Identity | Earth & Ether

Day 1- KWANZAA AFTER DARK: Afrikan Aesthetics May Lead You There

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So, you’re here to join me for my 9 p.m. Sunrise? Happy Kwanzaa! I hope you enjoyed your day. I just loved mine! -i am Shila Iris

Day 1- Instructions for Kwanzaa:

You should greet your friends and family by asking: Habari gani? (Translation: What’s the news?); and today, they can respond: Umoja! (Translation: Unity) Learn more about Kwanzaa here.

Tonight, let’s talk about the 1st Principle of Kwanzaa: Umoja, which means Unity.

Allow it.
The mind opens
as the heart prepares itself for the full
embrace of the Season.
The climate has changed in my favor
The Sun kisses me as if I were near the Equator
She asks about my glow,
inquiring of the fullness of my belly
I say to her,
Umoja!
I am at peace with the One inside of me,
he and I are unified eternally
He shall be the one I see when I look into the mirror
my reflection,
is adorned with the promise
of my maturity,
baby,
speak to me. -i am poet, Shila
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What if you fully embraced images of you? Your hair, your heritage (find it), your family? It’s a melanin thing, more like a blood stream, more like the River Nile, pulsating, inside of me, it incites me, excites me…

TIMBUKTU, SEPTEMBER 2009: Caligrapher and Copyist Buboubacar Sadeck teaches students the art of ancient caligraphy on a Timbuktu rooftop, September 8, 2009. Timbuktu is a historical Malian city, a long established centre of learning for Africa, Islam is at the heart of that learning as is medicine, science, law and technology. All of that knowledge has been preserved in manuscripts written out by men like Buboubacar since the 11th century. Since the resurgence of interest in the manuscripts of Timbuktu, students are learning the art of caligraphy as both an artistic and economic excercise. (Photo by Brent Stirton/National Geographic.)

Les Desandann chorus from camagüey, performing in a sugarcane field. The chorus has haitian roots.

Guadeloupe winter carnival, Pointe-à-Pitre parade. A young woman, performer wearing traditional carnival outfit (waist up outdoor portrait).

I cannot be anyone other than me.

This is the Spirituality of Our Ancestors: Afrikan Aesthetics, I give you the first gift of Kwanzaa, us Unifying, is Oshun. Enjoy them, and let me know what you think.

Read about them:

CONTRADICTING TRADITIONS

Kwanzaa: Obama Approved!
Music for tonight.

P.S. If you’re in Cleveland, you should check this out tonight (keep in mind, the start time can be misleading. Honestly, I think if you make it there by 11:30 pm, you’ll be good.

This Moment in Black History at Mahall’s. Click on the image for more information.

Peace & blessings manifest with every lesson learned,

Shila Iris

My heart is like a marching band…

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MUSIC FOR A FRIDAY NIGHT

Outkast featuring Sleepy Brown & Scar : Morris Brown

“Music makes the world go round
Where it goes (where it goes)
Ya’ just don’t know (ya just don’t know)
My heart is like a marching band
Im a fan in the stands
Yes I am and Im hollerin’ hey baby
Sayin hey baby” -Scar

Did that get your heart going? The woodwinds, brass, and of course the MARCHING PERCUSSION also known as the DRUMLINE. Yeah! Maybe a little Busta now? Wish he was cleaner though…

We like it a little dirty (minus the nigga and bitch, yeah, I try to meet people where they are, but yes, it can be hard to weed through the negative)

Busta Rhymes : Dangerous

Mos Def : Ghetto Rock

Gotta love him and his partner…

Talib Kweli featuring Seu Jorge : Favela Love

Keep the heartbeat jumping (this is for the rapper in all of us)…

Wu Tang Clan featuring Cappadonna : Triumph

You want to hear a little of the new school? Ok then. Don’t jump to conclusions, be sure to listen to the lyrics…

Lupe Fiasco : Bitch Bad

“Just like that, you see the fruit of the confusion
He caught in a reality, she caught in an illusion
Bad mean good to her, she really nice and smart
But bad mean bad to him, bitch don’t play a part
But bitch still bad to her if you say it the wrong way
But she think she a bitch, what a double entendre” -Lupe

And Old Skool still proves to be better than most of the new. I stay in this lane…

“Excuse me, my name should be on the guest list!”

