100 Days: An Opportunity to Grade... Or to Throw Shade?

I have to admit that every time a story about President Obama’s 100th day appears on the teleprompter, I cringe. It’s not the "100 Days" hype that disgusts me. Obama hype is pretty status quo by now, especially amongst us media folk. You either love the President, or you love to hate him. But I'm annoyed by the nation's preoccupation with 'grading' the President. News outlets, particularly in my Republican neck of the woods, have run the classroom motif into the ground. There is a fine line between critique and condescension. Many news organizations have crossed it.

I pulled a few national headlines.

· "This week President Obama and his administration receive their first semester grades "

· "Obama Gets a B-Plus" for his first 100 Days

· "Boehner Gives Low Grade To Obama's 100 Days"

· "National Report Card"

· "Obama's National Security: A Pretty Good Report Card"

Even though coverage has been largely positive, I would argue that the conversation is framed in a biased manner. Traditionally, the 100th Day assesment is prophetic. How has the president's actions thus far alluded to his leadership style and political agenda. On the eve of Obama's 100th day, the debate still centers around whether or not the President has proven himself capable of being the president. I thought we left that debate on the stump.

I remember watching the (Black) US Olympic relay team this past summer drop the baton in the final stretch. I remember thinking "Damn! We almost had it!"I wonder. Are we anxiously waiting for Obama to drop the figurative 'baton'?

The press is capitalizing on strong reservations held by many Americans, even some of his supporters, regarding Obama's ability to meet his goals. News stories that contain subtly racist and paternalistic undertones capitalize on these reservations. There's an interesting intertextual interplay happening between journalist and audience here, and I think it ultimately translates into higher ratings and profit.

The obvious fallacy is that we can form a deft conclusion after his 100^th day on the job. His entire term is still a litany of open-ended questions. The best mark that can give the man is an 'incomplete', because it’s impossible to judge the success of initiatives that may take every bit of four years, and then some, to reach fruition.

And what if, theoretically speaking, on April 29^th, the American people flunk the President in a national gallop poll? Will that grant them the inalienable right to organize a coup de tat? Rally at the white house steps? Ran-sack Michelle’s vegetable garden? Absolutely not. We patiently await the outcome of his decisions, just like we did with our last president.

The president already aced one helluva test, and it was pass/fail only.

As a journalist, I think we're missing the mark. Obama’s 100^th Day in office presents a great opportunity to make sense of shifting political winds. Obama, as a politician, is sui generis. His disciplined, ambitious style of leadership that harkens back to the days of FDR. Internationlly, he is forging alliances that will undoubtedly push foreign policy is a new direction. I'd rather open the discussion up to the future implications, positive and negative, of his policies, as many will bring about sweeping changes within society.

All presidents come under fire on their 100^th day, and it is okay to criticize the president. Let me repeat-- It is okay to criticize my Black president. I just hope that we can first, respect him, as the president. He's earned at least that right.

Where you been girl?!?!

So as my loyal readers may have guessed, I took a hiatus. Six months ago I began my foray into broadcast journalism, working crazy hours as a reporter in medium-town Florida.

As I have begun doing free-lance work and a hefty non-fiction venture, I assumed I would put FFD down. But I can't. Readers have yet to abandon me (which makes me feel great), and I'm reluctant to abandon them. And all this writing I do-- I need to let loose!!!

So---

I'm coming back. At least weekly, with the random commentary you know and hopefully love.

Flyness and Funk,

Ike
Also-- you can stay up to date on my blog posts, articles, random thoughts and if you're in my neighborhood appearances by following me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/flyfunkydiva.

Please Share Inauguration Pics with FFD!!!

Hey Divas,

This Tuesday I will be doing local coverage of the inauguration at my station, so unfortunately I won't be apart of the fun. Unlike my parents who will be at one of 'the' white tie affairs! So here's how you can help share your experience of the great pilgrimage to DC-- email me pics. I don't care what they are, people waiting, people looking up at the megatrons, tears, shouts, screams, parties-- everything. I want FFD to be apart of the moment so allow this site to be a forum of your experiences.

SEND CANDID SHOTS TO FLYFUNKYDIVA@GMAIL.COM.

Thank you in advance, and for those of you in DC, be safe, and savor every moment of this precious history in the making.

With Love,

IKE

EXCLUSIVE: Kai Milla to Design Michelle Obama's Inauguration Gown

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Divas-

I've been dreaming up Michelle's inaugural gown since Barack first announced his candidacy! Let's just say I always believed in the change. Now the big moment when America welcomes its new first family is days away and an insider source who is very close friends with Mr. Stevie Wonder has revealed that Stevie Wonder's wife, Kai Milla, created Michelle's gown. Kai, who has also designed for Michelle, met her this summer at the Democratic National Convention.

