I did it.

So...what are you going to do about it? Is this the part where I put my 'nice' face on and beg and plead for your vote? Ask you to tell a friend? Tell you i'll cook you dinner or watch your kid/s (I can handle it) for free for a week?

I'm not going to turn tricks, I already decided that would be bad for me considering I want to be a CEO one day...in the meantime, I ask you to vote for moi.

My categories are:

Best Humor Blog (am I funny?)
Best New Blog (only less than 1 year old...check)
Best Writing in a Blog (do I move you with the words I write? Please note I wrote all my Black Daria Films)
Blog To Watch (could I be Hot? get 5 more readers, or 10?)
Best Microblog (my intimate moments, plus a bit of chatting in between, followed by occasional rants...no holes barred)

So...make your voices heard. Vote for Black Daria..."conscious gossipist".

xoxo,
Black Daria ;/

When Michael Jackson died...

It was a little after 5:00 PM, and I was upstairs in a conference room on Nickelodeon's executive floor. My colleagues and I were watching a reel from an event the day prior, and the President of the Network's assistant opened the door and said, "Did you hear? Michael Jackson died of a heart attack."

"Shut UP!" I yelled. She had to be lying. I asked her to excuse my figure of speech, which she caught onto quickly (can't be telling the assistant to the President to shup up).

I dropped into a fetal standing position, so my knees were touching my head, my bottom not too far from the floor. All I could think was that this wasn't happening.

I got home, and remembered I had no cable. Good, now I don't have to be bombarded with images of Michael leaving his home and going into the hospital. I didn't want to see him like that...because it just couldn't be true.

An hour later, all I could think about was the Apollo. I need to be there...and that's where I went.

Got on the wrong train to 125th street, so I had to take a walk from Broadway, but as I approached, I got chills, realizing that it was really true. And then I saw the marquee:

Personal picture from The Black Daria Photo Files

Moved on, but my camera battery began to get exhausted...so I left, and went to have a big old glass of wine with a person I knew had to understand what I was feeling about Michael right at that moment.

Fast forward, I find myself thinking about him everyday. He was my friend...wasn't he everyone's friend? Michael meant so many things to so many different people, whether you are gay, from South Africa or went to prep school. Michael influenced us all, from Members Only jackets, to some of the hottest videos that can never be duplicated.

Too cliche to say "There will never be another Michael Jackson," because we already know that...that's easy.

My personal story comes from a former mentor, who stayed with Michael at Neverland. I was interning with her, and all she said was "he was the nicest man...always laughing, he laughed at me when I told him I wanted to get off that fucking ferris wheel...I was cursing him out and he just kept laughing at me..." A friend reminded me of the story, as he was telling me about an interview he'd seen with Sheryl Crow, who has a similar story that she experienced a mere two weeks ago. I loved hearing that about him, and it stayed in my heart.

The power of Michael Jackson has stopped traffic for four days on 125th Street, brought crowds to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, all the way to the tents lined up at Neverland Ranch, as they begin to bring in the port-a-potties. Michael has crippled the Internet, will be 9 of the top 10 Billboard Albums next week, and shed a slightly opaque curtain on the recent Iran election, "coup in Honduras, an insurgency in India..." and the other topics my great friend from college, Saki, talks about and literally shows up at the rallies for when she isn't busy changing the world. I say that with love, and she knows that.

I sat on the #1 train (oh joy) and I heard a woman in Russian (I have skills) tell another woman something...but then she said "Michael Jackson" and began talking in English. Damn. Michael has it on lock down...I just said last week that Michael Jackson saved MTV from an "EPIC FAIL" as the twitterers call it...and I can't believe that he's gone this week.

This may go down as just another post that my 15+ followers read, but I will tell you this...Michael changed my life in his own special way...and we just can't take that away from him by sweeping him under the carpet for yesterday's news. His music changed me...you...America...the WORLD.

