Gina Hobbs

Private Lives, Proper Relations: Regulating Black Intimacy

admin — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 11:51:00 +0000

Why is contemporary African American literature — particularly that produced by black women — continually concerned with issues of respectability and propriety? Her first book, Private Lives, Proper Relations, Candace M. Jenkins looks at how African American writers express the political consequences of intimacy for the susceptible black subject. Jenkins argues that this fascination grew from recurrent beliefs about African American sexuality, and that it expresses a basic aspect of the racial self: an often unexpressed link between the intimate and the political in black culture.

Jenkins’s analysis of black women’s narratives — including Ann Petry’s The Street, Toni Morrison’s Sula and Paradise, Alice Walker’s The Color Purple and Gayl Jones’s Eva’s Man — offers a theory of black subjectivity. Here Jenkins describes how the middle-class tries to save the black community from accusations of sexual and domestic oddity by embracing traditionally “normal” values and behavior. Unfortunately behind those efforts there is the implied “doubled vulnerability” of the black intimate subject: racial scrutiny and the proximity of human intimacy.

This book was not an easy read for me. I had a very hard time getting into it. I must say, however, that the content is illuminating and definitely worth the time invested if you stick with it. For anyone interested in Women’s Studies and studies of gender, sexuality and class in African American literature, particularly that of the 20th century, this book is for you. _Private Lives, Proper Relations _is a powerful contribution to the crucial effort to end the distortion still surrounding black intimacy in the United States.

Written by: Gina Hobbs, September 7th 2007

Furlesque T-Shirt

admin — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:00:00 +0000

By Furlesque

Fun, funky, and functional art. Who doesn’t love the sound of that?

From the minute I saw the t-shirts created by Dion and Maggie, the founders of Furlesque, I was in love. Sheer and pretty, the t-shirt is form-fitting, but surprisingly warm. I wore it alone and was quite comfortable on a cool day here on a Central Californian beach. Come fall, it will look equally fantastic layered with my favorite strappy tank tops.

Furlesque was launched in 2006 by Maggie. With her great entrepreneurial sense and eye for brave fashion, she thought that Dion's recent body of work (female pop-culture victims) would be perfect as limited edition t-shirts. That was the beginning of Furlesque, but Maggie and Dion have been long time friends and artistic collaborators.

Keep your eyes open and spread the word. My t-shirt gets a lot of attention, and I expect to see many great things come from their collective, creative genius.

Written by: Gina Hobbs, August 30th 2007

I Like Food, Food Tastes Good: In the Kitchen with Your Favorite Bands

admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 02:00:00 +0000

By Kara Zuaro

Hyperion

What do you call a cookbook that reads like poetry? What do you call a coffee table book that whets your appetite? You would call that book I Like Food, Food Tastes Good. Fully expecting a fun addition to my expansive and eclectic collection of cookbooks, I was delightfully surprised at the fun compiled between the pages of this book!

Food writer Kara Zuaro knows a lot of musicians, and all musicians must eat! Whether they’re on the tour bus in their own kitchens, they’ve all got favorite recipes. Don’t expect the quick and boring Fried Bologna Sandwich here! These delightful concoctions are just as creative as the music these bands perform.

Contributors/contributions include: Strung Out/Rockin’ Ramen, Mobius Band/Tropical Fish Tacos, Irving/Dirty Snowflake, Frog Eyes/Chocolate Worm and many more! Some recipes are inspired by a particular song while others are taken from real-life experiences. All recipes are tried and tested, but the way in which Zuaro has retained the creative license for the musicians wording and instruction keeps me from actually placing this book up on a shelf with Betty Crocker. My family had too much fun reading it aloud to each other, beatnik style, in our front room one night. Practicality and art come together in a surprisingly fun way in this work.

