me to allow them to do a movie based on my short story. After the screen play was done and the making of the movie was in process, people began to ask where the book could be purchased. It was at that time that I decided to expand the story into a short novel.
Where was it filmed?
In Oklahoma. Tulsa, Muskogee and Bristow.
Name the director and producer.
The movie was produced by a company called Back Corner productions.
Tell me about you?
I have loved to write since I was a child. I wrote short stories when I was young and worked on the school newspaper and small community newspaper when I was in high school. However, life out in the way of my writing and I focused on my career as a Social Worker in order to provide for myself and my son. Now that he is an adult, I have again begun to write and I am loving it.
Upcoming projects?
Because there has been a great deal of interest in the character in Village Vengeance named Sadie, I am going to write a book about her. It will be entitled Miss Sadie’s Song. I hope to complete a book of short stories in the near future as well.
For More about the Movie Village Vengeance Please click the poster below.
Some Truth in the Stereotypes
A couple of times a year I volunteer with a Phoenix, Arizona non-profit called Body Positive. The purpose of this organization is to support AIDS/HIV research and provide services to those affected by the disease.
From the outside looking in, this agency appears to have many affluent donors, many of whom lead alternative lifestyles. It’s been a long time since AIDS/HIV was considered a gay disease. However, many members of the gay community support the work of this agency.
Body Positive hosts many events throughout the year in the attempt to raise funds for AIDS/HIV research, clinical medicine trials and various services. Some of the events include a day of beauty at Rolf’s Salon, a upscale home tour and a annual fund-raising gala with silent auction.
For the last four years I have participated in the Body Positive Home Tour of Life. Essentially,
the agency development director recruits various affluent residents who are willing to allow a parade of complete strangers to enter their home for six hours in order to view the lush landscapes and high-end interior design of their homes. Usually ten to twelve homes are arranged for the tour. Tickets are sold for $100 a piece with all proceeds going to fund Body Positive programs.
Every year the homes on the tour runs the gamut from traditional to eclectic. One house had
a shrine dedicated to Kachina dolls while another had a water fountain spraying from the roof into the pool off the side of the mountain.
The one home where I was stationed had belonged to one of the original American Airline stewardesses. Her route took her from Los Angeles to Japan and as a result, her house had heavy Asian influences in the decor.
I was stationed at the door to greet the guests. Most of the guests were also middle to upper class business people and entrepreneurs. There were many designers and architects. During the day, a young African American man dressed in all black greeted me at the door. During the training we were advised to look for the proof of ticket purchase but to not actually ask for it. I didn’t see the ticket on this young man and as with other guests I did not ask him for one. In the few moments I greeted him I instantly knew something wasn’t right but at the same time I didn’t want to perpetuate the myth that only upper middle class white people would be interested in an event such as this.
I let him in but watched with uncertainty as he briskly walked through the house. A short time later, an older African American woman with a teen-aged girl and several young children greeted me at the door. It was apparent that they were probably accompanying the young man that had entered earlier. From the questions the older lady asked, it was apparent that she wasn’t aware that this event was a fundraiser. In a short amount of time I determined that she believed that she was touring an open house. All the while I was addressing this woman, the CEO/President of the agency had followed the young man to the back of the house. This associated group took a quick tour of the front of the house and left as the CEO was advising the young man he had to leave. After calling her a bitch in front of everyone present, he finally left. Shortly after, I learned that he had been in the back bedrooms of the house opening cupboards and closets.
After the group left, I realized my internal conflict. It was obvious that the group did not belong. Being African American myself I wanted to believe this group had a legitimate reason for being there. Once they left, I wondered if the other volunteers who I had not met in the previous years of my participation would think these people were associated with me in some way. I also felt disgusted that this young person embarrassed himself and embarrassed his people when he was in fact the one trepassing. What kind of environment allows people to feel justified in attacking others who refuse to be disrespected? In that instant, that young person bowed down to every low expectation whites had about our people as a whole. In that instant there was truth in the stereotype.
Word According to Shelia-E « EDC Creations PR Ezine
Obama Ain’t Black Enough: Rhonica’s Notebook:By Rhonica Wesley
I was just casually scanning the internet for info on the 2008 campaign, when I ran across an article that said Barack Obama was not black enough. Of course I was shocked and at the same time thinking here we go again. Honestly the man did not choose his nationality, could they be speaking of that? Perhaps they meant his mannerism. I scanned around some more and saw “Obama white power with a black face.” That’s just horrible. Instead of shooting this man down we should admire what he is doing. instead we are finding fault in him early because he does not wear gators in different colors and have a press-n-curl. In this article that I read It said that other blacks who had run such as, the Revernd Al Sharpton were Black enough Ok so by now you know that i’m not only laughing I’m really confused.
Don’t get me wrong Al sharpton Is great… when it’s time to march when such events occur like “Jena 6.” He has a way of getting things done, but do we really want him in the white house? Running a country has a lot more to do with than color or mannerism. One false move from our leader and the world could end in a heart beat. being president is not a job to be taken lightly and given to someone who we think will be for “us”. Wake up, we can’t even control our neighborhoods just yet. To me both Mr. Obama and his wife don’t deserve the slandering. We as blacks have instilled in ourselves so long what is black and what is white until we forget that every one is different. You mean to tell me just because I speak correctly and may every once and a while enjoy classical music that I am not black enough. So i’m guessing these same people who are saying that Obama is not black enough will vote for Hilary Clinton. Remember this, just because her husband was great in office does not mean she will do things like he did.
Half of us do not vote anymore anyways. We keep saying “Child I need to go to the courthouse and vote.” but we never make it. Then when things start to happen we want to get mad at work and start snapping at customers and co-workers. Martin Luther King went through a lot for us to be able to vote, and we don’t even do so. I think that it is sad that the generation before us had to fight and get fought just for us to have the privileges we have, and we don’t even use them.
