Listen to "Welcome to my podcast" on Spreaker.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Lupe Fiasco - Words I never said Ft. Skylar Grey (Lyrics on screen)

Getting ready to put together a year end blog, in the meanie, check this out....Peace

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Man admits killing woman with HIV - Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com

Peace all, working on my exhibit Reporting Live From The Edge, and this article came to mind, this is another one of many sad incidents that happen in my neighborhood, due to people's inability to control their desires, and making bad choices. Just two weeks ago a neighbor of mine lost their son in a robbery at a drug house in North Dallas. I spoke to one of his friends' mother and she informed me he was told to stop going to the place by others who fell victim to the game, yet he didn't listen. We're losing too many people due to NTP(No Thought Process). Reporting Live From The Edge, this is Q....Peace out.

Man admits killing woman with HIV - Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Florida teen dead after music complaint

Here we go again...Can we now expect our President to say "if I had a son, he would look like Jordan Davis"? What about Marissa Alexander's failed "Stand Your Ground" defense, which led her to spend 20 years in prison for firing a gun in the air to ward off her abusive husband? Will there be an executive order from our President banning this subjective law which seems to be more than meets the eye? Reporting live from the edge...

“Central Park Five”: New Film On How Police Abuse, Media Frenzy Led to Jailing of Innocent Teens

Peace all,

Gotta situation coming up this Saturday, hoping to get some recognition for my art and my upcoming exhibit February 23rd entitled Reporting Live From The Edge...You can get a glimpse of the photography by clicking on the link right HERE. In the meantime I'm also working on a blog about the latest addition to my part of the hood....Stay tuned....

Also check out this article about the Central Park Five...

“Central Park Five”: New Film On How Police Abuse, Media Frenzy Led to Jailing of Innocent Teens

Reporting Live From The Edge....Peace

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Edward Bernays and the Art of Public Manipulation

Peace all,

Been awhile since blogging, doing so many things, burning the candle at both ends most definitely. Will get to you real soon with information about the latest on my next exhibit Reporting Live From The Edge, but right now check this out...Learned about this while reading The Hidden Persuaders.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

One Be Lo - Propaganda

Peace all...Getting to work on my next exhibit entitled Reporting Live From Edgeville I'll tell you more later, but for now, check out this ditty!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The Sylvers Fool's Paradise

Donny Hathaway - The Ghetto "Live" HQ

Peace all,

Got another blog coming up, but having to tie up some loose ends here...So here's a ditty I thought about...Take care until then...

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

All I'm asking....R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!!

Peace all,
Hoping that this blog reaches everyone in great health and spirits. I know it's been awhile since blogging, but all of my social media has suffered as well, especially Twitter and Blogger. In reality all of this networking became a serious burnout and a source of depression for me after releasing some of artwork to the public to little or no response. I felt that I was doing something wrong, and that people weren't getting what I was trying to convey to the public, as well as people were being somewhat finicky and sometimes downright disrespectful in my work. Take for example last month a "fellow artist" came to my local library, saw my work and loved one of my pieces, and wanted to purchase it. I made the mistake of asking how much she thought it was worth, and she replied that she didn't want to disrespect me, but told me $100. This was for one of my prize pieces that everyone seems to like and related to. I felt disrespected, but regardless I asked could she pay $200(which is STILL lowballing) and she stated she would have to save up. I told her no problem, gave her a card, and tried to make it accessible for her to purchase it. She emails me a week later saying she can't do the $200, and tried to negotiate again for $100. With that I refused to reply to her at all. Lesson learned... I'm realizing there is more to this thing than meets the eye, but I won't go into it right now. My spirit is now starting to rejuvenate to the point where I'm enjoying what I do again and go out to just shoot pictures and do more artwork. This was not a positive summer to say the least, but I hope things will pick up for me. This coming Sunday some of my work will be on display and for sale at an art fair in Dallas. I won't be present due to other priorities, but someone is going to display it for me. I hope that I will spark some type of interest when it's all said and done. I hope to be back real soon to talk about my next exhibit and the meaning behind it, so stay tuned family. Take care! Luv Ya!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

George Carlin the illusion of freedom

Peace all,

Just got my camera back and I'm look for some interesting to shoot...I will be back with a full blog asap, God Willing, but as for now here are my thoughts on the elections as told by a much more higher profile gentleman...Take care all..

