Monthly archive of May 2003
Living Just Enough For The City
After an extended weekend retreat in Miami, I remembered why I love New York so much. Sure, we don't have exotic beaches and palm trees and 80 degree weather in the winter, but we do have flavor. People of all ages drive, fly and sail from all corners of the planet just for the opportunity to live, work and struggle with eight million other New Yorkers.
Posted in pop culture on May 1 2003, 11:25AM | Read More
Bush Launches Campaign 2004
The 2004 presidential campaign got off to an unexpected start last night when all the major networks televised President Bush's first campaign speech — the announcement that the major fighting in Iraq is over. But with the election just a year away, this is one war Bush doesn't plan to end anytime soon.
Posted in politics on May 2 2003, 10:30AM | Read More | Comments (7)
The Next Clarence Thomas?
President Bush nominated Allen last week to the nation's most conservative federal appeals court, the 4th Circuit, a court with jurisdiction over the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia. Already many are raising an eyebrow.
Posted in politics on May 5 2003, 11:35AM | Read More | Comments (6)
When My Brother Fell
Last week, the black LGBT community lost two of its living legends: Eric Gupton, co-founder of Pomo Afro Homos, and Duane Bremond, founder of the Los Angeles Black Gay Pride Weekend, "At The Beach." Today I remember them for the lasting impact they made on the community.
Posted in pop culture·sexuality·theater on May 6 2003, 11:05AM | Read More | Comments (4)
Sex, Lies and HIV/AIDS
In all my years of dating, I've never asked anyone his HIV status. Instead, I assume everyone I have sex with is HIV positive, and I act accordingly. Unfortunately, our so-called sexual morals are the biggest obstacles to preventing the spread of HIV. On issue after issue, we let our preachy morality get in the way of our common sense reality.
Posted in sexuality on May 7 2003, 12:23PM | Read More
The Confessions Of Nat Turner
Nearly 172 years after he was hanged, skinned and decapitated, the skull of Virginia slave rebellion leader Nat Turner has turned up in an unlikely place — in Indiana. As new information emerges, old wounds are being re-examined and long forgotten history is being remembered.
Posted in pop culture on May 8 2003, 12:28PM | Read More
The Writing Life
What's it like being a self-employed fulltime writer? What does a writer do everyday? I wish I had an easy answer. After five years of working for myself, I have to say that every day is completely different. But I love being a writer.
Posted in pop culture on May 9 2003, 12:00PM | Read More
The One Who Got Caught
In an extraordinary front page admission yesterday, the New York Times acknowledged that one of its own reporters had committed frequent acts of deceit, fabrication and plagiarism. While the extent of Jayson Blair's fraud may be unusual, he is not alone. In a journalistic world filled with anonymous sourcing, lazy reporting and human error, Blair is simply the one who got caught.
Posted in pop culture on May 12 2003, 11:04AM | Read More | Comments (5)
Sakia Gunn Stories
Posted in sexuality on May 12 2003, 1:43PM | Read More
She Didn't Have To Die
A 15-year-old girl waiting for a bus in Newark, New Jersey was stabbed to death on Sunday when she told her attackers she was a lesbian. Those who claim gays and lesbians aren't discriminated against should talk to Sakia Gunn's mother. And those religious leaders who say they care about kids while they teach hatred of homosexuals should know the consequences of their hypocrisy.
Posted in sexuality on May 13 2003, 12:48AM | Read More
A Call To Action
For the first time in the 22-year history of the AIDS epidemic, an unprecedented group of influential black gay leaders has issued a call to action in the war on AIDS. The group of 39 black gay professionals vowed to take action to stem the spread of HIV in black communities and announced a nationwide campaign to lower the HIV rates among blacks in the United States.
Posted in sexuality on May 13 2003, 1:40AM | Read More
X2: X Men United
The hot new film X2 is a Hollywood blockbuster tailor made to earn millions of dollars, entertain fans, and tease gay and lesbian viewers with its homosexual subtext. If you don't want to stand in line for hours to see The Matrix this weekend, check out X2.
Posted in movies on May 14 2003, 12:37PM | Read More
Fear and Loathing In Africa
Although South Africa has the world's most progressive constitution on sexual orientation issues, other countries in the region are much more conservative. A new report says that homophobia is widespread in southern Africa and charges that some leaders in the region have singled out LGBT citizens as scapegoats for their countries' problems. Can anything be done?
