The Gulf is filled with oil and I am filled with despair. Marvin Gaye’s lyrics in 1971 have never resonated so clearly: Mercy, mercy me….things ain’t what they used to be….oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas…fish full of mercury… As I listen to this song, an image comes to mind—my father driving [...]
Author Archive
4 Oct
Dear Boy in the 2nd Grade Lunch Line
Last month I began taking a community theatre class here in New Orleans. The course is a 14-week community based theatre project open to college students and community residents. The course consists of workshops on Black Arts Movement history in the South, performing arts, thoughtful readings and group discussions. The class is high energy and fun with [...]
29 Aug
August 29, 2005
They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God. – Zora Neale Hurston
18 Jun
New Orleans For Sale?
“If y’all keep paying your money to see it, should we rebuild it?” * * Please take a moment to view this public service announcement that was produced by a local New Orleans production company, 2-Cent Entertainment. It really gave me pause. Shortly after Hurricane Katrina in the fall of 2005, you could ride through [...]
1 May
Hello 3-0
My 30th birthday gift arrived in the mail today. It came to me sealed in a thick envelope. When I opened it, the contents read: Intuition I framed it and had it placed visibly on the wall of my consciousness. Today, on May Day, I celebrate 30 years of wisdom. 30 years on this earth. [...]
12 Mar
Thank you!
Just wanted to send out a big thank you to all of our fabulous readers for your support during my bar-exam-sabbatical! It feels strange to be on the other side of it all. Now that I’ve achieved this major “milestone” in my life, I’m not quite sure what to do with all of my free [...]
7 Jan
A Different Kind of New Year’s Resolution
On New Years Eve 2008, I decided to opt out of the French Quarter fireworks ritual that I’d maintained over these past few years and instead, stay home and reflect on my goals for 2009. In an effort to visualize and truly remind myself of where I’d like to focus my thoughts this year, I [...]
8 Dec
The Night Shift: 4 Years of Law School Come to an End
For the past four years I have worked the Night Shift – better known as law school evening classes, while working a full-time job during the day. Next month, it finally comes to an end. I will receive my Juris Doctor degree and will officially enter the legal profession. Sure there are some “minor” details [...]
10 Nov
Overjoyed: One Week Later
Since last Tuesday’s historic night, black comedians have joked that black folks haven’t been this happy since the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. I never thought I could ever relate to that type of joy until now. I now know the meaning of overjoyed. This feeling hasn’t diminished from Tuesday night. It has only soared. Each time [...]
9 Oct
October’s Lyrics of the Month
The lyrics to “Thieves in the Night” spoke to me a few years ago when I first heard the track on Black Star’s album.
22 Sep
Where’s my second chance?
This week, Congress will piece together legislation that will be one of the largest bailouts of the financial markets in U.S. history.
3 Sep
My Hurricane Gustav Evacuation List
When I showed up at my sister’s doorstep at 2:00 AM on August 30, she was surprised by how light I had packed. Just a day earlier, I was in New Orleans staring at the inside of my closet and rummaging through my dresser drawers and bookshelves. I had to decide what mattered the most [...]
