Patrick Ian Polks new film The Skinny premieres in Washington, DC & Atlanta

"The Skinny" Exclusive
One Week Engagement Begins April 6th in Washington, DC & Atlanta, GA

THE SKINNY opens Friday, April 6th for an exclusive one-week engagement in Atlanta at the Midtown Art Cinema (931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30308) and Washington D.C. at the E Street Cinema (555 11th Street NW, Washington DC 20004) with more cities to follow. We will be having a "Meet and Greet" with the director and the cast on Friday, April 6th at E Street Cinema at 7:30pm and 9:45pm. In Atlanta, we will be having a "Meet and Greet" with Polk and the cast at the Midtown Art Cinema on April 7th at 7:30 and 9:45pm.

From the director of cult classics PUNKS and NOAH'S ARC, comes the much-anticipated third feature film from Patrik-Ian Polk THE SKINNY, a sharply scripted comedy about a group of four young, black, gay men Magnus, Sebastian, Kyle, Joey and their lesbian best friend, Langston. They arrange to meet up in New York City one year after their graduation from Brown University. Their plans for a weekend of fun start off well, relaxed in each other's company as only old friends can be. But old tensions quickly resurface.

Drinking, drugs, hidden desire and the demands of promiscuity put friendship, trust and even lives at risk. In between sharp one-liners and a great soundtrack there's a few important lessons that these pleasure-seekers must learn for themselves. Written with a real sense of the demands of urban living, these bright and believable characters will remind you of someone you know. Remaining true to his past work, Polk addresses issues in THE SKINNY that face the LGBT community such as date-rape, infidelity, and HIV/AIDS awareness.
The film stars Jussie Smolett, Blake Young-Fountain, Anthony Burrell, Shanika Warren-Markland and Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman. Supporting cast includes alumnus of Polk's past features such as Darryl Stephens ("Noah's Arc"), Jennia Fredrique ("Noah's Arc"), Wilson Cruz ("Noah's Arc") and Seth Gilliam ("Punks"). Also, the film introduces new actors Dustin Ross and internet sensation B. Scott.

In an exciting partnership, the film has teamed up with the Black AIDS Institute to promote the importance of health in the LGBT Community, especially in the Black and Latino communities. The Institute will sponsor appearances, receptions and panel discussions in Washington D.C. and Atlanta featuring producer/director Polk and cast members Jussie Smollett, Blake Young-Fountain and Jennia Fredrique (who all appear in the Black AIDS Institute's latest PSA campaign "Greater Than AIDS"). The Skinny director and cast will be on hand to discuss the HIV awareness story-lines in the movie and other sexual health issues of importance to the LGBT population.

"I've been involved with the Black AIDS Institute since the early days of my NOAH'S ARC television series, and I've been addressing issues of HIV and AIDS in my work since my first film PUNKS," Polk explains. "So it makes perfect sense to partner with them to promote their great cause and highlight the HIV awareness issues raised in my new film THE SKINNY."

The film also features music written and performed by Patrik-Ian Polk. With tunes that illustrate the highs and lows of the film, Polk sings with his heart and soul to capture the essence of it all. Polk was inspired by artists such as Grammy-Award winning Adele to "who had created a very personal album based on her romantic experiences," he says. Polk continues to share coyly that, "...most of the songs I wrote, although they fit very nicely in THE SKINNY, are actually about some very personal experiences with...someone very specific."

For more information, see http://www.skinnythemovie.com.
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Advance Movie Ticket Information

Atlanta, GA - Purchase Tickets HERE

Washington, DC - Purchase Tickets HERE

GMAD Kickoffs Black History at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture during the organizations 25th Year Celebration

GMAD & Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture Presented:

An Exhibition

GMAD at 25: A History in Words and Images

L to R: Kevin Coleman, Bonnie Harrison, Reggie Shuford, George Bellinger Jr., Bishop Zachary Jones & Tokes Osubu

On Wednesday, February 1, 2012, GMAD and The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture presented a jubilee exhibition entitled GMAD at 25: A History in Words and Images. This exhibition celebrates 25 historic years of GMAD (Gay Men Of African Descent) and will be displayed until August 31, 2012 at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, NY.

