The Life of Lee

Hey guys!! Just to update you on my previous post, I have actually sold a few shirts and I think I'll be selling my old watch later today. So far, I can cover one bag which means I'm halfway there! As I said before, if you can help in any way please comment below. Words of encouragement are welcome!! But that's not what today's blog is about. It's about Trump being Trump. On May 5th, President Donald Trump signed an executive order  that had the dead rolling in their graves. He initiated the first step in allowing open discrimination towards those of a religious affiliation. In proper terms: Happy National Day of Prayer! Now if you are a Christian, I'm sure you're jumping for joy, looking towards the heavens, and giving God a nod for showing his spirit through your president. But if yo u believe in the equality of liberty, like me, you're just shaking your head in dismay. Think about this: there is already this thing , common people call it the Co...

Hey guys!! Well I believe I'm ending my freshman year in dramatic fashion. Currently, I am so stressed that I can barely think straight. I'm so upset that I want to actually laugh at the outrageous circumstance I'm in. It all started when I bought plane tickets a month ago. They were cheap ($47 a piece for me and my girlfriend) and I felt like a boss. And afterwards, to continue the streak of being the best boyfriend ever, I took her to New York City for a few days as a birthday gift. We had an amazing time. We also bought a few things, including some Reese's peanut butter for a mutual friend. It smelted delicious. When we got back to D.C. we went to eat and work and then out again. This has been our routine for months and the Lyft's were sucking us dry. Then it happened. We got into a huge fight. A fight that ends a relationship. I was numb at first, but I had to continue preparing to leave for home. I'll admit it still hasn't hit me yet. After tryin...

Hey guys!! So, there's this screenplay I've been working on for about eight weeks now and it's actually going well. Initially, I was really fired up about it because I kind of didn't know (hadn't the slightest idea) what I was doing besides writing this crazy concept I had. Now, after working on it for a while, I see that it is a lot of work. I have a great writing background. I majored in Literary Arts at my previous school , but I've never had the liberty of taking a small thought and stretching it out over a span of 100 pages. A lot of my time is NOT spent typing but researching and playing with ideas in my head. I was afraid to even type anything because I didn't want to kill my darlings; but hey, murder can be very helpful...in writing only. I believe I have a strong start and the story will only get stronger as I go along. If anyone out there is think of writing a script for the stage or the screen I have three tips for you. Find a Mentor - a men...

Yesterday, I attend probably the greatest event I've been to as a Howard student. I was invited to represent Howard, and myself, as a student pursuing a career in the Entertainment (CIE). It was great to be there and see so many stars, from comedian Gary Owens to production designer Hannah Beachler. I think the funniest story I now have is when I was trying to take a picture of Jada Pickett-Smith and I knocked over a camera stand and everyone just looked at me. I was told to go sit down. I also met the most popular guy on the internet, King Bach, and he was pretty cool. But aside from meeting creators, I learned of their story. They lectured about the importance of not giving up on your dreams and not taking "NO" for an answer. But if I were to get a "NO" or one hundred "NO's" they don't matter. They don't mean a thing once I get my first yes. I think that's a lesson I will keep. I also networked with producers, directors, and wr...

A few weeks ago, I went to my first awards show as a Bison. It was great. I was able to see my future... kind of. As a student, I hope to one day have my work nominated for an award as was the case for my seniors in my field. It was amazing seeing what they could do and I feel that they'll succeed in their respected fields as long as they remain motivated and passionate. But the main show belonged to Author Jafa. He is an independent film maker and a graduate of Howard University. He has worked on number movies and music albums including Solange's. They made a video with snippets of his work and I was truly impressed. Afterwards, I dashed to meet him as I thought others might try to do, but no one else did. There lost. I talked to him and found out he also is from Mississippi. We converse more and I took a picture with him and got his contact information. I have yet to email him because I really don't know what to say. Hey, I'm Vern? That's just sad. I'm hone...

I have always been a fan of literature, specifically poetry. I waited patiently for there to be an opportunity for me hear the rich raw talent of Howard students. Luckily, I didn't have to wait too long. The poetry club hosted a cypher. It was a truly unique experience, reminding me why I love art in the first place: It's the center of expression. Many people expressed themselves through spoken word, lyrics, performances, and more. Everything was meaningful and brought a sense of connectivity amongst all that attended. The cypher was actually a contest, but regardless of if you won $100 or $1, everyone agreed that exposing ones art isn't about material gain, but threading relationships with people who don't know each other, but can understand the foreign language of struggle, love, pain, and rebirth. I enjoyed the cypher; hopefully next time I'll be one of the artists on stage and not in front of it.

I wrote a poem after I watch the George Jackson film. The film was disturbing, but necessary. George's actions were unusual, but he needed to commit them. He needed to show the black world what happens when you stick to your values. He died for what he believed was right. And while in prison, a few days before he was killed, he wrote a letter to his mother about his experiences. And I took that notion and used it as inspiration to write this piece. Now personally, I don't know if I would have kidnapped a judge in order to make a huge point, but obviously George knew something I didn't. That you can't reason with irrational, and disillusioned minds that see themselves superior. I admire his efforts because he stayed truth to his message: We will not fall, nor stand for injustice. If must, we must die as our ancestors did, so that we can provide a better life for the future generations. A Letter George wrote letters to his mom. How? When only blood was in his eyes...

I read "The Coming," and was transformed mentally. My approach to my way of thinking seemed to have matured. But I'm about to experience a new change. A lifestyle warp as I continue to read "Between the World and Me." Coates discusses an issue that I, we all have thought of. The American Dream. But he tells the reader that not only does this dream not belong to people of color, but neither do their bodies. Our bodies are not our own. That's a powerful statement. But I unfortunately understand. And maybe that's the Dream for Black people: that we will take back what was taken from us. But I see it differently. We own our bodies because their belong to us, but we are less receptive of the bruises on our brand, skin, hearts. And we have been so terribly assaulted for so long that we don't even recognize our flesh. We actually in some cases willingly give it away. Nevertheless they have always been ours. What white Supremacy was able to take from of was ...

Writing exposes the skeleton of a person. Ink strips meat from the bones, and presents a hollow shell that allows us to see the soul truth hidden under the fallacy of skin worn to protect ourselves. We spend our lives proving this external view exemplifies the “real me” to others gullible enough to believe. We become so good that we eventually con ourselves. My first portfolio focuses on answering the question, “Why hide who I am?” This is an inquiry I’ve dealt with for most of my life, the reason I started writing in the first place. I have since ripped apart my body and mangled my mind to solve the issue, and in doing so, I found I wasn’t concealing truth, but rather blind to it. And now I wonder is this issue of self was bigger than individual struggle, and a greater part of my ethical struggle? Is this problem relevant because of my African American past? I am afraid to connect to my ancestors because I know that the energy of oppression is still battling within the ideals of freed...