Friday, January 25, 2008

Blackface 2008?

Angelina Jolie in "Blackface" as Mariane Pearl

The real Mariane Pearl

Angelina Jolie without "Blackface"

The NAACP has announced it's nominees for the 2008 Image Awards. Among a few controversial nominations this year is the nomination of Angelina Jolie. Ms Jolie has been nominated for playing the part of Mariane Pearl. Ms Pearl is the wife of the late Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.

Mr Pearl was killed in Pakistan in 2002 by extremists. The film A Mighty Heart (2007) in which Ms Jolie stars is the story of Mr Pearl's kidnapping and murder.

So the question is; why would the NAACP honor Ms Jolie with a nomination for portraying a bi-racial woman, Ms Pearl? Mariane Pearl is of Afro-Cuban and Dutch ancestry and was born in France.

As you can see from the photos above Ms Jolie had to use make-up to 'darken' herself for the portrayal.

Sophie Okonedo

Many are upset that a woman of African decent was not chosen for the role. I for one think Hotel Rwanda star and Academy Award nominee Sophie Okonedo would have been perfect for the role. First because she is a great actor but also she happens to be bi-racial.



What do you think?

Is the NAACP's nomination of Ms Jolie's "Blackface" performance an insult to African Americans and Black people?

Is this further evidence that the NAACP is totally lost and irrelevant?

Also does this show a lack of respect for Black actresses by the NAACP?



29 comments:

Micha said...

I think barring any racist agenda, these people could use whatever actress they want. They are probably not out to make a racial statement and Jolie was a famous actress they wanted.

But for NAACP for give a reward for that, makes me tilt my head. They would be the ones with a racial goal -is what I would imagine.

I dunno.

(boy they word verifications are hard! lolol)

Miriam said...

That last message by Micha, was really by Miriam. Wrong account (hubby's). Oh incidently, we first met at the Dan Pearl Hotel. sigh. I am so sorry for that man.

Ann Brock said...

Hello,Mes Deux Cents(1) I think it is an insult. When they were casting for that role it was some controversy about her playing the role.(2) I think the NAACP needs stronger leadership.(3)I think it shows a lack of respect but it comes back to the leadership.

Tami said...

I guess Angelia Jolie's portrayal of Marianne Pearl didn't bother me, except that I don't think Jolie is that hot of an actress. Ms. Pearl is as white as she is black, and I wouldn't have been offended if a black woman played the role. Plus, I know that Pearl and Jolie are friends, their kids allegedly play together and Pearl was happy with her playing the role. Sophie Okonedo would have been a good choice, though.

But NAACP? Still totally lost.

Anonymous said...

I'm not upset by it. She funded it and wanted to do the role. So if she was a tanned white woman the blackface thing be a none issue? Or if she decided not to do blackface would it still be an issue?

Anonymous said...

Hola Mes Deux:

LOL.

Great minds think alike, heh??!!

What a coincidence!!

Yep; today is Sophie Okonedo Day.

LOL

Lisa Johnson said...

I don't have a problem with it. From what I've heard also, Marianne and Angelina are really good friends. Since Marianne is biracial, it could have gone either way. I haven't seen the movie, but it seems that there was a lot of respect and caring that she put into this role. And since Angelina's lips are real, she may just have more color than we know.

Lisa Johnson said...

Oh and I forgot to address the NAACP part. The organization is in transition or at least needs to be. I really don't know what to think about their choices of a whole lot of people they have nominated in the past. So for this nomination, I really don't know. Who wasn't nominated for another role because she was?

Brown Girl Gumbo said...

I didn't have a problem with Angelina Jolie playing her, but I do disagree with the NAACP nominating her for her portrayal; something about it is unsettling...

SheWhoLives said...

Hi MDC,

This is a very interesting post. My first thought/question: would you have written the same post if the actress playing mixed race Marianne had been a (light-skinned) BLACK woman? Essentially it would have been the same potential offence in principle.

Also, I have to say that Jolie and Marianne don't actually look that different - if Jolie went to the beach for a few days, she could easily be the same skin tone or darker than the character she was playing.

So, is this about actual skin tone or adhering strictly to RACIAL composition?

I too would have preferred to see a "true" mixed race actress playing this role (Okonedo would have been an excellent choice) but I can't say I think it's an insult that Jolie ended up doing it.

The main issue here for me is did she feel passionately about conveying this tragic story in a respectful and truthful way? I think she did. Also Jolie is an extraordinairily famous actress - with her in the lead role it maximises the potential audience for a small indie film like this one, bringing this important story to the attention of many who may have otherwise ignored the piece.

And the fact that the real Marianne Pearl fully supported this casting decision is paramount - isn't she the most important person to consider in all this? If she had no problem with the racial aspect, why should black people take any offence?

big.black.kittykat said...

well i like a. jolie and if the casting director wanted her to have that role...well, so be it. but i think that for the naacp to give her an award for playing a black woman is just a little uncle tomish for me...like they are thanking her for validating us (black women) in some way. no matter what, she was still in black face.

SheCodes said...

I'm not upset about Ms Jolie playing the role. However, I am very upset that many talented black actresses are never given the opportunity to play meaty roles, or women who have integrity or valor.

And, well, I lost all respect for the NAACP a long time ago, so my opinion of them can't be brought any lower than it already is.

mrshadow33 said...

I have been distressed over the direction that the NAACP has been headed for several years now. This "Blackface" insult is the latest. Did you know about 10 years ago they didn't even nominate the classic movie "Eve's Bayou" in any category? A classic film if there ever was one. I'm still mad at them for that.

Mango Mama said...

