#the Rejjia show

[rejjiashowarchive]

Before I had my own solo radio show (The Rejjia Show), I had a collaboration radio show with my friend, Alexis Kline (Lexi). We did music of the Oldies genre. When we had our very last show together, we threw a party and this was the playlist. It’s literally a little over 100 songs. Yes, play them in order please!

1, Just a Friend - Biz Markie

2. It Wasn’t Me - Shaggy ft. Rik Rok

3. Smack That - Akon

4. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

5. Party Up - DMX

6. Let Me Blow Your Mind - Eve, Gwen Stefani

7. Don’t Cha - The Pussycat Dolls ft. Busta Rhymes

8. Jump by Kris Kross

9. Gold Digger - Kanye West ft. Jamie Fox

10. Jump Around - House of Pain

11. O.P.P. - Naughty By Nature

12. Insane in the Brain - Cypress Hill

13. Mary Jane - Rick James

14. Intergalactic - Beastie Boys

15. Work It - Missy Elliott

16. Poison - Bell Biv DeVoe

17. Get ur Freak On - Missy Elliott

18. Lip Gloss - Lil Mama

19. It Takes Two - Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock

20. Crank That - Soulja Boy

21. Fergalicious - Fergie ft will.i.am

22. Pony - Ginuwine

23. Lean Back - Terror Squad ft. Remy

24. Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani 

25. Caught Up - Usher

25. Fantasy - Mariah Carey ft. O.D.B.

26. Touch It - Busta Rhymes 

26. Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See - Busta Rhymes

27. Doin’ It - LL Cool J

28. Still Not A Player - Big Pun ft. Joe

29. The Humpty Dance - Digital Underground

30. This Is How We Do It - Montell Jordan

31. Get Low - Ying Yang Twins, Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz

32. It Was A Good Day - Ice Cube

33. My Name Is - Eminem 

34. Foolish - Ashanti

35. Be Faithful - Fat Man Scoop

36. Drop It Like It’s Hot - Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell Williams

37. The Real Slim Shady - Eminem 

38. Milkshake - Kelis 

39. Dilemma - Nelly ft. Kelly Rowland 

40. Hot In Herre - Nelly 

41. Run It! - Chris Brown ft Juelz Santana

42. Never Leave You - Lumidee

43. Tambourine - Eve

44. Move Bitch - Disturbing Tha Peace, Ludacris, Mystikal, I-20

45.  Let Me Clear My Throat (Live) - DJ Kool, Doug E. Fresh, Biz Markie, 

46. The Way I Are - Timberland ft. Keri Hilson

47. Kiss Kiss - Chris Brown ft. T-Pain

48. My Prerogative - Bobby Brown 

49. Carry Out - Timberland ft. Justin Timberlake 

50. Rock Your Body - Justin Timberlake 

51. Ruff Ryders’ Anthem - DMX

52. Mrs. Officer - Lil Wayne ft. Bobby V. & Kidd Kidd

53. Love, Sex Magic - Ciara ft. Justin Timberlake 

54. Rude Boy - Rihanna 

55. Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas

56. Just A Friend - Mario

57. SexyBack - Justin Timberlake 

58. I Get Around - 2Pac, Digital Underground

59. One, Two Step - Ciara ft. Missy Elliott

60. Buy You A Drank - T-Pain ft. Yung Joc

61. Glamorous - Fergie ft. Ludacris

62. Umbrella - Rihanna ft. JAY-Z

*63. E.T. - Katy Perry ft. Kanye West 

64. My Humps - Black Eyed Peas

65. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson

66. Just Lose It - Eminem 

67. Beautiful - Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell Williams 

68. Roses - Outkast

69. So Fresh, So Clean - Outkast

70. Stand Up - Ludacris ft. Shawnna

71. Pass The Courvoisier Part II - Busta Rhymes ft. Diddy and Pharrell Williams

72. I’m a Slave 4 U - Brittany Spears 

73. Temperature - Sean Paul 

74. London Bridge - Fergie 

75. In Da Club - 50 Cent 

76. Get Busy - Sean Paul

77. Promiscuous - Nelly Furtado ft. Timberland 

78. Naughty Girl - Beyonce 

79. Don’t Phunk With My Heart - Black Eyed Peas

80. Lose My Breath - Destiny’s Child

81. Lose Control - Missy Elliott ft. Ciara and Fat Man Scoop

82. Closer - Ne-Yo

83. Murder She Wrote - Chaka Demus & The Pliers ft. Sly & Robbie

84. Yeah! - Usher ft. Lil Jon and Ludacris

85. Get Back - Ludacris

86. Candy Shop - 50 Cent ft. Olivia

87. American Boy - Estelle ft. Kanye West

88. Rich Girl - Gwen Stefani ft. Eve

89. Hey Ya! - Outkast

90. Always On Time - Ja Rule ft. Ashanti

91. My Boo - Usher ft. Alicia Keys

92. P.I.M.P. - 50 Cent

93. Shortie Like Mine - Bow Wow ft. Chris Brown and Johnta Austin

94. I’m Real (Murder Remix)- Jennifer Lopez ft. Ja Rule

95. Get Right - Jennifer Lopez ft. Fabolous 

96. Gin and Juice - Snoop Dogg ft. Daz Dillinger 

97. Stuntin’ Is A Habit - David Banner, Jim Jones, Yung Joc, Chris Brown

98. Upgrade U - Beyonce ft. JAY-Z

99. Goodies - Ciara ft. Petey Pablo

100. Salt Shaker - Ying Yang Twins ft. Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz

101. Hypnotize - The Notorious B.I.G.

102. Big Poppa - The Notorious B.I.G.

103. Mo Money Mo Problems - The Notorious B.I.G. ft. Puff Daddy and Mase

104. Whatever You Like - T.I.

105. Get Money - The Notorious B.I.G. ft. Junior M.A.F.I.A.

*definitely an odd one out 

[alice-royal]

IRIS ALLEN MASTERPOST #freeiris

Hey y’all, I know I never post here anymore, but I figured I’d use my blog to get the word out about this situation because it’s absolutely horrible and needs national attention. Please note, the following post contains content referencing the abuse/lack of accommodation of an autistic college student, suspension, homelessness, police/security.

