kids on death row: yemen -

Yemen's death row houses many children awaiting execution. Their stories of abuse and forced confessions are heart-wrenching. But now Yemen's Children's Parliament are calling their adult leaders to account.

In the dark, grim cells of Sanaa Central Prison, hollow and tear-filled eyes stare through the grill with alarming despair. Nadim, 15 when he allegedly committed the crime, tells us of the torture he suffered before he confessed to premeditated murder. "They kept beating me with an electric cable until 1.30 at night, while I hung there." In theory nobody under the age of 18 can be executed in Yemen, but in a country with few birth certificates determining these young people's age isn't always easy. But the Children's Parliament, a unique organisation that allows child politicians to challenge their adult counterparts, are taking on the case of these death row kids. "We will stand by Nadim and innocent children like him, even if we have to camp outside the president's residence." Moaad's family offer him no support, following a conviction he strongly denies, because they fear a reprisal from the relatives of the murdered man. When asked why he thought three doctors judged him to be 16 and then changed their minds he says, "Bribes, by the adversaries." Yet the Children's Parliament has succeeded in putting a stop to 3 executions and Moaad hopes that he will be the next one.

source: youtube 

this video made me bawl. to see those kids so passionate and the heartbreaking story of Moaad. Ya'Allah...

the joys -

three new books - all by woman of color. thanks to my best friend Rianna,

how i spent my day after teaching: sitting at the park on some steps reading. I started this book last night and I am already more than half way done. I cannot put this book down.

 

I have the next two weeks pretty much all to myself then its back to a basic 9-5 work schedule. I want to enjoy this time in the sun with lovely books.

-
dee

garden of love

Sadness filled your eyes
You needed love. But you thought
You weren’t deserving
-
I love the broken,
Ones like me. Ones who love hard
Who give it their all.
-
You were starved of love,
I fed you the love I had.
Then you bit my hand.
-
I heal everyday.
Healing is not only for
Lonely broken hearts
-
Soul flower, blossom
Do not be afraid of growth.
Tend to the gardens
-
Self love. Self care. Growth
They don’t happen overnight
Have patience and faith
-
Do not hide yourself
You were made to be adored,
Just as you are, love
-
I once knew a girl
Who was broken and beaten
But she never quit.
-
Don’t beat yourself up
For someone else’s shortcomings.
Its never your fault
-
Take care of yourself.
All of you. Body, mind, and
soul. Or no one will.
-
dee bambaataa ♡  

reading list

i thought i would share a few of the books that are on my summer 2013 reading list. trying to order these in the next month, insha'Allah. my best friend already ordered 3 for me as an early birthday gift. (see why she is my best friend lol). I cannot wait until this busy life dies down, in exactly a week and I am able to breath and relax.

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Girls at War and Other Stories by Chinua Achebe
Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi
Happiness, Like Water by Chinelo Okparanta
Knots by Nuruddin Farah
Joys of Motherhood by Buchi Emecheta
A Deeper Love Inside: the Porscha Santiaga Story by Sister Souljah

-
deebambaataa

sounds

James Blake feat. RZA | Take A Fall For Me



I heard through the grape vine that great love, it takes time
Sex shapes the body, truth shapes the mind
Candlelight dinners and fish and chips with vinegar
With a glass of cold stout or wine or something similar
Salam in this, channeled through the Italian peninsula
Her strong pheromones and cologne enhance the stench of her
But she aksed for romance, spent this love, enter her
Don't let me fall, always remember us
Don't roll the dice, don't let them throw the rice
Don't throw my soul over to the poltergeist
His heart was cold like it was soaked in ice
A stroke of your love is like a stroke of life
Melt in the heat of my passion - magnetic attraction
It cause a strong reaction
I need you like I need satisfaction
I need you like I need satisfaction  

 Since I got my hands on this album (April 5th), its been on repeat. It has been my best friend when it comes to lesson planning and feel good moments. xo

-
deebambaataa

rainy days..

bismillah.

after a long day, I came home and treated myself to a hot shower. once i came out it started raining. raining real hard. I sat in my balcony, admiring the raining and having the breeze bless my skin. I sat there admiring God’s natural beauty. you see growing up I thought that when it rained it meant that God was sad…which made me hate the rain. growing older I have embraced it. its a time for me to reflect, to be at ease, to make dua’a for myself and the people I love. see rain is just one of the little things Allah has blessed us with. after a little rain comes a rainbow. after a little rain flowers grow. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders while sitting here. I feel like its my worries, sadness and anger washing away. its cleansing. tonight, i am at peace. Alhamdulilah.

-
dee bambaataa   

documentary: the us vs. omar khadr

link: the US vs Omar Khadr

“Canadian Omar Khadr was accused of killing an American soldier with a grenade during a firefight in Afghanistan in July 2002. Most of the evidence against him is based on a series of confessions Omar allegedly made at the age of 15 while in U.S. custody at the military base in Bagram and later in Guantanamo. Omar’s defense team claims that these are false confessions extracted under torture. The U.S. vs Omar Khadr includes Omar’s first-hand account of the torture and mistreatment he claims to have suffered.” - CBC

-

having the opportunity to teach almost everyday and be taken under the wings of my amazing teacher mentors. Alhamdulilah for this opportunity. its been keeping me really busy. really really busy. all coming to an end in about 2 weeks. bitter sweet.

i need a vacation this summer.

i need summer to hurry up.