It is quite fitting that Michelle should choose a relatively obscure african american female designer to style her on one of the biggest nights in fashion history. Trust that the top echelon of fashion designers reached out to her with sketches. But this is significant because Black women have historically been excluded from high-end fashion. This is yet another sign of the tides of change.

Nevertheless, knowing Michelle, she just went with the designer that could best accomodate her simplistic, elegant style. I know one thing... this dress had better be fierce!!

And of course, Stevie Wonder, Michelle's favorite musical artist will perform at the inauguration along with Aretha Franklin!!!

Flyness, funk and soooo much inaugural anticipation,

Ike

Fab Affordable Products: Relaxing Bubble Baths

Hey divas,

My form of meditation is the night time bath. Sometimes it's rough on my edges but at least four nights a week I like to light a candle, play some nice music, and fill my tub up with steamy bubbles. Not only does it help me relax and thus sleep better, but its great for reflection and-- my pores! Steam is the answer to great skin.

Nevertheless, I wanted to share with you some great and affordable bath elixirs that really set the mood.



Johnson and Johnson's "Melt Away Stress" Body Wash- This product contains J&J's exclusive aromasoothe fragrance with hints of chamomile and lavender, a winning combo in aromatherapy for relaxation. It is marketed as a body wash that you can use in the shower, but it makes an incredible rich and moisturizing bubble bath. It sells for a little over 6 bucks, depending on where you get it, and will last even a bath crazy person like myself a good three weeks. I always have a great sleep after bathing in this stuff.

Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Luxury Bath in "Black Currant Vanilla" makes me feel like the sexiest woman alive-- even if it's just me in the house! It is a fantastic sensual fragrance grounded in notes of black currant and vanilla with an almost hypnotic combination of pumpkin, rosemary, and patchouli. I'm telling you, this is one masterpiece of a scent (totally needs to be an eau de parfum) and it relaxes me and just goes to my head! It's also fabulously moisturizing. Get a bottle for 16.50 and your local BBW and it will last between 5 to 7 uses. (Wonderful if you want to get in the mood before you and your sweety have a date night- or just bathe with him)




And this one doesn't have any bubbles, but "Stress and Tension" Liquids Mineral Bath by Village Naturals (the Village Company) is still fabulous. When you really have had a rough day and you need to just clear your mind and ease your muscles this will do the trick. It is a combination of relaxing menthol, and essences of juniper to releave stress and orange to rejuvenate. It is also mostly composed of naturally derived products, so no crazy chemicals in this bottle. Actually I bathed in it last night to relax and afterwards my body just felt so good and tingly. That menthol increases blood circulation. I fell right asleep afterwards and when I woke up I was amazed at how soft my skin was. Maybe it was the castor oil and aloe vera combo. Nevertheless, you won't regret soaking in this, especially if you're an hard working diva. It will set you back about 5 bucks as well.

WITH FLYNESS AND FOAM,
IKE

She Said What??? Black Women Quotes

"I don't think the relationship will work. I am 'sniff, swirl, sip'. He's more ' puff, puff, pass'."

- every once in a while these quotes are taken from personal accounts

Fierce Files: Remembering Our History Through Fly Women of Color

"Jeanne Duval" was a creole dancer and singer of Haitian origin, who relocated to Paris in 1842 where she began her infamous twenty year romance with French poet and literary critic Charles Baudelaire. Jeanne was an icon, however, of style and well-known through out the Bohemian world and aristocratic circles. She is the subject of Monet's famous "Baudelaire's Mistress". (Do note that Monet portrayed her as a Caucasian woman, perhaps he was concerned with selling the painting, but by all accounts she was recognizably of African descent).


She is best known, go figure, as Baudelaire's "Mistress of Mistresses" and his muse, and this is of course during a time when interacial love was deemed "gauche". So imagine, what confidence... what swagger, Madame Duval must have exuded. I love it.

In spite of the snubs of his peers and constant turbulance, Baudelaire was hopelessly in love with Jeanne and his "Black Venus" was the subject of many of his love poems. While it is clear that she held him spell bound, his fascination with her percieved exoticism and sexuality courses though the poetry.

Below is one of my personal favorites, "Sed Non Satitata" or "Never Satisfied". It is from his anthology "Fleurs du mal" or "Flowers of Evil", much of it a commentary on the women in his life, real and imagined. This translation from French is one of many variations, but I like this the best.

Sed Non Satiata

Strange deity, brown as nights,
Whose perfume is mixed with musk and Havanah,
Magical creation, Faust of the savanna,
Sorceress with the ebony thighs, child of black midnights,

I prefer to African wines, to opium, to burgundy,
The elixir of your mouth where love parades itself;
When my desires leave in caravan for you,
Your eyes are the reservoir where my cares drink.