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Marvin Gaye "Inner City Blues" (1971)

Peace all,

Been a while I know, but things keep hitting me in the head, and having to deal with them takes a lot of energy and time in the process. Thought about this song...lol...Hopefully I will be back soon with updates on an upcoming event. In the meantime God Bless..

Sunday, July 22, 2012

American Idol 7: James Lewis (1.15.08)

Peace all,

Been away for awhile, trying to keep up with everything became cumbersome when all of my equipment started crashing. Now I'm using a laptop with limited space to do most of what I want. With the addition of Ramadhan, the Muslim Holy Month of fasting coming in, I've set my energies on other things, hoping and praying that by the end of the month, I will have recovered some of the things that bonked out on me. In the meantime check out this funny flashback from American Idol. Although I don't watch it, excerpts like these do seem to put a chuckle on my face. Take care and hope to be back soon.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Public Enemy performs "Rebel Without a Pause" on Soul Train 1987

Peace all,

This was one of my biggest influences growing up. The group, the identity, I even remember having both of their tshirts back in the day...I had both the black and red shirts, and when I wore them in the halls and malls, believe me, it garnered attention as well as spurred thought, whether you agreed with them or not. Looking back I did not fully understand the power of imagery and the effect those screen printed shirts had on the people. Anyway this group had a profound influence on me as far as how to reach and connect with your audience. Although I am more of a visual artist now, the concept of connecting with the people and giving them a sense of hope and a voice couldn't have been expressed any better here. Even Don Cornelius mentioned that that was "FRIGHTENING" However someone posted on Facebook a quote that read "Art should bring comfort to the disturbed, and disturbed the comfortable." Maybe this is what they meant...Take care all.

Friday, June 22, 2012

New Painting!!! Complex II

Peace all... This is a picture of a work in progress entitled Complex II : Tailor Made...Please click on the link to see the finished piece with caption...http://www.realquwwa.com/events.html In order to bring my website to the forefront, I've decided to move my artwork to my website and put pictures of work in progress only on my social networking pages. I've realized that although exposing my work to the public via Facebook and Twitter may generate some buzz, it takes away from my website, which was created to give a total experience, and not just to try to sell art. It's high time I took my site seriously and promoted it as I initially intended, and give all walks of life a chance to see my expression. Hope you enjoy the journey....Till next time...

Friday, June 15, 2012

Recent Works/Events

Peace all, It's been a trying season so far, and one filled with many obstacles and many lessons. It's made me change my approach on many subjects, and develop some insight on how to deal with the public, especially in the Social Media age, where minds, behavior and attitudes are shaped and reshaped, subtle nuances are made, and ideologies are formed or reinterpreted. In any event, it's made me start thinking of ways that I can make my presentations online a lot more fluid and easier, but without having to lose very intergral parts of my belief and expression. This blog is very short, but I'm introducing a page on my website that allows people to view my recent works online, as well as keep up with any events that may come along. To view the official first installment of my Events/Recent Works page, please click on the link http://www.realquwwa.com/events.html I will keep you updated on the latest of recent works and apparel available for viewing and for sale. Take care all and God Bless!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Painting(Tribute to Sgt. Hogues and the Tuskegee Airmen)

Salaam and Good Evening all...Working on other projects, will fill ya in soon. Right now check out my tribute painting to the Tuskegee Airmen...Take care!


Saturday, June 9, 2012

Red Tails Tribute/Staff Sgt. Hogues Part 1

Peace all, here is the first part of the beautiful tribute to Staff Sgt. Hogues that I was able to put on my Youtube channel. It was a very emotional and educational event for all ages and walks of life. You can view the rest on my Youtube channel, as well as viewing the photos of the event and the memorial piece I painted on my website. Just click on the link http://www.realquwwa.com/red_tails.html I hope to be back soon with more news and blogs, but in the meantime, enjoy and take care!

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Devo Mongoloid

Peace all, Eventful past weekend...First had a family member involved in a car accident, both sides claiming their light was green...Looks more like the other person was trying to beat their light...Then my computer crashes! FOR GOOD THIS TIME...Looks like more blogs from the library post...Now I find out most pastelists either don't use fixatives to keep their paintings, or they don't use as much, in order to keep the vitality of the picture...Oh well, live and learn...Here's a ditty for ya...Hope to see ya in a couple of days...

