Motivation

"Cautious, careful people always casting about to preserve their reputation or social standards never can bring about reform. Those who are really in earnest are willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation, and publicly and privately, in season and out, avow their sympathies with despised ideas and their advocates, and bear the consequences."
—Susan B. Anthony

Toni Morrison - Endorses Obama

Dear Senator Obama,

This letter represents a first for me--a public endorsement of a Presidential candidate. I feel driven to let you know why I am writing it. One reason is it may help gather other supporters; another is that this is one of those singular moments that nations ignore at their peril. I will not rehearse the multiple crises facing us, but of one thing I am certain: this opportunity for a national evolution (even revolution) will not come again soon, and I am convinced you are the person to capture it.
May I describe to you my thoughts?
I have admired Senator Clinton for years. Her knowledge always seemed to me exhaustive; her negotiation of politics expert. However I am more compelled by the quality of mind (as far as I can measure it) of a candidate. I cared little for her gender as a source of my admiration, and the little I did care was based on the fact that no liberal woman has ever ruled in America. Only conservative or "new-centrist" ones are allowed into that realm. Nor do I care very much for your race[s]. I would not support you if that was all you had to offer or because it might make me "proud."
In thinking carefully about the strengths of the candidates, I stunned myself when I came to the following conclusion: that in addition to keen intelligence, integrity and a rare authenticity, you exhibit something that has nothing to do with age, experience, race or gender and something I don't see in other candidates. That something is a creative imagination which coupled with brilliance equals wisdom. It is too bad if we associate it only with gray hair and old age. Or if we call searing vision naivete. Or if we believe cunning is insight. Or if we settle for finessing cures tailored for each ravaged tree in the forest while ignoring the poisonous landscape that feeds and surrounds it. Wisdom is a gift; you can't train for it, inherit it, learn it in a class, or earn it in the workplace--that access can foster the acquisition of knowledge, but not wisdom.
When, I wondered, was the last time this country was guided by such a leader? Someone whose moral center was un-embargoed? Someone with courage instead of mere ambition? Someone who truly thinks of his country's citizens as "we," not "they"? Someone who understands what it will take to help America realize the virtues it fancies about itself, what it desperately needs to become in the world?
Our future is ripe, outrageously rich in its possibilities. Yet unleashing the glory of that future will require a difficult labor, and some may be so frightened of its birth they will refuse to abandon their nostalgia for the womb.
There have been a few prescient leaders in our past, but you are the man for this time.
Good luck to you and to us.
Toni Morrison

Check it out Chicas -A Sweet Art Affair presented by The Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League

A Sweet Art Affair 2008
A Dessert & Wine Tasting Event
Saturday, February 9, 2008 6 pm - 10pm
G.R. Namdi Gallery
110 N. Peoria Chicago, IL
Admission
$25 for MetroBoard/ Urban League members
$30/non-members - door

Notable Quotables

"Some of us want life to be like a refrigerator. We want to be preserved just as we are and to be kept crisp around the edges. We do not want to wilt or melt under the pressures of life. We want to stand in our own little space, keeping everything else in its own space so that we will not be contaminated.
I think life is like a toaster. You've got to be pushed down in order to pop up and meet the demands of life. You have to get done before you will know what to do. For most of us, unless we have a little heat under our bottoms, we will sit around and get stale. Also remember, when cold, hard things are placed on a hot piece of toast. they melt and fade away, but when you cast your bread on the waters of life, it will return to its place of origin multiplied." - (The Queen) Iyanla Vanzant

Raheem DeVaughn - Love Behind The Melody

“Guess who loves you more?” Raheem DeVaughn has definitely proved he loves his fans even more giving us a sultry and soulful sophomore album that has exceeded his debut album The Love Experience by leaps and bounds. His brand new album has an array of tracks you can play in the car, house and (gasp!) in the bedroom. Raheem’s signature style of narrating throughout the album makes you feel more like he’s an old friend than a strange new artist. He does a beautiful job of combining old and new school sound so that even your mama can groove to the album.

Even folks that are familiar with the Maryland crooner don’t know that he has been on the grind since 2002 churning out R&B mix tapes. It is only in the last two years that he became a force to be reckoned with in the music industry with his hit single “You.”

Whether you’ve followed Raheem DeVaughn now or then, Love Behind the Melody will be music to your ears. Check out a few of ChicaGoGetter’s favorite tracks and see for yourself!

“Energy” feat. Big Boi
“Friday (Shut the Club Down)”
“Desire”
“Marathon” feat. Floetry

Hey Chicas, if you like what you experience, hit up www.ticketmaster.com and purchase your Jill Scott and Raheem DeVaughn concert tickets. The Real Thing Tour takes place right here in the Windy City on March 22 & 23 at the Chicago Theater. TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

XOXO.

ChicaGoGetter, Astin

Something to Truly Look Forward To

The Enve Group (known for hosting some of the flyest events in the city) presents: TruElite An Event for Chicago's Urban Sophisticates.

Sunday 9pm-2am at Lumen

As We Approach MLK Jr. Day

On Facebook.com I've received more than my fair share of "Drop It Like It's Hott" and "Get Drunk and Twisted" MLK Jr. Weekend party invitations. I'm totally disgusted with how people have forgotten the significance of Dr. King's life and death or the legacy he left that we enjoy.
Despite the gratuitous use of the "N" word in this clip..The Boondocks writers say it best. Check this out:



XOXO,

Chief Chica, RD

We're Back!

We've been on hiatus for just a short while but we are calling January 14th the ChicaGoGetter.com New Year. We're so excited to say hello to 2008 although 07' had a ton of milestones (especially our launch back on September 18). Stay tuned for the moves we make in 2008! We're going to be ALL about YOU Chica!

XOXO,

The ChicaGoGetter Team