I Remember When I Thought Kendrick Lamar Was JUST Another Rapper. Here's Why I Was Wrong.

I Remember When I Thought Kendrick Lamar Was JUST Another Rapper. Here's Why That Changed...

His most recent single, "i" has brought performing and the cannon of Hip Hop music to new heights. In the midst of all that is going on, the world needs to hear and see a man of color proclaiming to the world that he loves himself. Who does he think he is?

I remember thinking "who is this" when I saw him live. I was front and center at the 2011 SpelHouse homecoming thinking; it must be just another rapper. Blah, blah, cars, money, women...etc.

Even when his and my jam Poetic Justice blazed the radios last year I thought-oh that's Kendrick from our homecoming! Look at him being cute- appreciating women and still being lyrically talented...and stuff.

BUT after watching the SNL performance I could not stop thinking about this man. This song plays in my head, every other day. I had to blog about it. I first saw it on my Facebook page. Someone posted it and captioned "The ancestors would be proud." I am sure they would be. I haven't seen a rapper perform with this much purpose since...since...well, I don't know.  Along with the fact that it samples a track from The Isley Brothers (one of my favorite groups), starts off with a dedication to those in the "homies in the penitentiary", or that it makes me feel like dancing and singing along and out loud to the world that I LOVE MYSELF! I don't know what to like more about this song. The delivery or the content. Well done, sir.

THANK YOU KENDRICK LAMAR. THANK YOU.

..And I don't get any coins for this, but BUY IT:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-single/id921042833

BTW, WHO are those BACK UP SINGERS?????

What I Learned From An Empty Bottle of Barbecue Sauce...

Around the end of last year I was visiting a friend in central Florida and we stopped to at a convenience store. The store was having a "grand-opening" and right outside I saw a man standing outside of the store handing out free testers of his bbq sauce with pulled pork. Of course, me being a fatty foodie I walked over very quickly to see what this was about. Besides, my dad and brother are the CHAMPS of homemade bbq sauces and ribs so I just had to test the competition. The sign read "No Name" barbecue sauce and after tasting thought it was pretty good! I am all about supporting the hustle and hard work but just did not have any cash or really a need for bbq sauce at the moment. I told him how good it was, wished him well, and passed on it. The story doesn't end there...

A few months later, miles away from central Florida, I was with another group of friends enjoying a chili cook-off festival. We stopped at a small corner store for the bathroom. I walked into the store and THERE HE WAS AGAIN! I was shocked, excited, and impressed. I walked over to the man pictured above at his makeshift stand and introduced myself. I found it so hard to believe that I met this man again after thinking I would never ever see him again. Had to mean something. First I took a tester-again-and ate it. I told him how inspiring he was to me, and he shared his stories of how he is really working hard for his brand to take off and looking forward to his sauce getting in major grocery stores one day. I had no choice. I purchased a bottle of the very tasty sauce and went about my day feeling amazed. 

Today, I finally finished the sauce and it made me think of him. This whole thing has taught me that if you have a dream you have to work for it. Nothing is going to be easy and you have to keep working despite who may not "believe" in you. It also taught me to never give up. What if somewhere in between the first and second time we met, he decided to stop making sauce? He would have never gotten my purchase the second time around. Looking at my empty bottle I thought about how it represents a dream...and the fulfillment (big or small) of your dreams that transpires through hard work and never giving up.

Dinner,

Pulled "No Name" BBQ Chicken, Brown Rice, and Broccoli 

Legacy Lives...The First Mariah Ida Myers Day!

I just can't say enough about the first Mariah I. Myers day! Without the impeccable planing of Ms. Claudia Myers, Joel Myers Jr., Jessica Tipton and a host of others, I don't know how I would have made it through the day. It was my birthday, and it was the first birthday in the past 10 years that I did not hear Mariah sing to me at 12am, and she will never be able to...That's what hurts the most.

However in the middle of the pain that I experienced by not having her, honoring her life and legacy was one of the greatest things I could have done on this special day. The activities started at 10am-2pm with sessions for the kids that included "Dress for Success", "Arts and Craft/Vision Boards", and "McIntosh Sings." From 4-6pm the Anointed Albany State University Choir held a concert in her honor, and they really blessed the community with their voices!

Photo Above Right: Friends of Mariah Committee :) >L to R Me, Karrah, Sierra, and Korryn

Balloon Release, First M.I.M Day, Nov. 9 2013

(Notice the Butterfly and Angel Wing Effect on the left)

Photo Credit: Marsha Myers-Bue

Ms. Claudia Myers and a few members of the Anointed ASU Choir

Credit: Karrah Palmer

The day was symbolic for various reasons but the main one was because it was around this time last year that Mariah and I would fellowship for the last time. November 10,2012 one day after my birthday we went to church in Atlanta,Ga at True Worship Christian Fellowship. That was the last time we saw each other. November 18, 2012 was the last time I talked to her. It was a Sunday, and we talked about church.