Only a true prophet could achieve such a large task. And it was through the one thing that has probably always been there for me after the rallies in college, the days of being laid off and starting a business...the breakups. It was music...and a little Black boy and his brothers from Gary, Indiana, did all that.

To the KING...rest in peace, eternally. And P.S. - I never believed them.

xoxo,

Black Daria :/

Sunday night at Shrine: A Date with Harlem

I'd been wanting to check out TreZure the Empress for a while, but it was a conversation with a good friend that solidified the deal for my "Date with Harlem" at Shrine this past Sunday...not known for the best sound system, but I couldn't pass up the artists on the show list.

A teacher? Really? After her performance she says outside, "Yes, I specifically teach music of the African Diaspora." I was sold on teacher, but the African Diaspora part was a cool add to a list of accomplishments.

Photo: TreZure and the band, taken by Black Daria

TreZure delivers to a crowd. Kicking off her set with a couple of what appear to be "crowd favorites," (watching audience response is a good thing) she's certainly takes you on a journey with her lyrical abilities, touching the end of her set with a sexy Afro-Cuban vibe...keywords in her set were love, and her red dress, color-popping make-up job and white shoes reminded me of what maybe Billie Holiday or Dinah Washington would look like if they were performing today...reincarnated voice reminds me of many ancestors...I was sold. Check out some of her "TreZures" here.

The host was Crash of the "Pop Champagne" video...I assume the association was Harlem. That's all I should probably say about her, to be nice today...but one comment from a crowd member was "She's weird." Eh...whatever. I guess she's a pretty girl, so that helps things. And if it were a music video, and she had the pink wig she referred to, maybe one of the white people there would have known that, otherwise it was pretty irrelevant. As a black girl, I kinda just felt like I would have left that out, and mentioned it to those who asked "What videos?" off stage.

I ran into Charles of Hustlemode later who told me I was on the list, but I wasn't tripping as Black Daria believes in supporting events, as opposed to free rides when it comes to shows to feed artists specifically, to be clear. Otherwise, I love a good sponsored party or album release with an oper bar just like the next guy.

I'll also refrain from where things went after that and in between...not even the distracting event support handling the run of show could interrupt what I heard, although I felt the hectic energy at points, and even stepped out for a few cigarettes on their behalf. Yes, smoking is bad for your health, and I am quitting on May 15, 2009. Next. Somehow, I always end up saying the shit I didn't want to say...oh well.

The good news is Peter Hadar saves the day...and not by outshining TreZure, but by just being Peter. Knowing him from his humble beginnings, I was impressed with how far he's come. I got to chat with him briefly about his experience at SXSW recently, which he enjoyed...now just ready for labels to recognize his talents...wish someone would...he was the perfect ending to chaotic interludes. I've featured him on all of my Black Daria Files radio shows...check out more of Peter here. He helped to make me not so mad about the show, or stimulating the bar with dollars to pass the time due to...damn it, there I go again...note to self, nobody is perfect. These two artists were certainly the highlights.

Here's a slice of what you missed...he requested the lights be low for this one...so you'll have to just listen to what we were hearing and seeing amongst the blue hue...

PETER HADAR, "PLANETS" @ SHRINE - APRIL 26, 2009

A tout a l'huere...off to check out another party...back onto my Beyonce case study soon...If you didn't hear already, Obssesed sold $28.5 million. Good job Bey, but I am still not really impressed. I'll tell you why on Entry 2 of my case study, which requires me to go and actually watch the movie.

xoxo,

Black Daria

King Magazine 50th issue party and other stuff...

I know, I am the worst, but I hope this post makes up for past missing posts. And if it doesn't, you know I don't really care, because my name is Black Daria.

LAST WEEK @ the KING MAGAZINE PARTY...

