Shannon Sez So

I have one, if you wanna play with someone's uterus, go get your own

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:22:00 +0000

I'm amazed!
I'm shocked!
Frankly, I'm just dazed and confused.
I never would have guessed people are interested in my uterus.

Everyone seems to have an opinion about how I should treat it.

The "Church" says "you gotta put a ring on it."
The anti-abortion folks say if I break it, I own it, no returns or exchanges.
The politicians only want to pay for upkeep, not for excessive mileage.
The Pink people, who used to look after my boobies, now wanna have a say in what goes on down there.

I wish these folks were as interested in my mortgage, my gas prices, my grocery bill, my 401K ROI, my local schools, my environment, my voting rights, my food and water supply, my incarcerated, homeless, unemployed, underemployed and chronically ill brothers and sisters.

Isn't there enough stuff on the planet to be concerned with other than what I do with my uterus?

From Black To Racially Ambigious...WTH?

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:46:00 +0000

I am a Black woman. I have always known I am Black. My family and friends know I’m Black. At times there has confusion because I’m a fair-skinned Black woman. The confusion is usually with Latin men, who speak Spanish to me and I politely respond, “no hablo espanol.” Then they take a closer look at me, smile and move on. This has happened numerous times and is a regular occurrence in certain neighborhoods and countries. It was not until I began acting a few months ago that I even considered using this misidentification to my advantage.

I began putting my acting resume together and shared it with a fellow actor. She suggested, along with my actual race, I list the other ethnicities I can also play. It took me a minute to figure out exactly what she meant. I decided to stay true to myself and list only “African-American.” I am a Black woman and I want to play roles that are either Black or not-ethnically based. Much to my chagrin, it seems Hollywood has something different in mind.

I recently saw an advertisement looking for a “racially ambiguous” woman. What in the world? Who the heck is “racially ambiguous?” It hit me like a ton of bricks, I’m racially ambiguous…at least to some people. When Black folks see me, they see a sista; when Latinos see me, they see a senorita and I know I confuse the heck out of a lot of white folks. I can’t tell you the number of times a white person has asked, “What are you?

So, I revised my resume to read, “Ethnicity: Black (can play Hispanic, Middle Eastern or North African).” Has the pendulum swung so far that we are non-racial?

I may work as multi-ethnic, bi-racial or mixed, but I won’t live that way. It took me years to get over my hang-ups about being a fair-skinned, hiyella, redbone, light-bright Black woman. I am proud to be a Black woman, and while there is probably some white, American Indian and other in my ancestry, when I look in the mirror, I know who I am and I am wonderful.

Photo: Me and Daddy on July 4, 2011

This is a repost of an article I wrote for Body and Self Image. Submit your [self image] story here: http://arkstories.com/bodyimageblog.html

How did this happen?

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:12:00 +0000

Last month, the DNC announced the hiring of "Greg Hinton as its first-ever Chief Diversity Officer."

Really? The Democratic Party needs a Chief Diversity Officer? Really? Does anyone else see the irony in this?

I don't get it. The Democratic Party is the party of the people...Black, brown, white, Jew, Protestant, GLBT, women, etc. Almost any and every marginalized group has been able to find some political refuge under the Democratic umbrella. This is why I'm disheartened to learn the party has hired a CDO; it shouldn't need to hire one.

I was there, 20 years ago, and it was great. Ron Brown was the first Black chairman of a major political party. Alexis Herman was there, along with a slew of men and women representing every facet, shade and angle of America. The consultants and contractors also represented different slices of the American pie. The DCCC and the Convention Committee were equally diverse.

There wasn't a need for a CDO, people understood the headquarters for a political party had to look like the people in the party.

How did Democratic leaders forget that most basic principle?

I'm sad, oh so sad.

segregation is NATURAL

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:51:00 +0000

segregate (v): to separate or set apart from others or from the main body or group; isolate

It is time to be really real with each other...we are more comfortable with our own kind, and it is okay. It is natural.

Look at nature, lions roam the plains with lions, wolves run in packs with other wolves and even ants build highly structured colonies with other ants. Segregation is natural. It is only in the most complex ecosystems, such as a rain forest, where multiple species co-exist, interact and depend on each other. For them, integration is natural.

