BCB Welcomes Marvelous Marvin

We are honored to welcome Marvin McCraw to our movement.  Marvin has been working with youth inspiring them poetically and we welcome his humble spirit. Marvin is our Creative Producer for Bringing Consciousness Back and manages over thirteen youth in Rochester, New York and started "It takes a Village" ITAV workshops that teach inner city kids to use their voice poetically.  We look forward to collaborating with Marvin and the youth from ITAV.  

This Place Ain't Big Enough 4 Me

Well, last week at my jail workshop I read to the group of about twenty men who Dr. Leonard Jeffries was and why he was a threat to the education system. I had a print out that I handed around for some of them to read. I realized that some of the men may not have knew how to read, so I read some of the material so they can get a gist of who Dr. Jeffries is and why he was so hated. I screened some trailers of mine for the life of me, my feature had no sound. I had a few white brothers in the group and they nodded they head a few times to the knowledge I was kicking.  It was good to go back and have my spoken word/black history workshop as I call it.  The holidays it was cold and this was the first time back.   I feel if ain't nobody gonna pay me I might as well give freely of my time to some people who appreciate my time and films.  At least I can always say I screened my films with a captive audience.  I use to know a person that said to me "Go where your celebrated, not where your tolerated".  Now it's not my desire to be hanging around a jail, but it is my responsibility as an artist to educate and inspire where I can. Perhaps when they do get released they will give back to the community to make it a better place then when they left.  That is what Bringing Conscious Back is all about, bringing awareness to one's self and environment to inspire and educate others in your journey of life.

"This Place Ain't Big Enough For Me"

By Mike Holloman 

This place ain't big enough for me,

I don't really like the company.  The food is lousy...I got places to go and people to see

This place ain't big enough for one of my thoughts,

cause while I'm thinking...

that same thought that I'm thinking needs room to grow.

They can imprison my body, but hey can't touch my mind or soul.

Inside my mind exist a creative essence essential to become a connoisseur of extraordinary expressions lyrics that exist inside my mind idle are spasmodic gravitational pull transcends them to paper.  Effortlessly written out drama or static...

When I feeling the flavor of the swag in my flow... my lyrical rhythm and rhymes start to bubble again.

Exclusively opponents of my art were two crabs one was a Jew the other was a Republican.  But my deepness survives in rhythm of rhymes poetic in nature...

Jewels dropped are captured and retained in consciousness of the true participator...

Realness is hard but understanding is free so I tell you for the second time. 

That this place ain't big enough for me!

They thought I was crazy, so they sent in a shrink. I let him inside, took him on a journey through my mind...

He started to get dizzy then...

Ho got sick, his name was Dr. Nero now he's in a state of comatazation...Hook to a brain scan her...with understanding zero...

Everyday I remain in here these devils prey. I loose a little more...They spike my food with kryptonite yesterday and the  day before.  I feel as if I'm sidelined...In the middle of the game. It's 3rd & 25 and my fam and I can't calla play. Deep down I know it's on me, I know I'm the blame...

Life keeps turning, inside I'm bumming wife is missing me, money is short...Problems quickly rise. I'm sitting here stuck, out of the fight, can;t throw a punch forgive me I apologize.

But in consolation, you don't have to be a genius or understand Einstein's theory of relativity or that Pie = Y times I = 3

Cause the reality that these devils can't hold me for long...and if you were listening when I said 

"This place ain't big enough for me".

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS A POEM FROM AN INMATE THIS IS NOT THE BLOGGERS VIEWS OR OPINIONS THIS IS AN EXPRESSION OF ART

So next week I am going to cover Nelson Mandela and speak about his journey.  I always need printing for my workshops so if you  donate financially to assist my printing costs, please feel free to donate.

Gandhi Institute is Conscious...