Photos courtesy of Alonzo Boldin Photography

With over 300 attendees, the overall theme of the evening was GMAD25 – the Evolution Continues. GMAD is working to improve quality of life within the New York City black gay community by effectively fighting the triple threat of AIDS, homophobia and racism through education, advocacy, health and wellness and social support. Tokes Osubu, GMAD Executive Director started the evenings panel discussion at the exhibition saluting GMAD's history, and announcing the re-launch of the GMAD Membership program. You can become a member of GMAD for $25 go to www.gmad.org and sign up for your card, he invited everyone to pledge and walk with Team GMAD # 2306 during the 27^th Annual NY AIDS Walks on Sunday, May 20^th and as a part of our Stay Connected Campaign the launch of the GMAD OUTSpoken blog coming mid-February headed up by journalist Akim Bryant.

L to R: Senator Bill Perkins, Tokes Osubu & Michael Henry Adams

The crème de la crème of the philanthropic, arts and entertainment industries were in attendance to support and honor these innovators and members of the LGBT community on this very special day. GMAD at 25: A History in Words and Images was co-curated by Dr. Kevin McGruder, former Executive Director of GMAD and current Scholar-in-Residence at the Schomburg Center; and Steven G. Fullwood, Project Director for the Black Gay & Lesbian Archive at the Schomburg Center. Senator Bill Perkins presented a proclamation to GMAD along with Michael Henry Adams. Steven G. Fullwood moderated the panel discussion which included: Kevin McGruder, Kevin Coleman, Bonnie Harrison, Reggie Shuford, George Bellinger, Jr., Bishop Zachary Jones & Tokes Osubu.

L to R: Kevin Coleman, Bonnie Harrison, George Bellinger Jr., Bishop Zachary Jones, Reggie Shuford, Tokes Osubu, Kevin McGruder & Steven G. Fullwood

Initial funding of the LGBT Initiative provided by Time Warner Inc., with additional support from M.A.C. AIDS Fund; Arcus Foundation; and Friends of the LGBT Initiative. Special Thanks to: Ann-Marie Nicholson, Editor at the Schomburg Center, Camille Evans of CME Group Inc., Richard E. Pelzer II of MEGA Personalities, Akim Bryant, Troy Longmire, Cordell Cleare, Ebony Scott & David Mayer.

GMAD at 25: A History in Words and Images at Schomburg Center on Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD) and The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture present a jubilee exhibition entitled GMAD at 25: A History in Words and Images. This exhibition will celebrate 25 historic years of GMAD on Wednesday, February 1, 2012. Reception 5:30pm with exhibit & panel discussion 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, NY.

Attendance is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

GMAD is working to improve quality of life within the New York City black gay community by effectively fighting the triple threat of AIDS, homophobia and racism through education, advocacy, health and wellness and social support. Tokes Osubu, GMAD Executive Director will lead a panel discussion at the exhibition focusing on history, progress and the future of GMAD and its initiatives affecting and supporting Gay Men Of African Descent here and abroad. www.gmad.org

The crème de la crème of the philanthropic, arts and entertainment industries will be in attendance to support and honor these innovators and members of the LGBT community on their very special day.

GMAD at 25: A History in Words and Images is co-curated by Dr. Kevin McGruder, former Executive Director of GMAD and current Scholar-in-Residence at the Schomburg Center; and Steven G. Fullwood, Project Director for the Black Gay & Lesbian Archive at the Schomburg Center.

Initial funding of the LGBT Initiative provided by Time Warner Inc., with additional support from M.A.C. AIDS Fund; Arcus Foundation; and Friends of the LGBT Initiative.

RSVP: GMAD25.eventbrite.com

4 Colored Boys Like Me

Dane Harrington Joseph

Writer and actor; producer, 'Drama Queenz' and 'Langston's'

Posted: 1/9/12 02:49 PM ET on The Huffpost Gay Voices

I am not a racist.

There's a perfectly sound reason why my new project, Langston's, is subtitled "a film by (4) colored boys." Besides the obvious answer (it's a collaboration between four noted black and latino filmmakers), there's also a much more personal reason, dating back about 20 years to when I was a little colored boy myself (as my grandma would affectionately call me).

