Rising Star

I saw this child on the Today show last year and while you can view that clip on YouTube, the code is not available to paste.
But alas, I recently I found this one from another show.

Gabi Wilson a mixedrooter and she loves to sing. Her father is in a band so she's been exposed to music since she was a baby.
This ten-year old child plays SEVEN instruments!

BARACK OBAMA, YouTube Fest

Ok, Today is a pivotal day in the campaign.... Pennsylvania!
In Michigan our vote didn't count, so as a result on primary days I get a bit anxious. Because today could truly make or break this thing... how about a lil' Obama YouTube FestEnergy hoping it reaches the energy fields of people in the great state of PA.


MAKE A CHANGE... MAKE A DIFFERENCE "MICHAEL JACKSON"


WAITING ON THE WORLD TO CHANGE.."JOHN MAYER"



Jin- Open Letter to Obama (song)



WAITING ON THE WORLD TO CHANGE ( with media clips )



"FEELS LIKE CHANGE"



Ok as noted previously, I'm a BIG boxing fan... Huge. So when I came across this.. I loved it.
I thought this was quite funny and cleaver. Enjoy!
Pe@ce,



BARACKY - another one



And of course the most famous of YouTube Videos supporting Sen. Barack Obama

Art Imitating Life- the genetic factor-Appreciation

Art Imitating Life- the genetic factor


To my delight I saw this and was taken by the illustration by -a cuban artist-Ruben Toledo. The illustration graces the cover of the Nordstrom catalogue this month- and depicts a woman of color with blue/grey eyes. While gazing at it, I began to think about the wonders of how genetics function in making up a person's appearance. Part of my draw was not only the beauty of this illustration, but because the eyes of the woman in the illustration reminded me of my own daughter's eyes. I began to wonder was this illustration inspired by a woman Toledo knows? Is she of mixed race? Is she Cuban and do many Cubans have these characteristics. Then I stopped....and just appreciated the illustration and the wonder of genetics. So often people can become lost in how to classify a person, as opposed to appreciating the wonders of genetics.

Condolences to Corinne Bailey Rae

Condolences to Corinne Bailey Rae from Mixed Roots Movement

A devastated Corinne Bailey Rae, 29, buried her young husband a week ago. Jason Rae,31, was found dead on March 22 of a presumed drug overdose. An unidentified man was arrested -then freed on bail-on suspicion of supplying drugs to Jason Rae. Corinne and her husband married in 2001.

Race on my mind again

Race on my mind again

This race subject -as a result of comments made by Rev. Wright- is still brewing amongst pundits as well journalist and bloggers.
I must admit that I haven't heard the comments in their entirety nor have I read a transcript, but as I posted previous I strongly believe that people should have some understanding of why many in a community- black people- have a particular feeling.

So here's an example of why there are people who have particular feelings about their experiences. I am a big boxing fan.
I recently learned some things.... How Joe Louis was treated by the United States government. When you've live in a time to experience these sorts of things and the experiences are based soley on your heritage and skin color....heck you're bond to have some feelings about it decades later. Understanding is all I'm suggesting...empathy.


Here's a promo to an HBO special-- JOE LOUIS: AMERICA'S HERO...BETRAYED-- that aired recently. It's interesting that this man carried a responsibility and the burden to represent a community of black people and then that of ALL of America. He was hailed an AMERICAN HERO when he beat the German and lifted the entire country. But was then forced to scrape for pennies as the government took and took from him. The impact of his contributions to the country and it's military were tossed aside and forgotten at a time when they should have meant something. One one hand he was the symbol of freedom and democracy in this country, but he wasn't afforded the freedoms his image represented- a sad story. Read the article above and you'll see comparison of how the German enjoyed MILLIONS with the help of Coca-Cola an American company.

I imagine this tragic story had something to do with why Muhammad Ali - the only human being I'd be in awe of to meet- was so secure in his decisions. It was his faith, yes, but I also believe it was too, in part because of how Joe was treated- I guess Ali said he served and was still treated like a dirty rag, so I'll be true to me, my faith and God and let the chips fall where they may...and sure enough he got GOT too, until the Supreme Court ruled in Ali's favor. Watch the documentary on Joe Louis if you can find it. I think this documentary alone could help many understand how people could feel the way they do.