As we are all homo sapiens, shouldn't it be easier for us to co-habitate?

This is where the rubber meets the road...we have to move above and beyond what is natural and comfortable for our own ever-increasingly complex ecosystem to survive and flourish. The troubling part is the breadth and depth of segregation, it permeates every part of American society and culture. For most of us it is an unconscious way of life. Consider Sunday, it the most segregated day of the week. Monday through Friday we labor side-be-side, have lunch together and my imbibe at a happy hour with each other. On Saturday, our children play soccer together, we shop, go the movies and co-mingle throughout the afternoon. But Sunday is a very different thing for most of us. Race-based denominations, congregations and conventions abound:

The African Methodist Episcopal Church
St. Augustine Catholic Church, "the Mother Church of African American Catholics"
The National Baptist Convention, "the nation's oldest and largest African American religious convention"

This is in no way meant as an indictment of religion, faith, denominations, congregations, etc. These organizations, and their founders, were forced to segregate because of prejudice and fear in the 18th and 19th centuries, and while they are open to all, the members are still predominantly Black. And there are countless unforced examples in our lives:

white music (country, bluegrass, metal) and Black music (R&B, hip hop, neo-soul)
white entertainment (Everybody Loves Earl and opera) and Black entertainment (Meet the Browns and go-gos)
white sports (hockey, lacrosse and swimming) and Black sports (basketball, football and boxing)

There are the so-call exceptions for each of these categories, you know who they are, the "blue-eyed soul brother" or the "Black diva."

Yes, yes, yes...let's just admit it, put it out in the open...we prefer being with others like us. We feel welcome, safe and empowered; we are in our comfort zones with others like us. However, consider this, "If you put yourself in a position where you have to stretch outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness." ~Les Brown

How will you move beyond your comfort zone?
What one thing can you do to make your life more integrated?

They Choose US

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:44:00 +0000

Wow, this is a big world with 193 countries and 7 billion people speaking 6,500 languages. Think of it, immigrants from the around the world come here, the United States of America. We should be humbled, with our widely known and often discussed history of slavery, discrimination, intolerance and injustice, they still want to come here. They want to live with us; they want to be our neighbors and they want to call America home.

They come here singing "America! America! God shed his grace on thee..."
They come here thinking we are "the land of the free and the home of the brave..."
They come here accepting Lady Liberty's invitation, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses..."
They come here knowing with hard work and perseverance, they too can achieve the American Dream.
They come here believing in democracy, "with liberty and justice for all."

To put it quite simply, they think we are all of that and a bag of chips.
Are we? Is America living up to the hype?

I'm not so sure anymore:
Most of us are aware of the Arizona law, SB 1070, which encourages racial profiling because it requires "law enforcement officers attempt to determine an individual's immigration status during a 'lawful stop, detention or arrest' when there is reasonable suspicion that the individual is an illegal immigrant..."

In June Alabama passed HB 56, which "requires public schools to check students’ immigration status, criminalizes giving an undocumented immigrant a ride, and instructs police to check the immigration status of anyone they stop if they suspect the person of being an undocumented immigrant."

Not to mention redlining, LGBTQ discrimination, sexual harassment and pay inequities, voter fraud elimination schemes and the rise of hate crimes.

Yep, I can see why immigrants would want to come here. We're so open to people not like us.

This is how far we HAVEN'T come

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:41:00 +0000

Greenboro Sit-in 1963

Civil Rights marchers in 1963 (video)

Kent State student protesters 1970

UC, Davis protesters 2011 (video)

When will it end?

Capital Punishment = Revenge

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:57:00 +0000

The cameras are turned off and the lights are dark.

The protesters have gone back to their homes.

And the loud have gotten quiet.

Why? There are over 3,000 men and women still awaiting execution, don't they deserve a march as well?

Ponder this:

we punish as a way to teach or train…children, spouses and animals
we punish to inflict pain or injury…opposing teams, political parties, countries
we punish to assert revenge…gangs, inmates

Which of these is a motive for executing anyone?

Is it a good enough motive to take a person's life?