Persoanally I wouldn’t care If mickey mouse got the job… just keep Bush and his drunken twins out. Anyone who makes up words like recordify…does not need to be running a country, or for that fact a corner store.
*The humor in this article is just what it is humor…we know how some people like to burn peoples cds because they said something about BUSH… burn my books if you want it will only draw attention to me…..this is in no way a publicity stunt *smirk*
The Aura of Love
Paranormal romance has an invigorating and new face in the widely talked about The Aura of Love. Kathy J. Marsh writes with an undertone of suspense and has penned a great novel filled with uprising climax. Marsh introduces to her reader, two Auralites who have issues similar to an inter-racial couple dating outside the realm of their race. The fact that they are purple and blue and that someone is revealing all their secrets will lure you deeper into this novel. Marsh keeps the tension ongoing and the suspense rising in what has become the best paranormal romance.
Kathy J. Marsh, a native of Wilmington now resides in Charlotte, NC and is passionate about her writing. Readers, book clubs and reviewers are continuing to rave over Marsh’s talented ability to stir emotions in her novel, The Aura of Love. The Aura of Love, has received numerous literary awards since its release. These include: A 2007 IPPY Award Winner in Multicultural Fiction, A 2007 African American Literary Award Nominee in Romance, and A 2007 Blackrefer.com Reviewer’s Choice Award in Science Fiction.
Kathy J. Marsh is also nominated for Best Female Author in the 2008 INFINI Literary Awards.
Dorothy Goins: Kathy, you have chosen to write in the genre of paranormal romance. Can you tell us what motivated you to write in this genre?
KJM: I have always loved reading supernatural books. Some of my favorite authors are in this genre, so when I fell in love with writing, it was a natural progression. Plus, it provided the opportunity for some suspense since my beings want to keep their existence secret.
DG: “The Aura of Love” has received numerous and raving reviews. That has to make you proud of your accomplishment. Share with us your feelings the day you received word that your novel won its first award. What award did you receive first?
KJM: I don’t know that I can make anyone understand the excitement, joy and gratitude I felt when I won each one of the awards. I skipped around on air for weeks, especially after the first one, which was the IPPY Award.
DG: The Aura of Love has the flavor of romance in it. How would you describe your creation of the main characters Jace and Remy who are from two different cultures? In the novel, both characters are referred to as Auralites but what makes them different is their color. Emphasize on this for us so we can understand the concept you used to bring this story into fruition.
KJM: The inspiration for this story came from an article in Essence that stated more and more black women were dating outside the race and they wanted to read stories about themselves. To do that, I decided to leave black and white behind and use my love for the supernatural by creating beings with a visual difference, like our skin color, and by giving them cultural differences that approximate ours here in America.
DG: Are you currently working on any projects or novels that we should be on the lookout for and can you briefly tell us if you will remain a writer in the paranormal genre?
KJM: Yes, I’m currently working on my next book, Suddenly Younger, which is about a middle-aged woman who finds that she’s suddenly getting younger. As she tries to figure out what’s happening with her, and why, I explore feminine ageism. Once she gets involved with a much younger man, who just happens to be her doctor, I explore secrets and the dynamic between an older woman and a younger man. The fact that she’s chronologically older, but physically younger, adds a new twist. Thanks to my many fans, a sequel to The Aura of Love is up after Suddenly Younger. I definitely plan to stay in the paranormal genre.
DG: Your style of writing has been compared to L.A. Banks, but I also think it is very similar to the gifted writing style of Octavia Butler. Briefly talk about what similar feedback you have received from others who have read your work.
KJM: One recent reader said something that was especially gratifying for me. He said, “She’s neither Terry McMillan, nor Octavia Butler – but a blissful amalgamation of the two.” Wow, right?
DG: What are some of the feedback you receive from readers who connect with you after having read your novel?
KJM: Readers have said they like the character development—they feel like these are characters they know. They say the suspense keeps them on the edge of their seats while they try to figure out who’s betraying the Auralites. They appreciate the parallels between the Auralites’ cultural issues and our own. And women love Jace and want to know if he’s based on someone in my life. Don’t I wish! He’s a complete figment of my imagination.
Thanks Kathy, for allowing me the opportunity to introduce readers alike to your excellent style of writing. For those who, like me, have read, The Aura of Love, this is truly a wonderful and enlightening experience to breach into your world. To learn more about Kathy J. Marsh, please visit her online at http://www.kathyjmarsh.com
Meet Author Gayle Woodard
Lady Gayle, you married into a well known ministerial family. What was that like for you?When I married, it was good, but overwhelming. My husband’s dad was the Pastor and my husband
was the Minister of Music at that time, so he was very active and busy. The fact that my father was a Minister also helped a great deal as well because I already knew what it meant to be very active in ministry.
Considering where you are now, when you look back, did you have any idea that you would be affecting so many people’s lives?
No, I had no idea. But I knew that God had a plan and purpose for my life. I never thought it would be a Pastor’s wife, but, I love seeing the transformation in the lives of people.
I am a PK (preacher’s kid) so I know what it’s like to share your loved one with an entire community. How do you cope with sharining your husband with the world?
I cope very well. I know that it’s all about ministry. I put it all into perspective.
We both love people. I know he’s touching many lives.
Being a First Lady requires that you wear many hats. What do you do to find balance in your life?
I make sure that I always have family time and me time. From that me time, I consecrate and pamper myself and spend time with God so he can refresh me.
In the past, First Ladies have been quiet, demure, pristine role models relegated to working behind the scenes. Give us your thoughts about the new role more public role that First Ladies are taking in the 21st century church.
I think that in the 21st century, women are more confident in who we are and we really have caught the vision of being the rib of our husbands. WE understand that we are to be the helpmeet. We are to stand along side our husbands. I think first ladies are taking it to another dimension in ministry. In the 21st century we are leading out more and more.
When you are a member of a ministerial family, all eyes are on you. What advice would you give other First Ladies dealing with the pressure of being under such scrutiny?