Quick summary: Iris Allen (pronouns he/him or they/them), a Black, autistic, homeless student at Hampshire College, was suspended from school following an ‘outburst’ that was the result of a lack of accommodation for his disability by school officials. He was forcibly removed from campus by security officers before his scheduled disciplinary hearing despite the College being well aware he is homeless and would have nowhere to go but the street in below-freezing temperatures. As of December 12th, Hampshire College has extended Iris’ suspension to the remainder of the spring semester and police forcibly escorted him off campus without allowing him to access his dorm, take any belongings, or see his support animal. Iris is in a safe location, housed, and fed, but he is unable to obtain any of his belongings or his support animal from his dorm. (We have confirmed that the animal is able to be cared for by Iris’ friends.)

I have done my best to compile as much information about this situation as possible. None of the information presented below in the timeline is my own, and I have not put any of my own thoughts or opinions into it. I trust that the story has been reported factually by Iris’ friends/classmates and even if we do not have a full picture of the events leading to his suspension, the very act of kicking a homeless student out onto the streets in the snow is reprehensible and worth protesting.

RESOURCES:

Link to Iris's Advocate Fundraiser: https://www.youcaring.com/irisallen-1039410

Contact the following people (his conduct board members who made and supported the suspension decision) to voice your concerns about Iris's safety: Pam Tinto:  pjtSA@hampshire.edu Dre Domingue: adomingue@hampshire.edu Gloria Lopez: gloSA@hampshire.edu Greg Gnarleski: gnarleski@hampshire.edu

The following (below the cut) will detail the timeline of Iris Allen’s suspension and forced removal from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. Main sources include Cameron Prata (friend of Iris)’s public posts as well as private conversations between him and myself, Iris Allen’s own posts and statements made in the #freeiris group, and other sources including official statements from Hampshire College.

Unknown dates: Iris Allen, a Black, autistic student, enrolls at Hampshire College. Prior to enrolling he is a homeless youth who suffered abuse and trauma, and no longer has contact with or support from any family. We know that Iris is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. We do not currently know if he has any other diagnoses. When Iris approaches administrators for assistance, there is a lack of understanding for his situation. Iris is prescribed medications to help with his symptoms (unsure if by a physician outside of the college or by the college health service).

Iris goes to the health service to obtain medication and has a meltdown when someone asks him to turn down his music (autistic people often listen to music as a self-regulation/stimulation aid). Someone at the clinic claims they do not believe he has autism and makes him get re-diagnosed in order to access medications. According to Iris’ friend this process took nearly 2 weeks.

Iris has multiple ‘outbursts’ (also classified as ‘panic attacks’ but more than likely autistic meltdowns) at school. This has been corroborated by friends and classmates. The specific details have not been clarified, but some of the media has said that these incidents included ‘threats’. At some point after these incidents, Iris’ conduct board gives notice of a disciplinary hearing to be held on December 11th.

Friday, December 8: Video of Iris being forcibly removed from his dorm by security was uploaded to several sites.[cw: mention of rape]

Posted on FB by friend Cameron Prata: https://www.facebook.com/cameron.prata/posts/1741567165855548

Vimeo link: https://vimeo.com/246547488

YouTube link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=K_CU84hnDqc

“Iris Allen (pronoun: he), a black autistic music student from Hampshire College has been suspended (without a hearing from the school board) and forced into homelessness in the near subzero weather the night before a massive snowstorm in western MA. The decision to suspend Iris was made due to a recent infraction (an outburst triggered by his autism which has been greatly underwhelmed, neglected and condescended to by our schools administration). Before coming to Hampshire, Iris was a homeless resident of Boston and currently has nowhere to turn upon leaving campus. They have no family or parents, and are traumatized by the idea of being homeless in an unfamiliar town. In this video, he is being monitored by two campus police officers and is surrounded by a devastated circle of friends who are being forced to witness Iris’s expulsion into homelessness yet again. They’ve provided him with a cab to a nearby town where he will be forced to wait on the streets until his conduct hearing Monday afternoon where his fate as a Hampshire student has yet to be determined. Please share this video in the hope that we can seek justice for Iris and spread awareness of how Hampshire College is treating it’s marginalized and defenseless student. Thank you for watching, and FREE IRIS! #hampshirecollege #irisallen #freeiris”

