Urban "Domestic Violence" Situation

Even after the Chris Brown domestic violence situation, I confess a woman has hit me in the mouth before and I have put my hands on a woman. The domestic violence situations occurred as a teenager and I regret the situations ever happened, but I ponder what I would do as an adult today.

When I watched this clip on The Root, I was reminded of the manner anger and violence erupt and are used in the urban environment and relationships. At one point in my life violence had become integral in daily interaction. It took time and effort to unlearn violent behavior, situations and people.

However, if a person power jabbed you in the face with a stiff punch like this young lady did with Charles Hamilton, What would you do? I had to think real hard before I proceeded to answer the latter for several reasons.

1. The young lady is his size or larger, she might be stronger. That punch was no slap or scratch.

2. The sexual exploit he discussed and experiences about the relationship were probably true. She was cute!

3. The truth hurt so much that she had no other way to resolve the situation other than to use violence and punch him.

4. She punched him because she could. She thought he was a punk and that she could beat his ass if he pissed her off - every violent person thinks alike!

I don't condone violence against women or men. However, I think it is too simple for someone who has never been involved in a violent situation with the other gender to say what they would or wouldn't do. People say what they are "supposed" to say and what is politically correct. No matter how hard she hit me, I would never hit a woman. Most men who are trying to impress and win favor of women claim, "I would never hit ..." even if they have!

I disagree. Every person is entitled to their 360 degree space. I will not put my hands on any person as long as they do not put hands on me. It is not personal or gender specific. Don't you think everyone deserves that basic respect?

A Drug Dealer's Dream by Tremayne Johnson

True Story.

When I was younger, I remember a dude Jimmy. Jimmy was in a gang. Flipped like a pancake from Vice Lord, Gangster Disciple, Blackstone to a Mickey Cobra. For his dishonor, a few gangs put a price on his head.

Jimmy cared less and spent most of his time with Marchell, a young chick that loved Jimmy. They were always together on the block, at the basketball court or at the movies.

One day somebody caught up with Jimmy in front of his house and blasted a double-barrow shotgun at close range. Jimmy wasn't hit,but Marchell caught it in the chess. Died instantly.

After the incident, Jimmy acted like 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and never was the same.

In an odd way, "A Drug Dealer's Dream" by Tremayne Johnson reminds me of this incident. A young lady in love with the wrong person and catches the consequences of the game. Check out the review. Befriend Tremayne Johnson and support the book.

You can view the book trailer too.

Urban Cartoonist Eric Nyamor

After the Sean Delonas comic strips debacle, I decided to search for more diverse images of blacks depicted in comic strips. I found a cartoonist, Eric Nyamor who creates a unique take on perspectives in hip-hop and urban life.

He has a take on the Chris Brown situation in his latest cartoon.

Check out his website Hiphopillustrations.com to view more of his cartoons. An interview with Eric Nyamor along with his cartoon will appear in an issues of Urbania Magazine.

I will list another five to ten urban comic strips or cartoonists that offer in another post. Feel free to list any other urban comic cartoonists in the comments section. I will use the information to compile a list.

Playwright Reshanda Henderson

Tyler Perry is not the only black playwright in America! Chicago playwright Reshanda Henderson's "What Every Woman Wants in a Man" shows March 6 and March 7. The play features Christan Keyes from Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail, What's Done in the Dark and The Diary of a Mad Black Woman.

Check out a trailer of another play she wrote and produced, "The Mr., the Mrs. & The Lover".



In a male dominated industry, woman voices are often overlooked. I can't remember the last time I experienced a play. Some of the reason is my circle of experience, more of the reason is the marketing of plays staged in local and community theaters. If you can, support your local theater.

Reshanda Henderson is the C.E.O of Xpressyoself Theater Company. Show your support for Reshanda Henderson and other black women playwrights.

Check out an interview with her in a upcoming issue of Urbania Magazine.

If you know of other plays and playwrights that create plays that challenge ideas and are set in the urban city environment, please comment so that I can compile a list.