I Am, We Are Human Beings

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:47:00 +0000

Our world is filled with obscure concepts we try to squeeze into neat little boxes. This often leads to frustrating and feeble attempts to define and explain those ideals and concepts, which, by their nature, are complicated and convoluted. As Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart famously said in 1964 with regard to pornography, "I know it when I see it..." it is this same sense of knowing with the notion of social justice.

"Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being."

As there have been volumes written about this concept, I will only focus on a piece of it, "recognition [sic] [of] the dignity of every human being." This is the most important part; it is the essence of social justice; it is the foundation upon which the entire idea of is built. If you do not recognize my humanity, if you do not see me as a person, if you do not realize the innate value of my humanness, then all hope for social justice is lost.

If you saw the women of the Congo as human beings, like your mother or wife, then you could not rape them.
If you saw the children of Latin America as human beings, like your son or daughter, then you could not sell them into slavery.
If you saw the men of Sudan as human beings, like your father or brother, then you could not mutilate them.

Let me bring this home because it is easy for us to turn a blind eye and say to ourselves that it's those people, it's happening over there or we would never allow to occur here.

If you saw your wife as a human being, then you could not abuse her.
If you saw your children as human beings, then they could not bully other children.
If you saw your husband as a human being, then you could not degrade him.
Finally, if you saw yourself as a human being, then this piece would not have been necessary.

Social justice begins at home. We have to recognize the value of those closest to us before we can see it in others. If not, then all hope is truly lost.

National Line Dance Week (still)

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:33:00 +0000

Today's National Line Dance Week video is a favorite of mine. The dance's simplicity allows for creativity, while keeping in time.

Cupid Shuffle by Cupid

National Line Dance Week

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:27:00 +0000

It is National Line Dance Week!

A line dance is a choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps in which a group of people dance in one or more lines or rows without regard for the gender of the individuals, all facing the same direction, and executing the steps at the same time. Line dancers are not in physical contact with each other.

This week I'm sharing my favorite ones. First up is a relatively new one (at least to me) and on frequent play at parties nowadays.

The song is Wobble by V.I.C.

And yes, there really is a time to commemorate dang near everything under the sun.

American Social Justice...sorta, kinda

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 09:42:00 +0000

According to Wikipedia, “social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being.” What does this mean in practical terms?

As Americans we pride ourselves on thinking we’re a socially just country. We hold our heads high, thump our chests and strut like peacocks because of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. And we do have some tremendous achievements for which we should be proud.

It only took us 144 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence to grant women the right to vote and hold elective office (1776 - 1920).
It only took us 143 years after the Civil War to elect a Black man as president (1865 - 2008).
It only took us 94 years after the passage of the 15th Amendment for minorities to vote without fear of reprisal, intimidation or fines (aka taxes) (1870 - 1964).
It only took 61 years after the passage of Uniform Code of Military Justice to grant gays and lesbians the right to openly serve in the armed forces (1950 - 2011).

We have come a long way, and we still have a long way to go. Regretfully, our heads lower, our chest thumping lessens and our feathers lose a little color with each debate over the definition of citizenship by any means other than birth, the denial of gay marriage or the weakening of worker protections.

The shining city on the hill is a bit tarnished, but all hope is not lost. If history teaches us anything, time has a way of straightening the crooked paths, just ask Sojournor, Frederick, Elizabeth, Harvey or Barack.

What social justice issues are you passionate about?
What social justice issue must America face?
What are you doing to make your home, neighborhood and community more socially just?

Fiction is...well, it's fiction

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:23:00 +0000

Let's begin with clarity of our terminology:
fact - a piece of information presented as having objective reality
fiction - something invented by the imagination or feigned
novel - an invented prose narrative that is usually long and complex and deals especially with human experience through a usually connected sequence of event

While The Help has garnered rave reviews and made money at the box office, there has been an undercurrent of mumbling and grumbling about the movie. Some, like the Association of Black Women Historians, have denounced the movie because of its historical inaccuracies in the depiction of life as a Black domestic in the Jim Crow south.