The one thing that sits so well with me is that I knew that she knew Jesus Christ-not because we had no choice as children if we would sing in the youth choir and go to Sunday school or not (both of our mothers were and still are the youth directors at our church)-but because she lived her life in the manner that spread the Love of Christ everywhere she went. 

Our Moms.

That is the true purpose of our lives as Christians. To share the gospel, not only in proclamation, but in action... by doing, giving, and serving.

Mariah and I once had a discussion about what could change one someone for the better. And we came to the conclusion that "Nothing can change your life, but life itself." After we pondered, we thought,"You lose life (death of a close loved one) you can be transformed, if you bring life (through child birth), or you experience life..and decide over time that you want to change."

It's crazy how her passing away has had an effect way beyond what she may have done while she was living and for that reason I know she smiles. Growing up with her I often thought she was the stronger person. When her life was taken, I sat in my car and screamed and cried and said to God "You think I'm stronger than her!!!" (Because I was on earth left to mourn I thought his was the case). It was the opposite. She is still stronger than ever, being the one to live her life and impact those around her even in death. That takes some strength.

Her life changed my life and all who were connected to her. Because of her life, we celebrate.
Here's to becoming stronger, wiser, and giving a little bit more of ourselves to the world than the world expects us to.

Credit: Mariah Myers| Facebook 

Love,
Ka-Ris-Ma

How to Compete With Yourself

It has been said that you have to live with yourself for the rest of your life so you may as well learn to love who you are...

This being the case, I realize that this is true when it comes to not only loving yourself but also when it comes to competing. Lately I have been trying to get back in the gym and reach the health level that I desire. The trainer who holds a "boot-camp" training session always compares me to his top client (I just started last week) I must admit that it kind of annoyed me because it placed an "imaginary" competition in my head. And while (friendly) competition with others can be good sometimes, the truth is I'm not there to compete against anyone except myself. While I am inspired by the image of what I looked like when I was at my peak fitness level (high school cheerleading days), I still have to decide to do the work for ME.

I remember vividly when me and my late best-friend Mariah went to the gym. We both got on the treadmill and I was trying to tell her something-- and she really wasn't hearing it. She said in her funny little teachers voice "Don't talk to me, I have to focus on what I'm doing." She knew that she was the only person who was in the way of accomplishing her treadmill time that day. It was like that in every area in her life. She inspired me to stay in my own lane.

I also remember when I won my first local level pageant. Vividly, I can still hear my momma's voice  saying "Just do it to have fun...don't worry about the competition." I enjoyed myself and ended up winning the title because I did it for the fun, and for me. When you do things for other peoples' approval and you feel like you have failed, it almost crushes your self worth, twice. It wasn't even for you, AND you failed the effort.

Once you realize that no matter what you want do whether it's a pageant, a dream of starting a business, or a fitness goal that there is nobody who is in the way of that except you. You are the only person who has been with you every second of your life, making every decision.

Last week I told someone "I'm debating if I want to go train today." He replied "What chu' mean debating?"  

At that moment a light bulb went off. If I am debating within myself. I answer to myself. Then I am the only person who can truly compete, against myself.

To Compete With Yourself,
Realize that:

1. You are the question and the answer, the competitor and the competition.
2. You are the only person who can bring out or develop the most authentic version of you.
3. Loving yourself where you are right now, with all that you have is the most important step in all of this.

I believe that constantly challenging yourself to develop into a better version of you is one of Gods' highest callings on our lives. To live, facing what he placed in our mirrors.

Your Name is You!

"There is something about not saying your name loud and clear that doesn't honor your spirit." These powerful words were spoken by one of my instructors this summer while attending class at Michael Howard Studios in New York.

I will never forget those words.Ever. Ever since I knew how to say my name, it has been something that I have been conscious about, just like many of my female friends. Though I have never really noticed that slight pause after "What's your name?" among boys- as they are more confident I guess? 

It's not that I am randomly embarrassed that Raymond, my father decided to go all off and name his daughter all types of names prefixed with "Ray-" (Ramonette, Raynette, Ramona). I actually decided to post this after what happened at the gym tonight.

There were too girls on the machine when I walked in, both working hard. After running sometime I hopped off and the conversation started. After sharing my fitness routine and daily eating tips we laughed and chatted and laughed some more...and finally there it was the moment of truth....