-
dee bambaataa  

diy: homemade face scrub and masks

I recently had someone on Tumblr ask me what I use for my face. I recently stopped using pretty much anything on my face. It started out with me being lazy lol, but then I seen how clear and soft my face became. I only use water every morning and at night I use a face scrub I make. on the weekend I get somewhat fancy and make face masks. also, i don't wear make up so most of the day my skin is breathing and there are no clogged pores. anyway here is what i use.


1) Brown sugar face scrub

Ingredients:
brown sugar
honey
lemon juice
olive oil
-
mix all the ingredients in a bowl (measurements depends on you), just make sure the final product is a a gooey and sticky mix. Put it on your face and scrub for about 1-2 minutes then rinse off. follow with a light moisturizer (or nothing).

2) Oatmeal and Yogurt face mask

Ingredients:
oatmeal
honey
plain (organic) yogurt
few drops of lemon juice
-
mix all the ingredients in a bowl (again measurements depend on you). put it on your face and leave it on for about 10-15 minutes. rinse it off and follow with a light moisturizer.

3) Turmeric face mask (my fav. because I get a glow, i use this like every two weeks)

Ingredients:
turmeric powder
plain yogurt
honey
few drops of lemon juice
(instead of the plain yogurt my mom uses olive oil since she has drier skin)
-
mix all the ingredients in a bowl (again measurements depend on you). put it on your face and leave it on for about 15-20 minutes. rinse it off and follow with a light moisturizer.

for the face scrub I make enough for a week and just use it every night. for the masks I usually prepare it right before I am about to use it. and it takes about 5 minutes to prepare.

enjoy.

-
dee bambaataa

a broken heart blues

I was only ten
When you first made me believe.
I still believe you
-
You once said sorry
But it was only a dream
How foolish of me.
-
Without hope I dream
Deep down I am broken down.
Let time heal the wound.
-
Once I wrote my love
Story in my blood titled,
A broken heart blues
-
When I close my eyes
I feel your light shining bright
You are refreshing
-
Her mother says that
A moms love for her daughter
Is the greatest gift
-
She leaves her lipstick
Stains on his collar, so he
Remembers her name
-
The smell of that new
Book brings her much pleasure
Like goodnight kisses
-
God gave you a beard
Let it grow and keep me warm
with its soft touch
-
She said the sweetest
Thing was a kiss on the col-
larbone. She was right.
-
dee bambaataa ♡ 

rest in peace -

(CNN) -- Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, acclaimed in part for his groundbreaking 1958 novel "Things Fall Apart," has died, his British publisher, Penguin Books, said Friday.
He was 82.
An author of more than 20 books, his honors included the 2007 Man Booker International Prize for Fiction.
He was also accorded his country's highest award for intellectual achievement, the Nigerian National Merit Award.
Achebe is a major part of African literature, and is popular all over the continent for his novels, especially "Anthills of the Savannah," which was itself shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1987, and "Things Fall Apart."
The latter was required reading in countless high schools and colleges in the continent, and has been translated into dozens of languages.
Set in precolonial Nigeria, "Things Fall Apart" portrays the story of a farmer, Okonkwo, who struggles to preserve his customs despite pressure from British colonizers. The story resonated in post-independent Africa, and the character became a household name in the continent.
Achebe's stories included proverbs and tackled complex issues of African identity, nationalism and decolonization, adding to his books' popularity... (con't)

 Source: CNN
 
I was introduced to this man late last year, and instantly I fell in love. In about a short time I read most of his books. So sad to hear about his passing today. Truly sad, but to be able to pass away and leave the legacy such as Achebe did on the literary community is a huge accomplishment and blessing.

- 
dee bambaataa

Alhamdulilah

 bismillah. one on one.

alhamdulilah when i wake up, alhamdulilah when i go to bed. alhamdulilah when i turn on the water. alhamdulilah when i eat. alhamdulilah when return home after a long day. alhamdulilah when i see my parent’s face. alhamdulilah when i get paid. alhamdulilah when i give. alhamdulilah when i smile. alhamdulilah when i am bored. alhamdulilah when i am sick. alhamdulilah when the day seems dark. alhamdulilah when nothing can ruin my day. alhamdulilah when my friends message me first. alhamdulilah when my friends reply to my messages. alhamdulilah for the day. alhamdulilah. the world that can lift my soul. ya’Allah. thank you. for the good and the bad. for the lessons You have taught me. for being the most Merciful. I truly am at peace when I turn to you…because I am all me. naked. stripped away from my pride, mask, the person i want to be, the person i was five minutes ago. i am just me at that moment. may it be me good or bad, happy or sad, pretty or ugly, confused or sure, heavy or light, dark or light, pure or impure. whatever it is, You open me with open arms and welcome me. the Nourisher, you take care of me with Your soft hands and handle with care day in and day out. ya’Allah…the Most Mighty. Alhamdulilah.

-
dee bambaataa  

bucket list item -

visit the Taj Mahal. visit India period.
I have had this crazy obsession with the architect of the Taj Mahal since I was a little girl..and as I got older I have grown to love India so much. somewhere I want/need to visit in the near future. insha'Allah.

source: hello magazine

untitled

I don't know how I got here,
but there must be a reason why.

-
dee bambaataa