When Faith Finds You

When I came up with the title of my blog, I was looking forward to sharing how my faith and how it's been progressing while in Boston. Somehow that hasn't happened. I tend to be really into the things around me, and there is a disconnect between what I see everyday and what I believe beyond all that. Well, let me tell you, God showed out this past week. I have grown to be a little smarter with what I share online, but this is God at work. I gotta let it out.

I had found myself in a situation with rent...and not being able to pay it all...for a few months. I was left with some choices to get myself caught up, but I wasn't taking them very seriously, and every now and then I would ask God what to do, but not really stick with it. I became focused with finding a job, and not any ol job. I wanted to at least like the place or something, and then apply and wait for them to call me back. When that wasn't working, I would have a random moment of asking God, "what the heck is going on? How am I here?" Guilt was creeping up at a faster rate, and I began to feel less deserving to even keep the blessing I was granted last year.

Then Sunday happened. I went to church like I usually do, and sometime later, someone I don't know super well offered to give me the amount that I owe. Past, present, and future all at once. I was so shocked that I couldn't cry like I thought I would have expected to do. A humongous burden was lifted from my shoulders, and I was not on my knees crying out to God constantly. 

Not only did God offer His abounding grace, but He put me in my place. I am nothing without my faith. I don't care what anyone says. God helps and directs in His own timing to His liking to whomever He pleases because He's God. Point blank period. Why? Because He loves us. He has a plan for each and every one of us, and there is reward for those that follow Him, and it's not a gold star. It's much more, and you get to experience them little by little while you're still on earth. 

Habakkuk 2:4 says "Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.(emphasis added)" 

The bible talks time and time again about how a man that follow his own ways heads into utter destruction with himself, yet I for one keep my pride fully blown. It's a severe struggle that I have that shows sometimes at work, and school, and maybe at church a time or two. Time and time again God has sat me down and reminded me that I am a mere human. I only have so much power. God likes to come from way left field just to show Himself, and in the end He gets the glory. Nothing is more humbling.

I've been wondering what I can do moving forward, besides a few obvious things, including loosening my grip on controlling my life and putting that control to better use. I still feel guilt-ridden because I battled myself when it came to taking action. My calmness turned into nonchalance, and that's not cool. But the learning lesson from it all is what life is about, especially in my 20s. I have learned so much about life in the last 4 1/2 years it's not even funny.

All in all, praise God for sitting me down and taking over the situation. And if anyone who reads this was praying for me, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. I barely give much thought to people praying for me, but I really needed it in this situation, and I see that those prayers were answered...loud and clear. Faith has found me again.

Drika

Paula Deen is Done For, Y'all

As if it was the Shot Heard Around the World all over again, some comments from Paula Deen have been released out into the world, and the world has had no problem tearing her up, so to speak, taking to social media and reacting to what she's said. What did she say, you ask?

Well, she said a few different things, but at the very root, she didn't hold African Americans in the most flattering light. Here are a few of the bombs:

• When asked if she has used the n-word, she responded with "why, of course," possibly nonchalantly, further stating that she was alive during segregation in the South, and it's been a very long time since she's used it.
• She mentioned for a small moment having the desire to have an antebellum-themed party at her restaurant or some similar place, accompanied with an all-black waitstaff, like slaves. Not sure if any black people would be invited to that shindig. 
• In an interview with The New York Times, she said a few odd things, saying a black man, Hollis, was as black as a blackboard, black folks were such an integral part of the South pre-Civil War, and they were like family. Turns out she is the great-granddaughter of a former slave owner who, at the end of the War, committed suicide because the loss of his son and his "labor" was too much change to bear.

While I wasn't quick to become offended and scream "racist!!!", I do believe this was poor taste of her to disclose her views in such a way. There are people that are rather sensitive to the race issue in this country, and you share thoughts of black people dressed as slaves at your dream party? Good luck finding volunteers for that venture, missy.

I think what bugs me about the party idea is the fact that being dressed as a slave is the most unflattering way to perceive an African American in this country, given the way that slaves were treated and subjected to be counted as not even a whole person just for their own personal gain. Slaves are not alive today, but we are the grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren of slaves and former slaves that lived on this land. I personally would not pretend to be anybody's slave unless it was for an artistic depiction (play, film). Not for a party to appease nobody's southern friends. 

Since everything has been release, Food Network announced that they would no longer renew her contract at the end of the month, ending her time on TV. From a publisher's perspective, I see possibly a domino effect. TV was her main source, which lead to books, a magazine, and appearances in Food Network Magazine. I wonder if publishers will follow suit and cease pursuing her for book deals. She also has cookware sets (nice cookware mind you) out in various retailers. Will that merchandise be pulled?

A blogger I follow asked a really good question, though I didn't think too deeply about it at the time. She asked how the Neelys would feel about the statements. For those who do not know, Pat and Gina Neely launched their Food Network career after appearing on one of their shows. They may or may not have felt indebted to her for the success that they now have, but I can imagine some level of indignation and sadness over the situation. 

Paula did ask for forgiveness, though I didn't find it to be sincere. Nonetheless, the most people can do is forgive the woman. Her empire is about to crumble, and I doubt she will be able to bounce back like Martha Stewart. She's not as famous, and some people had already turned away from her when she revealed that she had diabetes. For the believers out there that may be as into the story as I am, let's just pray for her. People are prone to be extremely unforgiving, but the God I serve forgives all because of Jesus. Who knows? Maybe this experience can be an opportunity for her to hear the gospel if she hasn't heard it already.

