Following the Foot Prints of LEGEND

A Sons Words

We’ve gleaned so much from Dr. Maya Angelou. She’s been a mentor, mother and guardian angel to the world. But we often forget that she has her own family. At the age of 16, Angelou, born Marguerite Ann Johnson, gave birth to her pride and joy, son Guy Johnson.

During an interview on OWN, Johnson tells Oprah, “I grew up in her light. Sometimes I wasn’t worthy of it, but it has always been an experience that expanded me.

“She thinks that the divine hand is in all things,” he adds. “She has faith that’s like a rock — you can stand on it. She speaks to our humanity and she reminds us that we are both brother and sister to the rest of the human race.

“Keep on speaking, Ma,” Johnson says. “We need the lessons, the beautiful poems, books, movies, dances, celebrations and love.”

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Johnson, who completed college in Egypt, is also a writer and poet. After graduation, he managed a bar on Spain’s Costa del Sol, ran a photo-safari service from London through Morocco and Algeria to the Spanish Sahara, and worked on the oil rigs in Kuwait, according to his Random House bio.

Some of his poetry can be found in the anthology of black male poets titled My Brother’s Keeper. Johnson is married, has a son and is a resident of Oakland, California.

-Will T Barlow

Does Color Matter? Part II

 Why skin color does matter. Part II

 

This article will focus other cultures not being receptive of us and the famous Kanye West and his fiancée Kim Kardashian's Vogue. Are American Whites still are not receptive of us?

Growing up in a household with parents and siblings I saw love from my parents so it was hard for me to see in the real world as I got older. 

For example, A few years ago I was at a 75% white public university.  This one semester I encountered a professor who had a problem with me since day one.

For college students, I am sure you know how some professors are anal about having cell phones out during their class. This one particular day class was over with and a friend of mine was asking the professor about the homework assignment. While I pulled out my phone to check the time because I was hungry. He grabbed my wrist and threw my phone down and said your damn phone up. In five seconds, a lot went through my head should I hit him, do I go off, or do I walk away?

 Well, my ancestors would be proud of me because I walked away. He wanted a reaction out of me but I didn’t let my guard down. I ended up dropping the class and I got a brand new Blackberry; thanks to the university. I personally felt like he wanted to me react to him. I walked away and NEVER went back to his class again. There are a few things I learned from that situation

It is okay to walk away from a heated situation, I'll look at my phone after class is over with (depends on the professor)

 

Kim and Kanye (pictured above)

I am so tired of people being negative about the Vogue cover. I heard that people were threatening to cancel their subscription. Really! Canceling your subscription over the cover of Vogue. According to Vogue “who can you trust to curate the conversation surrounding fashion and culture” The lighting, color and the direction is flawless and tells the story of fashion and culture.  

This goes back to my earlier example of whites are still not respective of color being on the center of attention. If the magazine put a white couple on the front page then there wouldn’t be any threatening of canceling subscription.

 This is beyond me and more than ignorant. It’s pathetic that celebrities are being criticize because of this society that only wants a certain type of person on the cover. I am learning that people are concerned with everybody business instead of their own. The world would be a better place if people worked hard just like Kim and Kanye. For those who are canceling their subscription, Vogue would not suffer. I am sure this will be the highest selling issue of all time. LET THEM LOVE!

 

This post is an opinion post and not the views of Bars and Warfare.

Author RJ Jones

 

 

Source: http://www.vogue.com/press/