So Fresh and So Green

Gigi Bio’s “PRISMS ON BUSHWICK” From the album: “PHOTO JUXTAPOSITIONS” reminds me of my environment, the city I love. The hard angles remind me of the urban landscape while the curve and flow flow recall the dynamic and energy of the city that never sleeps. Gotta love the graffiti too.

As a Black person from New York City I take issue with a lot of green marketing and I guess what I would call “green imagery”. It seems like a lot of “going green” is supposed to be geared towards white folks that live in Seattle. That’s fine and all but it isn’t only their responsibility to get involved and they certainly would not be the only ones to benefit from everyone being more environmentally conscious.

It bothers me that in sifting through images for this blog the majority of the “green images” I saw were of white adults and children in lush fields of green, green grass. You’ve seen those images. Maybe there are a few puffy white clouds in the blue-green afternoon sky. Oh yeah, with lots and lots of sunlight drenching everything. No beginning, no end, no context, just holy awesomeness as God intended! Maybe some strawberry blonde haired little girl is picking daisies and running around, whatever. I’m not going to take issue with the lack of non white persons in this imagery right now, but instead I’d like to discuss the lush, green field.

To buy this single click on Brooklyn-Queens

I grew up in New York City and I have a problem with imagery that leads one to believe lush green fields are worth being more conscious for and saving while implying cities aren’t and the hood isn’t. (more…)

If you like it then you shoulda put a bookmark on it!

Photo Credit: “Passing Through Eldridge” by Gigi Bio

In many arguments with friends I’ve been told as far as being “green” is concerned Black people don’t care about dolphins or polar bears. Black people care about people, particularly our own survival. And that’s understandable as there is much to be concerned with in our community, however I think “green” must include people and ultimately it is the survival of living things on this planet we all need to be concerned with.

So here’s a story about people and it’s completely dolphin and polar bear free.

Wu Liang Ye is a restaurant franchise owned by the Chinese government and established in New York City in 1993.

Workers are alleging the restaurant paid them “$1.10 an hour and later retaliated against staffers who sued” according to nydailynews.com.

“A suit filed in April 2008 said that Wu Liang Ye locations on Lexington Ave. and E. 86th St. paid workers just over $1 an hour, stole 10% of their credit card tips and failed to pay overtime.”

Anyone who knows me knows I prefer chicken and broccoli. I’ll eat chicken, rice and broccoli from any country too cause I’m worldly like that. Immortal Technique likes beef and broccoli though so all you vegans and vegetarians mind your goddamn business. Fa real I cosign everything he says here!

“Of the 25 workers named in the suit, 23 have been fired and some were assaulted and threatened, organizers said. (more…)

If you like it then you shoulda put a bookmark on it!