Friday, May 18, 2012

Flip Da Script!





Peace all, Been a wild and wooly week for the Q, finally began to work on some of the apparel that I had stashed away at last year's attempt. This year I came a lot more prepared, still experiencing some trial and error, but that should be expected eh? I finally got a chance to get into some stenciling and screen printing and the results blew me away.  These were inspired by my first exhibition that I held last year entitled See What I See...It was met with a lot of enthusiasm, and I am about to place these articles on my Etsy and my personal website, for those who wish to purchase without having to deal with an Etsy account.  I hope to have more information available next week.  Take care.

CWATIC @ http://www.realquwwa.com


Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Stand Your Ground Marissa Alexander: Congressman Corrine Brown on Marissa Alexander (Ja...

Peace all, have other blogs in mind, but there are times when art really doesn't matter. This incident, along with Kenneth Chamberlain, has not received near the same attention as Trayvon Martin, but has as much importance, due to the cruelty of this justice system, which will refuse to allow a pregnant woman to defend herself from abuse, or possibly worse scenarios. Such are the Lifestyles of the Ignored. Hope to be back soon...Please read.

Stand Your Ground Marissa Alexander: Congressman Corrine Brown on Marissa Alexander (Ja...: Congresswoman Corrine Brown Deplores Marissa Alexander Ruling (Washington, DC) Congresswoman Brown made the following statement: Earlier...

Sunday, May 6, 2012

The Start of Something Good?

Peace all,

It's uhhruuuuh 10:56 pm, and I have a ton of things to do tomorrow. So you may ask why am I up? Well let's just say I decided to work on that Sgt. Hogues video for my Youtube channel. I've tried to enhance the volume on several occasions, but it looks like another situation of wait and see. Then when I've decided which version I want to place on Youtube, I have to walk all the way to the library again, with laptop in tow, because my internet service at home can't cut the mustard. Not trying to complain mind you, but at the same time when your tower is a 10 minute walk from your home and you can't get 20 percent of your signal, somebody's service sucks bigtime...But this is a matter of making due for right now. I still have my website up and going and that's really important, especially since the summer may be one of those really hot and humid ones this year.


At any rate, I have some good news. Looks like my tshirt collection may be out to the public very soon. So far I've tried to come up with some ideas, and previewed one design on my Facebook page, and Twitgoo, which is the signature design for See What I See(CWATIC). It was met with a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of support. Now the big task...Setting up the orders...lol. I have asked people to please be patient with me, for this is primarily a one man operation, and I'm at work on other ventures. I seem to have caught the attention of some art enthusiasts, especially in regards to the Safe and Sound series, as well as the Dreamland picture on the DaughterNature.com gallery. I'm seriously planning to go into print production with that one soon. I hope to give full details on the releasing of my tshirt collection, to be sold on my Etsy page, as well as my website....In the meantime, take care....

Keep on creating....


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Etsy Shop

Peace all,

Been making a couple of moves here and there, and one of them is the forum on my website. I'm putting more information on it, attempting to draw interest, and will be sharing alot more information about my art and events in the near future. I would love for you to become a member of the forum, you can join by signing in with any of the social networks. I hope to be back quickly with another blog...In the meantime take care.

Click on the link below to view the post.

Etsy Shop

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Safe and Sound again...

Peace all,

Yeah, it's been that type of month...lol...knowing I promised that there would not be a string of Youtube videos, but I found myself bombarded with a lot on my slate. No complaints, but I didn't expect some things to happen, for example the video of the Red Tails Tribute, featuring Staff Sgt. Homer Hogues. After a great showing and presentation of the artwork, the making of the video was not the least bit enjoyable, mainly due to the fact that 1) the equipment was dated and 2) I didn't have a clue what I was doing.  The audio was shotty to say the least, but I worked on it extensively, and with the help of new video editing software, I was able to come up with some type of video(YAAY!)  This helped tremendously because I had promised some people to have a video produced, and didn't want to let them down, nor myself.

So I'm still putting the finishing touches for Youtube, but in the meantime, I've been able to sell my work, and interest has grown tremendously. This picture below, which is a very popular piece entitled Safe and Sound, had won over many of my supporters, along with a few others. This one will go into print production in the coming weeks, God willing, and I want to really get started on my Grey Matters exhibit, especially after reading cases of Kenneth McDaniel in White Plains, NY, in addition to the Trayvon Martin issue. I won't even begin to go into details about that one, but I just don't feel too good at all about that case.