I met my new crush...you know, when someone doesn't answer your passionate love letters (ahem, Chuck Bass), you have to add to your collection of available suitors...I didn't ask him if he has a girlfriend yet, but I guarantee he's mine (and your) new crush:


His name is Miguel Perdomo (on my right, wearing purple...how did he know that was my color?). Black Daria Perdomo. Sorry. Anyway, he was one of the models in BET's Rip the Runway, a labor of love hosted by Derek Luke (not really sure why except a VERY good agent/rep) and Joy Bryant (huge come-up for BET). And no, I didn't get an invite again (why are people taking my name so literally...) When I find some pictures, I will talk about the good, maybe the bad...we shall see.

THEN DAWN CAME...

Damn...first of all, my fellow colleague/publicist and such, Ra-fael Blanco, of 2R's Entertainment, represents Dawn Richard in addition to my new boyfriend...wow, small world. She was so sweet, it made me feel bad about talking shit about them back in January, but really that was kinda false reporting...it was D-Woods who was stank and looked a hot mess...the rest of the girls were nice the first time I met them outside a Kelis event. I saw D Woods alone at a King Magazine event (ironically), but hey, maybe all the shit that popped off at the end of Season 3 was part of her stinkness. The other part of me says she's a chicken, but I will have to wait until I meet her again to see if she's nice. I probably won't be looking for her though, or anything.

Anyways, Dawn was sweet enough (Black Daria said sweet, so she must have been nice) to stop and take this picture and tell me she'd read my blog, even though she was running to serenade the 50th issue of King Magazine...I guess since it was their party, it's OK if she had to leave to tend to the crowd.

Other flicks from that night...

My Gay Boyfriend, Devon Christopher of Bleu Magazine & Atomic Wings of Harlem...I see ads in my future...right here on this blog.

Liris Crosse...the best thing that happened to men's lockers, phone wallpapers and anywhere else they want to see Liris. She recently was a guest on Talk Dat Ish radio with Host Tionna Smalls, where we had an interesting debate on black people's favorite topic: skin color.

Ran into a fellow blogger/friend, Ms. Cocoa Luv Chronicles herself.

Mr. Datwon Thomas...always a great host.

Needless to say, I had a great time...then stumbled upon a surprise when I ended up at Drom later:

Yep...a LaGuardian! (We really are everywhere!) So good to see a familiar face...now he needs to return my call so we can do some business. He was singing backup for Tess...they sound awesome, so I know we will be hearing more from them soon. Oh, and the LaGuardian is Don Kornegay...it's a name I know you will be seeing alot ;)

In the Drom crowd that night were people like...

D Prosper...Fiddy people know about him...no need to explain.

I talked to Rahman Ali Bugg (on his birthday...ruthless) about Hip Hop Honors...he's the founder of the show. I've waited a long time to meet the man who started this whole thing, and I must say, I was pretty much left speechless. And most people know that doesn't happen to me. I guess I heard what I needed to hear. But I am still going to e-mail him about some of his choices on females to be honored for future shows.

And finally, in an effort to give you a glimpse of Busta at his best, here's a clip from that night, thanks to my wonderful Camera, the Nikon S60 here. I just would like to state that I love Busta :)

That's all for now...Black Daria, signing off.

~BD :/

About abuse...

I thought long and hard about what to say on this whole Chris Brown/Rihanna tragedy, and then I saw this:



And I wondered, do I really want to say what I am about to write? Then I thought about how there are too many theories being thrown out there, and not enough stories. Too many reporters, writers, journalists and colleagues with opinions, but no offerings of solutions.

So here is my story. And if I am considered a loser for it, oh well, I think it needs to be heard. Fuck these bullshit theories.

This morning, someone asked me on Facebook "have you ever seen your Mom look like this as opposed to Glammed up?"

"Yes, I have." I don't think dude was ready for that.

I was 5 years old, and I was taking a nap. I heard scuffling, but I wasn't quite sure what I was hearing, as I was drifting in and out of sleep. The next thump, and I knew instantly I wasn't in a good situation, and the two people that normally protect me were the ones I became afraid of during what seems like 20 minutes of that fight, and I wondered what to do next.

