czvasser

Author: czvasser

As a kid, I grew up in Morrisania, in the Bronx and learned to grow food in the Crotona Park victory garden. That ultimately led to a green career including 20 years at the Bronx Zoo and more than 30 years in non-profit management. I learned to cook at my grandmothers knee before I was 10 years old and still love it. My love basketball and I referee boys, girls High School Varsity and recreational basketball. I write, I write, I write. I was an English major with a thought of going into journalism. Hmm, but I still write everyday.

February 22, 2017 czvasser Fried Chicken

Disclaimer

Fuel for someone’s fire
reacting to sparks
Woodies going up in flames
warm breath on my crotch
Burning crosses
lawn dreams
as often as not.

Do you dream of me
a leathered clown
you prefer a beggar
who bleats for food
a buffoon
in the midst of baboonery.

Skyscraping a living
sparrows falconing justice
tearing talented tenths to shreds.

Left in the atlantic
by the millions
minnows pretending shark
eyes bigger than their teeth.

Justice more cruel than freedom
not available to 3/5ers
railroaded past stations
filled with burlapped cotton.

I sing to mulattos
seminal relations of a nation
Disinherited
Disenchanted
Disenfranchized
Disheartened
Destroyed
Dark and dusky
raised fists
on one knee
prayers shouted outside church
are unacceptable protest
There is a disclaimer
with the American dream.

February 11, 2017February 23, 2017 czvasser Fried Chicken

Take the Pledge

Because of Them We Can

January 21, 2017April 3, 2017 czvasser Fried Chicken

Motivation in America

Motivation is a theoretical construct used to explain behavior. It represents the reasons for people’s actions, desires, and needs.

I have trouble getting up some mornings. Not because I am hungover or any such thing. It’s just facing America every day can be tougher than training for a marathon. Too many people out of 10 will be unhelpful and unkind. Add race, religion and gender and the number goes up. Lots of people don’t whistle your tune. Lots of people don’t want to try and even more don’t want to hear it.

Barack Obama had the toughest job in the world. He was the acknowledged leader of the free world. Wow. What responsibility. His personal sacrifice was 8 years of his life to make the United States and the world a better place. What did he get for his efforts: confetti. Lots of people threw colorful remarks during his presidency, but how many really stood behind him and backed his play, like an old cowboy movie. Donald Trump is having the same problem. He’s president, by virtue of the electoral college, but had the lowest approval rating of any president when he took office.

What’s our motivation? Slogans are nice, but can we, “Make America Great Again”. Ask yourself, is this about better for myself and my fellow Americans or more? You can say more will get you better. I ask, better what? Is the American Dream based on the streets being paved with gold? If the cost of the American Dream is all of the isms we have now, maybe we should dream another dream. That’s not anarchist. Just Think Better. The next time someone celebrates your achievements with confetti [money], consider what they gave you: bits of colored paper that will be picked up by someone else. Achievements need support and Americans need to support one another.

Morning Coffee

Bill Paying

Being a black man is a bill that shows up every month that you have to pay and the vig is outrageous.

Singing

You taught me why the caged bird sings she said as she walked out the door.

The Greatest Commandment

The Second Commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than [this] these’” (Mark 12:28-31)

I Am Not My Hair

Yes you are. When you look at African culture hair has always defined who we are. From the braids of one tribe to the shaved heads of another to mud or cloth wraps hair has always been a statement about culture and who we are.

White Tie, Top Hat and Tails

Gladys Bentley was an over the top original when that wasn’t a popular thing to be. Performing in her signature White Tie, Top Hat and Tails she was so, so cool and bending a lot more than gender.

Bass Reeves

Bass Reaves: The Real Lone Ranger.

The Wells of America

Those who drink the water should never forget those that dug the wells.

Billie Holiday

“You can be up to your boobies in white satin, with gardenias in your hair, and no sugar cane for miles, but you can still be working on a plantation.” — Billie Holiday

Game Changer

“You have and always will change the game, so why are you concerned with their retelling who won the last hand. It’s not history that’s important it’s your next roll of the dice, the next turned card. Stop playing with their marked deck”.

Casualty

I was a soldier before I should have been. I’ve fought wars and been left for dead. A prisoner all my life. I’ve been MIA and I am a casualty yet still I rise.