Before closing I would like to say I often wonder about this particular picture, because people really sense the security of the young child from laying on the lap of the elder guardian, and I started to going back to when I initially did the first piece in '08, right around the time of the presidential election. I felt a strong sense of uncertainty in the fact that an African American was becoming president of the United States, which appeared on the surface to me that something just wasn't right. Right after that we experienced Oscar Grant, and how the Justice system pretty much validated his murder by indicting the shooter of only involuntary manslaughter, as if I'm to believe that a man accidentally reached for his gun, accidentally put his finger in the trigger and accidentally shot an unarmed, handcuffed young man, who was laying flat on his stomach. Now Zimmerman faces second degree murder, as to say that because he didn't premeditate murder in the car, he can't be held guilty for premeditating murder at all, although he shot an unarmed man...


 The Trayvon Martin case, immigration issues, the rise of racism in parts of America coupled with this hush hush mentality when race is mentioned just doesn't settle in with me. Too much avoidance. I hope that this picture will cause our African American elders to understand the repercussions of having a black man become President of the United States, yet racial animosity is spreading...Did we sacrifice the future of our children for instant gratification now?

May God help us....Peace.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Stand Your Ground Marissa Alexander: Alexander Case Shows Need to Reform 10-20-Life Law...

Peace all, I just wanted to inform you about a blog regarding Marissa Alexander and her story, as she faces up to 25 years for firing a gun into the air to thwart her abusive husband, who attacked her while she was pregnant, although he was under a restraining order. This case is very important because it shows the hypocrisy of the State of Florida in its handling of the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin case, and the so called Stand Your Ground which looks like double standards by the day....Here's the link....Peace. 

Stand Your Ground Marissa Alexander: Alexander Case Shows Need to Reform 10-20-Life Law...: d to form 10-20-Life Law For Immediate Release Date:  April 24, 2012 Contact:  Monica Pratt Raffanel,  media@famm.org WASHINGTO...

Sunday, April 22, 2012

One Be Lo - Axis

Peace all,

Looks like I'm making some serious headway with the video, since getting new video editing software. It began to take a lot out of me, and since I was trying to complete the video for other people, I put a lot of focus on it before other things, but now it seems as if things are coming along fine, I can focus on the other ventures, like tshirts, bags and the like...I'll hit you up with more info later, as for now, here's a ditty I found very interesting...Take care.


Monday, April 9, 2012

The Honey Drippers - Impeach The President

{eace all...

Things haven't been going smoothly since the March 17th event. Although I am told that my work has been getting nice comments from enthusiasts, things are not coming out so well on my video of the event, with the computer having to go through so much drama, the video editing software I have is not up to par, and I installed Nero 8 on my machine, and this sucker crashed. So I'm still working on the video 3 weeks later...aaarrrrrgh....Anyway enjoy this ditty....TTYL


Friday, March 30, 2012

The Power of One Piece




 Peace! I haven't forgotten anyone at all, I thought I would go right into blogging and editing the video for the Red Tails tribute that was given at my local library. It was a great event to say the least, the audience fully enjoyed the whole shabang, and I was able to exhibit my community artwork. I also met some locals who didn't know I existed, but then again there are many who don't know me in my neck of the woods. But in addition to the exhibit, my picture along with my artwork was put in the community newspaper(oh boy, I hate photographs) and I was able to present a piece that really made everybody's day. Sgt. Hogues and family could not get over the appreciation and the effort that was put into it, and I have to thank Ms. Almetta Russell, who really worked hard to get this off the ground, as well as the staff at the Highland Hills Library for their support. I have already informed them of my plans for another exhibit soon.





The event was really about Sgt. Hogues in the first place, but I got the wrong impression. I spent  days before the event telling everyone that it was also an exhibit, even though the fliers did not speak of such. I realize now the event was a community affair in his honor, and I am privileged to have shown my work at such a prestigious function. However the one piece dedicated to Sgt. Hogues of the Tuskegee Airmen stole the show, although it was not my intention.