Back then, I would occasionally wet my bed at night. After such incidents I'd hide my gold-tinted "tighty whities" from my father, who would undoubtedly "whoop" me if he found them. Nonetheless, despite my best efforts, he would sniff them out after they had festered for a few days in some ill-concealed location.

He would then call out for me in his ironically shrill, baritone voice, and, after a series of insults, proceed to beat me, accentuating verbally my various flaws with each lash. My worst offense, however, would be crying, because "black men don't cry," an adage he'd bark at me whenever my eyes started to well up. So I would just bite my lip until he was finished, then retire to my room and cry secretly into my pillow, all the while thinking, "I need help."

Of course, I didn't mean I needed to be rescued from my father's "tough love." Rather, I needed help controlling my compulsion to be me. I didn't want to be me. I hated me. "Me" needed help, and I knew no other little "colored" boys like me who could show me the way. So I looked to pop culture for guidance: music, movies, TV. Bill Cosby? No. Montel Williams? Denzel Washington? No. Flava Flav? Hell no. There was not one media personality or public figure that reflected me. I wasn't relevant. I didn't matter.

I grew up, cried a little less, and, as a teen, became even more obsessed with the idea of finding someone to connect with -- other little colored boys like me. I discovered this newfangled thing called "the Internet" at the library. I made new virtual "friends" and consequently put myself in unsafe situations, sexually and emotionally, just to feel something, to relate to someone. I thought that love manifested physically between a 41-year-old Italian bear and a 15-year-old little colored boy could fill a void, could help substitute for the lack of love I felt for myself; it didn't.

I recall going to my mom a few months later and having her take me for my first HIV test, and crying, and then her crying, and then us crying again when the results came back negative. And I remember thinking I would never be self-destructive in that way again.

I must admit, however, that the lure of boys and booze to fill a void still lingers, to gain instant gratification to temporarily replace constant feelings of illegitimacy. And while this could, in truth, be the story of anyone of any race, I find that my existence as a gay man of color has rarely been validated; how I felt as a little colored boy looking to the media for validation still resounds today as a grown colored man. Aside from a slew of big black men in pretty dresses (RuPaul, Tyler Perry, Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Jamie Foxx, and Flip Wilson, all of whom I admire, but almost all of whom aren't gay) and some admirable attempts by a few noted filmmakers (Patrick Ian Polk, Maurice Jamal, and Roger Omeus, to name a few), there has not been a constant presence of gay men of color in mainstream media or popular culture.

Coupled with negative societal perspectives on homosexuality, the diminished presence of black-themed entertainment that was so pervasive in the '80s and '90s, and the Euro-centric focus of most gay entertainment and advertising, it's not so surprising that self-destructive actions among young gay black men are on the rise, with the CDC reporting that new infections among said demographic saw a dramatic increase of 48 percent in recent years, with 59 percent of those carrying the disease unaware of their status.

As a filmmaker, I see the problem as a matter of value. Television and film are a reflection of reality, barometers of what is real and relevant. If you do not see "you" reflected, subconsciously or not, a feeling of irrelevance can set in. And when this occurs, it can devalue your existence, especially when you are at a younger, more impressionable age and trying to find yourself.

So what happens to little colored boys like me? The ones growing up with no one to look up to? The ones who wet the bed and can't make their fathers proud? The ones who hate themselves and cry at nights? The ones sleeping with older men to fill a void or sleeping with just anyone with disregard for their lives or personal health? Are they as lucky as I was, or do they become a statistic?

My resolution for 2012 is to create more works for boys like me and turn feelings of irrelevance into feelings of self-love and inner peace. This resolution is reflected in the aforementioned film Langston's, a piece that spans the gamut of the LGBTQ experience for people of color. After a year of development, the four of us have created a singular film comprising four interconnected stories set in a gay, urban nightclub in Brooklyn.

The film is unapologetically colored, daringly gay, and yet strikingly universal. More importantly, it will forever be a testament to the worth and beauty of a community, something for little colored boys to look to so that they rarely, if ever, feel the emptiness I once felt.

May your stories be told, no matter what race, religion, orientation or creed, as well. You deserve it. You have value.