For years, I never forgot that day. I still remember it like it was yesterday. The one poingnant memory was throwing out my Hello Kitty Kitchen set. It was ruined...covered in blood, and irreplaceable, no matter how much I scrubbed, the blood just wouldn't come off the back of that fake wood platform that supported the yellow sink, and all those doodads I liked.

And when I got older, a man put his hands on me for the first time at 16, and I fought back. The first feeling was fear, then the sinking feeling in your stomach that things won't ever be the same again. He'd been abused as a young man, with his first sexual relationship by an older woman when he was 12 years old, which he admitted years later. There were other abuses as well that he endured.

The second time I was 22, and I continued to date this man, as he began to verbally and mentally abused me. And then there was that one argument that happened, where he questioned my intelligence, and told me my college degree in Communications was pretty much a joke because he didn't understand the email I wrote to him. His dad had abused his sister, and was a womanizer, to say the least.

That email I'd written to my ex was in regard to the past 3 years of abuse. And I snapped.

The road to recovery wasn't easy, but by the grace of God, friends and therapy, as well as having a mother who at 57 years old, obtained her Masters Degree has been MY STRENGTH.

And I want to be clear. My mother is the strongest woman I know. And she was a victim just like Rihanna. Different upbringings and stories, but the nucleus of abuse was there.

My dad? Well, I believe he was a victim too. From the stories I was told about him later as a young adult, I learned he was often abused and antagonized about his dark skin color. Abuse is so real, that when it develops, it often comes as result of past abuse...of any kind.

So my message on Rihanna's birthday (how fucking timely) is to get help if you've seen this picture above, whether was your sister, or your Mom, or even yourself. You should also get help if you saw your Dad do this to your mom, your sister, or another woman you love. If you've grown up in an abusive household, or have been in an abusive relationship, you must talk to someone about what you saw. It isn't normal, wasn't normal, and won't ever be normal. The path to happiness and your destiny lies within you and a support network to help you see your true value, and to know how to walk away.

The last time I found myself there, I walked away. And I won't ever go back there again. I won't judge Rihanna or Chris Brown, because BOTH OF THEM saw abuse, and even dished it out far before this picture surface. It's been reported in articles, in television interviews...

Everything except what they did to help themselves. So I say let's help them. Not end their careers with labels. They are young and they need help, and even if they were as old as Ike and Tina were, they'd still need help. And then we need to celebrate the victory of recovery.

xoxo,
Black Daria :/

This post is dedicated to Nakiah C....you told me to "release"...that's what I did. I'd also like to state that I think women who are being abused should see this picture, in case you'd like to know why I posted it, even though I feel in the case of these two it was irresponsible. It's the one you don't see of millions of women whom this happen to, and if this has been you, internally or externally, leave and get help. Men, if you've done this to a woman, or seen this, please...get help.

THIS is why DIDDY RUNS THE CITY.

All I can say is AGREED:



I haven't been to a good party since probably Nas's album release Hip Hop is Dead, and even then I was stuggling to dance. The DJs job is to make you feel good, not just play what's on the radio, which is dying a slow death by combining trash with the likes of syndicating Big Boi to NYC with an irrelevant and wack entertainment report from Ms. not so YBF. No links, because I just am not advertising trash on my blog.

This is why I don't get on Diddy about whether he's gay or straight....who gives a flying fignooty? I may not agree with all his practices, like the danity whores, but I think he's smart and has developed his business acumen that will be studied in classes years to come. I can not hate this man...CSI Miami, music, TV...what isn't he doing? 50, take notes.

Special thanks to Please Don't Stare for posting this video.

xoxo,
Black Daria

Remember the future...

And also remember if i see this slogan on a t-shirt, I will sue for royalties. I like checks.




xoxo,
Black Daria

Dear Mr. McGruder...

Dear Mr. McGruder,

Thank you for responding to the recent posts regarding your feelings about President Obama. It's nice to know that you felt moved to do something, since I am still waiting for the third (or fourth?) season of the Boondocks. I would also like you to know that you are very damn cute, but I need to get some things off my chest like a professional blogger, and not some pseudo-groupie.

