Chris Brown vs. Rihanna

I do not pretend to be a good writer. I never imagined myself sharing my most personal fears and frustrations on the internet, but in this instance, I could not remain silent.

I watched both the Rihanna and Chris Brown interviews. The real gravity of this situation seemingly would have been lost if these responses were not made public, timed, coincidentally of course, before the release their new albums.

Watching the interview, I thought back to my own experience with abuse. Although the majority of his offenses against me where verbal in nature, there was one physical incident that eventually led to my relocation to Florida and a new life that was certainly unexpected and uninvited.

As I watched Rihanna speak, I could hear her pain. When she mentioned the emptiness in his eyes as he was beating her, I felt a shiver down my spine as I remembered the same cold, black and soulless look that my abuser took on whenever he was in one of his rages. His eyes still haunt me today.

In watching Chris Brown’s response, I saw no remorse whatsoever. I sincerely believe that everyone makes mistakes. God knows I have made my fair share. But I can’t help to think that he was more concerned with people not liking him and the loss of his endorsements etc, than he was with the severity of his offense.

As I listened to each word, the anger in my own heart began to swell and I realized that I have not completely healed from that situation. Despite the progress that I have made since, the resentment stays with me. My heart has hardened in some ways. My youth was taken from me. With it, went my innocence and my trust in others. I continue to look for the good in people, but find myself waiting for the day that they will ultimately disappoint me.

I was speaking with one of my best friends over the weekend. I came to the conclusion that I could name at least seven CLOSE friends who have recently suffered mental and/or physical abuse. Of these, all are successful, educated, and beautiful women; none of which, from the outside, fit our typical model of a “battered woman”. In speaking with each, I recognize the embarrassment, anger, and fear that each carries.

I can not offer any solutions. I do not pretend to have the answer. What I will say is that healing is eminent.

To each of us, I speak healing, peace and forgiveness.

To all of the beautiful women that I love….Be Strong. Be Encouraged. Be You.

Rumble in the Bronx

I haven't written much really since Morocco but my head is swimming with thoughts and things to process. They will make their way into something coherent in time. I've let a lot of "monuments" pass (i.e. Halloween, Dia de los Muertos/Santos, breast cancer month) and haven't shared information, covered newsworthy subjects, written any deep, original content. But that will come too. Instead I'm tweeting all the time. (As you can see to the right of your screen.) And I'm working on some changes sprucing up the site a bit. It's a process, bear with us.

In the meantime, we are in the midst of a World Series with the New York Yankees over the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 and headed back to New York (to win). I am consumed. I forgot how delicious the post-season, particularly the World Series, feels to my spirit. Much love to the Twitter Yankee fam, especially the "ladies of the pinstripe," as we have gone through this nail-biting post-season together. I especially enjoy chatting with other female Yankee fans who know stuff about baseball, and about the hot bods of the players (or the newly-coined "MLB lust"). I think some men think women can't know both, or will automatically raise an eyebrow at a woman talking baseball. I've fortunately had no direct problems but I think some men are still surprised that women get so into sports, and actually know the details of the game and the players. We've disputed that bullshit. And I've been able to chat with many men who don't mention gender unless it's to big us up. Good times. Thanks Twitterverse.

With that said, Goddesses Rising is a pro-Yankee blog. Don't be mad, it ain't personal. I'm maybe a lil' competitive (lol) and baseball makes my inner child smile :) Let's Go Yankees!

be back soon...

Black Girls Rock!

That they do. And you can help black girls rock even harder by supporting the 4th Annual "Black Girls Rock" Awards fundraiser this Saturday, October 17 at the TimesCenter in NYC. The event is co-hosted by Regina King and Tracie Ellis-Ross. Award honorees include: Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Dr. Sonia Sanchez, Naomi Campbell, Raven Symone, Janelle Monae, DJ Spinderella, Iyanla Vanzant, Dr. Mehret Monfredo and Anthony Hamilton.

The tickets may be steep but it is directly inspiring young people around New York City. Black Girls Rock is a Brooklyn-based non-profit, founded by DJ Beverly Bond, provides mentorship along with arts and media education to "at-risk" teenage women of color, focusing on cultivating self-esteem and positive self-imagery, during a critical time in their lives. Whatever your situation (it is a recession), you can still donate via their website.