The film is based on the novel of the same name, which by definition is a work fiction. The Help isn't a memoir, biography or autobiography. The story is based on someone's real life; however, by calling it a novel, the author acknowledges sufficient embellishments and divergence from facts for it to be fictional. This is nothing new, during the early nineties, there was much ado over Oliver Stone's JFK. Historians denounced the film because Stone used creative license in telling the story of the 35th president's death and conspiracy (which has yet to be proven).

Guess what? It's all fiction...it's all make believe...it's all invented.

These are not documentaries or historical accounts...there is no reality.

They are movies and novels, which represent one person's creative expression.

The good news, people are talking about day work (as my Mother calls it). They are asking questions, researching and learning about an aspect of Black women's history that has mostly been glossed over for the last half century. And discourse and discussion are always good.

And The Returns Begin

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 20:29:00 +0000

The September theme is return.

Hmmm, when I think of return at this time of year, I think of families returning from vacation, children returning to school and life returning to a routine.

Other things start to return this time of year as well.

living in DC, with so many of us working for the Federal government, this time of the year always marks Congress's return to Capital Hill.
pushing the start of daylight savings to November didn't do much to slow down Father Time, as shorter days and longer nights return.
soaking up as much vitamin D as humanly possible during long lunches, at happy hours and on the weekends, does not preclude our toes' return to the warmth and protection of closed toe shoes.

Where are you returning from? Was it a dream vacation?
What are you returning to? Are you starting a new venture?
What return are you avoiding as long as possible? Hold on as long as you can.
What return do you wish you could make this very instant? Try as might, those nights you think didn't happen, really did.

Love is her middle name...really, it is

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 01:07:00 +0000

Wednesday night I attended the final performance of the one-woman show, "But Love Is My Middle Name," written by and starring Emily Morrison. It was a fun show; it had a mix of 80s rock/pop, original songs by Emily and a good autobiographical story.

The show explored Emily's love life from college to the present. It was honest, compelling and entertaining. She hit on many of the themes single women over 40 regularly discuss over coffee, during brunch and on the phone. There were several lines that elicited laughter from the audience.

However, I didn't crack a smile and I didn't laugh. I wondered how she and I had had so many similar relationship experiences - bad break-ups, married men, unavailable men (gay) and so on. The show ended when Emily realized the love she had been looking for has been all-around her. She received it from loving a family and from loyal friends. It was an epiphany.

Like Emily, once single women realize the love that surrounds them, a peace of mind and contentment of spirit replaces the anxiety, the doubt and the loneliness. I wish this for all of my sistas, an awakening of self love and an awareness of the love around us.

From maybe to reality

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:16:00 +0000

Last month I posted about my opportunity to maybe play Oprah in a short, and here it is. Enjoy!

GWU wants diversity...maybe it should begin with the alumni

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 20:39:00 +0000

It has taken me several weeks to be able to write about this experience. I was so angry, disappointed and hurt that I fumed every time I talked about it.

**for this post, diversity/minority = race, gender and sexual orientation**

The Short Version

During last month's George Washington Alumni Association (GWAA) Annual Meeting, we approved a slate of eleven men and two women to fill thirteen at-large positions on the association's board of directors AND were introduced to the four white men who will serve as elected officers for the 2011-2012 term.

This is progress! (and yes, I'm being sarcastic)

The Long Version

During the April GWAA board of director's meeting, we decided to amend the by-laws for the purpose of greater inclusion. Instead of being a school-based board, we wanted to be open for those who identify with affinity groups. There was discussion regarding the perceived power of the nominations committee as they alone would vet nomination forms and select the slate candidates, which we always approve. The board president said we could trust the committee to come up with a slate representative of the alumni body. Well, we now know how well the committee did...NOT!

The worst part, I knew this was going to happen. Two key factors made this situation unavoidable:

The nominations committee was homogeneous. It's how we are wired, people gravitate to like people, which is why it's paramount to have diversity on the nominations committee. Translation: without diversity in the beginning, it is highly unlikely to end up with diversity.
There was little or no outreach to the minority alumni groups. Sending one or two blast emails to the entire alumni body does not constitute outreach. Translation: you have not because you ask not.

During the annual meeting, I asked about the obvious disparity in the number of women on the slate, and the answers took me back to other less diverse times.

