Barack Obama for president!

Last Thursday, Nov. 14, in San Francisco, I was at the rally for Sen. Barack Obama. I even shocked myself by jumping on BART so I'd be there at 6:30 p.m. when the doors opened. When I arrived, the line was around the corner. I asked for the press check-in and skirted by the lengthy line - I didn't get a poster and the lady at the table nearby wasn't sharing her "Obama 2008" stickers. I was like whatever, as a man checked me so I could enter the Bill Graham Auditorium; this is so invasive and so unnecessary.
I hadn't realized that the presidential candidate wouldn't show up until 9:00, but the deejay was spinning oldies but goodies and the mood was mellow, so I settled into my seat and watched the crowd - most under 25. Conspicuously absent were the politicians - none spoke and if any were present, they were not a part of the program.

This was a welcome relief, especially after Willie Ratcliff arrived and, as we chatted, told me that several members of the Congressional Black Caucus support Hillary Clinton too - as in addition to Mayor Dellums. He assured me that Barbara Lee and our sister in the southern region of the state, Maxine Waters, broke ranks on that vote. I looked for Oaklanders in the audience, especially when the teams began to fill the place. Oakland was in the house; not an Oakland I recognized - Black Oakland - but we were represented.

For a minute, I thought the organizers had overbooked the auditorium, but slowly as people moved through the security check, the balcony seats filled as well as the main floor. When Obama arrived, people were sharing personal space with strangers and lovin' it. All the right people were in the house.

From the elevated platform where press were seated, I had a great view of the stage, where Dusty Baker, a soldier's mom, a high school kid and campaign organizers spoke, a gospel choir sang and Obama presented his plan for the nation. After two and a half hours, if I'd had any doubts, I knew I was in the right place when Alice Walker introduced the senator from Chicago, Illinois. I was like ready to go on the road to Las Vegas during my winter break from school and knock on doors Jan. 3. I still might by day and party at the casinos by night.

Since March at the Obama rally in Oakland, the people's candidate has gotten stronger and more savvy. Still smart, still provocative, Obama's message from the grassroots is change is not only possible, it is the operative concept in his campaign, one that, unlike Bush or Clinton, Reagan, Johnson or Nixon, leaves no one behind, not even Republicans.

When I heard Obama say on Jay Leno's show that he is not accepting money from corporate sponsors, that he was financing this movement with nickels and dimes and quarters and checks from people who can't afford for him to lose, I was like - yeah! This is the candidate for me. When Willie told me that he'd sent Obama $300 and the man sent him a personal response, another wow was in order.

Yes, I know what I said last week in my review of the "Festival of Lies," that most politicians don't have an honest bone in their bodies, and I meant it. But by the same token, I'm willing to give Obama a chance to prove me wrong. Perhaps he's one of the exceptions to the rule like Keith Carson, Barbara Lee, Maxine Waters and Karen Bass.

After his talk, where he covered everything from the war in Iraq and bringing the troops home and medical coverage for all to education, he did his Obama thing - drank a little bottled water, then left the stage and walked among the people, shaking hands. I just love this part. He wasn't rushed and seemed genuinely happy to meet people, even returned a few hugs. Then unlike the Oakland gig, he hugged and shook hands with all the people on the stage behind him - I guess they were the official cheerleaders.

This program felt less staged, more real. These were no plants or actors, rather Obama supporters who'd shelled out $30, or $15 if they were students, who really believe that one has to go for what one wants, that one shouldn't compromise one's values or vote for someone whose allegiance is questionable.

My cousin Wyld Flour was in town this weekend for her birthday with her friend Danielle. It happened to be the same day Obama was in town. Both Chicago natives, I asked them what they thought about their senator. Danielle said the senator had eliminated all chances of Clinton choosing him as a running partner when he wasn't going to play second fiddle. I was okay with this, but Danielle expressed concern for his life - bold Black men don't fare well in this country. If one allows fear to map one's destiny, then she's not living anyway, right?

We've got to step up. Obama's willingness to stand for justice and truth is to be commended and I'm going to stand with him.

