The Ponzi Scheme

Meocha Belle 7/4

After attending the Paris Hip-Hop Summit last night and having hip-hop historian and legendary French rapper: Solo come and speak to our class yesterday, we spent the beginning of class time discussing Kevin Liles' talk in relation to what was taught earlier in the day.
Regardless of the optimism my cohort took from Kevin Liles' talk, his main point was that the goal of hip-hop is to build an empire. Masked by offering the idea that "we are Generation E", which stands for- "education, empowerment, and entrepreneurship," Liles got some of his audience members to but into his fairytale. I was not one of them.
He delivered the most basic, inaccurate message that, "faith and will are key" and by "telling your own truth and success will follow you." Sadly enough, some people were gullible enough to believe that those things were enough to become rich, his definition of success.
Although Kevin Liles claimed to be "working hard to give pure hip-hop," when questioned by Frenchmen and artists in the audience, Liles had no idea of anything going on in Paris or that happened in the past. How are you trying to enter a new market when you do not even know artists there or the social climate of the area? Audience members were schooling Liles on historical and cultural facts that anyone trying to break into a new business would already know. People called him out on this and the question & period got very heated!
Industry insiders and artists always preach the message of keeping it real, as did Liles last night, but how can they do so when they are manipulatively capitalizing off of the same people and places they grew up with and in? What ever happened to responsibility? Morality? Ethics? Hip-hop has undoubtedly done a lot for race relations, but it also has fallen into the capitalist trap and needs to be lead by heads that are interested in more than making fast cash.

~Paris Noir 2010

London Town

Meocha Belle 7/3

Today is my second day in London. And I got to fly The London Eye! I saw London from great heights and got some amazing photos of the town. I also went sight-seeing on both a bus and boat tour. What struck me most was how explanations and stories of the same monuments, buildings and historical happenings, all had different beginnings and endings of the teller. Even though I took notice to this, the speakers were probably unaware how skewed the stories sound when compared.
I immediately thought of Baldwin and so many writers that wrote of personal contact and experience correlating with viewpoints. It is truely amazing how so many people think they know what they believ and affirm is true. I am constantly trying to get information from people to get information from different people to draw my own conclusions on ideas and events. Without doing so, you may be lead by the blind. Paris Noir has definately heightened this neccessity to learn more and not take things just because its told. In its design, there are many voices and therefore, stories and perspectives on similar issues. Our job as the students are to take what you can, analyze it and make it our own.

While in London I my newly found tools of analyses lead me to make a discovery in a mission that was impossible. Rudy and I tried to visit the site of the 2012 Olympic Games. Unfortunately, this was a failed attempt. We got close but were many blocks from the venue, even though it was in clear-view. After much re-routing and further examination, I noticed that we could not reach the venue because of the area we were in trying to get there. While navigating the streets and train tracks, we ended up in what was clearly an urban, destitute area, despite its visible mixed community of races. This area was completely blocked off from the venue where the 2012 Olympic Games will be held. After trying for hours, on train and foot, there was no way that we could reach the venue from anywhere near that location. Most of the train lines and routes were not running either and since it was not a holiday or major event happening, it was clear what was going on. The people in that community, which included us at that moment, were systematically being kept out of certain places in the town and metro-area. They were literally gated inside their one area and had little to no access outside.

This immediately drew me to think of the Bastille protest we visited in Paris. Although these are different situation indifferent locations, in both places, the people are being worked but not given full citizenship- or even partial citizenship, in some cases. The same struggle is happening to people of predominately African-Diasporic racial identities across the globe. This is why a program such as Paris Noir is needed. For centuries, systems of oppression have existed and functioned in communities that are thought to be very dissimilar even within the African Diaspora, yet the social, political and economic circumstances bind us much more closely than we know. Awareness of the Africaine Presence in international locales allows for the imaginary gap to be closed across Diaspora.

~Paris Noir 2010

Customs

Meocha Belle 7/2

Today I came to London with Rudy. The decision to go was quick because I knew I would not be presented with an opportunity to see London in a while and realized this was the perfect time.
Our morning started early and our trip was delayed because the Eurostar staff and customs would not let anyone through until departure time. So after waiting in line for about an hour, we finally got up to the London officials to have them check our passports. There were several people in front of me that went right through without any questions asked. Then, when it was my turn, the officer underwent a full-on interrogation with me. I believe it had something to do with my travel partner and I going to London together. It seemed as if the customs's officer thought I was from the West Indies or Les Antilles trying to go into London and stay with my white savior. So after going back and forth and providing reasoning for our visit to London, he let us both through. After showing him many forms of identification, including my international student id card, he let us through. This ordeal dominated the conversation between me and Rudy for a few minutes, then we quickly changed topics to what we were learning in seminar class and quickly forgot about the custom's situation.
We soon after fell asleep and when we woke up, were in London. We had great Italian food and conversation.

