The Manrilla Blog | Life. Art. Religion. Culture.

Getting crunched by school like a tin can in a trash compactor. But none the less, still determined to shoot and create where the opportunities fall. Enjoy.

Sad Man With A Black Hat, 18^th and Walnut

Waiting For the Bus #1, 18^th and Walnut

Waiting For the Bus #2, 18^th and Walnut

Man On Bus, 30^th and Walnut

Window Sits Above Small Tree, 41^st and Pine

House and Lawn, 41^st and Pine

In an effort to procrastinate my school work even further, I decided to write a little blurb about the series since so many have found them of interest. Enjoy.

Thanksgiving has come and gone so quickly as holidays do now. As a child it seemed as if they went on and on. Here are a few straglers that I forgot to include over the last several days. Enjoy.

Night Scene, 18^th and Market

Construction, 17^th and JFK

Thanksgiving Day Parade, 17^th and Market

Thanksgiving Day Parade, 17^th and Market

Cross Walk, 48^th and Chester Ave

Street Scene, 19^th and Market

Waiting For Breakfast, 19^th and Market

In Transit, #34 Trolley

In Transit, #34 Trolley

Day Dreaming, #13 Trolley

No long words tonight. Just got off of work and walked home in the rain. Here’s a few from the damp journey. Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy.

Weary Traveler, 22^nd and Walnut

Wet Street, 22^nd and Walnut

Man and Umbrella, 23^rd and Walnut

Schuylkill River, 30^th and Chestnut

Street Scene, 30^th and Chestnut

Passing Cars, 30^th and Chestnut

In conversation with many folks today, I received condolances on having to work for Thanksgiving. And while I could most certainly use the break, I chose instead to reflect, as we are want to do for this holiday. One of my co-worker’s father passed away just a few days ago. My thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to him and his family. In contrast, my father is healthy and still with me. Upon hearing the news it was not difficult to find something to be thankful for. Not more than a week ago, I was sitting with both of my parents, laughing and enjoying their company. And while we would all love to have time off, it is a Blessing that we have the loved ones who are still with us. So this Thanksgiving I say, al-Hamdulillah (all thanks and praise belong to God) for my mother, my father, my friends and family. I pray for many happy returns. May all of you have a pleasant Thanksgiving. Salaams.

View From Back Seat of a Cab, 18^th and Samson

Thanksgiving break is officially here. My energy level is so low I could only muster two shots for today. Hope you all have good Turkey Days. Enjoy.

Street Scene, 16^th and JFK

Homeless Cart, Center City

So by now most of you have seen or heard the completely wild and off the cuff remarks that Michael Richards said after he was supposedly heckled and disturbed while performing a stand-up act. What was incredulous to me was not his words. It should not be surprising that there are many in Hollywood that think as Mr. Richards does. Instead, it was the mockery of his apology in that I found completely disingenuous. Seeing Jerrey Seinfeld sit there on Letterman’s show, trying to tell audience members not to laugh (which is itself worthy of discussion) was so fake that I felt I might vomit. The further Seinfeld attempted to defend Richards the worse he made his case. The fact of the matter is, if those people who disturbed Mr. Richard’s performance were white, they would have received some scorn no doubt, but what we witnessed went beyond mere “rage” as Richards put it. Absolute abhoration for Black people would be closer to the mark. Something inside Richards is broken - you can see it as he sat there, attempting to explain his actions, as if they could be put into another context other that what they already are - pure, unadulterated hatred. I do have to agree with Seinfeld - it’s not funny. Why audience members are laughing is beyond me. Instead, it still shows the extent of how Blacks can still be abused publicly and have it still be publicly acceptable. This isn’t to say that some weren’t outraged by his actions (I sure was). But that it has become laughable shows that we still have a long way to go (both Blacks in our journey for equality and Americans as a whole in terms of race relations). In closing I reject Mr. Richards’s apology. I do not believe him to be sincere. The only solace I can take from his inciteful barrage is that another nail has been added to the already rotting coffin that is his career.

The End Is Near. These are the words I hear most in my head these days. Everywhere I go on campus students and professors alike are consoling each other that the term’s almost done. Well, here’s a few more from the cell phone. Enjoy.

6,000 lbs. Limit, North Philly

Muslim Woman on Trolley #13, West Philly

Stairs, Temple University

Church Construction, West Philly

Door, West Philly

King of Falafel, 16^th and JFK

Self-portrait - 19^th Street Trolley Stop, Center City

Self-portrait - 19^th Street Trolley Stop, Center City