Ever sat in front of HISTORY HerSTORY and got a chance to listen to it for 1.5 hours? I did last month. How I’ve ended up here is beyond me, but I’m amazed at this chance I got. To sit in front of HerSTORY and soak in the pain, triumphs and continuing journey is amazing to me. She gave me the opportunity to peek into her past and how she became the figure she is today. I had NO words but “WOW.” Nothing else sufficed.
To even say “THANK YOU” for her time is inadequate. I walked away feeling like my life has been a garden of cherry blossoms. I walked away being reminded that the “Thanks” I must say in my nightly prayer must be extensive. I walked away knowing that God really did give some people strength that Atlas WISHED he could have had. 26 years and she hasn’t yet shrugged.
So thankful. For her deeming me worthy of her time. For HIM for putting her here to do such work. Maybe I can carry that torch. But hers is still so bright that I just stare at it, mouth agape.
My brother-in-law checks in with me every 6-8 months or so to make sure that I’m not being “ordinary.” Yes, he uses that word. It's his way of making sure I haven’t settled for the ease of mediocrity because he doesn’t believe I was put here to be average.
He gave me a mission at the beginning of this year, and it was to be completed by December 2009. I looked at him like he was crazy.
Me: “How am I supposed to do that?”
Him: “I’m not worried. You’ll make it happen”
Me: “o_O Aight… but…”
Funnily (and oddly) enough, due to a series of circumstances, I accomplished this mission about 7 months into the year, and even I’m shocked. How did THAT happen? But it did.
I dream big at times, but it’s good to know that others dream bigger for me.
Oh, and yesterday’s Extraordinary check? His response was: “This is all very good, and I think you’ve done really well (and you know I won’t just say that). So, well done! But in the spirit of always looking forward, so what’s next now? As you look out over the next 12 - 18 months where do you want to take all this?”
I haven't responded to his email yet because I still don't have an answer.
By the way, his mission for me was to get on the Board of Directors of an organization. I’m now on the Board of Director’s of a 21-year HIV/AIDS organization in Chicago (Chicago Women's AIDS Project), on the Advisory Board of a philanthropy fundraiser website (GiveForward.org), and on the Blogger’s Advisory Committee of a huge 20-yr old international nonprofit organization (Elizabeth Glaser Pediatrics AIDS Foundation). Plus I’m incorporating my own national nonprofit organization as we speak (The Red Pump Project).
Methinks I’m on the road out of mediocrity. I’m trying to be extraordinary in a sub-par world. I have to leave my footprints in the sand so they won’t get washed away when I'm no longer here.
I was at the movies a couple of weeks ago when I saw a trailer for a movie called “Precious,” and it definitely went on my invisible list of “Movies I should see when they come out.” Then last week, I got an email inviting me to a private screening of the movie, which I promptly RSVPed for.
I ended up going with Afrobella and my girl Brittany. I shan’t be too bitter about the fact that they separated Afrobella from us and made her go to another theater to watch. HMPH. Nope. I shan’t make a fuss.
So on to the movie. “Precious” was AMAZING. The titans of Black media (Oprah and Tyler Perry) got together and made something very powerful happen. I walked out of the theater knowing that I had to toot this movie’s horn as a MUST SEE. I’m no Roger Ebert but here goes my review. Don’t worry. I will not be spoiling the plot by revealing any plot points that the trailer doesn’t)
“Precious” is a movie that's based on the book "Push" by Sapphire. It's about a big Black teenaged girl who lives with her verbally and physically abusive mother (played by Mo’Nique). She’s been told she would never amount to anything all her life. Most importantly, she’s been TREATED with the same creed and reminded of it often. The movie deals with Precious’ struggles, which mirror some real-life ones that are oft-ignored. After watching the movie though, I think it tells a tale of redemption, courage, strength and resilience. It shows some severely flawed humanity, but also goes on to shows the journey of a person trying to overcome it. The story of Precious isn’t the “happily ever after” but it is the “taking it day-by-day.”
The star of the movie, Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe is an unknown actress who played Precious like a veteran. She embodied the character through and through. There were times that she didn’t speak yet we were able to fill in the blank. So many props to her for this.
Mo’Nique is known as this loud, crass comedian who cackles excessively. In this film, she transformed into a terror. A human being so flawed that you wondered if she had any redeeming qualities. Mo’Nique was filmed without makeup for most of this film and it only added to her rawness. She really did become Mary. She poured her heart out on those lenses and left it in the reels. I am so impressed by her, and any talks of an “Oscar” have been earned. By BOTH women, actually.
When they were on screen together, these women made me sit on the edge of my seat. Their dynamic was so strong. In their scenes, they were so good that I felt like a fly on the wall in their real home. I felt like I was eavesdropping on them in their scenes. They were a powerful duo when onscreen together.
They were helped by a pretty good supporting cast. All the actors in this film were brought down a couple of pegs, and I loved that. I had to ask Brittany “Is that…” whenever I saw a new actor onscreen. Mariah Carey was almost unrecognizable. Maybe it was because she wasn’t in some tight spandex outfit. I’m not used to that. No but really. She was inconspicuous in a black wig, no makeup and a cheap suit. I forgot it was her, which was a positive because she played a social worker.
I also did a double take when I first saw Sherri Shepherd in some cornrows and minimal makeup. Her character provided some subtle comic relief. Lenny Kravitz played a make nurse (a murse) and distracted me for a few seconds because he is still as fine as he wants to be. He was the eye candy in the movie. LOL. Paula Patton’s character was the antithesis of Mo’Nique’s and was the little beacon of light in Precious’ life. She was great in her role.
I loved this movie for many reasons. It touched on a lot of difficult topics, including sexual and physical abuse, illiteracy, teenage pregnancy and others. The movie didn't shield us from some of the ugliness of human nature, and for this, I appreciated it. I winced, squirmed, gasped and covered my eyes at certain scenes. I even clutched my chest at one point. I was uncomfortable at several points of the movie but it was all the more real for it.
“Precious” is a movie everyone should go see. It’s one of the most impactful flicks I’ve seen lately, and left me saying “WOW.” Kudos. GO WATCH IT when it comes out!
Hey folks. I'm Luvvie, a blogaholic, roastaholic and shoeaholic. By day, by trade, and by career, I'm a nonprofit marketing coordinator. I am also the co-founder of The Red Pump Project, a national initiative to raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women & girls. Overall, I'm a chick that's trying to be extraordinary in a subpar world.
Welcome to my newest eCrib, LuvvDivine. The name is from my favorite Seal song ("Love's Divine"), and I digs it.
I am the person of many eHomes, and I've been getting the itch to do more than I've been doing at Awesomely Luvvie or at House of IG. Both of those blogs are humor-focused, and I feel like I can't branch out to write about other things there. This is going to be a space that is a bit more personal, to showcase more of my actual writing. I'm naturally a fool, so humor will creep its way into things I write, but it won't be the focus. AweLuv is still my #1 eCrib and will be getting updated regularly, so don't leave there.
Luvv Divine won't be a "This is what I did today" kinda spot, because my days are not that interesting. But it will showcase my:
Random loves (shoes included)
Reviews (books, movies, products etc.)
Whatever else doesn't fit at AweLuv
It's simple (look-wise), calmer and I look forward to seeing how it takes shape.
Nonprofit marketing coordinator by day. Blogaholic, shoeaholic, roastaholic by nights and weekends. This is my blog, with me stepping away (a little bit) from behind the humor shroud. Read the rest ABOUT ME here.
"My imperfections & failures are as much a blessing from God as my successes & my talents & I lay them both at his feet." - Gandhi