Through Jan. 14, we are accepting donations for this passion project on Kickstarter. We welcome your support for our love letter to little colored boys like us.

Why Are So Many Young Gay Men Lost?

I thought I was going to avoid talking about something like this, but a recent incident just convinced me to do it.

One night, I was in the middle of the city, getting ready to walk inside this building, which held this event that I had to attend. All of a sudden, I ran into this old friend of mine outside of the building. He just happened to be strolling down the street.

I went up to see how he was doing. Without a simple greeting, he asked me if I knew this person he is dating. I told him I did. The guy is my ex-boyfriend, who I have not seen in over three years. I was instantly shocked on how he knew my ex. I have not seen him or spoke about him for that long. It wasn't a good relationship. It was a terrible on-off relationship that lasted for two years. The best thing I did was remove him from my life.

He revealed to me that my ex is his current boyfriend. My guard was already up. This boy is fifteen years old and my ex is twenty-five. They've been dating for three days and he said he's in love with him. When I asked him how much, he said they have been thinking about having bareback sex from now on.

I stopped talking to him, gave the security guard my pass, and entered the event. I was halfway focused on the entire event. I couldn't stop thinking about the conversation I had with that boy. It brought up a wide range of topics surrounding the gay community. I remember people calling me one of the lucky ones.  Now that I think about it, they're kind of right.

It's not a big secret. The gay community is still a work in progress. Even though we are fighting for our rights, we have to fix ourselves as well. These young gay men are so lost in this world due to the nonacceptance of family and friends, they go after numerous older men, hoping that they would found love. Little do they know they're expectations is going to bite them in the butt.

They're sexual actions are overshadowing their image as well. Admittingly, men loves sex. We talk about it and act it out all the time. So when it comes to two men dating, of course it's twice as crazy. However, there are some gay men who's sexual actions are overshadowing them as a person due to the fact that they think sex can solve everything. Little do they know that it can break a few things in the process.

The rise of HIV/AIDS is still at a high rate. It's almost as if it's been ignored. Everyone knows what will happen if you have unprotected sex. But it's almost like people don't care. They're afraid that if they don't have bareback sex, they'll lose they're lover. Eventually, they're going to have to realize that they're health is more important than they're lover.

Not only that, but it's also the terrible decline in education. I know that the gay community isn't the only place where this is occurring, but you see that a bunch. It's hard to have a normal conversation when you hear a cuss word coming out in every sentence. It becomes very uncomfortable and rubs you the wrong way.

These are just a few examples of what I see happening. I believe that if we want to make a change, we should start with the young audience. After all, our future is going to be in their hands soon. Even though we are still fighting for our rights, the one thing we should do is fix the problems that is going on in our community.

INVITE - MOVIE SCREENING: Critically-acclaimed film PARIAH Screens in Conjunction with "OUT on the Hill"

The National Black Justice Coalition in partnership with the DC Mayor's Office of GLBT Affairs will host a Special Advance Screening of the critically-acclaimed, coming-out story PARIAH on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 7:00pm, Regal Gallery Place, 707 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC.

A Q&A with Director Dee Rees and Producer Nekisa Cooper will immediately follow the screening.

A rousing success at its world premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, this deeply felt human drama is the feature debut of writer/director Dee Rees. Adepero Oduye portrays Alike (pronounced “ah-lee-kay”), a 17-year-old African-American woman who lives with her parents (Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell) and younger sister (Sahra Mellesse) in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood. A gifted student, Alike is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian. With the support of her best friend Laura (Pernell Walker), she is especially eager to find a girlfriend. Wondering how much she can confide in her family, Alike strives to get through adolescence with grace, humor, and tenacity. Spike Lee is among the feature’s executive producers. PARIAH is slated to open in Washington, DC during January 2012.

To view the trailer click here: http://focusfeatures.com/pariah.

To download a printable screening flyer, click here.

To RSVP, enter your name, phone number, and mailing address at this evite link.

Please note: We can only accept one email RSVP per attendee. If you plan to come with someone, ask them to RSVP separately via email.

Cyndi Lauper's 'True Colors Residence' for LGBT Youth to Open This Month

By Andrea Swalec, DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — The city's homeless LGBT youth will have a new place to sleep beginning in September.

