at various points

For Shaka (and Troy)

September 21st, 2011 No Comments

I wrote this poem over 11 years ago on the night of Shaka Sankofa’s execution. As we await word on Troy Davis, I’m reminded. I feel the same now as I did then.

For Shaka (6-22-00)

amerikkkan euphemisms transform
murder into injection
barbaric vengeance into justice
smirking politicians pass
another buck
duck responsibility
in the name of societal utility

it’s the courts
it’s the board
it’s the governor
it’s the people

constitutional COP outs
and justification of bloodthirst
wrapped in legal commentary
leaders become led by misinformed opinion polls

while we dispose of human souls

is a 5-4 supreme court wishy-wash not evidence
of reasonable doubt?
there is nothing reasonable tonight under
Texas skies
infectious lies
inoculated and silenced
in the name of state-sponsored violence
legal homicide
in the most premeditated fashion
now we discuss and mistrust polarized passion

klan called him “boy” on his death gurney
“eyewitness” maintained her mistake
then the endless tease ends with ONE vote of a

JUSTICE

lady “justice” may be blind
but she’s not deaf
she hears the cries of innocent
and guilty blood

they silenced his final statement mid-sentence
stared truth in the face and boldly spit
potassium chloride cocktails into veins
now they’ll sip cocktails and back pat political gains

they without capital get the punishment
they without red-line capitol hill phones
they without the foresight
of being born white
and even if blessed with melanin deficiency
right to life hinges on one contingency
cash stops electric currents
plugs up IV tubes
renders cyanide tablets inert
breaks limbs and timbers of gallows
makes blank the fire of the squad
and provides the illusion of favor of God

Shaka follows behind Cleo, Betty, Ricky, Sean
crying for moratorium
Mumia awaits in the wings
while egos and face-saving keeps them clipped
stifles flight in the natural
feels good to keep the poor man down
keep him hidden away in rural prison towns

“Not In My Back Yard”

TRUTH is increasing in volume
whispers and gasps of death chamber lips
echo centuries of shackles and slavemaster whips
raises her voice to her sister who sleeps

… and arouses revolution while God and I weep.

We have not forgotten. I have not forgotten. Today, on the tenth anniversary of 9/11/2001, I remember my “friend I never met,” Matthew Horning. I remember his coworkers at Marsh and McLennan and all the others who died on that day at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, Shanksville and the planes. I remember the heroes – the emergency workers, firefighters, police officers and others – who sacrificed their lives for others. I remember the surreal, frightening feelings we all experienced that day and the days that followed. I remember the way our nation – and the world – united.

As I watch memorial events on television this morning, I’m typing through tears. My words are inadequate to express my sadness today, and my appreciation.

We have not forgotten.

Rusty and the Snuggie

October 19th, 2010 No Comments

IMAG0002

Originally uploaded by malenga

Think he’s spoiled? This is a nightly occurrence.

Remembering…

September 11th, 2010 No Comments

Major events are always more meaningful and powerful when one has a personal connection to them. This fact became more real to me this past spring when I watched the city I love flood right before my eyes.

My should-have-been friend, Matthew

For the past several years, since I’ve been writing annual tributes to Matthew Horning for 9/11, he has become my personal connection to that tragedy. I didn’t personally know anyone who died that day, but by researching Matthew’s life, and emailing his family and friends, I discovered so many things we had in common. I wish I had known him. When I think of 9/11, I think of Matthew’s smile and his kindness.

My friend, Rasul

Today, I’m also thinking about my good friend Rasul Madyun, who died in 2006 of an aneurysm at the age of 30. He and I had been friends since 1997. Rasul was a devout Muslim, deeply passionate about his religion, and also one of the most gentle, strong, loving, kind human beings I’ve ever known. We used to spend hours on the phone, when he would patiently discuss/debate religion with me, explaining his own beliefs while listening attentively to mine. But beyond that, he was my friend. We shared joys and disappointments with one another. He was like a big brother to me. When I think of Islam, I think of Rasul and our friendship.

Matthew and Rasul were close to the same age. I wish they could have known one another.

As we pause to reflect on the things that changed our world nine years ago today, let’s remember, as the Bible teaches, to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report… not hate, exaggeration, anger, violence and deception.

Today, remember Matthew Horning with me. You’re not forgotten, my (should have been) friend.

Sometimes we all do things that, well, just don’t make no sense.*

August 2nd, 2010 No Comments

Had to take my new foster dog for some veterinary treatment this weekend. This particular animal hospital gives us great prices on heartworm treatment in particular, so it’s worth the hour drive.

Thing is, an hour drive outside of Nashville is… well… kinda scary sometimes.

On the way, I drove through a little town of 900-something people where everything – streets, high school, etc. – is named after a Confederate Lieutenant General and first Grand Wizard of the Klan. It seems this little town was his birthplace. I stopped and took a picture of the monument in front of the town hall. (Not visible in the picture is the giant Confederate flag perched on top.) As I passed through the area, there were churches on almost every corner. On the corners that didn’t have churches were ammo stores. There’s a restaurant called Sambo’s. The town is 3% Black. Three. Percent. There’s not a single Black faculty member at the local high school.

I guess sometimes I forget that this world exists. There are young people growing up thinking that type of environment is not only normal, but right. We still have so far to go in this Beautiful Struggle.

*Title quotation from Forrest Gump.

Pet owners – Save LOTS of money. Wow.

