NUBIAN KNIGHTS NETWORK: Monday, September 7, 2009

QUOTATIONS OF "BLACK"

"Whenever I use BLACK it relates to some history of Africans in that particular place. It’s the idea of the color BLACK as a metaphor, or as a representation of African-Americans. It’s the notion of BLACK- BLACKNESS - and all its other meanings in relation to the history of race..."

- Fred Wilson

"Most of my fortitude to continue doing the work comes from the moral outrage I feel about the injustices that Black people endure disproportionately daily."

- N. Abdul-Wakil

"In the end, what matters is not skin shade but pan-African consciousness. Loving your complexion, your nose, lips, hair length and texture, no matter what the politics or trends decide, and simply be. That's the problem with us (African folks). We're still learning how to love ourselves. So used to glorifying others and putting others first..."

- Dredlocks Tree

Monday, September 7, 2009

The West Indian American Day Parade
Celebrating Today's Event With Pics
From The Valut of 2007

Nah, I didn't go this year's West Indian American Day Parade. By default I'm not a fan of any parade in general and standing around for hours. And the way the NYPD handles parades in general, I feel like corralled cattle with all the barricades and you can' go this way or that way, etc. etc.

Anyway, I did wanna say I did go 2 years ago (2007) after a huge absence since I was a teenager. I'm glad I did go! The two reasons were to come and support diverse cultures in the African Diaspora, and because I wanted to get some pictures of all the amazing and incredible costumes and outfits which always brim with beautiful bright colors!!

So, even though I didn't go to the 42nd annual event today on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, I wanted to go into the vault and share some pics from 2007.

Lush Colors

African Queen!!!

The Indian Outfits
Were My Absolute Favorite From 2007

One of the City Gym Boys

City Gym Boys

You can see my photo album with many more pics with music here: ROD's 2007 West Indian American Day Parade Pics

UPDATE: Wednesday, September 9th, 2009):
My homeboy and next door Internet neighbor Ocean Morisset (BrothaLuv Cafe) posted this year's parade pics for all to see. Check it: West Indian Day Parade, Brooklyn 2009

Be qool y'all!

ROD (aka BIG ROD)

A Candid Debate On Black Manhood,
Same Gender Love & Civil Rights:
Fact & Fiction
Summer 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia

A Candid Debate On Black Manhood, Same Gender Love & Civil Rights: Fact & Fiction

A Summer 2009 debate in Atlanta, Georgia on homosexuality in Black communities, Civil Rights and attitudes behind Black resistance to affirming homosexuals, and some breakthroughs on the issue.