Africa's legacy in Mexico: Exhibit at the Smithsonian

“The African Presence in México: From Yanga to the Present”

Opens at the Anacostia Community Museum in Anacostia from Nov. 8 through July 4, 2010.

Address and Contact info:
1901 Fort Pl SE
Washington, DC 20020-3298
(202) 633-4820

Photography: Scenes of Summer

Today, I thought of summer and some of the images I captured with my camera. I hope you enjoy them. Have a wonderful weekend. Peace~

Spider crawling on a cloud

Mr. Grasshopper posing for a shot

A Bee in flight

Scene on the Roanoke River, Williamston NC

Photos: By Stephen Bess (Photos taken Summer 2009)

MC Spotlight: Larry "Doc" Rosen

Mr. Larry Rosen

There are many who think of Washington D.C. as a transient city. As a matter of fact, I have at times even defended it as a true city with a true local culture. Sure, there are many government and military personnel who come and go every day, but there are also families who have lived and worked here for generations – my own family included. These long time Washingtonians have seen the city’s landscape and people change right before their eyes. Larry Rosen is one of those people. I was introduced to Larry by his web designer, who read my blog post on the 1968 riots in DC. She sent me an email telling me about Mr. Rosen and how he once owned a store on the corners of 14th & Clifton St. N.W.

She also mentioned that he was affected by the riots and encouraged me to contact Mr. Rosen if I wanted to learn more. I was fascinated! I have always been interested in learning more about what I call, “White Washington.” I mean, I wanted to learn more about the long time Washingtonians who have helped to shape this city into what it is today. We sometimes forget or never knew that some of the predominantly African American sections of Washington were once predominantly white. There are Many African American Washingtonians who think that DC has always been “Chocolate City.” News flash – it wasn’t!

Well, the thought of meeting Mr. Larry “Doc” Rosen was exciting for me because this gentleman was one of many storeowners who lost their store during the Washington DC riots of 1968. I have talked to family members and others who told me about the riots of 1968, but they were all African Americans. Larry Rosen is an 86 year old Jewish man who grew up in old Washington, so his testimony would be, for me, from a unique and interesting perspective. He grew up in what was a culturally diverse Washington that, in some cases, resembled New York’s Lower East Side. For example, Larry Rosen grew up in what was a very diverse section of Southwest Washington. It’s the Washington that no one ever talked about when I was growing up. This neighborhood consisted of African Americans who migrated from the Deep South as well as Jewish, Italian, and Irish immigrants. It was Washington’s working class neighborhood, which is nonexistent today.

On the afternoon of Thursday, September 10th, I had the pleasure of meeting one of my fellow Washingtonians, Mr. Larry Rosen. He walked into the Silver Diner, and we instantly recognized each other from the pictures on our blogs. He is a good looking man for 86. He is just a couple of years younger than my grandfather, but he seemed younger in his face and demeanor; I was impressed. We sat down at the Silver Diner in Rockville, and talked for about two hours about his life growing up in a Washington – a life I knew very little about. He told me how he and his family came to this country from Palestine [now Israel], and first settled in Wyoming. Soon, they migrated to Washington, D.C. and settled in Southwest DC. He told me about his father, who was in the poultry business. His father prepared kosher chickens for some of Washington’s Jewish residence; he also performed circumcisions as a trained Moyle. Mr. Rosen had such a wonderful story, and so different from what I thought I knew about my Washington.

Mr. Rosen's scrapbook of old photos and articles

Washington, D.C. is a real place with real people, and many of them have memories of a place that very few of us know about today. Mr. Rosen, thank you for telling your story. If you want to find out more about the “real” Washington, D.C. that Mr. Rosen grew up in, please visit his website at LarryRosen.org. He has wonderful articles, photos, and links that I think you will enjoy.

Happy Autumn!

Autumn...she has always been muse

I love Autumn! I love the air; I love the landscape; I love the taste of juicy pomegranate, and I love wearing my favorite hats as the air grows cool. My writing usually increases during this season as well. There's something very inspirational about Autumn. I see it as the artistry of the Creator; He is truly a great and wonderful God. Enjoy your week everyone. Peace~

Photo: Fallen leaves in Maryland (By Stephen Bess)

African/American Woman

african woman bust
Originally uploaded by kjwphotography

This is a look into the past and reflection on the present. This is a bust made from the skeletal remains of a slave woman. It is featured at the Smithsonian Museum here in Washington, D.C. She is beautiful. I'll call her Ms. Abena.