TRANSCRIPT OF VIDEO (courtesy of FB user Lulu N Appa, in comments on the above referenced post): 

“IRIS: I had a great day today, I talked to all my friends; however, I had to go and talk to Greg He told me that I would be having a meeting about the upcoming hearing that would be happening on Monday. Unbeknownst to me, I was suspended. So here we are (if you will Cam show) with everybody here, including the campus police kicking me out without a hearing. A black autistic female student who’s made strides to change her behavior. I come from one of 9, very poor and abused, and yes I’ve developed social habits that aren’t acceptable;however I do have autism and this school overlooked it. I got in trouble enough for them to kick me out, them fully knowing, like Greg and Pam Tinto, that I don’t have a place to live. And they are able to provide me with a taxi to go towards north hampton. But they are going to drop me off and that will be the end. I’m going to be homeless again, for the third time in my life. My young life. 24. That’s all I have to say. I hope that when you guys all see this that I’m not dead. Because who knows? The school certainly doesn’t give a fuck. (sniffling in the background) I mean, if Cam doesn’t show all this footage, it will be an injustice. It will be an injustice to my death. I love you all. I love you guys.

VOICE IN BACKGROUND: That’s fucked up…

IRIS (addressing police): I’m not making any threats. But I will take this to the media! Because I have no choice. I’m not making any threats. I’m just saying that to the officer because she said I was threatening; however I’m not, I promise you. Because I’m the one who’s suffering Take a note that she’s rolling her eyes.

POLICE OFFICER: I did not roll my eyes. I was looking over there.

IRIS: That was my interpretation of it. Thank you Cam (camera points to officers smiling) (Unintelligible background conversation)

IRIS: It’s here? Well alright…

FRIENDs: Well we love you (lots of crying, hugs, sniffling)

FRIEND: It’s gonna be ok, it’s gonna be ok.

IRIS: Everybody lied to me. Greg did. I was supposed to have a meeting with Amy Parker. WITH AMY PARKER! No hearing. I just got thrown out. And there I was, thinking, ”I haven’t even eaten dinner”. Now I don’t even know where I’m sleeping tonight. In a homeless shelter where i could get raped? In a place where I’ve never been homeless before.

FRIEND: (Unintelligible talking)

IRIS: “Let’s kick her out! Let’s get her! Throw her in the field! Fuck her!” (Pacing sniffling, crying)

ANOTHER FRIEND: I’m so sorry!

IRIS: (Crying) They lied to me. They- they looked right in my face and lied to me! But all they can provide me with is a taxi, to set me on my way. (sniffs loudly) It doesn’t matter because I don’t matter. (Police walkie talkie chatter) IRIS: I didn’t even get a chance to eat dinner.”

Saturday, December 9: A YouCaring fundraiser was established for Iris to ensure he would be able to hire a third-party advocate for his hearing: https://www.youcaring.com/irisallen-1039410

Sunday, December 10th: A Facebook event was created for a rally at the time of Iris’ hearing on the 11th at Hampshire College: https://www.facebook.com/events/1157729927695106/?ti=icl

A public Facebook group was also created for the exchange of information and ideas: https://m.facebook.com/groups/1522737504483336

Monday, December 11th: Iris’ hearing takes place. Although the YouCaring fundraiser was successful in raising funding for a third-party advocate, one was not located in time for this hearing.

Cameron Prata posted that Iris was denied further access to campus at his hearing: https://www.facebook.com/cameron.prata/posts/1744179032261028

“IRIS ALLEN WAS DENIED. STILL CONSIDERED A THREAT. WE NEED TO MOBILIZE ON THE HAMPSHIRE CAMPUS! #freeiris”

Friend of Iris, Rejjia Camphor posted details on the suspension: https://www.facebook.com/rejjia.camphor/posts/1703237176407064

“Iris is still being suspended and seen as a threat to the Hampshire college community. They are not allowing him to stay on campus, he cannot access his room and he cannot participate in his ensemble performance.”

On Monday evening Hampshire College sent a ‘Campus Threat Alert’ email to students: https://www.facebook.com/cameron.prata/posts/1744455625566702

While it did not mention Iris by name it was obvious that additional security and law enforcement were called to campus in response to the rally and Iris’ hearing.

Transcript of email:

“Campus Threat Alert

Submitted by: Beth Ward

Because a threat was made to members of our campus community, you will see an increased presence of law enforcement on campus.  

We take these threats and the safety of everyone at Hampshire very seriously. We expect all members of our campus  to contribute to ensuring an environment that is safe from threats or harm to each other.  Individuals who represent a threat to the safety of the campus are not allowed on campus except under limited circumstances as detailed in our student handbook.

