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Her ConFIDENCE comes from INSIDE she likes who she is MONICA ROCHON aNy Moment cAn DEFINE You HOME Uplifting Life Experience GET FOCUSED Inspire Twin Value FAMILY smile FRIENDS ImPROVE Life rallies against racism HUMAN RIGHTS and EQUALITY for WOMEN show your FACE not your SHADOW “Economic empowerment is the civil rights of today” FINISH the Job Community TIPPING POINT altitude in YOUR ATTITUDE The symbols for knowledge word and sun are combined to show that knowledge spread like the sun’s rays benefits the world at large PURE Loyalty Peace Kindness Love Wisdom Tranquility Prosperity Strength Tolerance Truth Maybe IT IS People want to be on a TEAM they want to be apart of something bigger than THEMSELVES always Good-Spirited WARRIOR challenge UNC Tar Heels supporter EARN YOUR SPOT new Generation Volunteer There are two MOTIVATIONS in sports which is yours LOVE OR MONEY? L O V E Don’t get LOST in the CROWD competitive Cranked up LISTEN to the INDIVIDUALS who LOVE YOU, not the “People” who Benefit off of What YOU are DOING for THEM TRUE story

*image drawn by Shamar James

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The real Nitty Gritty of Growing UP Getaway it’s not what you expect LEAVE your voice fair NO perfect NO it’s OK NAACP This is how if feels to have YOU content intense beautiful comfortable in too deep BETWEEN US tonight MIND BODYSOUL one TRU touch RESPECT vibrant Eyes Breathe STAY here NOW talk to me Longing For You SHOW Me A Kiss just RELAX your mind love her (oxygen) “Tame and timid? That goes against my instincts.” HA. SEDUCE the SENSES Hidden Soul II Soul BE MINE It’s More than a feeling IT’S PASSION You are so DAMN SEXY essence APPeal dEEp Explain again WHY NO boundaries, NO NEW essential PERspecTive Strength your Hands C o M e B a C k show ME Now. . . desire NO COVER horoscope BABY lets take a RIDE your life CARE pump it up NeVer HesiTATE SURRENDER HealING TIME

"Knowledge Speaks, Wisdom Listens"

"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these."
George Washington Carver

1st Semester Of Ra Life:2006

Fall semester was interesting to say the least. For once I felt like I was at home when I stepped out of that elevator on the 4th floor of Constitution Hall. I'm used to friends kickin it at my house; watching movies,eating, playing cards, just laughing and enjoying each other, ect. Family and friends are people of great value to me. Considering that my family mainly resides in Louisiana and Georgia I don't get to see them as often as I would like to. So I enjoyed seeing the 4th floor (as well as our drifter residents from the 5th and 3rd floors) Warriors interact and open up to one another. I have never seen the bound that exsists amongst my residents in a residents hall. I dig the community vibe!

NOW JUST REMEMBER WE CAN HAVE A GREAT TIME BUT QUIET HOURS ARE JUST THAT: QUIET HOURS.

What did I expect as an RA? Right or wrong my expectations consisted of expecting these individuals to act as young adults,to learn from their experiences by becoming a better person in the end, to respect one another including myself, and of course to "Think Different, Think Righteous, and Mellow Out." Growing up I had plenty of freedom. The kind of freedom where as long as my parents knew where I was and that I was safe it was ok. My parents know that I am responsible and that is based on trust. By no means am I comparing myself to a parent because I am not that. I'm a student just like my residents. I feel like my expectations are simple so at times I felt some of my residents behaviors reflected me. What wasn't I doing to get to them? When I would sit down and think about it I realized that in a way it did reflect me because I wanted them to learn from their decisions; positive or negative....But I still wondered why or what would drive you to do something so silly and idiotic? With that I wondered about the things going on in their lives that may drive them to be destructive at times. The thing is, everyone doesn't get it the first time. Sometimes we may need a run in or two with campus police to realize wow I need to change what I am doing.

Realizing that my residents are human just like I am. Individuals are not perfect and we may make silly irresponsible decsions at times. Which leads me to my second expection of learning from your experiences and becoming a better person in the end. I have a great amount of respect for my residents and I am proud of them because they are in college. Whether you think it or not-you should KNOW it! Being in college is a big deal. I'm a calm person I don't enjoy yelling, infact I don't really think it's effective 90% of the time. Rather I liked to be talked to. Talking and listening are two things that are very important, everyone needs someone to listen. This brings on the third expectation of RESPECT for all. People don't realize how one ounce of disrespect can effect another person and in all reality can change your thoughts about someone. Respect for others means respect for self.

