the colours of my craft [butterfly monologues of a red negress] is a visual journal of my life in creativity! this will be reflective of the things i have lived - witnessed and survived a sort of past life regression therapy while striving to live in this life free from restriction and oppression. it is about inspiration - leaving a mark unto a dark world needing light to shine - so here is my shining light as it is constantly refining to become brighter and shine forever ...
Background Illustrations provided by: http://edison.rutgers.edu/
Reblogged from little-soldiers-boot  4 notes
Posted 7, April, 2013
little-soldiers-boot: In 1945 Willie Francis at age 16 was charged with murder of a drugstore owner in St. Martinville Louisiana. The murder went unsolved for nine months until Francis was detained due to an unrelated crime. Police claimed he was carrying the wallet of the drugstore owner in his pocket. A short time later, Francis confessed to the murder in writing after he was interrogated. He later directed the police to where he’d disposed of the holster used to carry the murder weapon. Despite two separate written confessions, Francis pleaded not guilty. The state-appointed defense attorneys offered no objections, called no witnesses and put up no defense. Two days after the trial began; Francis was convicted of murder and was sentenced to death by the electric chair. On May 3, 1946 during the execution as the lethal surge of electricity was being applied witnesses reported hearing the teenager scream “Take it off! Take it off! Let me breathe! “. Another report states that he said “I’m n-not dying!” The electric chair failed to kill Willie Francis. It turned out that the portable electric chair had been improperly set up by an intoxicated prison guard. Interesting Fact: After the botched execution, Francis appealed to the Supreme Court citing various violations of his Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights. The appeal was rejected and Willie Francis was executed on May 9, 1947 over a year after his first execution. (source)

little-soldiers-boot:

In 1945 Willie Francis at age 16 was charged with murder of a drugstore owner in St. Martinville Louisiana. The murder went unsolved for nine months until Francis was detained due to an unrelated crime. Police claimed he was carrying the wallet of the drugstore owner in his pocket. A short time later, Francis confessed to the murder in writing after he was interrogated. He later directed the police to where he’d disposed of the holster used to carry the murder weapon. Despite two separate written confessions, Francis pleaded not guilty. The state-appointed defense attorneys offered no objections, called no witnesses and put up no defense. Two days after the trial began; Francis was convicted of murder and was sentenced to death by the electric chair. On May 3, 1946 during the execution as the lethal surge of electricity was being applied witnesses reported hearing the teenager scream “Take it off! Take it off! Let me breathe! “. Another report states that he said “I’m n-not dying!” The electric chair failed to kill Willie Francis. It turned out that the portable electric chair had been improperly set up by an intoxicated prison guard.

Interesting Fact: After the botched execution, Francis appealed to the Supreme Court citing various violations of his Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights. The appeal was rejected and Willie Francis was executed on May 9, 1947 over a year after his first execution.

(source)

Posted 30, March, 2013

Little Black Chic•tionary: Young Fearless Hollywood

Young Fearless Hollywood


I am about three months late seeing this, but I recently saw a cover for Fearless Magazine featuring 8 young black actresses. Dubbed the class of 2010, Fearless Magazine defines the women as “young women who continue to pursue their dreams regardless of obstacles”. I am a huge supporter of positive female images and seeing this really made my day. It would be nice if more positive images of women, especially women of color, were shown so that young girls would see that they can aspire to be more than just a groupie, baby mama, or dependent on some man for their very existence. Everyday, young women set goals and build successful careers (and they look good doing it!). There’s no reason you can’t do the same thing. Aim high. How big you dare to dream and how hard you are willing to work are the only things that can limit you!

Unfortunately, some of these actresses have yet to get the recognition they deserve which leaves them almost unrecognizable to a substantial portion of the public. So allow me to introduce them.

1. Tia Mowry

Tia is probably most famous for her role with her twin sister on SIster, Sister. However she has also done a number of movies and is currently starring in her own hit TV show The Game which will begin airing in early January on BET.



2. Lauren London

Unfortunately, many people only know her as one of Lil Wayne’s baby mama’s. I think we are all allowed some missteps and that is definitely one of hers. But she is also an actress. Though her resume isn’t that great just yet, I think we just may be seeing more from her in the future. I’m rooting for her!



3. Naturi Naughton

Most people know Naturi from her days as a member of the R&B singing trio 3LW but these days she has ventured into acting and even made an appearance in season 4 of the Emmy award winning series Mad Men.



4. Monique Coleman

If you have a tween (or even know one), then I’m sure you have seen this girl many times. She rose to fame with the successful High School Musical franchises. She also competed on season 3 of Dancing With the Stars finishing 4th place (another robbery if you ask me!). Hopefully soon she’ll be able to break away from her Disney background and enter a more mature career.



5. Jennifer Freeman

Jennifer starred along side Damon Wayans in the hit ABC series My Wife and Kid’s. She has also guest starred in a number of other shows and was even a spokesperson for Neutrogena. She is currently married and a young mom to a 1 year old daughter.



6. Kyla Pratt

Kyla starred in her own television series, One on One, for a number of seasons. She also starred in the Dr. Dolittle movies and voiced Penny Proud for the hit Disney animated series The Proud Family.



7. Tiffany Hines

Tiffany is currently starring in the hit CW series Nikita.I personally have never watched the show but I hear she’s pretty good.



8. Chyna Layne

 Chyna is probably most recognized for her portrayal of Rhonda, one of the troubled teens in the Oscar nominated movie Precious. She is also a producer.


So there you have it. The next time someone tells you there are no young, respectable, successful black women in the entertainment industry, send them to this list. And don’t forget to check out the website for Fearless Magazine here.

Reblogged from favianna  7 notes
Posted 9, March, 2013
favianna: Making it as an artist can be a bit tough in this economy. Throughout my years as an artist, I’ve learned a thing or two and would love to share my experiences with folks looking to do this as a career. Bring your questions next Wednesday to this panel at Pro Arts in Downtown Oakland! 

favianna:

Making it as an artist can be a bit tough in this economy. Throughout my years as an artist, I’ve learned a thing or two and would love to share my experiences with folks looking to do this as a career. Bring your questions next Wednesday to this panel at Pro Arts in Downtown Oakland! 

Reblogged from favianna  7 notes
Posted 9, March, 2013
favianna: Making it as an artist can be a bit tough in this economy. Throughout my years as an artist, I’ve learned a thing or two and would love to share my experiences with folks looking to do this as a career. Bring your questions next Wednesday to this panel at Pro Arts in Downtown Oakland! 

favianna:

Making it as an artist can be a bit tough in this economy. Throughout my years as an artist, I’ve learned a thing or two and would love to share my experiences with folks looking to do this as a career. Bring your questions next Wednesday to this panel at Pro Arts in Downtown Oakland!