Tag Archives: Barack Obama

September 26, 2017 · 10:17 am

Will more African American Authors get their overdue recognition?

This is a blog I wrote a few years ago–updated with a title change. It is still relevant but my life has changed. I now live in Atlanta, GA. And this series, so far, has three-parts under the series title “The Tippy Ellis Story.”  You can find her on Amazon.com and a host of other bookstore retailers. 

As a new author to the fiction world, I am amazed at the wide range of talented black writers in this industry. Many authors we’ve heard of Carl Weber, Terry McMillian, Alice Monroe, Tony Morrison, Walter Mosley but numerous authors have yet to be acknowleged or celebrated.  For example, if you search for African American authors on-line at Barnes and Noble the results will come back with over 3,000 titles. Amazing huh?  Yep, black folks have passion for much more than basketball, singing and hip hop.

From what I’ve seen, even the most popular black authors rarely grace the front pages of major magazines or mainstream news. Seemingly, we have to fight our way to the forefront – to be seen – hoping to be heard and applauded for our works.

We have passion for what we do. Our individuality inspires great writers with great stories, offering ideals from a variety of black experiences beyond your typical street and hip hop literature, which appears to be growing in popularity – this is of no surprise.

Perhaps me being synical comes from living in a city called Portland, Oregon where blacks are 2 percent of the population if that. We usually get recognized if we commit a crime or if we belong to a closed niche group of black folks who the major news outlets recycle, making it sound like only a handful of black folks are doing good deeds, doing  great things.  I guess we can be grateful for our black media. But in my experience the geographical reach of black media, depending on where it is, is smaller. Further, the welcome mat doesn’t come easy and often expect to go unnoticed unless, of course, you already have the word celebrity attached to your name, or you know so and so at the corner store or church. There are exceptions.

So what advice is there for new black authors on the scene or for those interested in joining the long list of names already in the industry?

I’ve spent the past almost year writing my first novel, the first in a series, Diary of Tippy Ellis “Mama’s Daughter” and opted to self publish after having a focus group of early readers review the final draft. Inspired by my own life surrounded by often tragic circumstances, the Diary received raving reviews. I’m also a marketing and branding professional by trade so I am fortunate to have skills to self promote. Yet, I’ve found that introducing myself to the fiction world isn’t easy.  So far, I’ve been met with resistance and the money train is nearing empty.

To get the credit we deserve? I guess I have to rethink what that means. Change my blueprint and adhere to my mission for this series, which is to “Give young black women a voice” and to keep the spotlight on violence against women.  Both are crucial causes worth fighting for. Hence, I don’t need credit for that but the drive to continue the movement. Onward to part two.

In truth,

Boss Amanishakhete, author and Word-Soul artist

Trailer:  Diary of Tippy Ellis “Mama’s Daughter” by Boss Amanishakhete

Atlanta and Portland provide backdrops for a dynamic story about Latonya “Tippy” Ellis – 17 and black – who battles the pressures of drugs, alcohol and sex, while coming to grips with past family secrets. Through dealing with the trauma of murder and violence, Tippy learns to navigate the gauntlet of close friendships, love and life.

Diary of Tippy Ellis “Mama’s” Daughter” is currently on-line at Createspace.com and Amazon.com (paperback and kindle)

Leave a comment

Filed under African Americans, Amanishakhete, authors, news

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

October 1, 2014 · 3:05 am

Omari Hardwick’s 200 tweets “stop talking about my wife.” Isn’t that excessive?

When it comes to all the bad news in general, or hoopla surrounding today’s celebrities, I rarely hear about it unless my daughter sends me a link to a story. I sigh when I take the time to read or skim through ’em. I want to share my thoughts on many, but I barely have time to work on my fiction series, which I feel is more important. At least among those pages, I can speak my truth through my characters. But I will take time to share my thoughts on the Omari Hardwick story about fans screaming about his new wife because it brings up angry feelings for me but not in the way that you think.