~Paris Noir 2010

"Pink on the Outside & Black on the Inside"-Yves Saint Laurent

Meocha Belle 7/1

Today I went to the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit for research on my independent study project. I wanted to find out what cultures influenced such major collections, and to analyze all that I saw. And boy did I see a lot! At the beginning of the exhibit, I thought that the Algerian fashion designer's work was greatly crafted and highly conservative. As I advanced, I saw the same things and was somewhat bored with the uniform pieces. This was until I entered what seemed like the cultural collections. In this room, there were only pieces and lines that were representative of various ethnic identities.
Although the pieces were immaculately made and entirely representative of the culture put on display, the way in which the collections were isolated from all the other pieces made me feel uncomfortable as an observer. It seemed as though one step literally took me into another world full of "others" that were on display to be watched. Obviously YSL had nothing to do with the arrangement of this exhibit since it opened this year and he died a couple years back, he could very much so had admired these cultures and been immersed into them. What is clear is that those responsible for designing the set-up, were influenced by the politics of space, whether done consciously or not.
In the room where the African collection was placed, there was a pink and black jacket that translated into American English, "I am Pink on the outside and Black on the inside". If one did not know YSL was Algerian (white African), this message could move from, what I presume to have been his intention of stating that people viewed him as white but he knows in his heart that he is black, to him showing signs of depression, "the color black means it's time to die and nobody questions why" (Janelle Monae).
Ironically, the African collection or "Bambara Art," read in its description as "without prejudices or preconceived ideas," however it was nothing but that. Except for the all black collection that featured all black suites on black mannequins, every other mannequin within the exhibit was white, the mannequins chosen to represent Africa were blue. They were even fully equipped with braided hair weaves, James Cameron is not now, nor has he ever been the Executive Producer of Africans. How could this read as anything but prejudice?

~Paris Noir 2010

What's Lost in Translation?

Meocha Belle 6/29

Today at the Paris Hip-Hop 2010 Summit, Def Jam President Kevin Liles spoke on education, empowerment and entrepreneurship through hip-hop. He does not speak French, so he had a translator. While the translator was saying what Mr. Liles did in French, I noticed that she was not replicating his statements. The French language is comprised of more words to equal those of the English language. And the translator oftentimes spoke in a shorter breath than Mr. Liles previously talked. This then made me think of the re-occurring seminar question of what's lost or added in translation?
Both in the literal and figurative sense, things that are translated have a great possibility of being changed as the message is passed on. At times this may be a good thing, others a bad thing. What is scary is the level of influence even a word holds when entire sentences are taken out of context, great danger may be near. It is quite possible that someone in Belgium governance omitted or supplemented a message of the Rwandans and this in turn could have caused the lives of 80 million and more.

~Paris Noir 2010

Rwanda

Meocha Belle 6/28

At different moments, Diop uses the perspectives of characters to contest the idea that their is a merit to being alive. This is seen at the most direct level when Jessica affirms that "the fear of death...would almost be in bad taste. My life isn't worth anymore than that of the thousands of people who perish each day." But then this statement is countered by Simeon's statement to Cornelius that also affirms, "don't regret living because you deserved to live more than anyone...your mother, Nathalie, brought you into this world running, to escape from the people who wanted to kill her." Using these statements as a part of my analysis, I question whether or not these moments work effectively together to measure self-determination?
What also complicates the states of life and death, are that even after surviving, breathing does not constitute as living. "The young woman in black," is a testament to this and backed by the statement, "after such an ordeal, there was a little bit of death in everyone" (Diop 181). Are these two states explicit or implicit with luck or cowardice of the survivor? Does this mean a fight wasn't put up?
I hope the Rwanda panel can offer greater insight on the loaded subject tomorrow.

~Paris Noir 2010

Hip-Hop Block Party 2010

Meocha Belle 6/27

Today we went to the Paris Hip-Hop Block Party in Stalingrad. All the elements of the culture were represented. There was emcee'n, dj'n, graffiti writing and break dancing. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. We were outside and the sun was beaming directly onto my skin, but I did not mind because I was pleased with the entertainment.
I was captivated by the power of Hip-Hop and how it drew such a large congregation of various races and ages.
My favorite element was the rap freestyle show featuring French Hip-Hop crew: End of the Weak. Despite the language barrier, it was clear in the tone, delivery, mannerisms and call-all-response, what they were saying. I could still understand the message and appreciate the efforts of their crew without literal translation.
The fact that I was able to feel what was being said without knowing the French language is telling of the strength of the hip-hop language. In the hip-hop language, people immersed in the culture are able to send and receive information through gestures, pitch and response. This ability to communicate void of a nation's linguistic literacy is exclusive to the hip-hop culture.

See what I mean!


