Grace Jones--the seductress, the chanteuse, the elaborately wacky actress, the disco era loving goddess and the mother of androgyny has landed in New York City for one night. The famous Hammerstein Ballroom is hosting Ms. Jones--performing some of her greatest hits and acting out some of her famous antics and aggressions that we all love and appreciate. I can't wait. The New York Times reviewed the show but take a listen to Williams Blood:
E. Lynn Harris was an openly gay writer of a particular genre that brought to light the life of the closeted black gay men for millions of black women readers. His audience dutifully waited for every novel to arrive at the bookstores in anticipation of learning how to spot that elusive Closeted Black Gay Man depicted in his storyline on the subway, in the grocery store or at the gym. I remember many years ago my book club invited Mr. Harris to do a reading of his first novel. We waited with bated breath to edit, revise, counter attack and attest the poorly written piece of material that would go on to sell to millions of readers. Well, he arrived at our chosen destination and was greeted enthusiastically by my peers and then we dove head first into the book and Mr. Harris with all of his wit/humor finally shot back to us, "Write your own DAMN novel". We laughed and applauded loudly to this comment and this sealed our friendship with Mr. Harris. Since then I've seen Mr. Harris at various events around the country and enjoyed his company. It's a great loss to the community as a whole and to the devoted readers of his books who looked forward to the next episodes of his characters and their exploits. Dead at the age of 54 is too young to leave this earth. I shall never forget his quick wit and wonderful spirit.
Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. noted historian, Harvard University Professor, literary critic, writer, educator, scholar and public intellectual was arrested for disorderly conduct outside his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The numerous news/media reports are alleging racial profiling because of the white officer's conduct towards the disturbance. An unidentified neighbor called the police when he/she noticed two black men trying to get into the front door of a house. The house in question is Dr. Gates-he found that the front door was jammed and went around to the back of the house and let himself in and proceeded to alleviate the problem with the front door. The police arrive, Dr. Gates shows two forms of ID, including one with the Professor's address and an exchange of words took place-following an arrest.
Racial Profiling happens quite often to African-American Men and Latino Men in the United States. The concept of the police or law enforcement authorities pulling over someone that fits a description of a Man of Color is both appalling and disrespectful to the decency of human beings. I fully understand the protection of a community-but, to not have a full and complete description of a person except the color of his skin--it not a valid way of approaching the subject. The police will have to further train their personnel to insure that this doesn't happen.
How do we as Black Men change an inbred preception of what a criminal should look like? How do we mend racial attitudes that are prevalent in this country? Just because we have a Black President in the White House--the challenges of the Black Man has not changed a great deal.
Dr. Gates is becoming "yet again" the poster child for racial profiling. Why must we go through this again?
The Soul Summit Music Festival at Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn have been giving the neighborhood an additional boost for the past few summers. It was a pleasure in arrive late Sunday afternoon with a few friends and enjoy the love, camaraderie, music and people from across a multitude of backgrounds that had a great time. The weather was perfect in the park. The African drummers were alive and different dancers mock challenging themselves in a circle of admirers. The dance hustlers were converging in back of the DJ's and the main dance floor was packed to an appreciative audience. Fun was had by all. The next outing is August 2, 2009 from noon-8:30pm. Don't miss it!!!
Mr. Emory Douglas was the Minister of Culture of the Black Panther Party from 1967 until the group fazed out in the 1980's. During this time Mr. Douglas was the well known graphic design artist that ignited the famous posters of the Black Panthers. The New Museum put a great collection of posters that Mr. Douglas produced. the film captures the present day Black Panthers talking about the images and major players in the party. The reoccurring theme is the vast amount of social programs that the Black Panther Party provided for the black communities around the country. Do you know the Black Panther Party was the first organization to sign on and commit to sponsoring the Gay Movement in 1969? I was quite impress with many of their service programs designed to feed and educate children in many of our inner cities. The museum itself is kind of sterile and the presentation was flat but effective. Also, the powerful black women who served numerous roles in the movement was incredible to see. Fashion played a huge part in the look and feel of this organization. These images of militant chic was commonplace in his work before the fashion and style communities picked up on the relevant fashion choices of the members of this party. I call them Style Icons, the after thought of this group imposing a fashion point of view before their time, was somewhat of a coupe. Mr. Douglas work has travelled the world and is now on view at the Newsmuseum here in New York City until October 2009.
This movie contains the footage of the legendary concert following the Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman fight in Kinshasa, Zaire. The Rumble in the Jungle was slated to be the return of Ali to the forefront of professional boxing. The concert that followed was beyond extraordinary. The live acts included, James Brown, Bill Withers, B.B. King, Sister Sledge and numerous other acts that included dance troupes and the impressive Don King (pre-hair shock). Soul Power the movie is in theaters now. Do pay attention to the fashions and fashion choices of the most powerful acts in 1974. The razzle dazzle of 70's fashion is being reinterpreted by many of our current designers.