Very few people knew about the painting. Ms. Russell informed me a few weeks going into the event that she would like to give something to him as a token of respect and appreciation for what he and the rest of the Tuskegee Airmen accomplished, especially in the face of such blatant racism, such racism that a lot of Americans believed did not exist anymore until Trayvon Martin, although some of us were telling people that the menace was still present...I won't mention names here, it's not important. I didn't show anyone the piece until a couple of hours before the event. Everyone was blown away by it, even the neighbors as I walked to the library. One elderly gentlemen quipped, "You never know what a person can do...." But he's right. Only a few in my area knew what I was capable of.

But the effect that it had on the community, the Hogues family, and me as well proves of the powerful impact that visual art can have on any society. This community has suffered and still suffers from a serious identity crisis, no one could define any landmarks or any notable presence except former basketball player Spud Webb of the NBA, but that's typical of the hood.

 Barbara Hogues, daughter of Staff Sgt. Hogues explained during the event that the family was not aware of his involvement of the Tuskegee Airmen until 2008, and he didn't receive his Congressional Medal of Honor  until 2009 from the same airport that denied him a job shortly after retiring from the military, telling him the only thing he could do was custodian work. This was AFTER the success the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. We still have a long way to go before Blacks get serious respect here in America, especially with Trayvon Martin continually haunting America, but now Black youth, as well as White youth should realize all of those slavery stories and stories of racism and domestic terrorism still have impact, because it never left....

Overall I felt it was a victory for a small area that no one cared to remember, except in a negative light, but now we have history as well as culture to bring to the table.


May God Help Us... Peace....

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Like...WHOA...AGAIN!!! (CWATIC 2)

Peace all,

I thought I'd come back with the quickness, seeing that I did not fully explain why my latest proposed exhibit Grey Matters is being pushed back, but really the news is great, and it could really lead to something else, God Willing.

I wanted to push the project back due to an event coming March 17th that I feel very honored and priveleged to partake in. On March 17th, Staff Sgt. Homer Hogues, one of the original Tuskegee Red Tails will be speaking for about an hour at the Highland Hills Library. One of the librarians, Ms. Almetta Russell, had been pushing very hard for this to happen, along with being an avid supporter and lover of my work. She finally got the go ahead to produce this event, and in the process she has commissioned me to present a piece in his honor. I felt this was a great opportunity to build bridges, educate and pay respects to someone who contributed a great service.

Then last week while at home recovering from some sort of sinus attack, I received an email from her, requesting that I exhibit my work in addition to presenting a piece to Staff Sgt. Homer Hogues...

WOW!!!! Here was an opportunity to remix the See What I See(CWATIC) exhibit to another audience. So I'm back at the lab again, concocting some pieces that I feel best represents the community, and expanding my scope as well. I'm looking at this as a bridge or a prelude to the Grey Matters which I hope will bring a lot of different perspectives to the project. Plus I have other projects coming up, hoping to raise some funds in order to publicize Grey Matters much more intensely...

Things have been picking up since last October when I started this exhibit thingy, and I have some very special people to thank...You know who you are...But I also want to thank those who continue to take time to read about my little world...Thank you so much...I pray there's more in store....Peace.


CWATIC @ WWW.QARTWORKS.COM.... Click HERE to enter...

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Like......WHOA!!!!

Peace all....

OK, before everyone jumps on me all at once, my sincerest apologies for the lack of blogging during the month of February, things went off course, I mean in a good way that is, but what's in store was not expected in the least.

For starters the Grey Matters exhibit...It's still on, but let me tell ya, after reading an awesome book this past February entitled Slavery By Another Name by Douglas A. Blackmon, and watching Roots and The Next Generation Miniseries over and over and over again, I saw and read things that made me say like....WHOA!!! I was forced to think twice before rushing to put out a half done exhibit, ya know? I mean I was knocked flat by the things this book alluded to that was not clearly shown or explained in Roots: The Next Generation.

The book goes into details in what was known in some circles as "The Black Codes". These were some of the most bogus laws ever drempt up, mainly intended to put Blacks back into another form of slavery. I came across this issue years back, but this book put it into clearer perspective. The author, who found out that some of his distant ancestors somehow benefitted from this rehashed form of slavery, wrote this book which focuses on one individual, but goes into detail about what happened to thousands of Blacks after the Civil War. Horrible deaths, sexual perversion and all types of crimes of humanity went without a hitch, and scores of convict graves have surfaced. The author also has planned to show a documentary on PBS this year, and you know me...I had to get the book if it was available, and whoop! THERE IT WAS!

