Home can be an unfamiliar place...

A week ago I was in Ft. Lauderdale, FLA for my family reunion. BACKGROUND - My family is Nigerian, Yoruba to be exact. Every two years most of the family (Ewedemi Family represent! Hey Mom) in the US meets at a family members place for an extended weekend of reconnection, fun and dancing, eating, family strengthening and praise, Yoruba culture education, and next steps to keep the US family tight. It happens every two years, and changes location each time. So Tastic and I are there, along with my parents, family from ATL, California, Trinidad, etc. We're sitting in one of the "meetings" and I found myself reach an emotional state regarding what was happening before my eyes and ears. With all of the professional, educational, financial, and personal successes in the room, there was still this feeling of "are we going to make it?" and "where do we go from here?" Nigeria is a beautiful land filled with beautiful people. Do a quick search about the place and you will find that much is awry in the land, and people who left Nigeria to come to "Yankee" aren't in a major rush to get back. "To what?!?!" many people will say. Between high violence, a dismal economy, and an ineffective, corrupt government, going back to Nigeria is a hard sale for even the most ethno-centric Naija. Abroad (ie, here in the USA), there is the challenge of 1)Not being fully accepted or trusted as Americans (people rarely fully lose the Naija accent, nor do they want to hahaha); 2) Not being fully respected and accepted because of color, regardless of how many degrees/diplomas are on their wall; and 3) Not being able to fully integrate in African American communities (Black on Black hate is the worst and still exists...don't let the elections fool ya). So a reality is created where you have very family and community oriented, spiritually driven people, who are like nomads roaming the dessert, following a guiding star for light. They don't have a permanent home outside of the house they may own because the world they grew up in is a wreck; and the world they now occupy is also a wreck; and by the way only wants them there in limited quantities. I'm not writing this to make people feel sorry for my family. They are AWESOME and will continue to do GREAT and MEANINGFUL things. I am still sorting out my feelings and thoughts, but wanted to vocalize it in some way, hello blogosphere :-)

Until later.
JERI
Omo Naija (Nigerian Child) and proud of it!
The 1st Family of ATH!

Saturday was Great! It felt kinda like this...

Shout out to Ang-tastic!

pRINCE - rASBERRY bERET

New Bentley Video

From A-Town to Chi-Town...I LOVE IT!!!
jERI aka a Cool Outrageous Lover Of Uniquely Raw Style

It's a Celebration Bi*ches! Happy Bastille Day

I've been celebrating since Tuesday last week. Shout out to AuntMom, past weddings, future weddings, and to the French (Happy Bastille Day!) Here's a few select photos. Rock-its.

Lunch at Bastille Day in DC '08


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Songs of Freedom - 4th of July

A collection of images that touched me in a variety of ways on "Independence Day"

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2 Times you know you made the wrong decision

#1 - When you've been cutting habanero peppers, and then decide to get in the shower.
#2 - When you are peeing...in the dark...in a closet...on a bin of clothes.

Not that I know these things from experience, but yeah....OK...moving on.

PEACE
JERI

GOOD MORNING!!!

nO aGE - eRASER