Channeling Malcolm X

Before he was El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, he was Malcolm X. And before he was Malcolm X, he was known on the streets of Harlem, as Detroit Red. I discuss him this day with respect and with relevance to you and I today.
When I read The Autobiography of Malcolm X four years ago, I didn't expect to read what I read and found in those pages, but I found it touched & shaped me as a woman - as a Brown woman - as a Brown woman who was becoming aware of her Self and her place in the world.
I read the story of a boy who was so caught up with the 'dog eat dog' that he was lost in the world wind of it. He sold drugs, he pimped, he robbed, and he went to jail - only to find hisSelf in jail.
Malcolm was more than a preacher for the Nation of Islam, he was a teacher to us all. What I loved about Malcolm's story is that he didn't shy away from the truth of who he was and as he changed, he was not afraid to say he'd been changed. He was not afraid to call out the evils of the world after he'd seen himself though those evils. He was not afraid to say what needed to be said although he was well aware that it might cost him family, friends, and his life. He looked back at his hustle on the streets of Harlem, not with embarrassment or apologies, but with purpose and understandings & helped me see my self in my hood and then took me on an international journey of discovery.
The changes that are happening in ourSelves and in our communities of color are again at odds with the status quo- just like they were when Malcolm hit the streets and started talking to the people about it. He never made excuses, he found reason.
Today, as our skin tone & our very existence as gente of color- Black & Brown- has come under attack by laws like Arizona's SB 1070 & Houston's 287G, it's that much more important to take responsibility for our past, learn from that and our present, and make moves with pride in our Selves for the future.
....And if you haven't read The Autobiography of Malcolm X or don't know too much about who he is, do yourself the favor---> you can start here.
Many people are trying to figure out how to make real change happen - I learned through Malcolm that it starts by arming yourself with knowledge- through books and the street- and then taking what you learn & discussing it with those you love- that's how you build community. That's how you reach the youth.
Malcolm did & said everything he did & said because he loved his people & who he was because of who he had been. Channel that...by any means necessary.

Denver Harbor Can BBQ!

Come on out (or enter to compete) in Denver Harbor's 1st Annual Cook Off! A little friendly competition, family fun, good eats, Palmers in the background- and all will be made possible by you- the community! Check details below!

Denver Harbor Cook-Off

Saturday, June 26, 2010

RAIN or SHINE!

Palmer’s Ice House

I-10 E @ Wayside Houston, TX 77020

General Cook-off information

Time : 8am – 5pm

Entry Fee: $40.00 per parking space (approx 10 x 18, enough for a pop up tent, and pit.) 2 spaces max. Site must be clear by 6pm, however you are invited to stay as long as you like inside Palmer’s. If you want 2 spaces, $80.

SPACE IS LIMITED!!! First come, first serve!

Events: Enter one category, or enter all!

11am Salsa*

12 pm Chili – NO BEANS, NO FILLER!

1pm Chicken

2pm Pork – any type of pork

3pm Wildcard (Anything Goes!)

4pm Awards

There will also be an award for showmanship. (Cleanliness, booth appearance, hospitality)

All Entries must be prepared on-site, no-pre-marinades.

*Salsa may be prepared off-site (due to electricity). Salsa must be prepared by a team member and must be homemade. Your word is good with us.

Awards :

All Categories 1^st – 3^rd place Showmanship 1^st place only

Safety

It is the team captain’s responsibility to be mindful of safety and the behavior at their respective tents. Unacceptable behavior may result in being asked to leave the cook-off area. Cook-off Committee or Sponsors will not be responsible for any theft, damage, or injury.

This is a family oriented event. No Generators allowed.

Propane and notes…

Propane tanks are prohibited (Fire Dept. Request)

How does this effect Chili? You can use a small pit (Old Smokey) to prepare your chili. There was no propane back on the old trail rides… Hank Hill doesn’t like this rule…

Teams responsible for their own water and ice.

Payment:

Send a Check or Money Order to: Daniel Hinojosa, 7502 Alderson, Houston, TX 77020 along with the Info below. If you wish to pay in cash, contact Daniel at 713.373.6703.

By paying your entry fee, you agree to all rules and regulations. This is a family oriented event.
Team Name:
Team Captain Name:
Telephone Number:
Email:

DH Presente @ May Day March- Houston

Saturday, May 1st, 2010 was a day to remember. The range of the people- in every way imaginable- was the most beautiful thing to see. We came together to build bridges & to see people from all walks of life fight for human rights - respect & dignity. The Houston Chronicle counted 7,000 people, the HPD counted 8,500 people, and the organizers counted about 11,000 people. Whatever the number, the message was clear: Houston is proud of it's cultural diversity. The people are remembering that they and they alone have the power to create & direct things that work in their communities & they will stand up for that cause as children of the Sun & the Earth. Here are the pics we took!

If you attended the march and would like to give us your words about the event &/or have your pics up on the blog, please email them to ourdhstreets@gmail.com.
(You will be given full credit for all submitted things)

Houston Will March for May Day

Se Ve! Se Siente! El Pueblo Sera Presente!