Women, United, Are Uniquely Qualified to Save the World

Women have qualities that men have not developed, and these talents are needed right now! The dormant power of women together is the untapped resource needed by humanity and by the planet. The distinguishing female abilities that contrast with standard behavior have to do with qualitative differences in response to stress and use of communication. These differences relate to women's ability to manage resources responsibly, to work together for the common good, and to base ethical behavior upon compassion for others. In 2000, research conducted at UCLA found that females of many species, including humans, responded to stressful conditions with a TEND & BEFRIEND response, not flight or fight like many male species.When women's lives become stressful, they talk to their friends, look after their children and animals, straighten up the house, water their plants, clean the lab, studio or desk where they work. And as they do, their stress level goes down, and the amount of the maternal bonding hormone, oxytocin, goes up. Men on the other hand, have an increase in adrenaline, when they're stressed, a reaction that prepares their bodies to run or stay and fight (flight or fight)

In the male-centered world, which we currently live in, intellectual development (rational thinking, data-based information, objectivity, the realm of the mind) is fostered and rewarded while emotional development (feeling, intuition, aesthetic appreciation, subjectivity, the realm of the heart) is usually not. When both are importan, both sides of hte personality develop and both hemispheres of the brain are used. Since the women's movement, girls, especially, have has social support to develop both sides of themselves and have been freer to do so than boys. As a consequence, women as a gender are more likely to be whole people in this sense.
It is time to gather the women - for only when women are strong together can women be fiercely protective of what we love. Only then, will children be safe and peace a real possibility. Without an adult or society to protect them, children are vulnerable to whatever bad happens. Boys wait their turn to be men with the upper hand and girls become acculturated to becoming powerless women.

Until women collectively become involved in creating a culture of peace to stop violence begetting violence in the human family, women and children continue to be the primary casualties.

I believe that the socialization of very young boys, who are shamed for being soft-hearted, emotional, imaginative, or sensual, and are discouraged from interestes and inclinations that men consider unmanly, contributes to one-sided development. The other contirbution is fear and humiliation. Unprotected, neglected and abused boys and young men grow up to emulate those who has power over them. The plague of violence in the home, in street gangs, and by terrorists is a reflection of an economic and social world where Goddess and Mother as a feminine principle is absent, and no one cares about each person in the humnan family. Until women who believe the divine sacred feminine principles are able to protect both their boys and girls from abuse and bullying, boys can not grow into whole people.

The male perspective, from schoolyard experience on, is that males gang up, take advantage, and that a team player or a guy who wants to stay out of trouble keeps his mouth shut. This "go along to get along" and "look the other way" attitude is a pre-vailing one in many places. Something that men instinctively seem to know that women do not is that men in high positions either know what is going on and don't want it known or they don't know and would rather not know. In a male world, once a man knows a problem exists, he knows it can make him look bad (be "one down". Women's experience is different . In the female world, it is not only bonding and stress-reduing to discuss a problem or admit a mistake, it generates support, ideas, and possible resources. Women are more able to admit mistakes, ask for directions, work collaboratively, seek consensus, be motivated by empathy to alleviate suffering, and take care of vulnerable. Until women are equal partners in setting values, it is not safe for boys and men to be feeling and nurturing people without suffering from patriarchal judgments that they are not man enough. Patriarchy is endangering all species and the planet itself. Mother Earth and mothers need women to set the priorities, take care of resources, and stop wars and other abuses of power.

However, there is a blueprint to begin the construction of a world in which women would be safe from violence, exploitation, and discriminiation, could look after the well-being of their children, and have a voice in all areas of life including the environment. The blueprint comes from previous women's movements, but this next movement we are approaching may be a women's peace movement. The goal is to stop violence, resolution of conflicts, and restoration of peace. Domestic violence, school ground violence, street violence, terrorism, and wars have the same origins in the need to dominate and to be predator of prey.

Women who respond to this message have a sense of connection and sisterhood with other women. We are experiencing a time when the fate of the Earth and all life upon it is at risk. There is a great connection between the status of women, women health issues, and the condition of our environment.

In villages and neighborhoods, mothers gather and talk, share infomration, gossip, laugh, keep an eye on the children and do whatever else brings them together. On college campuses, women organize meetings, talk into the night, form life-long friendships. Women bond through conversations in which rappport and trust grows through what we tell each other and how we respond. We talk about ourselves and our relationships. Women learn through conversation. Women's stories can inspire "if she can do that, I can too!" They also provide warnings of what to be wary of; women listen and take heart "What happened to her could happen to me" There is an empathic support, problem solving, and stress relief in women's conversations. Women's talk leads to symmertrical connections, rather than heirarchical ones, and consensus building, both of which are needed for cooperation and collaboration. Women's talk needs to be recognized as a positive force - a means and method of bonding and understanding eac other and other people - that humanity needs to be able to take a next step toward planetary community.

