Writer's Block, New Year Resolutions and Why Black History Month Still Matters

It's been a very long time since I posted here.  Too long.

Full disclosure.  I've had a bit of writer's block fueled by pressure to change my habits in 2020.

I began to wonder if my ramblings and musings make a difference to anyone.  

And then I realized they make a difference.  The difference they make is to me because when I'm able to express how I'm feeling, even if I don't have any earth shattering announcements or events, it's part of my personal development and I'm still learning to get out of my own way.

That said, I wanted to talk about Black History Month.  

This February seemed to roll around quicker than others and I think that's a lot to do with Thanksgiving and Christmas being so close together this year and so much to do with so little time.

Black History Month still matters.  It matters because even though it may seem that we already know all of the stories that PBS is telling this month, we don't.  The fact is that in 2019 we lost a lot of important people in Black America.

Bernard Tyson, John Conyers, Elijah Cummings, Ernest James and Jessye Norman to name a few.

Who will make sure that their stories live on for the next generation and the generation after?  If we forget the past we will surely have no future.  Our imprint is important.  Our history is America's history.

We're over halfway through February.  Don't let the month go by without learning something new about someone in Black History that you didn't know.

For me, it was the story of Nellie Jackson in "Mississippi Madam" on Amazon.  

February Challenge:  Pick at least one documentary or book to watch or read before the end of this month.  It would be better if you picked at least three - but one is a good place to start.

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce's 16th Annual Business Awards Luncheon

Thursday, October 24, 2019

11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Scott's Seafood Restaurant

Jack London Square, Oakland

Click HERE for Tickets and Sponsor Information

A CDA Consulting Group Presentation

Email:  cathy@cdaconsultingroup.com

Jessye Norman - In Memoriam

Jessye Norman (September 15, 1945 – September 30, 2019)

Rest In Peace, Toni Morrison

February 18, 1931 - August 5, 2019

Elaine Welteroth's new book "More Than Enough"

I had the pleasure of seeing and hearing Elaine Welteroth, former Teen Vogue Editor-in-Chief in person last night in San Francisco.

What an inspiration to all women, especially, young women of color.

I tagged along with my daughter.  Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

If you don't know, Elaine Welteroth, it's the perfect time.

She's got a new book out, "More than Enough."

Available in all formats on amazon and in bookstores everywhere.

Beauty, brains and black girl magic.

When Tales are better left Untold - Queen Sugar's Season 4 Premiere

By now you've all caught up with the first episode of Season 4 of "Queen Sugar" on OWN TV.

I caught up this weekend.

Wow.

Talk about telling tales out of school, with the release of Nova' upcoming novel, "Blessings and Blood," it seems there is about to be more blood spilled than blessings realized.

If you watch the show, you know that Nova Bordelon (played by Retina Wesley) almost never apologizes for anything she does. She's definitely a "free spirit," but in the latest episode we see more of her self-righteous side than we've seen before.

I've always thought her character loves her family more than anything, which is why I don't see how she possibly thought that airing all of the Bordelon's "dirty laundry" was a good idea.  

In my opinion, it's not even good to tell all of your own secrets.  Especially, when other people are hurt by your truth.

In the case of Nova's novel, it's not even her truths that are causing the damage.  They aren't even her truths to tell.

One thing is certain, this has started off to be a nail-biter of a season.

Stay tuned.  

Pour yourself a cup of coffee and chicory and have a beignet or two standing by.  It's getting good.

Queen Sugar on OWN TV, Wednesdays 9 ET/PST

Harvard University Will Not Renew Contracts of First African American Deans of Winthrop, Robert Sullivan Jr. and Stephanie Robinson

Ronald S. Sullivan, Jr.

First of all, I'm no fan of Harvey Weinstein.  His abuse of power, sexual misconduct and assaults and reign of terror over Hollywood went on far too long.

That said, I'm having difficulty with Harvard University's decision to bow to pressure from what has undertones of a "mob mentality" of activists using the "me too" movement to oust the first two African American Deans at Harvard's Winthrop.  

Granted, I haven't investigated the story enough to know all of the underlying details, but it would seem to me that Harvard would support Mr. Weinstein's constitutional right to legal representation.  

Harvard's decision not to renew the contracts of husband and wife Winthrop Faculty Deans Ronald S. Sullivan, Jr. and Stephanie R. Robinson seems to have been heavily influenced by a campaign led by student activist, Danu A.K. Mudannayake, a student from Sri Lanka, who has been a very vocal opponent of Dean Sullivan.

This story will surely gain more national momentum both inside and outside of academic circles in the days and weeks ahead.  

This case bears watching.  

Stay woke.