I try to remember that it’s still ministry and that the pressures and the scrutiny are a part of ministry. I would tell any first lady to be yourself, but also remember you are an example to others and all eyes are on you. When people watch you it’s about ministry also.
Many people believe that when you’re married to a pastor, your only choice is to be a First Lady, but your debut book It’ s My Prerogative seems to say that being a First Lady is very much a choice. Explain this outlook.
I believe that you have the choice to reject the call by not supporting your husband. You can choose not to walk in the call, not to be a leader, and not to be in submission to leadership. You can be in wrong character and not work with him as a team. When you accept the call, you both work together as a team and you stand beside your husband in ministry and support the vision that God has given to him.
Also, God gave me the title”It’s My Prerogative”, so I could address some issues in this book from past experiences and from research with other first ladies. I felt I had the right to say what I wanted to in order to encourage other first ladies that walk in the call.
What message do you want readers to gain from It’s My Prerogative?
I want the message of the book to be empowerment for the body of Christ, Pastors and their wives as they accept the call, to walk as an incredible team together. I want every Pastor’s wife to know that it is an honor that God has chosen her to walk alongside her husband in ministry.
What are some of the challenges that are addressed in the book?
Challenges addressed in the book include the secret places of the first lady. There are many places in the lives of first ladies that sometime cause us to have to walk along in the call of ministry. I also address issues such as how to minister to your husband, how to wear the many shoes of a first lady and how to seek guidance and direction when become a first lady. Finally, I address being yourself and praying for directions and coming together with your husband to discover the best ministry for your lives.
What lies ahead for Lady Gayle?
I want to continue to say yes to the call of ministry and support my husband. I think God has placed in me to write more for the body of Christ. I want to make a difference in the lives of first ladies, women and girls. The First Ladies Support Group just kicked off. This is my way of building up the first ladies as we continue to make a difference for so many people. I also plan to continue standing with my husband as we embark on a great endeavor to build a 3500 seat cathedral at our Houston location.
How can one purchase a copy of the book?
http://www.amazon.com, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ and Koininia Christian Bookstore located at the Houston campus. For any first ladies interested in becoming part of the First Ladies Support Group, email us at firstladiesgroup@yahoo.com
EDC Creations Literary News and Events
Please visit our archives to hear all the recordings from our 29-day Black History Month event. We want to celebrate Black History 365 days a year! Download and share with your community. Please leave your comments after listening.
Why You Are My Sister: Rhonica’s Notebook by Rhonica Wesley
If you know me, or you have even had a small conversation with me you will notice that when speaking to you it is “Sis this, or sis that.” Some might find it strange, but I would rather call you my sister than a B**** or a H*’. I feel that sometimes we don’t even know we are saying it, and that is something we need to work on. Just like the word N*****, B**** is another one of those words that black women personally need to stop using. When a male calls us a B**** we get mad and hurt, yet you can almost always here us say “B**** you so crazy.” “B**** you coming to the party.” A girl at my high school thought she could say any and everything to me, until one day she said, “B**** come here.” I hemmed her up in a corner and punched her square in the chest. My mother had always taught me that a B**** had four legs, and home girl had totally disrespected me. This is why I refer to you as my sister. Dogs drink from toilets, lay in filth, and eat anything under the sun. If I care for you why would I label you or lightly use such a word.
Let us remain sisters and leave the B****es and H*’s to those who are ignorant.
Ebook Publisher – Amira Press One year old this week!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AMIRA PRESS! Today, our doors have been opened for one year and it’s been a wonderful year! In our newsletter, we have a great anniversary contest going on! If you’d like to find out how to win MONTHS of free ebooks from Amira Press, email me back and let me know you’d like a copy of this months newsletter for details! Spread the word, let everyone know that Amira Press is honoring their 1 year anniversary with MONTHS of free ebooks to give away to 3 people. Hurry though, the deadline to enter is March 1!’
The Official Release of Mismatched
Can the traditional development of love survive cyber dating and the complications of ethnic variation?
Laura Major’s debut release of the multicultural contemporary romance, Mismatched takes a lighthearted yet sensual look at what happens when love is presented in a form that is unexpected and a manner that is unconventional.
Mismatched, which is set in the center of New York’s financial district and the New Jersey Suburbs, tells the story of Tessa Dennison, an African American finance professional who decides to option love on the Internet after a series of busted blind dates. To improve her odds, Tessa incorporates the gender expertise of Justin Martin her childhood friend and secret admirer.
Join Tessa and Justin for a matchmaking game like no other.
Laura Major has an English degree from Arizona State University and is an active member of the national organization Romance Writer’s of America and Interracial Multicultural Romance Readers online group as well as several other readers and writers groups.
ISBN: 978-1-934475-40-9
Amira Press, LLC
Baltimore, MD 21216
http://www.amirapress.com
http://lauramajor.com
Changing the face of our community through leadership
Ulysses “Butch” Slaughter is a cultural critic, lecturer and human development consultant with more than two decades of service focused on stabilizing Black communities. Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Butch Slaughter developed a passionate concern for Black families and Black children very early in life. Devastated at age 12 by the murder of his mother through the hands of his father, Mr. Slaughter traveled a long and difficult philosophical and psychological road toward resolution. Ultimately, he came to view his own salvation as inextricably linked to his service in the Black community.
A high school graduate of Chicago’s Quigley Seminary South, Mr. Slaughter pondered a future as a Catholic priest. Intrigued by existential theories and fate\free will concepts, he spent considerable time reflecting on the death of his mother and the role of a supreme being in the interactions of humankind. As fate would dictate, Mr. Slaughter would soon be introduced to the words of Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Bobby Wright and Amos Wilson. More than religious doctrine alone, Slaughter now had more relevant context for his concerns, hopes and contributions.
Mr. Slaughter’s contribution to humankind is manifest through his dedication to developing innovative, sustainable social solutions to challenges facing the Black communities he serves.