When I first read the story and Omari Hardwick’s responses, I said to myself really? What is all the uproar about, especially, coming from Omari Hardwick who felt he needed to send out 200 tweets to defend his right to marry who he chooses? 200 tweets to tell everyone to either “shut the fuck up” or “stop talking about my wife!” Well here’s to you Mr. Hardwick – boohoo. I hope you are over it. We all know that this is a cruel world full of cruel people and when you are in the public eye you can expect to get trashed sooner or later. Just ask our first black President Barack Obama who gets cursed out the minute he wakes up; his black kids get trashed and his beautiful black wife Michelle isn’t immune. Many in the public call this black woman ugly, an angry black woman and everything else but a child of God. However, both Bo and Mo have handled the public scrutiny and cruelty with style and grace. So, Omari Hardwick, if anything, you should have broke-out a bottle of the best champagne (y’all can afford it) and toasted your wife and said “Well honey welcome to sisterhood. Now you know what it feels like to be a black woman!”

Uh-huh. The public has been rather unkind to a black woman’s looks, saying we don’t meet the grade unless we look like Beyoncé. I brought up this subject when Michael Jordan married his white wife and 6,000 people took to Yahoo to talk about how ugly, stanky and worthless black women were and that is the reason black men no longer wanted to marry them.  Well you haters on Omari, if you think his wife is ugly, then looks are not the reason black men don’t marry black women.  When you get right down to it, black women have taken the worst heat when it comes to perceived beauty in this country. The disgusting remarks by those invisible chatroom assholes piss me the hell off. Y’all know if you came out in public, you wouldn’t dare say anything because you’d be setting yourself up for a beatdown.

Frankly, I was surprised that anyone made such remarks against the new Mrs. Hardwick. She’s white. Generally, black men are applauded for marrying white women regardless of what people perceive to be beautiful. I know people think Jordan’s wife is fine. I still can’t see it but hey, that is another topic indeed: “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.”

As for Omari Hardwick, he has the right to say what he wants. But I hate to say this “celebs.” The folks talking don’t give a damn. They could care less about your responses, which Omari’s no doubt came straight from his anger and emotion. Hmm. Surprises me that Hardwick’s wife, who is a publicist, didn’t tell him to chill for a minute and respond later with some sense. I read some of Hardwick’s comments and they didn’t make a bit of sense to me. Some of what he said may have been important, but it may be all for not.

In that vein, as a PR person, I have to remind myself what to say to the public and how to say it when they piss me the hell off. In my world, when I am not doing Amanishakhete, I am publicly attacked and still talked about in the newspaper in association with former companies I’ve worked for or headed. My attorney, I keep on retainer, tells me to stay cool and refrain from engaging with the public, trying to defend myself, my choices or my work. It’s a waste of time unless it is a clear case of defamation. Then we get paid. Well I haven’t been that lucky – yet.

So, meanwhile, I guess the lesson here is how best to respond. Or maybe not. Or maybe just keep it short and sweet and say, for example, STFU (shut the fuck up). Or wait a day or two and respond with grace and candor like the President. Beyoncé learned that lesson quickly after she told her fans to mind their own business after her sister went off on JayZ in the elevator. She must have heard me telling her off all the way from Wilsonville. After all, the fans in her business, made her the almost billionaire she is today. Immediately, the next day, she came out with a much eloquent statement no doubt written by her PR team who had to remind her she’s a public figure who’s still getting paid big money.

Yep. Celebrities are human too. But being a public figure has its downfalls. Things haven’t changed since I learned about the plight of public figures in High School Econ and Political Science (umpteen years ago) and how those attacking public figures have the right to exercise free speech. We can spend our time shouting back at the free speech haters, but what good will it do? It may make us feel better, but in the end what a waste of time. I’d rather just get paid.

Meanwhile, I have 4 words for those who hate this post or who want to talk about my future boo who may end up being a white man ’cause unlike other sista’s I ain’t waiting for another brotha who may never come along, or one who thinks you should marry him just because… My 4 words are WGAF “Who gives a fuck!” At the end of the day, I still plan to watch my man Omari on the new series Power on Starz (new season starts next summer). He’s quite nice to look at and that ass speaks volumes. I know his wife is having the time of her life. Frankly, I’ll take looking at Mr. fine Omari over rapper 50 cent any day. So Omari, stay cool. Next June is a long time coming.

In truth,

Amanishakhete

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Amanishakhete

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

June 26, 2014 · 1:45 am

Hate is a word I rarely use but…

In the case of House Speaker John Boehner announcing his plan to sue our President, I have to say I really hate the guy – John Boehner that is. I am sick of him and his racist cronies – the new GOP and Tea Partiers racist attitudes and who just hate the black guy in office.