What cannot be done by men or by individual women, can be done by women together. Earth is home; it is time to take loving care of the planet and all life upon it, beginning with where you are, what you love, and your vision.

An adaptation of excerpts from "Gather the Women, Save the World" by Jean Shinoda Bolen

IS HOMOSEXUALITY IN AFRICA A RESULT OF WHITE SUPREMACY?

On this show, Curtis and Erica will host an on air debate: Is Black Homosexuality Really a Result of White Supremacy? Our debaters will be Makeda Voletta and Yao Onipa. Did Blacks pick up this behavior due to the acculturation process that occurred during slavery and the colonialism of Africa? Are there hidden agendas causing the rise in Black homosexuality or is it a natural expression for many Blacks? Was homosexuality prevalent in African societies before exposure to Europeans? These questions and more will be debated during this show. This will be a debate to remember!

SENSUAL STRENGTH TRAINING FOR WOMEN -- DC

AFRO ROOTS DANCE TRAINING FOR A HIGHER LEVEL OF CONSCIOUS MOVEMENT

AIM TO REACH YOUR PEAK....


LEARN:

*Yoni Control

*Proper Free Weight Technique

*To Control Your Hips w/ Hip, Leg & Glute Power

*How to let the rhythm originate & generate in your hips and
spread throughout the rest of your body & energy fields

*Breathing Techniques for Various Situations


STRENGTHEN:

*Muscles that support the sexual organs

*All of your "core" muscles

*Glutes, Back, Abs, Thighs, Arms and Chest

*Your Mind Body Connection

* All of the Diaphraghms in your body



It is important for every person to be able to control the small inner muscles of their core as well as the large outer muscles. Many people have heard the term "core training" and perhaps even teach this to their clients and students. The core muscles are the muscles that act upon the hip joint. This includes all of the abdominal muscles, lower back and spinal muscles, quads, glutes and hamstrings. In order to have precise control over the rhythmic movement of your hips you must be able to control all of the muscles that interact with and help stabilize the hip joint.

What is not included in any "core" training program I have come across is the strengthening of the muscles that strengthen and control our sexual organs, urogenital and pelvic diaphragms. Athletes who train with heavy weight and Olympic lifts often work those muscles in order to stabilize their spine and maintain their technique. However, this training is minimal and does not include focused training in which one learns to really control that area. The more one mentally focuses on a physical movement while doing it, the more nerves the central nervous system provide to innervate those muscles. The more nerves that innervate a muscle the greater the control one has over that muscle. Thus, we need to constantly be focused on our physical movements during our training process.

The root chakra is located in and around the sexual organs. It is a channel for the primordial vibrational energies of our Great Mother Earth. The root chakra begins at the base of the spine and moves to the front of the body, vibrating over the pelvis and sexual organs. The root chakra carries the life force up the body while grounding you into the Earth at the same time.

In the book "Energy Medicine" by Donna Eden she makes mention that

"The more "civilized" a culture, the more muddled the root chakra energy of its members tends to be. A direct way to cultivate this energy, and to feel more sexual and sexier, is to take up a form of dance where the primary impulse of the movement comes from your pelvis. The root chakra resonates with the Earth's primordial life force. I love free-form African dance done to a primal beat. To dance from your root chakra is to dance with the Earth."

The root chakra can carry wisdom from past lives as well as horrible suffering. Modern science has confirmed that the trauma of our ancestors is stored in our DNA. Any trauma we may have sustained in our life can also make genetic changes to our genetic makeup during our lifetime. Sometimes, the traumas of our ancestors are not coded in our DNA but they may be affecting our body's energy patterns. All of these changes can also be passed on to our offspring.

Thus, one of the major components of this class is the use of the jade egg. The jade egg is a stone egg (made of jade) that descends from ancient china. It was used thousands of years ago by secret societies of women who knew about the importance of cultivating and circulating the regenerating life force energy (also known as chi) along with strengthening the sexual organs. This knowledge is not unique to china but the Chinese have done the most documentation on their training methods. Many people know about Kegel exercises, but they cannot compare to the level of strength and control gained from using a jade egg. Combining the use of a jade egg and dance moves at the same time will prove to be super challenging but I can guarantee you will be radiating new shades of light energy at the end of the program.