In 1993, as a journalist and public affairs specialist with the United States Navy, Mr. Slaughter co-directed development of the National African-American Club, a non-profit social and civic organization committed to bridging the gap between Black military members and the communities they serve. It was and is his firm belief that Black military members must make serving and protecting Black communities the uncompromising priority.
Subsequent to separation from the Navy in 1995, Mr. Slaughter opted to remain in Philadelphia where he immersed himself in youth development projects focused on introducing Black youth to journalism and media. Among his major projects was the development of the non-profit agency Groundwork, a youth-focused media campaign dedicated to providing youth with a public platform for addressing social and political issues. In more than three years of operation, Groundwork served more than 250 youth ages 10 to 22.
A graduate of Lincoln University’s Master of Human Services Program, Butch Slaughter is creating and implementing innovative ideas in the interest of Beyond prescribing distant analysis of social specializing in youth whose analysis has film producer and a native of Chicago, Ill. In addition to his work as an adjunct professor, Butch has consulted for numerous youth-serving agencies and founded two Black non-profit agencies. He is a graduate of Chicago’s Quigley Seminary South, a veteran of the United States Navy and a graduate of Lincoln University’s Masters of Human Service Program. Butch is also the past publisher of Perspective Magazine in Chester, PA. producer and director of the documentary “A Chester Story” and author of the book “A nigga tragedy.” Excerpts from Butch’s work can be found www.dienigga.com.
In a recent interview with Mr. Slaughter, here is what he had to say about his most recent novel, what’s upcoming for him in the literary market and some issues as they relate to our community and our youths.
DG: Butch, you have co-written a novel titled, Why Our Children Hate Us which discloses facts and issues pertaining to our youth and how they view adults and how black adults are betraying our black children. Can you explain why this title was chosen?
BS: I chose this title name because I sincerely believe Black children hate Black life as framed by Black adults. This hate I came to clearly recognize after years of intense interaction with Black children in various socialization environments including schools, churches and juvenile detention settings. While the upper administration of these facilities is usually composed of white males and females, the functionary staff is normally made up of Black men and women. The Black functionaries enforce the will (often ill will) – of the administration on the children and the children strongly resent this reality. For all intents and purposes, children see Black adults as older children in the scheme of racial politics. This compromises any respect Black adults think they should automatically receive just because they are adults. Children hate the idea that Black adults can’t change the reality and have decided that since they can’t beat the white establishment, they may as well join it.
DG: I read your book and you touched on some strong subjects, one in particular that caught my attention was “Our Lost Harvest.” You gave some great examples and pulled a verse from Toni Morrison‘s book, “Bluest Eyes.” Can you explain the paradigm between soil and seeds and how good soil and bad soil relate to our children from this view point?
BS: This is one of the sections written by co-author Eric Grimes. I, too, love this narrative. Essentially, what he is saying here is that through our love we brought our children – our fruit – into the world only to hand it over to a diabolical social structure. This speaks volumes about our historical disconnect as manifest through chattel slavery. In the absence of a “race first” – we first – social paradigm we continue to lose our harvest in public schools, prisons and even religious settings. Our soil, our spiritual foundation is dry and therefore our children are deficient and dying.
DG: I was also intrigued by these two stories in your book, The Sun Rises and The Sun Sets. What prompted these two stories?
BS: These two pieces are grounded in the social theater I’ve seen many times, nearly every day for years. I think anyone who takes the time to watch the daily death march of our children toward “school” will see this unfolding madness. It’s as if when the sun rises, our children are set on automatic zombie mode and obliged to pay homage to shrines of destruction. We act as if our children are actually on their way to get an education; they aren’t. They are being used and we are allowing this to happen.
The Sun Sets is based on true stories I’ve learned about a willingness of parents to prostitute their children. Parents will send their little girls on the streets to pawn their bodies as early as nine years old. Parents will send their little boys on the block to pass nickel bags as early as seven. I’ve seen it. Every day, the sun rises on our children’s demise and sets on their demise as well.
DG: Explain if you will, why our children hate us?
BS: Our children hate us because they know Black adults are wrong and willfully wrong. They have us because we have no courage or concern to change the world for them. They hate us because we think America is all there is. They know life should be better, not just for a few of them, but for all of them. As I said earlier, Black adults are like children themselves compared to White folks. And we have yet to be honest enough to admit it and brave enough to do something about it. We don’t deserve their love.
DG:. What is your next book title and what are some of the projects you are currently working on?
BS: I just released advanced copies of a book I call Dear Daddy, I hate you: letters to my mother’s killer. When I was 12 years old, my father killed my mother outside my bedroom door. My little brother and I had to step over her body to get out of the apartment. This book chronicles recent conversations I had with my father and letters I wrote to him in an attempt to free myself of three decades of frustration and pain. The theme of hate is very important to me obviously. Hate is not the opposite of love and does not have to be self destructive. Quite frankly anything you say about hate you can say about love. Most people would agree that love can be destructive. Is it then love when it becomes self-destructive? This is an important book for me because so many Blacks have suffered an arrested development of great proportions and have yet to grow up and be accountable. I think we must individually and collectively go back and retrieve that which will clarify where we should be going as a people. We must learn to hate those things that have acted to destroy us. Only then will we learn how to love ourselves and our children.
DG: Thank you Mr. Slaughter for sharing some conceptive and relatively informative facts on issues that matter. I hope your work will reach many and as well that your words will sink deep into the hearts of many. The future of our youth is something we should all be concerned about. Much success to you in the release of your next novel. I look forward to reading more from you.
Coming Soon to Amira Press: Mismatched
Tessa Dennison, an early-thirties finance professional, resolves to define love on her own terms after a series of busted blind dates.
Justin Martin, her best friend, has secretly loved Tessa since childhood. However, risking their friendship and their differing ethnic backgrounds holds him back. But it’s now or never when she convinces him to screen Internet bachelors for a love match.
