“Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.” -Haile Selassie I
An open letter to my love.
It’s 6:50 AM. I’m feeling pretty good, I love the early mornings and they say its a good time to be creative because the subconscious mind is still active; naturally I go to the computer and begin writing. As I do every morning so it often gives me dejavu. Thinking about my girlfriend and what she means to me.
The coffee is made and she’s sound asleep in the bedroom. We saw star wars last night and it was really nice to finally got to see something in theaters because we watch movies obsessively; it’s almost absurd. I love her with all my heart, she likes to say “no you dont”, when I tell her I do. It’s a cute game. One of many; such a tease. Laughing as I type.*
Both of our lives shifted and changed in a huge way when we met; slowly at first but it seems as though we’ve moved mountains in this cherished blip in time. I’m moved in many ways; changed for the good. True love moves mountains and I feel blessed. Here I am; writing away with her as my inspiration. Codependent in a productive fashion, we like to set goals and 99% of the time we reach them, we are like an unstoppable force. At least that’s how I feel.
Alike and polar opposites, a perfect balance of attraction; opposites attracting, yin and yang. The law of attraction we both believe in. She thinks she has bad luck and I think I have good luck ,so we can sit in harmony together; our lives balanced in opposition but also in love. She pushes me to keep going in all my art forms and avoid wasting my time and energy on useless “shit”. I’m a slow learner and she is quick, so I appreciate when she can see the storms coming before I can.
Keep watching over me.
L.C.
Love, Nina Yin
Shadows on The Sun -Nina
Blessing to be alive and recognize that girl in the mirror, she’s smiling and smiling, smiling delirious.
Smiling in pouring rain, smiling in snow, smiling is important, to smile when it’s cold.
Miracles seen, kind of like lifelike dream but ,materialized unto me, so I’m so positive indeed
Battling happily, keep writing and enter psyche, destructured and restructured, sharing, airing it out for my comfort likely
This moment…. will I remember love beaming from my heart when it’s done?
Cause last week I was in the streets; darkness cast shadows on the sun.
Nina Yin Vestergaard
On Codes and Translation: Understanding Alaa Awad
The following is a shorter version of a chapter I contributed to Translating Dissent: Voices from and within the Egyptian Revolution, ed. Mona Baker, out now via Routledge and available for purchase. This content has been edited for brevity.
In 2013, I gave a talk at the Petrie Museum in London to an audience of Egyptology students and academics. I presented the work of Alaa Awad, a 33-year-old Egyptian street artist who had painted murals of ancient Egyptian art around ahrir Square during the political protests of 2011 and 2012.
As I showed them a series of murals depicting women in fierce, coloured robes walking to battle, or a row of bearded men kneeling before the throne of a mouse being fanned by a cat, I could sense the room temperature changing as they began to realise that the paintings were almost perfect replicas of the ancient Egyptian murals they had studied.
Why…
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Yin; within.
When we practice sacred sexuality we are working with cosmologically rooted principles, balancing the heavenly yang (male energy) of the universe with the all-knowing, life-giving yin (feminine energy) of the earth.
Each One Teach One. The Lost Element of Hip Hop: “Knowledge.”
Nujabes, Wu Tang, A tribe called quest, Nas, Supernatural, Talib Kweli…. are a taste of the substance, although paid in full in the case of many true to form artists, the money is of no substance when spoken in hip hop, in particular; to the youth in possession of nothing. Bling bling isn’t a thing thing in hip hop. Maybe bling is fashion money is an accessory but in my opinion it just doesn’t belong. Taking from what is there. Inspired by hundreds of poets since my first three Wu cd’s , to the spark* : the first pressed rap vynal by the sugar hill gang I am submerged in the music, expressions, growth, not money nor violence.
Elementary school: My drum teacher introduced me to Tribe, I was addicted to tribe. In fact I still am! Lucien, Lucien, LUCIEN. LUCIEN, U SHOULD KNOW. *hahaha….My best friend showed me NWA ;my best friend….NWA a different breed and coast, but both served a purpose in my growth. Still just a seed trying to figure out what all these poets are REALLY trying to tell me. Knowledge is seemingly the lost element. The game is to be told not sold right?
