Natives and Nationalization

Just finished listening to a Democracy Now! interview with Evo Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president (who I sorely missed on the Daily Show last night) and Amy Goodman raised the question of abolishing private property. Morales said these claims were just a scare tactic employed by his detractors but even if not, it makes sense to me given the bloody provenance of much Western (read: white) wealth. But those disempowered (and given the numbers murdered, they might contemplate their lucky star) by conquest, colonization and neoimperalism are just supposed to grin and bear their poverty and increasing debt?!?! Methinks not. Me a Chavista? Maybe.

Anyway, then I heard of this plan by Nike (who need to stop effing around with the form and fit of my beloved Air Rifts) to relieve the cramped and corned toes of the wide and long footed indigenous peoples one res'-traveled sole at a time. It seems a little sketch. Does this whole Nike campaign seem a little disingenuous? Does it matter?

Nike Designs Shoe for American Indians

By SARAH SKIDMORE – 15 hours ago

BEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) — Nike on Tuesday unveiled what it said is the first shoe designed specifically for American Indians, an effort aiming at promoting physical fitness in a population with high obesity rates.

The Beaverton-based company says the Air Native N7 is designed with a larger fit for the distinct foot shape of American Indians, and has a culturally specific look. It will be distributed solely to American Indians; tribal wellness programs and tribal schools nationwide will be able to purchase the shoe at wholesale price and then pass it along to individuals, often at no cost.

"Nike is aware of the growing health issues facing Native Americans," said Sam McCracken, manager of Nike's Native American Business program. "We are stepping up our commitment ... to elevate the issue of Native American health and wellness."

Nike said it is the first time it has designed a shoe for a specific race or ethnicity. It said all profits from the sale of the shoe will be reinvested in health programs for tribal lands, where problems with obesity, diabetes and related conditions are near epidemic levels in some tribes.

The full article at the AP, found via Boing Boing

Eric Roberson

Erro at SOB's last night.

More pics from last night's birthday show and a review of his LA show earlier this month at Hello, Babar.

Yonder

I don't have much to say to you as I've been sick (and all out of sick days so steadfastly at work). I don't have the energy to post over at VIBE and here, so make sure to check Hello, Babar. Be advised: I will be more active here upon recuperation.

Oh and for those in NYC, It's a great weekend in music:

+Roy Ayers is at SOB's ce soir.
+Freeway, Bilal and Jaguar are at Knitting Factory demain (for the occasion of Hezekiah's record release).
+Randy Weston and Lionel Loueke are at Aaron Davis Hall samedi.
+Tiombe Lockhart, this month's XLR8R cover model, is at Knitting Factory dimanche.

On Stevland

Notes on Stevie at the Greek up at Hello, Babar. Not as good as the Apollo show I caught a few years back but still exceptional.

"i'm a lady with bundles"*

i'm back. i was west. my days were packed full as i don't make it out there often and when i do i'm not there long. i had a good time and saw a lot of people but i'm exhausted. more exhausted than usual. trying not to drink coffee to survive as it's not healthy and i'm paranoid about my complexion. i was straight during puberty but now my skin is the worst. it's disorienting. i never had problem skin so i don't know how to deal it nor do i wear makeup to mask it. hoping it's not stress related or sleep related as i can't foresee my stress decreasing or my sleep increasing. on the way to lax me and kristel lamented our big city lives. our friends everywhere else all have houses and condos and disposable income. i'm broke. it's not fun. i'm an independent woman and i mean that in the pre-DC sense. i don't like asking Anyone for Anything (except for ms. julie and aisha and i feel inept and indulgent for that). moneylessness is disempowering in the worst way. this was just a whine. real posts (here and there) coming soon...

*Rich Pryor in sketch