De Le Soul featuring Redman: Oooh

The last set of a good party brings us closer together! Smoothness…

Pharcyde : Passin’ Me By

Janet Jackson : That’s the Way Love Goes

Buju Banton : Champion

Beenie Man Featuring Mya : Girls Dem Sugar

Shabba Ranks eaturing Maxi Priest : House Call

Wayne Wonder : No Letting Go

Bilal : White Turns to Grey

FKA Twigs : Papi Pacify

Friday nights are great, and so are Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays! Everyday is wonderful.

That’s all I got for now. Can we make a musical masterpiece?

Peace and blessings,

Shila Iris

Men despise what they do not understand…

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… and so do women.

Do not sit and frown at her
because,
your belief system
is not
spiritually
nourishing
to her.
Do not assume
that
she is something that she is not,
because
your way of living makes her feel,
confined.
Would you rather she die?
Today,
did you ask her if she was happy,
or,
are you more concerned with converting her,
into you?

Play chess with a king, do you see? I am in the front seat, isn't that how it is supposed to be?

Play chess with a king, do you see? I am in the front seat, isn’t that how it’s supposed to be? You should find some balance, so that we can drink, and rise to your occasion, he only rises to my persuasion. I am not hunting him down, because he comes. This is, Us. And it can be you too, but you gotta stop fighting the Truth. I am not a mistress, I’m a Queen. Phenomenal. I am shedding those things that gave me insomnia. I am reborn. Cause life is about living, and not hiding. Life is about smiling, and striving, to find, your magic.

You condemn on hearsay evidence alone, your sins increase. -Nubian Proverb

Your eurocentric perspectives gave birth to chaos. People of Afrikan descent adopted these beliefs because they were forced to. Generations later, they hate themselves because you told them to hate themselves, and you killed those who didn’t subscribe to the extermination of nubian-kush greatness. Nonetheless, I do not hate myself. I embrace the ALL, even you. But do not tell me, that my spirit should be like yours, because you are asking me to believe in you as my God, and not me. How disrespectful. I admire all faces, but I do not praise you over me. Do you praise me over you? I would hope, that you believed in yourself. So…

Eurocentrism is a geographical fiction that flattens the cultural diversity of even Europe itself. Stop imposing your beliefs on people. Your system dumbs me down- straight jacket style. Today, I’m not having it.

We strive for different things, you and I, but I am not offended. I respect all that you are, and I hope that you are happy, being exactly who God made you- nothing altered, nothing false. Be true. Your lips. Your smile. Your color. Your lisp. Love it. Stop changing you (and pull up your damn pants!).

This is some Afrikan proverb for you, because, I love you.

Peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learned,

Shila Iris

Stop looking at me sideways and embrace who I am. I made a decision to be this way. I live this way. I am fully committed to the truth. Not some lie, that I have to validate. You can love me. I love you already.

I recognize you…

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I want to see you.

Know your voice.

Recognize you when you
first come ’round the corner.

Sense your scent when I come
into a room you’ve just left…”

-Rumi

——————————————

NEOLITHIC HEARTS

Our spirits speak.

From where you are
to where I am,
I can hear your heart,
beat.
Sometimes over the loudness of my own
I lay down,
defeat.
When I can,
I give in, to the sound of your resounding love.

Like a gong, like a drum,
the pulse penetrates
underneath
my skin,
closest to kin,
I touch the surfaces of your existence,
decoding the braille,
the bumps,
I exhale,
Life is so mystical.
Breathing, I inhale,
the essence.

