Just Gotta Have a Man! - A Spoken Word piece, by Vee

...So Speak it With Rhythm;-)

Girl,

Why you always acting like you just gotta have a man?!!!

What is it about you that says alone you can't stand?
I mean,

don't get me wrong...

Right now I'm single too and sometimes I feel a little lonely,

But I know I loooove me some me.

And when I find that special one,

I'll make him my one and only.

But until then,

I refuse to run behind,

someone not even worth my time,

tryin' to use me or take what's mine,

and think it's his God-given right

...just cause God made him fine.

Believe me, what I have is awesome,

and definitely worth preserving.

Not to be given away so easily

to someone so undeserving.

So whatcha think 'bout what you got?

Is it worth a dozen roses, or a single forget-me-not?

And tell me, what values are you really teaching your daughter?

You're not taking care of yourself and your house ain't in order.

She's learning from you

and at the same time raising herself

And you want to know what HER problem is?

H#!!

Ok, so why is it okay

that he hit you last night?

Eye still black. Lip "swole" up!

But I guess that's just alright,

huh?

Why is it okay

that you're alone this holiday,

while your man is having the time of his life

celebrating at home with his kids and...his wife?

Why is it okay

for him to hurt your kids and treat them bad?

And you wondering why they're making bad grades in school

and always looking sad.

whew!

And last, but not least...

Why is it okay

for him to talk to you like a child?

For him to belittle you and call you names

and wonder why you don't smile.

humh!

But you should be smiling

and you could be smiling!

Drop that &^(%##!!,

pick up the phone and start dialing...

Your loved ones, your friends,

the ones you trust to be there thru thick & thin.

You want a new life?

You want to be happy?

Then this is where you must begin.

Think support system, think sympathetic ears.

Who will listen and won't laugh at my tears?

Who will allow me to speak it out loud and release my fears?

And please take some time between this one and the next.

Every guy I hear you mention, you're calling him your ex.

Spend some time with you just getting to know yourself.

You've got to be confident and comfortable in your own shell.

Find a hobby.

Do you even know what it is you like to do?

Oh, I get it.

It's been so long that you've forgotten what pleases you.

Ok, so join a book club.

Take down a book from the ole dusty shelf.

Get back to loving your kids,

and honey get back to loving yourself!

Occupy your mind.

Fill your thoughts with sunshine.

Invite your kids to share with you their hopes and dreams,

and how they spend their time.

Plant a flower garden.

Dig in the soil and the dirt.

You know there are many hidden treasures

here on God's green earth.

Find someone or something else to give life and light to

besides that guy who so "thoughtfully" hurt you.

Drop them bags like Erykah told you to.

Be true to yourself and simply do you.

But forgive him

and all his deeds just the same,

So you can take back your power and

reclaim your true name.

QUEEN!

Stop being his victim of shame.

And don't forget, exercise is always good,

especially if you'd like to shed a few pounds.

Try Yoga classes to relieve the stress.

You'll start to have more ups than downs.

Now,

You've worked on your mental

and you've worked on your physical,

so complete your circle, sis,

and work on your spiritual.

Before you know it,

you'll feel like a different person.

Oh, you'll still be you,

but just a better version.

Then...

You'll be ready for a partner.

Not just a man or any man,

but someone you can actually start to:

Share your dreams with,

watch TV and laugh with,

comfort and make love to,

or simply relax and chill with.

Let down your guard and cry on,

someone you can depend on

to see you through the tough times

or guide you through a storm.

And sweetie,

the men you will then attract

will make them sorry Kats look so slack.

Cause they will be kind, and gentle, and sweet.

And you won't have to ask them to watch your back.

So what about me?

I know so much, where's my guy?

Well I'm truly not a hypocrite,

so I will not lie.

Right now I'm still working on me.

Trying to be the best me I can be.

Not yet done with my metamorphosis,

But he should be along shortly is my guess;-)

So again I ask you...

Girl,
Why you always acting like you just gotta have a man?
What is it about yourself that you just can't stand?
I mean,
don't get me wrong...
Right now I'm single and sometimes feel a a wee bit lonely,
But I know I looooove me some VEE.
And when I find that special one,
I'll make him my one and only.

How's that for some Jowaje Philosophy?

Peace,

love,

Light,

& Self Respect My Beautiful Sisters,

Vee

Miss Nappturality and Me

Everyone makes history everyday with every day lived and every breath taken. But not everyone gets a chance to leave a noted mark on the world. This is what Miss Nappturality has done for me. As one of the very first contestants to ever compete for the this title, I was able to be a part of history in a tangible and memorable way. And let me just say that the experience was priceless.

