It was a night of surprises at Solace Souls Open Mic. What’s better than a roster of great features? One of the features was proposed to during her set! A great #CaptureLove moment !
Her Story……A Celebration of Feminine Fire
Where would the world be without women? They are the rocks in many of our families, our counselors, supporters, friends, etc. You just can’t keep a good woman down! A strong woman will rise from the ashes like a phoenix and burn brighter than she did initially. Openyonated.com had the opportunity to attend Her Story.. A Celebration of Feminine Fire on March 18th and it was fantastic. One of the things that I like about women so much is their ability to be transparent and not hold back. There was no holding back at this performance! It was a showcase during Women’s history month to feature women on the Chicago poetry scene and to celebrate the release of Darlin Mikki’s the “First Lady of At Ease Sundays” new EP Hustlas Wife. I think Goddess Warrior summed it up best when she said the power in this event was that the stage was a shared one. Often times we hear of the cat fights and inability to work together among women but during this performance this was not the case. I was stunned and I’m sure many others were too in a good way. Artists often share their real lives through their art and on this evening it was no exception. All of our senses were stimulated, the ticket price was very reasonable and it came dinner. All of the ladies looked great and the energy in the building was positive. Congratulations of Darlin Mikki and Kai Love on their new projects! Make sure you support them! Often times we look to mainstream artists to be entertained but Chicago has so many diamonds in its own backyard. Let’s get out and support our local artists! That’s my 2 cent for today. Follow us on all social media at @Mropenyonated and like our page on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/Mr.Openyonated/?fref=ts
The Spirit of Violence
Yesterday was just like any other day, it was a Friday the weather was decent it was a good day. It was also like any other day because violence once again erupted in my community. Hearing shots fired is nothing new but when I hear shots fired in my community my first thoughts are is it someone in my family or is it one of my students or former students. This time it was one of my former students. When the emergency workers arrived they didn’t exit their vehicles with urgency even though a young man was sitting on the ground bleeding. They came with the expectation that another person was killed and that it was just another casualty. One of the workers even commented that “this was just another day.” Murder has become just another day in Chicago. A few years ago the corner that I live on was dubbed the Killing Corner and was on the from page of the Chicago SunTimes. The spirit of violence is alive and well in Chicago. It is thriving and operating through many men and women in this city. King Solomon says that there is nothing new under the sun. We can trace violence back to the first family of mankind. Cain slew his brother Abel in a murderous act. Violence is recorded all throughout history in many instances. I honesty don’t think violence will ever stop since it is so ingrained in our dna however, I do believe that many of the instances that we see can be prevented. Many people say they have solutions to the problem of violence but I have yet to see any one approach work. This is spiritual warfare and you can’t fight a spiritual war with a handheld weapon. Does that mean that I am advocating we just sit on our hands and pray? Absolutely not, I personally believe that praying without working is ineffective and shows a lack of faith. I believe that you should put your request in to God and go to work. I am advocating that we stop seeing the violence that we are experiencing as just another problem because it isn’t. That’s my 2 cents on the matter. Feel free to chime in on the discussion and come up with some realistic solutions as well. You can follow us on all social media at @Mropenyonated. Like our Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/Mr.Openyonated/?fref=ts
Good for bedding just not good enough for a wedding!
Everyone has that one female friend that has endured heart break or what I like to call it a “misunderstanding” and they that took a turn for the worse emotionally. This often happens in the dating arena when things aren’t talked about up front and the parties rush into something physical and they don’t feel the same about each other. You know how it goes two people meet and seem to hit it off they go on a couple of dates and end up in the sack. This is often times followed by the non answering of the phone, text messages and can even turn into being unfriended on social media. Typically in these situations it’s the female who is on the end of being clueless about what has happened. This sounds like a classic case of being good enough for bedding but not for a wedding. *Newsflash* Men and women are different, I don’t know how many times I have to remind good friends of this. They grow differently, they mature differently, they handle situations differently they just are different. A lot of times men see sex as just sex and women see it as offering something special to a man who she may want to get to know on a deeper level. The problem comes into the play when you jump into something like sex and you are not on the same page. Most men are raised to sow their wild oats until they are ready to settle down. Most women are raised to meet Prince Charming and have a giant wedding and live happily ever after and it rarely ends up like that. As harsh as it may seem sometimes you are just viewed as another notch on someones belt. If you cannot handle that it’s best to refrain from jumping into sexual activity with a person. Now all men aren’t like this and there are some women who are just looking for a fling which is why it’s important to be up front sooner rather than later. This doesn’t mean that you discuss marriage on the first date but it does mean you should refrain from getting hot and heavy initially. I can’t count the amount of good man and good woman memes that I read on social media. A lot of situations could be avoided with an honest conversation. If you happen to be on the other end do the person a favor and give them the opportunity to decide if they want to jump in those waters with you. That’s my 2 cents on the matter and keep those lines of communication open! Follow us on all social media at @Mropenyonated and like our Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/Mr.Openyonated/
In the name of the children????????