Anyway, the story goes that after the "Emancipation Proclamation" many southern states sought other ways to enslave Blacks. They would concoct some of the most ridiculous reasons to arrest Blacks such as forbidding sharecroppers from selling their produce as night, so called vagrancy laws, talking loud in public or speaking disrespectfully in the presence of White women...oh boy...Then the person was taken to court and slapped with fines ranging from paying the arresting officer court fees and the like. Now of course the person did not have the money to pay it, so White plantation owners, or other corporations like the mineries and so forth would claim to pay the fines, in exchange for the "convict" to work off the fine in either their plantations, coalmines, railroads etc. There they were subjected to extremes that make the antebellum slavery look good. Many companies profitted big time from forced labor, and the companies, arresting officers and the neo-slaveowners got away virtually without a scratch.

Many Blacks had no idea of the convict-leasing system that went on in America, they were given the idea that the people broke the law, and so they deserved what they got. Just like today with the prison-industrial complex. Corporate media has skewered things so much as well as government propaganda, to where Americans actually believe those who enter the prisons deserve it, especially Blacks.

In a nutshell, I felt I could not just throw up an exhibit after reading such great books, which shed much light on this subject and the ongoing subject of racism and slavery in America...It ain't over folks. I mean this is not the only reason, because I am reading other books as well that's expanding my scope.

In addition I have some other things on tap that I hope to explain in my next blog, so don't worry folks, no more string of Youtube videos for a while, ok?



Take care....CWATIC @ www.realquwwa.com

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Behind Bar's [Dum Ditty Dum Mix] - Slick Rick Ft. Warren G

Peace all...

yeah yeah yeah, I know...another video instead of another blog!!! please be patient with the q, k? LOL

I do have tales to tell ya know, but events come real quick with the quickness ya know? so I will hitcha up soon, but right now here's a ditty I loved...check it out...I gotcha blogs...really I do...Peace

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The Isley Brothers - Fight The Power (Part 1 & 2) (1975)

Peace all,

Been busy the past few weeks, but things are looking up!!!! Looks like I may have sort of a commission thing going on here, and hopefully will have good news regarding prints and other things as well, and can't forget The Grey Matters Exhibit, can we now? But right now, just tune into this classic ditty....Take care all!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

fade to black- cookie crew

Peace all,

Been on a little hiatus here, well moreso busy running around downtown Dallas, taking shots as much as possible and working on some pics that I should have uploaded soon, regarding a couple of pieces of work at my local library. But for now, check out this ditty I used to rock back in the day...Very enlightening...Remember when UK had its own distinct style of hip hop? Things ain't the same...Later(IA)!!!

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

A Full Slate...(Grey Matters)

Peace all...

OK I promised that I would hit you with the good, bad and the ugly, but all I delivered was the bad, so let's deal with some good, shall we?

The Back and Forth exhibit that was planned to be shown during February is being altered as we speak. For starters the name will be changed to Grey Matters because I'm wanting to do this exhibit in a particular fashion, but still keep the content about racial matters in America and throughout the world, but I felt Black History Month would not be appropriate for it, due to the subject matter which goes against what most people think Black History Month is all about, which is remembering the events that happened yesteryear, mainly focusing on either issues of civil rights, or the recent "achievements" made by Blacks in America. This focus kinda clouds the realities that continue to go on in America as well as on a global scale. It's one thing for others outside the community to shy away from what's really going on, but when one is on the receiving end of such atrocities that existed even in the civil rights era, their denial or refusal to confront the issues are really the true detriment to the achievement of human rights and equality. Take for instance Dallas' first Black mayor is now noted for his work with the UN in brokering "trade agreements" in the Phillipines. One must ask oneself a number of questions like why would a person whose ancestors may have been slaves themselves take part in the re-enslavement of people of color? Issues like this puts a major stain in Black History Month, forcing us to begin to ask questions about civil rights, affirmative action and so-forth. What is it really all about? We still see blatant racism in this so called "colorblind society" and now we see a covert war in our midst.

So with that in mind among other issues, I felt I could not project the exhibit in a fashion that I thought people could benefit from and begin to move forward.

Anyway I received good news from the librarian that she will be exhibiting African American Art during this month anyway, so I am in the process of hitting up a few pieces to sorta "make way for the real thing".

