HIPolitics 11/3/14

     This week we discussed voting and that catcalling video:



   To start things off I encourage all of my listeners and readers to VOTE ! Last Thursday Urban Word and Lincoln Center crowned New York City's 2015 Youth Poet Laureate. To find out more please visit http://nycvotes.org/.
   Moving on Sore' and I discussed the recent catcalling video gone viral. In this video a woman walks around NYC for ten hours while being filmed by a hidden camera in the bag of a man walking just a few steps ahead of her the whole time. According to I Hollaback, the non-profit organization created to end street harassment, they filmed 108 catcalls in that time.  Visit Ihollaback.org to learn more and support.
    Too many people, men especially are not understanding where the trouble here is and trying to excuse it. People are questioning what exactly cat calling is and what counts as harassment. Arguments like this skew away from what the issue actually is. The issue is men often make women feel uncomfortable while they are simply minding their businesses and walking down the street. Again you can hear my and my intern Sore` standpoint on this topic while listening to this airing of my show #HIPolitics above.
   Watch the interview we played and referred to here:



    My Hip-Hop and Social Justice fueled radio show #HIPolitics airs Mondays at 11am on http://MyWBCR.com

The return of #OoTW

     Upon starting this blog I posted regular Outfit of the Week posts. WIth this post I declare the return of #OoTW. I recently realize that I wear cute outfits that people need to see. So, please be on the look out.

#HIPolitics 10/20 !

     I bring this week's episode of HIPolotics. Hip-Hopin' and politic'n. If you're unfamiliar with the show, that's probably because it's brand new. Basically my intern, Sore' (http://mellifluousflow.tumblr.com/), and I talk about social issues whether nationally or locally in news and entertainment. This episode was a very chill show about hip-hop poetry and how to make a difference.



    To listen to HIPolitics, you can tune in on http://mywbcr.com/ Monday Mornings at 11am.

Meet Tangina P. Stone !

     This blog post is well, well, WELL overdue. Tangina is a friend of mine I met a couple years ago in an evening writing class, and in random conversation I learned so much about her . She is a singer, songwriter, and beautiful musician who's first EP "The Fall" was released earlier this year. Having seen her perform a few tracks at the EP official release event I had to listen. I immediately enjoyed her music and always look forward to hearing more from her.
    Recently, what seems to be the first single off of "The Fall", "Suntan" was featured on VH1, played during "Love and Hip Hop: Hollywood". Having been reminded of that track I gave the EP another listen and haven't stopped since. The single is featured on VH1.com as well as MTV.com and you can listen to the entire EP on Gina's SoundCloud page.

 
    "The Fall" is a melodic collection of stories, beats, and Tangina's softly soulful voice. Suntan is certainly a standout track along with the more upbeat remix. However my favorite is "Reasons" a love song, ode, musical poem. This entire project is new, refreshing, and overall impressive. I recommend everyone give "The Fall" a listen and also keep up with Tangina for more music, shows, and appearances:

https://www.facebook.com/tanginastone

New Headwrap tutorial !

I've been meaning to post a new headwrap tutorial for the past month now and finally here it is. I bring you: the top bun:

SNL Skit: Whites

     In this new SNL skit white people in America are making fun of White people in America and "White Dominance" in a funny light hearted way. This was hilarious to me. When I see strongly written angry comments I can only think "It's only racist if you are". Here's the clip:

The Return of Paint and Poetry !

