So Fresh and So Green

I don’t care about anything else but my people being free. Everything else is low priority.

My career, any brass rings that they hand out to me, I don’t give a shit. I don’t feel comfortable with my quote unquote success.

I feel like it’s just the most ephemeral, fantasy set of circumstances to live in if I can have that but this shit is going on.

Then who the fuck am I? Nobody.

And if I don’t use the power that I’ve been given in the world to address this shit then I might as well just go lay in the casket.

And just, you know, just go lay down. ~Mos Def

These videos from 2-cent.com, no relation, are from 2009 when they took rapper/actor/singer “Mr. Do It All” Mos Def to a post Katrina New Orleans. (more…)

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That number was useful and the best estimate at the time.” ~ Jane Lubchenco, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration head, said regarding the 5,000 barrels of oil a day estimate flowing into the Gulf

A government team assembled to evaluate the flow has estimated as much as 25,000 barrels per day are leaking into the Gulf. The new estimates are anywhere from 2 to 5 times the previous estimates.

It has been 37 days since BP’s oil rig explosion set off what is becoming the biggest environmental disaster in US history if you believe the estimates or what may already be the biggest if you don’t believe those estimates.

Rapper/Actor/Singer/Mr.Do It All Mos Def recently moved to New Orleans so surely he’s outraged about BP’s oil leak and all the fallout. He (more…)

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Photo Credit: Getty PORT SULPHUR, LA - MAY 13: Jamie Riley pauses after cooking dinner for her seven children in the FEMA Diamond trailer park May 13, 2009 in Port Sulphur, Louisiana. Seven children and four adults from the family are living in the trailer after their home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. They are still awaiting money from the federal Road Home program to purchase a new home. Approximately 2,000 families in the New Orleans metropolitan area still live in FEMA trailers nearly four years after Hurricane Katrina. Eighty percent of those still in trailers are homeowners who are unable to return to their storm damaged houses. May 1 marked the end of the Temporary Housing Program for Katrina victims as those still living in the trailers have been given a May 30 deadline to move out or face possible legal action.

Based on a ruling Friday by from the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans Hurricane Katrina victims may have standing to sue oil and coal companies for producing greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming and rising ocean temperatures, which in turn contributed to the ferocity of hurricanes.

Does that sound like a lot? Does that sound like a leap? (more…)

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Far away from the single minded focus of the media giants, New Orleans is still suffering from the aftermath of the response to Hurricane Katrina. Many pitched in to help afterward and many donated to the cause but four years later the city is still being done wrong.

Mayor Ray Nagin in particular is still in such poor standing with many of the residents a poll was taken to see whom New Orleans would prefer. Topping the list was none other than Hollywood actor Brad Pitt.

Brad Pitt was honored last week for his humanitarian efforts in helping to rebuild New Orleans at former U.S. President Bill Clinton’s philanthropic summit, the Clinton Global Initiative.

The Cinematic Orchestra teamed up with Fontella Bass for this beautiful song. Fontella handles her phrasing with ease and was a great choice for “All That You Give”. I chose this song because it’s dope and even though the spirit of the song is melancholy I chose it also because in my opinion charity, philanthropy and humanitarianism are some of the greenest things you can do. (more…)

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“Vectorized” Josh Goldstein by Madam Toussaint

Here’s part 2 of my interview with Josh Goldstein. If you missed the first part you can click on AN INTERVIEW WITH JOSH GOLDSTEIN- ARTIST AND NYC BODEGA ENTHUSIAST PART 1. In this last half of Josh’s interview we learn how the dynamic artist feels about the graffiti scene, Chinese food take out menus and his own “Happy Family”. We also discuss the color purple (not the movie) and how he feels about the color green (the color and the environment).

MT: What kind of gear do you use to take your photos?

JG: Trade secret…ok fine, a Canon Power Shot.

Supermarket Chain (2003), photo on russian baltic birch multi-ply plywood, 48″x8″, private collection, Brooklyn, New York

MT: When I see your work I can see Hip Hop has clearly been an influence on you. Were you ever on the graffiti scene? Who are your favorite graffiti artists? If want to see dope graffiti in NYC where should I visit?

JG: Damn, I wish I could say I was, but the truth is I was too busy collecting baseball cards in Indiana. Favorite graf/street artists – Doze Green, Banksy of course, Swoon, Lee Quinones, Taki 183, and the guy who wrote “gang mafia” on the wall of the bodega on my corner.

Best place to see dope graffiti? 5 Pointz in Long Island City for sure – best seen out of the left side of a Flushing-bound 7 train. Also check out the piece on (more…)

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