Jean-Michel Basquiat

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Jean-Michel Basquiat was an artist of the 1980s who is credited with bringing the African-American and Latino experience to the elite art world. Born in Brooklyn to a Haitian-American father and a Puerto Rican mother, he drew much of his inspiration from his diverse heritage. He collaborated with famed pop artist Andy Warhol. Basquiat died of a drug overdose at the age of 27.

American artist. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 22, 1960. With a Haitian-American father and a Puerto Rican mother, Basquiat’s diverse cultural heritage was one of his many sources of inspiration. A self-taught artist, Basquiat first attracted attention for his graffiti under the name “SAMO” in New York City. He sold sweatshirts and postcards featuring his artwork on the streets before his painting career took off. He participated in his first group show in 1980 and had his first one-man exhibition in Milan, Italy, the following year. Basquiat collaborated with famed pop artist Andy Warhol in the mid-1980s, which resulted in a show of their work. He became an internationally known artist, receiving critical acclaim for the fusion of words, symbols, stick figures, and animals found in his work.

Basquiat died of a drug overdose on August 12, 1988. He was 27. Although his art career was brief, he has been credited with bringing the African-American and Latino experience in the elite art world.

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Blind Designer Overcomes Disability To Become Budding Fashion Star

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Those who have overcome adversity to reach their goals often say there is nothing that can stop them but themselves.

SEE ALSO: Four-Year-Old Tests Positive For Cocaine

Cameroon-born designer Mason Ewing seems to have taken those words seriously. The 30-year-old fashion sensation was brutally attacked by relatives at age 15, living him blind according to the Daily Mail.

But he was determined to realize his dream of becoming a top fashion designer. Able to see “vague shapes and colors,” Ewing has been able to design clothing by describing his ideas to a team of artists. Ewing says his sense of touch allows him to “feel his creations” and allows him to distinguish between fabrics.

The budding fashion sensation says his childhood memories of his time in Cameroon are of his mother working on her sewing machine. When both of his parents died, Ewing was sent to Paris to stay with relatives. It was in this world famous city where his love for fashion was born.

He now wants to star in his own television show. If Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles could reach the highest levels of the music game, why can’t Ewing do the same in the fashion world?

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Watch the YouTube video story of this ambitious brotha below.

 

Cornelius Autopsy Reveals Illness-Related Depression Caused Suicide

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When Don Cornelius’ suicide became public, fans worldwide wondered why the “Soul Train” icon would take his own life. Now, his autopsy report reveals that illness pushed Cornelius over the edge, according to TMZ.

RELATED: Don Cornelius Dead At 75

Since Cornelius suffered an aneurysm in 1997, seizures plagued him in later years. In the final six months of his life, though, the pain of his condition had become debilitating, causing Cornelius to fall in to a deep depression.

From the autopsy report, it is stated that Cornelius called his son at 3 a.m., saying, “I don’t know how long I can take this.” TMZ reports:

Don’s son told him he’d rush right over … and Don said he’d leave the back door open. When Don’s son arrived to Cornelius’ Los Angeles home, he detected an odor of smoke and saw Don seated in a chair with a pistol in his right hand.

The autopsy report also reveals that Cornelius pulled the trigger from his left temple and the bullet exited his right temple. Oddly enough, there were also paper bags over his hands:

The decedent was 75-year-old Black male. He was observed supine on a hospital bed in the emergency room. He was covered with a white sheet. He was clad in black pants, black underwear, and a white hospital gown. No tattoos were noted. … His hands were covered with brown paper bags. … I found what appears to be a bullet entrance contact wound to the right temple. I saw what appears to be an exit wound to the upper left side of his head. No other trauma was noted.

View the rest of the autopsy report here.

R.I.P., Mr. Cornelius.

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Heidi Klum Nude: Star Poses In Body Paint For Astor Ad

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Looking good, Heidi Klum! The fashion icon posed for a new ad for the beauty brand Astor to celebrate its 60th anniversary, and left little to the imagination.

Klum appears nude in the new ad, but is covered with an elaborate and colorful design by makeup artist Joanne Gair.

The “Project Runway” host, who has been in the news lately due to her split from her husband of seven years, Seal, wrote about her experience on her blog:

It took 12 hours for Joanne to complete my look, but this actually wasn’t the first time she has painted me from head to toe. This was probably close to the 13th time I’ve been body painted by her, so I’m used to getting it done–the process takes awhile, so you have to be good at being patient!