Will Justin continue to let societal forces dictate his happiness or will he opt for full disclosure before Tessa finds a cyber match? Is Justin too firmly planted in the ‘friend zone’ to advance into Tessa’s dating portfolio?
Surviving Is Such a Wonderful Thing
Hello fellow Bloggers. Yes, I know it’s rather late for my post to come up, but I won’t apologize today. I can’t apologize because if will demean all that has happened in Memphis and surrounding cities. We had over 30 tornadoes to storm my city last night. Many of us lost power but that isn’t important as those who are trapped in building and in hospitals and sadly those who lost their lives. So, I can’t apologize just because my cable, my phone and my internet access just came back up. I won’t apolozie for being late on projects that were due today and last night too. I can only write that today I am exceedingly glad. I’m so thankful that even while me and my two sons were driving in the very midst of the tornado trying to get home, that we were unharmed. There were moments when we thought the gold sized hail was going to tear our vehicle in to. But God! God protected my home, my family members who were in the tornado, my grandchildren and my daughter in law who was trapped in the building where she works. I don’t have much else to say, if you want me to talk about writing today. I only have the words Thank You, Lord. I only have the words, Praise God. I only have the words, Hallelujah, Lord Jesus. I only have the words, Every good and perfect gift does truly come from God. And I love him for loving us!
The Miseducation of African American Children Day 3 of the Online Bookfair
Nothing saddened me more than the fact that three of my African American female students had no idea what the term “lynching” meant. These were otherwise, decently educated young black women seeking a career in the medical field.
During our exploration of medical ethics, we were watching a film about the “Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment” which took place in the 1930’s. This experiment was responsible for the spreading of syphilis to thousands of African American people in Tuskegee, Alabama.
During the course of the film, the main character suggested that his brother had been killed by lynching. The students turned to me and asked what it meant. My heart fell to my knees at the thought that any African American child in the United States would not recognize what this term meant.
With a lack of understanding like this, it’s no wonder that Tiger Woods was able to blow off the comment made by the news reporter some weeks ago.
You see, the problem is that our children are sitting in classrooms with people who either don’t care that they learn or who have their hands tied by the system when it comes to how and what they teach.
In Texas, teachers spend a disproportionate amount of their time teaching to a standardized test. How on earth do you standardize one’s education? Every person learns in a different way and at different speeds. Some learn by seeing, some learn by listening, and some learn by doing. There are also those people who have testing phobias that prohibit them from doing well on any test. Yet the powers that be have deemed it necessary to gauge a persons intelligence using these standardized tests. They have even gone so far as to connect the teachers ability to get a bonus with the success of the students on the standardized test.
Field trips to the museum, symphonies, and other cultural outlets are few and far between because teachers are in constant fear of losing their jobs if their students don’t perform well. Therefore, many of them don’t even bother addressing a wholistic approach to learning which would include learning ones history, culture, and background.
It’s no wonder that these three young ladies had no idea what lynching meant. The issue here is that if we forget our history, we will be doomed to repeat. When the atrocities that were inflicted upon African Americans is all but forgotten, a new reign of terror is bound to come about: Jena 6, nooses hanging at prominent fortune 500 companies, a man dragged to death in Jasper, Texas.
We must begin to teach our children about their history and make it relevant for them today. If the schools won’t do it, we have to. We can no longer afford to relegate this most important task to people who could care less if we know what has happened to us in the past.
Let’s take this opportunity with Sankofa online book fair, to learn all we can and share it with everyone we know.
David Hilliard: Participant of the Black Liberation Movement Speaks
The Arizona State University Campus
Environment Teams are jointly hosting events with keynote speaker,David Hilliard. Hilliard was a participant in the Black Liberation Movement of the 60s and 70s and is an internationally recognized authority on the Black Panther Party and its leader, Huey P. Newton.
Mr. Hilliard is also a founding member of the Huey P. Newton Foundation, an organization with a purpose of effecting progressive social change by teaching practical lessons of community service, such as the nation’s first sickle cell testing program and the free breakfast program in schools-tenants that initiated the nation to follow country-wide. Mr. Hilliard is the author of “The Black Panther” (2007), a collection of the Black Panther Party’s official news organ, “The Spirit of the Panther”, (2004) the first ever biography of Huey P. Newton, and “This Side of Glory”, (1994) his autobiography.
Free Public Lecture, Question and Answer Session, and Book Signing
Tempe Campus
Monday, Feb. 11
12:00 – 1:30 PM
University Club
Lunch Provided
Downtown Campus
Monday Feb. 11, 2008
4:30 to 6:30 PM
Residential Commons
Light Refreshments Served
Poly Campus
Tuesday Feb. 12, 2008
12:00 to 1:30 PM
Cooley Ballroom
Lunch Provided
Day 2 of the Sankofa Literary Society Bookfair
Well, the Black History Month Online Bookfair is well on it’s way. The second night saw a significant boost in the number of people in the chat room
Day one had a stirring oration by Lecount Holmes. His rendition of Fredrick Douglas was soul stirring.
Day two was a tribute to Karibu Books. I must say that I for one am sorry to see them go because I never got an opportunity to visit the stores in person. Nonetheless, they are an icon of African American Literacy and I hope their place in that history will not soon be forgotten.
I cannot wait to participate in the book fair in the days ahead.
Power in the Stance
I’ve been in my own world for the past few weeks while I edit my contracted novel and lay the foundation for my next work. In my short 33 years, I have never been known to take the easy road and the focus on igniting my literary career is no exception.
I write Multicultural Interracial Romance.
I’ll say it again….
I write Multicultural Interracial Romance.
I write about a society where people of differing cultures, races, religions and orientations positively interact with one another and in many cases fall in love.
I knew when I joined a couple of mainstream national writers’ groups and their local chapters that while I would be embraced for my passion of writing itself, they may not understand my chosen topic. So for a while I wrote in a vacuum, not sharing my work just calling it chicklit because of my knack for sarcasm and humor. But my work is much broader than a female coming of age story. My work is about families, friends, lovers, and society coming of age.
