Chi city never lets me down when it comes to the many festivities throughout the year; the Taste, the Gospel Festival, the Christmas lights and decorated windows down Michigan Avenue. One of my all time favorites, the annual car show. Man, Cadillacs, Audis, Mini Coopers, Porche. Maybachs... all the cars that aren't quite in my budget right now.
I only made the very last day, Sunday, February 20th at McCormick Place, thinking I would avoid the crowd. But I should've known better...not in Chi city. The crowd was thicker than Nicki Minaj, and the cars, variety of colors like her wigs. And Vee...front center, working the camera and the Flip, to bring to you Chicago's 2011 Car Show.
Enjoy my exclusive videos below! From Vee to You...
Love,
Vee
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
LOVE on a 2 way Street
Okay loves, I got a question and I dare you to keep it 100% real with me: Ever been in a relationship with someone (boyfriend, girlfriend, homie, besty, mother, father, sister, brother...) where the other person never had a problem receiving, but giving was a big ass deal? You know, one of those situations where you are in the mode to give, give, give, and their in the mindset to just take, take, take?
If you've answered yes, then this love letter is for you. And for that selfish ass taker, who didn't appreciate and value your giving.
However, before we shine light on the selfishness, let's evaluate the contents of giving, shall we. To give fairly means that once you loan your homie five bucks, that's that. It's not loaning your homie that fin, and holding it over their heads every damn breath they take. To me, only thing worse than being a selfish person who only takes and dont give, is a person who gives unfairly, unjustly.
Giving is from the heart, it is not an action taken to prove to the world that you're such a lovely being. It's not an action taken to brag about the fact that you had five bucks and your homie broke as hell. Giving is an action that can sometimes be left silent, because the act of giving speaks for itself... and you.
So when you give just to receive credit or use it as black male on someone, keep whatever you giving in your damn pocket. It's better off there anyway since you're not giving from the heart.
Now that we've cleared that up, let's dicuss the issue of having love on a two way street. Being a woman, and only expecting YOUR Valentine's gifts. Or watching her pick up the check at the restaurant, while you keep your money in your pocket and pick up your fork. I'm with Lauryn Hill, who do I have to be, to gain some reciprocity?
Let's be real, which is all I know to be. There are people out here who will take advantage of you, walk all over you and make a fool of your giving. Folks who will take your last, not care and turn right around and deny you of their last. Yes, we call that selfish as hell, with no morale.
However, those types should not destroy your spirit of giving. Now I'm not saying that those types deserve you, but they most definitely don't deserve to take your spirit.
It take two to tango...okay maybe that's the wrong cliche', get your mind out of the gutter! But what I mean is, in order for any relationship to work, be healthy, there needs to be a reciprocated sense of love, equal means of giving.
Love you...and remember, be a blessing to receive a blessing; that lesson will get you very far,
Vee
If you've answered yes, then this love letter is for you. And for that selfish ass taker, who didn't appreciate and value your giving.
However, before we shine light on the selfishness, let's evaluate the contents of giving, shall we. To give fairly means that once you loan your homie five bucks, that's that. It's not loaning your homie that fin, and holding it over their heads every damn breath they take. To me, only thing worse than being a selfish person who only takes and dont give, is a person who gives unfairly, unjustly.
Giving is from the heart, it is not an action taken to prove to the world that you're such a lovely being. It's not an action taken to brag about the fact that you had five bucks and your homie broke as hell. Giving is an action that can sometimes be left silent, because the act of giving speaks for itself... and you.
So when you give just to receive credit or use it as black male on someone, keep whatever you giving in your damn pocket. It's better off there anyway since you're not giving from the heart.
Now that we've cleared that up, let's dicuss the issue of having love on a two way street. Being a woman, and only expecting YOUR Valentine's gifts. Or watching her pick up the check at the restaurant, while you keep your money in your pocket and pick up your fork. I'm with Lauryn Hill, who do I have to be, to gain some reciprocity?
Let's be real, which is all I know to be. There are people out here who will take advantage of you, walk all over you and make a fool of your giving. Folks who will take your last, not care and turn right around and deny you of their last. Yes, we call that selfish as hell, with no morale.
However, those types should not destroy your spirit of giving. Now I'm not saying that those types deserve you, but they most definitely don't deserve to take your spirit.
It take two to tango...okay maybe that's the wrong cliche', get your mind out of the gutter! But what I mean is, in order for any relationship to work, be healthy, there needs to be a reciprocated sense of love, equal means of giving.
Love you...and remember, be a blessing to receive a blessing; that lesson will get you very far,
Vee
Friday, February 25, 2011
LOVE, Peace and HAIR GREASE
When it comes to hair, everyone knows, women don't play. And stereotypes make it just about black women; but just like that chicken myth, that's a narrow minded lie. Mostly, ALL women, despite their ethnicities, make a big deal about their hair...and hell, we should. It is, after all, the attribute that could either make or break us in terms of appearance, and for our hair, we'll go all out.
From dye jobs, to 15 inch extensions to going bald and wearing a lace front, women are known for spending the time and money and taking the risk on their hair. Some of us go natural, go blonde, get dreaded up...the styles are endless. But, here's the catch... not just any ole body is allowed up in our hair...it's like the golden rule. And when we find that one person, and try them out for at least three appointments, oh that, that's something special.
That's why Emmy Award winning Oscar James has made such a great name for himself. He is Hollywood's leading man when it comes to whipping up some hair. And he's damn good. His client list includes Beyonce, Tyra Banks, Iman, Rick Fox, Vanessa Williams, Deborah Cox, Luther Vandross...the list is endless. Point blank, the man has it going on.
Supermodel Iman says that she does not trust anyone else in her hair but Oscar James. And that speaks volumes about Oscar and the work that he does.
"I think Iman and other celebs choose me first because I'm very versatile," he said.
He's great friends and colleagues with Sam Fine, celebrity makeup artist (he was featured one of my previous love letters, Loving What I See in the Mirror). He considers their work as teamwork and says that he enjoys working with Sam.
Oscar's success is amazing and he remains to be modest and humble. Tyra Banks said that when she's in his chair, people walk in and ask for his autograph, not hers.
"It's funny because very few people recognized me off sight," he explained. "But usually when they hear my name they know me"
Again, and I may just say this every letter, passion should be the vehicle that drives you. And Oscar's passion is hair and beauty. He said, "I enjoy making people look good. It makes me happy."
We love you Oscar James! You are quite an inspiration... Keep whipping up that hair!
Love,
Vee
From dye jobs, to 15 inch extensions to going bald and wearing a lace front, women are known for spending the time and money and taking the risk on their hair. Some of us go natural, go blonde, get dreaded up...the styles are endless. But, here's the catch... not just any ole body is allowed up in our hair...it's like the golden rule. And when we find that one person, and try them out for at least three appointments, oh that, that's something special.
That's why Emmy Award winning Oscar James has made such a great name for himself. He is Hollywood's leading man when it comes to whipping up some hair. And he's damn good. His client list includes Beyonce, Tyra Banks, Iman, Rick Fox, Vanessa Williams, Deborah Cox, Luther Vandross...the list is endless. Point blank, the man has it going on.
Supermodel Iman says that she does not trust anyone else in her hair but Oscar James. And that speaks volumes about Oscar and the work that he does.
"I think Iman and other celebs choose me first because I'm very versatile," he said.
He's great friends and colleagues with Sam Fine, celebrity makeup artist (he was featured one of my previous love letters, Loving What I See in the Mirror). He considers their work as teamwork and says that he enjoys working with Sam.
Oscar's success is amazing and he remains to be modest and humble. Tyra Banks said that when she's in his chair, people walk in and ask for his autograph, not hers.
"It's funny because very few people recognized me off sight," he explained. "But usually when they hear my name they know me"
Again, and I may just say this every letter, passion should be the vehicle that drives you. And Oscar's passion is hair and beauty. He said, "I enjoy making people look good. It makes me happy."
We love you Oscar James! You are quite an inspiration... Keep whipping up that hair!
Love,
Vee
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Loose Squares, Loose LOVE
Seems as if loose squares are plaguing our streets more than crack cocaine and heroin. Everywhere, the Blue Line subway, the 63rd and State bus stop, outside of our schools..."loose squares, loose squares"...that's what my ears take in and my heart has to process when I'm traveling in our hoods. The bogus hustling, the lung cancer that is killing us, the underage cigareete smoking, the sensation of smoking.
So a pack of squares in most of our hoods are about $7.50. Damn! I don't know about you all, but I can do a lot of productive things with that little bit of money. I'm sure a lot of us can, but a lot of us would much rather purchase New Port longs, and live short.
But coming from the hands of a hustler, if you want a box, maybe six bucks and some change. Hell, no wonder some folks settling for the nickle bag of fun these days.
But a loose square, 50 cents, two for a dollar. And if the hustler knows you and you're a regular, perhaps a better deal than that.
Now Vee never knocks a hustle, I honor any hustler's spirit. However, I do have an issue with a street hustle that's digging our communities in deeper holes of destruction. Like weed, most cigarette smokers do not characterize cigarettes as a drug. I say, if it's causing you to spend your last and it takes chewing some gum to kick the habit, it's pretty damn addictive. And smoking is a big deal. Hell, even President Obama made a televised announcement that he's kicked the habit.
I remember when I first saw a lady hustler selling loose squares outside a Citgo Station out West. Pretty girl, and I hated that loose squares had to be her hustle. I couldn't help but wonder if she was, herself, a cigarette smoker and if her kids were eating off those dollars she pocketed. And if those kids were maybe victims of second hand smoke, or perhaps smokers themselves.
Too many cigaratte smokers got their heads stuck in their own smoke clouds and choking on the truth: the shit is killing us all. Whether you're a smoker or not, cigarettes may effect your health. And that's bogus.
I notice how these wack ass advertisements are targeting the mind of our youth, when they know damn well their vulnerable to do it only because "everybody else is doing it." I see more cigarette butts in vacant lots of the hood than I do blades of grass. And some people who aren't willing to buy squares from the local gas stations or off the streets, oh those folks "catch a bargain" and buy them in bulk at Sam's Club or a tobacco shop. I say, at least they're saving a few bucks, because their damn sure not saving no lives.
The loose squares in our hood displays a sense of loose love. Because if our love was tight, if we were really "good in the hood", wouldn't be all this drug distribution. Our hustles would be more positive and they wouldn't promote and advocate the same issues we're trying to dig ourselves from underneath.
Love,
Vee
So a pack of squares in most of our hoods are about $7.50. Damn! I don't know about you all, but I can do a lot of productive things with that little bit of money. I'm sure a lot of us can, but a lot of us would much rather purchase New Port longs, and live short.
But coming from the hands of a hustler, if you want a box, maybe six bucks and some change. Hell, no wonder some folks settling for the nickle bag of fun these days.
But a loose square, 50 cents, two for a dollar. And if the hustler knows you and you're a regular, perhaps a better deal than that.
Now Vee never knocks a hustle, I honor any hustler's spirit. However, I do have an issue with a street hustle that's digging our communities in deeper holes of destruction. Like weed, most cigarette smokers do not characterize cigarettes as a drug. I say, if it's causing you to spend your last and it takes chewing some gum to kick the habit, it's pretty damn addictive. And smoking is a big deal. Hell, even President Obama made a televised announcement that he's kicked the habit.
I remember when I first saw a lady hustler selling loose squares outside a Citgo Station out West. Pretty girl, and I hated that loose squares had to be her hustle. I couldn't help but wonder if she was, herself, a cigarette smoker and if her kids were eating off those dollars she pocketed. And if those kids were maybe victims of second hand smoke, or perhaps smokers themselves.
Too many cigaratte smokers got their heads stuck in their own smoke clouds and choking on the truth: the shit is killing us all. Whether you're a smoker or not, cigarettes may effect your health. And that's bogus.
I notice how these wack ass advertisements are targeting the mind of our youth, when they know damn well their vulnerable to do it only because "everybody else is doing it." I see more cigarette butts in vacant lots of the hood than I do blades of grass. And some people who aren't willing to buy squares from the local gas stations or off the streets, oh those folks "catch a bargain" and buy them in bulk at Sam's Club or a tobacco shop. I say, at least they're saving a few bucks, because their damn sure not saving no lives.