Saturday is Nelson Mandela Day worldwide-which have its main celebration in South African. On this auspicious day Mr. Mandela has ask that people around the world should volunteer their time for just about a hour in their communities. Mr. Mandela is turning 91 years old. We wish Mr. Mandela a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY and here's to many more.
The NAACP is celebrating their 100Th Anniversary on Thursday. This organization is one of the oldest and most influential on civil rights in the United States. The mission of NAACP is to ensure political, educational, social and economic equality for all persons and to eliminated racial hatred and discrimination. In the 1960's the NAACP pressed for civil rights legislation under President Kennedy(after his assassination- President Johnson persuaded Congress to pass the civil rights bill) to end racial discrimination in employment, education and public accommodations. This bill was passed in July 1964. Then this followed by the Voters Rights Act of 1965-which provided federal oversight in the areas of this country where voter turnout was low. Today, the NAACP is looking towards the future with our youth leading the way-in forms of technology, voter registration and volunteerism. Benjamin Todd Jealous is the new head of the NAACP and the New York Times did a question and answer format with Mr. Jealous. Take a look at the article. President Barack Obama will be the headline speaker on Thursday evening. Let's all give a big birthday kiss to this outstanding organization-because without the numerous political stands, we wouldn't have the many opportunities today.
The Black in America series continues on CNN hosted by Soledad O'Brien during the month of July. If you miss the first(four part) series, you could easily go on YouTube and discover what it's like being Black in America during the 21st Century and whether our past has eclipsed our future. The first part truly brought tears to my eyes, concerning the plight of Black America. There is still a long way to go. Let's hope that the road is much easier than before. Ms. O'Brien interviews numerous African Americans from many walks of life and suffice it to say the encounters are both memorable and educational. My life has been enriched with the quality of work and exposure this series has made forth. The next installment starts the end of July, don't miss the opportunity to get insight to the ongoings of everyday Americans that make up fairly 12% of the population in this country and walk away with a firm understanding of what it is like to be Black in America.
Wikipedia defines Negritude as "a literary and political movement developed in the 1930's by a group that includes former Senegalese President Senghor, Martinican poet Aime Cesaire and the Guianan Leon Damas. The Negritude writers found solidarity in a common black identity as a rejection of French colonial racism. They believed that the shared black heritage of members of the African diaspora was the best tool in fighting against French political and intellectual hegemony and domination." Negritude has influenced the Harlem Renaissance and paved the way for Black writers such a Langston Hughes, Richard Wright and Lorraine Hansberry. At EXIT ART gallery in New York City, the exhibit has music, art, poetry, film, performances, stories and discussions. This exhibit was conceived by Papo Colo and produced by Papo Colo, Tania Cypriano, Rose Rejouis, Franklin Sirmans and Greg Tate. If you are in New York City, do stop by the gallery and view some of the mini exhibits and performances.
What strikes me as somewhat odd is the juxtaposition of Mr. Shonibare work. On the one hand--the beautiful African textiles(Dutch wax cotton) used in the colonial manner of style and then there is the headless mannequins representing life without much of a thought process. The Brooklyn Museum in New York City is exhibiting this intriguing work of the British artist with a Nigerian background. Shonibare's artwork explores contemporary African identity and its relationship to European colonialism through painting, sculpture, installation and moving image. The Brooklyn Museum shows his work on two floors. The first floor opens with the headless mannequin with ocelots and then you proceed towards the back for the video screening of dancers and actors in period costume acting the parts. Followed by the headless mannequin's seated a table holding a discussion. Finally, another video showcasing the actual implementation of the project at the Brooklyn Museum. The fourth floor shows the most of the exhibit and blowed up pictures of the life of Dorian Gray along with notable pictures depicting the a day in the life of a Dandy. Shonibare not only explores racial inequalities and economic strife, but he let's the viewer decide was it worth the invasion of European, American and Asian societies into Africa? You decide.
He's a dancer, fabric sculptor and performance artist. He danced with Alvin Ailey in New York City. Mr. Cave is best known for his Soundsuits: wearable fabric sculptures that bright, whimsical and moves with the body to create a swirling effect to the viewer. His suits are made of found materials such as twigs, sisal, plastic buttons, beads, feathers, sequins and human hair. His current showing is at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco California,called" Meet Me at the Center of the Earth". If you're in San Fran go and see the show. What a truly amazing artist that we should support.
George, Being George-George Plimpton's life as told, admired, deplored,and envied by 200 friends, relatives, lovers, acquaintances, rivals-and a few unappreciative observers by Nelson W. Aldrich, Jr.