Languages, unknown
I hear, in my dreams.
ancient mysteries.
In my mind,
I contrive,
I find,
myself succumbing to
the caress of fingers,
of stories,
of memories.
of things,
so true.
Vivid answers,
vivid truths. – shila iris

This article was originally published here.

MORE POETRY by Shila Iris

Cleveland Native, Author Sharon Draper will be in Town Tomorrow Night!

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Teen Author and Educator, Sharon Draper will be at the Cleveland Public Library’s Main Branch (downtown) tomorrow night at 7 pm!

If you are a parent with a teenager, a teacher, educator, librarian, public service’s professional, or perhaps you just enjoy reading young adult and children’s books, you might appreciate this wonderful visit from the Coretta Scott King Award Winner.

Draper is from Cleveland, Ohio, and you know it’s important that we support our natives, so check her out if you can! 🙂 She may be able to offer some insight to educators and parents, facing the challenges of grade school classrooms, especially those with students of African descent. Are you, not quite burned out, but crispy around the edges? ↓

What I enjoy most about Draper’s writing is her realistic edge. Her stories are relatable and can help us to better understand the minds of a teenager. This isn’t surprising, seeing that her background is in education. Her books are an incredible journey through some tough situations, and definite forces to reckon with, but there are lessons in each.

As a poet, a lover of rhyme and rhythm, I especially enjoyed this:

Draper in Cleveland at a young age:

Draper in Cleveland at age 14

Draper at age 15

Draper as a Student Teacher

Check her out.

Peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learned.

I am Shila, but you can call me Nubia of Kush. ♥

Clairvoyance through Observation

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The past is gone forever,
the future does not exist.
Our moment,
together,
is Now.
Will you see me? -Shila Iris

The Digital Collage Art of Nkiruka Oparah

The Affirmation:
I pray for the power to LoVe appropriately,
the courage to forgive,
for clairvoyance through observation,
and for the integrity to honor my word,
respecting all who deserve such…
_____________________________________

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As my life transitions into endless days of learning the meaning of truth, justice, balance, order, compassion, harmony, and reciprocity, the weekend lines have disappeared and everyday is just as beautiful and wonderful as the one before. There are no days that I dislike. I am grateful for each and every moment that I am alive. No day will be wasted. No complaints.

Set the tone of your day with an AFRIKAN PROVERB: Proverbs are an integral part of Afrikan culture. Passed on from generation to generation for centuries, they are still in wide use today and are very much part of everyday speech.

“A millipede will not limp because of one missing leg.”
-a Somali proverb by Abdishukri Mohamed of Wajir, Kenya

Consecrate your day as DIVINE with SANKOFA: Sankofa is a word in the Akan language of Ghana that translates as “reach back and get it” (san – to return; ko – to go; fa – to fetch, to seek and take) and also refers to the Asante Adinkra symbol represented either by a bird with its head turned backwards taking an egg off its back, or as a stylised heart shape.

“I remember my ancestors, my grandparents, uncles and aunts, those connected to me spiritually, that fought for “Our Way.” Your spirits are Alive, inside, of Me. I see you in my dreams, and I can feel you nudging me, to wake up.”

Find MUSIC & STORIES that Honor YOU: Find a song that honors your TRUE self. Your lips, your nose, your natural hair, your creative and original thoughts, your efforts, your Blackness, your loVe, your mistakes, your growth- JUST You! There is no need to pretend, mask, or live behind a smokescreen. Be who you were Born to Be. Let us See You. LOok into your own eyes. Find artists who HONOR YOU. Sing songs that uplift. Look at videos with images of You. Let us Learn to discard of things that push and represent a negative agenda. Our Way is not to entertain and masquerade and breed confusion and chaos. Find positive vibrations that allow you to live outside of stereotypes and status quos. SING YOUR OWN SONGS OF JOY AND RETRIBUTION.