MDC, I posted about this casting in October (A Mighty Opportunity... Missed) and ultimately, the filmmakers can cast whomever they like, but it's important to note that this movie was produced by Brad Pitt's production company and in my humble opinion, it would have been nice to see the Pitt/Jolie machine give a mixed actress an opportunity.

The Roving Reporter said...

I questioned why she was chosen for the role. There are plenty of talented biracial actresses who could have played the role.

They probably chose Jolie because they thought it would bring in more money for the film.

As for the NAACP, isn't it ironic they are having Blackface awards? Wouldn't that go against everything civil rights was supposed to eliminate?

Maybe it's just the name that makes me weary...

tasha212 said...

When I first heard that Jolie was playing this role I wondered why a black woman or at least a biracial woman was not hired to play this role. I like A. Jolie but there are so few roles out there for black women. That wouldn've been a good role for a black woman or biracial woman to get.

As for the NAACP, nothing they could do at this point could surprie me or make me have more disdain for their leadership.

Tasha
www.thesowingcircle.blogspot.com

Mes Deux Cents said...

Jaymac - You postd this in the Apple post below so I moved it for you.


___________________________________

jaymac said...

I don't think there is anything wrong with A.J. playing the role.

It seems to me that there are so few roles for women of color, that the NAACP might have done better to honor the performances that don't get the attention from the big media.

But celebrity sells and A.J. is a big time celebrity. The NAACP might do well if it followed Alex Haley's notion, Find the Good and Praise it."

January 25, 2008 8:05 AM

Mes Deux Cents said...

Torrance - You posted this on the wrong post, so I've moved it for you.
______________________________________

Torrance Stephens bka All-Mi-T said...

sophie is my girl.

January 25, 2008 8:11 AM

Liz Dwyer said...

I don't know anybody who's actually a member of the NAACP or even thinks their awards are relevant. I also think Marianne Pearl had a right to pick whoever she wanted to play her.

Of course, we could speculate that Marianne preferred someone white to play her because of internalized oppression but I think I'm just going to take her at her word that she felt comfortable with Jolie.

As for biracial actresses, I know some people always throws Halle Berry up there as the go-to gal for lighter skinned or biracial roles but, no thank you. I'm so glad you suggested Sophie. Personally, I wouldn't mind if Angelina or Sophie played me...as long as I look good!

You do make me wonder if we will ever have black actresses play roles that are historically white women. Like, will we ever get to a point where a black actress could be cast as Anne Boleyn?

Mes Deux Cents said...

Miriam,

I don't think Angelina had a racist agenda. I think she just wanted the role.

I tilt my head at the NAACP all the time!
_____________________________________

JJ B,

You are right, the leadership at the NAACP has been lacking for a very, very long time.
___________________________________

Tami,

Yeah the NAACP has even given an award to RKelly, after he was charged! That's pathetic.
___________________________________

Anon,

It's the history of Blackface that is the concern. If this was the first time a White person had even done such a thing it wouldn't be an issue.
___________________________________

TBA,

Yep!! :)
___________________________________

Anali,

Lol@Angelina's lips. That is a thought; someone missed out on a nomination because of this.
___________________________________

Brown Girl Gumbo,

It's the history of Blackface that is unsettling and the NAACP of all organizations should realize that.
___________________________________

Shelly,

"And the fact that the real Marianne Pearl fully supported this casting decision is paramount - isn't she the most important person to consider in all this? If she had no problem with the racial aspect, why should black people take any offence?"

This is where we disagree; I don’t think this is really about Ms Pearl. After all the film will be shown around the world, so it's more than just what she thinks.

She can't really decide for hundreds of millions of people of African decent what's okay and what's not.

Just as Tiger Woods not being upset about a comment about a noose does not mean that other will not be upset.

Who knows what her, Marianes, agenda was, could it have been money?

Do you see my point?
___________________________________

Big Black Kitty Kat,

I agree the real issue is the NAACP.
___________________________________

SheCodes,

You and I are on the same page about the NAACP. When they gave an image award to RKelly that was it for me.
___________________________________

Mr Shadow,

I wasn't aware they slighted Eve's Bayou. That is a big miss.

I wonder what there criteria is?
___________________________________

NBW,

It should be against what they stand for. But the question is what do they stand for?
___________________________________

Tasha,

Disdain is a really good word to describe my feelings for the NAACP.

And you are right about the already limited roles for Black actresses.
___________________________________

Jaymac,

I agree that they could have put the spotlight on an actress who might not otherwise be noticed.
___________________________________

Torrance,

I like Sophie too. She's a great actor.
___________________________________

Liz,

That is a really good question; I think Jennifer Beals may have crossed that line already. She has played roles where I think it's assumed that she is White and not necessarily bi-racial.

Does that count?
___________________________________

___________________________________

Jackie said...

I can't assume that A.J. was the only one considered for the part, and I don't have a problem with her playing it. I guess I'll have to assume the NAACP was honoring the bi-racial character played well by A.J.
I question NAACP Image Award choices often. I was livid that Isaah Washington was given one last year. That was totally absurd and insulting.

NDGlo said...

Hey Mes Deux, I am delurking by posting, found you from Blackandmarriedwithkids.com. Wonderful post. As a mixed-race actress who identifies as Black, I would have to say, this is the NAACP's M.O. when it comes to artists, they have never gotten it; don't know if they ever will.
The actor's goal, particularly, the artist of color is not to make people of color look perfect, but human. (read: the white people already know what's wrong with us, it ain't no secret, we just have to make sure that we also show what's right with us). They villified Hattie McDaniel, when she won the Oscar, but without her, there would have been no Dorothy Dandridge nomination...

So, on one hand, it does really bother me that AJ played it; why couldn't Sophie play it? or Thandie Newton? or any number of other well qualified, talented actresses who could have brought it to life?

