GO LAKERS!!!!

power to the people

Yesterday, as I swooped by 7-Eleven in Inglewood to grab some casings for my trees, there were two young ladies posted near the entrance distributing publications to passers-by. "Power to the people!" they exclaimed with pride, to anyone within earshot.

As I made my way from my car to the entrance, one of them said to me, "Sister don't forget to stop by on your way out and pick up some literature." Ok, I said.

I went inside, did my business and came back out. Went over to homegirl and got the literature from her. "Thank you and stay beautiful my sister," she said to me, and gave me the fist. I smiled, got in my car and pulled off.

The literature she gave me was a periodical of some sort for the Black Riders Liberation Party. They refer to themselves as the "new generation of Black Panthers"and their goal is to serve and protect the black community from "racist oppressors" by "whatever means necessary."

My encounter with the two sisters from the Black Riders opened my mind way up. Sometimes I see Black Riders around South LA, usually at major intersections marching and chanting "Black Power! Power to the People!" to motorists and pedestrians. They're out there with the rest of the neighborhood hustlers who sell t-shirts, fruit, mixtapes, Victoria's Secret body products (yes, there are folks on Slauson & Crenshaw selling Victoria's Secret lotion). But I would always take a look and keep going. I had never taken the time to hear them out and see what they were about.

I took the time out to peruse the periodical, and there was much talk of policing the police, armed self-defense, and intercommunalism. It was very revolutionary; it was fascinating. I can't say I agree with all of their beliefs and tactics, but I can relate to the love of black people. I love my people but the Black Riders are down for the cause.

Definitely a mind-opening encounter. It was one of those situations where the stuff you learned in school became relevant. Black revolutionaries are both glorified and demonized in history, and rightfully so. There are a lot of good intentions that are not always executed well. But if the goal is to educate someone, that's what happened to me. A lesson learned on the way to 7-Eleven to pick up a couple of swishers.

stay beautiful my peeps (no color lines)

bgi

stir crazy, and other things

I think I'm going stir crazy. Seriously. I'm not the type of person who can sit in the house all day doing nothing. Not working is driving me insane. I'm so used to being busy and overwhelmed and it's shocking to all of a sudden be in a place where it's the exact opposite. I'm bored as hell. And when I'm bored, I get myself in a lot of trouble.

To be totally honest, I'm looking for work but I'm being very picky. I want my next job to be something that I enjoy and that's going to help propel me forward in my career. I want to continue my career in online advertising, become an expert, and eventually branch out on my own. Sure I could take any old office job, or go work at Coffee Bean or Target. But I would be unhappy, bitter, jaded, disgruntled, overqualified.

Actually, Coffee Bean wouldn't be that bad until the next gig comes along. They have the best coffee ever. I think the company offers benefits to part time and full time employees too. I'll give it another month, and if I don't find something, then "Welcome to Coffee Bean, how may I help you?"

My family is pressuring me to get a civil service job. "The economy is so bad," they say. "Get a government job, it's stable." Right. Me? Work for the gov't? Hmmmm no thanks. I don't knock anyone who chooses that path but it's not one for me. For me that would be settling into something that I don't really want to do. And I don't believe in settling.

Right now my creativity is at an all time high. Without the stress of that hellish job, I have the mental headspace to brainstorm and figure out what it is I truly want in a job and in my career. I figured out that I want a career and not just a job. I need to stop flip flopping and stick with one thing at a time. Give myself time to explore avenues before moving on to the next so quickly. And that I need to take more risks. There have been times when I let fear hold me back from taking risks, and not taking risks makes you lose out on opportunities. It's smart to be cautious, but not too cautious.

So what's up next for BGI?

1. Interning at my DJ school. It's unpaid, but at least it will keep me busy and allow me to develop my skill set. I want to focus on online advertising for the school. I want to be an expert. This can possibly turn into a job.

2. Freelance online advertising. Since I don't have a job yet, I have to find projects where I can.

3. Stripping. Just kidding! I wish I had the audacity to do it. I'm serious. They get paid good money. Fuck me for having dignity. But if I get desperate enough I may do it.

4. Taking another DJ class. This is another source of potential income, and it's so much fun. I love it.

5. Freelance writing. It's my passion.

6. Continued partying and ass shaking. It's my specialty.

Somehow, some way I'll make the best of my sabbatical. I don't consider myself unemployed, just taking an unexpected break from work. It's bad, but it's all good. I refuse to let this situation bring me down and fuck with my optimism.

Peace,

soul sista bgi