MUSIC WITH AFRIKAN AESTHETICS & POSITIVE MESSAGES & VIBRATIONS

I am OSiRis RiSinG aka Shila Iris

Musings and Inspiration

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She touched me with her fly-ness, her highness.

Her articulation…

Her calm…

Her rhythm…

Her rawness…

Her discipline…

Her creativity…

Her smile…

Her flava…

Her wisdom…

Now, I am inspired to create.

in·flu·en·tial

ˌinflo͞oˈen(t)SH(ə)l/

adjective

having great influence on someone or something.

“her work is influential in feminist psychology”

I am Shila

I’m thinking Mustard…

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SOLAR PLEXUS MELLOW YELLOW: Open Your 3rd Chakra

Did you know that the colors you wear can affect your mood? When worn therapeutically, wearing yellow instills and promotes WILL POWER, wisdom, intellect, enthusiasm, joy, and optimism. It stimulates the solar plexus, which are the sympathetic nerves in the pit of your stomach. Next time you wear yellow, pay attention to how your body responds to it. You determine if there is a difference or not.

The Solar-plexus or 3rd chakra, the Manipura is located just above the naval and below the rib cage. It is our energy center and it radiates vital life energy (prana) through-out our entire body. It is where our Will Power comes from; our ability to achieve, self-esteem, raw emotions, and self-discipline are all governed by the Manipura. It is where we can have a mental understanding of our emotional self.

The Manipura not only governs the emotional and mental aspect of your psyche but also your psychic experiences. Often a feeling of intuition or “gut feeling” in a certain situation will benefit you greatly if you listen to it. All aspects of the digestive tract, including the assimilation of nutrients are controlled by the 3rd Chakra.

___________________________

On the brown, yellow is so hot!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Check out my board:

As far as COLOR THERAPY GOES, chromotherapy is a type of alternative medicine that uses light in the form of color to balance “energy” that is lacking from a person’s body. This can work on a physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental plane. Color is absorbed by the eyes, skin, skull, and connects with cells in the body that need light energy – thus color energy has widespread effects on the whole body.

I am Shila Iris, governed by the Sun, I shine bright.

The meaning of the color yellow.

You are colorful.

… and gifted

♥ Beautiful AfriKan E-gYpsy ♥

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I woke up hearing this song and I thought of homelessness and hunger. I thought, “such bullshit! We have food for everyone.” I thought of women with afros. I thought of the Black Panther Party, of Nina Simone. I thought of freedom, I thought of pain, I thought of detachment from the material. I thought of sunshine. I thought of moons. I thought of pride and egos. I thought of humility. I thought of struggle, of dilapidation and decay. I thought of travel. I thought of facades and The Pharcyde. I thought of heartbeats. I thought of people selling their souls. I thought of the things we do for money. I thought of marijuana and mushrooms. I thought of historically Black Colleges and Universities. I thought of children who don’t get enough hugs and kisses and attention. I thought of airplanes soaring through clouds. I thought of religion. I thought of Farrakhan, and then of Obama. I thought of Kush people. I thought of love… and then I turned to him and said, “hey, I thought of You.”

We can solve our problems together. Let go. Let love! I know he’s got my back. He helps me help her. Her, is me, an Egyptian Gypsy. Peace and love to the people who want to get free. For the fearless people who say yes, to the spirit, and no to the flesh. If you want me, prove it. If you love me, show it.

Check out that super dope ankh earring she has on @0.33! Amazing!

♥ Egyptian GYPsy LOVE ♥

La da dee la dee da!

♥ The lyrics to Gypsy Woman by Crystal Waters are very moving! ♥

She wakes up early every morning
Just to do her hair now
Because she cares ya’ll

Her day oh wouldn’t be right
Without her make up
She’s never without her makeup

She’s just like you and me
But she’s homeless, she’s homeless
As she stands there singing for money…

Peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learned,

I am Kush

Kehinde Wiley in Cleveland this Afternoon @ the Cleveland Museum of Art

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In just an hour, artist Kehinde Wiley, widely known for depicting young Black male subjects in poses derived from old master paintings of saints, kings, emperors, prophets, and military leaders, will be speaking at the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Gartner Auditorium at 2 p.m. This presentation is absolutely free and worth checking out.