"we did the best we could with the applicants we received"

"it's an evolutionary process"

"it will take time" (this is my favorite...yes, more sarcasm)

Didn't suffragists hear these words at the beginning of the 20th century?

Didn't civil rights leaders hear these words in the 50's and 60's?

I say bullshit. If the board truly gave a damn about diversity, then the board would be diverse. The solution was simple -- don't fill all of the open at-large positions.

Nothing in the by-laws requires a minimum number of board members to function.
Nothing in the by-laws precludes the board from holding a special election.
Nothing in the by-laws is written in stone and can't easily be amended to suit the boards immediate needs at a given time.

And the best part of all is the timing (and the smack you in the face irony) of this catastrophe, a mere month before the June annual meeting, Dr. Terri Harris Reed, a Black woman, became GWU's first provost on diversity and inclusion. Can you believe it? (my final bit of sarcasm)

The GWAA has got to do better...period.

Why is everyone picking on Weiner?

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:18:00 +0000

Why is everyone picking on Cong. Anthony Weiner?

I don't get it.

I really don't understand.

The man took pictures of himself and sent them to women...AND????

What is the big effing deal?

Can't elected officials have sex?

Can't elected officials have fetishes?

More importantly, why should he forfeit his job?

People have said it's an abuse of power because the photos were taken in the Congressional gym. So, if the photos were taken in his home then it would be okay?

People have said he's a pervert and called him a narcissist.

So, if he only had sex missionary style and had a more benign fetish then it would be okay?

People have said they expect more from their elected officials.

Y'all are just delusional. They are human beings, they eat, shit and bleed just like the rest of us. Do you expect them to walk on water?

People have said he should resign.

So, his constituents, the majority of whom want him to stay in office, don't have the right to choose their representative like the rest of us?

People have said he's a distraction to the Democratic Party.

So, y'all think this "scandal" will take our minds off of unemployment, gas prices and the war in Afghanistan?

And yes, he lied. It isn't good, he shouldn't have done it and he shouldn't have to resign because of it. Again, if his constituents can overlook it, then who are we to say he should resign?

For all we know, Weiner and his wife could be swingers and she sends pictures to men.

[GASP!]

You're right, we don't know and we shouldn't know. The sexual activities and proclivities of consenting adults is none of our business.

What laws has he broken?

Everyone needs to take a deep breath and look at their own behavior before putting a scarlet letter on Weiner.

What Makes Me Black?

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Sat, 21 May 2011 22:57:00 +0000

To Dr. West I ask, what makes me (or any of us) Black?

Is it the color of my skin or the texture of my hair?
Is it my colloquial manner of speaking?
Is it my educational background or the church I attend?

Is it the television shows I watch, music I listen to or movies I see?
I download Luda, Mary J. Blige and Jill Scott.
I download the Dixie Chicks, Nickelback and Bruno Mars.

Is it the way I switch when I walk, smile when I'm on the prowl or glide across the dance floor?
I booty call, cha cha slide and cupid shuffle.
I waltz, tango and foxtrot.

Is it my family and friends?
Is it the food I eat?
I eat fried chicken, watermelon and collard greens.
I eat duck liver pate, quiche and palak paneer.

Is it the way I roll my eyes in times of frustration or hold someone in times of joy?
Is it how I spend my free time?
I bowl, watch football and play bid whist.
I go to the opera, swim and sail.

Is it how I impact my community?
I volunteer at a homeless women's shelter.
I volunteer at a majority performing arts organization.

So again, I ask, what makes me Black?

I can honestly say, I have no clue.

Whether I be Black or not is nowhere as important as whether or not I be a compassionate, caring, kind and humble human being.

In Case the Rapture Comes

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Sat, 21 May 2011 12:56:00 +0000

I need to share some things I've been holding onto for a while. In case the rapture comes, folks deserve to know the truth.

Most of the people in my life have been wonderful; however, a select few have gotten on my last reserve nerve. [Yes, you...you know who you are...if you think I'm not talking about you, then I'm mos def referring to you]

Yes, your weave looks a hawt-ass mess; we can see your tracks; that color is ridiculous and you generally look crazy.

You are too old and too big to pull off that outfit...you know your Mama raised you better than that...look in a mirror before you leave the house.