The loose squares in our hood displays a sense of loose love. Because if our love was tight, if we were really "good in the hood", wouldn't be all this drug distribution. Our hustles would be more positive and they wouldn't promote and advocate the same issues we're trying to dig ourselves from underneath.
Love,
Vee
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
LOVE letter to RAHM EMANUEL: Chicago Mayor-Elect 2011
Dear Rahm,
I've never addressed any of my love letters to anyone personally. But today, I feel the need to talk to you personally. And hell, you may never get this. But it's fine, Santa didn't get my damn letters either.
Congratulations. Chicago's mayor elect 2011. You are now the man who will be accountable for the many voices that feel like they are never heard, and never will be. Some are very happpy that you are the new mayor of our city. Others are pissed. And I won't disclose my personal feelings or my vote, my voice is for the people. Hopefully, your's is too.
We need some guidance here in Chicago, Rahm. It's not just, parking meters and taxes that we need you to address. It's broken homes, racial segregation...the things we can blantly see but are often times ignored. I challenge you, with all due respect, to address those things...our kids don't have enough text books, or after school programs to keep them from killing each other. Our neighborhoods lack grocery stores, many of our homes are boarded up, serving as homes for cocaine and heroin traffic. I want to be able to park downtown without jeopardizing going negative in my account. We need these potholes filled. Point blank, sir, we need honesty.
Rahm, our former governor was indicted, our former school board president committed "suicide" after embezzling the money that should be providing bright futures for our children. Your city...our city...has witnessed over 45 brutal killings in just one summer. Drugs and crooked police pave our roads.
We need your honesty. And some don't trust you one bit. What will you do to gain their trust? Will you lie to us like the rest? Or do you really care about the direction of this city, the well being of the people?
I have had the pleasure of meeting you. Black girl, 5'2, small frame, with a gap. Probably saw my face and forgot it all in one blink. Or maybe you didn't. It was at the Red Line stop on Roosevelt and State. You shook my hand and said it was a pleasure meeting me. And I mean no disrespect, but from where I'm from, we call that a "fake what's up". But I'm sure you meant no harm. You were just "connecting"with your community.
However, today I had the pleasure of attending a live taping of a post election show at Chicago's WBEZ where WGN's radio personality and Chicago Tribune reporter Rick Kogan says that this election's debates were "thin" and your attempt to meet and collect voters at Chicago's train stops was not so genuine. Many people in the audience were not so enthusiastic about your win; many people in Chicago lost hope since you were named our mayor.
No offense, but all I know is Daley. I don't have memories of many mayors...and when I think mayor, I think him. This election was the first without an incumbent mayor running in over 60 years...this election made history. It is also the first election in over twenty years that Mayor Richard Daley is not running...
A lot of Chicagoans knew you'd win, hands down. And said the hell with voting, Rahm's going to take it, whether we like it or not. Politics is a funny game, that's why I took the artist route. I admire politicians, tough game, takes skill and money to play. Lots of it.
But today, the voting turnout was reported as surprisingly low. That disappoints me. And I'm sure it disappoints you; at least I hope it does.
Chi city needs you Rahm. Obama heavily backs you, so some of us are like "he can't be that bad." Hell, you're from Chicago...but in way, that's what concerns us.
I believe everyone deserves a fair chance. So, there, you have it. I'll make my observations from afar. I'll voice my opinions via ink, represent my city from the heart and trust your leadership; until I have reason not to.
Respectfully with Love,
Vee
I've never addressed any of my love letters to anyone personally. But today, I feel the need to talk to you personally. And hell, you may never get this. But it's fine, Santa didn't get my damn letters either.
Congratulations. Chicago's mayor elect 2011. You are now the man who will be accountable for the many voices that feel like they are never heard, and never will be. Some are very happpy that you are the new mayor of our city. Others are pissed. And I won't disclose my personal feelings or my vote, my voice is for the people. Hopefully, your's is too.
We need some guidance here in Chicago, Rahm. It's not just, parking meters and taxes that we need you to address. It's broken homes, racial segregation...the things we can blantly see but are often times ignored. I challenge you, with all due respect, to address those things...our kids don't have enough text books, or after school programs to keep them from killing each other. Our neighborhoods lack grocery stores, many of our homes are boarded up, serving as homes for cocaine and heroin traffic. I want to be able to park downtown without jeopardizing going negative in my account. We need these potholes filled. Point blank, sir, we need honesty.
Rahm, our former governor was indicted, our former school board president committed "suicide" after embezzling the money that should be providing bright futures for our children. Your city...our city...has witnessed over 45 brutal killings in just one summer. Drugs and crooked police pave our roads.
We need your honesty. And some don't trust you one bit. What will you do to gain their trust? Will you lie to us like the rest? Or do you really care about the direction of this city, the well being of the people?
I have had the pleasure of meeting you. Black girl, 5'2, small frame, with a gap. Probably saw my face and forgot it all in one blink. Or maybe you didn't. It was at the Red Line stop on Roosevelt and State. You shook my hand and said it was a pleasure meeting me. And I mean no disrespect, but from where I'm from, we call that a "fake what's up". But I'm sure you meant no harm. You were just "connecting"with your community.
However, today I had the pleasure of attending a live taping of a post election show at Chicago's WBEZ where WGN's radio personality and Chicago Tribune reporter Rick Kogan says that this election's debates were "thin" and your attempt to meet and collect voters at Chicago's train stops was not so genuine. Many people in the audience were not so enthusiastic about your win; many people in Chicago lost hope since you were named our mayor.
No offense, but all I know is Daley. I don't have memories of many mayors...and when I think mayor, I think him. This election was the first without an incumbent mayor running in over 60 years...this election made history. It is also the first election in over twenty years that Mayor Richard Daley is not running...
A lot of Chicagoans knew you'd win, hands down. And said the hell with voting, Rahm's going to take it, whether we like it or not. Politics is a funny game, that's why I took the artist route. I admire politicians, tough game, takes skill and money to play. Lots of it.
But today, the voting turnout was reported as surprisingly low. That disappoints me. And I'm sure it disappoints you; at least I hope it does.
Chi city needs you Rahm. Obama heavily backs you, so some of us are like "he can't be that bad." Hell, you're from Chicago...but in way, that's what concerns us.
I believe everyone deserves a fair chance. So, there, you have it. I'll make my observations from afar. I'll voice my opinions via ink, represent my city from the heart and trust your leadership; until I have reason not to.
Respectfully with Love,
Vee
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
I Need LOVE
When I'm alone in my room, sometimes I stare at the wall...naw I'm just playing yall! But that song has so much truth in it. Because LL Cool J is not the only one out here who needs love; we all do.
Love, I believe, is the most powerful emotion there is. It has the potential to intrigue you, change you, hurt you and deceive you, all in the same season. And yet, we always go seeking for more. Problem is, often times, we go seeking love in all the wrong places; causing us to misconstrue the true meaning of love and abuse our own hearts. And needing love and being desparate for love are two separate things. Too many of us are desparate, and desparation is a sure way to taint love.
Not anyone, at least anyone that I can personally identify, can live without love and attention. These two things help us all function and to some extent, gives us validation in terms of our own survival. We seek love from our parents, love from our children, love from our significant others. But a lot of us don't seek love from ourselves. And if I can just say, nobody can love you like you can love yourself. And once that is realized, a person has the capacity and potential to fairly, unconditionally love others.
Now I know this sounds like an Oprah episode our something a shrink would tell you as you're laying on an odd shaped sofa, but no joke, you can't proclaim that you need love, until you love yourself. The only way to obtain a mutual, reciprocated love relationship is to give that same love back...and that's impossible if someone's loving you, you're loving them, but the two of you are not loving yourselves.
In my times, I've seen people attempt and committ suicide and even murder someone else due to a lack of self-love. We can get lost in the emotion and allow it to do treacherous things to us; even take our lives or someone else's. I've watched love empty some women's wallets, just to keep a man close and "in love". I've watched love change some men to abusers, simply because the love they demanded from a woman was not good enough, mainly because they didn't love themselves enough to embrace their own flaws and others. I've watched love damage lives...when it should be the very thing that breathes life into the damaged.
Yes, we all need love. From the unborn baby girl in her mother's womb to the crackhead scurrying for their next hit. We need not to be judged for our mishaps, but we need people to love us for them, look pass them. However, when seeking love, be sure to stay close to home, close to your own heart. Be sure to value your own being, know your wealth and love you first.
Love You,
Vee
Love, I believe, is the most powerful emotion there is. It has the potential to intrigue you, change you, hurt you and deceive you, all in the same season. And yet, we always go seeking for more. Problem is, often times, we go seeking love in all the wrong places; causing us to misconstrue the true meaning of love and abuse our own hearts. And needing love and being desparate for love are two separate things. Too many of us are desparate, and desparation is a sure way to taint love.
Not anyone, at least anyone that I can personally identify, can live without love and attention. These two things help us all function and to some extent, gives us validation in terms of our own survival. We seek love from our parents, love from our children, love from our significant others. But a lot of us don't seek love from ourselves. And if I can just say, nobody can love you like you can love yourself. And once that is realized, a person has the capacity and potential to fairly, unconditionally love others.
Now I know this sounds like an Oprah episode our something a shrink would tell you as you're laying on an odd shaped sofa, but no joke, you can't proclaim that you need love, until you love yourself. The only way to obtain a mutual, reciprocated love relationship is to give that same love back...and that's impossible if someone's loving you, you're loving them, but the two of you are not loving yourselves.
In my times, I've seen people attempt and committ suicide and even murder someone else due to a lack of self-love. We can get lost in the emotion and allow it to do treacherous things to us; even take our lives or someone else's. I've watched love empty some women's wallets, just to keep a man close and "in love". I've watched love change some men to abusers, simply because the love they demanded from a woman was not good enough, mainly because they didn't love themselves enough to embrace their own flaws and others. I've watched love damage lives...when it should be the very thing that breathes life into the damaged.
Yes, we all need love. From the unborn baby girl in her mother's womb to the crackhead scurrying for their next hit. We need not to be judged for our mishaps, but we need people to love us for them, look pass them. However, when seeking love, be sure to stay close to home, close to your own heart. Be sure to value your own being, know your wealth and love you first.
Love You,
Vee
Monday, February 21, 2011
"I LOVE you Jody": EXCLUSIVE coverage with TARAJI P. HENSON
Taraji has come a long way from being Jody's Yvette in "Baby Boy". Her hard work has gotten award recognition and she's currently up for an Oscar. And with all her accomplishments, she continually gives back.
Just last week, February 14th, Taraji gave students and guests a sweet Valentine treat at Columbia College Chicago. She did a lecture for Columbia's 2011 African Heritage Celebration. Her voice was real, down-to-earth. And Vee was all ears...
Taraji hit the stage with a fitted, classy royal blue dress, showing off what her momma gave her. And black, 5 inch, platform high heels that should be on the shelf of my closet. And as she and the moderator graced Columbia's stage, someone from the audience screamed out:
"I love your shoes Taraji!"
Her reply: "Thank you! I love 'em too!"
Her spirit is felt the moment her presence enters any room. Her humor is unpredictable, but always on time. She's funny as hell, beautiful, sexy, talented and with all this...she remains humble.
"If it doesn't excite or move me, I'm not interested. I don't work for the money. I don't sell out," said Taraji.
Taraji has appeared in a long list of "must sees" including Tyler Perry's Not Easily Broken, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (where's she's up for an Oscar), Hustle and Flow, Four Brothers, Talk to Me...the list goes on. And her motivation goes forward because her passion is her drive.
"I don't chase awards," she said.
Taraji talked about the death of her father in 2006. She described how close she was to him and how her role as Queenie helped her deal with his death.
"It is because my father that I am sitting on this stage today," said Taraji. "He spoke life into me, he told me I would be great and that I was beautiful. Everything that I'm living, he told me that it would happen."
Out of everything Taraji said that evening to the audience, that one quote stuck out to me. When we speak positive things into our lives and the lives of others, if we mean it for the good, it usually comes to past. And since I've heard Taraji say that, every single day I speak good things into my daughter's life. And wait, patiently, for them to come to past.
