A Sad Ending...

Ok.... so it took me a day or so to wrap my brain around the sad ending to the Nailah Franklin case. I like so many others wanted her to be found alive and well but deep down I think we all knew something was terribly wrong when the car and personal items were found. In an article on ABC News.com Ms. Franklin was identified two days ago through dental records as her body was badly decomposed. The family has asked through a statement thanked all those who helped in the search for Nailah and kept her case in the media. They also asked that they be kept in your thoughts and prayers as they move forward and prepare to celebrate her life. I will do just that ......

Documentary Announcement

I'd like to believe that I have readers EVERYWHERE ( I know I know its probably all in MY mind) so with that in mind I thought I'd write about this movie review I saw in the New York Times today. The name of the documentary is Banished and it was directed by Marco Williams A well-respected filmmaker, he holds an undergraduate degree from Ha'vard as well as two graduate degrees from UCLA. He currently teaches at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Back to the movie.. Banished was released in 2006 and was first seen by various groups through outreach events. For those of you from or around the Texas area you may remember he directed along with Whitney Dow the Two Towns of Jasper. The story was part of the Point of View series on PBS and aired in 2003. Since the release of Banished he has been making the rounds at various film festivals and hitting the media circuit to discuss his latest project. The site is not up to date, so I'll keep checking for its premiere in the Houston area. If anyone in the New York area has seen this documentary or plans to see it, stop by my blog and tell me how it is. Enjoy Lady Writer

Did he REALLY say that??????

I may have mentioned in a post or two that this is my last semester of school.... Let's just say its the best of times and its the worst of times. I am trying to enjoy this last semester but with papers and projects and group meetings there just isn't time. The brain is working overtime. Inevitably, I get the same question from all - "What are your plans after graduation?" I haven't actually figured it out yet. I am thinking graduate(teaching) or law school (comm law) Pros and cons on both sides makes it even tougher. I recently met a Vanguard adviser who said to me -without missing a step mind you- "Do it all!" (Profound moment, I tell ya! I never thought of that!) .....Anywho as I said nothing is etched in stone but after reading this article by Peter Baker at the Washington Post, I am thinking graduate school may not be such a bad road to take. All I could think when I first saw this was WOW! Then I went straight into song ........I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way...I would love to to get my hands on a five-year report detailing the successes of the No Child Left Behind program. I know EVERYONE makes mistakes but... what do you think?

As Long as I Have a Platform From Which To Speak...

I echo these words of novelist and frequent NPR commentator John Ridley. This is a picture of missing Chicago woman Nailah Franklin. The 28 year-old has been missing since 18th of September. Franklin is listed as 5’2” and weighing about 115 pounds. The pharmaceutical representative was reported missing after she didn’t show up to an important meeting with her boss. Her car and some other personal belongings were found a couple of days ago. Check out the link from the local CBS station in Chicago for more information. It is well documented that when the missing aren’t blond or blue-eyed there tends to be less or no real coverage at all. I grapple with my thoughts of issues dealing with race and race relations. I try to find a deeper reason as to why it appears at times one person’s life is valued more than another in this country. I am cautious as to how I approach this issue as I don’t want to offend readers who may see it as just a black/ white issue or more importantly forces them to label my writing. I think the most important thing is to stay focused on spreading the word about the missing. I think by keeping the names of the missing out there even it is only this medium will help and I wanted to do my part. As a communication student this is one area I would like to see change. I always always always want to be part of the solution and never a part of the problem. Earlier this June, Ridley commented on the issue on The Huffington Post .As I mentioned in my 23rd of September post, I am a blogger in training and thanks to The Write Stuff, I have acquired another skill in the blogging world – Hyperlinking! I had actually given up on this and had planned to just copy and paste all the links to the relevant stories. Thanks again, Write Stuff! Because of you dissemination in its proper form will continue.

Wish Me Luck.....

Happy Monday
In this-my final semester (I get chills EVERYTIME I say that)- I am taking a course in African-American Women Writers and Film Adaptations. One of the novels assigned is The Color Purple and through my daily peruse of blog sites I saw this sweepstakes being advertised on Blackvoices. Needless to say I quickly signed up. I am actually in the early stages of planning a trip to my favorite city and one of the things I would like to do while there is to see the play. Wouldn't it be nice to go for FREEEE!!!!!! I think so!

Testing

This is just a test. Not only am I a writer in training, but I am also a blogger in training hence the amount of posts. Today I added some of my favorite blogs, many of which I visit daily and of course this one lonely pic. It was taken about two weeks ago at a friend's b-day party. My goal is to have this technique down by the end of the year. This is only the beginning.... Have a productive week!