Author Archives: Bomani Armah

Drug War 101: 5 Things You Should Watch or Read

“Coz the war on drugs, is just a war on us And the wrong time to see it is when you in them cuffs” – Stic.man of Dead Prez I have no reason to think that my voice will be any louder or more clear than countless others trying to bring attention to the horribleContinue reading “Drug War 101: 5 Things You Should Watch or Read”

“Soul Food Junkies” with Byron Hurt

Join us as we launch our new show “the Indie” with Byron Hurt, writer and director of the winning film “Soul Food Junkies” that will air on PBS the same night.  Byron Hurt explores the health advantages and disadvantages of Soul Food, a quintessential American cuisine. Soul food will also be used as the lensContinue reading ““Soul Food Junkies” with Byron Hurt”

Single Parenting: Raising Sons with my Ex

“It didn’t work out with me an your mom But yo push come to shove You were conceived in love” –   Will Smith (Just the Two of Us) If you had told me my night would go like this, being out bowled by not one, but two six year olds, I would have never believedContinue reading “Single Parenting: Raising Sons with my Ex”

Time to be Independent

“Until the lions can tell their stories, tales of hunting will always glorify the hunter.” – African Proverb Tune in next Monday at 10pm on PBS to watch the documentary “Soul Food Junkies” by noted filmmaker Byron Hurt.  This isn’t the entire point of this blog post, but I realized after writing half of thisContinue reading “Time to be Independent”

Open Letter to Michael Vick from a Washington Football Team Fan

Hello Michael Vick, My name is Bomani Armah and I am life long die-hard Washington football fan.  I am writing this letter to ask you to sign with my favorite team for the next four to six years and here is why.  You, no doubt, are worried about whether or not the Philadelphia Eagles willContinue reading “Open Letter to Michael Vick from a Washington Football Team Fan”

When to Take Away the Guns: How Guns and Mental Health Have Affected Me

My family knows about guns.  I am a man of African descent, who lives in North America and speaks English.  That is only possible because of one tool.  The Gun.  The gun didn’t force my ancestors into the hull of a ship on the coast of West Africa. The gun didn’t push my native ancestorsContinue reading “When to Take Away the Guns: How Guns and Mental Health Have Affected Me”

Why “Colored Folk” Should Care About Palestine

“Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned, everywhere is war…” – Emperor Haile Selassie This past Friday I had a great time raising money for medical relief in Gaza following the latest bombardment of the Palestinians there by the U.S. backed Israeli military.  ThereContinue reading “Why “Colored Folk” Should Care About Palestine”

You Have Until Friday to Finish Talking About Petreaus’ Affair

“…See I don’t want him, if he ain’t made no arrangement with you/ I hope you would’ve done the same thing for me too” – Erykah Badu from “Booty” Can we stop lying to ourselves for a moment?  Can we stop pretending like it’s some historical anomaly for the most power military general on theContinue reading “You Have Until Friday to Finish Talking About Petreaus’ Affair”

“More than the Mic” with Rae Shine

Thanks again for reading my blog.  If you don’t already know, I’m one of several skilled engineers who work out of Urban-Intalek Studios in Washington D.C..  I’m passionate about helping people find and express their voice artistically, and working at Washington D.C.’s premiere boutique studio is a great way to do it!  I’ll be postingContinue reading ““More than the Mic” with Rae Shine”

Question 6 & Compromising the Bible

“I’m just a soul whose intentions are good. Oh Lord! Please don’t let me be misunderstood” – Please Don’t let me be Misunderstood                                                  Written by B. Benjamin, G. Caldwell and S. Marcus Consider what it would be like, if your religion taught that you were cursed at birth? To know that what you are atContinue reading “Question 6 & Compromising the Bible”

#Buycott Substantial’s “Home is Where the Art is”

It was after sunset, so the breeze bit a little harder, and the jacket I wore was a little thin.  I’m usually in a better mood while waiting for my mobile reading room and writing desk (aka the 70 bus) but I had just finished a week of running ragged by oversleeping and missing myContinue reading “#Buycott Substantial’s “Home is Where the Art is””

Okay Barack: Show’em Your Black Side

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth” – Mike Tyson Last spring my twin sons were learning how to identify coins in their kindergarten class.  I was excited to help them, so I pulled out a bunch of change from my pocket and started explaining who all the Presidents were onContinue reading “Okay Barack: Show’em Your Black Side”

It’s a Party, But Not a Game: Why I’m not voting for Obama

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” ~ Mark Twain When it’s all said and done, I’ll blame my Presidential vote on Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa being such a horrible party host.  When I tuned into the DNC’s big convention party, I was rudelyContinue reading “It’s a Party, But Not a Game: Why I’m not voting for Obama”

Raising Other People’s Kids

The brother greeted me with a smile and a “good morning” as I boarded the E4. He couldn’t have been more than 4 or 5 years older than me, he could’ve been younger.  His demeanor lightened everyone’s mood, which was great, because in a few moments I realized I was going the wrong way.  IContinue reading “Raising Other People’s Kids”

4 Things about the RNC Convention

I had fun watching the RNC Convention.  It was a welcome distraction from the late nights of work I had, and was as disturbing, jingoistic, xenophobic and factually incorrect as I suspected. Their most popular positive talking points were, “God is real”, “hard work pays off”, and “love your family”.  Three things no one inContinue reading “4 Things about the RNC Convention”

The Angle Episode #6 (Art Enables)

From the first time the Director for The Angle was introduced to Art Enables in 2009, he has been an advocate for this dynamic organization. When the idea that The Angle would have episodes, featuring Art Enables was early on the list to capture. Park Triangle featured the organization a few years back for TheContinue reading “The Angle Episode #6 (Art Enables)”

Get Out DC July 30, 2012

Your weekly breakdown of the live entertainment spots in DC this week. If you know just a little bit about me, then you know that I’m a huge fan of my favorite fruit…WATERMELON!!  This Friday, August 3rd, come join me and some of my favorite artists as we celebrate National Watermelon Day at Sankofa VideoContinue reading “Get Out DC July 30, 2012”

Make Penn State Believable

No Football for a year.  I thought I’d just skip to the point and sort out the logistics and emotions of it afterward.  There is a long list of penalties that Penn State was given by the NCAA, including major loss of scholarships, a $60 million fine, and forfeiting all the wins the program hadContinue reading “Make Penn State Believable”

Get Out DMV July 23, 2012

Your weekly breakdown of the live entertainment spots in DC this week. “Where Langston Hughes meets Mos Def,” is a great way to describe DMV poetry and hip-hop vet Komplex.  Whether back in the day as an original member of the seminal poetry collective “The 5th L”, or as the emcee half of the FlyContinue reading “Get Out DMV July 23, 2012”

Live in Peace, for All of Us Survivors of Aurora, CO

Rest in Peace to the victims of the horrific massacre in Aurora, Colorado.  My sincere condolences to their families and loved ones. This is the crucial moment, in the age of 24/7 news and the myth of U.S. exceptional-ism, that we have to remember not to over react.  Your life is always within nano-seconds ofContinue reading “Live in Peace, for All of Us Survivors of Aurora, CO”