"Think Different, Think Righteous, Mellow Out". What does this phrase that I use consistantly mean? Well I admire my history. The history of the Rochon/Shaw family and the history of African Americans. If you haven't noticed I rarely speak about religion but often times you see Asian symbols on my bulletin boards or in my room, ha even on the back of my shoulder. These symbols are important to me because they speak volumes. To me they represent life and the characterists that I believe in; the characteristics that I strive to uphold.On top of that I wanted to create a open environment as far as if you have a question you should feel comfortable to ask it. When entering college you meet people that you probably would not have met in your highschool communities. There is a great importantance in allowing yourself to understand the things that you do not. The genuine attempt to understand one another is what will eventually make the world I, We live in a "different" place. When I walk outside each day I feel my exsistance. It's like a spiritual power that is difficult to put into words. I feel it though and hopefully as I speak life you will too. So let me ask you- What does that phrase mean to you?

"So why does there only have to be one correct philosophy?
I don't want to go and follow you just to end up like one of them
And why are you always telling me what you want me to believe?
I'd like to think that i can go my own way and meet you in the end."
Song lyrics by: Hoobastank "Same Direction"

Capture It

I dig photography. These photos can also be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/monicaroc/

Never Forgotten...Here's A Reminder

Please share with all your friends and families. It is worth it.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/d efault.cdnx/id/9899088/dis playmode/1157

Come On Back Home Wit Me

Come On Back Home Wit Me

by: Monica Rochon

I am from the fish grease of
New Orleans.
From pickin sugercane out of
lonely fields
From momma tellin me to pour
water in the ketchup bottle
when it got empty
Come on back home wit me.

From Legendary Southern foods:
Crawfish to Gumbo, shrimp and Rock "n" Rolls
Memories of eating them when
I was younger
From spices and peppers,
Hot sauce is my favorite!
Come on back home wit me.

Music roots from Zydeco to Jazz and Blues
from R&B to Pop and Rap to Hip Hop and Gospel to
Soul.
I am from the broken
Creoles and French.
I am from the
deep accents
that will never
f a d e
A.....way
Come on back home wit me.

I am from the nicknames,
those only Southern
people understand;
Nuddy, Buckleup, 3 feet, Spooknic, Dee-wally, Poochie
From the words
Chiern, Shay, Jamay, and Baba
Come on back home wit me.

I am from the Biblical verses
I will never forget.
I am from the ones loved dearly:
Aunties,
Uncles,
Parene’,
Cousins,
Friends,
Momma, Daddy, Sis.
Come on back home wit me.

I am from Grammas'
great pecan candy.
From plantin’
green beans
in the soft Southern
grounds.
I am from the
S u c c e s s and F a i t h
that r u n s
through our blood
s t r e a m.
From A’s to F’s
we always seem to come
Out on the
tip
idy top.

Like my family would say.
I am another
Chiern
off the
great
Southern streets
Come on back home wit me.

**This photo was taken in spring 2006 New Iberia, Louisiana.

"YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH"

Take a lesson from an "Instructional Negress.

"YOU KNOW WHAT would be just delightful? A T-shirt bearing an Afro-rocking smiley-face that reads, TOUCH MY HAIR AND LOSE YOUR HAND.

See, I'm an African-American woman who spends a great deal of time trying to keep people of other backgrounds literally out of my hair. Children stick their grubby mitts in and get caught. Grown folks who should know better feel free to say stupid stuff like, "Ooh, it looks really soft. Can I touch it?

"Listen, everyone:you don't pet people. A shirt announcing my hair as off limits would free up time better spent answering vital questions like (these are real) "do black people bruise?" or "are black girls better in bed?"

I answer though, because I'm an Instructional Negress. I've known since I was 9, when my fourth-grade teacher asked, after my oral presentation on Winnie Mandela, if my hair was "extenders." I learned then that at any time in mixed company, I could become a one-minded person informational sideshow.Example: While traveling in Ireland a few years ago, I met some Australians. After establishing the kind of instant rapport that only comes from being strangers together in a strange land they tried to add me to their international experience.