The safety of our campus is of top concern, and we are taking all appropriate efforts to ensure the welfare of students, faculty and staff.  If you have concerns about this alert or if you witness safety issues, please call campus police at 413-559-5424 or ext 5424 from a campus phone.

We understand that some students are upset about actions taken by the college in recent days, but the College makes all appropriate efforts to support and otherwise provide resources to students who need assistance.  The College has a process for handling these matters, which involves giving due consideration to all parties concerned.  No decisions are made without providing hearings and other protections built into the College’s policies and procedures.

Hampshire College has an obligation under federal law to protect the privacy of our students, which bars us from providing any additional details about student cases involving complaints, conduct hearings or resulting discipline.  At the same time, the College has a larger obligation to ensure the safety of our community and is acting on that obligation through this communication to campus and the precautions we’re taking across campus.

Gloria Lopez

Dean of Students”

Tuesday December 12: Iris posted in the group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1522737504483336/permalink/1524157817674638/

“There is another meeting today for them.to discuss thier [sic] findings with me I strongly suggest we rally again”

During this meeting, Iris’ conduct board extended his suspension to the spring semester. Iris was forced from campus by 3 police officers into an unmarked car to be taken away from campus: https://www.facebook.com/cameron.prata/posts/1745169648828633

“At approximately 10:43 a.m, on December 12, 2017, after his hearing Iris Allen was escorted off campus, by police and taken to an unknown location as they would not tell Iris or his supporters where they were taking him.”

Later that evening, Official update and statement from Cameron and Iris: https://www.facebook.com/cameron.prata/posts/1745439202135011

“After attending yet another conduct hearing at Hampshire College today, December 12th, Iris Allen’s suspension was extended to the entire spring semester. As of now, Iris’ safety is not secure, and he is indefinitely homeless. Despite being both non-threatening and compliant, three police officers were present inside the meeting. After having his suspension extended, he was physically and forcibly placed in an unmarked police vehicle by 3 police officers who refused to tell Iris or his supporters where he was being taken.

He was soon after dropped off at a local McDonald’s in Northhampton, MA (with no explanation as to why this location was chosen) by the three police officers. Though Iris has been able to find shelter for the night, he remains under extreme duress regarding his circumstance. We contacted him via video call and he has provided the following a statement on recent events.”

Transcript of Iris’ video statement: https://www.facebook.com/cameron.prata/posts/1745457768799821

“So, I can’t be there with the rest of my peers today because I was forcibly removed from the campus and thrown into a car. They have no place to take me so they dropped me off at the local McDonald’s in Northhampton. I am still being harassed by the administration who will not tell me what’s going [on]. They put me in danger, because I have been homeless--I am dirty, I am hungry, and I don’t have food. I and I just--all I want is to go back to class. Please. I just want to go to my dorm.”

Wednesday December 13th: 2 articles were posted by two different websites about the situation. The first article from Inside Higher Ed gave concise and respectful details about Iris’ suspension: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/12/13/supporters-say-student-was-unfairly-suspended-hampshire-college-because-his-autism

The second article was posted on Turtle Boy Sports, a right-wing reactionary website, and makes several questionable claims with no evidence to back them up about Iris’ panic attacks. The article is extremely transphobic and greatly misrepresents the situation, most likely to sensationalize the story for alt-right trolls to use. I am including this for transparency but using DoNotLink so as not to give them any page traffic: https://donotlink.it/V2lN

END OF TIMELINE.

As of this afternoon there are no further updates from Hampshire or Iris. Iris is currently safe with a friend. Please signal boost this post so that the facts can be circulated as we are now aware of media coverage that has misrepresented the details and made false claims in order to discredit Iris. As far as is known, IRIS HAS NEVER BEEN A THREAT TO HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE. Any meltdowns and panic attacks they had, any any statements made during them, were made under extreme duress at the hands of a college administration that seems to have systematically denied Iris access to both accommodations to ensure his academic and social success as well as his medication.

PLEASE SHARE, LIKE, AND REBLOG. #FREEIRIS

[rejjiashowarchive]

Happy Black History Month Day 26:

Hey Marylanders, End BHM strong by attending this event honoring Gloria Richardson. Known for. Cambridge movement during 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Gloria Richardson Dandridge (born Gloria St. Clair Hayes; May 6, 1922) is best known as the leader of the Cambridge movement, a civil rights struggle in the early 1960s in Cambridge, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. #representingbmoreThis is news to me too. But honestly, this only makes me love Black history more. There's always so much to discover about Baltimore and about Black people!This is another fierce Black woman. Yall know that iconic photo from the Civil Rights Era of that Black women pushing the gun out from her face. THAT WAS GLORIA RICHARDSON, PUT SOME RESPECT ON HER NAME!!!!! SHE IS 98 YEARS OLD RN!I love this quote to describe her: Richardson's work left a legacy for Black women to be unabashedly radical in the fight for civil rights. THANK YOU MS. GLORIA FOR YOUR COURAGE, YOUR ACTIVISM AND DOING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR FINDING THE WILL AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR JOURNEY WITH US!!!! #gloriarichardson #balckhistorymonthLINK TO EVENT (pls register): https://lewismuseum.org/.../womens-history-program.../...

