What Can We Do But Watch?

Complacency runs rampant by youth in America, me included.  I believe that instead of standing against inequality my generation is complacent with it and furthermore I believe many of us are desensitized to the role inequality has globally, nationally, locally, and individually. My generation has so many various media outlets, that the inequality happening throughout the world is constantly being forced down our throats. As result the destruction has become the everyday; as if it is something that cannot be changed or stopped. So when a man sets himself on fire in Libya and groups of people are arrested for treason in Zimbabwe for meeting up to watch videos of the revolution occurring in Egypt it does something worse than fall on deaf ears; it falls on ears that do not believe they can change the situation. These events fall on the ears of complacent people who believe that the way the world works is the only world there is and anything outside of that is irrational.

So what can we do but watch as the Middle East and the continent of Africa are being swept over (or is a cleansing effect) by a sea of revolutionaries. People demanding for a change far beyond that of what Obama preached during his campaign. I read the newspaper and tack online news sources of the events shaping our world and I wonder if the stand against oppression can reach its hands across the ocean and hit the shores of the US.

Ramble over… 

Me and Nikki Giovanni

Me and Nikki Giovanni! Can you tell that I'm overly excited? 

My smile is so wide it's borderline creepy.

I was among many fellow Gators last Thursday listening to Nikki Giovanni speak her mind and read her poetry. Knowledge spilled from this women's mouth like air and the audience couldn't get enough. A good friend of mine hooked me up with some tickets to a mini dinner they hosted for Dr. Giovanni before the lecture. I was able to snagged a picture with a friend's camera because I came totally unprepared. My hands were shaking as I awkwardly smiled with her. I was also able to get two books signed!! One for my loving mother and one for keeps!

Three points I took away from her lecture:

1) If anyone ever wants to learn how to keep their humanity under extreme cultural extermination they need to first look at the African Diaspora.

2) Language is power. Know the origins of the language you speak, be sure you are never just reiterating colonial domination and subjugation. 

3) Mean what you say. At all times take ownership of your words.

Conference Experience at SHA

Earlier this month I attended my first archaeology conference, Society for Historical Archaeology (SHA). It was a learning experience to say the least and an extravaganza that only Austin could provide to say the most. My biggest concern at first was the cost. The flight there and back, the hotel, and food was enough to empty my pockets till finical aid came in. As it turns out, flying into Austin is costly and staying at the hotel where the conference takes place equates to hemorrhaging money from my wallet. I will not be making that mistake again. The amount of money it cost for food alone was about 40 dollars a day. Mainly because my advisor wanted to take us out to dinner and give us a true Austin experience. The cost needless to say was well worth it. I will forever remember the treats that only Austin could provide.

Side Note: Ken’s Donuts are the best in the world. Well at least my world.

My main academic focus is on African Diaspora Studies with an archaeological lens. I mainly attended presentations that revolved around that focus. The knowledge gained overshadowed the long flights and busy airports.

Let’s clear something up. I’m a woman. I’m a Black woman. I was one of under 20 (that I saw) Black people at the conference. To my knowledge I was the only Black undergraduate. Imagine my new found friends shock when they discovered I wouldn’t be attending the Pub Crawl event with them because I wasn’t of age. The fact that there weren’t many Black people at the conference wasn’t shocking, nor should it be because it’s a reflection of the amount of Black female archaeologist in the actual field. There are few of us.

I speak mainly about the paper presentations as a student new to this field, the literature and the knowledge it produces. I’m hungry for knowledge at all times; luckily the conference filled and pleased my appetite.  A lot of the discussions and paper presentations on plantation and African Diaspora archaeological sites focused on minute details that didn’t translate into the production of new knowledge or engaged in the political implications of their work.

However overall I’m satisfied! For my first conference it was everything I expected and so much more. I made contacts and friends that I intend to keep in touch with and hopefully work with one day.

Peace

Me a Fashionista?

One of my good friends Ju'lia (yes with an apostrophe) once told me that I had a unique sense of style. Needless to say I still don't believe her. She has asked me to post something related to fashion so here's my piece. I recently bought a jacket from Goodwill, here in Gainesville that stole my heart. At 8 bucks it stole my wallet's heart too! I already had a pair of crazy heels and a mini dress to match it perfectly. I haven't worn it out yet, but when I do look out! Check out Ju'lia's  blog, she's pretty amazing. 

The jacket and the crazy heels. I ordinary don't wear heels, in fact I try my hardest to avoid them, yet here they are in my closet. 

 dress + jacket = ?????

blurry picture + messy room = horrible picture

models don't smile right?

Last picture! caption should read: "Look to side and try your best to be cool"

Be A Wildflower!

This is my song of the week. It will be on replay for the next 24 hours!!!! I play this song every time I run at the gym. I'll post my gym playlist one of these days; however it changes every month.

BTW did I mention that I finished my first 5K last weekend in 33 minutes. For my first time I'm pretty excited and satisfied. The gym for the last few weeks has been packed to the brim with folks who seem to have all subscribed to the same new years resolution to lose weight and be healthy. For the most part I'm annoyed, but on the other hand I'm happy so many people are attempting to be healthy this year! I hope they keep it up and stay strong! February is revenge of the new year resolution month, so beware.