Fear and the Robeson Riots of 1949

On August 27, 1949, Paul Robeson's scheduled singing appearance at the Lakeland picnic grounds in Westchester County, NY was disrupted by a riot instigated and provoked by whites angry at Robeson's link to Communist Russia.

It is the same mental malady that has plagued many Americans since the first settlers -- Fear. There was the fear of black people, the fear of Russian Communism, the fear Arabs, the fear of illegal aliens, the fear of... well, you get it. Unfortunately, much of this fear is based on prejudice, assumption, and hearsay.

It's always good for Americans or any nation to protest and take to the streets on issues important to them. However, this civic right and passion should never result in riot or physical harm to others. It should never be, for example, the shouting matches that we are seeing now in Town Hall meetings concerning President Obama's Health Care Reform. It should always be reasonable dialogue that is even toned and productive in its objective and goals. Is this possible? I don't know, but this is something that I will continue to promote and strive for. Peace~

Well, do you want to know more about the Robeson Riots? Click here...

Remembering our brother, Stephen (AKA Frank Talk)

On August 18, 1977 – Stephen Biko, one of the most influential South African student leaders in South Africa’s fight against Apartheid, is arrested in Port Elizabeth on charges of inciting violence among blacks in the city through his writings. Stephen Biko would die one month later in police custody from torture and beatings. Today, he is still considered one of the most revered figures in South Africa’s fight for freedom.

Journal: I need a pen!

Good morning and happy Monday to all. It just hit me that I haven't written a poem or story in over 3 weeks! That's not good...and I call myself a writer. Hmmph! Anyway, I'll take care of that this week. I'll write something and get back to you soon. Enjoy your day. God bless. Peace~

Journal Entry: New start

Good morning and happy Monday! It's a new start for the week. I hope that everyone had a great weekend. I have been moving for the past week. It's really a blessing from God to move into a home, but it's a lot of work. I have been cutting grass, trimming, pulling, raking, and climbing; I am completely worn. Well, I feel refreshed this morning. I have some body aches, but it feels like a good work out. Now, I just have to continue to work out so it doesn't hurt so bad next time. *Smile*

Otherwise, I can't complain. I'm looking forward to the days and weekends to come. By next week, I'll fire up the grill. Yeah, you can come. We'll kick back, eat good, laugh and watch the sun go down. Hey, nothing like summer and good friends. Take care and God bless. Peace~

The Tavern of Creativity in NYC: Bessie's Blues

This poem is dedicated to Bessie Smith. It's called, Bessie's Blues. This was done on June 21, 2009 at the Baha'i Center in New York City. I hope you like it. Peace~

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Tavern of Creativity: A Blues for Bobby Timmons

Reading in New York featuring the poem, A Blues for Bobby Timmons, which is featured in my recent chapbook, Liquid Lunch. It's a short video, so check it out.

Photography: Summer Romance and Fire Flies

This is a Lightning Bug (aka Fire Fly) perched on a leaf in my backyard right before the night shift. Here is an interesting fact: I read that the female Fire Flies sit on vegetation near the ground and wait for a flash of the tail from the male Fire Flies. Well, when the female is interested she flashes right back and the mating begins. However, the flash has to be of a distinct pattern because the females are careful not to attract a male of the wrong species. So, I imagine the divorce rate among Fire Flies are pretty low. Here's to summer love. *toast*


Photo by: Stephen Bess
Source: backyardnature.net

Obama's headed to Ghana

US President Barak Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and daughters Sasha and Malia are set to arrive in Accra, Ghana late Friday evening. On Saturday, July 11, the Obama family is scheduled to have breakfast with Ghanaian President, John Atta Mills. Afterwards, President Barack Obama will address the Ghanaian parliament on development and democracy. The Obama family will then fly to visit the Cape Coast Castle (aka Slave Castles), which holds the dungeons that are connected to many African Americans and Africans in the Diaspora. It is the former headquarters of the British slave trade in West Africa.

So, this will be a very important trip for the Obama family. Yes, it is official US business, but a trip like this has to especially touch the First Lady, Michele Obama, who is a direct descendant of Sub Saharan Africa. I’m wondering how she will handle facing the horror that her ancestors faced with the Cape Coast Castle dungeons? There are many who have passed out in grief or simply sobbed at the sight of the place.

Well, nevertheless, this should be a nice trip for the president and his family. It will also be a great visit for the people of Ghana. They are very excited for the arrival of America’s first African family. Go see…

Historical confetti:

Here is a link to the Cape Coast Castle in Ghana.

Sources: ecadforum.com, thisislondon.co.uk, and theviproom.com