I've actually never competed for anything before - at least not on such a large scale. Let's see, I competed in a 4-H competition in the fourth grade and won first place. I had cheerleader try-outs in the seventh grade and made it - 1 of the only 2 seventh graders to get picked, I might add. I tried out for marching band in the eighth grade and won a spot - most times eight graders become alternates. I know, all these are pretty trivial, right?

In college I had to compete to get into the nursing program. Having room for 40 students only, the program was very competitive. Needless to say I got in. But this was no great feat either. Having sat out of college for 3 years, I was pretty eager to make a better future for myself. So as you can see, I'm not a very competitive person by nature. I guess I'd been too afraid of failing until now.

Competing for Miss Nappturality was the first time I ever really competed for something.

I didn't look at someone else winning as a failure for me, though. Hindsight has lead me to believe that this was most likely my first failure, because it was the first time I've ever had the courage to try something as big as this, and especially while the whole world had been given the opportunity to watch. So I really do see it as a step forward for me and as a true success. I learned so much about so many things during those 10 weeks. And I learned a lot about me.

All the contestants were so beautiful. Any one of them could have been Miss Nappturality, because each and every one of them was so unique. No stereotypical, cookie-cutter ladies here! I am proud to have been one of them. I was also proud of the fact that I was holding my own with these young women. Hoping to NOT sound vain here, because it's not my intention, but here I was almost 40 years old, but I was just as vibrant and my skin was just as flawless as these ladies in their twenties. Yeah, I definitely think that was something I should be able to toot my own horn about ;-). And I actually prided myself on not wearing any makeup in the beginning of the competition. That was until I figured out I was going about it the wrong way. You see, in the beginning I thought that it was not only about natural hair, but also about just being NATURAL!

I really appreciated when the judges began to give us feedback on each challenge. Dee, of Nappturality.com, was the Paula Abdul of the competition. She kept it sweet and encouraging always. Wilbur, fashion designer and owner of SKWilbur.com, was the Simon Cowell. He kept it real, and I mean real! The first bad critique I got from him made me shift it into fifth gear quick, fast, and in a hurry. But I have to admit, I was a little disappointed that Jasmine, owner of Eden Body Works, didn't join the other judges in giving all of us weekly feedback on the challenges. I mean we were competing to be the Eden Body Works Spokesmodel.

The challenges were quite challenging, to say the least. They were time consuming and pretty demanding, but Going-Natural made sure we had all the products, supplies, and accessories we needed to get through them all. And in the end we were able to keep them. That was definitely a nice surprise and added bonus.

The Miss Nappturality Contest was a very needed beauty pageant. To give our people a contest of their own, and let us shine, and let us celebrate our natural beauty was not only a brilliant concept, which with a lot of hard work was birthed into fruition, but it has also paved a path to a new road of higher understanding, not only for the black community, but for all the other diverse cultures making up this melting pot called America. I believe it was Zavi who admitted she didn't really know why she first entered Miss NP, and what exactly she expected to gain from it. She stated she later found her answers during the competition. I found that to be an extraordinary statement and a true testament that this was in fact a learning journey.

I walked away from Miss NP with a new sense of self and a new sense of beauty. I've been fortunate, because I've felt comfortable in my own skin for a while now, but today I can truly say that I feel comfortable in my own skin and in my own hair! I am so grateful.

Sarah, Erica, Zavi - you ladies are beautiful and fabulous! Can't wait to see what's in store for you.

Tiana, not only are you beautiful and fabulous, but you are the new face of Eden Body Works and MISS NAPPTURALITY 2008.

Congratulations. You rocked it!
and I wish you much success.


Peace, Love, & Light,

Vee

And here's my journey with Miss NP:

The Afro, by Vee

To me
The Afro signifies power and strength.
With just a hint of militancy, it whispers to those who are listening, "I am free! And I am free to be me."

It's naturally regal edginess personifies the struggle of a people to first understand, then overcome and overstand.
But not only to overstand what's right in front of us and what should be apparent, but also the lessons of the ancestors...
the lessons of the past.
To overstand the oppression and the fight.
To overstand the self-doubt and self-hatred that has been buried deep within our subconscious minds.
To move ahead to self-acceptance and appreciation, and to self-love.

To me,
The Afro represents determination, perseverance, and the ability
To rise again and remember who we are,
and what we are.