Response to Sean Delonas Cartoon

The Sam Stein response to the Sean Delonas cartoon in the New York was fair and balanced. However, the ideas that can be inferred from the perspective of an African American are unique.

The reference to the stimulus package was narrow. The history of the monkey and the comparison to African Americans by other races is wide, layered and politically charged. Not literal politics in elections, but the practical, figurative politics that is played in peoples private lives.

Calling African Americans monkeys and niggers is not a practice that takes place in public. It takes place in the homes and informal meetings of individuals who believe the idea of racism has credence. The New York Post cartoon spoke to these people. They will all laughed behind closed doors. But they are too coward to stand behind their ideas.

African Americans are not monolithic in thinking. However, the inference in the illustration suggest that the President Obama should be killed for signing the stimulus bill.

The above cartoon spoof illustrates the larger conversation about racism that the Sean Delonas and the New York Post will not participate in or stand behind. Instead, the New York Post blamed Rev. Al Sharpton for being a publicity opportunist. The latter may be true. However, the Rev. Al Sharpton has taken the correct stance on this issue.

There is room for an individual to hide behind their art, images, and cartoons. They should just have to explain words behind them.

If the point was to incite. Then the cartoonist did his job.

Kissed by the Devil by Deshawn Taylor

I completed a book review on Kissed by the Devil by Deshawn Taylor. I liked the book because the characters were criminal minded and witty. One of the street hustles in the book was a basic ponzi scheme used to generate money at the top. Just like in the real life Madoff scandal, everything attached to the scheme crumbles. In the book, the character involved in the scheme loses his life. Bernard Madoff lives in his penthouse while on house arrest.

Deshawn Taylor is the author of From Poverty to Power Moves and a finalist in the BET Ultimate Hustler Show.

Technorati Profile

Getting Out the Game by Omar Powell

Getting Out the Game by Omar Powell was a book review that I wrote for The Urban Book Source. The book had the right motivation but lacked execution. I hope the book review will help people interested in urban literature. I think that If the book was nonfiction, it could have offered more value for the reader.

Make sure to support Omar Powell with other upcoming projects.

Top Urban Comedian Katt Williams

Katt Williams is one of the best comedians in the world. Appreciate the critique of our culture in his latest, "It's Pimpin, Pimpin". In the show, Katt touches on the topics of animal cruelty, the dangers of riding motorcycles, the effects of Ritalin on kids and self love. In this segment, he discusses the situation with Oscar Pistorius and the 2008 Olympics.

In true Katt form, he speaks honestly about Flavor Flav and the image of some blacks that is portrayed in comedy.

Katt Williams has made the Art Official Media LLC top 50 urban comedians list. Help me compile a longer list with other comedians and their website contact.

Thank You President Obama!

Thank you President Obama!

Too many people have repeated the phrase, "In my lifetime, I didn't think that I would ever see a black president." However, few people spoke to why they thought they would not see a black president.

After thirty years on the earth, I offer my humble opinion.

I didn't think America would elect a black president because racism was far too ingrained in the American fabric of life.

In my lifetime, I've had experience with the police. I've been choked and arrested by police when I did nothing wrong. And I've been let go when my juvenile crimes were not remarkable. In my experience, the police have done more harm than good to my family and friends.

Therefore, I was overjoyed to watch the United States Secret Service protect the President Obama. The life of a black man more important than anyone else on earth. For once it felt sensational to be wrong. I realized after being considered 3/5 of a person, a colored man's life has value.

Racism is indeed ingrained in the American fabric of life. However worse, the effects of racism had ingrained itself in my own imagination. I believed a black person could be the greatest black athlete because I've seen it. Because, I've seen it, a black person could own a successful company. However, in my heart, I never thought white people would acknowledge and support any colored person.

I was wrong. And for one of the first times in my life, I have a renewed faith in what is possible. I not only have faith in what is possible within myself, but the confidence in the possibilities of others.

So congrads President Obama. Thank you America.

Happy MLK Day

Loved what Google did with the logo for MLK day. Make sure you do something to celebrate. I'm going to the parade with the parade in Baltimore.