The state's first permanent supportive housing facility for LGBT youth will open in Harlem on Sept. 9th, the residence's executive director said.

True Colors Residence was co-founded by singer and longtime gay-rights activist Cyndi Lauper, who sang the affirming 1986 hit song for which the new building is named.

"These young people often face discrimination and at times physical assault in some of the very places they have to [go to] for help," Lauper wrote in a letter posted on the residence's website. "This is shocking and inexcusable!"

True Colors, on West 154th Street near Frederick Douglass Boulevard, will house 30 homeless LGBT youths ages 18 to 24 in studio apartments.

The six-story building has a computer room, resource library and communal indoor and outdoor space, and will offer support and job-training services, executive director Colleen Jackson said. True Colors will be managed by the West End Intergenerational Residence, which has offered supportive transitional and permanent housing since 1989.

"We want to provide a very safe and supportive environment for young LGBT adults who have had a real rough time," Jackson said. "We want to make sure they know they are cared for, supported and have a roof over their heads."

Residents are signing year-long Section 8 leases now and will pay rent according to their incomes, Jackson said.

Many of the residents who will live at True Colors have bounced between LGBT youth service organizations in the city for years, Jackson said.

While several city nonprofits provide outreach services and offer drop-in centers for LGBT youth, only a handful of groups offer emergency or transitional housing. True Colors offers youth long-term homes.

"Nobody gets kicked out when they turn 25," Jackson noted. "We believe that people will determine their own readiness to leave and go into other housing."

A July 2007 study by the Empire State Coalition of Youth and Family Services found that New York had an estimated 3,800 homeless youth.

Between 15 and 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBT, according to a June 2010 report by the city's Commission for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Runaway and Homeless Youth.

The $11 million residence was financed by the Corporation for Supportive Housing, the city Department of Housing Preservation and Development's Supportive Housing Loan program, and many other sources.

True Colors will have an annual operating budget of about $700,000, Jackson added.

She said that Greenwich Village, an LGBT refuge for decades, has grown less hospitable to needy youth.

"My sense is that the Village has changed quite a bit," Jackson explained. "While it's still obviously very gay-friendly, the socioeconomic status of the people who live there has changed and has made the area not want to deal with young homeless people."

But even with the addition of the residence uptown, Jackson said LGBT youth need more temporary housing, permanent housing and political support.

"There are not enough services for this population," she said. "And there are way too many people who are underserved."

Tammy Peay - "Black & Blue" As Funny As It Gets

Date: Sept. 24th, 2011

Venue: Lace on the Avenue - 2214 Rhode Island Avenue, NE

Washington, DC

Purchase Tickets:

HERE

About Tammy Peay

Tammy Peay is known on the comedy scene as "Ms. Peay". Growing up in a large family, Ms Peay exhibited her talent as a comedian very early. Well timed "snaps and jokes" which kept her friends and family laughing Ms. Peay has performed at some of the hottest New York venues: Don't Tell Mamas, The Cutting Room, Comedy Cellar, Caroline's, Gotham Comedy Club, New York Club, Stand Up New York, Brooklyn Brewery, Joe's Pub, Boston Comedy Club, Uptown Comedy Club, Colleges all over the East Coast.

Patrik-Ian Polk's THE SKINNY- Official Teaser Trailer

THE SKINNY, the new feature film from writer/director Patrik-Ian Polk, tells the story of five Brown University classmates reuniting in the Big Apple for a weekend of sin and fun.

CNN's Don Lemon talks about race, homosexuality and abuse in his new book "Transparent"

CNN weekend anchor Don Lemon is gay, the journalist announced in his memoir "Transparent."

"I abhor hypocrisy," Lemon told the New York Times. "I think if you're going to be in the business of news, and telling people the truth, of trying to shed light in dark places, then you've got to be honest. You've got to have the same rules for yourself as you do for everyone else."

The 45-year-old anchor's book chronicles his personal life -- growing up without a father and being molested as a child -- and his career as he worked at local stations in Philadelphia, Chicago and New York before starting at CNN. He was cautious about detailing his personal life in the book, a project that was just supposed to be an inspirational pamphlet.