Posted in sexuality on May 15 2003, 3:43AM | Read More
In Memory Of Sakia Gunn
When a 15-year-old girl was murdered on Sunday after she disclosed her sexuality to her attackers, her story resonated with others. Police arrested a suspect in the case on Thursday, but I wondered what it's like being young, black and lesbian in Newark. Writer Jacquie Bishop tells her story in today's guest column.
Posted in sexuality on May 16 2003, 12:01AM | Read More
310 West 143rd Street
I was asleep in a hotel 3,000 miles away when Alberta Spruill passed away just four blocks from my house in Harlem. She died from heart complications after police broke into her apartment in a mistaken drug raid early Friday morning. It seems we can find a prisoner of war hidden in Baghdad, but we can't find the right apartment of a drug dealer in Harlem.
Posted in pop culture on May 19 2003, 12:04PM | Read More
God Save Me From Your Followers
Sometimes I find inspiration in the most unlikely places. It happened again yesterday. A quiet exchange on the subway led me to question everything I've been taught about religion. I guess God does work in mysterious ways.
Posted in spirituality on May 20 2003, 12:30AM | Read More
Backfire On Gun Control
Last month, President Bush announced his support for renewal of a controversial 1994 federal gun control law. This week the Administration imposed strict gun control on Iraq. Is the Administration stepping back from its pro-gun position? If so, why aren't the conservatives more angry? Maybe they know something the public does not.
Posted in politics on May 21 2003, 10:48AM | Read More
The Look Of Love
If you like Burt Bacharach or Desmond Richardson, you'll like The Look Of Love now showing on Broadway. If not, you could be in for a long night. The Look Of Love is an entertaining but uneven ensemble musical revue that celebrates the artistic genius of Burt Bacharach through song and dance.
Posted in theater on May 22 2003, 11:53AM | Read More
The Oldest Black Gay Bar In DC
I lived in Washington, D.C. for 8 years, but I only visited Nob Hill twice during that time. "It opened its doors to the public in 1957 at 11th and Kenyon Streets, but reportedly operated as a private social club for gay men from 1953 to 1957," according to Metro Weekly. "The bar changed ownership several times over the years, but its mission to serve the black gay community has remained a constant."
Posted on May 23 2003, 10:46AM | Read More
My Last Black Gay Pride
For the first time in 10 years, I won't be celebrating black gay pride in Washington, D.C. this weekend. I'm not sure what I will do this weekend, but I think it's time for me to rest. This year more than ever, I fully appreciate the theme of black gay pride: living free in 2003.
Posted in sexuality on May 23 2003, 11:51AM | Read More
Reclaim Your Power by Terrance Dean
Just 125 pages long, Terrance Dean's new book Reclaim Your Power is a quick read. But with a month's worth of spiritual guidance, the book is intended for lengthier reflection.
Posted in books on May 27 2003, 12:06AM | Read More
Norah Jones: Come Away With Me
Every now and then, an artist actually lives up to the buzz and hype generated by enthusiastic publicists and hyperbolic media claims. Norah Jones is one of those rare artists. Come Away With Me is a beautiful CD that deserves all the praise it's gotten.
Posted in music on May 28 2003, 8:01AM | Read More
Lizz Wright: Salt
She may be the hottest new jazz artist since Norah Jones, and she's the hottest new black jazz artist in the media. With her new CD, Lizz Wright wants you to open your eyes and fly with her on this delightful musical journey called Salt.
Posted in music on May 28 2003, 9:18AM | Read More
Ledisi: Soulsinger
Bay Area music fans have known about Ledisi for years. The rest of us are just discovering her now. Her new CD, Soulsinger, delivers neosoul, R&B, jazz and dance music. But first you have to find it.
Posted in music on May 29 2003, 9:08AM | Read More
Vivian Green: A Love Story
Writing about Vivian Green is like writing about an old friend. Since her album came out last year, she has been there for me in good times and bad times. Now I want to thank her for her beautiful music and our budding relationship. I didn't get it at first, but now I see that her CD is not just another album. It's a romance novel set to music. And it's the most complete R&B album I've heard since Jill Scott's debut.
Posted in music on May 29 2003, 11:01AM | Read More
The Matrix: Reloaded
The Matrix Reloaded is an exciting, stunt-filled, thought-provoking sequel to the original 1999 blockbuster cult film The Matrix. If you want to enjoy The Matrix experience, then this new flick is more than worth the price of admission. But if you haven't seen the first film or don't plan on seeing the final part of the trilogy this fall, then don't bother seeing this one.