"Can you say, 'You go, girlfriend'?" "What? No." I said. "I don't know anybody who actually says that." "C'mon, say it. We get Jerry Springer." "Fuck you. No." "Say it." "No.

"Frankly though, I prefer overt assholery to the well-meaning kind. I have a colleague who calls me the aforementioned "girlfriend," even though she's been told that I hate the expression.

But at least my colleague hasn't whipped out the old "you black girls are so confident in your bodies" shtick. What a marvelously backhanded way of telling me you're amazed that I'm fatter than you--but apparently don't hate myself. On hearing this kind of quip, I tend to go into bitch mode. Or rather, I go into instructional mode, which is often perceived as bitch mode, because a black woman isn't allowed to criticize anything or anyone without others assuming she's "just being a bitch."

A few mothns back, I was relaxing with a friend at a lounge in Chicago's Gold Coast, a grown-up hangout tucked amongst playgrounds for the beer-pong set. We were soon approached by two white guys. It took only a single round of Jack Daniels for one of them to admit he'd "never been with a black girl before." I'd love to know if he thought that approach was appropiate for all woman of just black woman.

I'm inevitably, hurtfully, blindsided by this type of thing. I always dwell, later, on what I should have said in the moment. But, ever the Instructional Negress, I don't have a fit whenever somebody asks me why black women are "so angry". I'm just tired of being on-duty all the time. I wish people would put down their Field Guides to the American Negro (not a real book) long enough to learn about me the same way I learn about them: by shutting the hell up, reserving judgment, and paying attention. Some days, I'd like to just be my overeducated, watermelon-loving, smart-ass, no-singing, spaz-dancing self-- without anyone assuming that I possess any of the above characteristics because of or in spite of my complexion.Now, will all that fit on a T-Shirt?

VIBE MAGAZINE
by: Nia R. Williams

Now for anyone who has EVER said "Why do you get so defensive when I make "comments like that" here's your answer next time shut the hell up, reserve judgement, and pay attention. It's DEEPER THAN GETTING YOUR HAIR "buzzed", if you don't understand ASK SOMEBODY. AND if you think this is a racial concept then you're as superficial as they come. I'm not asking ANYONE to be politically correct I'm TELLING you to come correct and VOICE YOURS.

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P H O T O G R A P H Y GRAB LIFE The Struggle It'S pErSoNaL cOnVeRsAtIoN BE REAL Step Inside my F o o t p r i n t s INTENSE BEAUTY L O V E AfRiCaN pRoVeRbS "The strength of the tree is determined by the strength of the roots" When the time is right WHY?--CAUSE I'M WORTH IT Keep it Natural "I think my curiousity started when I was a child. That curiousity is my biggest strength" It's not what you expect, BE YOURSELF, not them Pure T r a n q u i l i t y-WISDOM..I aM tHe wIsEoNe P E R S E V E R A N C E History is made by those who break the rules. S T R E N G T H, COURAGE, H O N O R cHaNgE, why NOT? The wAY I FEEL, ANTHYTHING IS POSSIBLE INDIVIDUALITY is my LABEL SPITTIN' MY TRUTH, FEEL ME? There is NO religion HIGHER than TRUTH and RIGHTEOUSNESS SHOWING US WHAT AMERICA WAS-BEING TAUGHT WHAT AMERICA COULD BE-Amen ta dat! DAYUM (can I be me) BE YOUR OWN SWEET SELF 98% OF THE TIME AND SUPER WOMAN THE OTHER 2% What ENDURES mE TAKE THE HEAT! DAYDREAM-not for 2 long DoN't LeCtUrE Relax YOUR MIND (breathe) DATS dEEp D i V e R s I t Y-an Opinion-Essence-Emotion Hurricane KATRINA AND YOU DON'T KNOW- wHaT CONtradiction MR.PRESIDENT-ONLY N AMERICA-GAY Marriage-WHY not? Love is Love and I LOVE HER.(eNd oF STORY) NEVER let the goody two shoes get you down, W O R K. Walk wit me, Crossroads of THE NU NATION- c a r e s HiP HoP NATION MIND Your BUSINESS VOICE YOURS U r b a n Majesty for those who came BEFORE US V I B E HOLD IT DOWN through your life get ON my LEVEL yA Dig I NEVER LOOK FOR ACCEPTANCE OVER RESPECT