[rejjiashowarchive]

Happy Black History Month Day 13:

Today I'd like to celebrate the musically talented, soulful and stylish Masego!!! Born Micah Davis from Kinston, Jamaica, this musician brings me such good vibes with their music. I mean, the way this man works a saxophone . I saw him and he hit me like TADOWWWWW! He also just has an incredible sense of humor and also a beautiful smile. He's only 27 yet such an old soul. He knows more than the sad too, including keyboard, drums and vocals!!!He makes me wanna be on the beach, sipping a margarita and living my best life. And he's so romantic. Just look at this:Thank you Masego for your talent, for your personality, for your support and for being yourself and sharing your light with the world!!!

[rejjiashowarchive]

Happy Black History Month Day 16:

Today I would love to celebrate the band: The Internet.With members comprising of Syd the Kyd, Steve Lacy, Matt Martians, Patrick Paige II and  Christopher Smith, these talented black musicians bring my feelings to the surface when I need some "Ego Death" (definitely still resonates too)Releasing their first official album, Naked Purple Ladies, in 2010, I didn't come to know this bad officially until the debut of their music video for their hit song "Girl" on MTV. I didn't like the song at first because MTV made hearing the song so annoying playing it over and over again. But when they released their music video for "Special Affair/Curse", I was caught in the soul trap of their music collective hive mind. Just the passion of watching Syd sing and the band revolving to also echo and resonate was enough for me to want to dive in deeper. When they released their "Hive Mind" album in 2018, I was so excited to actually be able to see them tour. I first saw them perform at the Trillectro festival in 2018 amongst a lot of other artists. And then I got see to "meet them personally" when they came to the Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD. I have pictures that are still currently being developed but I got to hug each one of the members and then watch Moonchild open for them! It was honestly the best time of my life. The fact that this band was able to come together like this and collaborate and make music for the joy of it, for black people to be unapologetic and just vibe, is all about #blackjoy and why #blackhistory is important in recognizing always!But beware, listening to their music while driving is dangerous. I got into a car accident twice while listening to their music! ITS THAT GOOD! When I came home today from work, I found that their poster, with their individual autographs, had fallen on the floor. I took that as a sign to listen to their music. And I'm really feeling the messages in these songs again! I'm still hearing: choose love but also choose yourself!! Examples:"I think you need a real love/You gotta love something" - Humble Pie"I can't be sure/Not anymore/Today or tomorrow/What we gon' do" - come together "Listen to your heart/What's it sayin'?" - Roll (Burbank funk)"Puppy love/Butterflies/Made you blush/You made me smile/What you want/Baby you decide/Why we grown/Wasting time" - Come Over"I'm a hard act to follow/keep up your autumn/Move your feet/enjoy my sweet soirée" - La Di Da"Seeing things in a new light/I know you've been through stuff, but/I wonder if you're too righteous/'Cause lately people going crazy/I think you should stay/'Cause I just want you safe - Stay the Night"Thought that you had changed/I found out it's just a role you play/Well bravo, baby/Bravo, baby oh" - Bravo"And I think it's arrogant to make plans in advance/One day at a time/I burn the sage for all the negative, pay it no mind" - Gets Better With Time"Girl, you got me wondering/If we should be more than friends" - Wanna Be"I’ll show you what I know/You’ll give me what I need/Not saying I’m a pro/But you could learn from me" - Hold OnThank you Internet for taking the time to make the rhyme and share your tithes with us. Thanks for being you!

[rejjiashowarchive]

Happy Black History MonthDay 27 & 28

Today marks the last day of February (not Black History because Black people are constantly making history as we all are). So today I would like to appreciate Ms. Harriet Tubman but lastly, myself.I think Harriet Tubman is just one of those people that definitely gets less appreciated, especially for her impact. I don't really think people think deep about what she's actually done for Black people ancestrally, historically and methodologically. I want yall to see this beautiful Queen Goddess in Full Color!!!! Below are a few art pieces I made last year in her honor. She said save yourself first. Then save somebody else. This became a secret way of life, a way of being, free. She always lights a way for me, to me, in some way to remind me this. If not save yourself then to walk. If not to walk, then to run. If not to run, then to hide and be a blessing in disguise. She as well said draw blood if you must but only if necessary. Everybody is given a choice but you must take the first step (and its a very hard one but it must be done.)As for me, I know that I've spent way too much of my life underestimating myself. It's only when you're ready to let go of labeling yourself in specific ways that you are able to truly be free. I am capable of everything. I am full of gratitude and joy and love. I am my own superhero and I am working on going from underestimated to unstoppable. I don't have all the answers but I do know that I'm not alone. That the universe, my angels and guides are always with me. Hope is a sorta faith and surrendering to faith and letting for really is the hardest first step. You really must know that you control nothing but yourself. Your thoughts are you. Your feelings are you. You are me and I am you. Once you accept this, you may ascend higher. Step into your higher self who is already you. I think that's enough ranting for now. Ms. Harriet you mean so much to me and to others in the world, especially Black Women. I know so many Black Women who are inspired by your life and your fire. Thank you for your strength, your will, your natural purity. My life is forever indebted to you. Thanks for being you! As for me, I thank myself for choosing to write, for choosing to keep trying even when I am chased and beat down to feel nothingness. I know now that I don't just want to feel happy, I want to feel everything. It makes me a whole person. I am okay, I am loved, I am safe and I am worthy. I am me and I am so thankful to be.