I'd like to state that while Barack may not be African-American, we can't ignore that American society breaks us into classes based upon looks, and an immigrant, Barack does not "look." I say this due to the stereotypical nature of the people, although the 2 million people who stood on the lawn last Tuesday kinda begin to tell us otherwise.

They tell us that we are all in the same gang together, and that if not for them, we couldn't appreciate your type of humor...well, at least some of us. I don't think it's that easy to dismiss Obama's race or heritage, when we know that in American society, both immigrants and minorities have faced their own prejudices that wouldn't allow for the amazing transformation that took place on January 20, 2009. President Obama's term will be challenging for all Americans. I agree, the raping of Americans by many whom held our future in their hands is a task that not just one man can bear to repair alone. I do challenge you to tell me what you are doing to help Obama, as he's requested all of our help.

Allow me to elaborate. There was a young lady who I'd always see in the mornings going to work; she used to hand me my AM/NY paper along with all my other reads I scan on a daily basis. A few weeks later, she was outside my job, on a smoke break with a friend, complaining about her job at McDonalds. She wants something better, but she didn't know where to begin.

I could have judged her from the start. By no means are we from the same socio-economic background...but we happen to live one block away from each other, and when I ran into her the other night, she was holding an eviction notice, and looking quite hopeless.

I couldn't offer her much, but I did give her a good meal, and we talked for about an hour. Another friend stopped by, and I got the feeling that by the end of the conversation, we had done what Obama had asked of us. I am not sure if she will use the information I give her on Monday to get a new job. What I do know is that while the criticism of American practice must not cease, those of us with a voice must SPEAK. When you go to these schools, what are you talking about? Why have you been so silent, and what are you proposing?

I only ask because I feel that unbeknownst to you, you may very well hold some of the answers we need to not only help Obama, but practice your first amendment rights and give us an installment of the Boondocks that helps to understand your perspective. You've definitely given us your perspective, but are there any solutions you can provide?

Just asking.

Signed,
Black Daria :/

P.S. My penmanship is of course nothing like that above, giving you a very Perez Hilton kind of feeling. By no means am I a biter, I just wanted you to know how I felt. Between you and Chuck Bass, there's room for full potential to be my man. Waiting for your call response.

So, sometimes, the news....breaks.

Photo credit: Wikipedia.org

While perusing one of my favorite blogs, Mediatakeout.com, I couldn't help but notice the posting regarding Aaron McGruder, the Creator of the Boondocks...you know, the racy, N-dropping kids on Cartoon Network (which by the way I thought was GENIUS).

So when this whole debate came up on the site today, I wondered if Aaron would at least open his freaking mouth already...I've waited long enough for a fucking new season.

Well, christmas came early...I think:

***start of response to boondocks fans (via facebook)***

AARON MCGRUDER RESPONDS TO FALSE RUMORS

For a long time now, I have tried to keep my opinions on the election and Barack Obama to myself. I occasionally do speaking engagements, which are not open to the press, and unfortunately some of my comments have been twisted around in a silly manner. The claim that I asserted our new President was not Black is categorically false.


I have seen an endless stream of Black pundits on TV pontificating about the significance of President Obama's election - many of them making reference to the 3/5th's clause in the constitution regarding slaves. The point I was making is that this is not an accurate comparison. Barack is the son of an immigrant, not the descendant of slaves. It's like comparing a half-Japanese man to the oppressed Chinese who built the American railroads. Yes, they are both Asian, but it is not an honest or accurate comparison. We all share the common experiences of being Black in America today - we do not all share a common history. A history that in part makes us who we are - and in some cases (as with the psychological damage that still lingers from slavery) holds us back. These are not, I believe, insignificant distinctions.