After hearing Hip-Hop historian and Paris Noir Alum, Samir Ali, equate hip-hop as our generation's Negritude movement, such a hypothesis is supported by the culture. Hip-hop allows for its followers to innovatively respond to global politics, while joining people to together that would otherwise never meet and unseen in previous generations. As Samir explained of its impact, hip-hop brings about a "solidarity unknown to their elders" (Mercer Cook). In true hip-hop, Todas Iguais- "we are all the same," which is a strong statement in Portuguese. A graffiti artist from Brazil dedicated his piece at the Paris Hip-Hop Block Party to further communicate this.



The crowds below were all formed in the celebration of Hip-Hop in Paris!





~Paris Noir 2010

CAONA Women of SOUL

Meocha Belle 6/26

Tonight I went to the CAONA Women of SOUL musical event, along with my roommate. The three different sets and groups that performed all had amazing voices and music. There were powerful messages transmitted through their song lyrics. Being a music lover who frequents concerts, I have a very critical ear and eye for the delivery, content and stage presence of musical artists. And I definitely think each performer was amazing! If I was a music executive for a major record label, I would sign Kadja Nse without hesitation! I was touched by everyone but her voice and songs resounded for me.
Through out the four hours that I was there, the women managed to mix spoken word, rap, funk, reggae, rhythm and blues and jazz into their performances together and separate. The greatest messages I received from their display of artistry were the statements, "I am home...I'm going home," and "No city owns me. I walk free with myself." Coming from a group of women who all were not originally from France, this spoke volumes!
Up to this point in the Paris Noir seminar, we have learned that, "some blacks left the U.S. expressly to escape the burdens of discrimination that came to Paris as self-conscious refugees from racism." Other blacks saw "the label expatriate inappropriate, arguing that because the U.S. had never really accepted them or been their home in any fundamental sense, they should not be considered exiles from it," among several other viewpoints (From Harlem to Paris).
Tonight, these women claimed and named their own home and did not let their location dictate their sense of belonging. Ferricia, who spoke at one of our panels, used spoken word during a couple of her songs to speak for the silence that reverberates in the French culture and as a mode to express her political stance.
It was refreshing to see a group of women happily working together! And afterwords, Ferricia introduced us to her co-stars and engaged in conversation about their performances and American and French governing.

Here's a video from the night!



~Paris Noir 2010

Give Thanks

Meocha Belle 6/25

Today I made it a point to contact those that made it possible for me to attend Paris Noir 2010, again. Just as quickly as I sent my thank-you's out, the responses came in. And the common reception was that of appreciation. I recognize that you have to show people you are appreciative of them and that it is also a factor in how those after you are received.
After doing this, I traveled all around Paris on the Metro to have time to myself.
I wanted to just explore places that I have not been to yet and also visit some of my favorite places. It was very refreshing and even got a chance go to Jardin de Luxemburg to get started reading Murambi: the Book of Bones.
After viewing Sometimes in April, this morning, I was not really surprised by the graphic nature of the text. Laying out the function of the text in the introduction and foreword in comparison to other works on the subject matter-Rwandan genocide- and providing larger questions and answers, the writers took away from active reading and further objectified Rwandan's as "the others" instead of meeting its intentions of drawing on outreach and responsibility.

~Paris Noir 2010

Food, Fun & Fellowship!

Meocha Belle 6/24

Yesterday class was cancelled because of transportation strikes. This gave me a chance to catch up on my personal responsibilities and get ahead on my course readings, so I appreciated the time.
Thankfully, we still had our weekly dinner at L'Equator- a Cameroonian restaurant. It ranked next to my previous meal had on the first day of Paris Noir! From start to finish, my meal, company and service was great! The plantains were the sweetest I have had and just the right texture, the hibiscus juice had the perfect twist of tang, my chicken was flavorful, tender and juicy, and the macaroon and sorbet was sweet and crisp! The guests and my fellows at my table kept me laughing and also educated on the transportation strikes in the winter of 1995 in Paris. The restaurant staff was pleasant and complimentary of special needs. We had such a good time that we stayed at L'Equator until 11:30pm after taking our seats at 8pm. We would have stayed longer if the metro station did not close at 12am, because we all were enjoying each other's company and sharing our research project ideas and findings.
We did end up getting the last train in time and decided to all go out to the club together.

~Paris Noir 2010

C Train to Versailles

Meocha Belle 6/23

Today myself, Gabrielle and Alana decided to go to Versailles after class. We wanted a change of scenery to get our reading done, so we went to Versailles. The train we took there rode us for about two hours. We did not expect the traveling time to be so long, but we just relaxed and took a nap. The ride ended up being very refreshing and scenic, it also gave us time to get through much of the reading.
Once we arrived in Versailles, we had to take a bus to the garden. While on the bus, we befriended an American-born, bus driver from New York and discussed opportunities in France versus those within America. He believed, a white man in his forty's, America just sells its people a dream. France however, in his opinion, had much better governance, benefits, access, education and culture than America.

~Paris Noir 2010