Kehinde is popular for replacing the lily white images that we often see in renaissance art with brown faces. You can love it or hate it, just go!

Honestly, I haven’t decided what I think about the necessity for people of African descent to mimic any life or any history outside of that of our ancestors. I see us in our own light. However, I do believe that it is important to see positive images of Black people in “contemporary art.” Our art should reflect our journey and our faces. So much of our history and so many of our stories have been hidden and manipulated to keep us submissive, making exhibits and presentations like this beneficial to our struggle.

It is the responsibility of the scholar, Kehinde, to make the connection between self-awareness and self-empowerment, and the struggle of Brown people descending from the cradle of civilization, especially that of our young Brown boys. We, the descendants, are still reconnecting our dots and tracing the greatness within us. If Kehinde is on board with uplifting Brown people, than I say, yes! We MUST begin to see OURSELVES again.

Furthermore, I believe that brown people were everywhere in history! The cradle of civilization really does lie within- on the walls of Pyramids, our spirits never die.

Peace and love,

i am Kush

Relevant reading:

Let me know what you think!

2 Days Until AfroPunk: Come as You Are

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Feel the music, express yourself, free your mind, join the movement.

In just 2 short days, AFROPUNK 2015 is returning to Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park, also known as City Park, for a weekend of live music, vibrant art and good vibes on August 22 & 23. Described by the New York Times as “the most multicultural festival in the US,” the word AFROPUNK itself has become synonymous with openminded, nonconforming and unconventional, placing the institution at the epicenter of urban culture inspired by alternative music.

COME AS YOU ARE!!!!

YOUR VISION. YOUR LEGACY. GET INSPIRED.

WHO STARTED AfroPunk?

James Spooner

Matthew Morgan

WHO ORGANIZES AfroPunk? As of 2008, Matthew Morgan and Jocelyn Cooper

I embrace and support AfroPunk because it is about restoring the identity of Us descending from Kemetians, Egyptians, Nubians, Afrikans. etc. … Us!

Whatever the tribe, the region, the origin, only by knowing ourselves, will we survive the struggle.

Find out who you are and love that person til death! Peace and Love.

I am Kush Queendom

Intrigued by Beauty

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Love Yourself FIRST: Enjoy these images of the Khoisan people of Southern Africa, from whom all modern humans descended.

The Khoisan people are an indigenous hunter-gatherer people of Southern Africa whose roots are literally ancient. Khoisan are one of the 14 people groups from which all humanity descended and Khoisan tools have been found dating back to 44,000 BC. They are spread across Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Naro bushman (San) mother with child, Central Kalahari, Botswana

San Bushmen – Kalahari Desert, Kalahari De

Information courtesy of blackgirllonghair.com

Please feel free to conduct your own research. It feels wonderful to acknowledge the greatness of these people, my people. See yourself in their eyes, and stop searching for Yourself in material possessions while embracing Eurocentric philosophies that work against who You really are. Love Yourself FIRST.

Let peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learned,

Kush Queendom

Us Afrikans

Septum Ring Statements

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AFRIKAN RITUALS: The Septum Ring

From the Motherland…

… to Brooklyn, New York

… and beyond…

If I could explore this accessory, I most definitely would, but my sensitivity to piercings has made it difficult!

I am Kush

9 Days Until AfroPunk: Capturing the Beauty of Black Brazilian Women & the Sundust Goddess Series

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Diasporically Speaking: AfroPunk is known for its online editorials that capture and acknowledge the movement of Black people from the continent of Afrika to other places all over the world. In March of this year, AFROPUNK.COM featured the work of photographer Vini Souza and artist Janaína Grasso in a series of photos named: Capturing the Beauty of Black Brazilian Women.