While sitting still for hours just for one outfit — or lack thereof — may seem extreme, Klum is definitely used to all the preparation. She and her soon-to-be ex used to dress up in extravagant costumes and body art for their annual Halloween parties.

Check out Heidi’s colorful photo below. For more, head over to Heidi’s blog.

 

From Rodney King to Trayvon Martin: Let’s Not Miss Another Opportunity to Progress

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Twenty years ago on April 29, 1992, four white LAPD officers were acquitted of assaulting motorist Rodney King despite the presence of videotaped footage of the horrific beating. The nation was fixated on the case, much like we are now with the tragic death of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, FL. But what people often forget in Rodney King’s story is that it was not about race — it was about justice.

In fact, it was a man by the name of George Holliday (of Argentinian descent), who shot the infamous footage of King’s beating. Holliday knew instinctively that what he captured was troubling, and when police failed to do something about the incident he videotaped, Holliday went to the press and soon everyone saw the atrocity for him or herself. So when the not-guilty verdicts against the four accused officers were read some 20 years ago, all of us should have been united in our response. Race should not have been a factor; we needed to rally around the issue of police brutality and injustice. It was a missed opportunity. We cannot allow that to happen again.

The notion of race in America is complex, troubling and hopeful at the same time. Blacks still struggle with the remnants of slavery and unequal access to educational, housing and job opportunities. Whites still grapple with changing demographics, and immigrants work to both assimilate and hold on to their cultural heritage simultaneously. America is without a doubt a unique experiment in the history of civilization. But while racial dynamics continue to create challenges and unfortunate miscarriages of justice, there has been undeniable progress. We’ve elected the first Black President, over 40 Black members to Congress, and watched people of color break down barriers in virtually every industry and every part of society.

In 2012, we must ensure that we continue to progress, and not get caught in the divisive tactics that some would like us to fall in to. In the case of Trayvon Martin, we have to unite and remember that it isn’t about race, but rather justice for a dead teenage boy whose only crime was walking home with a bag of skittles and an iced tea.

For years, I have been discussing the issue of racial profiling, and police brutality/misconduct. Fighting for reforms of the NJ State Police, and championing for fairness in cases like those involving the tragic deaths of Amadou Diallo, Sean Bell and more, I’m not naïve to the realities of society and race. But I also understand that the diligent work of activists even before my time paved the way for change to occur and for us as a nation to progress forward. And that is the key.

As we watch the case develop against George Zimmerman, the confessed killer of Trayvon Martin, we cannot get caught in the trap of racial division. Although race may have very well led to young Trayvon being profiled by Zimmerman in the first place, we cannot allow our reaction to be based on race. Trayvon was an unarmed teenager who was walking home when he was killed. No matter what our own background, we cannot in good conscience accept the unnecessary death of a young child, and we should demand that his killer at least go before the court and be held accountable.

This weekend will be 20 years since LA erupted in riots following the acquittal of the officers accused of beating Rodney King. It was by far a missed opportunity. We allowed what was a grave travesty to be hijacked by those who wish to push racial divides, and we all paid the price. It was a case that should have united America; not pushed forward the worst within us. In the generation since, I hope that we can prove that we have grown.

As those with an agenda work to divide us in the Trayvon Martin case, let’s remember that it’s about the death of an unarmed young man who could have been any one of our kids. I’ve fought for justice for Trayvon because I believe in America and I don’t believe we should burn it down. Let’s prove that we are in fact the United States of America, and let’s not miss another opportunity to show just how great we can be.

Twenty years ago, our anger led us to burn and loot, and when the dust settled, we had changed nothing. Today, whatever the outcome of the Zimmerman case, let us channel our anger to build. Let’s change ‘stand your ground’ laws, ‘stop & frisk’ policies, racial profiling and sentencing disparities. We are 20 years older, let’s show that we are mature and focused. Change is the goal.

Follow Rev. Al Sharpton on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheRevAl

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Obama On Jimmy Fallon: President Discusses Student Loans, Mitt Romney, Secret Service Scandal

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President Obama appeared on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” Tuesday night, where he discussed his proposal for lower-rate student loans, the secret service prostitution scandal and his impressions of likely GOP rival Mitt Romney.

Obama opened the interview by arriving to “slow-jam the news,” a regular segment on Fallon’s show.

“I’m President Barack Obama, and I, too, want to slow-jam the news,” Obama said. He then discussed the merits of keeping student loan rates low while the show’s house band, The Roots, played in the background.