     Paint and Poetry has been on a hiatus these past couple of months but last Saturday was the event return at the brand new IMAGE Gallery in Bushwick. Nothing can hold us back. The l've was alive in that room just as always. No matter if there are 20 people or 200 people in attendance Paint and Poetry is always enjoyable. Regular artists(poets and painters), Hosts, and even DJ returned creating a family vibe but what stole the show was the venue. Our previous home closing was not a night of sadness is was a night to look back on the greatness that ensued and to positively move, which is what we certainly did with this revival. Image Gallery is a beautiful space with track lights, blacks lights, mounted cameras, a large projection screen and an overall inviting atmosphere.
     This event brought both a great turn out in the physical space and digitally. If you missed out you can search the hashtag #Paintandpoetry just about anywhere and see the words, the paintings, the music, and the people. Here are photos from the evening by Werds of Art Photography:

For more information about Paint and Poetry visit: https://www.facebook.com/PaintAndPoetry 

and for more photos: https://www.facebook.com/Werdsofartphotography

"New Black" and That whole Raven-Symone thing

     A few months ago, Pharrell Williams made a statement while interviewing with Oprah and stated that he is "New Black". Claiming that Black is a mentality, and I guess so is oppression. Of course twitter or "Black Twitter" went crazy.
     You may have noticed a string of rants on the internet in the past couple of days involving Raven-Symone. Well She made a few problematic statements in an interview with Oprah. Well here's what she said:

     Raven seems to be saying one of the most hypocritical, post-racial, silly but common statements you hear now-a-days; that she is colorblind when it comes to race. What she really said was that she is "Colorless" which is pretty much the same thing and just as silly. Saying that we are all people and should be treated equal is beautiful but ignoring what separates us and pretending that there are no visible differences between certain people is not. What she is saying is that she does not see the difference between her and let's say, Jennifer Lawrence. YET society still does and Blacks are still discriminated against. So, in not acknowledging our differences she is also not acknowledging prejudice and racism in America.
     She is almost saying that she does not notice nor care about Police Brutality against Blacks, or Poverty, Non-Equal opportunity employers, Discrimination in Schools and work places, and pretty much racial inequality across the nation. She claims she does not know where her roots trace back to and does not care for labels, which is very much respectable BUT she is certainly not "colorless".
     She also does not want to be labeled based on her sexual orientation. But it just sounds like she doesn't identify with anything, which is strange. People who are Black and people who are "Queer" (or both) are being killed everyday because of who they are but pretty miss Raven-Symone is privileged enough to walk down whatever street she wants to walk down and hold hands with whoever she wants to hold hands with safely. Privilege allows blindness.
     While having this discussion with my family, my father asked "well what if a poor, or working class person makes this statement". My response was that they wouldn't, because if you are underprivileged, you are not allowed to be colorblind, you see exactly what separates you from others, you live it everyday.

We all describe things differently but Raven sounded really silly. Just really, really ignorant.

#HiPolitics episode 2 !

      As I posted last week, I have my own campus radio show entitled Hipolitics (Hip-Hop politics). A discussion based show on which I incorporate Hip-Hop music. This week's discussion was about none other than Tupac Shakur. This past weekend, September 13th, was the 18th anniversary of his passing. Not to mourn his death but to honor his life and legacy with music, soundbites, and discussion between myself and my intern, Sore'.

You can listen to the entire show here:



and catch it live on Mywbcr.com/
Mondays at 11am. Looking forward to next week !

Introducing #hiPolitics !

     As a Tv/R minor at Brooklyn College I now have my own campus radio show.
I call it "hiPolitics" (Like hip politics). Combining Hip-Hop music with political issues, using critical literacy to have discussions. We're talking about things that effect us racially, locally, on campus etc. and I always have music to play. Each week, Mondays 11am-12pm, I will have a guest artist come through and join in on that day's conversation.

     This past monday, Sept. 8th, was my first show. According social that say was also a nationwide boycott/protest called the Blackout. On this day Blacks across the country would protest by only supporting Black businesses to show that #BlackLivesMatter and we(as well as other POC) are just as important to this country as those who are more privileged, especially when it comes to this country's economy. My intern, Sore' and I spent the whole discussing why this is important and other Black Activism related topics in the media today. I also played a few songs that I felt were related.

You can tune in every Monday at 11am on Mywbcr.com. You can also call in a join the conversation at (718)951-4444.

