Tag Archives: Brooklyn

~ my 2cents ...

See anything odd about this advertisment ?


 Product Review
After receiving the advertisement below I decided I needed to write . So, on October 14, 2013 I wrote to krysosandchandi.com to express how I felt about the ad and the model‘s representing or misrepresenting what I felt was something other than selling jewelry. In full disclosure … I added more for this post but the question remains the same.
I have a subscription to Daily Candy and while I enjoy some of the articles, there are times when I find there are or their co-horts go beyond the pale… so to speak. It is with great sadness that the ad plays with skin colour and to be quite honest the jewelry is no longer an issue. I saw only the model’s change of skin colour not the jewelry or the colour of it and why old man winter is to blame for the dark days and whatnot. It is sad, I do not know if others will see this ad or the skin colour changes … make up or otherwise… but skin lightening is a bad practice and using it to play games with the consumer is just as bad. I had… past tense intense issues with my skin and spent months under heat lamps meds to take back control. I love my skin now though it’s not perfect I would never tell my daughters or her friends that lighter brighter whiter is the best for those dark days.  We all know great jewelry makes us feel different emotionally and in some cases jewelry of colour such as gold, sterling silver etc. looks great on different organic skin tones. I understand trying to fix skin problems including hyper-pigmentation but to be told that we should lighten up for those dark days is beyond offensive. If you look at the split photo of a model clearly darker on one side the other lighter with the jewelry being sold does look brighter but it is because the model is clearly lighter, this is a definite misrepresentation of what jewelry does …and sad that it appears to tell women that being dark may be a bad thing.
It’s my opinion
 Thank you for your time
I did not receive a response
However, here it is October 22, 2013 and sadly, I get yet the same advertisement from daily candy and i guess Krysos & Chandi, I will admit the advertisement’s words seem a little different, yet my eyes are drawn to the photos of what looks like one dark skin model and one lighter apparently after putting on jewelry? This time I sent it to some family and friends wondering what other inquiring minds had to say, some thought it was an advertisement for foundation some said it is to provoke and get more clicks. I have been writing about stepping away from skin lighteners and find this to be another self-esteem hurdle to jump over for women. This ad pushed several hot buttons of mine so; I announced I could not buy anything from Krysos & Chandi ever . I sell online but the ads are clear lest we talk about the fact that lighter brighter whiter does not always improve your social status … right?
Anyway, look below … what say you
“Surely you can feel Old Man Winter breathing down your neck.Delay the inevitable black cloud (of clothes) with bright pieces by Brooklyn-based designer Avneet Basi.The FIT grad’s love of ancient jewelry opulence led her to launch Krysos + Chandi, a made-to-order line of bracelets, rings, earrings, and necklaces that add pop to even the darkest ensembles.Spice up your weekly sweater rotation with the tassel bangle (spun with silver, gold, and colored cotton) in maroon, navy, and neon; a necklace of the same design brings new life to your favorite tee.Basi’s sterling silver and gold-plated brass Trikona rings, set with green onyx and amethyst stones, put puzzle skills to the test; daring bijou builders can stack until nail beds interfere.Go ahead, fall for it.Available at krysosandchandi.com, $28-$165.”
The text above is by the Companies
krysos + chandi!Photos: Courtesy of Krysos + Chandi 
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

“an affront to what it means to live in America.”


Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called the GOP opposition to Adegbile “an affront to what it means to live in America.”Debo Adegbile rallyTell the Senate to confirm Debo Adegbile’s nomination to lead the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division when Harry Reid calls for another vote.Take Action

In a startling and disappointing vote, seven Democrats joined Senate Republicans to block the confirmation of Debo Adegbile, a voting rights legal expert, to lead the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.1

Pointing to Adegbile’s participation while working for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in the filing of a “friend of court” legal brief — along with hundreds of other attorneys — asking that a Pennsylvania Appeals Court commute Mumia Abu-Jamal’s death sentence to life in prison, Republicans embarked on an all-out smear campaign designed to distract from Adegbile’s strong record of defending the freedom to vote.2

There’s still a chance to make this right. At the last moment, Senator Harry Reid cast a procedural ‘no’ vote, leaving the door open for another vote to confirm Adegbile.3

Join us in demanding that Senator Reid call for another vote and for the seven Democratic senators who opposed to reconsider Adegbile’s confirmation. We only need three Senators to change their votes.4 It only takes a moment.

The seven Democrats siding with the Republicans were Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Mark Pryor (D-AR), John Walsh (D-MT), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Chris Coons (D-DE). In a statement, President Obama called the 47-52 vote “a travesty based on wildly unfair character attacks against a good and qualified public servant.”5

By all accounts, Debo Adegbile is the ideal candidate for a role at the head of the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department. He is one of the nation’s top civil rights attorneys and the leading expert on voting rights. He has defended the Voting Rights Act before the Supreme Court twice — the first time, successfully — and he was the only Black attorney to argue before the Supreme Court last term.6 At a time when right wing legislators across the country are waging all-out war on the right to vote for Black folks, women, the elderly, students, and any other demographic group that might be inclined to vote Democratic, an appointment like Adegbile’s would ensure that there was someone in the Justice Department who knows what’s at stake and will take a principled stand to defend the rights we all cherish, including the freedom to vote.

Join us in demanding another vote on Debo Adegbile’s confirmation. And when you are done, please ask your friends and family to do the same.

