Literature.

Title: Death of a Black Boy

Author: Jaime Lewis 

Purchase Death of a Black Boy Here!

July 18th, 2011 I attended a friend of mine whose name is Sean B, open Mic, Spoken Word Poetry Event titled "Word To Mother." Sean himself is an amazing poet of Urban Word NYC, an organization that's built on the belief that teenagers have a voice and "can and must speak for themselves." You probably seen him on television where he stared in the Urban Word Grand Slam 2011 Commercial (Watch HERE). There were many amazing poets and singers who went up to the mic that night. The poet that stood out to me the most to me was Jaime Lewis who also goes by "RipMC" or "Rip the Ruler." When Sean introduced him to the mic I didn't know who he was until he started speaking and telling the audience a bit about himself. Rip let the audience know about his recent book release titled "Death of a Black Boy" that's when I realized I follow his Tumblr themovementsmoving and I was suppose to attend his book release party which I unfortunately didn't. I was so amazed at how small the world is, but then he started to spit his poem entitled "Black Boys" and that's when I became even more amazed. After the event was over everyone started to socialize a little bit and I approach Rip on how I've been wanting to purchase his book and because of his poem he recited I wanted to buy it even more. We became friends on facebook and I let him know when I wanted to purchase the book. One thing about Rip I found so unique was he will personally drop the book off himself. You can purchase it online, but I felt it to be so much better and more intimate with the author of whose book you are about to read. I Finished the book which consist of Poems, Proses, Quotes & Short Essays in one day. Half of the book on my train ride to work and the other half on my train ride home. The book is honestly a work of art and I was so happy to be able to read it. It opened my eyes, more so my mind. Rip told me that it's a book that you will personally relate to or go through experiences in life which will remind you of the book. Somewhat like a reference and that's what it was exactly like for me. I finished the book last week and I'm still carrying it around with me on my train rides reading whatever page I open the book to. Its a must read. Especially if you love poetry.

www.woodsrus.tumblr.com

I know a few guys who embrace style from the 80's and 90's at a high level, from their sneakers, their hair, their clothes, and their jewelry. Wooden Jewelry was a big trend during that era, my older brothers have multiple damaged wooden pieces from the adolescent years. While on tumblr, I came across a wooden jewelry designer who goes by "OldSkooll Edouard." He happened to be the same person who created the guys that I know wooden jewelry. One unique thing about him is that he doesn't make the same thing twice. A post I did in July titled "A Queen" (click to view post) is of the process of my creation of this art piece of this Nubian like queen. I got in contact with the wooden jewelry designer and sent in the photo of my drawing to be created into a ring. Here's what he created. 

For More of  His Work Check out the WoodsRUS Facebook Page or WoodsRUS Tumblr

MeLo-X

When it comes to music I tend to stay in the past and forget about the present. That's because music, especially Hip Hop was so rich and pure at the time of the 80's and 90's. My love for music from that time period can be both a blessing and a curse. A curse because I miss out on new underground up in coming talent. So lately I've been discovering new artist that I can sit down and listen to and hear truth and wisdom in the words they speak. Of those new artist I've discovered is a Brooklyn native multi-talented artist MeLo-X. MeLo-X is an Emcee, DJ, music producer, laptop musician, audio engineer and photographer. He's truly amazing and in my 2 months of listening to him I can call him a true favorite of mine.

Check out More of Melo-X on Vimeo
This is undeniably dope and the best I've heard in quite a long time. His flow has left me speechless.

a token of my childhood.

I'm 4'll and weigh around 95+ pounds. For those who look shocked out of their ass don't worry, I'm healthy and quite athletic. I recently been on this re-organization thing in my room, amongst all of that i refolded and went through my drawers for clothes that I no longer wear. My "pajama draw" (the draw which encloses all the clothes that I no longer wear but refuse to give them away) has clothing that I wore around the age of 5 and up. I still even have my barbie nightgown which will be a crop top on me now. Among my 5 year old self clothes that I discovered was my favorite yellow cat shirt from Atlantic City. It was a huge shirt on me then but I can still fit it :)

Denim Shorts: H&M

kutaalamika means, enlightenment

"Kutaalamika" means "enlightenment" in Swahili.

 Please do not get me wrong and I do not want to give you the wrong impression whats so ever but I do not speak Swahili. Swahili is a language I would and want to learn. So back to what I was posting for.