As I sat and watched Taraji, as I listened to her success and her pains, I didn't see an actress, I didn't see Hollywood glamour and fame. I saw a black woman, somebody's momma, someone's daugther. I heard tales of waking up at the crack of dawn to get her son to school, working odd jobs to make ends meet...the same lives we live. The same struggles we face. And Taraji wasn't ashamed to share these things and explain how they've made her a success.
Looking pass what I see on tv, Taraji displays love beyond the lime light. She truly loves the work she does. And this is not to say she doesn't enjoy the attention, the spotlight. Hell, don't we all!
Love you...and so much LOVE for Taraji. Keep hustling and flowing...such an inspiration!,
Vee
Just last week, February 14th, Taraji gave students and guests a sweet Valentine treat at Columbia College Chicago. She did a lecture for Columbia's 2011 African Heritage Celebration. Her voice was real, down-to-earth. And Vee was all ears...
Taraji hit the stage with a fitted, classy royal blue dress, showing off what her momma gave her. And black, 5 inch, platform high heels that should be on the shelf of my closet. And as she and the moderator graced Columbia's stage, someone from the audience screamed out:
"I love your shoes Taraji!"
Her reply: "Thank you! I love 'em too!"
Her spirit is felt the moment her presence enters any room. Her humor is unpredictable, but always on time. She's funny as hell, beautiful, sexy, talented and with all this...she remains humble.
"If it doesn't excite or move me, I'm not interested. I don't work for the money. I don't sell out," said Taraji.
Taraji has appeared in a long list of "must sees" including Tyler Perry's Not Easily Broken, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (where's she's up for an Oscar), Hustle and Flow, Four Brothers, Talk to Me...the list goes on. And her motivation goes forward because her passion is her drive.
"I don't chase awards," she said.
Taraji talked about the death of her father in 2006. She described how close she was to him and how her role as Queenie helped her deal with his death.
"It is because my father that I am sitting on this stage today," said Taraji. "He spoke life into me, he told me I would be great and that I was beautiful. Everything that I'm living, he told me that it would happen."
Out of everything Taraji said that evening to the audience, that one quote stuck out to me. When we speak positive things into our lives and the lives of others, if we mean it for the good, it usually comes to past. And since I've heard Taraji say that, every single day I speak good things into my daughter's life. And wait, patiently, for them to come to past.
As I sat and watched Taraji, as I listened to her success and her pains, I didn't see an actress, I didn't see Hollywood glamour and fame. I saw a black woman, somebody's momma, someone's daugther. I heard tales of waking up at the crack of dawn to get her son to school, working odd jobs to make ends meet...the same lives we live. The same struggles we face. And Taraji wasn't ashamed to share these things and explain how they've made her a success.
Looking pass what I see on tv, Taraji displays love beyond the lime light. She truly loves the work she does. And this is not to say she doesn't enjoy the attention, the spotlight. Hell, don't we all!
Love you...and so much LOVE for Taraji. Keep hustling and flowing...such an inspiration!,
Vee
Sunday, February 20, 2011
LOVE and BASKETBALL: NBA All-Star Weekend 2011
Every hood I know, there's hoop dreams. Brothers on the court, ladies, teens, adults, disabled, black and white men can jump. And although I have no game, basketball and I go way back.
From the pretty boy athletes I dated, the high school games I cheered for, or watching Jordan make threes look easy laying in bed with daddy and some Chip Ahoys, I love basketball and the love it has bought to our hoods.
Today is just one day that reminds me of my love for basketball. It’s the day of the NBA 2011 All-Star Game. NBA has done an exceptional job with teasing us all weekend with celeb slam dunk contests where Justin Beiber, Common and Trey Songz showed out on the court opposed to the stage, three point contests, rookie challenges and other boosters, all leading up to today.
With starters from the East including D-Rose, Amarie Stoudamarie, LeBron James, DeWayne Wade, and Dwight Howard and starters from the West including Kobe, Paul Gasol, Tony Parker and Kevin Durant...fans are front and center.
The whole world is waiting for the East and West to show their asses on the grain stained court tonight in LA. And inside of each fan, whether they’re in LA, CHI city, or the nearest sports bar getting lit, the love of basketball lives. It's one of those quintessential things in our culture that connects us, on and off the court.
Kobe Bryant, Carmello Anthony, LeBron James, Paul Pierce...in their hearts it's still the same dream they had on courts of cracked concrete and milk crates mounted on garages. The same dream is what keeps them hooping; for the love of the game.
Wherever you are in the world, whether you're literally in front of the screen waiting for tip off, or pretending to give a damn because everyone else around you does, know that basketball is a stamp in our culture that speaks to what it means to have drive, tenacity, fight.
I know when we look on the court and see Kobe making it look easy; it's hard to remember that running thru his heart is that same dream. The same dream that lives in that girl on the B-team. That boy being observed by college scouts. The dream and love of basketball that gets a player to practice every day, gives a coach the knowledge and wisdom to make wins. The same dream you have for whatever it is you love.
Enjoy tonight's game,
Love,
Vee
Vee
Saturday, February 19, 2011
LOVE for Southern Hospitality
I got a real soft spot for the south. And not out south, down Stony Island at the Harold’s or that Checkers off the Dan Ryan. I'm talking down south, Mississippi, ATL, dirt roads, luxury and slum all wrapped in one. My memories of great grandparents, hot ass road trips and the best fried chicken and biscuits any 8 year old could ask for.
But I've felt disconnected as I've gotten older. Great grans died, road trips lessened and soul food happened in momma's Chi town kitchen, which was cool, too. But still, my personal connection with the home of my roots, the lands that tell my story, that connection faded.
But rapper Vonnie, incredible talent from the south, has helped me reconnect. He’s a young, passionate brother who has used his love for rap and his love for the south to create my love for Southern hospitality.
Vonnie, who just celebrated his 21st birthday last week, is a product of Willacooche, Georgia. And he helped this city girl remember where her love roots from; the dirty dirty south.
Vonnie, who just celebrated his 21st birthday last week, is a product of Willacooche, Georgia. And he helped this city girl remember where her love roots from; the dirty dirty south.
Vonnie, also known as Vonnie Vision, is a lover of life and the music he makes. He just signed with JMD /Universal and he’s currently working on his mixtape due to release soon, titled “Willacooche’s Own”. Vonnie’s latest masterpiece, is his newly released, hot to death, music video for his mixtape (featured in "Vee's Videos" on the left).
He is definitely helping put the South on the map.
“I like Midwest rap but southern rap is more lyrical and hype. It tells a story,”said Vonnie. “Seems as if Midwest rap is more about being gangster.”
But Vonnie doesn’t deny that he’s a huge fan of Kanye West. He describes Yezzy as “really dope”, so he most definitely got love for Chi City. However, he said he doesn’t listen to a lot of rap music that has been deemed as popular coming out of the south. He said albums you won't find in his collection is Gucci Mane and OJ Da Juiceman. Vonnie said that their lyrics makes no sense and he wants his music to send positive, real life messages to his listeners.
“The South is listening to Travis Porter, Gucci, Lil Wayne and Wiz Khalifa,” he said. “Pretty soon they’ll be moving on to Vonnie, Willacoochee’s own.
What strikes me though, besides his southern swag, pretty boy face and cute accent, is that he's a lover of his home. He reps Willacoochee so hard, and remembers that his roots and his home is exactly what his music hustle is all about.
“I want people in Willacoochee to remember my sound and the message I give in my music. It’s for the entire world, but especially for my people down south,” he said.
My love for Chi City speaks through me in every piece I write. The city girl sound is inevitable. My love for Vonnie's craft, however, makes me dig deep down, beyond the surfaces that tells why I got such a love for Chi City...it's because I know where my ancestors fought for me. I know why they fought. I know why I'm here. The vision (no pun intended, Vonnie) didn't start in Chi City.
Love you…And so much LOVE for Vonnie Vision…Willacooche’s Own,
Vee
Friday, February 18, 2011
Her LOVE has a LIMIT
So I heard I had some women pulling their toes back with yesterday's piece on women and their ignored infidelity. Well today, pull those toes back gentlement...because I'm stepping all over yall toes today.
So I won't be too rough (or bias) with my men today. I won't spin off into an old school Desitny's Child track about how independent I am or tell you how broke and no good you are. But I will tell the truth; at least based off of my experiences.
Men, men, men...where on earth do I start with yall?? Oh, I got it! Since ADAM! You all are the most wonderful, sexiest, handiest, lying, manipulating creatures on earth. (Ok, was that too rough, sorry...damn flashbacks!) Yes, yall hold a place in society that is very delicate, and dare we ever challenge that place and battle with yall egos.
I agree a lot with Kanye's track "Runaway". Because I have witnessed men with damn good women, but still creep around with something (and I say something because my momma and daddy reading this) who not worth the time you snatching away from the woman that really loves your no good asses.
Some of you really trip Vee out. Some of you stay away all night (be it with the "somethings" or "your boys"), look for our wallets at the drive thrus, and never grant a compliment, BUT if your good woman back home even look at another man with a lustful eye, you all would lose your minds! And that, my wonderful brothers, that's some insecurity right there and some guilt that you haven't channeled correctly. So, and I say this respectfully, stop trippin.
Man it's cliche' as hell but you never really know what you got until it's gone. And some of you men refuse to turn your player's cards in not because you don't trust these women (even though some of them out here wrong too)...it's because you don't trust yourself.
Some of you taking advantage of the stereotypes and sexism that society has setup for you. Some of you are missing out on a good ass woman, because you're scared to admit that really, you don't even deserve her. You know, however, how to treat her, what to do to keep her, but sometimes some of you realize that when she's gone to the next.
And if I can say this, some of you are wasting your damn time with a woman who doesn't even deserve YOU! And as painful as it is to see a good woman get treated wrongly, my pains are equivalent when I see a good man get treated that way. Either way, a heart is a heart, not a damn toy.
Men...many of you in my own age bracket, others older...I'm speaking to you all. You are the backbones to our families, you are the same men who teach our boys how to treat women, bring home the bacon, eat all the damn bacon. We need you...(face it ladies) but we need the YOU that you're supposed to be. We need the supportive YOU, the strong YOU, the "sensitive when we need you to be but not all the time" YOU. Because trust me, if you're out here not taking advantage of that good woman, someone will...and don't lie, that thought drives your ass crazy. Her love has a limit.
We all, men and women, need to honor what we are here for. Love, respect and life are not games. We have to learn to set the momentum for our upcoming men and women, they are watching everything we do...and everything we don't do.
Love,
Vee
So I won't be too rough (or bias) with my men today. I won't spin off into an old school Desitny's Child track about how independent I am or tell you how broke and no good you are. But I will tell the truth; at least based off of my experiences.
Men, men, men...where on earth do I start with yall?? Oh, I got it! Since ADAM! You all are the most wonderful, sexiest, handiest, lying, manipulating creatures on earth. (Ok, was that too rough, sorry...damn flashbacks!) Yes, yall hold a place in society that is very delicate, and dare we ever challenge that place and battle with yall egos.
I agree a lot with Kanye's track "Runaway". Because I have witnessed men with damn good women, but still creep around with something (and I say something because my momma and daddy reading this) who not worth the time you snatching away from the woman that really loves your no good asses.
Some of you really trip Vee out. Some of you stay away all night (be it with the "somethings" or "your boys"), look for our wallets at the drive thrus, and never grant a compliment, BUT if your good woman back home even look at another man with a lustful eye, you all would lose your minds! And that, my wonderful brothers, that's some insecurity right there and some guilt that you haven't channeled correctly. So, and I say this respectfully, stop trippin.
Man it's cliche' as hell but you never really know what you got until it's gone. And some of you men refuse to turn your player's cards in not because you don't trust these women (even though some of them out here wrong too)...it's because you don't trust yourself.
Some of you taking advantage of the stereotypes and sexism that society has setup for you. Some of you are missing out on a good ass woman, because you're scared to admit that really, you don't even deserve her. You know, however, how to treat her, what to do to keep her, but sometimes some of you realize that when she's gone to the next.
And if I can say this, some of you are wasting your damn time with a woman who doesn't even deserve YOU! And as painful as it is to see a good woman get treated wrongly, my pains are equivalent when I see a good man get treated that way. Either way, a heart is a heart, not a damn toy.