I emerged from my self-imposed coccoon to discover, on the first day of Black History month (gotta love the irony), that the possibility that we are evolving to a true melting pot of cultures in the publishing industry is not nearly as evident as first perceived. Yes, we are in the bookstores, but we still fight for shelf space and appropriate categorization.
While the list of African American, Gay/Lesbian, and Multicultural/Interracial romance titles are growing, there are still many agents, publishers and the like, who refuse to acknowledge the growing demand for this literature. Middle class Caucasians are not the only market for literature, and literature based on the white middle class does not speak to everyone. Why is it that we as people of color are expected to read and enjoy literature based on the white experience, while accepting the lie that our experience holds no interest for anyone? The answer isn’t to be prejudice against the white experience, but for everyone to equally value all cultural experiences.
Well, this post is the result of an uproar regarding the 2007 Best Book of the Year contest posted by Ecataromance. A very active multicultural/interracial group of writers and readers discovered that two of their own published members were among the nominees. They were both writers of interracial romance. Not only were they nominated, but they were in the number one and number two spots for their categories. The group urged it’s members to visit the ecataromance site and place their votes for Aliyah Burke & Shara Azod.
Then suddenly the voting was halted and the poll was replaced with a new poll minus these author’s books.
http://readerslounge.catanetwork.com/?page_id=305
The only explanation was that some books were miscategorized and the organizer wanted to ensure that all books nominated were correctly categorized. As a result, the new poll was re-posted and the voting deadline was extended. Why hadn’t this due dilligence been exhausted prior to the initial release of the poll? And why did recategorization constitute removing the works of the interracial authors?
After the ever- growing multicultural audience expressed their disgust via blogs and chatrooms and a barrage of questions from publishers of multicultural and interracial romance flooded the ecataromance webmistress’ in-box, the poll was restored and the original deadline upheld.
http://www.ecataromance.com/index.php?page_id=323
In the end, Azod came in first place in all three of her categories and Burke took second place in hers. Now we are left to wonder what the end result would have been had this poll genuinely ended on it’s own natural volition.
Nevertheless, this is a prime lesson for the power of standing firm in what you believe. We may not be fighting lynchings, church burnings, fire hose assaults, and police baton beatings, but we are still striving to maintain every inch of progress those we honor this month have acquired for us.
Can Hiip Hop Be Holy?
A few weeks ago I spoke with Saideh Brown, author of “Can Hip Hop Be Holy?
Much to my surprise she was emphatic about the fact that Hip Hop can never be considered holy. It must be said that Saideh Brown came from a Hip Hop background. Not only did she make a career out of Hip Hop, but she is a native of New York which is where Hip Hop was born.
In my research for this particular show, I learned alot about what Hip Hop is and what it isn’t. Contrary to what I first believed, it is not a genre of music. Instead it is a cultural movement that was started by Afrika Bambaataa. It was his response to the ills of society that plagued African Americans that lived in poverty in the city of New York. It was merely an afterthought that rap, (a musical genre), became associated with the movement.
The Hip Hop movenent lifted up pimps, prostitutes, and drug dealers, as the people to whom one must aspire to become. Hip-Hop has changed the very appearance of its followers by creating a look, a way of governing yourself, and a language that should be spoken.
Now this movement is beginning to pop up in church services all over the country. The belief is that you can still walk the walk , talk the talk, and dress the dress of a Hip Hopper and still be holy.
The question that many in the church are asking is, “Where’s the change? Isn’t it when people see the change in others, that they see that change is possible for them?
The Bible says, “If any man be in Christ he is a new creature.” Why try to redeem something that was birthed out of lack, poverty, rebellion, and ethnocentricity? Why not allow God to gift you supernaturally to deal with the spirit in the youth that is pulling them to Hip-hop in the first place?
Should we allow a man that looks thugged-out, and gangstered-up, to get up and validate the Hip-hop lifestyle in church? Many of our youth cannot get decent jobs or even finish school because they refuse to change their look for our society. They want to look gangster and thugged-out like the Hip-hop artists they see, but those artists are paid for looking like that, and our kids can’t get ahead looking like them. And now, there are Christian versions of these thugs and gangsters? Shouldn’t we reach out to them with an example of how the power of God changes a person rather than how your insides can change, but it does not affect the outside?
Do effective youth ministries really need gimmicks? Are we diminishing, watering down, altering, and apologizing for the Words of God when we try to include Holy Hip Hop in today’s church? Are we saying that the church needs to become worldly in order to attract the attention of today’s youth?
Or is the opposite true? Is this really a viable way to reach our youth? Is it okay as long as we quote scripture and tell the good news?
I realize that this is probably one of the first unchurched generations. We need to find ways to reach them and bring them to the body of Christ. It is the hypocrisy that exists in some churches that has turned many of them away, but is Holy Hip Hop a viable solution? Some would argur that God would want us to be all things for all men.
What do you think?
What Ever Happened To Black Love? (Column: Motivation Extends My Soul)
I can remember the time, I can see it, the love we shared
Pickin’ up that cotton together, chained together, bound in true holiness together,
On our hands and knees we were on the ground praying to GOD together
Even looking in your eyes while we were hung together
It was strong
It was based off the struggles we’ve dealt with
It was based off the honor we gave
It was true, it was real, it was down to earth, and it was deep
Couldn’t any man break that bond- It was tight and it was right
What ever happened to Black Love?
What is Black Love?
When I stand by your side, when the world is trying to destroy you undercover
I am your best friend and I am your lover
When I give birth to your children, so that they may represent who you stand for as Black Man and who I stand for as a Black Woman, and have meaning on this earth
So I may know you are down for me, and that I am down for you all the way
My Black beauty is what you are attracted to and love
You are my Black King and I am your Black Queen,
So let’s go raise our Black prince and princess into the same,
Baby we ain’t got no shame in this Black love game
What ever happened to Black Love?