“Now is not the time to make school more expensive for our young people,” he said. “There’s some in Congress who disagree. They say keeping the interest rate low isn’t a way to help our students. They say we should be doing everything we can to pay down the national debt — well, so long as it doesn’t include taxing billionaires.”

Obama returned to the topic while discussing his college years with Fallon. According to Obama, he and his wife, Michelle, accrued a large amount of debt while earning their undergraduate and law school degrees.

“For the first 10 years of our marriage, we were still paying stuff off, even when we were supposed to be saving for Malia and Sasha,” Obama said. “We didn’t pay off all of our student loans until about eight years ago.”

When asked by Fallon what legislation he would enact if he could bypass Congress, the president shifted his focus to energy and high fuel prices, an area his critics have focused on as a potential weak spot.

“Along with getting our education system right, another big piece of business is energy,” Obama said. “We’ve gotta make sure that we’re investing in the clean energy sources of the future — solar, wind, biofuels.”

“That’s what’s going to prevent these gas-price spikes that hurt so many people,” he added.

The president also spoke about his likely GOP opponent Romney, and his wife, Ann.

“I’ve met him, but we’re not friends,” Obama said. “His wife is lovely.”

Obama also described the former Massachusetts governor as someone who “cares deeply about his family.”

However, Obama did take the opportunity to express his opposition to super PACs, which he noted played a big role in the ugly nature of this year’s GOP primary season.

“That’s part of our democracy that we’re going to have to fix,” he said, stating that the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling had created a political climate with “no accountability.”

When asked about the Secret Service prostitution scandal, which has brought a great deal of attention to the agency, Obama praised the men who protect him.

“The secret service, these guys are incredible,” Obama said. “They protect me, they protect Michelle, they protect our girls, they protect our officials all around the world. 99.9 percent of them, every day, they’re putting their life on the line, they do a great job. So, a couple of knuckleheads shouldn’t detract from that they do. What these guys were thinking, I don’t know. That’s why they’re not there anymore.”

Obama’s interview with Fallon was taped on Tuesday afternoon at the University of North Carolina, where he had just given a speech on lower student loan rates.

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Dana Crum – poet, writer, english-language expert

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Dana Crum’s Poems Appear in The Innisfree Poetry Journal

_The Innisfree Poetry Journal recently published two of Dana Crum’s poems: “The Gods of Darfur” and “Abandoned.” The former examines the genocide in Darfur and the lack of action that allows such atrocities to go unchecked. In the latter, Crum ponders the question of God’s existence.

Dana Crum Reads in Celebration of National Poetry Month

_April is National Poetry Month. To commemorate the occasion, “30 Poets.30 Days.” will — every day this month — release a video of a poet performing an original poem. On April 3, Dana Crum was featured; he read a piece titled “Coupling.” You can view Crum’s video on the site itself or on Vimeo.

“30 Poets.30 Days.” is the brainchild of filmmaker and photographer David Flores.

According to poets.org, National Poetry Month was “inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996” and is “held every April, when publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. Thousands of businesses and non-profit organizations participate through readings, festivals, book displays, workshops, and other events.”

Dana Crum’s Article “7 Poems That Shook the World” Appears in AlterNet and Guernica

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_A poem must be powerful indeed to shake the world, for poets, at least in this country, are generally the least-read writers. (And the least-paid. But that is a subject for another article.) A poem can achieve a large readership in various ways—by galvanizing political movements or making political statements; by revolutionizing poetry through the introduction of radically new techniques, forms, or subjects; or even by shaping the language during times of linguistic chaos. Here are seven that shifted our consciousness.
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Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776 – 1876

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present by PECO

 

New Core Exhibition Takes A Bold New Look At A Brand New History
On June 19, 2009, The African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) unveiled its new core exhibition Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776 – 1876, presented by PECO. Its primary focus is to re-count the stories of and contributions made by people of African descent in Philadelphia. The overall goal is to draw visitors into another time and place called “history,” where they can encounter and come to understand the people who created the world that they now inhabit. Through this exhibit visitors will learn who the people were, how they lived and worked, and their unheralded impact on our nation.

When entering the Museum, visitors will be welcomed with a general overview of the exhibition in Gallery 1, including an interactive timeline, highlighting a sequence of images, all drawn from the historical record, that spans 100 years of history. The images found on the timeline will illuminate and explore topics of relevance including entrepreneurship, environment, education, religion, and family traditions.