July 3rd, 2010 1 Comment

I decided to take my friend Monica’s advice and buy a large dog dosage of Frontline Plus and bottle/measure it myself for my minpins. I just wanted to share how much less this method costs:

6 doses of Frontline Plus for small dogs = total of 4.02 mL = roughly $70 online

6 doses of Frontline Plus for extra large dogs = total of 24.12 mL = roughly $74 online

So I spent $74 on 6 doses of extra large, bought an amber glass medicine bottle for $5, and got a 1 mL syringe for free from the CVS pharmacist. Since the dosage for a 12 lb dog is about .5 mL, divide 24.12 mL by .5, and this means…

I just got 48 doses of Frontline Plus for the same price I was getting 6 doses before. This will last me two years if I only use it on my two dogs (but of course I’ll use it on fosters too). According to the Frontline website, their products do not expire if stored properly.

I have the dosage info for different weights of dogs, if anyone wants it.

WOW. Tremendous savings.

iAmunderwhelmed

January 27th, 2010 3 Comments

Basically.

I’m typically not much of a brand-loyal type. I guess the closest I’ve been recently is my Nikon-exclusivity as a photographer, but that’s more a product of economics and convenience than loyalty. (I happened to choose a Nikon as my first DSLR, so all my lenses and accessories fit my Nikon. I can’t afford to replicate the same equipment just to have a Canon.)

I’m more loyal to individual pieces of gear/gadgetry that do what I need them to do and meet my needs as a geek and consumer. Over the past year, I went from loving my Windows Mobile smartphone to swearing I’d never go back after I had my first taste of Android heaven. If a device solves a problem of mine or makes my life easier, I’m all about it. If it’s less expensive than its competitors or alternatives, I’m about it even more.

With that said, I don’t “get” the iPad hype. To clarify – I can see how *some people* might find it interesting and/or useful, but I’m not one of those people, and especially not for over $400.

Someone said today that the iPad is a middle ground between the iPhone and a netbook. If that’s true, that explains why I have absolutely no desire to have one. I am currently using an Android smartphone. There is not a single core smartphone feature an iPhone has that my Android does not. In fact, there are several features mine *does* have that an iPhone doesn’t. I also pay a lot less money per month than iPhone users do. As far as a netbook is concerned, I have never once had an occasion where I said, “Wow, I sure wish I had a much smaller, less powerful laptop on which to surf the web and type uncomfortably.” I also don’t use a Kindle or similar device, so the “it’s the Kindle-killer” draw doesn’t get me either.

To Apple fanboys, this is blasphemy. I must not have ever used an Apple product, otherwise I’d be hooked and putting in my iPad pre-order right now. They retort that I’m just an “Apple hater.” False. Let me say that I really like my husband’s Macbook, and I wouldn’t mind having one of my own. I think they have the best all-around notebooks on the market. I don’t hate Apple.

It’s just that I would rather use more affordable technology that works better (for me) than jump on their bandwagon “just because.” For example, Rhapsody is far superior to iTunes for many reasons, not the least of which is unlimited music for $14 a month. I cannot use Rhapsody with an iPod or iPhone in the way that I can with my Sansa player. I don’t want an iPod Touch or any other product that’s dependent on iTunes for music.

I mean yeah, I like to go into the Apple store and tinker around sometimes, and I’m sure I’ll try out the iPad for giggles… but to pay for it? Not for me. I guess I just haven’t found the Apple device that will make me spend more money to get what I already have.

Protected: My place

January 27th, 2010 Enter your password to view comments.

Honoring Matthew Horning

September 10th, 2009 5 Comments

This is the fourth year that I’ve written about Matthew Horning on 9/11. I think of him often throughout the year, and all the more as the anniversary of the attacks approaches. I encourage you to go back and read my original tribute post, to learn some of the details about him.

Matthew Horning was at work on the 95th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11/01. He was a database administrator for Marsh and McLennan, beginning his morning, making a living. He was 26 years old, and was about to propose to his beautiful girlfriend, Maura. Those cowards stole his life and his future. They stole a lifetime of dreams, plans, and memories.

So much has changed in the world since Matthew was murdered, but that day is forever seared into the American memory. People have debated the events… who was responsible, who wasn’t involved, and what we should do about it. We’ve fought wars, given opinions on radio talk shows and made films. The memory of 9/11 has been the catalyst for military and firefighting careers. “Terrorism” is a part of even children’s vocabularies. September 11th has changed America forever.

As I think of the best way to honor Matthew, I think my friend Joy said it best in a blog comment four years ago:

“… As our lives go on and the tributes end, may we pick up the mantle of freedom and not impose it on others, but live it out in our daily lives. May we see the unseen, may we feed the hungry, and clothe the naked, and touch our fellow man with love and hope. Loving one another is the greatest honor we can give those we lost.”

I strive to honor Matthew in this way, by loving others and defending freedom.

Matthew, you are not forgotten.

If I could write a letter to heaven…

July 28th, 2009 3 Comments

DeVelle, I miss you so much. I only got to know you for a couple of days, but I will forever cherish the memories of the time you spent with Mike and me in Tennessee. I’ll never forget your smiling face the second I met you, chips and salsa at La Siesta, or you sweetly complimenting “you look really pretty today” after my long, tiring day at work on Thursday. I’ll always remember the cookout that night, and our trip to downtown Nashville to see the sights. You were so excited about spending time in the studio with Mike, learning about recording. We were both looking forward to watching your career blossom, and to forming a lifelong relationship with you. We think of you and smile every time we see the “Vijay” sign in our neighborhood. That can forever be our little inside joke.

I wish we could have visited North Dakota with you while you were still here. You were right – ND mosquitos are worse.

This isn’t goodbye… It’s “see you later.” And we will. Love you forever.