Our new sponsor for "Bringing Conscious Back" 

The M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence

The M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence is a nonprofit that works to realize the vision of its historic namesake by helping individuals and communities create public awareness of nonviolence as knowledge critical to human thriving. The M.K. Gandhi Institute collaborates with local organizations, academic institutions, students and committed peacemakers in the following areas: nonviolence education,sustainability and environmental conservation, and the promotion ofrestorative justice. The Institute continuously offers groups and individuals trainings in skills such as nonviolent communication (NVC), self- reflection, meditation and experiential interconnectedness, and fosters sustainability practices in the Rochester area such as community gardening, urban agriculture and restorative approaches to conflict.

We are pleased to announce our next event will be at the 

M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence

December 12, 2013

7 - 9 P.M.

929 South Plymouth Avenue

Rochester, New York 14608

EDUCATE

To create public awareness of nonviolence critical for humans and the planet

EMBODY

training individuals in skills such as non violent communication, self reflection, and meditation.

SERVE

Fostering practices such as community gardening, urban agriculture & restorative justice projects

Bringing Conscious Back 

mission

Our purpose is to engage individuals in the principles and benefits of conscious living, by adding value and meaning to their lives, careers and communities. The arts professionals offer an opportunity to breathe new life into communities and build bridges to improve brotherhood regardless of race, creed or religion.

Being conscious can really change your perspective on the world.

 But don’t expect the world itself to change without a contribution from you.

FREE FILM SCREENING 
of
MILLENNIUM SLAVE!

Raising Conscious Children

Raising Conscious Children

Photography by Johnnie Lee Smith

Folks always say that character and education start at home. Nowadays we have children having children, many young women really don't want the responsibility. Some see children as toys or something cute rather than an individual.  Living in the hood you see the effects of children who have beed discarded and society not recognizing these individuals until they hit the judicial system.

There are so many cases today of child molestation, child murders, child slavery and the stories continue.  The older folks blame the young folks and the young folks blame the old folks for not having backbone.  The old folks pick at the young folks in what they ain;t doing right and the young folks look at there elders as cowards because many have given up, they fail to show leadership and that's where the young folks do have a point. 

As I have experienced life and have witnessed many who claim to be loving parents but spend more time on facebook, twitter, instagram and google+ than folks who work in the field of social networking.  I have witnessed many mothers and fathers claiming to be a parent but you see no mention or pictures of their beloved children, it's like they don't exist. You do see pictures and mentions of them with their friends and celebrities and what they claim thety are doing.  We can laugh about this but what is so sad is the amount of selfishness that is displayed virally on these platforms.  Are you really a professional or are you just being distracted? I know for me it's a distraction unless I am promoting an event or film.

I know for a fact when I am on the phone or facebook while my daughter is home it's a rap.  Little Momma tells me immediately excuse me but I need your attention.  As parents sometimes we ignore our children and then we realize this little person is asking for some time.  I have been guilty myself recognizing that technology has my mind I have to make time in my schedule to do me.  Now don't get me wrong a little checking your tumblr while your at the playground while your child is being entertained is fine.  

I want to share today a Pledge from my film 

"110 Morningside" that my mentor Abiodun Oyewole chants.  

Dune's Pledge

I want to be

what I can be

To be proud

healthy and free

I want to say 

what I know

To help my Bruthas and Sisters grow

I want to feel

good about me

and blame no one for my misery

'Cause I'll be strong

to turn it around

I want go up

I'm not going down

I want to do 

what I can do

to make all my dreams come true.

Remember my past

the good and bad

How I made it art

even when it was sad

I want to share 

whatever my gift

and when your feeling low 

I'll give you a lift

I want to live without fear

and know that I'm blessed for being here!

and know that I'm blessed for being here!

and know that I'm blessed!

I encourage all parents to teach this to the youth that frequent your life or to your own children. May this inspiration inspire you and your family it has inspired my family for years and still continues to this day. My five year old daughter now recites this and yes they do understand the powers of these words. Try it, print and recite and see how your kids eat this up.

Blessings...

Live from Filmstress row...this is the Filmstress