Twelve Years A Slave -- One More Reason To Watch The Movie or Read The Book!

Earlier today an author friend of mine -- Mister Mann Frisby -- made a posting on his FB page responding to people who have been saying they are sick and tired of books and movies about slaver narratives and slavery. 
In his response Mister said, something to the effect, that those people ran the risk of their children not learning their history. 

I thought about that post when I saw the photo below that a young woman posted on her FB page.

 


 She obviously thought it was funny . . . but it made me wonder if her parents took the time to make sure she knew her history? I doubt it, because I don't think any young African-American woman -- who knew the history of Blacks in the United States -- would think it was funny to pose for a picture showing a noose being placed over her head by young white people. 

So Glad I Can Cook!!!!!!!!

Spareribs, collard greens and potato salad… If I had went out and bought a dinner of this size it would have cost me about $12. Because I made it myself… the cost was about $4.50. 

 

God, I so love the fact that I know how to cook!

So Glad I Can Cook!

Dinner! I am so glad I know how to cook! 

 













Oxtails, yellow rice, and black beans!

Diversity and Tears

I hate that I'm so damn sensitive. 
I'm sitting here actually crying because a nationally known writer's conference, which I have always respected, seems intent on putting on a white face. In the press releases that they put out -- year after year -- mentioning their past speakers, they're all white.
ALL WHITE.
No African-Americans, no Latinos, no Asians.
And the things is they HAVE had a few well-known African-Americans, a some more well-known then the ones they mention in the press releases.
And then I started thinking about the African-Americans, Asians, and Latino authors who live in the area this conference supposedly represents, who have never been approached about being a speaker. And I'm getting ill about it!!!!
Diversity is so important, and something -- that as a writer -- I've always tried to promote. I really believe as writers, we can help promote diversity amongst others. We do have the power to influence through the use of our pen. But we've got to get it together amongst ourselves!!!!
Please, understand, I'm not crying because I want to be a speaker at the conference . . . I was actually a speaker a few years back . . . I'm crying because there is a writers organization I respected that I now suspect may not deserve that respect.
And I'm so upset I'm crying.

Reason #2,487,897 that I love my brother, Joe Quinones

My husband and I divorced when my daughter, Camille R. Quinones Miller, was only 4 months old, and her father -- by his own choice -- had little to do with her growing up. 

 

However, my brother stepped in and was like a father to her. 

Recently my daughter shared with me that she would have dropped out of college if it wasn't for my brother. 

"Mom," she explained, "I knew I'd be able to handle you, but I just didn't want to disappoint Uncle Joe."
And THAT is the difference having a strong male role model can make in a little girl's life.

 

 

Here's The Real Deal . . .

It's okay to offer criticism if your intention is to be helpful. But if you only criticize when there is an audience to applaud and snicker...For shame!!