Written by: Gina Hobbs, April 26th 2007

Grandmothers Counsel the World: Women Elders Offer Their Vision for Our Planet

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:49:00 +0000

By Carol Schaefer

Trumpeter Books

The year is 2007. We can still see the impressive footsteps of Betty Friedman, Margaret Sanger, and Gloria Steinem in the sands of time, yet women, as a whole, seem more concerned with which pop icon has fallen from grace, or how their Coach bag stands up against the other soccer moms' Gucci one. I don't carry a handbag, and I don't watch much TV, yet this book was a sobering and gentle call to action. "Grounding" is the best descriptive word that I can place on this book.

At the beginning of the book, I was informed that “When the grandmothers from the four directions speak, a new time is coming.” The fulfillment began in 1986 with a sacred fire outside the United Nations Building, ignited by a chief of the Iroquois Nation. From that fire, a torch was carried through 62 countries in 86 days by runners. The fire now resides in New Mexico, continuously burning. It traveled once more in 2004 to spark the meeting of thirteen grandmothers, called the “keepers of their tribe’s teachings from original times.”

Each of the grandmother's give a personal account of their lives. These wise women saw some hard times, but it was throughout these times that they received great revelations. Their biographies resonate with warmth and compassion; their photos define true beauty. Their simple lives and passion for healing their people and the Earth are a loving call to action for every woman. Their "Guidance for Our Times" (Part Two of the book) includes chapters on "Prophecies," "Women's Wisdom," "Sacred Relations," "Our Mother Earth," "Oppression," "Nature's Pharmacy" and "Prayer." "Prayer is the greatest thing I have as I walk upon this earth," Grandmother Agnes says. "I am nothing without The Creator."

Author Carol Schaefer, a well-known journalist, has done well with this compilation. Not terribly poetic, but straight to the facts. The contents more than make up for that, however.

Can Grandmothers Counsel the World actually change the world? The concepts within the book could, but probably not anytime soon. If you take the time to read this book, I guarantee that it will press you to see the world through the eyes of indigenous wisdom, and perhaps ground you like it did me.

Written by: Gina Hobbs, April 26th 2007

Dance with the Wind

admin — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 03:49:00 +0000

By Mary Youngblood

Silverwave Records

From the very first beat of Dance with the Wind, I knew that the music Mary Youngblood creates is pure magic. This was not just an auditory experience for me! I found myself listening with my heart and being moved at my very core.

Mary Youngblood, a Native American musical icon can make her wooden flutes speak to us beyond our everyday experiences by reminding us we are part of a “bigger whole.” Of Aleut and Seminole ancestry, she was named "Flautist of the Year" at the Native American Music Awards two years in row and won a Grammy for Beneath the Raven Moon (2003). Being a classically trained multi-instrumentalist and composer, Mary Youngblood was one of the first tribal women to play an instrument not only reserved for ancient religious practices, but also exclusively to male performers!

Youngblood, breaking the binds of cultural and societal fetters, is the epitome of a strong spiritual woman. Her music will touch your heart, draw you up and make you look at the big picture we are all a part of.

Written by: Gina Hobbs, March 22nd 2007

No Sweat T-Shirt

admin — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 20:54:00 +0000

By No Sweat Apparel

This product changed my mind about t-shirts on so many levels. With cap sleeves and baby ribs that hugged my curves I hardly knew I had it on. Not only is it comfortable, it washed beautifully! Made of 100% soft-combed, organic cotton and adorning the image of Rosie the Riveter, this product is fun and functional.

The best part about wearing this shirt, however, is sharing the message: Bienestar International manufactures union-made footwear and casual clothing under the brand name No Sweat™. No Sweat™, while supporting independent trade unions, helps fight the operation of sweat shops around the world. Organic products (that protect the earth) that are Union made (safeguarding the rights of workers) are marketed directly to consumers and rely primarily on internet sales for distribution. They provide a competitive product and a living wage to their workers by, believe it or not, not advertising! No Sweat™ relies on conscientious customers to spread the word, which isn’t difficult! While wearing this t-shirt many people commented and asked questions, making it very easy to share the message.

Not only is this product functional, comfortable and fun to wear, it enables the consumer to be a proactive force in our global community. Check out their website for ways you can be a part of this global campaign.

Written by: Gina Hobbs, February 27th 2007