The Media and the MOBO (Music of Black Origin Awards or Make Own Best Opinion)

Thanks to our London correspondent for the following insightful piece; he's a recent transplant (Sept. 17th, 2005) who moved there from Los Angeles

The Media and the MOBO

(Music of Black Origin Awards or Make Own Best Opinion)

It's my first week in London, and already I'm beginning to see the subtle signs of racism apparent in the media. First, were various points of view on both the television news and the papers about how America and particularly Bush had handled the Katrina crisis. While they were unanimous in deciding that it had been poorly addressed, they were also unanimous in making up their minds that this was not a result of racism but the growing classist rift in America. Hmmm... Perhaps someone forgot to tell them that the poorest in America ARE Black, Brown, and so on. But how is this lack of perception to surprise one who also hears Blair and the rest of his party swear that they will continue to stay in Iraq no matter what?

But there's more. I watched this morning's news on BBC and was a bit put off by reports that the recent 2005 MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards (http://www.mobo.com/), celebrating its tenth anniversary no less, was a lacklustre affair given the lack of attendance by well-known celebrities. The news report asked if the award ceremony had out-lived its capability to celebrate black music if it was so poorly supported by those it intended to promote. In the past, the event had drawn the likes of Janet Jackson and other superstars, but this year the winners were relative unknowns. The report ominously predicted that while this might be the tenth anniversary of the event, it perhaps would not last another ten.

Well, imagine my surprise when I actually watched a re-telecast of the event, and who should I catch the camera pan over, but Lauryn Hill, followed by performances by Ms. Dynamite and members of the Marley clan, as well as award presentations by celebrities such as Chuck D! Unknowns? TO WHOM?! Someone living under a rock? And let's not forget a lifetime achievement award to Public Enemy and tributes to recently departed Luther Vandross and Bob Marley who was movingly remembered by his family in words and a performance of his music.

Other memorable moments were the inclusion in the reggae category of Latin American infused reggaeton in the form of Daddy Kane and the first ever award given by the MOBOs to an act from Africa, presented by British Asian celebrities, one of whom was Laila Rouass, who is half Goan and half Moroccan. She proudly claimed her own African heritage and said that that it was about "bloody time" this award was being presented - And this is the major point, I think, missed by the British media, that it is not up to them to decide what people of Black origin should or should not celebrate or how they should choose to celebrate it. To me, the media's judgment of the event falls under the same general distrust accorded the opinions of people of color when we deem something racist (like the manner in which the suffering poor AND communities of color in New Orleans were done wrong). MOBO - it might sound to the media like the scary noise of Black music, but however main stream, it’s still a community Making its Own Best Opinion.

AMPULA: Reader's Write/Create

Hello fellow Ampulites!!!

Now is the time to expand the framework of this blog, with the intention that it begins to take on the life of a community that reads, contributes and hopefully finds comfort & inspiration in doing so.

The topic for this month's Reader's Write is: Taking a Stand.

If you'd like to get a headstart, next month's topic is Waking Up.

A few guidelines on submitting your contributions:

READERS WRITE asks you to address subjects on which YOU are the only authority.
Topics are intentionally broad in order to give room for expression. Writing style and experience isn’t as important as thoughtfulness and sincerity.

Ampula seeks only nonfiction contributions to Readers Write. Feel free to submit your work under “Name Withheld” if it allows you to be more honest. Occasionally Ampula may choose not to publish an author’s name, or will use only a first name and last initial. While Ampula does not question the truthfulness of the writing, we must be sensitive to considerations of libel or invasion of privacy. If you’ve already changed the names of the people involved, please say so.

Send your typed, double-spaced submissions to ampulablog@gmail.com.

Thanks,

Ampula looks forward to receiving your submissions on 'Taking a Stand'.

A letter about New Orleans from a New Orleanian

Following is a letter from an Ampula contributor on the recent crisis in New Olreans, Louisiana.

To Whom It May Concern:

What you have seen over the last week or so, is not the New Orleans I know. What you are seeing is a city under siege by desperate people in a tragic fight for and against time. How do you explain chaos? You don’t. I say I would never loot but if I got hungry enough I don’t know if I wouldn’t high tail it to the nearest supermarket to see what I could find. By the same token, I hope I wouldn’t stop by an appliance store to get a wide screen TV for an apartment engulfed by flood waters. The city of New Orleans has always been one divided by ‘isms’ -most notably classism and racism. For decades, we have hidden ourselves behind masks of friendly coexistence. Well, Katrina ripped off those masks and showed the world something we’ve been hiding. The City that care forgot had long ago become the city that forgot to care.

What you are seeing is not the latest disaster movie. You are seeing the real thing of what happens when people forget too much. When I relocated to Los Angeles, a little over fifteen years ago, I never imagined not being able to go back to the place I grew up in. Yet, I forgot my city and rooted myself in the traditions of California. Metering out my visits and taking for granted the fact that one day I might not be able to return to what I had known. Now, this is not possible. Our modest home was in what one might call a blighted neighborhood. My father, mother and the other fathers and mothers poured their souls into these homes. Always providing a place where their children and their children’s children could find refuge. Well, I’ve lost my refuge. The next time I go home will be to shovel out what remains of my parent’s life.