© 2008 T. Fatimah Williams -MixedRoots

Mixed Race Babies... in style...a fad?

Mixed Race Babies... in style... a fad?

I've conducted a lot of interviews with biracial people for a project and in one interview-conducted in 2007- a woman said that a lot of her friends are actively seeking and make it known that they would like to marry inter-racially and have mixed babies. I found that interesting and a complex notion. On one had, was it a fad in that part of the nation, I wondered. One the other hand, I wondered if things were so different there that people were trying to "acquire" a mixed race child. None the less, just today I discovered that this notion may be quite real and running ramped in some areas. Not sure what to think of it myself really, but I thought I'd post this video I just came across today as proof of this apparent phenomenon.
Absolutely Fabulous - Series 5 - Mixed Race Baby


© 2008 T. Fatimah Williams -MixedRoots

Much ado about nothing...really

Much Ado about Nothing...really


My daughter-at age two- decided for herself that she was a supporter of Barack Obama. I promise you that for nearly two weeks in the winter of '08 she didn't mention Mickey Mouse much at all. The squeaky voice friend, got slipped to the back burner for the silky voice political figure called Barack Obama. One day just months shy of her 3rd birthday, she literally said "lets turn on the TV and see if Barack Obama is on Mumma" I was shocked and didn't know how to respond, I looked at her stunned, she smiled and said come on... lets see him, is he on! That request was far more sophisticated than the occasional recognition she would give when she'd catch a glimpse of him on TV and say his name without a single mis-pronunciation in her proclamation. Or when she would see an American flag anywhere...she'd say "look Mumma, it's for Barack Obama." I thought, ok she has some how, somewhere along the way determined that he and the flag are connected in theory some how. I thought how astute of her.

So this past weekend when I was searching barackobama.com for volunteer opportunities, I stumbled across an amazing opportunity to take a picture with him. I thought what a historical moment and wild opportunity that would be! Then I realized, of course that it was too good to be true. It was actually, that you could take a photo with a life size cut-out image of Barack Obama. I thought well in anycase it would be fun.... so when I asked my daughter- now three years of age- and oh so independent- would you like to go take a picture with Barack Obama? She replied, "yes, today?" I said, "yes, we can go as soon as we get ready". When I glanced through the options of what she could wear, I eyed jeans and a dress. She decided on wearing a dress and wouldn't settle for anything else. And nearly had a meltdown when I got a splash of water on it. I thought what is going on with her today. Well of course, she believed she was going to meet THE Barack Obama. When we arrived to the destination, she saw that silly ole' cut-out of him. She could care less that it was life sized. She asked every one in the place, "Where is Barack Obama?" "Is he behind that curtain?" "EXCUSE ME" "When is he coming out?" I felt so bad, I had to find a way to explain, delicately of course, that Mr. Obama wasn't actually there, but we could take a picture next to his picture. She wasn't too happy about it, but reluctantly did so. Later, when asked about her day and if she met Barack Obama, she told her granddaddy - my dad- "he didn't talk, it was just his picture" I believe she felt... "and I missed my nap today for this!"

Well it's a memory and a keepsake if nothing else.


International photograher Ifoma continues to offer this "photo op" on Livernois in Detroit. Check out barackobama.com for details. Thanks to my friends Eric and Ifoma for the photo and for the permission to share it on my blog.


© 2008 T. Fatimah Williams -MixedRoots

A New Interest in being mixed

A New Interest in Being Mixed

An article in the New York Times... interesting. There is a new found attention and light being shown on the mixed race identity and experience.

Bravo to Barack Obama and the divine power that fashioned this -finally forward thinking- dialogue. I don't agree with every aspect of the opinions expressed in the article, but that's the beauty of being mixed and sharing ideas and opinions. It's simply important to build awareness about the experience. There's always work to be done...now let's see where being in this space takes us or where we can direct it... I really don't believe we'd be here- in this space- if it weren't for a biracial presidential candidate named Barack Obama.



© 2008 T. Fatimah Williams -MixedRoots