The powerful dynamics of a Dr Dre album is enough to put a kid feeling on top the world. His production skills and writing, storytelling….it’s knowledge you know? Now he’s a billionaire, it’s something to be proud of but not flaunted nor taken as happiness, he lost his son, friends and family along the way, his legacy is not his money, it’s his continuing struggle to keep pushing the art.
I started battle rapping before the age of 13 in an upscale neighborhood, in a rap battle; you got to know something…. I knew it was going to be important in my growth. Slowly but surely every element of Hip hop took a form in my life and I happily embraced it. I like dancing, vynal spinning and producing….Graffiti addiction leading me to be in the system and harassed and often arrested by police but that just comes with the form and I accept it. Always feeling like the underdog the poets artists dancers and Dj’s rising into the limelight and tv screens was something that kept me going. Taking from what’s there….
Tupac has always been important to me; Humble at times, ” I may not change the world” but strong as he rebuttals… ” I will spark the brain that will change the world” This is important! Many great art forms became less noticeable after the 90;s. Not simplify hip hop but maybe every generation has a point where they say everything
The gift of gab should be taken seriously, something I often overlooked myself, my ego barrier. Rza ;the Abbott of the Wu (the teacher) and is a perfect example of what the uses are of the lost element of Hip hop. For a better tomorrow let us not lose ourselves to ego, as the earth is at a tipping point make sure to stand on a side of balance. 360 Degrees.
Rest in peace Jam Master J, Tupac Shakur, J Dilla, Notorious B.I.G., O.D.B. , Guru, Nujabes, Lisa Left Eye, Andre Young Jr. , Nate Dogg, Sean Price, DJ Grandmaster Roc Raida and all of the ones we held close.
Nina Yin Vestergaard
Harder, better, faster, stronger.
So special what you have given to me:
Keeping me in company and inspired when I’m without you. These literary splendors that I wanted without even knowing it. Sometimes I think you know more about me than I do. I’m not really ever feeling alone, even when your gone “I was just about to call you” … “I’m reading the books you bought for me,”…
Growing because of it, picking them up, writing, picking them up, writing , but as you know it’s ever so slowly how my learning process works, ever-changing and emotional, but you ground me, I can’t thank you enough. Simply enjoying um…. everything!
You like to read but wouldn’t admit it so, I called you on it :P…..Proud of you and always have been so give your self some credit. My oblivious attitude or Inclinclinations to only hear what I want to hear…. a little ashamed knowing now how lucky that I really am, a little spoiled, but in the good ways, the kind that builds up a person stronger, and a relationship stronger.
I like reading to you, poetry, literature and articles, I never really had someone that would “listen” to me and it felt like a curse. We watch documentaries even if they are bootlegged and blurry, just so we can learn and grow; heartbreaking and heartwarming cycle. I think everything is a cycle; like an ocean tide or the sunset. Artistically or. Visually. Sending you my love.
L.C.
Nina “Yin” Vestergaard
Buddhaful Destiny **
My Clouds
Wasting time in the clouds: Indescribable comfort, it must be magic. Winters cold outside and I’m warm in my bed; moaning, rejoicing, grinning with delight. I went through a lot to get here: a home, and my bed is wonderful. My time in the clouds.
As I smile and say goodnight;
Thankful,
Nina Yin Vestergaard
Tea . A Zen Story; rewritten by Nina
A Buddhist monk who studied and meditated on the teachings of Buddha for over a decade wanted to speak with an enlightened one who dwelled alone in a small temple high in the mountains. He prepared for his journey eager to hear his teaching. After 7 days of rigorous hiking he reached the temple.
The master greeted him and welcomed him inside. The master put some tea on to boil and they sat in silence. The monk became very eager and unsettled in not hearing his teaching. The master poured the tea and sat with the monk. The monk didn’t drink his tea and began questioning his master of Buddha.
The master replied.. “You have studied Buddhism for 20 years and can not simply enjoy this cup of tea?” The monk wept…. as another step to enlightenment lay under his feet….
Nina Yin
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