I do feel that it is modern day black/brown face--though "color-blind" casting happens onstage, do casting directors ever get multi-ethnic actresses, who have more African features to play white women on film? NO, NO, NO! IMHO, it is the case of Liz Taylor wearing Lena Horne's "Dark Egyptian" make-up all over again. I think you've inspired a post on my blog, www.gracetimesnine.blogspot.com Peace.

roslynholcomb said...

Marianne Pearl is not biracial, she's barely of 1/4 African descent. If you read her book she explains her racial heritage. Her father was white European, Danish if I'm not mistaken. Her grandfather was Chinese and her grandmother was Cuban of African descent. She doesn't call herself biracial or black, therefore I don't understand why anyone would be upset by who plays her. Brad Pitt bought the movie rights to the book. This wasn't a bestseller so presumably anyone who put up the money could have done so. He bought the rights and put the person he wanted in the part.

Mes Deux Cents said...

Jackie,

I saw that; they even gave him a standing ovation. That was crazy.

_____________________________________

Beholden Grace,

Oh my, Liz Taylor playing Cleopatra was a faux pas for the ages!

I'll stop by and check out your post.

Thanks for delurking yourself. :)
___________________________________

Roslyn,

What you described sounds bi or multi racial to me.

But the real point is the NAACP recognizing this portrayal. It just seems really weird for them to do so.

If there were no history of Blackface then this wouldn't be an issue at all.

roslynholcomb said...

It is generally accepted that a biracial person has two parents of two different races. Pearl has one parent of one race and another of at least 2 (or more) races. At best, she's 1/4 black.

The NAACP is a joke and has been for quite some time. I don't know why anyone concerns themselves with what that dinosaur of an organization does. They have been relevant in more than 20 years.

I'm simply annoyed at this criticism directed towards Jolie/Pitt. Especially given that Ms. Pearl and Jolie are friends and she wanted her to play the part. Ms. Pearl suffered an awful tragedy and when it's all said and done, it's her story to be portrayed on film as she saw fit. I have a real problem with black folks adopting this woman's tragedy and making it into some kind of cause cĆ©lĆØbre.

Dr. Tracey Salisbury said...

The NAACP award makes no sense, but it's the NAACP awards after all. They rarely make sense.

I am not too mad because the film would have never been made at all with Ms. Jolie desire to play the part and her man, Brad Pitt producing the film.

Further, Ms. Pearl is mixed race, neither being African or African American, so I'm not sure what the fuss is about.

Mes Deux Cents said...

Roslyn,

Okay she's multi-racial then.

_____________________________________

Professor Tracey,

For me it's just really about the NAACP, I wish they would just go away.
___________________________________
___________________________________

Anonymous said...

Oh, please. Actors constantly alter their appearance for rolls. Jolie slightly darkening her skin for the part is in no way racist, intending to offend. The NAACP's recognition of her is not a sign they need new leadership. Pick your battles, this is really ridiculous. The performances of Tyler Perry, Eddy Murphy, Martin Lawrence and others should be of far more concern. As they are created by African Americans, they are far more likely to further stereotypes as the general population feels comfort finding humor in their portrayals.

Anonymous said...

As a multiracial person I was also annoyed by Jolie casting herself in a role so many black, Hispanic and biracial actresses would have loved to play. She really showed her true colors (no pun intended) with that decision. Sophie Okenedo would have been a wonderful choice, I agree. Thandie Newton actually expressed disappointment at not knowing the part had even existed, and disappointment in seeing Jolie play the role "corked up."

I completely agree with you that the NAACP has lost its collective mind by nominating her. Maybe it was just a ploy to get Brangelina to show up at the ceremony?

