I really hate this place, this space I'm in right now. I feel lost and helpless as if I'm tumbling head over foot down a never-ending bottomless pit afraid of that sudden stop. The place I’m alluding to is the dark. The dark is usually my friend. This place where I'm supposed to rest and … Continue reading The Deception of Darkness
Clad in my Golden Girls mask, I make my way to the security checkpoint at Portland International Airport (PDX) awaiting my Alaska Airlines flight to Las Vegas, NV. This was a surprise trip to celebrate my mother’s birthday. She and my older sister Sonya were flying to Vegas from Washington state and Jean (Auntie Jean), … Continue reading COVID Confidential: Vol #5
I am baffled and confused by the ignorance of some (White) people when it comes to the acceptance of racism in America. What makes it worse, are the things that are said (or sung) which are blatantly racist and the one’s delivering the message, think there’s nothing wrong. Sound familiar? For those of us that … Continue reading A Scout’s Song
Photo credit: Stan Lim I have a strong dislike for politics. Honestly, I always feel uneasy when I have to navigate the unpredictable waters of seemingly “qualified” candidates in an election year. With the name-calling and trash-talking that happens between the leading candidates, I grow quickly fatigued. This year is different and all I can … Continue reading The Hood of Leadership
This is the fourth installment of my COVID-19 confinement: A Summer of Change During the 20 years that I’ve lived in Portland, Oregon, the summer months are what I look forward to the most. This is usually when Eric (the hubster) and I take a short break from the sometimes crazy work-hustle and head up … Continue reading COVID Confidential: Vol 4
This post is snapshot of the BLM movement in Portland. The city isn't a battleground as the media portrays.
The third installation of my Covid confinement. To date, it has been more than 18 weeks since I’ve stepped foot into my (our) Northwest Portland, China Town office. It’s been a bit surreal. Let’s face it, 2020 is becoming the year that should be reset back to 12/31/19. Any celebrations planned after March 13, 2020, … Continue reading Covid Confidential: Vol 3
It's not a game anymore, it's real life! The world has changed and it’s been a long time coming. An awakening has occurred; an amazing, loud, and unsettling awakening in the United States and in other parts of the world. The death of an unarmed Black man at the hands of a White police officer … Continue reading The Black Experience
Life as a African-American/Black man. Life as a African-American/Black woman. A life that can quickly and violently be taken away. Last night I finally broke down. My emotional shell just cracked and I started crying, something I don’t often do. I just reached a saturation point in my soul and couldn’t hold back the emotion … Continue reading See No Evil
This piece is dedicated to members of the board (past and present) for your tireless efforts, and to the volunteers , sponsors, photographers, DJs, and thousands of attendees for supporting the wonderful beneficiaries along the way. All nonprofits are not created equal. In 2000, shortly after I moved to Portland, Oregon from the Netherlands (Amsterdam), … Continue reading Seeing Red
