Until We Get It Done (On My Meeting with Zohran Mamdani)
A couple of Saturdays ago, I had an existential question that I couldn’t grapple over. “Do you think I should go canvass?” My wife, knowing who I was, neither confirmed…
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Not Too Far To Go
Before I even continue, I’d like to show my support for Talib’s upcoming effort, Eardrum. I recently wrote about Talib’s artistry in this blog as
Up, Down, Up, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, A, B, Select, and Start
They say men actually have a 6 in 10 chance of having a “successful” conversation with a woman. As a mathematician, I looked at that
for my RSSers and the like …
My latest site is up. Please check it and tell me what you think … The Jose Vilson later …
The Eyes of the Devil
I made this little picture (which is click-able for full view) after I swear I saw the devil right in front of me. One of
This Is Not a Parade Post
After this post, you would think I’d be done with analyzing portions of my background. Then Sunday arrived: the annual Dominican parade. I had a
Aggressively Patient
Imagine if you’re sitting there with a bunch of baskets and a ton of eggs telling yourself, “Man, I wonder if I should put all
Hot Town, Summer in the City
The latest weather in NYC makes me pose one question: “What the f*** is this?!” On one end of the week, I was in New
Sh**, G_ddamn, Get Off Your @ss and Write
Much of my effort for the last 3 weeks or so has been geared towards my blogging, an extension of my article writing / column
And The Levee Was Gone …
I just got back from New Orleans, after a delay with the airport shuttle (taxis are so indispensable), a delayed flight from NO to Charlotte,
Crazy Eights
Borrowed from J. Dakar: The Rules:1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about
U, Black Maybe
“I guess in his mind, though, there’s no doubt as to what I am. Suffice it to say, people immediately peg me as “Black.” That’s fine; there’s nothing wrong with that. What’s unfortunate, though, is how limiting these labels become. What does it mean to be Black in this country? And does it allow for people who don’t necessarily fit right in that slot?”
Too Cool For School
I’m surprised by the serendipity of this August 1st. A few quick notes: 1) I’m the featured artist on RainTiger’s Poetry Site for August 2007.
Courage to Teach
Every morning for a good 3 weeks or so, I’d been reading Teaching With Fire: Poetry That Sustains the Courage to Teach, a poetry compilation
Simpsellent and A-Roids
I just got back from a really good rendering of the TV-to-silver screen movie The Simpsons Movie, and it was awesome. It fulfilled its enormous
I’m a BlogCritic
I’m now a writer for a sinister cabal of superior writers. Or something like that. For my first magic trick, I speculated on why computers
Jose on Barry (Not Literally)
Yesterday, ESPN’s Sportscenter had an exclusive “town hall” meeting in San Francisco, CA, to discuss Barry Bonds and his pursuit of the homerun record. It’s
I Remember When … (School Edition)
Today, after class, I saw one of my girls from my school. She’s the one that gave me the “Man of the Year” award, which
About My Blog: Notes of Interest
Back when I started blogging my life away back in 2003, I never thought I’d actually continue it with the intention of addressing issues of
More or Less
Many of you are familiar with Talib Kweli the artist. Since the days of Black Star, he’s blossomed into a premier face for hip-hop music.
Hot Ghetto Discord / Fantastic Four
Just a little commentary if I may: The original purpose for the website “Hot Ghetto Mess” was to highlight the missteps of the Black community
N-Word Reverie
This is what I was feeling last week. Before you judge, ask from whence it came. Hope y’all like … “N-Word Reverie” by Jose Vilson
Teacher By Day, Everything Else By Night
A common misconception amongst those that have had a math teacher is that they have no lives or aspirations outside of the classroom. Their second
New Words
My first day in my middle school literacy course has already made me reflect a little bit. We were discussing what it means to read.
16 Things I Learned This School Year
For my academic end-of-the-year post, I’d like to end with a little self-reflection. For any teacher (or any person in academia), reflection is the most
Pride (In the Name of Love)
Today marks 2 years after I last saw Jamal James, former president of Syracuse University’s student government in 2001 and active member of the SU
The Full Circle
I love existential titles; don’t you? Well two days ago, I completed my greatest public speaking gig I’ve ever had. I spoke for the NYC
The Rookie Sensation
I was riding the train with a rookie teacher who, despite her numerous issues with authorities and her own personal business, has done very well,
The Breaking Point
Today, I found out that, allegedly, a teacher physically assaulted a few students in his classroom. Just hearing that ring off my ear made me
Sons and Daughters
On Wednesday, during the afternoon homeroom period, a couple of my boys were walking with girls’ shoes in their hands. I didn’t understand why until
Emotional Gladiators or Overpaid Crybabies?
“There’s no crying in baseball!” The seminal catchphrase we as sports fans of any level in reference to pro athletes we see everyday on TV.
100 More Years of Solitude
Over the last couple of months, I’ve been reading 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Márquez (great book, just takes some getting used to),
Follow the Leader
I wrote this a few weeks ago in another site in response to someone’s inquiry as to why I believe Rakim’s the greatest rapper of
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!
Breakthroughs in the way people communicate often leave the older technologies at a search for its own identity. This is especially true in today’s media
Love, Reign O’er Me
Alex Rodriguez comes up to bat against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, bottom of the 8th with the bases loaded, and I’m yelling at the
They Reminisce Over You, My G_d
This is just another one of those stream-of-consciousness poems. I’m at a point in my writing where I can just write well without thinking too