"Thank you so much for talking to us! What's your name?" Raynette. But you can call me Ray.What your's? "I'm Ronda." I looked to the other girl standing silently.."And you?" Slumped down looking around aimlessly with a shameful disposition and low voice, she said "Robertha." I could have crawled into a hole with her or I could have ignored her all together with a well nice meeting you both. But instead, I looked her square in the eye with a serious Mya Angelou tone and said:

"One of my teachers taught me: There is something about not saying your name loud and clear that doesn't honor your spirit. I just wanted to share that with you." 

I went on to explain my journey with my name and empowered her to simply get over the struggle, the hate, the pain of not adoring a part of you. 

Sure, call it a "black name" thing, call it a self esteem thing, call it my momma or daddy did this to me thing, call it what you want. But "IT" is a part you and there's no separating the two. You have to believe in the beauty of your biological existence and the identity that follows.

Yes, I know it's difficult, and it takes time getting over a part of yourself that you don't care so much for (just like elements of hair, skin, or body shape) but it is often easier to get it in your head that you have to live with and love yourself for the rest of your life. So you may as well honor that, if nothing else.



Until Next Time,
Peace. Love. Happiness.
Raynette 

In the Natural...

Recently I did a shoot with Tallahassee photographer, Torrece Porter. He's amazingly humble and equally talented. We connected because he was in search of subjects who ONLY had natural hair so he asked me to take the weave out. Thank Goodness he saw beauty in what many don't understand. We had so much fun creating art!  P.S. my thighs are definitely not that thick!

Jamie Foxx Says He, Will Smith, Jay Z, Should Be the New Civil Rights Leaders...

                            

I've got to admit, waking up to see this post on my Facebook newsfeed is somewhat of a relief. On yesterday (which marked 50 years and 1 day since the March on Washington) I drank from fountain of cold water at The Florida State University. This water fountain did not have a "whites only" sign on it.

It made me think. And yes, I had a moment in which I almost came to tears over a water fountain. Look how far we've come I thought. It really made me think of those who just 51 years ago would not have had the privilege of being in the predicament that I am in (In 1962, Maxwell Courtney was the first African American student admitted to Florida State). Here I am in the year 2013 learning for free as an academic scholar, drinking from the water fountain I want, while listening to Jamie Foxx on my Pandora app. This was right after I just held a civilized and somewhat flirty casual conversation with one of my random white colleagues about Chipole. The world that African Americans live in today verses 50 years ago is filled with what so many before us would call luxurys. It is up to us to honor, respect, and reflect on that...never forgetting what the purpose of the black "community" was and is.

(On Florida State's Campus visiting the Maxwell Courtney sculpture)

Apparently the function of the African American community (or any community) is defined and structured by the sociopolitical leaders in that community. If you ask me I would tell you that the primary leaders in the African American community are the "New Civil Rights Leaders": Jay-Z, Beyonce, Rihanna, and Nikki Minaj. Who is Martin Luther King Jr. or Rosa Parks? "What song they sang?"I would be willing to bet anyone reading this $1,000,000 that if you ask African American students in public schools say, grades 3-5, majority of those students could not tell you much of anything about the Civil Rights movement. Not because the school system hasn't taught them that. It's scary because they don't know what that is, but they probably can sing at least one Beyonce song.

I applaud Jamie Foxx, not because I am totally biased and I think he's amazingly talented. It's because he understands his power as a celebrity and the role that this "celebrity" has in shaping the black community into what it could be. Better.

Dreams...and The Message

I woke up this morning, and all I can do is think about Mariah. It's so rough at times and it seems like a dream everyday. I had a dream we were outside of her house talking as usual. Then she became very upset about her father passing away. Like really upset. When I woke this morning, I thought of how she dealt with that pain while she was on earth. I am waiting on her to speak to my spirit...because now I deal with losing her. Until I gain my total forgetfulness of how bad this hurts (which will be until the end of time) I will be comforted by the words she always spoke to me during hard times. "Karisma, stay strong!"

Mariah, touching the sun...

‎"What's the point of living?"

                      Today I read a post by one of my Facebook friends and I quote:

"What's the point of living if you are going to die in the end? Does it have any purpose? Is it worth it to keep struggling day by day?"


After losing my best friend I have decided that there is a purpose to your time on earth. No matter how much time you have been allotted, there is a way to touch the lives of others simply by your existence. 

How DO you face each day knowing that you are that much closer to the day we all have to face? The answer lies in the one who created us. Waking up everyday with our creator in mind helps to guide us through each moment and with him as our navigator we cant go wrong.

We all have a purpose in this life and once we truly realize it, our lives could be so much better. Even of we struggle with what our exact purpose is, we can cultivate the seeds that God has placed within us. 

We cultivate the seeds of our lives by loving unconditionally, staying focused, and being grateful for the blessings of a new day...these are the precious elements our spirits that keep us going when times get rough.


-K.P