Odd, almost forty years ago, my parents had to dig themselves out of the grime of a Hurricane called Betsy. It was hard. They worked their jobs by day and after work, they returned to salvage what they could of a house they almost lost to a levee. They scrubbed and cleaned. The things they kept were as odd as the things they threw away. My mom salvaged my old teddy bear and Tonka trucks painting them for me to play with. They had to throw out the new stove and refrigerator they bought a month before Betsy engulfed their sparkly veneers. They saved pictures by drying them out in the sun and later discovering that the sun often faded the memories even more. Yet, they cleaned until their home was theirs again.

About fifteen years ago, my mom left my dad because their marriage couldn’t be dug out. My mom started over again at an age when most people are giving up on life. She left with the clothes on her back and an old car that constantly needed repairing. Within a few years, she was on her feet living nearby the house she once called home.

Five years ago, my dad died and my mom returned to the house she had left to find some peace of mind. It was still in the ghetto but it was hers and over the last few years, she worked to make it hers once again. Granted, it was cluttered with the accumulation of a life lived together and apart. Only one thing was certain, it was hers and hers alone. Just a few weeks ago her new life was taken away from her.

My mom was lucky. She describes herself as nervous. She wouldn’t dare stay any longer than the minutes of the initial warning. She packed a bag, grabbed some papers and got out. She retreated to the small town she grew up in. There, relatives sat with her watching, comforting and listening as they discovered her home and her city was lost. I talk to my mom daily now. She says she’s okay but there is always something in her voice that I don’t dare question. I barely broach the subject of relocation knowing both she and I are not really ready to cover this issue.

The New Orleans I know is represented by the extended family I have discovered over this very difficult time. People have unselfishly offered of themselves. I have received e-mails, envelopes and packages. Everyone asks about family and how they are coping. I know they ask about my mother and me. Yet, I also know they are asking about what was once my city. I am no expert. All I can say is, if a nervous seventy-five year old woman can start all over again why can’t a city as large as New Orleans do the same?

Thanks for asking,

Jim

What is AMPULA?!

Many of you are understandably curious about the meaning of this Blog's name, Ampula.
I first came across this term earlier this year as the title of Me'Shell N'degeocello's upcoming CD (which has since been changed to For All(ah).
I liked the way Ampula rolled off the tounge and evoked a feeling of safety, mystery and openness to interpretation. I noticed not much comes up when Googling 'Ampula' save for references to plant biology or somethings in Italian, French or Russian. This would be, then, a cool name for the Blog I wanted to create in February '05.

And so you have it, but Ampula, as I conceive it is more than an word evoking that which I mentioned above,

Ampula is also

Cyber-spaced-out, proactive, informative & nonjudgemental

• A forum where truths are sought after
• An exploratory place, where one can share info from their internal lives or art (photos, poetry, paintings)
• A place to come for information on important issues not covered well elsewhere
• A space to enter to read and share viewpoints on issues you hold dear or are curious about
• A forum where the Ampula community share points of view that intersect, diverge and may be dissected
• A place you can come & be yourself & hopefully see youself

I'm interested in having pieces by all of the Ampula-reading community on this Blog. Once a month I'll begin a a 'Readers Write' section in which Ampula visitors write on a predetermined subject (similar to the Sun Magazine's 'Readers Write' see http://www.thesunmagazine.org/357_TakingStand.pdf).

I will also have some POV pieces that you can be a part of on issues around friendship, sexuality, politics, culture & history.

Thanks for your patience, like Jazz music, AMPULA will always be in flux & hopefully become a place that may find comfort.

-Ampula

Support my Buddy, Fernando in the AIDS Marathon

Here's another oppourtunity to support prevention and education, a food bank, professional dental care, housing assistance, mental health counseling, women’s services and case management of HIV/AIDS. Fernando is participating in the AIDS Marathon in Dublin, Ireland. You can support him in his efforts by going to http://www.aidsmarathon.com/participant.asp?runner=LA-1001&EventCode=DB05
and making a donation. He has informed me he will also be throwing a party in support of his fundraising efforts on October 1st with "All the alcohol and food (and boys) you can handle".

Contact me if you'd like to know more.

Ampula

Please Support the Los Angeles AIDS Walk

Please click on the link below and support AIDS Walk Los Angeles taking place on October 16, 2005.

http://aidswalklosangeles2005.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=111061&lis=0&kntae111061=E4DEA40B819543FDB015716C287CF616

Thanks, Gracias, Obrigado......

Pond, Shuqualak, MS

I used to ride my bike around this pond, sit & watch the reflection of the moon, throw rocks into it and wonder how fish made their way there.

Info you can use: Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a form of hepatitis (liver inflammation) caused by a virus, the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Before the virus was discovered, in 1989, the syndrome was initially referred to as a "non-A-non-B hepatitis".