To me,
The Afro is symbolic of a people digging up their rightful crowns and
hanging them where they belong.
Need I explain that one?
No, because I'm sure you know.
On some level, you already know.

So this week, I'm wearing a big Afro wig.
And even though I'm loving my short naps,
and absolutely was delighted with my bald head,
and will probably do the big chop once more before I let it grow much longer...
I look forward to the day when my Afro is as big and woolly as it is in my pictures.

The day when I
can pick up My crown
and wear It with honor, humility and grace.

February is Black History month, but I say let's celebrate it all year long!

Vee

(btw, this was challenge 6 in the Miss Nappturality Contest. I won this one;-)

DENA'S Melody

Dena's Melody - "Maybe"

Introducing the next queen of Neo-soul!
Don't believe me? Check out her myspace profile ( Update: This link no longer available) and listen to her songs, Brighter Days and Loveless, both featuring CT, and of course my very favorite, Maybe.

I had the pleasure of meeting this young lady on myspace. Her voice simply captivated me, which is kind of hard to do on myspace. The purity, the honesty, the soulfulness - I'm loving it!

Thank you Miss Dena for posting this video on youtube for me.

You are AWESOME!

And I wish you so much success.

-Aye, y'all heard it live first, right here on VJBS!

Peace, Love, Light, & Inspiration,

Vee

I Love Your Naps (Napturalicious Poem) by Kamal Imani

Loving Me Some Nappy Nappy Video just released!
Watch it here.
And guess what? I'm in the Video!
Her sweet kinky naps go back to electromagnetic cats from the land of the blacks where the sphinx naps her sweet kinky naps go back to electromagnetic cats from the land of the blacks where the sphinx naps
I need a Nappy Headed Diva!
In her I'm a believer
I get high off her like ganja
I'm her quarterback
She's my wide receiver
Forget what society thinks---------------------------------- Kamal on Myspace!.
She's a high achiever .

Thought I told you before yo
I'll never leave her
I had to hit her wit a friend request
A myspace link
When I heard her playing Lauren Hill
And saw her khemit kinks
She's a lavender flower
In a world that stinks
When she walks by like Ms. Sadey
That's a sophisticated southern lady
Even the devil winks
But 666 can't have her
Cause she'd rather
Have the kushite deity
And baby that be me
See
I ain't gon through struggles for nothing my struggles my initiation and when I saw her on the street there was no time wastin no procrastination Harlemite born, yo we don't play I stepped to her with no delay like "sweet Jesus can I touch the hem of your garment?"
And of course she laughed
As I asked for her business card
And her autograph
Some matrix type chicks would have walked pass but her dread type natural naps served as an antenna that detected this bredren right here was a winner
Cause her sweet naps go back to electromagnetic cats from the land of the blacks where the sphinx naps so as she walks the streets all she hears is raps like" yo, ma holla back, can a brother get some play?
Yo what's up wit that"
Cause brothers use to believe that light skin was in whether temp or perm or contract but never a double chocolate delicious diva with black naps I'll take either one I'll take them as they come all shades of the black spectrum those khemit kinks remind me of the African village tribe of shabazz 9 ether smoke incense and drums If those naps were a snack I'd keep them in my poetry back pack throw the seeds in a farm harvest them and get phat When I run my fingers through those naps it's nothing like that thoughts of our collective middle passage experience stringy hair, my Akashi fingers couldn't feel that your naps reveal that I love every square inch of your reflection which means I love being black.
Her sweet kinky naps go back to electromagnetic cats from the land of the blacks where the sphinx naps
Kamal Imani c 12/29/07 Shout Outs to Auset 999

Also check out, "ALL SHE REALLY WANTS IS LOVE" by kamal


The 2008 Tribute 2 Ms. Melanin Calender

Click pic for larger
view or to order!

I Need This Day!

I'm not answering the phone today.
I will not answer the door.
I need this day to myself.
So tomorrow I can soar.

I want to reminisce on 2007.

Sort through the lessons and file them on the shelf.
I want to meditate and recreate.
I want to reconnect with my inner-self .

I need healing energy for the coming new year,
to energize and renew my body, my mind, and my spirit.
No one else's woe can help me today,
Cause when I hear, I have to live it.

And I don't mind, not usually.
Hey, you got a problem, you can use me.
But not today, cause today's my day.
My baby's upstairs,
Zion and Sampson are around,
And my Mighty Master's beside me.

He needs this time alone with me
to work on me and mine.
I am a recluse for just this day,
But tomorrow I will shine.