Sisterhood of Hip-Hop

      You may be aware of me as a Hip-Hop and as woman but I was once a reality-TV-Show-Watcher. I know, as a viewer, that these shows are created with a specific idea and plan. Reality TV is less than reality. So of course, upon seeing ad's for the newest Oxygen TV Show "Sisterhood of Hip-Hop" I was disappointed, as a woman in Hip-Hop.
     If you keep up with the "wives" or "women of..." type reality shows is the a sort of forced unity. A majority of casts do not know each other prior to production. So, clearly this concept was created in a board room, maybe several board room and meetings with an idea in mind. A currently;y very popular reality show is Vh1's "Love and Hip-Hop" showcase hip-hop music starts and drama in their relationships. Now, that show is presumably fake and thrives off of the fighting and feuds between the cast of the show. The feuds and rivalries are real but are also fueled by the show. Other shows like The Real Housewives franchise and the Basketball Wives franchise put these women together and make it seem like they're a circle of friends, even if they aren't. There's an annual vacation they all go on together, there are always outings, dinners, and parties where drama erupts. It seems that it is contractual for these women to attend these events together; in reality most people would not spend time with someone they would not like.
This new show seems like it's going to represent a fabricated sisterhood in Hip-Hop. It is good to showcase positivity in realms that we expect negativity from, women being friends with each other and hip-hop. But something like that should be built and created in reality, not made up for a camera.

     Personally, I barely keep with television now-a-days. Especially reality shows, so even if I wanted to watch, I probably won't. I don't have many expectations for the show, you never know. It might blow up. It might be real, it might that outlet for the many young women in hip-hop across the world and those who I know personally.

Anti Date Rape Nail Polish?

While scrolling on Facebook I stumble across this photo:

     Now, this is very clever and scientifically incredible but nail polish is not going to stop rape. Plain and Simple. It victim blames in a way, making it seem that women should prepare to be drugged and potentially raped and if they don't wear this nail polish and test every drink they drink in a club/night bar, they've made a mistake. It immediately struck me as odd. We need men to stop raping, not a cute spy gadget for women to leave their houses in fear. On the contrary I totally understand how this can come in handy, this invention has clearly come sooner than the end of all rape everywhere, but it was promoted strangely. Not all date rapes happen with the use of a date rape drug, not all rapes are date rapes.

Loc Update & Bantu Knots !

Here's a little update on whats going on with my hair:

Guuru Sagod

The Queens, NYC raised rapper is upcoming and someone to look out for. Upon watching the "In Music We Trust" video, I knew he was someone I'd be interested in. Being featured as MTvU's "Freshmen of the Week" Sagod's music does not disappoint. The beats, the bars, the metaphors, and his own style = Dope.

More can be heard from Guuru Sagod at http://www.reverbnation.com/guurusagod. After giving his full body of work a listen I am very much impressed and look forward to hearing more. If you're looking for new hip-hop by new artists, music that you just want to vibe to, I suggest you give him a listen as well. A stand out track, and favorite of mine is Take My Soul :

Free Electronic Press Kits from ReverbNation.com

For more: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Guuru-Sagod/1377754682463372

Evol Presents: "Take My Eyes to the Dry Cleaners" by Sean 'Mega' Desvignes

       As I've mentioned in a previous post (Evol)ution NYC is an independent New York based publishing company ran by poet and entrepreneur Ashley "Ajay" Johnson. Along with publishing, Evol also offers relationship workshops, professional readiness workshops, and hosts various events.






