Monday, August 31, 2009

Is your GhettoManga pre-order in?



We've been anxiously awaiting this GhettoManga Gem-fix for the entire Summer season. Coupling Artist Zees' winning cover art, and content that empowers the underrepresented underground with unrivaled styles, GhettoManga quarterly is media that deserves the support it receives, and then some.

Click the image to preorder your copy for 8 beans, direct from Sir Amen, founder of GhettoManga.



Related Intel:

The art of GhettoManga's Samax Amen published in Wet Moon #5
GhettoManga artist Felipe Smith reemerges with 2 new books.
Amazon launches 5K comic award contest

ConsciousInk: Robert Trujillo's Sew Seoulful Zine




Brooklynite and co-founder [Tres] of the Trust Your Struggle Collective and Come Bien Books [ConsciousInk Gem!!!], Robert Trujillo continues to shine his light in social activism and artivism. He recently spoke with the BBC blog founder about his latest zine project Sew Soulful.

He shares:

"Zines have a rich past with both people of color and anglos. In the punk movement you had hundreds of zines based on bands, the lifestyle that traveled wherever the bands did. In the political world of the Black Panthers, Young Lords, even US soldiers rebelling against the Vietnam War you had people handing out small books or pamphlets which contained unorthodox writing, art, cutting, and pasting."





You too can be down with Come Bien Books.
Interested in submitting to a movement for more exposure of underrepresented culture media? Rather than solely talking about it, be about it. Click the links and get the needed intel for your participation in the reshaping of underrepresented communities. If you've got at least 3 pages of prose or poetry in you, and a desire to ensure our youth [especially] have healthy media to consume that represents them, there's no real excuse not to.




images: Mikey Cordero
Props to Blank Bare Clean for the intel.


Thursday, August 27, 2009

The Foreign Exchange feat. Muhsinah "House of Cards"



We need Foreign Exchange and Muhsinah to continue working together. Music this good will put the final nail in the autotune coffin, and help us into the quantum leap [over any further unnecessary nonsense] the music industry so desperately needs; to compensate for the last 10 years of trash spilled on our etheric streets.

The concept and execution in this video also represent the future of music video. Bravo to the independent thinkers keeping culture afloat.


Props to OKP for the intel.

Etsian Splendor: Dutty Geisha

http://ny-image0.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.6271868.jpg


Creative Etsian Sakir extends a sleek, sometimes playful, always eclectic line of jewelry, and fragrances for non-fans of the same ol' same. Available through the 'Down to Earth' boutique in Va's Washington Square Mall, The Dutty Geisha line also features Raye6 exclusives in her online Dutty Geisha digitique.













More Etsians of Color can be found here.

If you're an Eaoc who'd like to be featured check the intel beyond this link.

Am I Not Human: Rape Assaults Both Genders In The Congo

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/05/world/africa/05congo.html

The tools of war escape the imagining of the average American citizen, but it's a very real threat for our human siblings in many areas of the world, where communities of innocents are under siege as their land is ravaged by militias that are funded by Western, and other Imperialist powers for their resources.

In addition to murdering, and separating people from their families, rape has become an inhumanly frequent matter of international news. In the Congo in particular, an area rich in the Coltan our wireless devices are dependent upon, women have known the threat of rapists bearing arms [with the Eastern Congo considered by the UN the rape capital of the world], but until recently men have either remained quiet about their experiences being raped by other men, or the phenomena has only recently become a reality for them in recent months, with what some consider hundreds of recent cases.

Though I had heard of this in passing, [I haven't spent a tremendous amount of time on the net over this particular Summer season] a recent Kameelahwrites blog post focusing on this crime's new, or newly-revealed face alerted me of the need to be a part of spreading this message, because without knowledge of the horrors our human siblings are experiencing in other parts of the world, we're in danger of fooling ourselves into thinking these issues aren't relevant, or even there. We're in danger of feeling these evils can't touch us, though they are touching our sisters and brothers in ways nothing should ever touch an individual or community.