Symptoms
In most cases, carriers with chronic hepatitis C infection have no symptoms. However, over time this blood borne virus can cause long term damage to the liver, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Severe liver damage may not develop until 10-40 years after infection. Certain medical phenomena have been associated with the presence of hepatitis C, such as thyroiditis, cryoglobulinemia and some types of glomerulonephritis. Carrier of the virus may begin to develop symptoms after only a few years. Symptoms, when developed, are variable and dependent on individual carrier. They may include prolonged flu-like symptoms and any combination of the following: body aches, headaches, nightsweats, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, mild abdominal pain, upper right quadrant pain.
Most people are not aware that they carry the hepatitis virus until something causes them to require a physical exam, and then something routine is done, such as blood work. There are also cases where carriers have found out through blood donation or plasma donation that their blood carried a positive response to a HCV test.
There are several risk factors that qualify one for a higher risk of exposure to HCV virus. They include
Needle sharing.Those who inject drugs are at high-risk for getting hepatitis C because they may be sharing needles and other drug paraphernalia, which may be contaminated with HCV-infected blood. In fact, 60% to 80% of all IV drug users have hepatitis C infection.
Unprotected sex. Although HCV is not classed as a sexually transmitted disease, there is some transmission due to sexual activity. This is often as a result of infection with an actual STD. Many STDs cause sores or wounds around the genitals, and thus sexual activity will lead to the spread of HCV. It is important to note however, that the spread is due to blood-blood contact, rather than the presence of the virus in vaginal fluid or semen.
Multiple piercings or tattoos. Tattooing dye or needles used in tattooing or body piercing can carry HCV-infected blood from one customer to another if the tattoo/body piercing parlors do not use sterile techniques or supplies.
(Tattoos done non-professionally, as in a penal institution, are of great concern.)
Blood transfusions BEFORE 1992. Those who have had a blood transfusion before 1992 and hemophiliacs who have received clotting factor before that time are at risk because blood banks did not fully test the blood supply for hepatitis C before that year. Today, however, the risk of getting hepatitis C from a blood transfusion is almost zero.
Other risk factors include needlestick injuries, especially among health care workers, hemodialysis (equipment that filters blood may not be adequately sterilized between patients), and organ transplant before 1992.

Treatment
Treatment is mainly based on interferon alpha (IFNα), combined with other drugs; though this action does not guarantee results. Currently, the preferred treatment is pegylated interferon together with ribavirin. Studies have shown sustained cure rates of 75% or better in people with genotypes 2 or 3 HCV (which is easier to treat) and about 50% in those with genotype 1.
Individuals with Hepatitis C should be vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B if they have not yet been exposed to these viruses.
It is well known that alcohol makes HCV associated liver disease progress faster, and makes interferon treatment less effective.
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Hepatitis C co-infection with HIV
Approximately 40% of U.S. patients infected with HIV are also infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), mainly because both viruses share the same routes of transmission. HCV is one of most important causes of chronic liver disease in the U.S. It has been demonstrated in clinical studies that HIV infection causes a more rapid progression of chronic hepatitis C to cirrhosis and liver failure in HIV-infected persons. This is not to say treatment is not an option for those living with co-infection. The APRICOT international trial indicated that a svr (sustained viral response) was high in those with the genotype 2 & 3. Less favorable results where associated with genotype 1, however it became evident that should treatment with pegylated ribivirin-interferon not return a 2 log viral reduction after 12 weeks the chance of treatment sucess is less than 1%.
[edit]

Alternative and experimental therapies
Several "alternative therapies" purport to reduce the liver's duties, rather than treat the virus itself, thereby slowing the course of the disease or keeping the quality of life of the person. As an example, extract of silybum marianum and licorice are sold for their HCV related effects; the first is said to provide some generic help to hepatic functions, and the second to have a mild antiviral effect and to raise blood pressure.
It is always important to tell your doctors all medications you are currently taking as well as herbal ones. If you are a post transplant patient it is even more important to notify your doctor of these herbal medications because silybum marianum (aka silymarin or Milk thistle) may inhibit the metabolism of certain drugs[1].
There are new drugs under development like the protease inhibitor NM 283,BILN 2061 or VX 950 that are looking promising but are all in early phase of development[2] [3]. Unfortunately, the BILN 2061 had to be discontinued due to safety problems early in the clinical testing. Some more modern new drugs that provide some support in treating HCV are Albuferon, Zadaxin, and DAPY.
All of these are not approved remedies and have not yet demonstrated their efficacy in clinical trials.
Immunoglobulins against the Hepatis C virus exist and newer types are under development. Thus far, their roles have been unclear as they have not been shown to help in clearing chronic infection or in the prevention of infection with acute exposures (ie. needlesticks). They do have a limited role in transplant patients.
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Prominent patients
Celebrities Naomi Judd and Pamela Anderson have famously been infected with hepatitis C and gone public with their experiences.
Francisco Varela, biologist, recorded his experiences, including a liver transplant, in "Intimate Distances"1.

This information is provided by: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatitis_C