Men...many of you in my own age bracket, others older...I'm speaking to you all. You are the backbones to our families, you are the same men who teach our boys how to treat women, bring home the bacon, eat all the damn bacon. We need you...(face it ladies) but we need the YOU that you're supposed to be. We need the supportive YOU, the strong YOU, the "sensitive when we need you to be but not all the time" YOU. Because trust me, if you're out here not taking advantage of that good woman, someone will...and don't lie, that thought drives your ass crazy. Her love has a limit.
We all, men and women, need to honor what we are here for. Love, respect and life are not games. We have to learn to set the momentum for our upcoming men and women, they are watching everything we do...and everything we don't do.
Love,
Vee
Thursday, February 17, 2011
I think He LOVE Her Man, I REALLY think He LOVE Her Man
I haven't really listened to 50 cent since he dissed Vivica like that. Thought that was kind of bogus. But, hell, when I saw her in one of his videos after that, I figured if she was cool with it, I'd stop taking it so personal. But one of 50s latest tracks, "Trick", really caught my attention, it's his latest collabo with Too Short and E-40. While the lyrics are not the most respectful to our women, I have to say, he speaking some real on that track.
His song discusses what I will discuss in today's love letter to you...promiscuous, cheating, viscous, lying women...yeah ladies, I'm putting us on out there...because some of us just dead wrong for how we treat the few good men that are willing to be with us. And as we mistreat them, we hide behind no good men and the stereotypes that society has created for our benefit. The stereotype that says this: All MEN are DOGS.
There are some woman always hollering about not being able to find a good man. Some of us go outside our race, completely lower our standards and settle, and some just hop around men to men while others just choose a woman instead. And whatever floats your boat and butters your toast, cool with Vee, who am I to judge? But one thing I feel compelled to speak on is how women will do their dirt, sweep it under the carpet, vacuum the shit up and dump that bad boy somewhere safe...sometimes in the ears of our best friends and sometimes after sex while laying in another man's bed. Point blank, some of us out here choosing.
Ok women, some of yall like "What the hell is Vee doing right now!? She know damn well we been getting away with our sneaky games for years. Why she bringing it up now?"
Well this is why...Our games have been the root of divorces, visitation rights, child support, murders...hell, wars. We know we got power...and we don't even have to speak on where that specific power lies. Jay Z and R Kelly already told you that much.
Yet and still, we forget...and I say WE for a reason (I'll never point fingers without pointing mine at myself...and I haven't always been the perfect angel as I am now :) ...) have let these games destroy our lives, tilt society. Yes, it's that major ladies. Some of these men who genuinely love us, protect and provide for us, sacrifice and change for us, we play like suckas.
We talk to them all night until their sleepy, and open our doors for the next. We make them dinner, give them our "loving", and put them to sleep...waiting for snores before we text the next. We wrong, and we know it. Some of us use our babies as bait to keep him coming back for more, denying him his rights as daddy. Some of us even befriend the momma (and yall know how a good man is with his momma, be her alive or dead) just to strategically handle our sneaky business. And we all do these things, with the one sheer idea in our mind...he might just be doing the exact same thing to us.
And I'm not tricking on you ladies, if you doing it and you getting away with it, your lies will trick on themselves. So do you. However, we need to realize that we are the ones who are responsible for reproduction, growth in our children lives; society depends on us for a lot. We are the ones put here to nurture, show our young girls and boys how to be well-rounded people, how to LOVE. And how can we do that while we're breaking up other women's homes? How can we do that while we're faking to love him, all while we're busy lusting the next?
Women and men: I'm sure we've all heard the saying that behind every good man, there's a good woman. Well, if your complaints of him are always centered around how "no good" your man is, ask yourself if there is someone behind him reflecting that same trait. The possibility is very likely.
Love,
Vee
His song discusses what I will discuss in today's love letter to you...promiscuous, cheating, viscous, lying women...yeah ladies, I'm putting us on out there...because some of us just dead wrong for how we treat the few good men that are willing to be with us. And as we mistreat them, we hide behind no good men and the stereotypes that society has created for our benefit. The stereotype that says this: All MEN are DOGS.
There are some woman always hollering about not being able to find a good man. Some of us go outside our race, completely lower our standards and settle, and some just hop around men to men while others just choose a woman instead. And whatever floats your boat and butters your toast, cool with Vee, who am I to judge? But one thing I feel compelled to speak on is how women will do their dirt, sweep it under the carpet, vacuum the shit up and dump that bad boy somewhere safe...sometimes in the ears of our best friends and sometimes after sex while laying in another man's bed. Point blank, some of us out here choosing.
Ok women, some of yall like "What the hell is Vee doing right now!? She know damn well we been getting away with our sneaky games for years. Why she bringing it up now?"
Well this is why...Our games have been the root of divorces, visitation rights, child support, murders...hell, wars. We know we got power...and we don't even have to speak on where that specific power lies. Jay Z and R Kelly already told you that much.
Yet and still, we forget...and I say WE for a reason (I'll never point fingers without pointing mine at myself...and I haven't always been the perfect angel as I am now :) ...) have let these games destroy our lives, tilt society. Yes, it's that major ladies. Some of these men who genuinely love us, protect and provide for us, sacrifice and change for us, we play like suckas.
We talk to them all night until their sleepy, and open our doors for the next. We make them dinner, give them our "loving", and put them to sleep...waiting for snores before we text the next. We wrong, and we know it. Some of us use our babies as bait to keep him coming back for more, denying him his rights as daddy. Some of us even befriend the momma (and yall know how a good man is with his momma, be her alive or dead) just to strategically handle our sneaky business. And we all do these things, with the one sheer idea in our mind...he might just be doing the exact same thing to us.
And I'm not tricking on you ladies, if you doing it and you getting away with it, your lies will trick on themselves. So do you. However, we need to realize that we are the ones who are responsible for reproduction, growth in our children lives; society depends on us for a lot. We are the ones put here to nurture, show our young girls and boys how to be well-rounded people, how to LOVE. And how can we do that while we're breaking up other women's homes? How can we do that while we're faking to love him, all while we're busy lusting the next?
Women and men: I'm sure we've all heard the saying that behind every good man, there's a good woman. Well, if your complaints of him are always centered around how "no good" your man is, ask yourself if there is someone behind him reflecting that same trait. The possibility is very likely.
Love,
Vee
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Computer LOVE
A lot of us are hiding behind technology, allowing it to validate who we are and how far we reach for our goals. And that, to Vee, is a concern.
Hats off to Bill Gates and Steve Jobs; brilliant as hell. Rich as hell. Powerful. Their creations have struck society like a lighting bolt in a bad Chi City
Not knocking the gadgets and the techies. I go NOWHERE without my BlackBerry (texting in the tub may explain that slight water damage) and life on my mini HP notebook is lovely.
But I see too many faces and cowardly hearts hiding behind 3G networks and too many minds are being plugged up by bright white ear buds,courtesy of Apple.
But if I can say, this Apple doesn't always serve as body and soul nourishment; doesn't necessarily keep the doctor away either. These things, sometimes obtained to imply status, have take over lives, broken up relationships and hurt families.
Now, if some of my loves think that Vee taking our computer love way too seriously, making it out to something that it isn't, answer why so many relationships have died due to contact lists in cell phones? Or how many minors have gotten kidnapped, raped or killed due to a social networking site where a not-so-nice person hid behind a Dell flat screen?
Let's be really careful not to let these gigabytes and megabytes be what runs thru our veins. And although these things are extremely convenient, nice to have and enjoy, nobody (at least I hope nobody) will have their I Phone next to them in their coffin, once they've passed on and taken that last breath. I don't expect them to log in to skype and scream throught their web cams "Pour out a lil liquor for me!"
Basically, my point is these gadgets and this technology should not dominate lives. The inventions were put here for us...we weren't put here for them.
Technology has taken a grip on this society, harder than the grip of your granny's pinch when you get outta line. New and older generations gotta have the latest in stock.
Having the latest whatever, however, doesn't make or break who you are. Using technology as a way to hide your true self, well, let's just say the signal will be lost. No connection.
Love,
Vee
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
I LOVE New York: EXCLUSIVE with RUSSELL SIMMONS (Part 2)
So I got word of Uncle Rush being in Chi City from my momma, yep, MOMMA! (Love you boo!) And it was the night before, February 9th!! (FYI: If I'm going to put us on, momma, you need to work on the timing!)
Now understand, I'm no groupie, I'm not fan struck at all. Because like I've mentioned in previous love letters, these celebs are truly just people...lot more money...but people. But just knowing how much I love hip hop and words and giving and loving...oh yeah, I had to be there to see Russell Simmons that morning. And I was.
Now I hate to say (And excuse me momma./Roosevelt M. A. Graduate) but it felt good knowing I was going to shut down an event on my rival University's territory. See, as a Columbia College graduate, Roosevelt students already know what it is, we don't pass up press opportunities, starving artists are STARVING!
So when I got there, go figure, barely nobody was there! Can you say...JESUS...? So I was set, I got a seat front and center, the end of the left row right in front of the two seats for Russell and the moderator. BlackBerry said 10:52 am. My WalMart watch read 10:54 am(get what you pay for!) And I belonged at work at 11am.
I called my boss with a wack excuse about making up the hours toward the end of the week. I don't think I ever did.
And I waited, and waitied. with a lap full of recording equipment and a heart full of ambition.
Not until about 11:18 a.m. did I spot that NY fitted out of a crowd. Russell Simmons was in the building. And Vee was ready to work.
He sat down in the left seat, moderator to his right (...and remember, I mentioned I was in the left row!) So I was up close and personal. Believe me, he will remember this face and gap! And I was completely drawn in...he spoke real, he dropped the "F Bomb", he made me laugh, think. I was truly inspired. Unforgettable.
I was completely caught in capturing the moment to deliver to you (and photos are running to top-left, courtesy of Vee's Cannon!) and afterward, he hosted a Q & A for the audience. And yall know I had to ask something!! But I wanted to be good, I needed to leave with more than just photos, video footage and bragging rights.
And so the questions were rolling, Some senseless, some thought-provoking. And then he stopped a brother who was trying to push his own CD off on him. And he said in response to the young hustler's request "Make your questions meaningful. Ask something that may help everybody here today."
So I knew then, if that guy with the mic called on me, I had to be ready. I had to make my mommy and daddy proud! I had to remember that moment.
And so we were down to the second to last question. Russ said "Let's take one more after this."
And I was that "one more"! Yes, Vee got the last question with Mr. Def Jam himself! (Check out the two video clips above, courtesy of Vee and the nice brotha who sat next to me!)
I let Russ know how honored I was, he smiled, I blushed (ok... damn near fell over) and I asked (with my hood in mind):
Vee: Last question of the day and I'm so honored to take it.
Russell: Thank you.
Vee: Freelance journalist, just graduated from Columbia College Chicago. I just launched my blog and I do a lot of writing for the Austin community, Chicago's largest community, biggest, blackest community in Chicago. The poorest community in Chicago. What do you have to say about a commuity like that? No resources, but it's the biggest, blackest community.
Russell Simmons: What do I have to say about it?
Vee: Oh, and I'm reppin' my hood because I'm from Austin. (Audience members laugh.)
Russell Simmons: The poverty and the violence, I mean thank God for the black church. The diversity within a community that is the blackest, as black as it is, all is beautiful. (Check out his entire response to my question in the above video).
And so my job was done. Afterward, I got in line for the book signing and Russell's agent had realized that Fed Ex was running late with the books. And he was pissed! I wasn't able to get my book, but I did snag a photo with him and an autographed bookmark.
Lasting memory. I'll have that moment for life. And now, so will you!
Love you... and I love you hip hop...you've been showing me so much love lately; actually, since we met!
Vee
Now understand, I'm no groupie, I'm not fan struck at all. Because like I've mentioned in previous love letters, these celebs are truly just people...lot more money...but people. But just knowing how much I love hip hop and words and giving and loving...oh yeah, I had to be there to see Russell Simmons that morning. And I was.
Now I hate to say (And excuse me momma./Roosevelt M. A. Graduate) but it felt good knowing I was going to shut down an event on my rival University's territory. See, as a Columbia College graduate, Roosevelt students already know what it is, we don't pass up press opportunities, starving artists are STARVING!