I did say I was cautiously pessimistic about Obama's Presidency - but this is simply acknowledging the reality of an American Empire that is out of control and on the verge of collapse. Let us not forget that on the eve of the election, we witnessed a near trillion dollar robbery of the US treasury. That robbery is still taking place. I do not blame President Obama, but I do not believe the financial and corporate interests that own and control this country will fold so easily. I do not question the integrity of the man as much as the power of his office - which I believe has greatly diminished over the years. I believe the Federal Reserve Bank, the Military Industrial Complex, and the massive corporate interests that run this country have more power than our new President. I hope I am wrong.


After 9/11, I witnessed the most of this country become obsessed with squashing dissent and silencing critics. I hope this election does not turn Black America towards this same, fascist mind state; but already I am starting to see it, and it saddens me greatly. I absolutely wish our new President and his family success and safety. But after all I have witnessed in my lifetime, and especially in the last eight years, I am not ready to lay down my skepticism or my outrage for this government. To do so would be unwise and, ironically enough, anti-American.

***fin***

My response?

Hi Mr. Gruder...we haven't met yet...but my name is Black Daria, and I kinda agree and kinda don't, but I sir, am no silent critic.

Would love some response to this...as well as credit in any place this ends up before all the major hot blogs that I love so much.

My response will come tomorrow after another very important post I must write. Maybe he will add me as a friend after this, unless like Nixon said "The Press is the Enemy." Gee, am I Press?

xoxo,

Black Daria

Greater "Heights"? and a lesson in Television 101...

So, just when I thought there would be nothing for me to be proud of on television this year, BET makes a move that even knocked my glasses a little lower on my nose than normal...


HARLEM HEIGHTS - MEET THE CAST




Photo credit: BET.com

As Neffe would say, "Are you serious?" THANK. YOU. BET. Yes, there are talented, COLLEGE-educated people out there who not only just happen to be Black like me (officially a new category), but have and are doing things...right here in New York City...down the block from Black Daria...again, no call...fine, I will just wait for my own show.

NOW HEAR THIS: If you've been complaining about what BET doesn't do, you may want to watch this show. Back in the summer I attended a session that the good folks at Viacom provide to the young whippersnappers looking to figure out where they want to go in the building. With so many opportunities, it's hard to decide, but when Debra Lee came to speak, I realized that all my television watching didn't go to waste...completely. You could equate it to the 10,000 hour theory in the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell.

LAUGHS. HEADS SHAKING...thinking, "What's my current facebook status?" followed by *Jeers, booos....*

Watch the banana peels...I know what you are thinking, but I will let you in on something I think you should know...

TELEVISION 101: Ad Sales

Ad Sales are the depth and breath of most cable companies...it's ad revenue that keeps the doors open and the girls girating for Bret Michaels (just being diverse and politcally correct). BET struggles because ad sales (and other dollars, but mucho in Ad Sales) retroactively will pay for those shows you love to watch, like "The Game" or "House."

Now stop. Think about how much it costs to produce those shows (excluding reality TV, as many of the women and men who make first appearances are paid little, if not a plane ticket and a nice hotel room). According to Debra Lee, a show like "The Game" costs a million dollars...per episode. Read that again, because I was equally as blown. 1 million dollars per episode x14 is...very good, 14 million dollars.

We can say that BET has taking a brutal beating, as most minority networks don't get half the dollars that are spread amongst major networks. It's a no brainer to decide whether you'll throw a couple million behind an extremely edited episode of "The Wire" that you can already watch on demand, versus a brand new American Idol...pretty interesting, huh?

What's special about Harlem Heights? It was featured at the Television Critics Association (or TCA to the nerds like myself) Winter Conference as a show that's NOT to compete with the Hills (what?) as it's purpose is to show the beauty of Harlem (yay) as well as it's diverse young professionals sprinkled about its streets.

We will see. Black Daria is waiting for her invite to the premiere party.

Oh, Harlem Heights will air March 2 on BET.

Signing off.

xoxo,
Black Daria

P.S. Talk about having a dream, huh? Remember the greatness of the Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. today...for without this man, who knows if even my blog would exist. Martin Luther King Jr. was a true outlier.