It’s like, non-existent sometimes, it’s like scarce, it’s like, he just my baby daddy or, she just my baby mama,
Its like, you embarrassed to tell your boys you in love with this Black woman, you’d rather say, she just my friend, nothing more.
You telling everybody, even your own mind that you don’t want nothing more from that Black woman
But ain’t that kind of strange, when all she will do is love you and use her own strength to pick you up, when she see you slippin’ and expect nothing less from you
She will stand by your side till death,
And you don’t want that?
Black man why you embarrassed to be in Love???????
Why? You think being a real man doesn’t involve being in love or showing your love?
So that you see my Black face, and have misconceptions mixed in with your made up annotations that Black women are this or that, mama dramas, and round about attitudes
What ever happen to Black Love?
When the respect that is lost and thrown out the window for this Black woman or Black man
When the prejudging of a Black Man is not only being degraded by the White Man, but also by his own Black sister too
And the Black Man is saying: Black Woman don’t hate on me, when I already got the White man and sometimes the other Black men hating on me too
And Black Women, he’s absolutely right….
Love sees no color; I would have to agree with that
But it’s not stupid either, and knows color exist, Love feels it
And when love is hating its own and treating it as though something else is better,
Cause you’d rather be with Heather
Or maybe Ms. Ramirez, cause you think that’s the fairest
No, Brotha’, there’s a problem, solve it!
Cause I see you looking at Shaniqua with doubt
Black Man, what’s that all about ?
Isn’t your mother Black, isn’t your sister Black, isn’t your very daughter and son Black?
Are you dating her because she has long straight blonde hair, or easier; so you have stated? Or are you dating her because you really love her?
Are you not dating her over there, because you think she got an attitude and hair is too short or kinked up, and hips are too big, and the skin is too dark? Or are you not dating her because you honestly don’t match character-wise.
There are plenty of beautiful Black woman with many shades and shapes
But regardless, whoever you date make sure love is the basis for it all
I love my Blackness, I love these big hips and round ass, and I love the thickness of my hair, And all of the styles that I can work with
Because nobody else got all these beautiful characteristics, not like me. Don’t you see?
GOD pictured us, and then made us and said, “Black women, I’m going to make you beautiful, Black and unique.
Cause brotha’, why you tryin’ to play me, when she over there tryin’ to be just like me.
My Brotha’s…. What ever happened to Black Love?
Your own brother you talkin’ about like a dog to the world, and you won’t even help him
And the White Man is sitting back loving it all
But when the White man does the same, it racism
Y’all better cut out all that haterism
What is that really going to accomplish, for real?
Y’all better start making this a big deal
Cause just remember the White man will help his own kind before he helps you, if anything he probably gonna use you for all your hard work, don’t get it confused… OK?
Cause ain’t that what he did to you back in the day?
Understand that, remember that, just go ahead and place it in your mind in case you ever forget
My sisters…. What ever happened to Black Love?
Have we forgot how to respect ourselves?
Cause you know if YOU don’t, the man sure the hell won’t
Now, I’m gonna say this once and maybe once more, because even sometimes I forget and I don’ wrote it:
“Having a man in my life will only influence my happiness, not decide my happiness.
My happiness will be chosen by myself and will depend upon my attitude about who I am as a Black woman and life in general.”
Don’t just totally rely on a man to get you where and what you want
Set goals, set dreams, and be the strong Black, unique, woman that GOD made you to be
And if a man does come around to welcome you something, that’s fine
Just remember you can get yours even if he don’t come around
And lets help one another out and build each other up instead of down
We have to keep this world together Black ladies
Act like you love yourself and your children,
Men will respect that
And make them men wait before you just go around given’ it up
Treat your stuff like its diamonds and gold
Make them pay some kind of price before you give it up
And NO….. that price is not all about money, or what they could buy you
Although don’t get me wrong that is nice, But in reality, you can do that your damn self
Unless you don’t really care… Maybe you just need to get you some
But use condoms and don’t be dumb
Unless you want a baby or a disease
And if you are in a relationship, hey… that’s your call
But reach into your mind for a moment before you let them panties fall
And reap the consequences that’s all I’m saying
And think about that, while you on that bed or floor laying
And yes we’ve all had to learn the hard way about feelings getting hurt
I know I have, but now I know I’m on alert
Black women, you have to start using your mind,
Cause If you don’t, then guess who they going around calling a HO?
And you looking like you didn’t even know
So…
If you like that title, then go ahead and do the damn thing Fo’ show!
What ever happened to Black love?
Why are you putting him down as a Black man all the time?
Yes he has flaws, but so do you
Even though Black Men do get on my nerves sometimes too
I can feel you on that and I can relate
But I love my Black Men, I must admit, and I want him as my mate
And I’d rather be with a Black Man any day, and have his children
Because in my book, that’s just the way to do it
Black men have had struggles like no other man, and he has conquered endeavors in front of the entire world
They be frontin’ on him, but they wanna be just like that Black Man
That Black Man is strong in body and in mind
They don’t know his strength, and NO, they can’t have his strength
Why are you dwelling on his jail times, and bail times
And if he doesn’t change, then you know what you gotta do
But let me just remind you, there’s more Black men who got it together than you think
Don’t let the news confuse you
But he’s trying to do something with his life and needs your support as a Black Woman
These Black men have come a long way
And they are here to stay
And they are reaching limitless boundaries and I am loving it…OK!
Stand by his side, and take care of that Black King
So you can teach your little prince to be just like that Black King
So that we may raise our little Black prince and princess up, so that they know who they are as a Black woman and Black man
And not become confused, thinking that Whiteness is better than Blackness
So they may represent and present what Black love is
Don’t get me wrong, we should love all races
But not love all other races and hate our own Blackness.
What ever happened to Black love?