So when I got there, go figure, barely nobody was there! Can you say...JESUS...? So I was set, I got a seat front and center, the end of the left row right in front of the two seats for Russell and the moderator. BlackBerry said 10:52 am. My WalMart watch read 10:54 am(get what you pay for!) And I belonged at work at 11am.
I called my boss with a wack excuse about making up the hours toward the end of the week. I don't think I ever did.
And I waited, and waitied. with a lap full of recording equipment and a heart full of ambition.
Not until about 11:18 a.m. did I spot that NY fitted out of a crowd. Russell Simmons was in the building. And Vee was ready to work.
He sat down in the left seat, moderator to his right (...and remember, I mentioned I was in the left row!) So I was up close and personal. Believe me, he will remember this face and gap! And I was completely drawn in...he spoke real, he dropped the "F Bomb", he made me laugh, think. I was truly inspired. Unforgettable.
I was completely caught in capturing the moment to deliver to you (and photos are running to top-left, courtesy of Vee's Cannon!) and afterward, he hosted a Q & A for the audience. And yall know I had to ask something!! But I wanted to be good, I needed to leave with more than just photos, video footage and bragging rights.
And so the questions were rolling, Some senseless, some thought-provoking. And then he stopped a brother who was trying to push his own CD off on him. And he said in response to the young hustler's request "Make your questions meaningful. Ask something that may help everybody here today."
So I knew then, if that guy with the mic called on me, I had to be ready. I had to make my mommy and daddy proud! I had to remember that moment.
And so we were down to the second to last question. Russ said "Let's take one more after this."
And I was that "one more"! Yes, Vee got the last question with Mr. Def Jam himself! (Check out the two video clips above, courtesy of Vee and the nice brotha who sat next to me!)
I let Russ know how honored I was, he smiled, I blushed (ok... damn near fell over) and I asked (with my hood in mind):
Russell: Thank you.
Vee: Freelance journalist, just graduated from Columbia College Chicago. I just launched my blog and I do a lot of writing for the Austin community, Chicago's largest community, biggest, blackest community in Chicago. The poorest community in Chicago. What do you have to say about a commuity like that? No resources, but it's the biggest, blackest community.
Russell Simmons: What do I have to say about it?
Vee: Oh, and I'm reppin' my hood because I'm from Austin. (Audience members laugh.)
Russell Simmons: The poverty and the violence, I mean thank God for the black church. The diversity within a community that is the blackest, as black as it is, all is beautiful. (Check out his entire response to my question in the above video).
And so my job was done. Afterward, I got in line for the book signing and Russell's agent had realized that Fed Ex was running late with the books. And he was pissed! I wasn't able to get my book, but I did snag a photo with him and an autographed bookmark.
Lasting memory. I'll have that moment for life. And now, so will you!
Love you... and I love you hip hop...you've been showing me so much love lately; actually, since we met!
Vee
Monday, February 14, 2011
I LOVE New York: Exclusive with RUSSELL SIMMONS (Part 1)
I'm so hype to give this to you that my fingers moving faster than my brain. I am so humbled to have been in front of Russell Simmons a few days ago. His new book, Super Rich, is a New York Times Best Seller (and he gives big ups to Chi City's very own, Oprah for that). And I was right in front of him and a moderator as he answered questions about his book, life and his love for life.
And I was thirsty! Man, I was working my Flip Video and my Cannon as I had the BlackBerry telling you what was up on Facebook and Twitter. And at the very end, I was the big mouth that got the last question... But that part, we'll cover tomorrow...And I'll have some photos and footage for you!
Today's love letter, however, is honoring the man who made this moment for me. Allow me to reintroduce my man... Uncle Rush. "Hustle Simmons", as the New York hoods call him. He truly exemplifies love for his craft; and is not afraid to take his mission a step pass the clouds. Low key, people need to wake up on this man. He's not just Def Jam and Phat Farm. He's a philanthropist from the heart, a meditator for his soul, and he will cuss a fool out in the quickness.
Russell is an American entrepeneur, Father of the RushCard by Visa, Simmons Jewlery Co., man behind HBOs Def Poetry Jam, a daddy of two princesses, a vegan, a yogi, and a Hindu. As I watched him speak that day at Roosevelt, I just studied him; his style, his dialect, his swag. I studied his eloquence, and how he passionately spoke about not what he does, but WHY he does it. He is truly a lover of the people and his passion.
So after 2007 when he and Kimora split, people started whispering and worrying about Uncle Rush ,what he had going on and why we were not hearing too much from him. But I knew he was somewhere quietly on his grind. Hell, he even moved on and dated him a pretty young thang, model Julie Henderson. And everybody was tuning in to his baby brother Rev. Run's reality show Run's House. Who don't know Jo Jo, Diggy, Russy and his cute nieces? Mad respect for all them as well, because they're also out here on their grind. Even lil Diggy rapping, he got bars, too.
In 2007, USA Today named Russell Simmons one of the "Top 25 Most Influential People of the past 25 Years" and called him the "hip-hop pioneer" for his accomplishments in fashion, finance, television and film. He's the producing and managing face behind Curtis Blow, Whodini, Beastie Boys. Signed on martyrs like Jay-Z, Ludacris and Foxy Brown. And in 1984 when he and his partner Rick Rubin annonced Def Jam to the world, a lot of people start dating hip hop. And it wasn't just a hit it and quit it date, it was one of those love thangs.
I can't call him modern anybody. He is truly imcomparable to anyone in his industry, he designed himself. And I feel so blessed to have been in that room that day. So blessed to have captured a moment with a brother out here from the slums, who reflected that you don't have to be a product of your environment. He's paved the way for the artist that we see and love today, for you and for me. When I look at him, jiggy from head to toe with his New York Fitted, white button up underneath is Navy sweater vest, blue jeans, white Phat Farm sneaks and Buddha around his neck, I see love. Love for what hip hop means, black success means, love for giving, love for the hood. Much Love for you Uncle Rush.
Love you,
Vee
P.S. Be sure to read your love letter tomorrow!! Part 2 of I LOVE New Yok: Exclusive with Russell Simmons.
And I was thirsty! Man, I was working my Flip Video and my Cannon as I had the BlackBerry telling you what was up on Facebook and Twitter. And at the very end, I was the big mouth that got the last question... But that part, we'll cover tomorrow...And I'll have some photos and footage for you!
Today's love letter, however, is honoring the man who made this moment for me. Allow me to reintroduce my man... Uncle Rush. "Hustle Simmons", as the New York hoods call him. He truly exemplifies love for his craft; and is not afraid to take his mission a step pass the clouds. Low key, people need to wake up on this man. He's not just Def Jam and Phat Farm. He's a philanthropist from the heart, a meditator for his soul, and he will cuss a fool out in the quickness.
Russell is an American entrepeneur, Father of the RushCard by Visa, Simmons Jewlery Co., man behind HBOs Def Poetry Jam, a daddy of two princesses, a vegan, a yogi, and a Hindu. As I watched him speak that day at Roosevelt, I just studied him; his style, his dialect, his swag. I studied his eloquence, and how he passionately spoke about not what he does, but WHY he does it. He is truly a lover of the people and his passion.
So after 2007 when he and Kimora split, people started whispering and worrying about Uncle Rush ,what he had going on and why we were not hearing too much from him. But I knew he was somewhere quietly on his grind. Hell, he even moved on and dated him a pretty young thang, model Julie Henderson. And everybody was tuning in to his baby brother Rev. Run's reality show Run's House. Who don't know Jo Jo, Diggy, Russy and his cute nieces? Mad respect for all them as well, because they're also out here on their grind. Even lil Diggy rapping, he got bars, too.
In 2007, USA Today named Russell Simmons one of the "Top 25 Most Influential People of the past 25 Years" and called him the "hip-hop pioneer" for his accomplishments in fashion, finance, television and film. He's the producing and managing face behind Curtis Blow, Whodini, Beastie Boys. Signed on martyrs like Jay-Z, Ludacris and Foxy Brown. And in 1984 when he and his partner Rick Rubin annonced Def Jam to the world, a lot of people start dating hip hop. And it wasn't just a hit it and quit it date, it was one of those love thangs.
I can't call him modern anybody. He is truly imcomparable to anyone in his industry, he designed himself. And I feel so blessed to have been in that room that day. So blessed to have captured a moment with a brother out here from the slums, who reflected that you don't have to be a product of your environment. He's paved the way for the artist that we see and love today, for you and for me. When I look at him, jiggy from head to toe with his New York Fitted, white button up underneath is Navy sweater vest, blue jeans, white Phat Farm sneaks and Buddha around his neck, I see love. Love for what hip hop means, black success means, love for giving, love for the hood. Much Love for you Uncle Rush.
Love you,
Vee
P.S. Be sure to read your love letter tomorrow!! Part 2 of I LOVE New Yok: Exclusive with Russell Simmons.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
We in LOVE with MARY JANE, She's Our Main THANG
So if you're 420 friendly, this piece shouldn't mess with your understanding too much. However, I feel like I'll owe my parents, adult family and professional colleagues some sort of disclaimer on this one. So I'll tread carefully.
Weed has some sort of power in our communities. Hispanic, white, black, Evanston, Bridgeport, Detroit, Atlanta, Jamaica, Amsterdam...yeah, the nickel bag of fun has traveled quite a distance. And it wears no age, teens, old schoolers, elders even getting all the way turned up (perhaps for medical purposes, but still).
But it's something about weed that catches my attention: It is the only drug that most of its users claim not to be a drug. And so the addiction to weed is often times denied. Since stats say that no one person has overdosed on marijuana, it's just a plant, most weed users say hell no, I'm no addict.
Now us that are fans of those kinds of trees, let's not deny the distance we'll go for our green. And we clown crack heads but know that our hunger for our high can be just as intense. Yes, some weed smokers scrape together eighty-two cents for their blunt hoping the Arab guy at BP Amoco let you slide. If not, they'd be pissed, but may have to settle for a Good Time.
And no, I don't know this by watching no gangsta flick or the Wire on HBO... I KNOW THIS. Remember, I've told you since letter one, I'll always be honest with you. And I was serious.
And they just won't dammit legalize it. Words from the hood say taxing it would be impossible. Others say that getting the government involved may just mess the whole deal up. I say, too late, the government's been involved since day one.
Most non- weed smokers will treat weed like any other drug. In their eyes, break the weed down on the nearest cd case and just find a way to inject it in your veins. Because to most who aren't 420 friendly, a drug is a drug. And I respect that. And do know that marijuana can serve as a gateway drug; a clear path to ex pills, meth and other stuff people may chemically alter in their bathtubs.
Some weed smokers are once a day, twice a day, all damn day. The power of mary jane has made good employees late for work, cabinets bare as results of late night munchies and failure of drug tests when you know you could've gotten the job.
And we have our smokers with the "it makes me think better" or "it's just better before and after sex". But if we can all face a reality, sort of taboo in a way, but a reality, that weed does impair the thought process. That's what being high is. And I'm no scientist and can't say I've done much research other than the encyclopedia of experience, but it is indeed a drug.
Truth; we like the 30 to 45 minute high. Shorter than that if somebody blows us.
My fear is not that weed will kill us all or that we all better hurry and stop smoking it to save the environment. Because even though we all should have a love for the earth, that's not at all stopping the smokers from a session. And while environmentalists urge us to go green, weed smokers emptying their blunts or hitting their bong...their going green alright!
But my fear is that our denial of a high has dragged us real low. I guess maybe Wiz Khalifa's bars have our generations wrapped in a perfectly pearled white grape owl, too enclosed and high to think outside the blunt.
Some smokers out here spending their ComEd money, taking from their momma's purses, letting the weed smoke them. But being real with yourself about it is the only way to deal with it. Or else, we'll all deal with it; but on a much larger scale.
Love,
Vee
Weed has some sort of power in our communities. Hispanic, white, black, Evanston, Bridgeport, Detroit, Atlanta, Jamaica, Amsterdam...yeah, the nickel bag of fun has traveled quite a distance. And it wears no age, teens, old schoolers, elders even getting all the way turned up (perhaps for medical purposes, but still).
But it's something about weed that catches my attention: It is the only drug that most of its users claim not to be a drug. And so the addiction to weed is often times denied. Since stats say that no one person has overdosed on marijuana, it's just a plant, most weed users say hell no, I'm no addict.
