Food and Writing

My students are writing food poems this weekend, and they're already posting them to our Ning site. They're awesome. They inspired me to write my own little funny piece about a memory of mine from long ago. When Mama was trying to make homemade plum jam. Here it is:

when mama burned her belly makin jelly

a ripe plum doesn't look delicious at all, more like a pruny peach or moldy moro and, when you're ten and your fingers are sticky and you don't have a basket so you fold your hyper-color t-shirt up to form a bowl, the heat of Mississippi August turning the colors blue to green, you especially think those plums are disgusting

it doesn't help that mama's sweaty and yelling for you to hurry as she skins the soft fruits and boils the water for mason jars and you're hearing the lids go POP POP POP and you peel your dirty bare feet from the sugar water floor, all syrup sounds. And then a misstep: and a YOOOOWWWW and then those same colors, tortured tangerine and blood red

and mama becomes the skinned plum

Who doesn't love Bill Cosby?

I just finished reading Bill Cosby's Come on People!: From Victims to Victors. What an inspirational read! Not only does it address the importance of the country NOT ignoring scary statistics about the black community (as in 50% of young black men in inner-cities are dropping out of school), but it is a book that transcends race and discusses healthy ways for all of us to live our lives. The book is informative, passionate, and of course, often full of wit. I mean, the author IS Bill Cosby!

The most important thing I've taken from reading this text (and from having my life enriched and made meaningful by working in Holly Springs, Mississippi- a school system considered "critical needs" by state standards but full of the most inspirational young minds I've come into contact with) is that we as a nation will not grow and be what we are supposed to be if we continue to ignore the situations in our OWN communities. Systemic racism is REAL. The fact that a small percentage of our population (black men) make up the largest percentage within our prisons is only a small piece of proof of the ocean of systemic racism that continues to threaten our nation. It is up to us to stop ignoring what's in our faces, to become active members of our communities, to embrace people who are different from us, to stand up to bigots that try to tear the progress made not only by political movements but also by community picnics, church gatherings, food shared between families, and the love of a human race of PEOPLE that refuse (REFUSE!) to give this up. Everyone should read this book. COME ON, PEOPLE!

I just have to comment

I just have to comment on my excitement about the events of this Tuesday, January 20th, 2009, when I will watch as our country swears in Barack Obama, our first black president, and a candidate that I believe in with my whole heart. Tonight, while I sat lazily watching some ridiculous "gameshow" on CBS, a commercial came on advertising Obama's new service campaign website: http://www.usaservice.org/.

I grabbed my laptop immediately and found a website that allows you to easily search for service projects in your area. It also allows you to share these projects with people on facebook, bringing the people in our country (especially our young people) together like no other person has. I can't express my joy... my gratitude...

As a woman who is proud to be from Mississippi, a state that is the poorest in the nation, but gives more to charity each year than ANY other state in the union, I can't wait to cry tears of jubiliation on Tuesday at noon when I can see an event that will live in history books for years to come. When my president (MY PRESIDENT!) will swear in and prepare to make true on the promises of this great nation.

My cup runneth over, people! If you're reading, visit http://www.usaservice.org/.

Book Two 2009

Today, I finished Toni Morrison's new book, A Mercy. It was classic Morrison. A neo-slave narrative set in the late 1600's, it is a story about a young slave named Florens who can't get past her mother's abandonment and forms unhealthy attachments because of it. I don't want to ruin the ending for anyone reading, but it's a beautiful and painful story (as are all the true stories).

My favorite line comes from the end of the novel when Florens' mother (who gave her away to protect her), thinking of her, whispers to the wind some advice: "In the dust where my heart will remain each night and every day until you understand what I know and long to tell you: to be given dominion over another is a hard thing; to wrest dominion over another is a wrong thing; to give dominion of yourself to another is a wicked thing."

I want to teach this book when I get the next opportunity.

Book One 2009

I just finished rereading Meeting of the Waters, a novel by Kim McLarin. The book is about the complexities of an interracial relationship; how two people come together and try to get past the judgments of the world, as well as their own judgments (maybe ones they didn't know they had). I remember this book being an eye-opener for me about my own views on the world, my own judgments. Rereading it now, though, through older eyes (and maybe through married eyes), I see it more as a story about a couple who are fighting incessantly to make something that is too awesome to lose work. Which is hard work.

I also reread it because I couldn't remember if they could make it work. Now I know...

Holidays!

Here are some pics from the holidays! Also, special shout out to the REBS for winning the Cotton Bowl last night! Hotty Toddy! Just to clarify the cow picture: My aunt commissioned Charlie to turn her recent purchase (a lifesize aluminum cow) into a Texas longhorn...I think he did a pretty good job! :)

New Year!

2009...

Today, I ushered out the dust of years past...literally! And, I have a raw nose (from sneezing and dust-induced sinus trouble) as evidence. But, nothing in the world feels better than the evening after a day of cleaning out junk closets. Plus, it gets me excited about the prospect of what this year means!

Let's see...this year Charlie will graduate with his masters. I will look for a permanent job in a permanent school! We will move somewhere (hopefully, Oxford, MS, but who knows??). We'll finally make a real "adult" income again! And, we'll spend our last winter in this frigid (but beautiful) area.

So, when I complain about the cold and the snow...just remind me to enjoy it while it lasts!

Tonight, I'm content as I listen to Mary J. Blige, hear the sounds of Charlie making homemade pizza in the kitchen, feel the warmth of sweet Zo next to me, and contemplate all of the goodness and possibility of the new year.

If you're reading, I wish you and your family a blessed new year.