Otro retrato

Here I was at graduation and interestingly, the filter hides the circles under my eyes. I am not particularly photogenic and I used to dislike photographs of myself for that reason, but now I like them because they are revealing. This one, in its unadulterated version, indicated that I needed much more sleep. Of course, … More Otro retrato

Lafcadio Hearn

The following words and Hearn quotation are from Ashley Morris’ excellent blog. Read the whole post. Nineteenth century writer Lafcadio Hearn wrote a letter to a friend in Cincinnati about two years after he arrived in New Orleans in 1877, during a grim period in which thousands died from yellow fever. He summed up his … More Lafcadio Hearn

Bel Fanm Kreyòl

Anytime is a good time to practice speaking Creole! Louisiana Creole is similar to Haitian Creole, partly due to the influence of the many Haitians who arrived, willingly and not, in flight from their Revolution. This is RAM at the 2006 Carnaval in Port-au-Prince. See and hear it, and then also Ganpati’s video response. Both … More Bel Fanm Kreyòl

On Coercion

Read the post from which this is excerpted, and the comments thread. It is very much like religion, really – it’s all up to her. All she has to do is be obedient, do things right, and she will SHINE. She just has to follow the rules, endure the “struggles,” and remain loyal and faithful, … More On Coercion

Hurricane Beulah

This is, of course, Lightnin’ Hopkins. Hurricane season is upon us, and all hurricanes are relevant. I am hiding from them today, however; my precise location is the Centro Cultural Bella Época, which is at the corner of Tamaulipas and Benjamin Hill, México, D.F. Axé.

Afro-mexicanidad

It is the 231st anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, and I would rather return to the eighteenth century – or perhaps earlier – and start over. Then again, ours is not the only country whose government, or official culture could use reevaluation. This is from Mexico’s Third Root, by Luz María Martínez … More Afro-mexicanidad

Fats Domino

This Fats rocking and rolling on “Ain’t That a Shame” – a great musician and song, and the video is a fascinating document. Observe. This is one of my farewell songs to Reeducation. I am really happy to have ejected as much of Reeducation from myself as I have over the past few weeks. It … More Fats Domino