REFLECTION & REASON

Everyone has one, their story of struggle and how they persevered. Whether it was through a difficult period of time, a challenging day, or a history of oppression...we are overwhelmed with a great number of survival stories to listen to, learn from, and be inspired by. The story of Elizabeth Smart ("My Story") was always one that interested me. We all remembered when she was kidnapped back in the summer of 2002, right from her home. The media images of her parents pleading for her safe return, and the suspicion and doubt and sadness that clouded the situation. It was a story that captured the nation's attention, and one that brought great relief when Elizabeth was found...alive! But when her story unfolded, and elements of her 9 months in captive were broadcast, I remember there also being a bit of judgment on Elizabeth. When it was discovered that she was out in public on numerous occasions, and that she had encountered police officers yet still didn't reveal...

Today on the way in to work, I was listening to an old mix CD I made from about 14 years ago exclusively featuring female R&B singers. They were great years, musically . I was living in Windsor, attending arguably THE best party/social school for reggae/soca/hip hop/R&B heads, and I was an active participant in campus clubs like the Black Youth Taking Action (BYTA), and the Black Student Union (BSU) who would regularly host events, and discussions…the occasional comedy show, and our favourite: the AFROdisiac Poetry Vibe. When I think back to that era of music and culture, it is framed with the voices of Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, and India Arie. It was fabulous to attend school so close to Detroit-- a historical hub of Black music and history--and I think the energy rubbed off on [some of] us in the most positive way . Everything about that era in R&B/hip hop culture was natural, relatively speaking. The top female performers were natural. The male performers wer...