There is currently an assault on public education in my city and in cities across the country! Idiots AKA politicians and corporate America suits are on overdrive to raid one of the last public entities and sadly some parents are sitting on their hands pondering who is going to babysit their children while they work or complaining because their children will cut into their private time. In the name of the children public schools are being destroyed so that they can be converted into schools ran by private corporations. In the name of the children some people who are involved in public education are simply padding their pockets. In the name of the children many adults are using their children as a meal ticket. Has there ever been a time in America where children were used so much for adult gain? Wait, I think there was a time in America where children were used as laborers, if the country keeps it up at this rate children will be working again jus to put food in their stomaches. I have never seen so many disgusting people cashing in on children. To those that do I say “you sicken me!” That’s my 2 cents on the matter! Follow us on all social media at @Mropenyonated
Are the businesses in your community adding value?
Every community has a neighborhood store or restaurant that they frequent. You may be on a first name basis with the owners of the employees. You may shoot the breeze with them, have a few laughs, etc and most of the time that’s where the relationship ends. Years ago local businesses played a vital part in our communities but now only a few businesses do. Many business owners only concerned with making a buck have set up shop in our communities raking in not only cash but funds from EBT purchases and give nothing to the people of their community. They don’t donate to block parties, community efforts or even nearby schools even though many of the community members shop there daily. Why do you think many communities settle for this? Is this bing done in every community? I would take a big fat chance and say that this does not occur in all communities, just communities that allow it. Some residents will demand that a business take part in their community or ask them to pack up. Many of us are guilty of not holding our local businesses to the fire. It’s time to let them know that if we are investing in their businesses they need to also invest in the community. That’s our 2 cents on the matter. Follow us on all social media at @Mropenyonated and like our Facebook page!
Curvy Divas 3 “The Trilogy”
We believe in the power of 3 and the 3rd installation of Curvy Divas did not disappoint! Openyonated.com was only able to be in the building for a limited time this go around but in that short time I was able to see behind the curtain which is rare. Putting on a production is by no means an easy task and when you have a show that is as multi faceted as Curvy Divas it get more challenging. My first stop was the vendor tables which consisted of hair and body products, designer hosiery, body butters, hair services, candles, oils, make up, jewelry, you name it. Many of the vendors were returning vendors so that communicated to me that the first and second time were worth them returning. Vending can be tricky but with the size of the Curvy Diva audience you really cannot pass up the opportunity for that type of exposure. My next stop before I had to jet out was to see if I could get a glimpse of some of the attire. That curiosity was met as I was able to see some of the mens fashions. I am not into formal wear personally but I must say that they guys were sharp as tacks, so sharp that the owner of the store attended the show to see his suits walk the runway. On my departure I was able to get a glimpse of the opening scene. The ladies tore through life sized stereotypes which translated that there is nothing that can stop me and that beauty definitely comes in all shades and shapes! Blue Lady Productions are beginning to create so much buzz that people are starting to use fake press credentials to see what all of the buzz is about! There were a few twists turns which is natural when you have to deal with so much at one time but as always Mizz Wallace was able to pull it off again! I can’t wait until August to see her next show! That’s our 2 cents until next time! Follow us on all social media at @MrOpenyonated and be sure to like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Mr.Openyonated/?fref=ts
Building Better Communities
Many people would agree that the city of Chicago has it challenges. It’s been plagued with violence, corruption and some would say devoid of unity & love. What is the magic formula to turn things around? Many people think they have the solution to the problem but personally I don’t think a specific group of people has all of the answers. I am involved with a band of people who are crazy enough to think that their efforts can change a community. In 2015 we hosted about 40 vigils in our community addressing violence. Many people continually say that no one protest killings unless the police are involved however that is not true. Many organizations across the city of Chicago are involved in efforts to build better communities. Community work can be quite complex and tiring especially if you don’t have a team of committed individuals. Flyers have to be created, calls need to go out ,people have to show up and most of all there needs to be follow up! In a world of people who are busy it can be challenging but very necessary. Everyone isn’t built for community work. I always tell people if you aren’t the type of person who can get on the front lines please support people who are on the front lines. You can support by contacting your local officials routinely to let them know what is expected of them. You can support by creating or becoming part of a community phone tree. You can support by donating funds for supplies for community events. There are tons of things that an individual can to help build better communities. Learn what organizations in your community are actively trying to make positive change and see what role you can play. That’s our 2 cents until next time! You can follow us on all social media at @Mropenyonated.
Purify
As we walk through life we collect things. Sometimes our acts of collecting are intentional and at other times we have no idea of what we are picking up. When objects sit around for too long they collect dust. If a sponge is in the midst of water it collects the water. We are always collecting. We collect good and bad things. Have you ever noticed after being around certain people for a long amount of time that you start picking up their habits? You must then ask yourself “are these habits that I want collect?” When you feel that you have collected too many negative things it’s time to purify. Purifying could be listening to something motivational, reading the word of God, or burning sage. There are a multitude of ways in which you can purify. You could be experiencing health problems because you have put too much unhealthy food into your body, it may be time to purify. You could be changing for the worse because of the people you are around, it may be time to limit your time around them or totally cut them off. Whatever the case purifying on a regular basis can be healthy. When is the last time that you purified yourself?
Holy Grind Performs at Hot Sauce Poetry & Pastries Edition
Hot Sauce Poetry did not disappoint this evening! It was a spirit filled edition featuring Mannarzm & Holy Grind. The spirit was definitely in the house! This evenings set was full of talent and energy! Hot Sauce Poetry is an inspirational set located in the Lawndale community in Chicago hosted by Articulite and Poetry Soul Child. It continues to be a clean show meaning there is no profanity but that does not mean all are not welcome. Check out a clip from tonight’s show!