Where do I start? The cousins are still angry and it's been one helluva summer. Been missing this blog and my rants. I'll just go in.

So, I couldn't write or voice my anger and outrage over the systematic removal of Black books written prior to 2007 from the shelves of a certain NYC neighborhood library, because it would compromise my position at a certain government agency for which I found myself working. But, I will say that I am still outraged by this move and folks, our folks, thinking all we want to read is Thong On Fire and Thugalicious (actual titles), and the senseless banter and repetitive nature of my, albeit temporary yet, cathartic job. As I sat on that bench doling out advice and answers to a myriad of unrelated-to-my-work questions, all I could see was a wall of images and none of them looked like me. Aside from the occasional Oprah or Beyonce cover, I stared in disbelief and grew sadder. Not sad for me as much as I am sad for young girls and women who are made to believe they aren't beautiful, or have some twisted, if not non-existent, self-image. So, I vowed to make a difference. Don't talk about it, be about it. Ain't that what Percy said? Starting my own imprint.

Nothing Uber stank happened on the cousin front this summer. Obama is still catchin' it, but any fool could have seen that coming. Michelle chilled in Europe. Tiny and T.I got busted for drug possession. Shame. Like Tip and the movie Takers was a good dude flick. Drake shut the NYC waterfront down. DMX called Plies out for being the "worst rapper EVER"! Harsh from a cat who grunted his way to the top of the charts. King James pulled a fast one on Cleveland and solidified his role as Shameless Self-Promoter. Ricky Ross and Freeway Ricky Ross had it out. Weezy's in jail and folks are gettin' fired over eyeballin' him and showing favoritism. Alicia was called a man-eater and launched a piece of software which another rapper could have launched had he not been afraid of his own success. Concerts are just OK. Went to a House jam in the park that made me feel like there was some hope for music--still.

Watched too much TV. Housewives are out of control. Hair Spectacular is extra. Bad Girls have real issues. Ochocinco and T.O are a bore. Omarosa needs to stick to her day job (what would that be exactly?), and the Black girl got booted week two on Big Brother.

Had some good FB discussions over the usage of the N-word and came to realize that we still have not gotten over our issues with hair and color.

Fall's around the corner and maybe there is some hope for the grape soda lovin' clan this season.