To Ms. Deen, I hope this serves as a lesson to you. People are not surprised that you said a word or thought a certain way, but the lack of awareness of the times and sensitivity of others gave way for a poor choice of words. We all have moments like that, but knowing your story and what you were able to build, I feel bad because people will not see you the same way anymore. Sure, you will have supporters, but not like the past.

The person currently suing Paula for sexual harassment and racial discrimination may get a big payday soon. Ouch.

One last note. Some people are saying "shame on Food Network for letting Paula go" and such, but I think it was a valid decision that was made. They did not fire her on the spot; she has one last week with them and she will be done. You have to think about the network and how they may be thinking. The backlash for them keeping her may be greater then the criticism of letting her go. Maybe they don't tolerate such viewpoints being shared. She did represent the network, you know, and sometimes disassociation is the best move to make. I'm not sure if they would consider having her come back in the future, but for the times we live in, I think Food Network did what was best for them.

Rap & Religion: a tumblr post from Trip Lee

I just read a post from Trip Lee talking about how religion has been tossed around in rap song in more recent years. He spoke truth about the severity of what rappers are doing. It's not just music. They're not spitting lyrics for the heck of it. Here is the link if you would like to give it a read: http://tmblr.co/ZtVEfxncQnpQ

Book Review: The Devil Wears Prada

In my quest to find a good book to read, I stumbled upon Revenge Wears Prada, the sequel to The Devil Wears Prada. I was immediately intrigued! I had seen the movie, but had not read the first book. My book publishing class kicked in and figured that if the sequel is being released, then the first book will be at the bookstore. Surely enough, it was, and I purchased with glee...okay, maybe a little disappointment. I bought it a day after Employee Appreciation Week at work, so my discount was back to normal, but I digress.

For those who are not familiar with the story, here's a quick run-through. Andrea Sachs somehow lands the job that "a million girls would die for": the assistant of the most powerful woman in publishing and fashion. Andy has her own dreams, but is willing to take this job for a year just to get ahead and later work at another publication. What Andy discovers is that her boss is super-no-nonsense, lacking compassion, and super demanding. Within the span of that year, she learns what it takes to make it and how much she is willing to sacrifice to appease her boss in any way possible.

I quite enjoyed the book. I was able to finish it within a week, which is a record for the past year. While reading, I thought of two people: myself and Mia. I want to eventually get into the world of publishing, more in particular the fashion magazine industry, but with the two degrees I'll have in the next year and a half, I feel I'll have to start from the bottom of a publishing house and work my way up for fear that I do not know enough about fashion to score a higher position fresh out of school. And Mia, as in Princess Mia from The Princess Diaries series, because Mia was awkward in some ways, but she had spunk and big dreams. The great irony of these two stories is the fact the Anne Hathaway played both Mia AND Andy. How fitting, huh?

Truth be told, I had thought about buying the book a year or two ago, but I read a review that turned me away. It was actually recommended in another book I have about making it in the fashion industry. Now that I have read it, I think I would have enjoyed it regardless, but now that I have done one year of graduate school in publishing and writing, I have a better understanding of the industry and experience. I highly recommend this book for any other ladies (or gents) that want a good laugh and some look into publishing (it is said that the story was influenced by the author's experience with Anna Wintour, editor in chief of Vogue.)

$14.99 at Barnes and Noble, or less on Amazon, but go to a bookstore. Down with Amazon!

Note: this is my first book review. I usually fly through a book and move on, but I decided to finally share my thoughts on one.

The Inspiration for the Hip Hop Blog!

My Love for Hip Hop

If you know me, you know I love music, and not only that, but hip hop has a special place in my heart. Growing up, there was no more space for anything other than hip hop and R&B. That is the music of my people and my culture and my time. I mighty not have understood fully was the subject matter was, those songs carried so much.

Why am I talking about hip hop, you ask? I just saw this spoken word on YouTube in the wee hours of the night, and I was feeling it from beginning to end. I mean phenomenal. I caught most of the references the poet made, and that says a lot for me being the 24 year-old who was perceived to not be much in tune with her own culture. Oh no, I listened to it. I still remember my mama telling me time and time again to stop listening to that music. That never stopped me.

I know about the Sugar Hill Gang, KRS-One, Erik B & Rakim, NWA, Public Enemy, Snoop Dogg, Tupac AND Biggie, Missy and Lil Kim, and countless others. The genre has done so much in the last 30 or so years alone. Yet to me there is a decline.

For some odd reason, the content of the most popular songs today is very bland and rather vulgar. Either "you mess with me and you die" or "pop that, bust it wide open." I mean what is that? I am not a stripper, and you need to grow up before you decide to take someone's life over some altercation at the club.

I'm not quite sure why hip hop music has gone down this path. You could blame the artists themselves or the songwriters, the managers and record labels, or the audience for even accepting such crappy music. What happened to lyrics that made you think, not lyrics you wanna forgo for a good beat? The last I checked, songs are a form or poetry. I wouldn't put this stuff next to Keats or Shakespeare. Shoot, not even Dr. Suess's rhymes have more clout than the music today.

Most of the artists today are easy to forget. I feel that they want to be famous for some reason, not having a genuine passion for making music and sharing it with others. Are we past that age? I hope not. I'm not even 25 yet. I want to enjoy this music before I'm considered too old for it.


*I typed this out on my phone last night, so here it is!