[rejjiashowarchive]

Happy Black History Month Day 24 & 25:

Today I want to appreciate both Jayne Cortez and the young woman who told me about her, Brennan Robinson. She probably won't see this so pls Maia Robinson show her this!!!Me and Brennan were FaceTiming one day and we got to talking about names somehow and she told me about the poet, Jayne Cortez. I had never heard of her before so I put it on my to-do list to discover. And what did I discover. WHEW A WOMAN OF MORE THAN JUST WORDS. A FEARLESS POET--the best kind! Just read a snippet from Ms. Cortez, who was born in Fort Huachuca, ArizonaDon't ask mewho I'm speaking forwho I'm talking towhy I'm doing what I do inthe light of my existenceYou rise you spit you brush you drink youpee you shit you walk you run you workyou eat you belch you sleep you dream &that's the way it isLIKE THIS WOMAN LITERALLY WAS IN A BAND CALLED THE FIRESPITTTERS, YOU NOT TELLING ME SHE AIN'T A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH!SPEAKING OF FORCES TO BE RECKONED WITH: MS. BRENNAN ROBINSON CAN BLIND YOU WITH HER LOOKS, DEAFEN YOU WITH HER MUSIC BUT ABOVE ALL, BREAK OPEN YOUR HEART (that's a pisces for you!) Emotional yes, but never a weakness, only a strength that teaches others that vulnerability is beautiful. AND COLORFUL SHE IS!!!Thank you Ms. Cortez for your innovative and visceral lyricism and work. Thank you Brennan for telling me about her, but also for being so full of the little things in life. YOU ARE ONE OF MY FAVORITE LITTLE THINGS!!!! I LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING YOU!!!!

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Happy Black History Month Day 23:

Today I would like to honor the legendary, Toni Morrison. A gift to this life, she has left a legacy that will give me the strength to see everyday as an opportunity to write! The first book that I ever read by Toni Morrison was Song of Solomon. Though, I had heard of her book The Bluest Eye and Beloved previously. But like they say, "what's meant for you will find me." and Song of Solomon still finds me wisdom every time I read it. Words will do that. Or should I say testimonies because the book was based a lot around the people in her life!One of the characters that resonates the most for me at this moment is Pilate. She was the outcast in the novel, for many reasons but one prominently of her not having a navel. She also  wore on her earring a little brass box that carries her name in it (to never forget what it means to her and what it cost her.) Today, I was inspired to play with that idea of carrying the things that are important to, somewhere above my shoulder. I tied my silver chain around my hair (one I forgot I had until I was playing with Sydnee's the other day and went looking for it). And I attached a amulet that I had made a few weeks backs (which I wasn't sure what I made at the time) but now I know. I added some buttons of things I carry forward with me today. Anyway, I digress. There is this article of an interview that Toni Morrison did with NPR entitled: "'I Regret Everything': Toni Morrison Looks Back On Her Personal Life." I haven't listened to it fully yet but of the parts of the article that I do remember, she was suffering from the things she remembers. It's a feeling I resonate with because not all things remembered are good. They can hurt like hell. That's what makes trauma so brain and life changing. The lingering suffering on the body, mind and soul. And to have to continue to live with constant change, that's inevitable. She was able to make use of that. One of the ways she did that was through her own name. Toni Morrison was born Chloe Anthony Wofford. Morrison was a married name and Toni came from Anthony which came from the name she chose after being baptized. And after many years of people mispronouncing Chloe, someone mistakenly called her Toni and she felt that was her call-ing. It's all in the article/interview (link below). Anyway I again digress. Thank you Toni Morrison from Lorain, OH for deciding to write. Thank you for deciding to share a perceived knowledge that you found still existed for so many Black people but it just wasn't acknowledge. Thank you for your will to change that! Thank you writing The Bluest Eye which was also a game changer for me. Thank you for telling that white reporter that you don't need to write about white people. Thank you for your story and your words and your light. There is really only one you. Thank you for choosing to see it, believe it and be it! Thank you for being you!

https://www.npr.org/2016/01/22/463901896/i-regret-everything-toni-morrison-looks-back-on-her-personal-life?fbclid=IwAR1PqYd1uK8nKVDauMigEdlfhQTRUvthcr9PZ9NLSzzqgS7F-Vbr4vnromc

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Happy Black History Month Day 22:

Today I'd like to shoutout another Black Woman that is new to my life. Yesterday, I attended a 1-day Virtual Event on Becoming Unstoppable: Confidence-Building. During this event, this woman, or as I like to call her, the lady in yellow named Lia Valencia Key. You may have heard of her from her jewelry! It is said that if you wear her jewelry, you will feel her love and light radiate in your own life and on your body. I MEAN JUST LOOK AT THIS WOMAN, CAN'T YOU FEEL IT NOW!!!!Her story has impacted hopefully millions now! She inspired me so much yesterday with her words and with her spirit!! Here are a few quotes that really resonated with me:"Find peace that passes joy""Choose it. Then believe it. Even when it doesn't seem realistic!""Be open to abundance!""Speak your dreams into the universe. Let it go. It will come back to you."One of her well know sayings that she got from her mother and she talks about her mother a lot in her journey, is: "Your predicament does not determine your destiny."In a way, she reminds me a lot of Toni Morrison in her sayings, especially with the next quote she offered:"Fear can hold you back or catapult you forward. Fear is a beautiful thing. Embrace fear in joy and acknowledge that you aren't bigger than the almighty. When you humble yourself and say that I am in fear, you acknowledge someone is greater than you. And then once you acknowledge that, you ask your higher power to take me and the fear and walk me to where I know I am suppose to be. You don't need to shed the fear. Just bring the fear with you..And do it trembling."Thank you Ms. Key for your light and your story and your wisdom.  Thank you for your art and your will and your words. Thank you for being you! Please please please if you haven't, go check out her work and her website!!

https://www.valenciakey.com

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Happy Black History Month Day 21:

Today I'd like to share a woman out here changing lives. How you ask: THROUGH CONFIDENCE! Her name is BRITTANY PACKNETT! She is an activist, educator and writer (talk about multitalented!) I first came across her through LinkedIn. I follow Ted Talk so they shared her entited: How to build your confidence — and spark it in others. Her purpose is to use every platform she has to teach truth that provokes people to action — for the sake of freedom and justice.Yall, Ms. Packnett was speaking facts!!!! Here's a few quotes from her talk:"It may sound simple, but confidence is something that we underestimate the importance of. We treat it like a nice-to-have instead of a must-have. We place value on knowledge and resources above what we deem to be the soft skill of confidence. But by most measures, we have more knowledge and more resources now than at any other point in history, and still injustice abounds and challenges persist. If knowledge and resources were all that we needed, we wouldn't still be here. And I believe that confidence is one of the main things missing from the equation. ""Confidence is the difference between being inspired""A lack of confidence pulls us down from the bottom and weighs us down from the top, crushing us between a flurry of can'ts, won'ts and impossibles. Without confidence, we get stuck, and when we get stuck, we can't even get started.""If you don't have enough confidence, it could be because you need to readjust your goal. If you have too much confidence, it could be because you're not rooted in something real. Not everyone lacks confidence. We make it easier in this society for some people to gain confidence because they fit our preferred archetype of leadership. We reward confidence in some people and we punish confidence in others, and all the while far too many people are walking around every single day without it. For some of us, confidence is a revolutionary choice, and it would be our greatest shame to see our best ideas go unrealized and our brightest dreams go unreached all because we lacked the engine of confidence. That's not a risk I'm willing to take."GO WATCH THE REST!THANK YOU MS. BRITTANY PACKNETT FOR TAKING THAT RISK FOR US ALL. FOR FOLLOWING YOUR CALLING. FOR BEING YOU!!

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Happy Black History Month Day 18:

Today I want to appreciate another new person whose come into my life through music. Yall, I love music so much, don't hate me!!! This is actually a person I discovered today through Youtube. Her name is Aliah Sheffield, aka Nikki Aliah on Youtube. I first came across her video on my For Your Page on Youtube. I was just on there subscribing to some new folk I admire and I saw her video entitled: "This song is for anyone who is sick of Earth (Earth is ghetto)." So I was like sure, I could use a break from the Matrix and clicked on it for a space jump!WHEN I TELL YOU, THIS BLACK WOMAN WAS SINGING MY LIFE WITH HER WORDS!!!! Her lyrics are so CATCHY, FUNNY AND SOUFUL. Despite her using the word "ghetto" as a negative attribute, she is otherwise very WHOLESOME!!!! I didn't have time to watch all of her videos, but I did get a chance to watch like two more which are entitled: "I wrote this song for anyone who feels trapped in the matrix ( Ways of the world)" and "This is for my Soulmate (Get me off of these streets)."AND HER VIDEOS AREN'T ACTUAL MUSIC VIDEOS, THEY ARE LITERALLY JUST HER IN HER ROOM WITH A MICROPHONE SINGING WHICH IS WHERE ALL THE MAGIC USUALLY HAPPENS ANYWAY WITH MUSIC!  PLEASE GO CHECK OUT HER STUFF. SUPPORT BLACK WOMEN ON THE COME UP. SUPPORT BLACK WOMEN IN GENERAL. THANK YOU ALIAH FOR SHARING YOU HEART AND HUMOR AND SONG WITH US. YOU TAKE MY BREATH AWAY. THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU!!!!

https://youtu.be/vr2xMRSObto

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Happy Black History Month Day 15:

