Southern Eccentrik

It’s a metaphor, but I made you look, didn’t I? This post is about art and living as an artist, I promise. Just follow me here. Creative energy is at the heart of both coital activity and artistic expression.  Let’s make the connection here. When using creative energy to engage in sexual activity, humans can … Continue reading »

Note: This short story will be moved to another one of my websites, The Womanhood Chronicles, once I am done with updating it.  The website will feature the creative writings of myself and other women writers. Meanwhile, enjoy this short story that was originally written in 2001, however, I’ve revamped it. COCOA BUTTER Ms. Uptown … Continue reading »

Both Hip Hop & I have come a long way since 1982 when it blessed my life. It is a worldwide game-changer, while I owe much of my cultural, artistic, & personal development to its influence.  As I get ready to round out this 3rd decade of living, I can honestly say that I’m just … Continue reading »

So, here I am, deep into the draft for my next stageplay, Honey’s Kitchen. I’m constantly developing the story, the characters, and envisioning the set.  Then, one day in February, a tragic event stopped my creation process dead in its tracks.  I came across a headline about an unarmed teenager murdered by, of all things, … Continue reading »

By now, you’re fully aware that, Red Tails, George Lucas’ cinematic account of the Tuskegee Airmen opened in theaters across the country this weekend.  Sitting in my cushiony seat at the Malco Paradiso theater on Saturday night, I thought about all of the hype before the film; the barrage of posts on my FB newsfeed … Continue reading »

I’ll admit it. I have trouble being myself all of the time, not because I don’t know me. On the contrary, I’ve been studying myself for as long as I can remember so I’m quite comfortable with all of my imperfections and facets.  For a brief moment in my life, though, feeling like an oddball … Continue reading »

Cultural Translation: The first time I heard this term, it was being used by a political science professor to describe the late Isaac Hayes.  At the opening ceremony for Kwanzaa 2006, the artist formerly known as Black Moses was standing alongside the former Superintendent of Memphis City Schools (Memphis, TN), Carolyn Johnson as official ceremonial royalty. … Continue reading »

Here’s a post that I just wrote for the blog, Love Jones Lifestyle. I’m a co-contributor over there…. Whether we admit it or not, all of us have veils to cover our faces and fortresses around our hearts. Anything that will reveal the depth of our emotions is generally shielded from the piercing eyes of … Continue reading »

This is dedicated to the courageous women who dare to be over 35…..and single. The ones who boldly arise every day to stare down traditional values and dare them to stress us any longer. This is an anointed lot of the Black single woman population who are fed up with the drab statistics and the … Continue reading »

Happy Father’s Day to all of the Dads, soon-to-be Dads and would-be Dads out there.  I just got off the phone with my Ol’ Dude and as usual, he was just as nonchalant and unexcited about the whole thing.  As I jubilantly said ‘Happy Father’s Day’ and ‘Happy Belated Birthday’ (he turned 63 earlier this … Continue reading »