I know a lot of powerful Thinkers, Speakers, Poets, Spoken Word artist Etc... We've decided to put our minds and talents together in one publication to produce an entertaining thought provoking project. Although many of us are in different parts of the world, we all are connected and united for one common cause, to spread our knowledge and life experiences for the next generation to build and learn from. I know you will enjoy it as much as we did creating it... Peace
As a black male, I am constantly asked why I care about how black women choose to wear their hair. I've gotten into debates and heated arguments over the years on the subject, from whether black women should where their natural hair to embrace what God has given them and be an example to young black girls looking for an identity in this world, to whether their hair shouldn't matter when it comes to defining who black women are. I personally believe every part of you defines who you are as a person, from how you wear your hair, how you speak and how you present yourself in general. I have been Loc'd for the past sixteen years, and while I can't speak for everyone, I can surely say it's one of the best decisions I've made in my life.
Prepare to be amazed and entertained. You would be surprised how beautiful words can be when put together the right way in the proper sequence. In my opinion, anyone can write poetry if they focused on it, we just don't have confidence in our imaginations. I say let your mind go, let your mind be free, and watch where it takes you....
I began writing poetry at the age of seventeen. A couple of my childhood friends and I would sit and write raps to music and make cassette tapes to pass the time I began to notice that I really liked to write and express myself on paper and it became a hobby of mine. That was twenty years ago and I think I love writing more now than previously. One of my associates published a book recently and was gracious enough to let me share my thoughts and upon seeing my years of writing come to fruition, it motivated me to embark on my own publications. I tried to write this in such a way that whatever emotions you are feeling at the time, you would be able to open this book and free your mind and get lost in my world for a few hours. In closing, I would just like to say whatever your passion or dreams are go for it! With enough hard work and dedication you can make it happen.
This book is the compilation of both authors' perspectives described through poetry. Although we have never physically met, our connection is one of higher plateau; a connection of a two individuals from different backgrounds but essentially the same experience-the experience of a black man and woman. This book was birthed out of online interaction and divine inspiration, out of the recognition of pure talent and a desire of ours to have our voices heard. It is our hope that this book be an inspiration, an eye-opener, and a true experience to all who read it. This work of ours speaks about love, passion, longing, as well as difficult issues such as abortion, domestic violence, and even slavery. This book is coming from our hearts, it is a song set to our beat, it is a sonnet to those with no voice, it is our love for our people and each other placed in black and white. So, read this book with an open mind and heart and hear our conversation-our Knotty Chroniclez...
I took the time to study and learn for myself what is in different foods that we choose to consume from meats to dairy products to fast foods etc... The end result was very alarming. It made me really sit back and think about what I was feeding my body; and a lot of it wasn't healthy at all. As I began to cut those poisonous food choices out, my body began to feel better. I began juicing fresh fruits and vegetables and learning of the benefits each one provides. I would recommend you look into a raw vegetable or fruit juice diet if you're in search of a healthier lifestyle. I know it has benefited me immensely. You won't be sorry you did.
Here it is! After having so much success with Volume one of my Poetry series, I decided to come right back with out hesitation with Volume 2. In this work, I expand a little deeper on different topics plaguing my community as a whole. There's a lot of blood sweat and tears in these pages but the vivid pictures painted make you feel like you're right there as things are happening. I thank you for taking the time out of your life to read my thoughts in rhyme. I appreciate you. Fly Ty Unchained madeintheimageofgod@yahoo.com
Imagine dealing with problem after problem after problem after problem in your life! For most of us, we don't have to imagine, it's a reality! From pain, to sickness to heartache, to the loss of a loved one, loss of a job, Etc, if you're human, more than likely you've dealt with or are dealing with a test in your life, whether big or small! The trick is how you deal with and overcome these tests. If we can keep in mind that nothing lasts forever, we will be able to better handle and deal with these obstacles. I look at tests as a way to learn and to better myself for now and for the long run! How do you view the Tests in your life? Ask yourself that...
I know a lot of powerful Thinkers, Speakers, Poets, Spoken Word artist Etc... We've decided to put our minds and talents together in one publication to produce an entertaining thought provoking project. Although many of us are in different parts of the world, we all are connected and united for one common cause, to spread our knowledge and life experiences for the next generation to build and learn from. I know you will enjoy it as much as we did creating it... Peace
As a black male, I am constantly asked why I care about how black women choose to wear their hair. I've gotten into debates and heated arguments over the years on the subject, from whether black women should where their natural hair to embrace what God has given them and be an example to young black girls looking for an identity in this world, to whether their hair shouldn't matter when it comes to defining who black women are. I personally believe every part of you defines who you are as a person, from how you wear your hair, how you speak and how you present yourself in general. I have been Loc'd for the past sixteen years, and while I can't speak for everyone, I can surely say it's one of the best decisions I've made in my life.
Prepare to be amazed and entertained. You would be surprised how beautiful words can be when put together the right way in the proper sequence. In my opinion, anyone can write poetry if they focused on it, we just don't have confidence in our imaginations. I say let your mind go, let your mind be free, and watch where it takes you....
It was with great pleasure and overall ease that we created our second book together, Locs, Life, & Love: The Knotty Chroniclez -Volume II. This book came together so seamlessly that we didn't even realize the amount of material that we had until we were more than halfway done with the book! We literally lost ourselves between each line, creating and working, and in perfect unison to the other. This work is unashamedly poignant, honest, passionate, and thought-provoking.
This book is not intended to be used to try to down, belittle or point a finger at single mothers or parents of any gender for that matter. It is simply an unbiased look at one of the major problems that we face in the Black community, single parent households. All too often we seem to think that as long as we are compensated X amount of dollars every two weeks through child support, that we can replace a fatherly figure in the home. I often sit back and wonder when and how this phenomenon started. I know it doesn't only occur in the black community but it seems to be more destructive for blacks than any other race.I really hope that we will be able to come together as a people and find some solutions to this problem so that our children don't repeat the cycle.