I know I said I wasn't putting these on my main anymore but as I have the right: "I change my mind!" Anyways, today, I'd like to appreciate one of my favorite people on this earth, one I have the pleasure of personally calling my best friend and also family, my sweet Tykiera! Today the word "baby" has just been mentally on my mind and I got to reflecting on the word in my life and I first thought about you. We've been friends since 2013, working at Real Food Farm which was my very first job. We were pretty much inseparable after that! Sleepovers, vacations, prom, ONE DIRECTION AND THE FAULT IN OUR STARS!!!!You've were there with me through my first job and now I get to be apart of your first journey of motherhood. I don't ever want you to doubt the love and respect I have for you. You are the best friend anyone could ever ask for.  I'm so glad we chose to sit next to each other and never look back!!!!Not to mention the many obstacles you've gotten over!!!! You're so caring, so funny, so warm and smart and I'm so lucky to have you in my life. I get happy just seeing you happy and live your best life! I can't count the number of moments where I look back and just smile from remembering your smile and laugh  I wish the world for you. You will always live in my heart. Thank you for being nothing but yourself, my sweet Tykiera!!!

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Happy Black History Month Day 14:

Today I miss my Grandma. I honor my creativity by  remembering my way of processing and organizing myself, just like those puzzle games she loved. And like her favorite song, we do fall and we do get up again. It's a cycle, healing isn't linear though. But I have faith in love. Love and care as much as you can. When you start to care, you see the parts of you that were just illusions of fear. So have a seat with yourself. Pour some wine, cook you a lovely meal and revel in the truth. To know the self is to know love. So live by that. Prosper in that. I know that personally when the puzzle pieces are confusing and I just can't see the image clearly, I got to accept that I may not be where I need to be to complete that puzzle at that time and walk away. I let go of trying to control the situation surrender to faith. Faith that one day I will see the picture and I can go back to the board and put the pieces of the vision together.

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Happy Black History Month Day 11:

Today, we gonna appreciate the legendary vocal styles of Ms. Whitney Houston!!!! Whitney Houston was born August 9, 1963 and died on today's date, February 11 in 2012. Born in New Jersey as well (last post so did Derek Luke), Houston started singing at the age of 4 (the spirits told me, don't believe everything you read on Wikipedia!) Whitney Houston released her self-titled album in February of 1985. She has worked with and under the influence of other greats such as Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, George Benson and Jermaine Jackson! She sings the best version of The Star Spangled Banner that I have ever heard. Another thing that I love about Whitney Houston is that you know her albums because their self titled outside of those that are themed including: "Whitney Houston", "Whitney Dancin Special", "Whitney" and "Just Whitney". She also has some of the most iconic reactions in television history!!! 9 Years later and I still miss you!!! Thank you for your voice, for your life and for your will, to shine bright and show us who you are! Some songs or words that speak to me from her right are: "I decided long ago never to walk in anyone's shadow; if I fail, or if I succeed at least I did as I believe""My mother taught me that when you stand in the truth and someone tells a lie about you, don't fight it.""I know that when you look at me/There's so much that you just don't see/But if you would only take the time/I know in my heart you'd find/A girl who's scared sometimes/Who isn't always strong/Can't you see the hurt in me?/I feel so all alone""I thought love had to hurt to turn out right""If I should stay/I would only be in your way/So I'll go but I know/I'll think of you every step of the way/And I... will always love you,"

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Happy Black History Month Day 10:

Today, I'd like to appreciate Derek Luke!!!From New Jersey, Luke is 46 years old and has been acting since 2000. You may know him from Antwone Fisher, or from Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail, or even Baggage Claim or a small part in Definitely Maybe. Whichever one, he delivers. The emotion in Derek's facial expressions is stupendous and the roles he has captured have and continue to do a number for Black Men and Vulnerability and Black Mental Health!!! And his smile Thank you #derekluke for making a difference for Black men in cinema, in representations of lifestyle and in your own self journey!!! You are appreciated!

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Happy Black History Month Day 8:

Continuing past my week streak of celebrating Black Women, I'd like to take today to talk about Sandra Bland. It was her birthday yesterday and she would've been 34 had she not been killed by some piece of shit police officer(s). She was from Naperville, Illinois and was in advocacy of service, community and social justice. An advocate of black lives matter and well aware of her rights regarding police engagement, Sandra Bland was killed for being too Black, too Woman and with attitude! She was smart, graduated from college and was in a sorority. She worked with people of all ages and had a very beautiful smile. This woman deserved so much better than being hanged in a Texas jail cell by some racists ass cops who couldn't handle being told the truth and told off by a Black Woman. They made it a personal mission to cover it up, damaging evidence. Even her Wikipedia page suggests the rights of police doing what they did.Black people are not perfect because no one is perfect. Expecting law abiding citizens is how you train people to not think for themselves and not question authority. Black people will always question authority. Asking Why is foolish but depends on the history you wanna know or claim. Leaders are not born, they are made and so are legends. And Yet for me, for us, and people who knew her, Sandra Annette Bland will forever be known and regarded as a friendly, stylish and spirited Woman. Please help me in celebrating her life. Here are some photos of her being smiling, with friends and family and looking forward. I'm hoping she's in a much better place than this world.