       Saturday, August 2nd was Evol's first event of the year. The release party for poet/author, DJ, and friend of mine Sean "Mega" DesVignes' first collection of poetry entitled "Take My Eyes to the Dry Cleaners". The event was held at Standard ToyKraft in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The evening began at 6pm with friends, family, and fellow poets filling the space; Of course being a DJ, Mega played his mixes throughout the evening. Poet, MC, and Mega's best friend Ish hosted the event, keeping the energy up the entire time. This poetry concert was jokingly referred to as "Young Black Poet Coachella" because of the intense lineup. 15(yes, 15) friends, contemporaries, mentors/mentees, and incredible poets hit the stage and poured their hearts out sharing their greatest and latest work, as well as stories/accounts on how much Mega means to them and how great it is to be there in that moment celebrating the release of his first book. Performers included The Divine Fabrics collective(Aziza Barnes, Safia Elhillo, and Kamone Felix), Katherine George, Reynold Martin, and Jayson Smith; just to name a few. Mega closed the evening out with a few breath taking pieces from this collection and stories about how he created this work.
       The entire night was enjoyable and inspiring, the amount of love in that room was incomparable.

Photos:

Sean reading from his book

Our host, Ish

To find out more about "Take My Eyes to the Dry Cleaners" as well as other works, events, and workshops, please visit http://www.evolnyc.com

As well as evoL's Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/evoLNYC

Don't call me "Doll"

   A Few shots from my most recent shoot with Ayesha Images. My first outfit is an H&M dress and my second is a Charlotte Russe corset paired with Urban Outfitter 'pin up' shorts.

Don't Believe the Hype!: Artists of Brooklyn College

     It seems DBTH is a series of mine now. Last semester I created a short focusing on My college campus, Brooklyn College. In a smaller society(as compared to the entire city), one that is so diverse, people like artists can be overlooked, especially the variety of artists on campus.

Don't Believe The Hype!: Artists of Brooklyn College from Kearah Armonie on Vimeo.

VOTE for ME in the "RAISE UP" Project

VOTE for ME in the Raise Up Project! For the opportunity to be awarded a $5,000 scholarship. VOTE HERE (http://www.raiseupproject.org/contest-entries/kearah-armonie/)

I am a poet, MC, Writer, Blogger, and college student. I major in film and minor in TV & Radio. My goal in life is to influence, to share experiences, tell stories, and educate all by using various outlets. My education is very important to me and this scholarship program represents all that I am passionate about. Your vote will be greatly appreciated.

   Judged By Russell Simmons & Rosario Dawson "#RaiseUp" is a Spoken Word & Hip Hop Contest Taking on the Drop Out Crisis.

Here's More about the contest:

    Youth 15-22 years old are invited to submit their original raps and poems about the drop out crisis in American High Schools. Poems and raps can be submitted by one person (individual) or by a group. 5 individual poems/raps will be chosen as our winners, and each person will receive a $5,000 educational scholarship and a trip to Washington DC to perform at the Kennedy Center on September 28 as part of a huge show around this issue. One group poem/rap will also be selected to receive a $2,500 award. Scholarships are provided courtesy of the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation.
    Finalists will be selected through a three-round process in which the American public and special guest judges – including Rosario Dawson and Russell Simmons – will vote. After the event at the Kennedy Center, the participants in The Raise Up Project have an opportunity to be featured in a National Public Radio series that will air in in late 2014.

Here is the link to vote for me: http://www.raiseupproject.org/contest-entries/kearah-armonie/
Thank you.

Urban Word NYC Grand Slam finals: Behind the scenes

      This year's grand slam was certainly a wonderful one. I was given the opportunity to film and edit this short doc about the posts competing and what Udub means to them. Out 2014 slam team will be competing in the  Brave New Voices youth poetry competition this July, in Philadelphia.

Paint and Poetry vol. 25 !

     Footage from last month P&P has been posted ! It was such an enjoyable experience and one of the last at it's venue/home. A friend of mine, Syd, created this video which sums up what the event is all about. See if you can spot me :)

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/PaintAndPoetry also search the hashtag #PaintAndPoetry

Finally, I have a video

Myself performing at BC Slam Team's CUPSI Showcase event, at Brooklyn College

Belle

     Belle is film based on the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, a young mixed woman in Europe during the 1700's. She is taken in by her white father after her mother passes away. Her father is always away and she is raised by her great uncle, along with her cousin. The films follows Belle as she is a young adult during the time that she would be married off and difficulties she faces being Black in a white, racist society.