Sideline Ho by C.J. Domino

For the past few months I've written a few book reviews for The Urban Book Source. Read the review of Sideline Ho and comment. I'd recommend the book for chick literature lovers but not for street lit readers. Find out more information on C.J. Domino.

If you would like to submit books for review to www.UrbaniaMag.com or the print edition. Send the books to Art Official Media LLC.

If you are a writer and would like to do author interviews, artists interviews, or feature articles for www.UrbaniaMag.com, contact me.

Look over the The Urban Boook Source and leave comments about the site.

I'll post some opinions on effective marketing sites for urban books next post.

Nookie by Anieshea Dansby

Long time no see folks. I've survived some trials and tribulations. I'm ready to move forward. Part of the tribulation that I've began to overcome is my blog account. I'm learning but for two years I knew very little on how to post. I apologize to all the authors, publishers and artists that contacted me to post.

From now on I will be posting more. www.Apooobooks.com has an interesting keep it or sweep it section for book trailers. Read the review, rate the book trailer, Nookie by Anieshea Dansby and leave your comments.

If you like the book, buy it! If the store does not stock the book, request they order it or order from an online retailer.

Art Official Media LLC has signed Nookie author Anieshea Dansby. Check out the description of the book, read the first chapter and befriend her on myspace for booksignings and upcoming events.

Trista Russell

Author Trista Russell has a new book out called "Fly on the Wall". The site has a lot of creative aspects including a section where the reader can finish the story. Her bookshelf features other authors books that are readily available. Check out the site and leave the author a comment!

Relentless Aaron

Honestly, urban books and publishing is no different than any other media that is related to hip hop. Basically, like hip hop, publishing has allowed people that had nothing to acquire something. Relentless Aaron is an example of what can happen when creativity and vision are used positively. Check out his site www.RelentlessAaron.com and get inspired. If he can do it, so can you!

Professor Manu Ampim Interview with Q.B. Wells

I've posted an interview with Professor Manu Ampim about the Death of A Willie Lynch Essay and some background into Africana Studies. Go to his website to get more information on to purchase his products.

Professor Manu Ampim Interview

I've posted an Interview with Professor Manu Ampim about the Death of A Willie Lynch Essay and some background into Africana Studies. Go to his website to get more information on to purchase his products.

Death of A Willie Lynch Speech Essay

I have contemplated the evidence given in the Death of Willie Lynch Speech Essay and there are some valid points. Research for yourself and decide what you think. A book called the Willie Lynch Speech is one of the top selling books in the book market. I have interviewed the Professor Manu Ampim and will publish the text in the edition of www.UrbaniaMag.com.

Rapper D Bomb

King Magazine's first issue reported Rapper Dirt Bomb was set to be released in 2004 on Middleweight Champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s record label Philthy Rich Records. But, shit happened and the album didn't come out. Dirt Bomb got on his hustle in the street and has sold over 6000 copies independently.

I found a blog by Author Don Lemmon that talks about buying some music from Dirt Bomb on the street. Don Lemmon speaking on D Bomb. On one hand, I'm glad Don Lemmon enjoyed the music.

On the other hand, It's fucked up how whatever we do as aspiring businessman and artists has to be dumbed down to some black kid shit.

After I read the blog, I listened to the rapper D Bomb Mixtape again. It's some real shit, better than a most of mixtapes I've heard this year. Definitely one of the sickest MC's from Chicago. Some of the features include songs with Styles P, Too Short and Devin the Dude and Scarface. Currently he is touring with the hip hop group Alcholiks. Check out his site D Bomb Site. The CD can be ordered through the http://www.ArtOfficalMedia.com website and www.cdbaby.com. Listen and let me know what you think.

www.Letstalkhonestly.com

This is the audio message about George Cook III's radio show www.letstalkhonestly.com. I will add an interview of his show next week.

The UrbaniaMag.com Website

The new website www.UrbaniaMag.com is here! Authors, musicians, businesses and artists of all types should submit your products for review. Contact me in order to have a interview conducted and placed on the site. Let me know what you think.