Of course, it all goes back to the majority of the American people re-electing President Barack Obama. The new GOP and Tea Partiers couldn’t keep their promise to ensure “the black guy be a one-term President.” They tried to buy the election and give it to Mitt, but the will of the people won over the $400+ millions they spent to defeat him. Yes the will of the people – majority rules. But in this case, these racists say it doesn’t apply. What’s worse is Boehner claims he is doing the “will” of the American people. I wonder who he’s referring to? Certainly not me – a black independent woman. Certainly not gays and lesbians. Certainly not Latinos. Certainly not immigrants of color. So who’s left? The racists – those that call themselves the Tea Party and the NEW Republican party. And yes both of those parties include African Americans – oops they don’t want to identify with color  – they are racist too and also hate the black guy in office. They would have preferred a racist in office who admittedly grew up thinking black people were less than the bottom of his shoe. Now we have redneck Boehner suing over some bullshit. Suing because their methods to shut him down in his second term, simply ain’t working. Hey racist Boehner, the President has a Constitutional Law degree. So take your lawsuit and shove it.

So let me use the word I rarely use again – I HATE JOHN BOEHNER!  I HATE HIS CRONIES! I HATE THEM so much I am fired up and ready to go. I’m getting up off of my ass and standing my ground against you racists. And I am going to get everyone else fired up so we can make sure you don’t try to put black people back in chains, tell Latinos to self-deport, tell those without healthcare tough luck, tell the poor we don’t want you to succeed because we need slave labor, tell women to stay at home and submit and Asians that they don’t count.

We are done with you. Now it’s our time. The true will of the people to prevail!!! That means no more voting crazies in Congress. And definitely no Republican for President, including, Jeb Bush.

In truth

follow Boss Amanishakhete on Twitter

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Amanishakhete

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 10, 2014 · 2:07 am

Find our missing girls – bring them home

Like me, everyone should be outraged about the 300 schoolgirls recently kidnapped in Nigeria.

Over the past couple of days, we have heard many stories – the kidnappers claim they plan to sell the girls as child brides and for $12 each – to today’s news that the Nigerian government knew about the planned attack four hours before it happened.

Releasing this story is one thing but keeping it in the headlines (until we find them) takes all of us. This involves urging editors, journalists, elected-officials, public-at-large and the rest of us picking up a pen to write about it, calling the international community to action.

I am an advocate for stopping crimes against women and children, including domestic violence and sex trafficking. I often include these realisms in my fiction series as another avenue for moving these crimes to the forefront. Too, these incidences regularly remind me of my own life story – of what happened to me, friends and family.

Let’s keep this story in the headlines and all of our innocent girls in our hearts and minds from this day forward.

In truth,

Amanishakhete

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/nigerian-kidnappers-trade-article-1.1784690

http://www.theskanner.com/news/world/21209-british-and-us-experts-to-help-find-kidnapped-nigerian-girls

Leave a comment

Filed under Amanishakhete, sex trafficking

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

May 29, 2013 · 6:59 am

Changing the script for televison, film and fiction novels

newcoverDTETyler Perry’s Haves and Have Nots premiered on OWN TV – the Oprah Channel. It depicts a wealthy white family with a black maid and whose estranged daughter  (a prostitute)  infiltrates the family after sleeping with the head of the family – the white man she attempts to blackmail for get this: a $100,000 and a sports car.

First, let me say I ain’t hating on Tyler Perry. I have much respect for him and absolutely love Madea. In my novel, The Diary of Tippy Ellis, I’ve included some typical shaddy characters who deeply affected my life.

But, as an African American woman, I’ve grown weary of stories about black female hos, hip hop divas, overweight mamas, bitches, hoochies, ghetto queens, maids, mistresses or prostitutes trying to take a white man’s money.  And OMG the hip hop and black women beating each other down reality shows! Not to say they don’t have their place. These stories depict the lives of some African Americans. BUT NOT ALL.  Unfortunately, white television executives – especially – drive these types of stories refusing to recognize the breadth of black experiences.

In contrast, we need a level playing field; change the script and open the door for a variety of African American storytellers who come from different worlds?

For example, my parents come from the south; they are both highly educated. My mom comes from a family of educators and landowners and my father pulled himself up by the “bootstraps” so-to-speak. As an Air force family, we spent most of our earlier years in the Pacific NW, living in majority white communities.

The lead character in my novel the Diary of Tippy Ellis is LaTonya Ellis who is 17 years old and worth $100 million. This is not a fantasy but a reality. Yes. There are black people worth millions and they are not hip hop artists and athletes.