In addition to this ya boy Q is working on some videos to add to the repetoire, and I got my airbrush back too, so mixed media, here I come!!!!



More later, God Willing...CWATIC

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Nerve of It All...

Peace All,

Kinda thought I'd condense all of the past week's events into one blog, and call it the Bad and the Good, that way I can spill out the whole shabang about Q's News...lol

Anyway let's hit up THE BAD first shall we? You all remember last week when I put out a blog about whether or not I should voice my opinion about the continuing demise of my area and show how the public transit system is contributing to this process. Well at first I felt I may have been too hasty in thinking they would not listen to our opinions and such and take feedback in good faith, but once I saw the "DART representatives" from our area and heard the reasons for removing the 155 express bus from our area, let's just say as the Joker told Batman in The Dark Knight..."You didn't disappoint."



These people had the nerve to say the reason they want to get rid of the service is because "DART is not in the business in repeating its' routes" and the riders can catch the local rail station and get downtown in the same fashion. Excuse me, but the DART rail is far from ANYTHING EXPRESS!!! Not to mention they plan to open express busing in the West Plano area...The nerve of people to think that you can tell some people anything and expect them to believe it. I tell you, Thomas Jefferson was a bold man...



Anyway, then they proceeded to give convoluted information about the ridership of the express bus in saying that at a particular stop there are only an average of 6 people on the bus, which is besides the point. The fact is that the bus is FULL on its way to Downtown Dallas, so again, the insults to the people's intelligence rages on, all in a meager attempt to slash costs' and concentrate on people that they feel are "worthy" of patronage. Anyone with a keen sense and a critical eye can see that very little effort is being made to keep a quality standard of life here in the Southern sector of Dallas, and rather than tend to the needs of the actual Dallas citizens, these people are trying to expand and connect in areas outside of Dallas, along with spending money in the soon to be gentrified Trinity River area on an unneeded trolley system, it's clear to see what's going on here. I guess they really look at those who use public transportation from the inner cities as "undesirables".

So on that note, I abruptly left the meeting because 1)the two women there were only present to receive the barbs and the complaints from the people. They really don't have any input in the final decision making here, so why waste time, breath and energy on them? 2) The citizens of Dallas will not have a final say in what happens here, the "Board" will vote and "consider" all of the comments in March, which pretty much means if the 155 express continues by the summer, Q will be surprised to say the least.

Only God(Allah)knows the future, but I ain't optimistic in the least...Such are the Lifestyles of the Ignored



Then on top of that some fool hacked into my email account...The nerve of these fools...


CWATIC @ HTTP://WWW.REALQUWWA.COM. Click here to enter.

Peace....I'll tell you the good later, God Willing...

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Which Comes First?(Peepin' the Game)

Peace all...

Just a little heads up on the next upcoming exhibit while I'm at it...The new name of the exhibit will be Grey Matters...Don't ask me now why I want to give it such a name, it's very long and extensive trying to explain it all right now, but believe you me, I thought long and hard on how to approach this next exhibit. The initial date was set for sometime in February in commemoration of Black History Month, however me being the person that I am, always trying to find something different, decided that my project will not actually fit in Black History Month, although it is dealing with issues pertaining to race in America and African Americans in particular, more on that later.

Right now I'm pressed with another issue, as tonight there is a meeting in my local library concerning route changes in the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system, this area will be affected as well with a proposal to eliminate the express bus in my area by early Summer of this year. Those who used to ride the express bus which takes one who lives in my area directly to downtown during the rush hours via the freeway will be inconvenienced instead in going to the nearest train station and taking a train to downtown, which takes MUCH longer and causes much more of an inconvenience for those who just need to go directly to downtown. Without any real reason given on the brochure this decision is made, which again affects an area which continues to see nothing of any good coming this way from City Hall except junk and increased police presence. One look at the brochure clearly shows that the focus is up north, or the newly gentrified areas of Dallas, with elaborate depots being built near downtown, express buses being shifted to the West Plano area, and a 35 million dollar trolley being built which will service the Trinity and "old, resegregated" Oak Cliff areas.



