I was watching the last two episodes of a zombie-themed tv series, it was just a couple of days after halloween, and I had seen the move Paranormal Activity 3 just a week before. Is there any wonder that this drawing has a hint of the horror flick about it?

Ajuan Mance (8-Rock)

If you been following the news at all during the last couple weeks, then I’m sure you’re aware that Occupy Oakland staged a massive one-day strike last week. The man in this drawing represents one of the many strike participants who was interviewed by the local newsmedia. While the strikers included a critical mass of hippies, hipsters, and hip-hop activists, television coverage did a good job of showing that strike participants were made up of a much broader cross-section than these three constituencies represent, including a critical mass of elders, moms, tradesmen and women, educators, and clergy. To the right of my drawing are historic images of other African Americans who took a stand for rights, dignity, and progress–for their people and for the nation.

Ajuan Mance (8-Rock)

At Zocalo cafe I see a lot of parents with their kids. Most of them are moms with their infants and toddlers, but I also see a critical mass of dads with their very young children. Somewhat less often do I see parents with grade schoolers, middle schoolers, and teens. So, when I saw this dad with his tween-aged son, I had to do a drawing of them together. I took a lot of artistic license with the sign. No, I don’t actually own a cafe; but if I did, it would probably be a lot like Zocalo.

Ajuan Mance (8-Rock)

A lot of the Black folks in Oakland are from one of three southern states–Arkansas, Texas, or Louisiana. While I was waiting in line at Zocalo, I chatted briefly with the man in this picture. The topic of conversation was the quality of beverages and service at this, one of our favorite cafes.  “My people are from New Orleans,” he explained, “so we know our coffee; and this place has real good coffee.” When I think about the Cafe Du Monde and the masses of people who gather there every day to partake in coffee and beignets, I can certainly understand that the population of New Orleans just might have some insights on this subject that the rest of us simply do not. So, today’s post is dedicated to the Zocalo coffee expert and his majestic city on the river.

Ajuan Mance (8-Rock)

I was feeling more monochrome than usual today, hence the multiple shades of orange. I took another one of the shoppers I saw at the Union Square Macy’s and created a backdrop consisting of a vintage television and the suggestion of an empty room–or perhaps the empty corner of a room. That the colors suggest the black and orange shades of the season is only a happy coincidence.

Ajuan Mance (8-Rock)

Don’t you just love the older brotha who is still trying to keep it stylish? This brother was doing an upstairs/downstairs thing with his look. From the neck down he was rocking the young brothers’ hip-hop style, with the oversize white t-shirt and baggy jeans. From the neck up, though, he was doing a little bit of the Billy Dee Williams ‘stache with a clean and tidy gentleman’s cut that almost looked a little like the 1920s. The soul patch was straight Dizzy Gillespie and, like the Wife of Bath in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, he was gap-toothed…and we all know what that means…

8-Rock

After watching the New Zealand All Blacks defeat France to win the 2011 Rugby World Cup, I just had to do one more drawing of my imaginary Oakland rugby team, the All Black Men. The guys in this drawing are actually three EBMUD workers I saw on my way to work last week. I swapped their reflective vests for lavender jerseys and I colored their skin green because green and purple is one of my favorite combinations. I used a fade effect for the green and purple background to both highlight and complement the colors of the players in the foreground.

8-Rock

…spotted waiting in line during the lunch rush at the World Ground Cafe on MacArthur Blvd, Oakland.

8-Rock

This guy is one of two men who were talking outside of the Books Inc. store on Van Ness. I passed by them on my way to have dinner at Max’s at the Opera House, and I think I noticed this man in particular because he seemed a bit under dressed for the chilly evening weather. I think I remembered him because, although I couldn’t make out most of what he was saying–and I wasn’t really trying to listen in–I did overhear the name Kobena Mercer, which does not often make its way into conversation. I have to admit that I was curious about the context.

8-Rock