Now us that are fans of those kinds of trees, let's not deny the distance we'll go for our green. And we clown crack heads but know that our hunger for our high can be just as intense. Yes, some weed smokers scrape together eighty-two cents for their blunt hoping the Arab guy at BP Amoco let you slide. If not, they'd be pissed, but may have to settle for a Good Time.
And no, I don't know this by watching no gangsta flick or the Wire on HBO... I KNOW THIS. Remember, I've told you since letter one, I'll always be honest with you. And I was serious.
And they just won't dammit legalize it. Words from the hood say taxing it would be impossible. Others say that getting the government involved may just mess the whole deal up. I say, too late, the government's been involved since day one.
Most non- weed smokers will treat weed like any other drug. In their eyes, break the weed down on the nearest cd case and just find a way to inject it in your veins. Because to most who aren't 420 friendly, a drug is a drug. And I respect that. And do know that marijuana can serve as a gateway drug; a clear path to ex pills, meth and other stuff people may chemically alter in their bathtubs.
Some weed smokers are once a day, twice a day, all damn day. The power of mary jane has made good employees late for work, cabinets bare as results of late night munchies and failure of drug tests when you know you could've gotten the job.
And we have our smokers with the "it makes me think better" or "it's just better before and after sex". But if we can all face a reality, sort of taboo in a way, but a reality, that weed does impair the thought process. That's what being high is. And I'm no scientist and can't say I've done much research other than the encyclopedia of experience, but it is indeed a drug.
Truth; we like the 30 to 45 minute high. Shorter than that if somebody blows us.
My fear is not that weed will kill us all or that we all better hurry and stop smoking it to save the environment. Because even though we all should have a love for the earth, that's not at all stopping the smokers from a session. And while environmentalists urge us to go green, weed smokers emptying their blunts or hitting their bong...their going green alright!
But my fear is that our denial of a high has dragged us real low. I guess maybe Wiz Khalifa's bars have our generations wrapped in a perfectly pearled white grape owl, too enclosed and high to think outside the blunt.
Some smokers out here spending their ComEd money, taking from their momma's purses, letting the weed smoke them. But being real with yourself about it is the only way to deal with it. Or else, we'll all deal with it; but on a much larger scale.
Love,
Vee
Saturday, February 12, 2011
So, When did you Fall in LOVE with HIP HOP?
One chilly as hell, late friday night at Plush night club in Chicago, it was Chris Shields' listening party for his sophomore album, Man on Fire. It was January 20th and the weekend of his album release. He was on the grind the entire weekend promoting his album.
I walked into the club late as hell, maybe even after midnight. I had been texting his publicist, Angie, all night...patiently waiting for my damn toddler to go to sleep.
Slipped out the house, like she was the momma. Rude taxi cab driver got me there in about 13 minutes from my apartment. I walked in Plush (DJ Sparks had the whole club moving) and spotted that blue and white button up and a modest, yet iced out chain reading "Hundred Grand" that Angie had described in her text... and heard his voice rapping to a sick beat through the club's speakers.
And that's when I fell back in love with hip hop.
Chris Shields craft and love for the game brought out all his hood loves, people I haven't seen since high school cafeterias, auditoriums and hallways. It felt good.
And Chris Shields, most definitely a man on fire, made me feel good about hip hop and what's it's really about. I witnessed love for hip hop again, not punks stunting behind materials and talking about nothing. And Hundred Grand is getting love from all over the hoods of Chicago, and he's even featured on YouTube and World Star Hip Hop.
They representing that love for hip hop that keeps Weezy in the studio for 20 hours a day. The kind of love that tells a story about meeting a girl when you were 10 years old. Hip hop that was about the block, spitting bars from the chest and amazing your damn self once you run it back through the speakers.
That night I saw businessmen and businesswomen, from my hood, who out here, by any means necessary.
Vee: So how did this all start for you. Tell me what it is I don't know. From the beginning until now.
Chris:Well I came out with my first album, Lend Me Your Ear. I put it all in my home, After I did that, I sort of made everybody out here a believer. I showed the hood that I was hungry for this. I told my boy that I was hungry and I'd do whatever it took for me to get on. I knew it was time to put my face out there and so I did.... I showed my partner I was serious... Hundered Grand, our label, was born.
Vee: Why Hundred Grand? I mean, beyond the obvious reasons. Who came up with that?
Chris: I came up with that. Hundred Grand was my idea. See, where I come from, it wasn't no millioinaires. I was around a lot of dudes who was in the streets. You hold on to a hundred grand in my hood, that meant something. And everybody in my hood trying to set that bar.
Representing Maywood, IL., he go hard for the entire Chi City by just loving what he does. He's so humble that he granted my interview toward the closing of his party in the back of a noisy, hot as hell club. And I could tell he had a few drinks. Ok, maybe more than a few... But he's not to be caught off point.
Vee: So what drives you Chris? What is it that got you so hungry out here like this?
Chris: Man...(Chris paused) It's my love for music. I truly love to hear music, make music and support music.
Vee: And what inspires you to keep it moving? I mean, this is your second album; what's keeping you out here on the grind?
Chris: My son..(Chris grins from ear to ear) See how I just started smiling the moment I said that? I love him so much, he keep me going. I'm out here grinding for him.
I think it was unfair of society to pronounce hip hop dead. I mean when something's dead; chances of it coming back are, well, slim to none. Implying the peril of hip hop means it has no chance for life. And that's a lie. Because When I pop in that Man of Fire, track 10 (Move) I knew hip hop still had life. And literally, no pun intended, that track moved me. Hip hop is alive. And it's breathing through artist like Chris Shields.
I respect the hip hop dreamers out here...keep dreaming and make it happen. The artists out here spending their last on some studio time or pushing burnt cds out the trunk of their Chevys. Writing bars to their fingers hurt, spitting metaphors and spray painting hoodies to represent their craft. I see you. Respect.
Love you...and much love to Chris Shields, Man on Fire,
Vee
P.S. Man on Fire album available on I Tunes...PLUG...had to do it!!
I walked into the club late as hell, maybe even after midnight. I had been texting his publicist, Angie, all night...patiently waiting for my damn toddler to go to sleep.
Slipped out the house, like she was the momma. Rude taxi cab driver got me there in about 13 minutes from my apartment. I walked in Plush (DJ Sparks had the whole club moving) and spotted that blue and white button up and a modest, yet iced out chain reading "Hundred Grand" that Angie had described in her text... and heard his voice rapping to a sick beat through the club's speakers.
And that's when I fell back in love with hip hop.
Chris Shields craft and love for the game brought out all his hood loves, people I haven't seen since high school cafeterias, auditoriums and hallways. It felt good.
And Chris Shields, most definitely a man on fire, made me feel good about hip hop and what's it's really about. I witnessed love for hip hop again, not punks stunting behind materials and talking about nothing. And Hundred Grand is getting love from all over the hoods of Chicago, and he's even featured on YouTube and World Star Hip Hop.
They representing that love for hip hop that keeps Weezy in the studio for 20 hours a day. The kind of love that tells a story about meeting a girl when you were 10 years old. Hip hop that was about the block, spitting bars from the chest and amazing your damn self once you run it back through the speakers.
That night I saw businessmen and businesswomen, from my hood, who out here, by any means necessary.
Vee: So how did this all start for you. Tell me what it is I don't know. From the beginning until now.
Chris:Well I came out with my first album, Lend Me Your Ear. I put it all in my home, After I did that, I sort of made everybody out here a believer. I showed the hood that I was hungry for this. I told my boy that I was hungry and I'd do whatever it took for me to get on. I knew it was time to put my face out there and so I did.... I showed my partner I was serious... Hundered Grand, our label, was born.
Vee: Why Hundred Grand? I mean, beyond the obvious reasons. Who came up with that?
Chris: I came up with that. Hundred Grand was my idea. See, where I come from, it wasn't no millioinaires. I was around a lot of dudes who was in the streets. You hold on to a hundred grand in my hood, that meant something. And everybody in my hood trying to set that bar.
Representing Maywood, IL., he go hard for the entire Chi City by just loving what he does. He's so humble that he granted my interview toward the closing of his party in the back of a noisy, hot as hell club. And I could tell he had a few drinks. Ok, maybe more than a few... But he's not to be caught off point.
Vee: So what drives you Chris? What is it that got you so hungry out here like this?
Chris: Man...(Chris paused) It's my love for music. I truly love to hear music, make music and support music.
Vee: And what inspires you to keep it moving? I mean, this is your second album; what's keeping you out here on the grind?
Chris: My son..(Chris grins from ear to ear) See how I just started smiling the moment I said that? I love him so much, he keep me going. I'm out here grinding for him.
I think it was unfair of society to pronounce hip hop dead. I mean when something's dead; chances of it coming back are, well, slim to none. Implying the peril of hip hop means it has no chance for life. And that's a lie. Because When I pop in that Man of Fire, track 10 (Move) I knew hip hop still had life. And literally, no pun intended, that track moved me. Hip hop is alive. And it's breathing through artist like Chris Shields.
I respect the hip hop dreamers out here...keep dreaming and make it happen. The artists out here spending their last on some studio time or pushing burnt cds out the trunk of their Chevys. Writing bars to their fingers hurt, spitting metaphors and spray painting hoodies to represent their craft. I see you. Respect.
Love you...and much love to Chris Shields, Man on Fire,
Vee
P.S. Man on Fire album available on I Tunes...PLUG...had to do it!!
Friday, February 11, 2011
First we LOVE them, Then we HATE them, Then we LOVE them AGAIN...
It's funny how we make a big ass deal out of the lives of celebrities; perhaps even more so than our own.
So just yesterday, Rihanna lifted the restraining order off of Chris Brown. And just a few months ago, Weezy was released from jail. And months before that, T.I. was released (right before he went back to jail). And with all these humanistic circumstances, we put these people on this unbelievably high pedestal and get completely pissed when they fall off of it.
I'm almost sure, like me, that many of you forgave T.I. And gave him mercy (even though his album asked for none) quicker than you'd forgive your friend for some petty misunderstanding on facebook. And it took the world no time to love Chris Brown again; seems like just yesterday the world pictured him as vicious and unjust as we did Michael Jackson for being home alone with Macaulay Culkin. Did it take a collabo with Tyga for everyone to take back our deuces and farewells to C Breezy?
My confusion is this: why can't we realize that these people are just that, PEOPLE. They bleed, they cry and they sometimes host dog fights in their high cost mansions. And speaking of Mike Vick, we've fallen back in love with him and his over agressively plays on the field, too.
Seems as though we put those in the lime light in an unreachable category, so unreachable that even they can't live up to it. We forget that behind all the glamour and the albums and the movies, they screw up, they have fights with their girlfriends, they get pulled over for weed possession...they make mistakes.
And what is our usual reaction once their mistakes go public? We get pissed, we turn away from them, harshly judge who they are versus who we've made them up to be. We turn their mistakes into jokes, parodies on Saturday Night Live and South Park.
And ultimately, we are completely let down by someone who don't even know our damn names.
I sometimes wish that the attention we exude for Hollywood's finest was the same love we had for overcrowded schools and this wack ass health care system. And maybe if we treated these celebrities like people, allowing them to make mistakes and move forward and learn better, the media can focus on more important things like finding us jobs and keeping kids off the streets and off of Facebook all day.
Truth is, Fantasia's suicide threat is no different than that outcasted teen who feels there's nothing to live for, so they'd rather be dead. And no b.s., Chris Brown was blasted for physically harming Rihanna, but media didn't too much focus on the scars (be them physical or emotional) that he walked away with. And now, he's absolutely right, we don't need no script for this because it's pretty much predicted that we loved him, hated him and now we love him again.
It's easy to believe that their lives are so much more exclusive than ours. And its even easier to get angry from the other end of our tv screens and radios. But remember, there are real lives behind those screens; traveling thru those airwaves. Real souls that feel disappointed after they mess up. And like you, they don't always learn from their mistakes; Lord knows we all should.
Think about it this way, when you make a mistake; isn't the last thing you need to hear over and over is that you made a mistake? Now think of our celebrities and how they're already exposed publically. When they make mistakes, they hear from the entire public on how intense the mistake was. The public then sensationalizes it, create youtube footage about it and gossip as if these people have no souls, no hearts and no real lives.