Excerpt from The Diary of Tippy Ellis “Mama’s Daughter”

         Chapter 1 – Ain’t hell for bad people?

I’m black, an African American, a person of color. Regardless of how you paint me, my family is wealthy. This makes me very rich and a “Girlishcious” American teenager.

I’m LaTonya Loretta Ellis. Most everyone calls me Tippy, a nickname my parents gave me when I was 4. I could walk up on you without you knowing and during the most inopportune times. I’d hear juicy stuff kids normally shouldn’t. As an only child, this often was my source of entertainment. Yet, some of what I heard became the basis for my unhappiness.

Lots of kids blame their parents. I’m no different even though you may think my life is a little easier because I’m rich – I mean really rich – and you probably think I’m spoiled – Not! I have problems like any average teenage girl. In fact, my cross is heavier. At least I think so.

Early on I was fortunate to have 2 parents who married for love, so I thought. Now daddy has a new wifey. She’s not my real mama nor stepmama. I don’t claim the lying, cheating, backstabbing skank, whose shit stinks worse than anyone else’s I’ve smelled! Pretty bad.

My birth parents are Robert T. Ellis and Loretta Oliver-Ellis, well-educated and socially astute. They both come from politically charged backgrounds. Daddy gained his views over time whereas mama’s were handed down through generations.

Mama’s family is staunch Republican – the ultra conservative kind. They support every Republican candidate despite their ideology.

They may be black but they think they’re above the average black person – poor and middle-class. Mama’s parents, granddaddy and gramma Oliver, campaign for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan during this year’s 2012 presidential election. They believe Romney and Ryan are the answer to black folks’ problems.

 I live with daddy, so I learn my ideals from him. He makes sure his family understands what side of the track to stand on. Daddy talks about politics often and we support President Barack Obama. You probably guessed Daddy is a diehard liberal Democrat. He hates Republicans especially the black ones. He thinks they’re all traitors except for General Collin Powell.

“Yeah he’s a good man,” daddy says. “Even told his boss W to go to hell. That takes courage.”

Mama was born with a silver spoon. She comes from a long-line of Oliver’s – steel and land moguls dating back to the 1700s.

Daddy’s a self-made multimillionaire thanks to mama. She helped him start his business, RJ Builders and Design, now a fortune 500 company. His wealth is why his new wifey married him.

On Amazon.com review the first six chapters of The Diary of Tippy Ellis “Mama’s Daughter” on Kindle.

1 Comment

Filed under Amanishakhete

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

May 14, 2013 · 5:42 am

The CRAZIES lost the election now they’re talking impeachment

The crazies: the GOP, the birthers and the “I hate that black guy” racists are at it again. They couldn’t out vote President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, so now they want to impeach him and destroy his legacy.  With the mere speculation of Hillary Clinton running in 2016, the crazies have escalated their attacks on the President using the “no Benghazi issue” as an impeachment weapon despite the fact that this administration’s snafus look like nursery school rhymes compared to the war crimes committed under Bush/Cheney.

I wrote my recent novel the Diary of Tippy Ellis “Mama’s Daughter” in real time with much of it happening during the 2012 presidential election. The heroine LaTonya Ellis is surrounded by both Republican and Democratic family members. Within her immediate family her father Robert Ellis is a diehard Democrat who hates conservatives except for General Collin Powell. In Chapter 50 “Almost Home,” a conversation takes place between LaTonya and her father about the crazies and Obama’s legacy. See excerpt below.

The Diary of Tippy Ellis

Chapter 50/Almost Home

  11/7/2012  Early evening in Council Crest

I’m certainly glad the election is over. We got President Obama for another 4 years thanks to the Big G. Glad he’s doing something right for a change. Daddy is happy too. I thought last night he was gonna bust waiting for the results.  When it was over, he tears-up but mans-up quick.

“Now you see, that’s what them damn Republicans get,” daddy says. “They played dirty; tried to keep black folks from voting; talked about women like a dog; told the Latinos to self-deport; the Muslims to kill themselves; gays to go to hell and now they’re blaming their boy Romney. Huh, they threw away $400 million to buy people’s votes and got nothing. Could have put the money to good use but noooo, greed took over! But we the people told ‘em to shove it up there asses! And go to hell Fox News! I’m surprised those billionaires didn’t beat the shit out of Karl Rove for stealing their money.”