I chose to name this post "enlightenment" because that's what been occurring in my life right now. I'm learning, realizing, and being enlightened by many subjects. Subjects from religion, america, life, love, myself, etc. These are subjects that I already had knowledge on for a very long time but more to it is being brought out. Especially about myself. I'm not going to get too specific about what I learned about myself because that's a little bit too personal but I can say that I have learned something major about myself I never knew until now and I'm seventeen years old. I've just finished reading two books which I should be making a post on soon so I'm not going to speak on it but I defiantly learned from both books. It more so opened my eyes a bit wider on life. I wanted to spend my summer creating garments, sketching, embarking more so onto my fashion career but I think I received something more and its Inspriation. I've been looking for it for the longest and I feel like I finally found it. Not only inspiration for something to draw, inspiration life, for thought, for the person I want to grow to be. Im so much more greatful for what I learned in this little month called July. -Sabla`

Hype my look on Lookbook.nu/callmesabla or click the hype button below.

nzuri ngozi

"nzuri ngozi" means "beautiful skin" in Swahili.

 

"there's always this constant debate in the black community between light skin and dark skin black individuals. growing up I did get teased about my dark skin a lot. Like any kid getting teased their feelings were hurt, but what always confused me was not only did light skin kids tease me for my complexion, kids who I thought had the same complexion as me also teased me because of my deep tone. I found it to be the most dumb hypocritical thing ever but I just let it be. I know I'm not alone on this, I began to wish I had lighter skin and felt people with lighter skin looked better than me. Now a bit older and wiser my opinion is completely opposite. Dark skin men and women are as equally beautiful as light skin ones and I feel as black Americans its time for us to grow up and stop finding something like skin color another way to separate us.

Whatever skin color you have, white, black, yellow, brown, purple, orange be happy with it. You're only born with one body, and one soul and theres no giving it back so you might as well be happy with what you got and live your life to the fullest. Don't let anyone make you feel different about who and what you are.

You are Beautiful.

thoughts.

"the simple things in life can effect you so much. such as just having your room organize, clean, and smelling good. lol. Or having a notebook to write thoughts, ideas, and inspiration in. a damn shelf to put shit on. is it so much to ask for a shelf? little things like such bother me and can affect my whole mood, thought, and creative process. Sometimes an in depth cleaning is needed for everything to flow right. If my environment is messy then my mind is messy. I need organization once again. I need a project to work on. I need time to spare. I need me.... to come back bigger and better than ever." -Sabla.

A few weeks ago on St. Marks, NYC
http://lookbook.nu/callmesabla

Recent Activities.

Recent Activities Lately I've been stacking up on sewing supplies/ draping supplies. But I still have yet to get what I really need which is muslin. The fabric store which I always go to for cheap fabric has been closed since Friday and I'm the kind of person who wants something immediately when I want it. This summer I have to create a few garments for events and also a fashion show I intend on having in 2012 in school. I have so much to do, damn near too much on my summer agenda. So much that I doubt it will all get done.

Summer Agenda Draping/Sewing, Softball Training, Track & Field Training, Sketching, Parsons Portfolio, Work, SAT, Studying, GoldenSense, Scholarship Applications, Have fun -_-

Wish my 2 month summer vaycay luck

The Best 40$ I EVER Spent

Today I had the best shift ever, It was short and sweet. I worked from 10 am to 3pm but ended up working another half an hour because it got really busy, but that's besides the point. I was suppose to take a trip to Trumart Fabrics but they were closed :( so instead I went to Soho's art supply store BlickArtSupplies. I picked up some fabric scissors and adhesive spray. I didn't want to go home right away so I browsed through some stores and went down to St. Marks to look at the jewelry and sunglasses. My favorite Lil African Shop was there as it always is. I initially wanted to buy some rings but this beautiful bag caught my eye and quickly stole my heart. It was 45$ but the guy told me he will give it to me for 40$. I contemplated about getting it or not, even spoke on the phone with my mom. (I'm trying to save money) But my mother told me it will bother me if I don't get it and I know she was nothing but right so.... I got the bag and here are some photos of it.

This bag was handmade in West Africa

Front View



Side View

Back View, but I will be wearing it as if its the front as well. lol.

Up close front view of the detail and craftsmanship.

This bag is truly a work of art.