Once we realize that these people are to satisfy our entertainment needs and not act as our saints of perfection, we will love and forgive them, just like we expect others to handle our mistakes. Because trust me, the way we judge them, someone, somewhere, will judge us on an even more harsh scale.
Love you,
Vee
So just yesterday, Rihanna lifted the restraining order off of Chris Brown. And just a few months ago, Weezy was released from jail. And months before that, T.I. was released (right before he went back to jail). And with all these humanistic circumstances, we put these people on this unbelievably high pedestal and get completely pissed when they fall off of it.
I'm almost sure, like me, that many of you forgave T.I. And gave him mercy (even though his album asked for none) quicker than you'd forgive your friend for some petty misunderstanding on facebook. And it took the world no time to love Chris Brown again; seems like just yesterday the world pictured him as vicious and unjust as we did Michael Jackson for being home alone with Macaulay Culkin. Did it take a collabo with Tyga for everyone to take back our deuces and farewells to C Breezy?
My confusion is this: why can't we realize that these people are just that, PEOPLE. They bleed, they cry and they sometimes host dog fights in their high cost mansions. And speaking of Mike Vick, we've fallen back in love with him and his over agressively plays on the field, too.
Seems as though we put those in the lime light in an unreachable category, so unreachable that even they can't live up to it. We forget that behind all the glamour and the albums and the movies, they screw up, they have fights with their girlfriends, they get pulled over for weed possession...they make mistakes.
And what is our usual reaction once their mistakes go public? We get pissed, we turn away from them, harshly judge who they are versus who we've made them up to be. We turn their mistakes into jokes, parodies on Saturday Night Live and South Park.
And ultimately, we are completely let down by someone who don't even know our damn names.
I sometimes wish that the attention we exude for Hollywood's finest was the same love we had for overcrowded schools and this wack ass health care system. And maybe if we treated these celebrities like people, allowing them to make mistakes and move forward and learn better, the media can focus on more important things like finding us jobs and keeping kids off the streets and off of Facebook all day.
Truth is, Fantasia's suicide threat is no different than that outcasted teen who feels there's nothing to live for, so they'd rather be dead. And no b.s., Chris Brown was blasted for physically harming Rihanna, but media didn't too much focus on the scars (be them physical or emotional) that he walked away with. And now, he's absolutely right, we don't need no script for this because it's pretty much predicted that we loved him, hated him and now we love him again.
It's easy to believe that their lives are so much more exclusive than ours. And its even easier to get angry from the other end of our tv screens and radios. But remember, there are real lives behind those screens; traveling thru those airwaves. Real souls that feel disappointed after they mess up. And like you, they don't always learn from their mistakes; Lord knows we all should.
Think about it this way, when you make a mistake; isn't the last thing you need to hear over and over is that you made a mistake? Now think of our celebrities and how they're already exposed publically. When they make mistakes, they hear from the entire public on how intense the mistake was. The public then sensationalizes it, create youtube footage about it and gossip as if these people have no souls, no hearts and no real lives.
Once we realize that these people are to satisfy our entertainment needs and not act as our saints of perfection, we will love and forgive them, just like we expect others to handle our mistakes. Because trust me, the way we judge them, someone, somewhere, will judge us on an even more harsh scale.
Love you,
Vee
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Real LOVE, I'm Searching for a REAL LOVE
Most reality shows dictate to us that real love is for the love of Ray J and we should openly compete for worlds sexiest bachelor. Don't misunderstand me, I'm a fan of Mr. Sexy Can I. But if I had one wish, we wouldn't treat love like that.
Now I'm no expert on love, no love guru either. But I know how it feels to love, be loved and be hurt by love. And if you've ever loved, you can tell the real from the fake.
I'm with Musiq, so many people use the word love in vain. And those who once had faith in love, turned their backs on it. Love is not pain, that's the utterance from some too cool rapper who maybe could've used a few more hugs during his childhood. Love can hurt, it definitely has the potential to cause some serious damage; damage that can't be covered by All State.
But it shouldn't be twisted, love is wonderful, powerful...but only when it's for real. Even the toughest brother out here and the woman fed up can be a sucka for love; and it's nothing wrong with that. But again, it has to be real. Based on true values and not a mental checklist you've gone by since high school.
But mostly (and I say mostly because I can't say all the time) love we seen Flavor Flav search for and love we see on Maury once we discover that he is or is not the father, that's tainted love. Love that is misconstrued and caught in the entanglements of fake emotion and lack of self-love.
When exactly did love become a game? I mean, playing with hearts is seriously a jacked up game with a rigged scoreboard. Picking a lifelong partner on tv for high ratings and temporary fame; that's what's up now?
The days of uplifting your significant other oftentimes hides behind walls of domestic abuse and and Lifestyle wrappers. Some of us are only emulating what we see others doing and before we know it, we living a lie. A fairy tale with depictions of people that only make sense in our damn heads. Come on now, Derwin and Melanie...that's tv, great show, but tv nonetheless.
Let's learn the values of love, it is not a shopping spree with daddy's credit card, not NBA 2k11. It's true emotion when two people are at a vulnerable state. They're bare, hearts naked. Wide open; and they want to be.
Handle real love with caution, because hearts are fragile. Just like yours.
Love,
Vee
Now I'm no expert on love, no love guru either. But I know how it feels to love, be loved and be hurt by love. And if you've ever loved, you can tell the real from the fake.
I'm with Musiq, so many people use the word love in vain. And those who once had faith in love, turned their backs on it. Love is not pain, that's the utterance from some too cool rapper who maybe could've used a few more hugs during his childhood. Love can hurt, it definitely has the potential to cause some serious damage; damage that can't be covered by All State.
But it shouldn't be twisted, love is wonderful, powerful...but only when it's for real. Even the toughest brother out here and the woman fed up can be a sucka for love; and it's nothing wrong with that. But again, it has to be real. Based on true values and not a mental checklist you've gone by since high school.
But mostly (and I say mostly because I can't say all the time) love we seen Flavor Flav search for and love we see on Maury once we discover that he is or is not the father, that's tainted love. Love that is misconstrued and caught in the entanglements of fake emotion and lack of self-love.
When exactly did love become a game? I mean, playing with hearts is seriously a jacked up game with a rigged scoreboard. Picking a lifelong partner on tv for high ratings and temporary fame; that's what's up now?
The days of uplifting your significant other oftentimes hides behind walls of domestic abuse and and Lifestyle wrappers. Some of us are only emulating what we see others doing and before we know it, we living a lie. A fairy tale with depictions of people that only make sense in our damn heads. Come on now, Derwin and Melanie...that's tv, great show, but tv nonetheless.
Let's learn the values of love, it is not a shopping spree with daddy's credit card, not NBA 2k11. It's true emotion when two people are at a vulnerable state. They're bare, hearts naked. Wide open; and they want to be.
Handle real love with caution, because hearts are fragile. Just like yours.
Love,
Vee
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Ain't No LOVE in the Heart of the City
Chi Town is this country's third largest city. We are truly a melting pot of cultures and lifestyles. Coming here could mean touring hot spots like Greektown, Chinatown and Little Mexico all in one city. Problem? We are one of the most segregated cities in this damn country.
It's not just the Chi Town winters that are cold. Hell it's our cab drivers, our post office workers and word has it, Chi Town women will shut a brother's wack pickup lines down quick as hell.
So damn, with a city that's so popular that folks come from all over to see, where's the love? Why is our city, in most neighborhoods, racially segregated.
Let's take a test, just to help you see what I've been seeing for the last past 20 years. Out west, let's be honest: how many middle class white men can you find, riding in a Benz down Madison and Pulaski? Or how many black faces do you honestly see in burbs like Lisle, St. Charles, Oak Park? And how is it that we can have a Chinatown, Greektown and no specific enclaves for other races? I mean, I'm praying to see the day when we convert the hood to an enclave as a way to generate revenue in the hood. Negrotown...okay maybe not call it that, but you see where I'm going with this.
Truth be told, we are a city that's racist as hell to one another, that all the world loves. Specific businesses are only ran by specific ethnicities. And if you don't believe that, go anywhere in the Chi and find me a black or white man running a BP gas station or a Seven Eleven. Or a chinese man running a Harolds Chicken Shack or the local barbershop. All I have to say to you is good luck with that.
So why is such a dynamic city so segregated? Where is the love in Chicago? Well, this city was originally built on the core principals of hard work and money making. Back in the 1700s when Chicago had its very first European settlers, the idea of roads, railroads, and the transferring of goods were the start of the real Chi Town hustlers. No, it wasn't the Black Peace Stone Nation or even the Vice Lords that originated the money making principal here in the Chi. They're literally copy cats who saw what prior generations and hoods had done, and found their own way to make it happen. And they did.
And with the flow of money, comes the division of territory and even a greater division of people. And if you don't believe that, show me a couple making over 5 figures and someone then loses their job. What was once 6 figures are now 3. The entire momentum of the relationship will shift; and it's very likely that somebody's leaving.
Chi town is truly the land of opportunity. We are one of the top cities in terms of transporting and trading goods (some legal, some not). We love money, we have the ambition to make money. And not just the movers and shakers making it happen in the streets so that they're families can eat. I'm talking CE0s of prominent companies, women making partner and entrepreneurs starting from the ground up, brick by brick. And somewhere along the way, the mind frame of Chi town was Imma get mine, you better get yours.
And there then came the divide. The development of enclaves and hoods that would blow your brains out if you dared to enter without looking and dressing like them. The lack of love in Chi Town led to brutal violence; our boulevards and avenues are plagued with somebody's chalk line; the blood of somebody's baby. And at night, depending on what hood you're in, there's echoes of blaring sirens and screams of dead souls, cold bodies.
So I ask you again Chi Town, where is the love? Why do a south side brother feel threatened in the burbs? Why is a white face an unfamiliarity in the so called "hood"?
Our mentality of being our brother's keeper is dead. Usually now, if it's not about somebody feeding their own family, making a way for their own kind, it's not about nothing. And straight up Chi Town, that's bogus.
Yet, we are one of the leading tourist cities in the world. People come miles and miles away to capture photograph memories of that overly expensive beam in the middle of Millennium Park. Or travel to the 95th floor of the Sears Tower (and, yes, I'm aware of the renaming, but who the hell is Willis and why did it become his tower?). Point blank, people love this city. But, the people in this city don't even love each other.
I challenge you, and I always will, to take a trip to a hood in the Chi you never go to. Step out of your comfort zone. And if you have a fear of maybe getting shot or looked at funny, try to get over that fear. Try to actually see from the eyes of a tourist; not thru the eyes of a Chi Town person who knows and lives among the segregation.
This is a beautiful city, all day long all year around. Our skyline is sometimes like a painting and our food would up the pounds on anybody's hips. Chi Town is that city. We birthed some of the most talented people, have some of the hottest sports teams (we'll discuss those Bears later) and despite the sense of coldness among us, we have some of the most coolest and down-to-earth people right here in a hood near you.
Yes, I love my city and I plan to put us all on. From the homeless guy on Michigan Avenue selling Street Wise to the single baby mama with 3 kids on the CTA. I'm putting on for my city. I don't care when and how I make it, where I go, I'm coming back. I'm coming back with a goal to desegregate or hoods, help create more diverse businesses and create a better sense of unity. We for damn sure need it. Or else the city of Chicago is destined for failure; that's usually the result of standing divided and not as one.
I live and breathe Chicago, even the over polluted areas with bad sewage and senseless debris in the streets. Even the predominately white or hispanic or polish hoods where I feel like a fish in a fish bowl. Let's learn to celebrate our cultures here in the Chi, collaborate, not separate.
And when love is finally shown in this city, the labor of everyone, united despite their skin, it just may better us all. Because as long as we're not showing love to others who don't look like us or talk like us, we'll be just as cold as our winters. Even colder.
Love you...and love you Chi City,
Vee
It's not just the Chi Town winters that are cold. Hell it's our cab drivers, our post office workers and word has it, Chi Town women will shut a brother's wack pickup lines down quick as hell.
So damn, with a city that's so popular that folks come from all over to see, where's the love? Why is our city, in most neighborhoods, racially segregated.