The question I have is does Q finally step up to speak his mind or continue to lay in the cut and continue to make an impression in the community? I mean even if I speak my mind tonight and begin to let these people know that everyone here does not accept what's clearly going on here, and that their gestures only add to the speculation of ghettoization and gentrification here, City Hall is not going to give two cents of concern. The only thing they will do is put me in a "troublemaker" database, and spend their time trying to isolate and incriminate me or anyone in the area who openly opposes the tactics of the greedy, and continue to misinform the community about what the real deal is. C'mon now, I wasn't born yesterday, OK? Anything tonight is only a ceremonial gesture of my support of this neighborhood and human beings' welfare in general. You don't really think these people will change their minds, do you? I've had too much recent experiences on these plantations to know the people in charge will not do ANYTHING...



But do I also continue to lay low and continue to make an impression on a community that is nothing short of lethargic, whose main concern is "husslin' and stayin' alive" or even worse, preoccupied with some of the most self destructive mechanisms of self hate, conspicuous consumption on this side of the globe, pointing fingers at the supposed high level of crime that they claim keeps the "good" grocery stores and businesses from thinking of setting up shop over here, and agreeing with the corporate media, who justifies the growing police presence, so called gang units, and helicopters flying consistently over my area as if a person can't walk the streets alone here? I mean I walk the streets here DAILY and have rarely come across any hostilities here, but what can one Black man do when the major media outlet in Dallas comes to his area and broadcasts a scene featuring 20-25 police cars, two helicopters, all over one dude who jumped out of a bus after shooting another passenger on the bus? I guarantee you this type of stuff doesn't happen at the other side of town...



Either way, Q will make a statement, God Willing....Stay Tuned...

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Dining With The Wretched

Peace all,

Pardon the lack of blogging here, but I've been busying coming up with a theme for the next possible exhibit...One thing for sure, it won't be called Back and Forth as first imagined, but it appears to be something much more special, and I will fill you in on the details ASAP. The past couple of weeks have been emotionally draining on me after a couple of incidents that I've experienced, mainly regarding actions, reactions and responses from people that I've respected or had long friendships with. I've come to realize that it's not an issue of whether or not my friends agree with me, for I have friends both on and offline from different walks of life, but rather or not are you seeing what I'm seeing? I become more convinced by the moment that someone else is shaping or reshaping our beliefs and thought patterns, and it ain't God for sure. A couple of people that I would imagine would have more compassion and understanding about the plight of the poor and downtrodden have exposed some very peculiar beliefs, and after attempt to reason with them have given me very different ideas about their way of thinking. One such person who has faced discrimination and injustice for the past 10 years for issues that he has either had resurfaced unjustly or from paid his debt to society open proclaims that injustice is not an issue worth concerning with as long as he has the opportunity to get employment. This type of apathy that comes from people who have experienced some sort of injustice from this cruel and hypocritical society shows just how sad the state of humanity has deteriorated, where one is only concerned about themselves, and even moreso will judge others who may experiences the same cruelty by different standards.

In any event, it is sad to see the masses of people who are of the poor, downtrodden, or even the middle class hold themselves to such hypocritical standards, and allow the immaculately rich, oppressive and greedy few of this planet to dictate, incriminate, discriminate and exploit them all because some evil person supports the stupid notion that "if you're so smart, how come you're not rich?" when the real question is how can you possibly amass so much money? This past week we've witnessed a few of the old racist, slave states come back with discriminatory measures against the poor and people of color, and call it "welfare reform", yet the actions of the wealthy against the poor in America still go unchecked, underexposed, and no accountability is held against these internal crooks. But I'm supposed to be happy the Bin Laden and Anwar Al-Awlaki are no longer living. Yeah right.

I just finished watching this movie entitled Fierce People, a movie about the wealthy and influential and the mirage of peace and tranquility that is giving simply because one is wealthy. The special features section has the actors giving insight on the movie, and one of the directors of the film mentioned that America does have a ruling class despite the claims of Democracy, and that these exorbiant amounts of wealth are not accrued by so-called hard working people, but through inhumane and brutal measures, but an increasing amount of the exploited don't really see the problem with this, as long as they are gettting a crumb or two...Little do they know that this life is not about accruing wealth....

Stay tuned people...It get's more interesting....Peace!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Dead Prez - Stimulus Plan

Peace all, working on another blog, and trying to decide whether or not to come out of the shyness and finally do a video or a vlog....Dunno yet...lol...But still working on it. Will keep you informed...lol...just stay tuned, God Willing we've just got started...BTW scope this little ditty out...Take care all, PEACE!!!!!

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