Monday, July 25, 2011

The Ultimate Tribute to Otis Redding




Jay-Z and Kayne. Together. Nuff said.

Due online and in retail stores next month is their tribute to Otis Redding, simply titled, "Otis."

This is what happens when old school intersects hip-hop at just the right angle.

Jay Z: "I'm about to call the Paparrazzi myself!"

Kanye: "The Hermes of Verses"


I can't wait!!

Monday, July 18, 2011

The SAG-A Continues - Should US Airways Apologize?

You know the story.

Last month, a US Airways pilot removed and arrested Deshon Marman because passengers had complained about Marman's "sagging" pants.

Since it was revealed the US Airways allowed a white male passenger to fly in what would essentially be categorized as women's underwear, all charges against Marman have been dropped.

However, the San Francisco NAACP and others are demanding an apology from US Airways.

The airline refuses to apologize and I'm sure a lawsuit is on the way.

What do you think? Should Marman cut his losses, pull up his pants and move on? I mean, there are no criminal charges pending and he still has his scholarship (as of this writing).

Or, do you think that there is a double-standard in the airline industry (as in the rest of America)?

Should Deshon fight for what he believes or pick his battles?

I'd love to hear from you.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Oakland Jazz Festival, Saturday, July 23, 2011



KBLX Presents:

KEM, BONEY JAMES, WILL DOWNING, LALAH HATHAWAY, LLOYD GREGORY and more!
Starts at 12 Noon

Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estates (Dunsmuir House & Gardens)

1-800-745-3000

www.oaklandjazzfestival.com

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Congratulations to Kimberla Lawson Roby




On Friday, July 1, 2011, Kimberla Lawson Roby received the 2011 Phenomenal Woman Writer Award at the Bayou Soul Writers and Readers Conference in New Orleans.

If you haven't discovered Kim Roby, you're missing out on one of our great contemporary African American writers.

www.kimroby.com

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Book Review: "Uppity - My Untold Story of the Games People Play," by Bill White



Bill White, who's now in his mid 70s, was an All-Star first baseman for many years with the New York Giants, St.Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies before launching a stellar broadcasting career with the New York Yankees for 18 years. He left the broadcast booth to become the President of the National League for five years.


I would say that Bill White’s book “UPPITY My Untold Story of the Games People Play,” is really the same old story by another eyewitness in a different setting.

The story is rather predictable: a talented youngster from humble beginnings nonchalantly finds himself in all the right places at all the right times and makes all the right moves as he encounters racism all along the way.
Given this compact synopsis, I find myself looking for the proverbial miniature violin to play him a “woe is me,” sad tune.

However at each major event of his life that furthers his career is a game in which he is a pawn being played by “white folks” to manipulate his blackness to their benefit. But when he responds without the customary “thankya suh,” he is deemed as being "uppity."

I liken Bill’s story to one of the personal stories that follow the premise of the book “Alcoholics Anonymous.” The premise is set in the title; that a Black man could be called “uppity.” It thereby follows Bill’s story to illustrate and offer a personal account of the premise.

I could identify with Bill White even though I am not a major leaguer or former television celebrity or hob-nobber with Major League Baseball’s elite. I, too, sometimes feel that I was hired at my job because they didn’t have enough blacks at the time. I also feel as if I am held to a different standard than my other non-black coworkers.

“UPPITY” is a good honest read and has a lot of relevant associations to actual baseball history.

I enjoyed Bill White’s story very much.

www.hachettebookgroup.com

(Reviewed by Richard S. of San Francisco, California)

Wednesday, July 6, 2011