Let's take a test, just to help you see what I've been seeing for the last past 20 years. Out west, let's be honest: how many middle class white men can you find, riding in a Benz down Madison and Pulaski? Or how many black faces do you honestly see in burbs like Lisle, St. Charles, Oak Park? And how is it that we can have a Chinatown, Greektown and no specific enclaves for other races? I mean, I'm praying to see the day when we convert the hood to an enclave as a way to generate revenue in the hood. Negrotown...okay maybe not call it that, but you see where I'm going with this.
Truth be told, we are a city that's racist as hell to one another, that all the world loves. Specific businesses are only ran by specific ethnicities. And if you don't believe that, go anywhere in the Chi and find me a black or white man running a BP gas station or a Seven Eleven. Or a chinese man running a Harolds Chicken Shack or the local barbershop. All I have to say to you is good luck with that.
So why is such a dynamic city so segregated? Where is the love in Chicago? Well, this city was originally built on the core principals of hard work and money making. Back in the 1700s when Chicago had its very first European settlers, the idea of roads, railroads, and the transferring of goods were the start of the real Chi Town hustlers. No, it wasn't the Black Peace Stone Nation or even the Vice Lords that originated the money making principal here in the Chi. They're literally copy cats who saw what prior generations and hoods had done, and found their own way to make it happen. And they did.
And with the flow of money, comes the division of territory and even a greater division of people. And if you don't believe that, show me a couple making over 5 figures and someone then loses their job. What was once 6 figures are now 3. The entire momentum of the relationship will shift; and it's very likely that somebody's leaving.
Chi town is truly the land of opportunity. We are one of the top cities in terms of transporting and trading goods (some legal, some not). We love money, we have the ambition to make money. And not just the movers and shakers making it happen in the streets so that they're families can eat. I'm talking CE0s of prominent companies, women making partner and entrepreneurs starting from the ground up, brick by brick. And somewhere along the way, the mind frame of Chi town was Imma get mine, you better get yours.
And there then came the divide. The development of enclaves and hoods that would blow your brains out if you dared to enter without looking and dressing like them. The lack of love in Chi Town led to brutal violence; our boulevards and avenues are plagued with somebody's chalk line; the blood of somebody's baby. And at night, depending on what hood you're in, there's echoes of blaring sirens and screams of dead souls, cold bodies.
So I ask you again Chi Town, where is the love? Why do a south side brother feel threatened in the burbs? Why is a white face an unfamiliarity in the so called "hood"?
Our mentality of being our brother's keeper is dead. Usually now, if it's not about somebody feeding their own family, making a way for their own kind, it's not about nothing. And straight up Chi Town, that's bogus.
Yet, we are one of the leading tourist cities in the world. People come miles and miles away to capture photograph memories of that overly expensive beam in the middle of Millennium Park. Or travel to the 95th floor of the Sears Tower (and, yes, I'm aware of the renaming, but who the hell is Willis and why did it become his tower?). Point blank, people love this city. But, the people in this city don't even love each other.
I challenge you, and I always will, to take a trip to a hood in the Chi you never go to. Step out of your comfort zone. And if you have a fear of maybe getting shot or looked at funny, try to get over that fear. Try to actually see from the eyes of a tourist; not thru the eyes of a Chi Town person who knows and lives among the segregation.
This is a beautiful city, all day long all year around. Our skyline is sometimes like a painting and our food would up the pounds on anybody's hips. Chi Town is that city. We birthed some of the most talented people, have some of the hottest sports teams (we'll discuss those Bears later) and despite the sense of coldness among us, we have some of the most coolest and down-to-earth people right here in a hood near you.
Yes, I love my city and I plan to put us all on. From the homeless guy on Michigan Avenue selling Street Wise to the single baby mama with 3 kids on the CTA. I'm putting on for my city. I don't care when and how I make it, where I go, I'm coming back. I'm coming back with a goal to desegregate or hoods, help create more diverse businesses and create a better sense of unity. We for damn sure need it. Or else the city of Chicago is destined for failure; that's usually the result of standing divided and not as one.
I live and breathe Chicago, even the over polluted areas with bad sewage and senseless debris in the streets. Even the predominately white or hispanic or polish hoods where I feel like a fish in a fish bowl. Let's learn to celebrate our cultures here in the Chi, collaborate, not separate.
And when love is finally shown in this city, the labor of everyone, united despite their skin, it just may better us all. Because as long as we're not showing love to others who don't look like us or talk like us, we'll be just as cold as our winters. Even colder.
Love you...and love you Chi City,
Vee
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
For the LOVE of Money
I’ve always had the utmost respect for a hustler. Not just the 9 to 5 person, but people who often get looked over. Like the neighborhood weed man who’ll make a run for the smokers after midnight or the man on the side of the highway cleaning windshields. Those people who really out here getting it. And I’m not saying they shouldn’t be getting it a better, more postive, way, but I admire that kind of drive.
Some of them mainly out like that and don’t sleep because of this one element in our hoods that drives the most of us: money.
But it’s not just the money that we should be after. I swear, one of my favorite lines from any movie is Lisa Raye’s in Player’s Club. “Make the money; don’t let the money make you.” It stuck out for a while to me, good lesson from a Chi-town sister that made it.
The drive of a hustler should be the actual hustle…not the monetary rewards, not the love from the hood. But the passion. Passion and love for what you’re doing is what’s the most important. However, most of the times we get lost in the dollar signs. However, no matter what you out here doing; good, bad or indifferent, make sure it's not all for the money.
Money is not the root of evil. According to scripture, (1: Timothy 6:10-12) it is the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil. Let’s face it, we need money to do the things necessary to survive, make us content and satisfied. But if anyone has developed a pattern where they’re only in it for the money, I encourage them to find the passion behind it.
A true hustler knows anyway that the money comes and goes. Just as quick as the money is made, the money is spent. So I advise all my youth hustlers out here…don’t look to your television sets and your music videos and lyrics to tell you the hidden truth about money and how to get it. Truth be told, Lil Wayne doesn’t completely know…his love for money landed him behind bars for a while and a lot of it is going to good kush and ink for his skin.
You see, our love for money isn’t really love…it is lust. Yeah, I said it. It’s that girl or boy you just can’t stop meeting flesh with; when you know you should have stopped months ago. Money has became that real bad break up…and we always go back.
Let your love for the inner hustle be the reason you rise and grind by 6am. Because if it’s only for the money, you may as well stay sleep. Now some of you may be thinking as you read this letter, Vee trippin’. It’s a recession out here…we geeettttiiinnn it! And guess what, I feel you all, too. Let’s get it. But know what you out here getting, and know why you should be getting it. And most importantly, know how to get it!
Now, I could go all religious but I will respect my loves out there who has another kind of thing for their God, or maybe don’t honor a God at all. Regardless of who you praise at the end of the day, you know it’s someone or something out here bigger. So that means among all these creations around you (family, cars, shoes, MONEY) there is a reason for YOU…and trust me, you way better than any bill…no matter which dead president on front.
Our media bogus as hell sometimes because the majoirty of what they show us is only the good side of money. They show us the Maybachs, the Gucci, Moet Rose’…they never got a music video where somebody at Aldi’s spending their LINK. Or a video with Nicki Minaj at the public aid office with a snotty nose baby on her hip. That’s real life…that’s really what most of our money is doing right now in the hood. Face it. And if you doing better than that, keep it up; but someone you know living with a little less.
I’m not judging you. I’m a proud recipient of WIC and affordable housing and need to stop being lazy and apply for this LINK. But what I’m really saying is we’ve gotten so caught up in “GETTING MONEY” that we don’t even know why we’re out her getting it anymore. The money and the feeling it gives us has clouded our passion. Used to be women/men over money…now it's money over us.
And it’s not about boosting up your list of haters (and man, I love that Katt Williams joke..but too many folks took it to heart) and it’s not about stuntin to make the next man feel broke. It’s about being in this because you value your time here on earth, NOT just for the love of money. Don't let G-Unit teach you how to stunt. Be for real with yourself.
We can think back, and you know Vee will always have some history for you…but you can think way back to Good Times, yeah Good Times! With Jay Jay, Thelma and them. James went out everyday to work, and it made him feel like a man to be able to bring home the check, get a decent, hot meal and just have the say-so around his domain. And with all that, they lived in the projects. Clearly James focus was to get his family out of that kind of living; and so everyday would be about that. Not making $82.00 a pay check. Getting his family to a better place. That was his hustle, his passion... not the money.
So if you out here…and you living in these music videos and reality shows, know that all that stuff that look real good to your eye, and all that stuff to smoke and drink out here that makes you feel real good, it’s temporary. Wherever you believe you’re going when you die, you’re not taking that with you…the money is NOT going with you. However, your soul, the inner-spirit of you…the part of you that either lived your PURPOSE or didn’t…that’s going with you. So hustle hard, but not for the love of money…for the love of you.
Love You…alright now, go HUSTLE
Vee
Monday, February 7, 2011
LOVING what I see in the Mirror
Spreading love won’t happen if when you look in the mirror, you have a problem loving who you see…
Sam Fine is one of Hollywood's leading celebrity makeup artists. His clients include A-list celebrities like La La Vazquez-Anthony, Angela Simmons, Naomi Campbell, Patti Labelle, Vanessa Williams, MoNique, Tyra Banks, Iman, Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige. And you’d swear that his outlook on makeup, beauty and image only entails thoughts of perfection. But not so much.
“I think makeup is the part of black women that speaks; it draws people into us, it is a great communicator,” said Fine.
I think one of the hardest things about loving ourselves, especially women, is embracing our image; loving what the world sees before they even know who we really are. So what do us women do? We sometimes buy our clothes one size too tight, spend money on overpriced hairstyles, add acrylics to our already beautiful nails, and pile on tons of foundation to achieve the complexion we’ve always wanted. We are sometimes under the impression that men like all this… when they barely even notice.
Sam Fine moved from Chicago years ago and after almost 20 years, he’s the man responsible for the faces that we admire the faces that sometimes…hard to say…we wish were our own.
So Sam Fine, the man who makes up the faces of the women that we stand in our mirror sometimes trying to mimic, sets the record straight. He just released his DVD, The Basics of Beauty. With this DVD, he gives dynamic makeup tips as a continuation from his book, Fine Beauty. The DVD offers step-by-step tutorials featuring three unique makeovers. He carefully addresses the challenges that black women face with the application of makeup focusing on tools, technique and product selection.
Sometimes, it is hard to think this way, but celebrities that we love, like Tyra and and J Hud, don’t wake up with the same faces that we see on our tv screens. Like most black women, they may just wake up with some hideous head wrapping and plain faces. Sam Fine wants us to know that even these faces are beautiful.
“I don’t’ see it as a transformation of my clients”, said Fine. “I think transformation implies that they are becoming someone different once I apply their makeup. I see makeup as an extension of who you are. Makeup brings about an enhancement; there is nothing that really changes other than people can direct more attention to your features.”
Women, especially women of color, have histories of feeling unpretty, not beautiful. History has dictated to us that we our faces are not as pretty as other women of other ethnicities. We often believe that our natural, and sometimes downright nappy hair, is not what the world loves. What we fail to realize is that we are of a people that exemplifies the art of sexiness. Our swags are not of new era. In Africa, when were once considered Queens, our ancestors wore pure gold and rare jewels on their heads. And their faces, flawless. And this was way before Covergirl and Iman Cosmetics hit the scene. Way before Sam Fine.
“Women of color have had the history of being shy about makeup,” he said. “My mom’s generation grew up barely finding a foundation that works for them. So a lot of women just went without makeup. And a lot of women felt left out and they still feel left out. We really just didn’t have that experience.”
But nowadays, the days of pretty girl rock, black women are not very shy to show their beauty. And we shouldn’t be.
To all the young girls out here that look up to the women you see on tv, love who you are, because those women did not always feel beautiful either.
“I think it’s just adolescence,” said Fine. “It’s an awkward stage and I never suggest wearing makeup or getting hair extensions just to make you feel better. Love who you are behind the clothes, behind the makeup.”
We LOVE you Sam Fine! Continue to paint the souls and hearts of black women around the world. And we’ll continue to love ourselves…beyond our mirror images…
Love,
Vee
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