"I'm talking about something that people might shun me for, ostracize me for," Lemon said about being scared to come out.

Lemon made no secret of his sexual orientation: co-workers and managers knew he was gay and the network had assured him of support, he said. But the book was his first public announcement.

"It's quite different for an African American male. It's about the worst thing you can be in black culture. You're taught you have to be a man; you have to be masculine," he said. "In the black community they think you can pray the gay away. ... You're afraid that black women will say the same things they do about how black men should be dating black women..."

"I guess this makes me a double minority now."

Lemon appeared as a guest Monday on "CNN Newsroom" and will appear on "The Joy Behar Show" on CNN's sister channel HLN.

"Transparent" lands in stores June 16.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW ON CNN: Don Lemon talks personal struggles

Courtesy of CNN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41RciYsbaks

NO HOMO - Homophobic Backlash After Toronto Raptors' Leandro Barbosa and Reggie Evans Hold Hands

Leandro Barbosa and Reggie Evans hold hands.. so!

By Rod2.0

The Toronto Raptors snapped a six-game losing streak with a 102-98 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday. Guard Leandro Barbosa had some 14 points ... should be reason to celebrate, right?

In a light-hearted moment, Barbosa took the hand of teammate Reggie Evans enroute to the locker room. The innoucous image has caused a "no homo" gay panic backlash across the 'net.

Hundreds of gay-baiting comments were left on YouTube and othersites. YouTube commenting is now disabled but OutSportscaptured some of the flavor: "How romantic…ha, faggs." "Reggie Evans is GAY" "Not only does [head coach] jay triano have to deal with barnani and calderon but these fags has well! its a miracle they even won 21 games!"

The backlash against the ballers is reminiscent of the January 2008 University of Louisville incident. The image of two Louisvile players embracing produced hundreds of gay panic comments.

Sad. The intense homophobic culture surrounding American sports is exactly why few athletes are willing to come out.

Yolo Akili- "Are We The Kind of Boys We Want?" Docu-Drama Spoken Word Music Video - Thursday, March 24th, 2011 Premiere

THE QUESTION IS…

Would You DATE Yourself?

And check out Yolo's website, too. Go to Amazon.com and downloaded Yolo's new CD Purple Galaxy or on CDBaby.com and iTunes also.

Lady Gaga: Tell Target Child Labor Isn't Golden

By Tim Newman

Last month, pop superstar Lady Gaga partnered with Target to offer fans a special edition of her forthcoming album Born This Way. Gaga hoped that the partnership would also offer her the opportunity to work with Target to improve the company's policies toward gay rights, but apparently her hopes did not come to fruition as she has recently decided to sever ties with the company. Before Gaga completely frees herself of this bad romance, she should speak out against forced and child labor by joining almost 22,000 Change.org readers in calling on Target to agree to responsible sourcing policies for its gold.

When Target made large contributions last year to virulently anti-gay politicians in Minnesota, LGBT advocates, includingmany Change.org readers, put pressure on Target to end this support. Despite tepid apologies, Target reportedly has continued to finance anti-gay candidates. A supporter of equal rights, Gaga had stated, "Our relationship is hinged upon their reform in the company to support the gay community and to redeem the mistakes they've made supporting those [antigay] groups." If Gaga is not able to push Target to do more to support gay rights be sitting at the table with the company, she is right to end the partnership. Before she slams the door, there's one more thing she can do to change Target's policies for the better.

As we have written about on the Human Trafficking blog, Target is lagging behind other major retailers and jewelry companies in committing to responsibly sourcing the gold in its products. In many countries, gold mining is tainted by the use of child labor and forced labor, not to mention other human rights and environmental abuses. Over 70 major companies have endorsed the No Dirty Gold campaign's Golden Rules that include protecting internationally recognized labor rights and ensuring safe working conditions in addition to making environmental improvements and respecting human and land rights.