In Gallery 2, visitors will be surrounded by what appear to be ten full-size figures of trailblazers from 18th Century Philadelphia. The figures are actually full-size video projections, patiently waiting for a visitor to approach and actively engage them. Once activated, the individual trailblazer delivers an impassioned monologue about life in Philadelphia during the time period. Adjacent to each full-size screen will be a small touch-screen complete with a menu of topics that this particular trailblazer will discuss upon activation. Sound is delivered by directional speakers utilizing cutting-edge technology that will filter the sound. These speakers create an atmosphere similar to a genteel cocktail party, with each dialogue clearly understandable and undisturbed by additional visitors exploring the stories of other agents of change.

“We are especially excited about the innovative use of new technology,” said AAMP’s President and CEO Romona Riscoe Benson. “Our goal is make Audacious Freedom an immersive experience. One of the ways that we are able to achieve this is through the inventive use of sound, light and technical features that are currently used in only a handful of museums across the country.”

Other interesting aspects of the exhibit include the opportunity for visitors to “walk the streets” of historic Philadelphia via a large scale map installed along the ramp between Galleries 1 and 2. Children ages 3 through 8 will enjoy the Children’s Corner, a hands-on installment in Gallery 2 that will help them explore the daily lives of children in Philadelphia during the time period.

African American Museum in Philadelphia.

701 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Phone: (215) 574-0380
Fax: (215) 574-3110
Email: info@aampmuseum.org

Limited Editions: Joseph Holston Prints African American Museum in Philadelphia

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African American Museum in Philadelphia
LOCATION:
701 Arch Street
Philadelphia,
PA 19106HOURS:
Tues thru Sat: 10am – 5pm
Sunday: 12 Noon – 5 PM

Open MLK Day for Day of SERVICE!!!
Closed New Years’ Day, Easter, Thanksgiving & Christmas Day

Phone: (215) 574-0380
Fax: (215) 574-3110
Email: info@aampmuseum.org

SHONA SCULPTURES AT THE DUSABLE MUSEUM

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COME OUT AND VIEW THE NEWEST ADDITIONS TO THE DUSABLE FAMILY!
Unconditional Love, ca 1995
Lameck Bonjisi (1973-2003)
Opal Stone

Born in Ruwa, Zimbabwe, Lameck Bonjisi began to apprentice in 1989 with one of Zimbabwe’s leading sculptors, Nicolas Mukmberanwa. Lameck fast became an internationally respected sculptor in his own right. Characteristics of his work include very striking compositions with distinct stylized lines. Unfortunately, the prominent young sculptor died at the height of his career.

Gift of Sheila Handwerker

Elegant Beauty, ca 1995
Luxon Karise (b. 1968)
Serpentine

Born in Guruve, Zimbabwe, Luxon Karise’s work has been referred to as “elegance of expression.” This work has much of a sensitivity and impressive manifestation of the spiritual essence of the works his has become known for creating. Dedicated to the production of his artwork, Luxon has never traveled outside of Zimbabwe.

Gift of Sheila Handwerker

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Jennifer Sterger Reveals Her On-Field Limits: ‘Out Of Bounds’

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The Huffington Post  |  By
Posted: 04/23/2012 10:41 am Updated: 04/23/2012 11:56 am

Jenn Sterger

Sexism in sports has been an ongoing conversation since at least the passage of Title IX in 1972, a conversation that’s joined in the most recent episode of “Out Of Bounds.” During Episode 2 of HuffPost Black Voices’ sports video series, Holly Robinson Peete, LaLa Vazquez, Jennifer Sterger and designer and broadcast journalist Tracy Mourning discuss female stereotypes in sports.

No stranger to the playing field, Sterger made headlines in 2011 when she claimed NFL quarterback, Brett Favre emailed her photos of his private parts during her tenure as the gameday host of the New York Jets. With the scandal behind, the 28-year-old explains how she knew her limits on the field as a host. “I was like an in-game host. It was my job to get drunk fans more riled up than they already were, which is not hard to do,” she explains. “But that was my job, to keep the fans entertained while they were at the game … it’s a very minimal role, but I know what my limits are. And mine were from the entertainment aspect.”

“I would never want to do play-by-play. Some women, they can do it, they’re very good at it. But some women, I don’t even want to watch them try.”

When it comes to the celebrity panel discussing locker room double standards, Mourning felt that everyone should conduct themselves in a cordial, professional manner. “I don’t think guys belong in a women’s locker room,” she said. “But as a reporter and sports reporter, I want to get in there and get the story. I think guys should be gentleman and have respect and cover up and let me get my story.”

Check out more of the “Out Of Bounds” discussion in the exclusive clip above.