I am so happy I am a homeowner now. When I lived in an apartment, all my protest signs and banners would be taken down or I'd be told to take them down by management. Now, I can put signs on my lawn that say "Vote for Obama" and "China out of Darfur!" The rally in Oakland Sunday, Nov. 18, was awesome! Danny Glover spoke, along with Barbara Lee. The die-in was really cool too. Visit www.darfursf.org and www.savedarfur.org and call 1-800-GENOCIDE. Glover also called for a 24-hour fast each Tuesday until missing Haitian activist Lovinsky Pierre is returned and kidnappings cease in Haiti.

Haiti celebrates 204 Years at Ashkenaz!

On the eve of the anniversary of the November 1803 Battle of Vertieres in Haiti, Napoleon's first major defeat, Kalbass rocked Berkeley Saturday night at the second annual benefit and celebration of the first successful African rebellion against imperialism and slavery. Yes, Nov. 18, 1803, south of Le Cap, where Generals Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Alexandre Pétion, in what is called a defining campaign, began to seriously kick Napoleon's troops off the island into the sea! I don't know why November isn't hailed as Black Liberation Month - there are so many Pan African historic events that speak to our collective resistance to colonial power, whether that is in Haiti or Brazil or Belize and Honduras. Visit thelouvertureproject.org/index.php?title=Battle_of_Verti%C3%A8res.

Kalbass was a great host band, the tunes a medley of original, folkloric and pop compositions in traditional Haitian styles such as kompa and rara to zouk, reggae, salsa and merengue. I danced all night, well until midnight.

Most of the songs were in Kreyòl and French, so I couldn't tell you what they were about except where the words were freedom and justice and love - a few words that needed no translation. The dance company Alafia Dance Ensemble performed to live singing and drumming and a young poet, J-W, performed also. DJ Nado was spinning between sets and the Kreyòl Kitchen was serving vegetarian legumes and sweets. It was a great night. The place was packed! Visit www.kalbasskreyol.com.

Poetry with Paradise

Come to Café Poetry with Paradise at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 7-10 p.m. This is the last gathering of the year before the holidays.

‘Stardust and Empty Wagons: Stories from the Katrina Diaspora'

With an original score by the Hot 8 Brass Band, this wonderful tribute to the strength and endurance of African people closes this weekend. The cast is phenomenal and the stories, well, one has to pinch oneself when she realizes that America hasn't changed despite the Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act, Brown vs. the Board of Education, not to mention Abraham Lincoln's document that started the ball rolling. The aftermath of the Great Flood is a reminder to all that freeing African people - African Liberation - was not on the agenda then or now. Lincoln was issuing a clarion call for white folks to unite economically. "Stories from the Katrina Diaspora" is a wake-up call during a time of year when sentimentality often masks the real face of America today.

Brava Theatre is located at 2789 24th St., San Francisco. Shows are Wednesday-Saturday, Nov. 21-24, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 3 p.m. For information, visit www.brava.org or call (415) 647-2822. If you enjoyed the Hot 8 Brass Band this past week at numerous events, don't miss the score they composed for this wonderful theatre experience. Don't forget to visit the web exclusives to read the interviews with CC Campbell Rock and Raymond Williams and Big Peter of the Hot 8 Brass Band.

DJ Spinderella at Club Six

Bringin' back the classic hip hop, the legendary DJ Spinderella of Salt-N-Pepa, who were popular in the 1980s and 1990s, will be joined by fellow cutmasters Shortkut, Sake One and Goldenchyld on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at 60 Sixth St. between Market and Mission in San Francisco. Visit clubsix1.com or call (415) 531-6593 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it The price is $5 before 10:30 p.m., $10 after. The club is open from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. It's a 21 and over venue.

Although she now prefers to be called Spin, the fans, specifically those into hip hop and pop music, know her of course as the irrepressible, fun, funky and talented DJ Spinderella of the sexy female group Salt-N-Pepa of multi-platinum selling, award winning fame. Salt-N-Pepa, whose founding members are Cheryl "Salt" James and Sandy "Pepa" Denton, rocketed up the charts in the late 80s and 90s with such smashes as "Push It," "Let's Talk About Sex," the Grammy award winning "Shoop," "None of Your Business," which Spin co-wrote, and the multi-award winning collaboration with the girl group En Vogue, "What a Man," all of which are still getting commercial radio play and spins in the club.