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 1st, 2010, Houston will join an international call to March for dignity & respect for all human beings.
May 1st marks International Workers Day and historically was used to celebrate the gains of several labour movements throughout the world. In recent years, especially in the U.S., it's come to mark a day of political protests and rallies to demand workers rights and immigrant rights.

With the recent signing of SB 1070 by Arizona's governor, this May Day March is especially important and especially significant. SB 1070 "makes it a state misdemeanor crime for an alien to be in the United States without registration documents required by federal law,[8] and requires police to make an attempt, when practicable, to determine a person's immigration status if there is reasonable suspicion that the person is an illegal alien." This bill is problematic because it gives police officers who suspect you may be illegal, the right to stop, question, and detain you. Arizona says that officers will use things like 'how someone is dressed' to decide whether they may be illegal. The law pretty much gives police the right to racially profile brown people. This law is a slap in the face for all Brown people that have come here due to the promise of the American Dream. And it's a slap in the face to the Brown ancestors that maintained, worked, and roamed this land long before borders.
Houston will stand in solidarity with all Brown people suffering due to laws imposed on them. Houston also marches to demand respect to immigrant workers’ rights, for the right to be acknowledged, “to come out of the shadows”, through a just immigration reform for all the contributions immigrants make, for the right of family unification and a stop to the raids and deportations, for respect to the human rights of all immigrants and refugees, for Passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the DREAM Act, for justice for all, and for unity amongst ALL communities.

We at OurDHStreets post the information here for all interested in taking part of this March. We understand what this means to all Latinos, Mexicanos, Xicanos, Mexican-Americans, Immigrantes, etc in this country and throughout the world. Brown people have a long and proud history in the Southern states, and it's upsetting and saddening that after all that we have given, law makers work day in and day out to destroy our cultura.

The march organizers invite people to bring signs, whistles, drums, etc to make lots of noise & bring attention. Houston is sending a message to Arizona, the lawmakers here, and the country, that we do not support unjust laws.
It may be rainy, so be sure to bring umbrellas, raincoats, etc & water to drink. Details are below.


Date:
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Time:
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Location:
Starting Point: Bellaire and Renwick
Street:
5900 Bellaire Blvd.
City/Town:
Houston, TX
Ending Point: Rally @ Burnett Bayland Park (Chimney Rock & Gulfton)

Visit www.houstonmarches.info for more details.
You can also call or text (832)497-5035 for more info.
Visit the Facebook Page for this Event, here.

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The People United, Can Never Be Divided
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May 2nd is Lemonade Day!

A big THANK YOU to Myragene Coronado, a DH resident, for sharing this with OurDHStreets:

Encourage our next generation of young entrepreneurs to participate in Lemonade Day. This free, annual community-wide event teaches youth how to start and run their own lemonade business. Organized by Prepared 4 Life, it empowers youth and helps prepare them for life.

Help spread the word that all across Houston, children (with help from their parents, mentors, and friends) will be starting their own businesses (with a little guidance from Prepared 4 Life, a nationwide, not-for-profit organization). Children of all socioeconomic backgrounds, in every neighborhood, will learn how to make money to "spend a little, save a little and give a little."

The goal is to help 50,000 young Houstonians start their own business on May 2. This ongoing annual event has life-changing results. Story after story has shown the immediate and long-term effects of this program for children across Houston and around the U.S.

You can help by sharing this email with your friends, colleagues, and business contacts. Everyone can encourage children to sign up at www.LemonadeDay.org. When signing up, each child will receive a backpack filled with
instructional materials to guide them through the process of developing their lemonade stand.

Then, support the youngsters by purchasing a tasty cup of refreshing lemonade on that very special day--May 2!

Last years Lemonade Day video-

For more information, visit http://houston.lemonadeday.org/


Add your comments online: http://www.bigtent.com/group/forum/message/32727304?md=MTEzNjAxODk=

Feliz Earth Day Denver Harbor!

Mother Earth has given us a place to stand, live, and love for our entire lives & works with the Sun to sustain all of these things. Today is marked as the day to take part in the preservation of Earth and we just wanted to send out a reminder to all of you to take the time to do something for the planet - maybe this will be a good day to start an ongoing project!
We recommend talking to your children about the Earth and maybe helping them plant some cilantro, make a recycling bin, or start a worm farm. All things like this can be found in how-tos online! Here is a source for activities to help you! Click here.
Happy Earth Day mi gente! Let's preserve the planet that provides for and sustains us!

Around Town: Houston Children's Festival

The Houston Children's Festival  benefits Child Advocates, Inc. and the abused and neglected children it serves. Now in its 22nd year, the festival is "Houston's Official Family Celebration" and takes place in downtown Houston.
Set for April 10 & 11, 2010, 10:30 am - 6:30 pm, the festival offers festival guests 10 Big Family Adventure Zones, 6 Stages and over 350 fun activities. It's NUMBER ONE FOR FAMILY FUN!Visit the official website here for more info!

P.S. Dora & Diego will be there!!!