Sheila E. turns out the Prince tribute as does others, however the show stopper was Jesse Williams, best known for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on t Grey's Anatomy. However now more known for his activism.
“The thing is though, all of us here are getting money, that alone isn’t going to stop this. Dedicating our lives to getting money just to give it right back to put someone’s brand on our body -- when we spent centuries praying with brands on our bodies, and now we pray to get paid for brands on our bodies?”
― Jessie William's project Question Bridge for Black Males
About Wearing Brands
Excerpt From "The African Seed"
A point you must know to move through your practice: You must be ethical; acting responsibly and in accordance to NATURAL LAW. It is of umpteenth importance. Let me give you an example: I, like anyone, love to see Black people looking good. And don’t we do it so well? In our ancient Egypt we were so fabulous, women wore hairpieces that would turn your head. I am so in awe of the beauty of our creations, in how we choose to wear our outfits, from a man wearing Agbadas to the woman on 125th Street in a rust-colored suit and matching hat.
However, there is something you must know, if we are not putting bread on our table, we do not don brand names head to toe or aspire to have a $1,000 pocketbook. You shouldn’t worship branded clothing. Jeans that are of no name are as good quality as someone’s jeans that are branded. That is not to say, that once in a while you cannot purchase something superfluous; but if we base our life on the usual branded clothing, that has taken our money and we are in hock, then we must aspire to know of what is important in our lives.
In our world, society looks at and perceives you in a different way if you show off this brand attire, but bring it into perspective and let go of this old mindset, it is a ruin to you and your new lifestyle. (If you are already in the mindset that clothes and excessive branded materials are NOT of great importance, then you are ahead of the game.) There is a concept to looking good in the Western hemisphere, so allow me to share a fashion tip. If you still aspire to the Western style, learn to purchase at lesser known shops or accept clothes given to you. I do that, and I take what was given to me, and make it look better, richer and more stylish than those who have spent several hundred dollars. If you are of age, you need not buy that £200 trainers, instead you can get the lesser priced and make it look like £400 with your confidence.
My sisters and brothers, I am in the understanding that it is of the culture we may have been born into, particularly in the West, that many children get bullied for not having the right clothing. Clothing type, instead of the education they are receiving, is a form of survival. This is a sad state of affairs, but it is a fact. Do the best with children and be understanding. You as an adult must act in a responsible and ethical manner, as this is the only safe way to reap the good benefits that are your inheritance. Separate from buying into the branded lifestyle, leave it with your old life. When you focus on your goals, keep this in mind. Would you like to be the sheep that swims in the water with all its fleece and sink and die, or would you rather be the sheep who has been sheared and swims living? Do not sink in the water with all your branded items. Look at the branded items in a different way; think about how much that item costs to make, think of the people who have contributed to making it for you to buy. Really think about the countries involved and the people involved, and you may look at that convenience for you, in a different way. You may see it as an exploitation of your cousins in a different country.
Once you have achieved this step in understanding, you can begin to think big. But that change of value-system; to think of what is important and absolutely essential for living, can take more than a minute to learn. If you are to be successful in your goals, you must think as if you have more than what is in front of you. This can be difficult, but with focus you can do it. You can do it, because of the beauty and work that your ancestors did for you. Your energy that exudes from you will radiate richness and draw benefits to you, and you will not only feel wealthy, but wealth will come to you.
You are wealthy. This does not mean to squander. But do not, under any circumstance, think you are not wealthy. Of course, you are wealthy. Think it. Be in that stream of thinking. Feel it in your bloodstream. Through your heritage and ancestral inheritance, you are more than wealthy. Walk as though you know it and think it at all times. Those who are successful are confident that they are. You must be enthusiastically confident. If you have trouble with this principle, try saying: “I am wealthy, but spending isn’t my priority right now.”
Also read a Poem inspired by Jessie Williams
By Alice Walker (c) 2016
Here it is
the beauty that scares you
-so you believe-
to death.
For he is certainly gorgeous
and he is certainly where whiteness
to your disbelief
has not wandered off
to die.
No. It is there, tawny skin, gray eyes,
a Malcolm-esque jaw. His loyal parents
may Goddess bless them
sitting proud and happy and no doubt
amazed
at what they have done.
For he is black too. And obviously
with a soul
made of everything.
Try to think bigger than you ever have
or had courage enough to do:
that blackness is not where whiteness
wanders off to die: but that it is
like the dark matter
between stars and galaxies in
the Universe
that ultimately
holds it all
together.
-AW
Three deep bows to a beautiful son.