A couple of weeks ago, if you remember, I wrote an ode to Arizona’s desert loveliness.
Has the state now betrayed me?
Last Friday, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into being one of the most reactionary, racist laws in recent memory in Arizona. I won’t rehash the details of the “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act.” Suffice it to say that its illogic is mind-boggling, and the hate and cynicism that fueled its passage astonishing. Continue reading
This gospel dancehall tune by Isaac Blackman has made the beginning of my week a breeze. (It’s also the first time I’ve tried blogging from my phone.)
Update: on the morning of 5/2 I woke to news of a terrifying attempted attack on Times Square. Whatever aesthetic criticisms I have of the place, I love the people who enjoy it and I’m disgusted and a little scared by the attempt. I thought of deleting this post out of respect, but instead I’m choosing to keep it – while adding this important paragraph.
The Egyptians left us the pyramids. The Romans, well… Rome.
Every time I go to Times Square (which is pretty darn infrequently), I think: This is what our civilization will leave for the ages.
To say I don’t feel particularly proud would be an understatement. Other civilizations worshiped gods and stuff. We worship … buying.
Here’s a sight from last night that I thought was especially salient in illustrating the rather pitiful combination of things our country sometimes stands for: a long chain of NYPD cars with flashing lights (show of force) parked beneath a preposterous array of energy-guzzling advertisements. Brute strength and consumption. Brilliant.
Had me thinking that maybe DJ Quik should’ve written our national anthem: “Some believe in Jesus, some believe in Allah, but riders like me believe in making dollars.”
I just got tipped off to this rock-the-vote song and video by New York-based Sudanese artist Alsarah. The Sudanese elections are definitely a complicated issue. But whether, like Mia Farrow, you think that the elections are bad for the Sudanese people, or on the other hand if you think they are an important opportunity for Sudan to change from within, the excitement about the possibilities of the democratic process are palpable in this great clip featuring Oddisee.
Also, check out that link to Alsarah’s MySpace page — she’s an up-and-coming singer with a great sound whom I would be highlighting here even if she wasn’t a friend of a friend. She combines old Sudanese melodies with a contemporary, often Hip Hop feel in a way that’s part Fairouz, part Hashim Mirghani and part K’naan. Have a listen.
Hat Tip ST.
Last week, I had the privilege to spend a couple of days in Tucson, Arizona, on family business. It made me realize how much I miss the West and the great outdoors. It also gave me an excuse to use WordPress.com’s new (and a little late in the game, to be honest) slide show feature. Following are some hiking pictures from a “desert” that is in bloom after getting big winter rains. First time I ever saw miners’ lettuce outside of Northern California. I hiked to raging waterfalls, saw poppies blooming under cacti, and went from 85 degree sunshine to snow in a 25 minute drive up a sky island. And, I also spotted a troop of snookum bears!
Is that it? No rants about the politics of urban development in Southern Arizona? Or a discussion of the way that Mamdani’s theories about how colonizers turned ethnicities into hardened political entities — by designating them tribes — might be relevant to the Hopi-Navajo land dispute?
Not right now. This post is a little off-topic for the LGD. But life is life, and we all do as we can.* Enjoy the slide show.
*I realize this is a largely meaningless sentence. Sorry. 🙂
Eamon Kircher-Allen 