Yes, your kids are off the chain...they are spoiled, unappreciative, minions who will grow up to be entitle-minded adults, thus making them no good for anything or anyone.

If you think you were my best...think again.

We didn't want to hurt your feelings...you shouldn't have married him, he's been cheating on you since your honeymoon and he won't change.

And finally, the eternal truths we all want to say and don't have the nerve to say out loud:

Elvis is alive.
Size does matter..."motion in the ocean" is crap to make you feel adequate.
No one likes their in-laws (there are a few exceptions).
The United States of America is the greatest country in the world (this week).
"Time-out" isn't an effective way to discipline demon spawn.
Women cheat more than men...just get caught more.
Guilt is a wasted emotion.
Life is short and you've wasted a ton of it caring what folks think, trying to get them to like you and seeking external approval.
The printing press was the greatest invention.
We're all bigots, we all have preferences...now get over 'em, cause we can't always have things our way.
Some conspiracy theories are true.
Age is a state of mind.
Meat is good.
And finally, there is a God.

Hollywood & Wine: A Celebration

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Thu, 05 May 2011 18:29:00 +0000

The Board of Directors of the In Series

cordially invites you to attend

Hollywood & Wine

A Celebration of the In Series

and Artistic Director Carla Hubner

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Atlas Performing Arts Center

1333 H Street NE

Washington, DC

Cocktail reception and silent auction 5:00pm

Dinner and program 6:30pm

For tickets and questions, please call 202-204-7761

Keeping My Day Job

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Wed, 04 May 2011 21:13:00 +0000

All of us had dreams.

As children many of us wanted to be astronauts, president, cancer curing doctors, Constitution defending lawyers, etc. And for whatever reason, a lot of us didn't pursue our dreams. We turned left instead of right; we listened to our parents and teachers instead of our hearts and souls and we let fear take hold instead of mustering youthful courage. This is no great character flaw, it is life.

Well, it seems I may still have a shot at one of my dreams...if I still want it.

This short film was part of the 2011 48 Hour Film Project.

Maybe...why the heck not?!?!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Mon, 02 May 2011 15:13:00 +0000

Maybe is an interesting word in our language, it means possibly, either yes or no.

At times it is encouraging, offering hope, "Will he recover?" Maybe.

Other times proffering not such good news, "Will you marry me?" Maybe.

While the maybe in both situations can be either negative or positive, like 99% of our communication, we hear and believe what we want. Thus feeling the possibilities for hope, life and health in the former and feelings of doubt, rejection and pain in the latter.

Maybe can also be a door opener. Maybe I'll do this or that; maybe I'll go here or there or maybe I'll do this and that, go here and there, there's nothing stopping me.

Such is the adventure I went on this past weekend, (it actually started a few weeks ago, this weekend was the culmination) it is filled with maybe from beginning to end.

Emily forwarded me a listserv notice about a director looking to cast an "Oprah."
Maybe I'll email the director.

The director likes me, sends the script and we have a few phone conversations about the project.
Maybe I'll start looking at some extra work.

The director has to cancel at the last minute.
Oh well, maybe next time.

The director emails me for a different project.
Maybe I'll give it another try.

I receive the script and minimal shoot details.
Maybe this isn't for me...I don't get it.

We rehearse, buy costumes, drive to locations and shoot in six hours.
Maybe I'm making an ass of myself.
Okay, so maybe I can do some more of this...it was fun.

The director emails the three-member cast the date, time and place of our premiere.
Maybe I don't wanna see what I look like on a big-ass movie screen with 200+ other people watching, judging and critiquing me.

Get over it. It's done. There is nothing you can do about it.
No maybe about it, I can definitely cross this off my list...acting on the big screen

The point is, life is FULL of maybes, and it is how you handle them that will determine a life of possibilities or a life of doubts. It's your choice.

Poetry Out Loud

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 02:12:00 +0000

As we come to the end National Poetry Month 2011, this is a shout out to the young poets among us, who will converge on DC this week to participate in the Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest.