In the hip hop world once dominated by men, the group Salt-N-Pepa opened up the doors of hip hop and urban music to women and became the industry standard that every other record company then tried to imitate. The group was so popular that they performed sold-out concerts all over the world, including multiple dates in Australia. To add to their roster, the group has performed for royalty across the globe - even performed privately for various celebrities. Visit www.tv.com/spinderella/person/261676/summary.html.

Ward Churchill and Richard Brown

At this benefit, Monday, Nov. 26, for the San Francisco 8, Ward Churchill will speak on the history of Cointelpro and the United States government's ongoing campaigns of repression targeting dissident groups. Richard Brown will speak on behalf of the SF 8, eight former Black Panthers whose recent arrest on previously-dismissed charges demonstrates that Cointelpro is alive and well.

The event will be held at 7 p.m. at the New College Theater, 777 Valencia St., San Francisco. A $5 to $10 donation is requested to benefit the SF 8; no one turned away.

Dwayne Wiggins performs solo and in combo with Tony! Toni! Tone!

On Friday, Nov. 30, at the Kaiser Center Auditorium, the Oakland School for the Arts welcomes Oakland's own guitarist-singer-songwriter-producer Dwayne Wiggins as he performs solo and in combo with Tony! Toni! Tone! As an added treat, the concert will be opened by the OSA Combo, a talented, award-winning funk and R&B ensemble comprised of Oakland School for the Arts students. The one-time-only performances will benefit the Oakland School for the Arts programs.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. at Kaiser Center Auditorium, 300 Lakeside Dr., Oakland. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Tickets can be purchased by contacting This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or at bennubirdbookings.tix.com.

The ‘Original Dream Girl' Jennifer Holliday in town this weekend

It's been 20 years since Grammy Award winning actress and singer Jennifer Holliday has performed in San Francisco. Don't miss her at the Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, Saturday, Nov. 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $37.50, $57.50, $67.50, $77.50. Call (415) 392-4400 or www.cityboxoffice.com.

World AIDS Awareness Day, Saturday, Dec. 1

Whether one sees the current viral assault on the African community as a high-tech genocide, the fact remains that we're dying - and much of it is preventable - yet knowing better doesn't always translate into making the healthy choice. Michael Buck, founder of Perfect Love, looks at the barriers to health and well-being and tries to offer resources to bridge the gaps.

The Perfect Love evening of spoken word for the healing, treatment and awareness of HIV/AIDS in the African-American Community next week, Saturday, Dec. 1, is an opportunity to address this Maafa. The free event is from 7 to 9 p.m. at Marcel Diallo's Black New World Social Aid and Pleasure Club, 863 Pine St., Oakland. Visit blacknewworld.com.

Hosted by Greg Bridges, the program features Bay Area spoken-word luminaries Avotcja, Ise Lyfe, N'er City, Dafina Kuficha and Dominique Jones. Dr Lisha Wilson, M.D., will also speak. She is medical director of the Ervin Magic Johnson Clinics in Oakland and San Francisco. Testing will also be available. For information, contact Michael Buck, ACRC, (650) 364-6563 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Perfect Love's mission is to eliminate the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS within the Black church and community through education, thereby encouraging people to test, get treated and LIVE extraordinary lives!

This year the World AIDS Day theme is "Leadership." But outside the UNAIDS theme, I saw other themes such as "Save the Children," "Prevention and Care" and something about stigma. Thirty-six years after the first case was isolated and identified in 1981, we still have too far to go. In Alameda County, there are new cases being diagnosed monthly.

"What is it?" I wondered as I exchanged clean needles for dirty ones at the Alameda County Exchange on cold Saturday mornings. "What is it?" I wondered as I delivered hot meals as a volunteer for Project Open Hand? "What is it that makes our community susceptible to the virus?" If it's behavioral, then what can change terminal choices into life-affirming ones?

Visit www.unaids.org/en/MediaCentre/PressMaterials/FeatureStory/20070316_WAD_Theme_2007.asp.

Bay View Arts Editor Wanda Sabir can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Visit her website, www.wandaspicks.com, for an expanded version of Wanda's Picks and for exciting "web exclusives."

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