Daddy can barely breathe he’s so excited. “We have to protect the president’s legacy. These racists aren’t gonna sleep until they succeed in destroying him and his family. Huh. Now some of them racist states, including this one wants to succeed from the union. What bullshit! We gotta be ready to fight back when the time comes.”

Daddy also doesn’t like black folks being ignored. Now the Republicans are harping about how to appeal to Latinos but say nothing about black people – they know we ain’t stupid. We had a greater turn out than in 2008 despite trying to keep us down. Few news stations except for MSNBC are talking about it. Most everyone else is ignoring black people – again. As if we don’t count. As if we are invisible.

Daddy says he hopes the Latinos don’t get fooled by those damn Republicans. All they care about is building a power structure to turn us into slave labor. What daddy says reminds me of the movie the Hunger Games. I hope it never happens. If so, I’ll be one of the ones, along with daddy, getting thrown into those concentrations camps they keep talking about on the internet. Like daddy I ain’t bending.

#  #  #

The Diary of Tippy Ellis “Mama’s Daughter” is on sale at Amazon.com (paperback and Kindle) and Createspace.com.

Leave a comment

Filed under Amanishakhete

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

April 27, 2013 · 11:09 pm

Will African American fiction authors get the credit they deserve?

This is a blog I wrote a few years ago; however, it is still relevant. Things have changed since then like I now live in Atlanta, GA. And this series so far has three parts under the series title “The Tippy Ellis Story.”  You can find her on Amazon.com and a host of other bookstore retailers. 

As a new author to the fiction world, I am amazed at the wide range of talented black writers in this industry. Many authors we’ve heard of Carl Weber, Terry McMillian, Alice Monroe, Tony Morrison, Walter Mosley but numerous authors have yet to be acknowleged or celebrated.  For example, if you search for African American authors on-line at Barnes and Noble the results will come back with over 3,000 titles. Amazing huh?  Yep, black folks have passion for much more than basketball, singing and hip hop.

From what I’ve seen, even the most popular black authors rarely grace the front pages of major magazines or mainstream news. Seemingly, we have to fight our way to the forefront – to be seen – hoping to be heard and applauded for our works.

We have passion for what we do. Our individuality inspires great writers with great stories, offering ideals from a variety of black experiences beyond your typical street and hip hop literature, which appears to be growing in popularity – this is of no surprise.

Perhaps me being synical comes from living in a city called Portland, Oregon where blacks are 2 percent of the population if that. We usually get recognized if we commit a crime or if we belong to a closed niche group of black folks who the major news outlets recycle, making it sound like only a handful of black folks are doing good deeds, doing  great things.  I guess we can be grateful for our black media. But in my experience the geographical reach of black media, depending on where it is, is smaller. Further, the welcome mat doesn’t come easy and often expect to go unnoticed unless, of course, you already have the word celebrity attached to your name, or you know so and so at the corner store or church. There are exceptions.

So what advice is there for new black authors on the scene or for those interested in joining the long list of names already in the industry?

I’ve spent the past almost year writing my first novel, the first in a series, Diary of Tippy Ellis “Mama’s Daughter” and opted to self publish after having a focus group of early readers review the final draft. Inspired by my own life surrounded by often tragic circumstances, the Diary received raving reviews. I’m also a marketing and branding professional by trade so I am fortunate to have skills to self promote. Yet, I’ve found that introducing myself to the fiction world isn’t easy.  So far, I’ve been met with resistance and the money train is nearing empty.

To get the credit we deserve? I guess I have to rethink what that means. Change my blueprint and adhere to my mission for this series, which is to “Give young black women a voice” and to keep the spotlight on violence against women.  Both are crucial causes worth fighting for. Hence, I don’t need credit for that but the drive to continue the movement. Onward to part two.

In truth,

Boss Amanishakhete, author and Word-Soul artist

Trailer:  Diary of Tippy Ellis “Mama’s Daughter” by Boss Amanishakhete

Atlanta and Portland provide backdrops for a dynamic story about Latonya “Tippy” Ellis – 17 and black – who battles the pressures of drugs, alcohol and sex, while coming to grips with past family secrets. Through dealing with the trauma of murder and violence, Tippy learns to navigate the gauntlet of close friendships, love and life.

Diary of Tippy Ellis “Mama’s” Daughter” is currently on-line at Createspace.com and Amazon.com (paperback and kindle)

1 Comment

Filed under Amanishakhete, sex trafficking, women

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,