What is most troubling to me about these evils is the underhanded networking that pulls the strings of these militias, and the way these militias [in alot of cases from the use of drugs- often for child soldiers] are able to distance themselves from their own people and rain unjust horrors down upon them.
It is certain the evils that have plagued Rwanda, The Uganda, The Congo and Darfur, to name only a few, are not in the true control of roaming militias.
The "intelligence" goes far deeper than that, into the direct pockets of those benefiting from the accumulation of resources gathered after the depopulation of the lands that are targeted. It's not a new tactic, and this is what is most upsetting. When and indeed what measure can we take as universal citizens to ensure safety, and basic resources be available to everyone? How do we disconnect the many heads of the greed-feeding network that ravages the human family with soulless regard, and exact strategy?

At present, I say we continue to spread the word. Bring it up at mealtime. Ignore the vibes others may give that it's somehow 'a drag'. Appeal to the selfishness in the community by raising the simple point that these kinds of crimes will eventually be able to strike anywhere. Without strong moves made by the ICC at least, to punish war criminals, who will care if evils that have become all too familiar to lands we may consider far away from us now, come to ours in full-bloom?

We can't afford, for the sake of humanity itself, or for our own personal lives, to pretend we're powerless. That kind of passive response to greed-mongering savagery has only empowered it. I say we at least have to be willing to speak on behalf of those suffering, and share what we can [within reason of course, as we're all struggling to survive] to aid those being stolen from and treated as less than human, or animal for that matter.

On behalf of our human siblings in the Congo [and everywhere else humanity is assaulted by inhumanity] we ask:


Monday, August 24, 2009

Indiefied: Olaj Hayek

http://www.olafhajek.de/gallery/photos/1/preview/taschen.newyork.shps.jpg

Olaj Hayek enchants in real-time, adding a hot-pink neon twist to straight-laced eras past. Visit Olaj's online dimension here.


Props to Amon Focus

Chris Ryniak's Exaltation in the wild

The fantastical wilderness of Chris Ryniak births creatures never before seen that captivate, cause the head to tilt in wonder, and the heart to swoon. Click the images to visit his online realm [Check past HiFructose issues for his feature].

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Happy Herbivores: Update for Tofu Scramble

http://hellotxt.com/user/PurpleZoe/5Hth9N


It's fairly amazing. Until learning this and playing around to find the right measurement, I longed for tofu scramble that tasted more like eggs (though curried scramble and such can be fun too... it can also get old).

The turmeric and Braggs in oil can also be used in between two tofu slices to make a mock-sunny sideup Faux-egg.

If you're new to tofu scramble, peep the intel here.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

The Street Paintings of Julia Kuo

http://www.juliakuo.com/uploaded_images/12-743362.jpg http://www.juliakuo.com/uploaded_images/1516-762226.jpg
http://www.juliakuo.com/uploaded_images/17-758256.jpghttp://www.juliakuo.com/uploaded_images/1314-762336.jpg

http://www.juliakuo.com/uploaded_images/910-795824.jpg

http://www.juliakuo.com/uploaded_images/78-721982.jpghttp://www.juliakuo.com/uploaded_images/34-743256.jpg

Lending illustrative wonder to children's books, album covers, and even editorials, the lovely Julia Kuo is selling some of her street paintings featured above for a humble 50 beans a pop. Her work is unlikely to be available for such agreeable prices moving into the future though, making now the time to invest in the pieces that flicker the light of enchantment at your heart.

Visit her digital dimension here.

Props to Flygirls for the intel.

