Speaking to Octavia Butler

My homeboy Carlo posted this first video and I had to listen to the entire series. I was introduced to Octavia Butler's work by my homegirl who is a writer and journalist. There is so much just in the 4 minutes of talking with Butler about her books that speaks to gender, race, sexuality, isolation, knowledge production, and social justice that I just couldn't keep it to myself!

Sunday Night Common Sense

I went to the opera 2 weeks ago with a friend. We went to see Don Giovanni and it was fabulous! Funny, beautiful, entertaining, and with a touch of magical realism (rumors have it that the show is similar to the tale of "Don Juan." In any event, there was a translation during one of the aria's that read:

"there is so much that we feel that we do not understand."

Ain't that the truth?!

Blacks In Central & South America

I came across this article today. It is an editorial from a newspaper in Belize Amandala. One of the main reasons I'm posting this article and the link to it is because of this sentence:

In 1995, the descendants of Africans in Belize and Central America, founded an organization called the Central American Black Organization (CABO). (In Spanish, the acronym is ONECA.)

I did not know of this organization and hope to spread the word so more people from all over the continent can join and increase the numbers!

Read the article in full here.

Recent Publications on Sexuality

My latest articles are published!

My review on Pedro Almodovar's latest film: Los Abrazos Rotos (Broken Embraces) is up at VivirLatino.




My list of suggestions and resources for speaking to youth about the film Precious is now published on Love Isn't Enough.

Marijuana & The Law

I'm posting this because I know many people who have questions about marijuana use and sexuality. Whether it be for medicinal purposes or recreational, you should know what the laws are in your state/country. This video is specific to the US and focuses on NYC because of what research has demonstrated people believing NYC is the most liberal city. These videos from Flex Your Rights blog.

Sunday Night Common Sense

Today's quote comes from the mother of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, Miriam Mercado:

“When my son told me he was gay, I told him, ‘Now, I love you more.’ I want to tell the world that hatred is not born with human beings, it is a seed that is planted by adults and is fostered creating a climate of intolerance and violence. We must change our ways and understand that anyone …could have been my son. And I want everybody to know that Jorge Steven was a very much loved son.”

Bisexuality; Sex & Disability

Found these two items today and wanted to share them!

Bisexuality and Self-Empowerment through a Latina Lens interviews Argentine filmmaker Florencia Manovil on her film "Fiona's Script." Below are some film clips






If you are interested in an online training/course on sexuality, disability and rights, About.com Sexuality Guide, Cory Silverberg has provided information on the upcoming CREA training that lasts 9 weeks and is only $50 (but also offers waivers for people and organizations that request them). I'm signing up!

Vigils for Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado

If you have not heard of the brutal decapitation of a young gay Puerto Rican male named Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado that occurred this week in Puerto Rico please head over to Vivir Latino for coverage.

VL has also provided and updated list of cities that are organizing vigils for Jorge Steven. If you know of or are organizing a vigil please leave your information in the comments section at VivirLatino.

Peace

Do You Know Your Rights?

As I begin my section on the social construction of crime, I show a video so that my students are clear about what their rights are. Far too often people living in the US are unaware of their rights and easily waive them when interacting with law enforcement. Below is the video I show them. It's called BUSTED! A Citizen's Guide to Surviving Police Encounters and was created by the Flex Your Rights organization. You can purchase the film for a donation of $20, which is a great price for a film of this length! And yes, if you were wondering I have posted this video before!

100 Greatest Quotes from The Wire

For folks who are going through withdrawal from The Wire too:

My Musings

Alright I know I haven't been writing too much lately, but I have still be writing in other places about all the things I love about being LatiNegra and about sexuality. Check these out:

My latest article on my Media Justice column is up and it's a Media Justice Mash-Up!

My review of the cd Palo! This Is Afro-Cuban Funk is finally posted!

Check out the film Buena Gente if you are in NYC! It's about Dominican youth, STI transmission, and relationships. Below is the trailer!

Sunday Night Common Sense

Read a book.

That is all.

A Disconnect?

I've been updating LatinoSexuality.com and reviewing a film so I've been a bit quiet. I've come across a story about "dirty lyrics" among songs produced and distributed in Jamaica that reminds me of some work I've done in the past.

The Broadcasting Commission in Jamaica has reported that complaints about "dirty lyrics" from listeners has decreased. However, parents, school officials, and teachers have connected "lewd" and sexually explicit songs being distraction to youth and students.

This reminds me of the work I did with young people living in the Lower East Side of NYC regarding gang involvement and affiliation. As a part of a team, my co-worker/researcher spoke with law enforcement who claimed that there was no problem regarding gang activity in the community. When we spoke to youth and parents, they claimed that gang involvement, recruitment, and activity was a HUGE problem affecting them.

What does this disconnect, this miscommunication, this lack of listening to the community and not trusting the NYPD do? It's complicated is what we realized. But there is something to be said when NYPD believes there is no problem, yet adults of the community fear for the young people.

Sunday Night Common Sense

Today's SNCS comes from my time watching films this week. Watching Akeelah and The Bee and being reminded of this Marianne Williamson quote is what I'd like to share with you all today:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?

From A Return To Love