Target has indicated that it is considering endorsing the Golden Rules for its gold sourcing, but until those internal discussions result in concrete improvements for the workers around the world whose rights are being abused to mine gold, advocates will continue to pressure Target to responsibly source its gold. As one of the biggest voices in pop culture, an artist with several certified gold records and someone who has Target's ear, Lady Gaga's support for the campaign to clean up Target's gold would go a long way pushing the company to improve its policies. So, Mother Monster, as parting words to Target, why not mobilize your "Punk Art Pop Revolution" to support workers in the gold industry globally?

In the mean time, you can send an e-mail to Target and recruit your friends to join here. Keep checking Change.org for updates and new ways to take action to support this campaign in the coming days!

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Artistic Power"...NotEnoughGood.com

ARTISTIC POWER

by Thenera Bailey

President, The SISGI GROUP and Founder, NOTENOUGHGOOD.COM

“Create dangerously, for people who read dangerously. That is what I’ve always thought it meant to be a writer. Writing, knowing in part that no matter how trivial your words may seem, someday, somewhere, someone may risk his or her life to read them.”

~ Edwidge Danticant – Create Dangerously: The Immigrant Artist at Work

These words are so powerful. I have been a huge fan of Edwidge Danticant since randomly finding her book Breath, Eyes, Memory several years ago. When reading Danticant’s recent work, Create Dangerously: The Immigrant Artist at Work, she provided me with a new perspective on the power of creative works in the mix of horror, poverty, tyranny, persecution and despair. This book provided several examples of how art and creative outlets can often serve as the only method

of escape or release during times of trial.

Using historic events and the recent earthquake in Haiti as a backdrop, she weaves the personal stories of Haitians, Haitian immigrants and artists along with her own personal account, into a reflective gaze on Haiti. Given the recent return of “Baby Doc” Duvalier to Haiti, many of the tales from his father’s leadership are timely and the work provides an overall glimpse into the many forces that shaped the current situations of this country. With the recent one-year anniversary of the massive earthquake, the book also provides another glimpse into the stories and lives impacted on that day. Highlighting in each chapter the work of immigrant Haitian artists, including Danticant, the reader is left with a stronger belief in the role of art to inform, provide a voice, and to capture life’s greatest and worst

moments.

Though titled the Immigrant Artist at Work, this book rings true to me for any artist that connects awareness building with storytelling. It is also an example of the many ways that artists use their talent as an authentic representation of their culture or personal experience. While reading her story, I thought of other artists who use their talent in this way including the work of my close friend Cornelius Jones Jr. Though not an immigrant, his writing

and plays are as she states, “ a revolt against silence.” He takes on taboo issues that are often never discussed (Homosexuality, Love, Black Gay Affection and Life with a Positive HIV Status) and brings them into the light. Creating a safe place and new perspective for people to see the issues impacting our society. For young people questioning their sexuality and their friends and family, his one-man show Flagboy, provides a conversation starter on the trials and tribulations of coming of age. It is a great platform to support the work of those looking for creative ways to address bullying and LGBT youth. Though often his own personal story, the visual connection to him during a performance allows the audience to better understand what life might be like in his shoes. This task would be nearly impossible in just a conversation, research report, or other works outside a creative form. Like he states, “Medicine is not the only way to find a cure to HIV/AIDS, just as important is finding a method to erase the stigma and save lives.” By using his artistic power, he opens the door for conversation, empathy and love.

For many, the arts might be perceived as fluff to the hard work occurring on issues around the globe. But through reading Danticant’s work one can begin to understand the importance of adding the unique perspective that art brings to some of the world’s greatest challenges. I loved this book so much that this small post does not do it justice, so stay tuned for further discussion.

I would love to hear from others who have read this book. If you haven’t read it, I encourage you to buy it. I would love to hear other perspectives in our comments section.

Thank you Thenera for providing this story on A.A+W Wednesday at TheFutureForward.net. To Read this article in its original form and to comment (We invite you to leave a comment and share your thoughts) Log on to: http://notenoughgood.com/2011/01/artistic-power/

A.A+W

with Cornelius Jones Jr.

Tune in next Wednesday for more

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness with Cornelius Jones Jr.

Stay connected with me:

www.corneliusjonesjr.com

FaceBook: Cornelius Jones Jr.

Twitter: CorneliusJonesJ

FaceBook Fan Page: FlagBoy Official Fan Page of the Actor

www.theblacktraveler.com