The 53 champions, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico will compete in the semifinals on Thursday (4/28) from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm at the Lincoln Theatre. The nine finalists will come back to the Lincoln Theatre on Friday (4/29) for the National Finals from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Both events are free and open to the public; no tickets or reservations are required. If you can't make it to the event, you can watch the semis and finals via live streaming.

Let's support these young people.

#RespectDC Rally Highlights

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:13:00 +0000

Yesterday afternoon, the Living Wages, Healthy Communities Coalition came together outside of Walmart’s DC office, with one unified and succinct message for the retailer, “put it in writing.” There were several people who lived-tweeted the event. These are some of the afternoon’s highlights as captured via Twitter.

@RESPECT_DC Team #RespectDC is gathered at 701 8th St, NW to present #Walmart w/ our #CBA proposal! Let the live tweeting commence!

@jenniferstaple Lots of folks gathering at Walmart office in Chinatown

@ShannonRenee Rev. Finley is the emcee, "we can never forget the hands of the people who make the [Walmart] products"

@ShannonRenee Rev. Finley, "It is Walmart's moral obligation to provide livable wages" #RespectDC #CBA

@ShannonRenee DC Jobs Council rep here, "challenge Walmart to live up to their PR, put it in writing"

@ShannonRenee Ernestine Bassett, Walmart cashier speaking, in 4 yrs she has gone from 9.50 to 10.70/hr

@RESPECT_DC Local #Walmart employee says they [managers] used to deny bathroom breaks. Need a #CBA to protect workers. Get it in writing! #RespectDC!

@ShannonRenee James LeBlanc from the Re Entry Projectis speaking, Walmart is promising jobs, will it be fair for all groups

@RESPECT_DC We need to hold #Walmart accountable that they'll give fair opportunities & training to all DC residents regardless of background!

@Wider Opportunities for Women--Walmart wants to pay us 7.50 an hour. What are we supposed to do with that?

@RESPECT_DC No family can live or secure economic stability on $7.50/hr in DC! We demand fair wages! Put it in writing!

@redpalmtree3"We know Walmart won't do the right thing without pressure from the community."

@RESPECT_DC We're now going inside to deliver our #RespectDC #CBA proposal to #Walmart. Will security let us in?

@RESPECT_DC Nobody at #Walmart offices will answer team #RespectDC to take our #CBA proposal! No respect!

@RESPECT_DC We know #Walmart is up there but won't talk. Is this a good neighbor? Where's the #RespectDC?

@ShannonRenee Rev. Jarvis reads the letter that would been delivered, no one in the office to receive it

@RESPECT_DC [Rev. Jarvis,] We're willing to work w/ you if you come w/ respect! We're not willing to be your next slaves!

@ShannonRenee To Walmart, "we are offering you an olive branch...don't assume we are ready to roll over and take anything"

@jenniferstaple Walmart, we came once with an olive branch, but there is a time limit. We'll be back.

For additional information on yesterday's events:

Protesters target Wal-Mart’s D.C. plans, Jonathan O’Connell, Washington Post
Groups want Wal-Mart to promise living wage for D.C. workers, Philip Stewart, TBD
Walmart D.C. foes release demands, Michael Neibauer, Washington Business Journal

another David vs Goliath story...UPDATE

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:53:00 +0000

Tomorrow (4/21), the Living Wages, Health Communities Coalition will make its boldest step to date by hand delivering a proposal to Walmart’s DC office. The proposal calls on world’s largest retailer to negotiate an enforceable Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with the city.

This move builds on the Coalition’s growing momentum among DC residents, who are beginning to ask questions about their civil rights and the seeming lack of respect from large organizations, such as Congress and Walmart. Prior to delivering the document to the local Walmart office, the Coalition will have members of the community to address some of the concerns regarding the retail giant’s expansion plans in the city.

Emcee: Dr. Jarvis Johnson, pastor, New Prospect Family Praise and Worship Center
Victor Ukopolo, Clean Water Action
Marina Streznewski, DC Jobs Council
Courtney Stewart, Re-entry Network for Returning Citizens
Ernestine Bassett, current Walmart worker at Laurel, MD store/ DC resident
Delese Harvey, Wider Opportunities for Women

The event will begin at 2:00pm outside of Walmart's DC office at 701 8th St NW.