September 29, 2008

I made a promise to myself that I would dedicate my London experience to learning more about my people’s history globally and read as many black literary works as possible. After running New Jersey’s NAACP Youth & College Division State Convention successfully this weekend and meeting a ton of student leaders across several campuses in Jersey, I felt inspired that perhaps my peers do care about the state of the black community and truly want to give their energy toward a new movement.  I’ve been criticized for airing this out in the public; however, as a national member and State President of New Jersey’s NAACP Youth & College Division, I think the NAACP, as an association, has been slacking. My critique is not meant to cause division in the Association since I have been quoted to say that “any passionless civil rights leader should be stripped of their title and prohibited for speaking on behalf of the younger generation.” Instead, my words were meant to cause a wake up call to all state NAACP youth & college divisions, NAACP national staff, and any civil rights “leader” in this country. The civil rights movement is extinct, and we have been riding too long on the past accomplishments of our ancestors. With so many young people waiting for a new movement and a chance to express their militancy and desire for change, it’s time that the NAACP step its game up and lead the younger generation in a movement to change this country. I’m tired of seeing civil rights panels or black issues discussions on TV with NO REPRESENTATION OF ANYONE UNDER 25. Reverend Sharpton and Reverend Jackson should not be getting more phone calls than young civil rights leaders. Youthful talent is present and it’s also time that the media recognize that the civil rights leaders of the past may NOT be the civil rights leaders of the present (uh oh! did Arielle really just say that!). Nevertheless, if no one wants to listen to me, at least I can say that New Jersey’s NAACP Youth & College Division will be wreaking havoc and starting a militant movement in our state for change under my leadership. Regardless of who wins the election (GO OBAMA-BIDEN 08!), we will NOT succumb to faulty leadership and have another 8 years of being ignored. Check out some pictures of the convention and see some of the CURRENT civil rights leaders of this nation. In the words of Afeni Shakur, a past noted NY Black Panther and mother of hip hop legend Tupac Shakur, “There is a difference between a resistance and revolution.” Angela Davis also said it best when she stated, “Revolution is a serious thing, even more serious a revolutionary’s life. When one dedicates themselves to the struggle it must be for a lifetime.” Therefore, you will be seeing much more of us in the future. NEWS FLASH: Arielle is TAKING the torch regardless whether it is being given to me or not. Resisting injustice is not enough, it’s time for a new movement aka a civil rights revolution. I’m not all about talk though, so watch my Executive Committee flip New Jersey upside down during  the next year of my presidency. Let’s just say some state officials at the convention got a wake up call and meetings have been planned upon my return from London.

Check out an article about the New Jersey NAACP Youth & College Division in the Daily Record http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809280379

September 05, 2008

I realized over the last few days that as a writer/new blogger I refuse to post space fillers. I haven’t blogged for almost 3 days, but I think that’s okay because you would rather read something that I truly wanted to share versus something I was just using to pass time.

Well to the “juicy” stuff! I’ve finished Hill Harper’s Letters to A Young Sister: DeFine Your Destiny. Why it took me until this morning to get through it after I’ve owned it for over a month is beyond me! The funny thing is that I’m pretty sure I finished it at the right time, and as I explained in “No Experience”, the book probably delivered a well needed message for my ongoing journey in Europe. Hill Harper has an excellent message for all young women. Although I’ve already grown through some of the stages he touches on, it was nice to reflect on the streams I have managed to cross and the rivers/oceans that lie in front of me. Moreover, as I read through the last 90 pages this morning (yes I’m a “G” when it comes to reading lol), I immediately started to reconcoct my recent thoughts about where I wanted to take my career. Like Hill, I feel so fulfilled when I empower people, but I realized that specifically working with young women and inspiring them to be and attain whatever dreams they put their mind to, gives me more satisfaction.

I spoke to my little sister Amber last night (Isn’t she beautiful!!! I LOVE YOU SIS!) and to hear the excitement in her voice about starting her new school in Somerset, NJ and the new friends that she made, truly made me feel even more excited for her future experiences. My mom shot me an email this morning saying how much it truly meant that I called her for her first day of school all the way from London.  What I think most older sisters don’t realize is that your first opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young women starts in your familial circle. My sister has expressed repeated times her desires to be a singer, an actor, a fashion designer, etc. I have made it very clear and I will say it a THOUSAND times if necessary that I will support ANY and ALL of her positive aspirations as the women in my family have done for me despite of what anyone else (family members included!) has to say about my decisions.

I appreciate you being there and I also thank my male supporters because I haven’t forgotten about you!

Peace & Blessings!

Ari

September 02, 2008

I must say that this whole London pound-dollar conversion truly did not hit me until I was forced to buy an alarm clock since I left mine in the States.

This thing below cost me 20 POUNDS that’s almost the equivalent of $40. When I told my new roomate Steph (who is awesome!), she was like well I hope it talks!

LOL not exactly!

September 02, 2008

I am ALL about uplifting fellow artists. From the time I was little, my mom would hang black art all over our Jackson home in addition to stashing an unimaginable amount of All God’s Children on every shelf! Hence, the respect of artistry has been ingrained in me and I grew to love it even more after moving to New York. Between the typically talented NYU Tischies and the numerous black art galleries I’ve attended, I’ve definitely had several opportunities to observe some fabulous visual mantras. It would be an understatement to say that I have met talented artists; these painters, sculptors, and drawers are truly redefining their craft and what the definition of being an artist is. I think you all should meet someone, so you can understand what I’m talking about (I know some of you already think I’m crazy!). In addition, you know NYU is an “artsy-fartsy” school, so you had to see this post coming.

Every year, NYU’s African Heritage Month Executive Board Committee plans several events during the month of February with the purpose of spreading awareness about the different aspects of black culture. Often, the black race is stereotyped into one culture when in fact so many different ethnicities make it up. Our race is one of the most diverse with African-Americans, Haitians, Jamaicans, Afro-Dominicans, etc. (I won’t go into this though because I can do a whole post on race alone.) However, getting back to our events, one of the programs we hosted was entitled “An Art Affair with Hip Hop.” Indeed, I had the pleasure of meeting this fabulous, young New York painter named Demostina who is a truly educated artist. She completed her B.A. in Illustration & Design at Parsons School of Design but, on the more interesting tip, (sorry I’m a biased future alum) she attained her M.A. in Art Education from NYU! She’s currently a practicing professional artist and art educator. I wanted to decorate my entire dorm room, also known as a shared closed space between 3 women, with her paintings. And, keeping it real, if I wasn’t on that broke student budget, I would have definitely bought some of her paintings because her stuff is outrageously unique. Unfortunately, it came down to Spring Break in Puerto Rico versus a BEAUTIFUL painting that did not belong on my project-looking dorm room wall! Nevertheless, I wanted to give her a shout out and link everyone to her web site because she is amazingly talented.

http://demostina.com

September 01, 2008

For those of you who are following me on Twitter or read my 5-a-day status updates on facebook, you would know that I was a little disturbed by John McCain’s vice presidential pick. For one, if this was a ploy to get angry Hillary voters to cross parties, it will surely fail. Sarah Palin, though an admirable trailblazer in some respects, is anti-abortion in all circumstances (including rape & incest) and not exactly what I would call a feminist. In addition, the “no experience” card the republicans repeatedly use on Barack Obama has just been thrown out the door; Palin is a first term Governor of Alaska. However, let’s leave the political issues alone and just look at her attitude a few months ago about the vice presidential position. I quote her directly, “What is it exactly that the VP does everyday?” Huhhhhh???????? Come on John McCain you can’t be serious!