All of us can be healed, opened up and guided by spirit to higher levels of consciousness within our own reality. Men and women alike should not be ashamed of their bodies and sexuality. It is time to MOVE! To move, energy blocks and get your blood moving! Energy needs to flow and circulate in order to invigorate your soul and entire being from the inside out. Women, please understand that childbirth does not have to tear your body a part and fibroid tumors are NOT normal at any age. Women, please be wise to the fact that our moon cycles are powerful but excruciating pain and discomfort is not an inevitable part of the whole experience. Women, we are off balance just like our GREAT MOTHER EARTH. Our physical state is a reflection of her physical state. We know she is sick and so it is manifesting inside of us in various ways. We must do work to fight against imbalance. It is time to align yourself with the cosmic, sensual, sexual, spiritual, strong, rhythms of our Great Mother and thus get yourself centered. Let's grow stronger and keep thriving for higher levels of mental and physical fitness. This takes strengthening all of the muscles in your body along with your mind. Moving multiple parts of your body at once to complex polyrhythms is a good mind body training stimulus.

All women who participate in this class should purchase a jade egg prior to the start of the class. Please contact me for more info. before ordering.




CLASS 411:

This class will combine many different dance techniques from throughout the African Diaspora. This includes, samba, salsa, meringue, dancehall/reggae, hip hop & r&b, New Orleans second line to name a few. There will be live drummers for part of the class. The workouts will be a mix on intense dance moves and strength training with body weight and resistance. This is more challenging than aerobics based dance classes…this is like a dance class fitness boot camp. This is open to women on all levels, the atmosphere will be welcoming and supportive of every woman who decided to join. The emphasis will be to focus on your own improvement instead of comparing yourself to other participants. The dance moves are estrogen building and the strength training is testosterone building. Both hormones are important for our total well being. These workouts will work your entire body, tighten the muscle and help to mobilize fat stores.

The two day workshop includes in depth lectures about nutrition, strength training, female health issues, medical concerns, injuries, sexual problems, etc. along with detailed instruction on the proper strength training techniques so that you can actually achieve results from your workouts and without getting injured. Bring a notebook so you can take notes! I will also be providing hand outs and suggested reading list so that you may continue to research on your own.


WASHINGTON DC CLASS INFO:


Dates: Sat and Sun, October 10th & 11th

Time: Sat 10am-1pm and Sunday 10am-1pm

Location: DC Dance Collective

Early Bird Rate (by 10/1) = $150
After the 1st = $165

Payment Plan:
Deposit of $75 and balance of $90 paid by 10/10

**Please note that this class is limited to ten women.
**There will be a $25 discount for second timers or those who bring a friend.

**I am also available for one on one sessions..



To register, or if you have questions please email me at:

Sekhmet@QueenLionesss.com


www.EliteArtAndScience.com

www.QueenLionesss.com

RIP Patrick Swayze: Gyrating in Heaven

I know I'm late on this in "internet time" but I found out about the passing of Patrick Swayze as a Twitter trending topic on Tuesday morning at work after returning from vacation. That was a serious bummer to come back to...so many of our 80's icons are with the Ancestors, as life has it, but this has been a depressing year. A constant manifestation of "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone."

So most of us know Mr. Swayze as sexy ass bad boy Johnny Castle in the cult flick "Dirty Dancing." I saw that movie in the theater with my mom, comedy. I was like 6 and didn't totally understand it (especially the abortion part) except that when I turned 18 I had to go to the mountains and find my own misunderstood hot-hot dance instructor to teach me some thangs).

A generation has also seen (and cried to) "Ghost"...another dated classic taking you back to a time and place. That movie put "Unchained Melody" and pottery sex on the map. And who can forget "Black Dog," with Swayze as the protagonist tough guy/sweetheart trucker on a mission? *crickets and tumbleweed* Not his best work, but if you missed this one, I'm sure TBS or TNT will hook you up soon.

Also, Mr. Swayze had an impact on hip-hop vocabulary; "Swayze" came to mean "ghost." I'm saying, it rhymes perfectly with "crazy." Gotta love it. The blog, Hip Hop Is Read, recounts the numerous lyrics referencing Patrick Swayze. Comical and educational, read the comments!

He brings up lots of good memories...but most notably (aside from "Dirty Dancing") is this clip from Saturday Night Live circa the early '90's. I loved that he was really a dancer, that made him extra cool to me; us women love that shit! SNL cleverly plays on that exact appeal in this skit with Chris Farley (RIP as well), a young Mike Myers, Kevin Nealon, Jan Hooks and Victoria Jackson. Mr. Patrick, my inner child and inner tween thank you, we know you're shining on the other side.

(since the embedding isn't working click here, thanks Mercury retrograde)