Thank you!

I want to take this time to not only wish all my readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, but also to thank you for your continued support and admiration. My next book will be on male youth scheduled for release in Spring 2011. Because males tend to be more visual, I'm including illustrations this time around, along with exercises and interviews with young Black males who come from dire situations and yet have found productive ways in coping and ultimately finding their personal success. We've already come up with a book cover design that I think parents and educators, and the young men themselves will find quite appealing, if not bangin'! Palm cards and copies for select reviews will begin going out in March. Until then, enjoy your holidays and let's make this new year and even better one!

Peace and gratitude

In My Hood...

More photos to come. But in the meantime...

A middle school assistant principal wanted to purchase my books for her hotheads. As much as I like to make sales, I told her my books and subject matters may be too mature for middle school age. Even some grown folks aren't ready for prime time! But she said there're kids 11-12 having sex in the restrooms and sneaking guns into class. I consider myself a streetwise educator, but that there's not gangsta. That's just plain sad. So yea, here're your copies and let's do some parent/pre-teen workshops!!!

Louis Reyes Rivera

Pan African studies professor/poet/literary guru, Louis Reyes Rivera will be reviewing my upcoming book on young Black males; and I didn't have to come at him with letters behind my name or a suit n tie, for that matter, to get love. Just the same passion he has for waking up the dead and saving the marginalized.

For Colored Girls...

Is this you?

I don’t take constructive criticism well

I like to control people and situations

I’m a great talker, but not a good listener

I like to have the last word

I get defensive
when someone tries to call me on my mess

I spend more attention on my looks
and things I own than on what kind of person I am

I make friends with only those who tolerate my negative ways,
and avoid those who challenge me

I think the empowerment of females means disempowering males



Before You Fly Off--
Fatherly advice for young, urban
African American females

Take your power back!

When I Don't Write, I Teach; When I Don't Teach,...

My father was a photographer, but I never took it seriously; still don't. But sometimes I surprise myself and others with a few extra-ordinary shots!!!....

For World AIDS Day/For Marcus...

It's only now that I notice
how long and filthy his fingernails are
His brown skin is unusually gray
with sores covering past sores
The weight that once supported a handsome frame
is now rapidly deteriorating
He's losing his hair in the most gruesome fashion
and his face has been taken hostage by lizard wrinkles
The bottom of his T-shirt
full of dried-up food, blood and mucous stains
His eyes, dead and glassy
the feel of his hand, clammy
If not for his grubby tube socks,
they'd be fins for feet
Like a fading spirit,
remmebering nothing but a vacuum,
His mouth is a tunnel for spite
and vomit.

Mothers, Fathers, Children, Teachers, Lovers too; and Who's Counseling the Counselor?

Mothers,
When you tell your son to stop crying, boys don't cry, i'll give you something to cry about, get outta my face, get off me, punk, punk-ass, you're just like your damn father, shut da fk up before i knock da Black offa' you!!!...when you lay your rage on him rather than checking yourself and finding out what's up with you, you plant the seed for a very sad wake up call later on when he gives you back everything you taught him!

Fathers,
Call/text your sons and daughters. tell'em you love them. don't buy them anything. there's time for that. plus, you don't want them thinking you're nothing but an atm. and if you're not being allowed to be in their lives, then go to family court and get your visitation rights. with no documentation to show you at least tried, you're setting yourself up for a 'don't need you no more' hand sign later on when they're grown and gone!

Children,
Education is a business. this is why the focus is on indoctrination and not inspiration; fitting in and not standing out. if your instructor isn't helping you become more self-empowered yet expects you to glorify everyone but you and those who look like you, switch to auto pilot (so you can get that grade), but be sure to get your needs met once you're out of the crashroom!!!

Teachers,
You're either teaching empowerment or teaching lies.

Lovers,
Love is not control, but it helps to show respect
Love is not forever, so best to focus on friendship and connection
Love is not dominance, but it helps to watch your ways and your tone
Love is not a sex act, so best to reach deeper
Love is not by chance, but it does take being open and available
Love is not a game, so tell those distractors to stay away
Love is not for everyone, but everyone needs it.

And Counselors,
If you're not working on your own issues,
why should we trust you with ours?

Message to a Youngblood

You can't be Muslim on Monday
and maybe on Tuesday
Can't change hand signs
depending on who's winning

You can't wear Nubian
and not know Sudan
Can't be a godbody
if you don't wash your ass!






You can't call yourself nigga
to justify nigger
Can't be a brotha
if you disrespect sista

A woman in her place
is not a cook and a maid
And walking a fine line
doesn't always mean wavering

You can't be free
if your freedom is money
Can't look fly
if your insides got maggots

You can't look at music
without looking at yourself
You can't act a fool
if your life means anything to you

A business transaction
doesn't have to turn fatal
And not all men
like to be called dog

You're not immortal
if you didn't reach your potential
You're not smoking a cigar
if you're inhaling paper bag

You can't say you're grown
when you still walk like a toddler
You can't be a father
if you have no wisdom to pass on

A typical video
is a man without depth
And depth is not
something you buy at the bodega

You don't get a prize
for not going to jail

Can't have a revolution
if you can't spell revolution!



From my upcoming book....stay tuned