The Messengers Digi EP courtesy of J. Period and Knaan

http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Audio-J.-Period-Knaan-present-THE-MESSENGERS-digi-EP-.html


K'naan is paying tribute to the legends that inspired him atop the gems of J.Period's production on the concept CD 'The Messengers'. To be released in four segments, the digital EP's first installment celebrates Nigerian Activist and founder of Afrobeat ;Fela Kuti. The voice for harmony and unity amidst Jamaica's struggle; the legendary Bob Marley is the focus slated for the second segment, and America's Civil Rights Song leader is the focus for the 3rd episode. The 4th installment will focus on all three of the legends honored in the first 3 installments.

Tracks "Let's Start" (Fela Kuti Tribute), "Relationships Lay," (Bob Dylan Tribute), and "Belly Full" (Bob Marley Tribute) feat. Kardinall Offishall, General Steele, and Bajah, are available for preview here.

The first installment drops September first (In the meantime K'naan's Troubadour is available for purchase).

Props to OKP for the intel


Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Indiefied: KRS & Buckshot's Lyric Book

http://www.duckdown.com/krsbuckbook/

Click the image to enjoy a peak at the forthcoming gem coming from the legendary mindgardens of KRS & Buckshot. The digital version of the lyric book through the link brought to you by OKP should tide you over for a few weeks until the official release.



Related Intel:
Skillz- Inside a Change

Monday, August 17, 2009

Solidarity works miracles: Troy Davis granted a fair trial.



From: Amnesty International

Dear Dazjae,

Just hours ago, we heard big news that proves that miracles do happen!

The U.S. Supreme Court granted Troy Davis the chance to finally present crucial evidence in court that may prove his innocence.

Until now, Troy has been denied the opportunity to present all the facts supporting his case. But after a 6-2 ruling from the nation's highest court, Troy will get that chance at justice we've been fighting for since day one.

The power that we've seen building behind Troy's case is awe-inspiring. Your heart-felt emails, letters, phone calls and actions are opening doors that many said were shut for good.

It's working. But we won't stop pushing until Troy Davis is granted clemency!

Right now, Troy Davis sits on death row. So keep telling his story to those who haven't heard it. Keep hoping for more miracles, because given today's news, it's clear – anything is possible!

We can't say it enough – thank you,

Laura Moye
Director, Death Penalty Abolition Campaign

The Bots - I Like Your Style



Mikaiah Lei [16] and Anaiah Lei [12], the brothers who make up The Bots, do rock out.
Props to Monsieur Fields' BoldAsLove.us for the intel.




Enjoy a bio on the duo here.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Passing Strange: The Film

http://shkbuzz.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/passing-strange-broadway.jpg


The trailer has arrived.
Props to Monsieur Fields' BoldAsLove.us for the intel.





http://www.playbill.com/images/photo/E/2/E23C5AC1B0A7491E8533B355F4EC5210.jpg


A rock concert with a story to tell.

#BlackRock

Potential #ConsciousInk offerings

http://hellotxt.com/user/PurpleZoe/SYIOzY


http://hellotxt.com/user/PurpleZoe/25dhuH

http://hellotxt.com/user/PurpleZoe/25dhuH

Click the image below to visit the Purple realm at Hellotxt.
We're still seeking the ideal lifestream.
If you know of any, do drop the links in the comments*_^

#ShineYourLight

note:
Reading 'Starcross' [mentioned above] I came across two pages bearing content that could be considered on-the-sly insulting to people of color. One spoke of a character as 'darker complected But handsome... *side-eye*, and another page has a young male in a perilous situation reminding himself that Brits 'will never be slaves'... WTF? In short, read it before you decide to have your children read it... I may have more to report when I finish the book.


Related Intel:

Visit ColorOnline for more tallies of diversity in fiction,
with emphasis on the feminine perspective.

New and gently-used book donations are accepted here:

Color Online
PO Box 1004
Farmington, MI 48332-1004



Visit Black-eyed Susan for more Diverse Book recommendations.
Susan is a Primos Dardo award winner.


Visit The Happy Nappy Bookseller for recommendations on books focusing on characters of color.

Features: Chasing Ray is currently featuring books focusing on Southeast Asia.