From those two great black eyes, chimneys of our spirit,
O pitiless demon, throw out less flame at me;
I am no Styx to clasp you nine times,

Nor can I, alas, dissolute shrew,
To break your courage, bring you to bay,
Become any Proserpine in the hell of your bed!

— Geoffrey Wagner, Selected Poems of Charles Baudelaire (NY: Grove Press, 1974)

Your First Resolution: Get Over, Get On

"Before the clock strikes 12, or at least before you get started on your new resolutions, first resolve to get over those who you feel have gotten over on you."

As we look toward 2009 we are inevitably setting new goals. This will be the year to find true love, drop ten pounds, finish that novel, and move forward in your career. I'm sure of it. But amidst your anticipation of a brand new year, have you closed the book on 2008?

The film Waiting To Exhale chronicles the journey of four single women through bouts of twisted romantic relationships, toward self-love and peace of mind. If you recall, it begins and ends with a New Years celebration. In the final scene they sip champagne and rejoice over a bond fire. (They also sing Roberta Flack's 'It Might Be You'... gotta love that song) But, that fire symbolizes the destruction of their anguish over failed relationships. It is their choosing to move on from slights made against them and past dreams unfilfilled. It symbolizes them taking back the pieces of their dignity that those men once took from them. And in the midst of those ashes is a fresh start.

Do note, I am not suggesting that you light a fire or that you light your ex's car on fire with his things in it. Think theoretically.

We tend to convince ourselves that we are ready for change when we really are not. Before we can venture closer to our ideal selves we have to overcome the pain that we have caused others and those that others have caused us. Before you can welcome sweet love into your life you have to accept those past heart breaks and grow from them. Before you can progress in your career you have to evaluate your past failures, recover, and then strategize for the future. And before you can move on with your physical goals, you'll need to amend any negative thinking and understand that the outer you is ultimately a reflection of what's going on inside. It'd be wise to love both.

You can not move into this next year still feeling like a victim of the past. 'Now' is a precious opportunity.

Before the clock strikes 12, or at least before you get started on your new resolutions, first resolve to get over those who you feel have gotten over on you.You don't have to like them, but don't allow these people, or their memory, to keep you down. I departed 2007 still sulking over a heart break, and you know what... I carried that entire burden through out 2008. Thoughts of him and what could have been clouded my decision making certainly put a damper on my love life... Until recently, I compared every man that I dated to him, fatefully, deciding to be miserable. I choose to leave those thoughts in 2008.

So as Erykah Badu once sang "Bag lady, you gon' hurt your back, carryin' all those bags like that..." step into 2009 knowing that "all you must hold onto is you". Learn from the past, realize that life is an eb and flow. Our lows guide us to our peaks. As the seconds tick toward midnight, live in the moment. See the blessings that are bountiful in your life right now! Leave all your sadness, drama, and baggage in 2008.


May your new year be filled with health, love, blessings, sass, soul, and all that your heart desires.

Love,

IKE

Dr. Elizabeth Alexander Named Inaugural Poet

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies announced this week that Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, a poet, author, and Professor of African-American studies at Yale University will be the praise poet featured at President Elect Barack Obama's Inauguration. She will be the fourth poet to read at swearing-in. Robert Frost was the first at JFK's inauguration in 1961. And who can forget Maya Angelou's 1993 reading of "On the Pulse of the Morning" for President Clinton? It's featured below.



Now I'm elated because Professor Alexander is a former professor of mine and one of my favorites. Her class was deep and she believed in my work. I'm so proud of her! For a poet, this is really our nation's top honor. Congratulations!

She has authored poems, plays, essays, and short stories in addition to having molded hundreds of bright young minds. In 2005 she was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. To learn more about Dr. Alexander, visit her website.

Here is a selection.

Ars Poetica #28: African Leave-Taking Disorder

The talk is good. The two friends linger
at the door. Urban crickets sing with them.

There is no after the supper and talk.
The talk is good. These two friends linger

at the door, half in, half out, ‘til one
decides to walk the other home. And so

they walk, more talk, the new doorstep, the
nightgowned wife who shakes her head and smiles

from the bedroom window as the men talk
in love and the crickets sing along.

The joke would be if the one now home
walked the other one home, where they started,

to keep talking, and so on: “African
Leave-Taking Disorder,” which names her children

everywhere trying to come back together and talk.

SPOTLIGHT: Diana Ross, Take Me Higher, Ed Sullivan Show

Diana Ross singing her dance hit "Take Me Higher" on the Ed Sullivan show during the nineties. It's a song I work out to every morning. You will not be able to watch this and not want to dance along! She looks incredible, sounds incredible, and whats more awesome is that her effervescent spirit just radiates during the interview. Werq Miss Ross!!!