And once I'm brightly shining,
I'll have so many rays to share.
So please, let me be for just...this...day,

and tomorrow I'll be there.

Peace, Love, & Light,
Vee

-original poem written by Vee May 3, 2003
-edited today!
-current mood - Reflective

-listening to:

India Arie's Private Party...........

Learning to love yourself - Building from ground zero!

I started writing columns focusing on health issues. After recently speaking with one of my Myspace friends, it dawned on me that before you can take care of your body, you have to truly love your body, and that means loving yourself. She'd written some blogs about some of the mistakes she's made in the past and present and wanted her friends to comment on them. Well of course I commented on the usual stuff about having self love and high self esteem. I was surprised by her next question. She admitted that she didn't know how to begin loving herself and simply asked, “How do I?” I was caught off guard by this. I was reminded once again that when you give advice - even friendly advice - you must be simplistic and exact in your responses. Thank you Lady Jo for this lesson. This article actually should have been the very first one ever written, but it's only after you've been inspired that you can truly write anything worth sharing. And so I replied:

Learning How to Love Yourself - Building from ground zero!

You are the architect - Draw up your own blue print

As a small child, it's easy and natural to love yourself, because children automatically expect unconditional love and acceptance. It's only after someone or something shows them the ugly side of life that they start doubting themselves and feeling insecure.

First of all, realize that everyone, and I mean absolutely EVERYONE, has done some things they wish they could go back and change. Secondly, know that no one is defined by the things they have done, but by the lessons they have learned and the wisdom they are willing to teach to others. Third, you are also not defined by the mistakes of others.

You must tear down to rebuild!

This is your journey alone. No one can make it for you, so do not let anyone else guide you off your path. Think about the things in your life you have done, regret, and have learned from. Think about them, analyze them, figure out the lessons in them and then forgive yourself for them. Then leave the guilt behind and take with you only the lessons. This is the crucial first step, because you must drop the heavy weights that are holding you down and coloring your view. Whether you need a shovel or a bull dozer, it can be done. It must be done. So drop 'em and let's go.

Rebuilding – the foundation and the framework

First, write down all the positive things about yourself that you can think of. Do not put down one negative thing! Cast those out of your head and try not to think of them during this exercise. You should have placed them in the exercise above. We're rebuilding now, so the negatives have got to go! So write down the positives, and read them every night before you take your bath and get ready for bed. Next, look at yourself in the mirror (in the nude), lights bright as they can be. See yourself in your purest essence and tell yourself, "I am beautiful. I am unique. I am imperfect perfection, just as I was intended to be." Find your flaws and get comfortable with them too. Look at them and say, "I love you too. You make me ME!"

Note: you can do this exercise before going out on the town. Make sure you note all the positive feedback you receive. You will be strutting in a different way and others will pick up on your energy. Your confidence and inner beauty will absolutely radiate.

Bring in the sheetrock, the bricks, and the mortar!

Well, don't just sit there...get in the water! Imagine all the negatives and self doubt being washed away from your body and going down the drain. Meditate. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, concentrating on each breath. Imagine you are breathing in self love and breathing out any self hatred and doubt. Welcome the peace and serenity. Picture yourself as you would like to be. Picture the future you would like to have. Keep these images in your head. This is called positive imaging, and it's not a new thing. It has been around for years. It is also called FAITH for those of you who believe in a Higher Power. Your thoughts and words color your world. You have the power to make it positive or negative. You breathe life into whatever you are focusing on. When you focus your energy on negativity, bad things are more likely to follow. And likewise, when you focus on the beauty around you, the beauty within you and the beauty in others (although they may not be "acting" so beautiful at the time), your world will be bright and light and full of positive energy.

Don't forget the roof!

Last, remember that self love is truly a gift that everyone has the power to attain. It is absolutely free. But the choice is yours. So instead of hiding who you are, start accepting and appreciating who you are.

Ever wonder why some people always have good things happen to them, seemingly without much effort? Ever wonder why some people never look worried about anything? Well, they have learned the secrets to truly being happy with themselves and their lives.

Job Well done. Now take a break. Want some lemonade?

Make sure to do these exercises every night until you truly believe that you have become the wonderful, beautiful being that you were intended to be. But if nothing else is taken away from this article, the one thing that I want to express is this: The people in your life who really should be there will love the real you, flaws and all. And as for everyone else, just keep smilin', keep shinin', and keep right on makin' lemonade!

You thirsty yet?