MDC's Library

1720 Entertainment (1) 1983 DeTomaso Pantera (1) 2007 (1) 2007 Best Videos (1) 2007 Track and Field World Championships (4) 2007 WNBA Conference Finals (1) 2007 WNBA Finals (5) 2007 WNBA Western Conference Finals (1) 2007 World Track and Field Championships (1) 2008 Beijing Olympic Games (1) 2008 Grammy Awards (2) 2008 Presidential Race (28) 2008 Resolutions (1) 2008 Super Bowl (1) 3 A.M. (1) 3LW- No More (1) 59th Street Bridge (1) 7 Star Hotel (1) 7 Train (2) A Beautiful Face (2) A Beautiful Picture (131) A Cute Picture (1) A funny picture (2) A House is not a Home (1) A Rainy Day (1) A Raisin in the Sun (1) A Tribe Called Quest Leaders of the New School (1) A Week Of Positive Blogging (9) A-Ha - Take On Me (1) Aaliyah (7) Aaliyah - Christmas in Washington (1997) (1) Aaliyah We Miss You (1) Africa (1) African American Aviation (1) African American Churches (1) African American Enslavement (1) African American History (3) African American Men (1) African Americans and Cable T.V. (2) Agra (1) Airbus A380 (1) Al B. Sure - Nite And Day (1) Albuquerque (1) Alexander O'Neal and Cherelle - Saturday Love (1) Alice Smith (4) Alice Smith - Dream (Live) (1) Alicia Keys (7) Alicia Myers - I Want To Thank You (1) Allegory (1) Allyson Felix (3) AM Radio (1) Amazon.com (1) Amel Larrieux (2) America Ferrera (1) Amii Stewart - Knock on Wood (1) Amsterdam (2) Amtrak (1) Amy Winehouse (7) Amy Winehouse - Love Is A Losing Game (1) Amy Winehouse - Moody's Mood For Love (1) and Mary (1) And this is what I think about that... (1) Angel Lola Luv (2) Angela Bofill - I Try (1) Angela Y Davis (1) Angelina-Jolie (2) Antarctica (1) Arbor Day (1) Arc de Triomphe (2) Aresenio Hall (1) Aretha Franklin - Bridge Over Troubled Water (1) Aretha Franklin - Until You Come Back To Me (1) Arizona (1) Arrested Development - Tennessee (1) Art (3) Ask This Black Woman (1) Assata Shakur Part One (1) Assata Shakur Part Two (1) Astoria (1) Athletics (1) Atlanta (4) Attallah Shabazz (1) August 28 - 1963 (1) Australia (2) Autumn (1) Aviation (1) Bad Photoshopping (1) Balances By Nikki Giovanni (1) Bandy Bandy (1) Barack and Michelle (1) Barack Obama (11) Barak Obama (2) Barbara Mason - Another Man (1) Bart Simpson (1) Basia - New Day for You (1) Beautiful Earth (1) Beautiful Italy (1) Beautiful Moon Over Spain (1) Beautiful Photo (1) Beautiful Puerto Rico (1) Beautiful Rome (1) Before dawn (1) Being Prepared (1) Belgium (1) Ben Harper (1) Benazir Bhutto (2) Bermuda (1) Bessie Coleman (1) BET (1) BET/ Viacom (7) Beverly Johnson (1) BeyoncĆ© (1) Bill Clinton (1) Bill Cosby (1) Bill O'Reilly (1) Billary (3) Billet-doux (1) Billie Holiday (2) Bills (1) Billy Ocean - Caribbean Queen (1) Birthdays (1) Black and Green Flag (1) Black Blog Rankings (2) Black Fire White Fire (1) Black History Month (21) Black Sea (1) Black Women (3) Black Women Vote (1) Black Women's Roundtable (1) Black-Eyed Peas (1) BlackAndMarriedWithKids (1) Blogger Protest (3) Blogger Tag (4) Blogging (14) Blogging Break (1) Blogs I love (2) Blogs I Read (3) BlogTalkRadio (1) BOB (Bombs Over Baghdad) (1) Bob Marley (1) Bob Marley - Redemption Song (1) Bob Marley and The Wailers (1) Bobby Caldwell What You Won't Do For Love (1) Bobby Womack - If You Think You're Lonely Now (1) Bonnie Raitt - Something To Talk About (1) Books (3) Bora Bora French Polynesia (1) BoringBlackChick (2) Boston (3) Boycotts (1) Boz Scaggs - Lowdown (1) Brandy - I Wanna Be Down (1) Brasil (1) Breast Cancer (1) Brehat Island (1) Britney Spears (1) Brixton (1) Brooklyn Bridge (1) Browngirl (1) Brownstone (2) Brussels at Nightfall (1) Brussels Belgium at night (1) Bucky Done Gun (1) Buenos Aires At Night (1) Burj Al-Arab Hotel (1) Burqa (1) Bus (2) Bush Clinton Dynasty (2) C-Bank - One more shot (1) Cable T.V. (1) CafĆ© Society (1) California (3) California Attorney General (1) Calloway with The Nicholas Brothers - Jumpin' Jive (1) Cape Town SA (1) Cappie Pondexter (6) Carnival (2) Cathay Williams (1) CBS Corp. (1) Celia Cruz (1) Cell Phones (1) Central Park at Night (1) Chaka Khan (1) Champagne (1) Champs-ElysĆ©es (1) Change featuring Luther Vandross - The Glow Of Love (1) Character Corner (2) Charles Barkley (1) Charlotte - North Carolina (1) Cheaters (1) Chemotherapy (1) Cheryl Lynn - Encore (1) Chesapeake Bay Bridge (1) Chic - I Want Your Love (1) Chicago (2) Chicago at night (1) China (3) China's Support Of Genocide In Dafur (2) Chris Isaac - Wicked Game (1) Chrisette Michelle (1) Christina Aguilera - Beautiful (1) Christine Arron (1) Christine Beatty (1) Christmas (8) Christmas Day (2) Christmas Music (3) Christmas Party (1) Christopher Williams - I'm Dreamin' (1) Chubb Rock - Treat 'em Right (1) Chudney Ross (1) Church (1) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1) Ciara - Get Up (1) Cindy Blackman (1) Cities (2) Cities I like (1) Clear Channel Communications (1) Cloned Meat (1) Club Nouveau - Why you treat me so bad (1) College (1) Colonel Abrams -Trapped (1) Color Preference Test (1) Comment War (1) Comments (2) Common Sense (1) Community (1) Conflict (1) Consumerism (1) Conya Doss (1) Cora Brown (1) Corinne Bailey Rae (1) Corinne Bailey Rae - Like A Star (1) Corrine Bailey Rae (1) Costa Rica (1) Country Music (1) Courtney and Angela (1) Crazy Comments (1) Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bad Moon Rising (1) Crime (1) Cristal champagne (1) Cuba (2) Culture (1) Cynda Williams - Harlem Blues (1) Cynthia Tucker (2) Dallas (2) Dana Owens (1) Dance Theatre of Harlem (1) Dance Thursday Rerun with the Lockers (1) Dance Thursday The Challenge - Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis (1) Darfur (1) Das Efx - They Want Efx (1) dave brubeck take five (1) Dave Matthews Band - Crash Into Me (1) De La Soul - Me (1) DeBarge - Stay With Me (1) Debit Card (1) Debra Laws with Ronnie Laws - Special (1) Deele - Two Occasions (1) Delaware State University (1) Delegates Count (1) Dennis Edwards - Don't Look Any Further (1) Dennis Kucinich (1) Denroy Morgan - I'll Do Anything for You (1) Denzel (3) Deon Estus (1) Destiny's Child (1) Detroit (1) Detroit Shock (1) Dexter Gordon (1) Diana and Flo (1) Diana Taurasi (2) Did you know (1) Dionne Farris - Hopeless (1) Dionne Warwick (1) DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince - Summertime (1) DJ Kool - Let Me Clear My Throat (1) DjennĆ© (1) Donny Hathaway - This Christmas (1) Dorothy Dandridge (1) Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band - Sunshower (1) DST (1) Dubai (1) DĆ¼sseldorf by Night (1) Economy (1) Ecuador (1) Eddie Murphy (1) Eddy Grant - Electric Avenue (1) Edmonia Lewis (1) Edwyn Collins - A Girl Like You (1) Egypt (1) Ehav Ever (1) Eiffel from the Seine River (1) Elaine Brown (1) Electronic Village (3) email (1) En Vogue - Hold On (1) Enigma - Sadness (1) Enya - Orinoco Flow (1) Erykah Badu (2) ESPN (1) Essence (1) Essential Presence (5) Ethiopia (2) Etienne Aigner (1) EurWeb.com (1) Eve - Tambourine (1) Evelyn "Champagne" King - Betcha She Don't Love You (1) Exploitation (1) Fabulous Is A Choice (1) Faith Evans - You Used To Love Me (1) Fall (1) Fall Fashion (1) Falling In Love (1) FAME (1) Family (1) Fashion (1) Faux - Heterosexuality (1) FCC (1) Feelings (1) Fiji Islands (2) File (1) Film (3) Final Post For Now (1) Finding Jesus (1) Five Questions (1) Five Star - Let Me Be the One (1) Flashdance (1) Flava Flav (1) Flea Markets (2) Floetry (1) Floods Across Africa (1) FM Radio (1) Fog (2) Fond Memories (1) Fonda Rae - Over Like a Fat Rat (1) Food (3) Food Recall (1) Force MD's - Tender Love (1) France (2) Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (2) Frank (1) Frankie Crocker (1) Frankie Smith - Double Dutch Bus (1) Freddie Jackson - Rock Me Tonight (1) Freetown Christiania (1) Frida Kahlo (1) Friday Rare Groove: Chuckii Booker - Turned Away (1) Friday Rare Groove: Joyce Sims - All and All (1) Friendship (2) Fruit (1) Fugees (2) Gene Anthony Ray (1) General Electric (1) Genocide (1) George Bush (2) George Kranz - Din Da Da (1) Germany (1) Gibson Brothers - Cuba (1) Giovanca -Joyride (1) Girls (1) Giving (1) Glamour Magazine (1) Global Warming (1) Goapele (1) Goapele - Closer (1) Golden Globes (1) Good Morning America (1) GOP (1) Government (5) Grace Jones - Pull Up To The Bumper (1) Greece (1) Greenwich Village (1) Gregory Abbott - Shake You Down (1) Groceries (1) Groove Theory (1) Gulf of Tonkin (1) Gwen Guthrie - It Should Have Been You (1) Gwen Stefani (1) Hair (1) Halifax (1) Hall and Oates - I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) (1) Halle Berry (1) Halloween (1) Hanukkah (1) Happiness (1) Happy Birthday Aaliyah... (1) Happy New Year 2008 (2) Harajuku Girls (1) Harajuku Station (1) Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes (1) Harper's Bazaar Japan (1) Havana (1) Havana Cuba (2) HBCU (2) Heaven Help Me (1) heteronyms (1) heterophones (1) HickTownPress (1) Highland Ave (1) Hillary Clinton (5) Hip Hop (2) Hip Hop Be Bop (Don't Stop) (1) Hippies (1) Historic Moments (1) Holiday (3) Holland (1) Hollywood Blvd (1) Hollywood CA (1) Home (2) Homeland Security (1) HomelandColors (2) Homophones (1) Hong Kong At Night (2) Hootie And The Blowfish - Hold My Hand (1) Hope That We Can Be Together Soon (1) House Party - Dance off: Kid and Play (Music: Ain't My Type Of Hype - Full Force) (1) Houses (1) Human League - Don't You Want Me Baby (1) Hurricane Katrina (1) Hwy 101 (1) I Am Legend (1) I Hate Rap Rant (1) I have a question (3) I hope (1) I Love Music (1) I smell the 80's (1) I Want This (1) Ibiza Spain (1) Iceland (1) Idioms (1) If you love me (1) IFC (1) Imagination - Just an Illusion (1) Iman (1) Indai.Arie (1) Indeep - Last Night A DJ Saved My Life (1) India (1) Indian Ocean (1) Inner City - Big Fun (1) Inner Life - I'm caught up (1) Interesting Music (1) Interesting Photo (1) Interestingness (1) Iowa (2) ipod (3) Iran (1) Irene Morgan Kirkaldy (1) Isiah Thomas (1) Isla Verde Beach (1) It's In The eyes (1) It's Ndel's World; You're Just Reading It (1) Italy (1) itunes (1) Jackie Moore - This Time Baby (1) Jade - Don't Walk Away (1) Jamaica (1) James "D-Train" Williams- Keep On (1) James Brown Lyrics - Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud) (1) Jamiroquai - Space Cowboy (1) Janelle MonĆ”e (1) Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation (1) January 16 (1) Japan (1) Jay Z (1) jazzfm (1) Jazzyfatnastees (1) Jean Baylor (1) Jean-Michel Basquiat (1) Jeb Bush In 2012 (1) Jeff Goldblum (1) Jena6 (1) Jennifer Beals (2) Jermaine Jackson - Do What You Do (1) Jermaine Stewart - Word is Out (1) Jimmy Jam (1) Jimmy Scott (1) Joan Armatrading (5) Joan Armatrading - Love And Affection (1) Jody Watley Still a Thrill (1) Joe Public - Live and learn (1) Joe Ski Love - Pee Wee Dance (1) Joffrey Ballet (1) John Coltrane (2) John Edwards (1) John Howard Payne (1) John Legend Corinne Bailey Rae (1) John McCain (1) John Wayne (1) Johnny Was (1) Jonathan Butler - Lies (1) Jr. (1) Jr. from the film Tap (1) Juanita Bynum (1) Judge Hatchett (1) Juneteenth (1) Junior - Mama Used To Say (1) JURNEE SMOLLETT (1) Justice (1) Justin D. Ross (1) Kamala Harris (1) Kano - I'm Ready (1) Karen Alexander (1) Karen Young - Hot Shot (1) Karyn White featuring Babyface - Love Saw It (1) Kashif and Meli'sa Morgan - Love Changes (1) Kathleen Neal Cleaver (1) Kauai Hawaii (1) keith sweat - Make it Last Forever feat Jackie McGhee (1) Kelis - Caught Out There (1) Kenya (2) Keyshia Cole (1) KFC (1) Kiva (1) Kraftwerk - Trans Europe Express (1) Kuala Lumpur (1) Kuala Lumpur Malaysia (1) Kumari Fulbright (1) Kwanzaa (1) La Flavour - Mandolay (1) Labor Day (1) Laguna Beach (1) Lake Como (1) Lake Michigan (1) Lake Powell (1) Las Vegas Nevada (1) Latin Quarter (1) Lauren Hill (1) Lauryn Hill (2) Lauryn Hill - Little Drummer Boy (1) Law Enforcement (1) Led Zeppelin (1) Led Zeppelin - All My Love (1) Ledisi (2) Leela James (1) Leela James - Music (1) Left Eye (1) Lennox Lewis (1) Lenny Kravitz (2) Lenny Kravitz - Are you Gonna go my way featuring Cindy Blackman on Drums (1) Les Champs-ƉlysĆ©es (1) Les Nubians (1) Lily Allen (1) Link-O-Rama (22) Lisa Bonet (2) Lisa Fischer - How Can I Ease The Pain (1) Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam - Lost in Emotion (1) Lisa Stansfield - All Around The World (1) Lisbon Portugal (1) List (1) Lists (3) Live Concert (2) Living Out Loud (1) Liya Kebede (3) LL Cool J - I Need Love (1) Local News (1) Local Radio (1) Locavore (1) London (2) Long lost Friends (1) Loose Ends - Slow down (1) Lorraine Hansberry (1) Los Angeles at night (1) Los Angelista's Guide To The Pursuit Of Happiness (2) Love (2) Love De-Luxe - Here comes that sound (1) Love is alosing game (1) LTD - (Everytime I Turn Around) Back In Love Again (1) Luther Vandross (5) Luther Vandross - Your Secret Love (1) Lydia Abarca (1) M.I.A. (Maya Arulpragasam) (1) M|A|R|R|S - Pump Up the Volume (1) Machine (1) Madison (1) Mahalia Jackson - Amazing Grace (1) Major Harris (1) Major Robert Henry Lawrence (1) Malcolm and Betty (1) Malcolm and Martin (1) Malcolm Mclaren - Buffalo Girls (1) Mali (1) Man Parrish (1) March on Washington (1) Mardi Gras (1) Mariah Carey - Vision of Love (2) Mariah Carey - We Belong Together (1) Marion Jones (4) Marlena Shaw (2) Marshall Jefferson - Move your Body (1) Martha's Vineyard (1) Martin and Coretta (1) Martin Laurence (1) Martinique (1) Marvin Gaye (1) Mary J Blige - Just Fine (1) Mary J. Blige (1) Matisyahu (1) Matisyahu King Without A Crown (Live At Stubb's) (1) Maui (1) Mauritius (1) Mavericks Surf Contest (1) Maxi Priest - Close to you (1) Maxwell - Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder) (1) Maze (1) Maze featuring Frankie Beverly - Joy and Pain (1) MC Hammer (1) MC Lyte - Lyte As A Rock (1) McFadden and Whitehead - Aint No Stopping Us Now (1) MDC Dictionary (1) Me (1) Media (15) Media hearings Negative Depictions of African American Women (1) Mel and Kim - Showing Out (1) Mes Deux Cents (1) Meseret Defar (1) Meshell Ndegeochello (1) Mexico (1) MFSB - Love Is The Message (1) Miami at night (1) Michael Jackson (1) Michael Jackson - Ben (1) Michael Vick (3) Midnight Star - Curious (1) Milan - Italy (1) Milli Vanilli - Blame It On The Rain (1) Minnie Riperton - Memory Lane (1) Minority relations (1) Minstel Show (1) Missing African American Women (7) Missing Persons (2) Mitt Romney for President (2) MLK (2) MLK Day (6) Mo Better Blues (1) Models (1) Mombasa (1) Monday (1) Money (2) MontrĆ©al (1) Montreal in autumn clothes (1) Moody's Mood for Love (1) Morehouse College (1) Mormons and Blacks (1) Morning (1) Morocco (1) Mothers (1) Mount Fuji (1) Mount Kilimanjaro (1) Mr Softie Ice Cream (1) MrsGrapevine (2) MSNBC (1) MTV (1) Music (9) Music Downloads (1) Music Saturday (11) Musical Youth - Pass The Dutchie (1) My Orchid (2) My Original Writing (5) Myself and I (1) N.Y. Giants (2) N.Y.C (6) NAACP (2) Nailah Franklin (5) Nancy Sinatra (1) Nashville (1) Natalie Merchant (1) Natalie Merchant - Carnival (1) Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten (1) National Secretaries Day (1) Native Americans (1) Natural Disaster (1) NBA (1) NBC (1) Negative Depictions Of Women Of Color (3) Negative Propaganda (2) Nena - 99 Luftballoons (1) Neo-Soul (1) Netherlands (1) Neutrogena Hand Cream (1) New Black Woman (1) New Edition - Boys to Men (1) New England Patriots (1) New Hampshire (1) New Jack City (1) New Jersey (1) New Jersey Turnpike (1) New Mexico (1) New Release (1) New York Citi Peech Boyz Don't Make Me Wait (1) New York City (3) News (11) News Corp. (1) NFL (1) Niagara Falls (2) Nicole Willis (2) No Woman No Cry (1) Nokulunga Buthelezi (1) Norah Jones (3) Notable Quotables (2) Nova Scotia (2) NPR (6) Nu Shooz I Can't Wait (1) NYC (2) O.J. Simpson (1) Odds and Ends (1) Odin (1) Offensive Cable Programming (1) Olbrich Gardens (1) Oleta Adams - Get Here (1) On Beauty (1) On Blogging (1) On... (18) One Of My Favorite People (4) Oprah (3) Orchids (3) Oregon (1) Oscars (1) OutKast (1) P.M. Dawn - Set Adrift On Memory Bliss (1) Paganism (1) Palindromes (1) Panic (1) Paris (9) Passion (2) Patrick Hernandez - Born to be alive (1) PBS (3) PCH (1) Peace On Earth (1) Pebbles - Mercedes Boy (1) Personal Day (1) Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls (1) PETA (1) Peter Brown - Do You Wanna Get Funky With Me? (1) Petronas Towers (2) Pfc. LaVena Johnson (1) Phalaenopsis Orchid (2) Phoenix Mercury (1) Photo Art (2) Photo Art Friday (3) Phyllis Hyman (5) Places I Would Like To Visit (1) Poetry (3) politics (3) Pookie (1) Pop and Politics (1) Pop Quiz (2) Portland (1) Portugal (1) Press play (2) Protest (4) Public Transportation (1) Puerto Rico (1) Purple Sky (1) Q1 Review (1) Queen Latifah (1) Queens (1) Questions (1) Quincy Jones - The Secret Garden (1) quizzes (1) Quotes (2) R and B (1) Racism (1) Radio (2) Radio Announcer (1) Radio D.J. New York City (1) Rainforest (1) Raising Victor Vargas (1) Ralph Nader (1) Rap Music (2) Rap Video Vixens (1) Ray Parker Jr - A Woman Needs Love (1) Re Posts (1) Reading (1) Ready for the World - Love You Down (1) Ready or Not (1) Ready To Wear (1) Really stupid people (1) Rebbie Jackson - Centipede (1) Recommended Viewing (5) Reginald Hudlin (1) Relationships (2) Religion (1) RenĆ© Syler (1) repost (1) Revolutionary Women (1) Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up (1) Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody (1) Rihanna (2) Rio de Janeiro (3) Rio de Janeiro at night (1) Rissi Palmer (1) Robert Palmer - Addicted To Love (1) Roberta Flack Donny Hathaway (1) Robin Roberts (1) Rock (1) Rockefeller Center (1) Rockers Revenge - Walking On Sunshine (1) Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me (1) Roll (1) Roy Ayers - Everybody Loves The Sunshine (1) Roy Ayers - Running Away (1) Rudy Giuliani (1) Rupert Holmes - Escape (The PiƱa Colada Song) (1) Rutgers (2) Saartjie Baartman (1) Sade Adu (5) Saint John Coltrane Church (1) Sally-Ann Roberts (1) Samoa (1) San Diego (1) San Diego At Night (1) San Francisco (4) San Francisco at night (1) San Juan (1) Santa Barbara (1) Santa Cruz (1) santorini Island (1) SƃO PAULO (1) Sapiosexual (1) Sarita Choudhury (2) Sasha Bratz (1) Saving (1) Scary Spice Mel B (1) schools (1) Scotland (1) Seals and Crofts - Summer Breeze (1) Seattle at Night (2) Secret Weapon - Must Be The Music (1) Self Destruction (1) Seoul at Night (1) Seychelles (1) Shalamar - Night to Remember (1) Sheila E - A Love Bizarre (1) Sheila Escovedo (1) Shirley Bassey (1) Shopping (2) Sideways (1) Silvercup Studios (1) Simon and Garfunkel - The Boxer (1) Sisters from other mothers (1) Skate (1) Slavery (1) Slick Rick - Children's Story (1) Sly and the Family Stone - Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (1) smart car (1) Snap - The Power (1) Snow - Informer (1) Social Commentary (1) Social life (1) Songs For MLK Day (4) Songs I Love (209) Sony Television (1) Sophie Okonedo (1) Soul II Soul - Back To Life (1) Soulsonic Force feat. Afrika Bambaataa - Planet Rock (1) South Carolina (1) Soylent Green (1) Spain (1) Special Ed - I Got It Made (1) Special Videos (3) Spelman College (1) Spike Lee (1) Sports (10) Spring (1) St. Valentine's Day (7) Staceyann Chin (1) Starpoint - Object Of My Desire (1) Stepha Henry (1) Stephanie Mills - (You're Putting) A Rush On Me (1) Stetsasonic - Sally (1) Steve Fossett (1) Steve Miller Band - The Joker (1) Stoney Jackson (1) Strafe - Set it off (1) Strait of Hormuz (1) Studies About African America (1) Stuff (4) Subway Stories (1) Summer Rain (1) Sumner Redstone (3) Sunday Fun (1) Sunrise (1) Sunset (1) Super Tuesday (1) Superbowl (1) Surface - Closer Than Friends (1) Suriname (1) Susan Cagle (1) Svörtuloft (1) Sweden (1) Swin Cash (2) Swing Out Sister - Breakout (1) Symphony (1) Syracuse (1) Taj Mahal (1) Talented People I Like (2) Tales from the bus (2) Tanzania (1) Taral Hicks (1) Tears for water by Alicia Keys (1) Tech (1) Teena Marie - Behind The Groove (1) Tel Aviv-Yafo (1) Television (1) Tell Me (1) TEN CITY - DEVOTION (1) Terence Trent D'Arby (Sananda Maitreya) - Wishing Well (1) Terri Lynn Carrington (1) Terror Alerts (1) Terry Lewis (1) test (1) Tevin Campbell - Can We Talk (1) Thanksgiving (2) The 1985 Chicago Bears - The Super Bowl Shuffle (1) The Bevery Hillbillies (1) The Blackbyrds - Walking in Rhythm (1) The Blog Report (5) The Brothers Johnson - Land of Ladies (1) The Daily Voice (1) The Eiffel Tower at night (1) The Family - Screams of Passion (1) the FDA (1) The Fillmore (1) The Four Seasons (1) The Great Barrier Reef (1) The Great Mississippi Flood Of 1927 (1) The Happy Go Lucky Bachelor. Aaron McGruder (1) The Human Race (2) The Isley Brothers Voyage To Atlantis (1) The Jones Girls - You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else (1) The Neville Brothers (1) The Nile (1) The Police (1) The Roots - The Seed 2.0 (1) The Scream by Edvard Munch (1) The Shades of Love - Keep in Touch (Body To Body) (1) The Stylistics - People Make The World Go Round (1) The Supremes - Merry Christmas (1) The System - You Are In My System (1) The Twin Towers (1) The U.S. from space (1) The Ukraine (1) The Walt Disney Company (1) The Whispers - And The Beat Goes On (1) The White Stripes - Icky Thump (1) Then and Now (2) There But For The Grace of God Go I (1) There is no place like home (1) These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (1) Thompson Twins - Lies (1) Thoughts (73) Tiger Woods (1) Time Inc (1) TimeWarner (1) Timex Social Club - Rumors (1) TLC Unpretty (1) TLC - No Scrubs (1) Toledo Spain (1) Tom Ridge (1) Toni Braxton - Unbreak My Heart (1) Toronto at night (1) Toulouse (1) Track and Field (5) Tradition Of Excellence (1) Training Day (1) Transistor Radio (1) Travelling (2) Trinidad and Tobago (1) Try Again (1) Tupac Changes (1) Turks and Caicos (1) TV Theme Songs (1) Twofer Tuesday (4) Twofer Tuesday: Battle of the Classic Slow Jams - Reasons vs. Love T.K.O (1) Twofer Tuesday: Chaka Khan vs. Mary J Blige - Sweet Thing (1) Twofer Tuesday: I Shot The Sheriff : Bob Marley vs. Eric Clapton (1) Twofer Tuesday: I'll be there - Mariah vs. Michael (1) Twofer Tuesday: Lauryn Hill vs. Roberta Flack (1) Twofer Tuesday: Love Won't Let Me Wait - The Original or The Cover (1) Tyler Perry (1) U.S. Army Cover - Up (1) UCONN (1) Ugly Betty (1) Unbelievably sarcastic post (1) Undercover Black Man (2) Unknown Location (3) USA Today (1) Utah (1) Van Hool (1) Van Morrison Moondance (1) Vancouver BC (1) Varadero Cuba (1) Vaughn Mason and Crew - Bounce (1) Vegetarianism (1) Venice Italy At Night (1) Vermont (1) Veronica Cambell (1) Veronica Webb (2) Veterans Day (1) Viacom (3) Vicente Guerrero (1) Vikter Duplaix - Make A Baby (1) Violence Against African American Women (2) Violence Against Women Of Color (2) Violence On Campus (1) Virgin Islands (1) Vivaldi (1) Volkswagen (1) Volvo C30 (1) Vote (1) Wacky Wednesday: Songs with "I Like" in the tittle (1) Wanderlust (1) Waris Dirie (2) Washington Square Park (4) What About Our Daughters (4) What Black Men Think (1) What Columnists are Saying (3) What I'm Listening To This Week (3) What I'm Listening To This Weekend (1) What I'm Listening To Today (63) What I'm Watching This Weekend... (1) What I'm Watching Today (2) What Tami Said (4) What The.... File (2) What's Going On (1) Where is the Love (1) White castle (1) White Rap Music Buyers (1) Who Killed Benazir Bhutto? (1) Who Knew (1) Whodini - Big Mouth (1) Why Black Women Are Angry (1) Will and Jada (1) Will Smith (1) Willow (1) Window Shopping (1) Winter Solstice (1) Wisconsin (1) Wish feat. Fonda Rae - Touch me (all night long) (1) WNBA (4) WNBA Conference Finals (2) WNBA Finals (1) WNBA MVP (1) Woman's European Athelete Of The Year (1) Women (1) Women Leaders (1) Women's Sports (2) Word... (1) Words (5) work (2) Yaz Situation (1) Zanzibar (1) Zap Mama (2) Zhane' (1) Zoe Kravitz (1)

About Me

West Coast, United States
African American, Poet?, Vegetarian, Music lover, Agoraphobic, Social Phobic

My Favorite Poet

My Favorite Poet
Staceyann Chin

My Favorite Track Athlete

My Favorite Track Athlete
Christine Arron