Black love is a beautiful thing
Being Black is a beautiful thing
We need Black people to represent the Black love, because if we don’t, who will?
The man who is White? Yea, right….
Black love is needed in order to built the self-esteem of Black people and to keep the generation going and going and going
Its lacking sometimes, it’s shedding a little
Who told your mind that White skin is better than Black ?
Who told your mind that course hair is bad, and straight hair is better?
Who told your mind this nose is unattractive and that narrow straight nose is better?
Who told your mind these big lips are unpleasant and those thin lips are better?
The person who has that White skin told you that!
That person who has that straight hair told you that!
That person who has that narrow straight nose told you that!
That person with those thin lips told you that!
GOD never told you that!!
And you believed them like a fool, because it was more of them than you!
And why did you listen???? Ok, so now they GOD right? NO!
They told you that, because that’s what they have and they like who they are
But you actin’ like you don’t even like who you are,
GOD created me and told me and showed me that I am beautiful
And I don’t know what you talkin’ bout
But I love my Blackness, It is beautiful, And you can’t have it, And you ain’t got it, And you ain’t never gonna take it,
And NO, I ain’t going to exchange my Blackness
What ever happened to Black Love?
When I see more White people in love than I see Black people – That’s what it seems
And for the Black people who are in love, I raise my fist in the air for you
When I see you disrespecting that Black Queen, and then you walking down the isle with that White one
When I see you neglecting that Black daughter of yours, but raising that new mixed daughter of yours, But ain’t she Black too?
Who told your mind that the light is better than the dark?
Who told your heart that the loving was easier?
Who told your soul that you would rather be in a committed relationship with her rather than me?
Why are you letting your ears listen to those White words, when he doesn’t even like who you really are. And sees you as negatively different?
And even wants to see you be more like him, because he thinks he is better, and wonders why GOD even made you in the first place
What the HELL ever happened to Black Love?
Because you don’t even like who you are,
So now you trying to change me, rearrange me, and than exchange me
My sisters and brothers, What ever happened to Black love?
Let’s make it grow some more with force
Spreading it out is OK, let’s just remember our own as well
Let’s keep it intact, so there won’t even be a question as to:
What Ever Happened to Black Love
Written by Tinisha Nicole Johnson
Author, Writer, Poet
www.tinishanicolejohnon.com
WHAT TURNS YOU ON? PassionScape by Hazel Mills
The month of February is the month for passion and romance. Think about it. The weather is cold and damp, naturally forcing us inside around a cozy fire and snuggled under a soft blanket with that special someone. The intoxicating scent of luxurious roses, the sweet indulgence of decadent chocolates, and the sparkle of jeweled clad teddy bears are constant reminders that February is the month that’s made just for lovers.
Speaking of lovers, what turns you on about yours? Are you turned upside down by full luscious lips or by an ass so hard, it could crush diamonds? Or, would you prefer mental orgasm?
PassionScape poses the question: What turns you on?
This month, we hear from author and poet, Chloe R. Her short stories can be found in Erogenous Zone (Xpress Yourself Publishing), Mental Seductions (Diva Books Publishing) and the upcoming erotic anthology Mocha Chocolate (Shanibooks, Inc.). Her article, Hiding From Erotica?, will be featured in the upcoming issue of Noire Magazine. Chloe’s first erotic novel, Discovering Love, is scheduled for release in 2009 by Xpress Yourself Publishing. For more information, visit her at http://www.chloewrites.com.
Irreplaceable Mental Stimulation
By
Chloe R.
It would be disingenuous to say that physical appearance didn’t matter, didn’t draw me in or spark my imagination. The simple shape of a man’s head can make my mind wonder; the thickness of his bottom lip might send undeniable sparks across my thighs. Sometimes, the way he moves, smiles, rests comfortably within himself, speaks volumes about his manhood and all his possibilities, inspiring the most intimate me. His physical appearance tells me how he wants to portray himself, whether he appears calm and confident, or seems tacky, rude and uncouth. It gives me a surface screening, a sample, a taste test of what special gifts he may possess. But that is all. And, to turn me on, and hopefully turn me out, a small hint of the man is not nearly enough.
While the physical appearance may turn my head, make me giggle in embarrassment by the sensual thoughts passing through my mind, or inexplicably flirt, it only satisfies the surface urge. A few sentences, a couple of minutes of interaction, and every preconceived notion of masculinity can shatter like splintered crystal or simply fade away in the wind. The words that tumble from his lips flow from his soul. A conversation that reveals an empty spirit, a clueless mind or a crass sense of humor immediately destroys all physical attraction. Well, maybe not all, but enough that I couldn’t fully release all of me while making love to him. If he can’t observe the simple things, can’t take notice of natural beauty, can’t identify a diamond in the rough, then, no matter how strong his masculine pull initially felt, it would end up loudly seeping out like a tear in a helium balloon.
But, mental stimulation. Damn. How can it be replaced or substituted? A man who was only a friend can transform before my eyes, turning into the best lover, causing the deepest sexual longing and invoking the richest intimate satisfaction. By mental stimulation. It begins as a connection. An unspoken thing. A shared vibe. A unique rhythm that we enjoy. But his eyes, his smile, his caress and his suggestions tell me his desires. And, as I said before, the words that tumble from his lips flow from his soul. As he speaks, he affirms my femininity. He invokes beauty in sensual ribbons that wrap around my brain and tie delicately across my body. I understand him and, more importantly, I feel understood. And that allows me to be free, to release myself to the passion rolling within me. Before he kisses me, my lips already feel him and the roof of my mouth already tingles. Before he touches me, my skin already burns, satin already releases in preparation for him. All because he explored my mental, stimulated my mind, and gave me a space of trust and delicious intimacy.
And that, in my opinion, is a zone that can never be replaced by simple physical attraction.
Now, it’s your turn. Let me know if you agree with Chloe or if you are turned on by stimulation of a different kind.
SLS Paradigm Shift: Moving Literature to New Dimensions 