If more people sat down and wrote down their thoughts, there would be less stress and a lot more books published in the world. I started writing over 20 years ago and haven't put my pen down since! Whether I'm writing a short story, poetry or a health themed book, I always try to free my mind through written expression. Instead of saying you can't do it or you don't know where to begin, just pick up a pen and start writing, or go to the closest computer and start typing, I guarantee you will feel better after you release pent up thoughts and emotions.
Our thoughts are extremely powerful! Growing up being raised by my grandmother, I always saw her typing or writing down her thoughts, whether it was poetry, a short story or just some of her deepest thoughts. As I look back in hindsight, I can definitely pinpoint me beginning to write my thoughts down directly to her. Now that i'm a grown man with years of practice, I am able to write down my experiences growing up in the James Monroe Houses in The Bronx N.Y. both good and bad, as well as what I've experienced in my adult life and I hope you can enjoy and hopefully relate to my story.
I like to give the public little glimpses of what I see and deal with in my everyday life. Although I'm a very private person, I understand that other people may benefit reading about how others overcame trials and tribulations. My life has taken a lot of interesting twists and turns in the past seven to eight years, and I'm glad that I'm able to share those experiences with my peers and the general public, whether they were great experiences or ones I would like to forget. I now realize the power that writing books can hold. You can immortalize moments in your life in words forever, and they'll be here long after you're gone for your children and grandchildren to enjoy. I hope you enjoy what I write and I hope you're inspired to do better in your life.
I come from a place where if you're not from around there you might not understand it. I see police on almost every block, stopping and frisking, harassing hardworking citizens etc... And in the midst of all this there is still a high rate of drugs and violent crime. To see the raw realities of life in certain poverty stricken or low wage communities is depressing to say the least. I decided to paint a vivid picture through rhyme of what I see and experience on an everyday basis. Millions of people in and out the ghetto can relate to these stories even if they don't reside there because they know someone who is going through some sort of trouble. The truth is ugly, it hurts, it breaks you down, but it's real and it wakes you up to the Facts of Life Living in the Ghetto.....
luckily I was able to cross paths with a great person who also happens to be a great chef, Miss Erica McCier. I was in the process of publishing my ninth book when we had a conversation and I suggested that she print and publish her personal recipes in a cook book, and she said she would think on it. A few days later, she called me and said she was interested and she wanted me to be a part of it. Being that I make smoothies and fruit juices at home, I felt I could contribute to her book in a positive way so I decided to join her. I love educating my community anyway that I can and the foods we choose to eat are very important to maintaining good overall health. I hope we were able to help you choose a healthier lifestyle through the recipes that we came up with in this publication..
The Name ILLUMI-KNOTTY is an actual play on the word Illuminati. We tweaked it to fit our Natural hair movement. We were tired of our women having to cover their knotty thick roots to please society, and our men having to cut off their Locs or knotty afro's just to conform to society's standards or to stand a better chance of landing that job we were offered. The word Illuminate means to supply or brighten with light, and that's exactly what we do, Bring light to a world full of darkness, and the Knotty stands for our hair that is often labeled as ugly or unkempt. This is a compilation of Poems, Short Stories, Spoken Word Pieces, Paragraphs, etc of our collective thoughts all gathered together in one book. We are speaking on various subjects from Natural Hair to Politics to just everyday things that we all may go through from time to time. Hopefully it will bring you as much joy and insight as it has brought me after reading it.
If more people sat down and wrote down their thoughts, there would be less stress and a lot more books published in the world. I started writing over 20 years ago and haven't put my pen down since! Whether I'm writing a short story, poetry or a health themed book, I always try to free my mind through written expression. Instead of saying you can't do it or you don't know where to begin, just pick up a pen and start writing, or go to the closest computer and start typing, I guarantee you will feel better after you release pent up thoughts and emotions.
We are a powerful group of Dread Heads! From different states, different time zones, with different beliefs, different backgrounds, different goals, Etc; But we were fortunately able to come together for one common cause. Every one deals with trials and tribulations in their life, as well as joy and happiness and we decided to share our experiences with the world in our Knotty Dread Diaries. I hope that you will enjoy, be intrigued, feel sad, mad, be uplifted, Feel disappointed, fall in love, Etc, after reading our thoughts. It was with great pleasure that I was able to participate in something as special as this with such a special group of intelligent Loc'd Kings and Queens. I hope you as a reader will be as entertained as I was while going through each writer's work. Peace...
Imagine dealing with problem after problem after problem after problem in your life! For most of us, we don't have to imagine, it's a reality! From pain, to sickness to heartache, to the loss of a loved one, loss of a job, Etc, if you're human, more than likely you've dealt with or are dealing with a test in your life, whether big or small! The trick is how you deal with and overcome these tests. If we can keep in mind that nothing lasts forever, we will be able to better handle and deal with these obstacles. I look at tests as a way to learn and to better myself for now and for the long run! How do you view the Tests in your life? Ask yourself that...
This book is a filled with various thought provoking scenarios that one may encounter that make you cherish the special moments in life. From tragedy to triumph, any one of these topics can happen to you or someone you're real close to. Sometimes we take things for granted, big and small, but when faced with adversity, we tend to look at things a little differently. Right now I'm going through physical pain and it is forcing me to humble myself and look at my life in a whole new light. I can't do the things I used to do, I don't feel how I used to feel, and it's deeply affected my outlook on my present and my future. I wrote this book as a reminder to always appreciate every second of your time, because you never know when things will change or your time will run out.
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