by Esface Black

In the run-up to the 2012 election, where President Obama faces perhaps a tougher battle for re-election (a nation divided with the Tea Party poised squarely in the center, stalled job growth, looming unemployment, and ever-present global crises) than he did for his initial victory, it’s plainly evident that the famed post-racial America never came to pass. It seems that every day there’s new evidence to show that not only has America not progressed towards racial harmony over the past few years, but may have actually digressed. The problem persists, though, that bringing up these instances in normal conversation still invokes notions of being racially paranoid. Oh stop it, you’re just putting race into the situation. Comments and internal monologues such as this are allowed to flourish because of the 2008 mythos of having vaulted past race as an identifying factor in America. Unfortunately, we vaulted ourselves not over a bar of achievement, but into a pit of denial and thus further racial angst, as demonstrated by these seemingly separate, but racially entwined examples.

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MLK - image used from The Elephant Journal. click on the image to read their article on MLK- The Betrayal of Silence

by Ajani Husbands

Looking for a good book to inspire you on MLK Day? Most times, we take this time to read more of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King’s works, such as the famed Letter from a Birmingham Jail.  While today is an absolutely fantastic day to learn more about the Rev. Dr. King (I feel COMPELLED to use both of his titles, otherwise we cut short his achievements), to really learn more about his legacy and his importance, today should also be a day to learn about other civil rights leaders, and not just within the United States.  Below is a list of books that would be great to start today, or any day, in order to advance your literary knowledge of and one’s foray into further understanding the Civil Rights Movement.

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Esface has just linked up as a the designer/producer of apparel for the newly announced “I.am w/u mr.pres” movement launched by international music star Will.i.am and other big hollywood names. Read the press release below for more info:

“The i.am W/U MR. PRES Video-Tweet Recording and Mass Twitter- Blast Makes History as it Brings Voices Together on a Different Note at the Record Plant in Hollywood”
A revolutionary Video Twitter campaign envisioned by Will.i.am, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Mikal Kamil, directed by Organizer Bill Duke and produced by GBK Productions and 3Kingdoms Entertainment made history this past weekend
Los Angeles, CA – It was certainly evident that President Obama had many celebrity supporters, as they showed up at the Record Plant in Hollywood, Saturday, November 13 in great numbers. They came out to let him know they care and to express the message “I am not giving up on you. I am not turning my back or deserting you. I believe in your vision, have faith in your ability and thank you for the many things you have accomplished thus far. I recognize there are endeavors that are under-way and have yet to unfold, but “I am with you Mr. President.”
The #iamwumrpres Video Twitter campaign directed by Bill Duke was beautifully received and embraced by Rose and Ed Cherney of the historical Record Plant in Hollywood, who hosted the event. The best part of the evening was the countdown to the Mass Twitter Blast at 7:00 PM. Everyone gathered outside of the Record Plant, filled with joy and laughter, as the headlights from the nearby cars spotlighted the event, while some looked on from the double-decker Fox Pizza Truck as well. The energy was surreal as each person held their phones up ready to send their tweet “#iamwumrpres.” What a night!
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Just received this mass email from the grassroots Color of Change organization. After weeks of recounts and deliberation..history has been made!! Congrats to Kamala, we wish you the best during your term!

Dear Dele,

http://colorofchange.org/kamala/?id=1942-1171378

by Ajani Husbands

Tyler Perry has been a source of inspiration and frustration for Black America for quite some time.  While his movies have a definitive following, particularly among church-going mothers who simply want to see Black people in a positive light while having a good laugh, they also have definitive detractors, read: Aaron McGruder and everyone who loves Boondocks.  Though the Black community may be divided on Tyler Perry’s merit, white America is baffled by his love of Blackness.

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Raspire music president, Richie, and their #1 artist straight out of Jamaica to the Bay, Calico aka “Scaddy”, stopped the MMAP HQ / Esface offices Monday to discuss the next line of Raspire Logo wear that they will be offering to the public during their Summer bay area Tour beginning this Saturday. Before the meeting even started, I got the unique opportunity to be the first customer to cop the new Inna Di Dance album that just dropped hot off the press….been slappin the album for about 3 days now and let me tell you…the album has HEAT. Waste no time to purchase your copy either physical or digital from www.raspiremusic.com.

Esface stands behind the Raspire movement as they align with the positive culture we promote through the art form of hot music- a fusion of hip hop, dancehall and reggae. One luv

by Ajani Husbands
(Esface Black)

It’s about setting a higher standard.  There was a time when Black musicians were activists, almost by default.  This is what we’re missing from the Lena Horne generation and the creativie genius of Guru.  We have lost voices who put social consciousness ahead of personal gain.  No, that’s not quite accurate.  For these two, there could be no personal gain without a social conscious.
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The Essence of Freaknik
by Ajani Husbands

You can’t be offended when the same rappers we promote and approve of start creating ignorance on another level. That’s my end thesis at the beginning of the article (for those just skimming). And now to the real article:

Have you seen Freaknik? And by Freaknik, I mean the animated 1-hour special on Cartoon Network, recently aired last week Sunday. Freaknik The Musical, is “the story of a party that turned into a ghost,” according to Cartoon Network. T-Pain featured as the voice of Freaknik. The movie also featured a dozen or so other notable rappers, including Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, Kelis, Lil Jon, and many more. Overall, the cartoon undeniably featured an undesirable element in Black America, which provided ample fodder for Essence Magazine to produce a “10 Most Offensive Things” list. And perhaps contrary to Black intellectuals across the country, I enjoyed the cartoon. But I think I liked it for a far different reason than Essence Magazine hated it.
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Being that I recently attended my first Bar Mitzvah, when I came across this article it was especially intriguing.  Very interesting topic with some valuable historical information, relevant as we just exited our Black history month which always seems to fly by in a flash.

Article from the Huffington Post

“There is no question about the well-documented history where the Black and Jews have stood together in their fight for civil rights, equality and political power. But not so much is said about the creative alliances in business where Blacks and Jews are and have been forging new businesses and ideas that have helped enable Blacks and Jews to enter the mainstream in American business. These are the partnerships that have and will create goodwill and change the future.

There are many examples of how Blacks and Jews have come together to fight against hatred and bigotry. In fact, as my friend Rabbi Marc Schneier at The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, often states (and he even wrote a book about it called Shared Dreams), Dr. King was an ardent supporter of Israel and the Jewish people, including taking part in efforts to ease discrimination against Jews in the Soviet Union and the safety and security of the State of Israel. Dr. King also spoke out strongly against anti-Semitism in the United States. We all know that no segment of the American population provided as much and as consistent support to Dr. King and to African Americans as did the Jewish community.
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by Ajani Husbands

Let’s say you’re an artist. I need you to paint 1,000 paintings for me in one year. That’s about three paintings a day with thirty free days scattered in between. Can you do it?  Is it possible? Your answer to this might determine whether painting for you is a hobby of something you happen to be good at, or if you have the drive to be a definitive reference point in the art world.

Right now I’m in the middle of reading Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers and the question persists: what does it take to be an outlier? Passion and drive? Perhaps it is one’s circumstances and upbringing? Pure luck? No matter the case, one thing has already one thing has been made clear: Outliers aren’t just talented. They WANT to be outliers.
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