:: this IS that

THIS year, this very year, has truly been THAT year. That year for us. Us: Blacks. Taking "W(in)s" after "W's," we've been rising so beautifully from the cracks in the concrete shaded by the opaque cloud of inequality, oppression, systematically laid pipelines, YOU NAME IT. Dodging L’s like the plague, we’ve been in this glorious evolution. This year, has been the year in which our wings have not only spread, but it has been the year where those very wings have allowed us to take flight. Like, hummingbirds, constantly in flight, in search of the sweet nectar deserved of us, we continue to SOAR.

We are a sight to see.

Subtle and colossal. Powerful when we need soar but soft when it’s time to land. God, took His time with us.

And this is just how beauty is defined.

You can choose to notice it if you want to, but just note, beautiful things never ask for attention. They just simply are.

—

Something is in the water.

Something is in the air.

Something is brewing... bubbling... spilling over... into the world around us.

Maybe it's unity. Maybe it's realization. Maybe it's bigger than we understand. Either way, it's happening.

There's a BIGGER plan unfolding. Now, the goal is to keep this MOMENTUM going. And, with the premiere of Black Panther under our belts, the MOMENTUM is at all time high. It is:

RICH. FULL. ENCASING.

CONTAGIOUS. It is: DEEP.

In our bones.

If any were asleep before, they’ve awoken now; because, one thing is for sure, this movie has left so many of us, Blacks – from all faces of the world–, INSPIRED.

Enriched with a renewed sense of self-pride and self-love, Black Panther has truly, in my humblest of opinions sparked a very small, but necessary fire under all of us. I feel GREATER things are coming.

Only time will tell. For now, we will relish in the fact that this movie was everything we DREAMED it to be and then some.

—

All that said, I must share the fact that I had the lovely opportunity to shoot for a few peers of mine that run an all-Black promotion, media, and event group that focuses on the creative essence that lie deep within all of us. The group, known as, This Ain’t That, is a local, Orlando, organization that is, one event at a time, aiming to unite the creative-like-minded and give them a space to grow and flourish, network and share their art, no matter the form or space it resides.

And like any other TAT event, the premiere of Black Panther, during Black History Month, offered a splendid opportunity to unite us over a movie, an art form, that had a predominately black cast, that not only reached beyond just the black community – it’s a Marvel movie, so the fan base is HUGE – but also gave many of us a glimpse into an utopian world that exists amongst ourselves, even despite the disparity ravaging the world. In a way, symbolizing, that we can have a peace within and among ourselves EVEN DESPITE all the bad surrounding us.

Yet, enough of my rambling, happily accepting the opportunity to shoot TAT’s Black Carpet Event for Black Panther, I was able to witness the unity of us. The pride of us. The beauty of us. Dawned in ethnic attire – which, for now, we will overlook the fact that many of us are not fully educated enough to wear all the traditional African attire as various patterns, color, jewelry pieces, headwraps, etc. have their own meanings and occasions to be worn – we were truly a SIGHT to see. It was just a wonderful moment.

The happiness.

The excitement.

It was intoxicating.

If I could relive it all, I would NOT change a thing.

—

The entire event was an amazing success. It made it to our local news channels as well as to The Shade Room – a social media website. And, of course, it was a success in and among ourselves. Truly, a grand event.

On that note, I want to thank This Ain’t That for the beautiful opportunity. I send my greatest wishes for the successes of future endeavors. May every event after this grand display of GLORIOUS rising be enriched with this same energy. Full of color. Life. Love.

All the above.

—

You can read the news article regarding TAT’s Black Panther Premiere, Black Carpet Watch Party as follows: Spectrum News 13: ‘Black Panther’ watch party in Orlando fosters community, pride. Written By: Alicia Soller, Digital Media Producer.

As usual, read, share and repeat. Remember, knowledge is power.

—

:: Post Rationalizing(s)

"A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking because her trust is not in the branch, but in her own wings."

― Unknown ―