Thanks and Peace,

— Rashad, Arisha, Matt, Aimée, and the rest of the ColorOfChange team March 6th, 2014

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way.

References

1. “Democrats help block Obama’s DOJ pick,” Politico, 3-5-14 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3347?t=7&akid=3324.1689899.HV9wvE

2. “The Ugly Campaign To Punish A Civil Rights Lawyer Because He Helped Save A Man From Execution,” ThinkProgress, 2-10-14 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3348?t=9&akid=3324.1689899.HV9wvE

3. “Senate rejects Obama appointment of Debo Adegbile to top civil rights post,” Washington Post, 3-5-14 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3349?t=11&akid=3324.1689899.HV9wvE

4. “Senate Goes ‘Nuclear,’ Changes Nominee Filibuster Rules,” ABC News, 11-21-13 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3355?t=13&akid=3324.1689899.HV9wvE

5.”Obama Condemns the Senate for Blocking Confirmation of Voting Rights Advocate Adegbile,” PoliticsUSA, 3-5-14 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3350?t=15&akid=3324.1689899.HV9wvE

6. “Justice’s Civil Rights nominee has resume that includes ‘Sesame Street’ and voting rights,” Washington Post, 12-31-13 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3351?t=17&akid=3324.1689899.HV9wvE

~ my 2cents ...

~~~ 6 tips for putting your words to music ~~~


I am not a songwriter, but I love to read and definitely hear the spoken word.

My interest is in movement, specifically dance, but great words put to music with innovative patterns can invigorate, irritate, and make you feel good. So good that you want to move.

They also say that music is said to soothe the savage beast, or at the very least, we love to talk about how music impacts us physically and what’s inside our souls

…  And

We all love to love …

1) Make it personal because reading someone’s experience with love at first sight, first love, lust, long-term love, or a one-night stand brings a sense of connection that folks sometimes look for. Setting it to music can only make a good lyric better, right?

2) Be authentic because, as a music lover and voracious reader, I make an effort to learn the lyrics to songs I enjoy and occasionally end up loving them. Most can sense that the performer’s passion is real, not an attempt to be someone else. Sincere lyrics can actually be heard and felt through the spoken word.

3) The music that makes an impression on me also provides imagery, a vision of something of what the song is about; even if it is abstract, the image is sort of like a coffee table object. The meaning of the images can change and are sometimes left up for interpretation, depending on who is listening to, reading, or learning the lyrics. Of course, when it comes to love, when someone is singing to you, take the time to listen.

We often hear the music and skim the lyrics, but we weren’t feeling it

 What gets folks onto the dance floor …

4) Rhymes, Reason, and Rhythm, because who doesn’t like movement?  Usually, rhymes, reason, and rhythm are what make tracks work.  That is what kind of music makes great artists move up into the stratosphere.  I dance because I have to, even as a kid, and if you have a great hook, added to a great bass, or syncopation, it definitely will get played more than once in my house.

The rhythm of life

5) Always assume a video of your creation is a possibility, so … be that visionary

 

6)     🙂  Always believe you were born to make music  (:
 

Source: Nativegrl77

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Public Transportation … and our future


Don Hazen – AlterNetlogo
Dear Friend,
Whether you use it or not, public transportation benefits everyone.
By reducing pollution, easing traffic congestion, and supporting local jobs, public transportationhelps our communities thrive and our economy grow. But we need continued investment in America’s public transit infrastructure to help ensure we’re prepared to meet the demands of a growing population—and to protect our environment.
If you agree, join Voices for Public Transit today!
By joining Voices for Public Transit, you can help us educate our lawmakers on the importance of supporting policies that encourage investment in public transit. Affordable, reliable public transportation helps:

  • Connect people to jobs, education, and other community service
  • Reduce air pollution and our carbon footprint
  • Ease traffic congestion
  • Create local jobs and strengthen our overall economy

Join Voices for Public Transit to join the debate over America’s public transportation.
America’s future depends on expanding our public transit infrastructure, and that will take investment and commitment from our elected officials. Show your support by joining Voices for Public Transit.
Together, we can strengthen and secure the future of America’s public transportation.
Sincerely,
Voices for Public Transit
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Sign our Petition: Brooklyn NOT Busters!


TBI_Header.jpg
Dear TBI Friend and Supporter,

Over a year ago technicians at a Brooklyn Cablevision location overwhelmingly voted to join the Communications Workers of America, but they are still waiting for a fair contract. Why? Cablevision CEO James Dolan and his company have refused to bargain in good faith.

Not only does Dolan control one of the largest cable companies in New York City, he also owns the largest arena in Manhattan – Madison Square Garden. The NBA has announced that the 2015 All-Star game will be held in New York, either at Madison Square Garden or the Brooklyn-based Barclays Center.

We need your help: the NBA shouldn’t reward a union-buster with an event like the All-Star Game. Sign this petition to urge the NBA to hold the game at Barclays Center, not Dolan-owned Madison Square Garden.

As part of their anti-union campaign, Dolan and Cablevision gave everyone at the company a raise except the Brooklyn technicians. Later, Cablevision fired 22 workers who attempted to use the company’s open door policy to discuss the stalled contract negotiations. He refuses to pay these technicians fairly for their work, but last year he paid himself $11.45 million – nearly as much as all the Brooklyn techs combined.

Please step up and help us make sure James Dolan and his union-busting company do not get rewarded for their behavior.

Sign the petition here.

Bertha Lewis President & Founder The Black Institute http://www.theblackinstitute.org/