     This film beautifully and seamlessly tells a romantic, political, and historical story without too much emphasis on either aspect. Belle is an heiress who eventually falls in love with a poor man, and her great uncle was the lord chief justice during a time of slavery where slaves were terribly mistreated and the case is just one of the main conflicts throughout the film. Belle is not your average princess movie.


      I saw this film the day after it's premiere at Sunshine cinema, it was followed by a Q&A with the star of the film, Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Gugu answered several questions about the film, including my own. I asked about her knowledge of Dido pre-production. She said that she was not originally aware of her story but she did receive a photograph of the famous painting of Dido and her cousin Elizabeth, and needed to find out more. Gugu did her research to learn more, post-production she managed to see the painting at the Scone Palace in Perth, Scotland. She learned that Dido now has descendants who live in Africa, which was interesting because Gugu is half South African.

Belle is a wonderful film, directed by Amma Asante, which I highly recommend.

"Lukewarm" a short film

"Lukewarm" Short Film from Kearah Armonie on Vimeo.

   For my Film Production class we all had to write and direct 3-10 minute long short, black and white silent films, using either the Bell & Howell or Bolex camera. This is my final project., entitled "Lukewarm" about a young aspiring model who stumbles across what could be her destiny. This was filmed with a Bolex camera, prime lens, using black and white reversal film.

Gilded Mind as shot by Suzanne Ayesha

      One of my best friends, Briannah, and I are Poetic/Hip-Hop duo Gilded Mind. Recently we were photographed by upcoming photographer and friend Suzanne Ayesha. 

Photos:

For more information please visit: https://www.facebook.com/GildedMind

#PaintAndPoetry March 2014!

     This month's paint and poetry was also a birthday celebration for the creator of P&P, Mojo Disco. A mix of Paint and Poetry regulars and a few new faces from all over filled the gallery promptly. With music by DJ Blackout and walls covered in beautiful artwork the atmosphere was nothing less than dope. Painters and Performers were no strangers to P&P, good friends of Mojo's and artists who have been there since day one(or at least day 2) like Malcolm Wicks, Audible Chocolate, and Theo Mighty. The party feeling was strong with intermissions that called for mingling and dancing and overall the room was filled with love, as usual.

Here's a look at the "paint" aspect:

Marley Twists over starter Locs !

As you know, I started my locs 2 months ago. Now I've put them in Marley twists. Using two strands of Marley braid hair for each twist. Here's my tutorial:

PLEASE visit http://iloveboxbraids.tumblr.com/

[HOW-TO] Yarn Twists !

       Last weekend I did a friends hair in Yarn twists she needed a protective style because she's going on vacation soon. The style took 9 hours to do and I used 3 bundles of yarn. Now, just like any other twists I've done these are pretty simple.




Materials:

• 3+ bundles of acrylic yarn
• A comb
• Hair oil/grease/lotion/etc.
• Scissors
• A lighter
• A four legged-chair or step stool 

Prep:

Make sure the hair is washed, conditioned, and moisturize before braiding. Cut the yarn by wrapping it around the legs of the chair(tying around one leg first to secure it) and keep wrapping, then cut when you feel/noticed you've wrapped too much, cut near to the leg where you tied the yarn. You will have to wrap/cut yarn several times. Moisturize the yarn before braiding with it.

Procedure:

• Part hair the way you normally do as braiding
• Take yarn and braid a section of hair as if you're doing a box braid
• Braid down about 5 times(or to the end of hair depending on how long the person's hair is)
• Begin twisting and twist to desired lenght
• Tie 3-4 knots at the end of the twists
• Cut excess yarn
• Burn the ends.
• Also: moisturize the person's scalp as you go along

End result:

You HAVE to use Acrylic yarn and Red Heart is the most recommended brand.