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Okay....So I have thought about this alot....There have been hardly any shows on cable about Black History Month. Not as many as there used to be....So this month I am going to honor Black History here at the ENIGMA CAFE....EVERYDAY....Now I know I am already late..but that is okay. So here we go...We will Celebrate the Culture and the History, the Music, and the Art and Food and More.
What I realized this Election Cycle- is that the MSM is so focused on Differences and Problems and Divisions, they have never considered what we all have in common, and how our cultures overlap and influence each other. And that has saddened me, we need to take this Further, and not fall behind 50 years right now.
The music linked to this post is a Great Song by Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder from Youtube. I have to say that Youtube is such a gift. On friday and Saturday Nights there is Nothing Better than to WATCH one's favorite Songs. For me there are so many Great Artists I never ever saw, and so watching them sing has been heaven. ( Including the Video linked to the title). This video really choked me up, Watch these two men, both Blind but in total Sync with each other ...it is riveting and inspiring.
So I sat there and I thought about it.....is there Really ANYTHING WRONG with being Inspired ? Imagine if Someone had told either of them "You can NOT Play the Piano- You are Blind !!!" And on another level....To them Color is So Different, I saw Ray on an interview talk about Women, and HOW he did damn well KNOW when a woman entered the Room in a Red Dress...and he laughed in a very appreciative way.
I watched Michelle Obama last sunday at the Obama Rally in UCLA when she led Stevie Wonder to the stage, and they held arms tightly and yes, he stumbled but held on and she lifted him back to the stairs. ( I did in that moment think she is indeed meant to be First Lady, so gracious, So Strong). It was an Incredible Moment, you could feel all the people take a Deep Intake of breath and say a prayer at that second....and then he came to the microphone and he was so moved to speak. And for days I had thought about him watching the Debate the week before, and wondered DOES HE FEEL IT? WHAT DOES THIS PLACE IN TIME FEEL LIKE TO HIM ?
So I am asking you to do Something the Next time Something Momentous Happens, STOP what you are doing....take a very deep breath and SHUT YOUR EYES and Feel it...ALL OF IT....Maybe that is the Lesson these two men have for us...each in their own way...with their own Beautiful gifts....But to Share their Gifts they also had to Believe Something Momentous was Inside themselves....
People say What is So Special About Obama. And I say, he makes you want to Do Something, Be a Better Person, Help Save Our Country....and you believe it....And I say What is Wrong Feeling Like THAT ?
I am going to go stand in the Snow today and just shut my eyes...and FEEL THIS MOMENT.....We are Living History Right Now.
12 comments:
It is rather amazing, but current events here in australia look set to make this a regular black history month downunder.
Jung called it synchronicity; whatever it is not before time.
Cart:
It is so much about time isn't it???
WOW...
I did think about the Down Under situation when I wrote this...and wondered is it a wave of change reaching around the globe.....
Good to see you.....
Obama is definitely inspiring and getting the younger people involved in politics and there is NOTHING wrong w/that.
Have you seen the African American Live series on PBS? It is so interesting. They trace their roots.
Mary:
I have seen it- sadly it is always on here at horrendous times like 1am....I wish it was on at a more human time..But it is a great Series...
Yes, feel the moment & seize the day! You know, once you do that (stop and really FEEL the moment) you will always be able to recall it, years later. Just be sure to notice EVERYTHING around you at the time. The sights & smells, the particular bird that flew overhead, the tilt of the corner streetsign, the creaking tree branch ... the whole complete experience. These will be triggers for your brain in years to come.
I'm so glad you are doing this different kind of Black History Month! In my high school, we used to hold James Brown dances, followed by inspirational speeches from historical figures. Seems so far away now, but I think my fellow students, black & white, all remember learning things we did not know, things that had been left out of mainstream history.
Enigma, I should introduce you to my friend Sylvia. She is doing a series on her history.
I loved the video, by the way. Does it even get any better than that?
And, you are indeed living in a very important time in your country's history. It's fascinating to watch, from the outside looking in.
I agree with Josie that it's fascinating to watch from the outside. Reminds me of when Kennedy ran and won. I guess we're so used to seeing so many different races and colours here (except black!) that we don't notice it or think about it too much.
Thanks Ladies...It is a special time...I am just grateful for my sons sake that Change is coming...in the nick of time....NO MORE Warmongers...
"The soft-minded man always fears change. He feels security in the status quo, and he has an almost morbid fear of the new. For him, the greatest pain is the pain of a new idea."
Martin Luther King Jr.
Excellent post! So true - time to honor Black History Month!
I grew up in a tiny town in the Middle United States. I never saw a black person until I went to college. But I quickly gravitated to many friends who were black - one of whom was a 4-time state champion wrestler from Alabama. He taught me more than a few things about wrestling!!
I soon started listening to groups like Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose and many other African-American groups who were into the MoTown music.
As a freshman in college, I quickly learned there was a lot more in life I did NOT know that what I DID know - and so it was time for me to start learning.
I think the more diversity we have in our society, the better. Today I have friends from a variety of cultural, national origin, religious, etc. backgrounds and the tapestry of colors and mixes of beliefs is beautiful.
I recall, too, groups like Peter, Paul and Mary who sang at that rally in Washington, D.C. in 1963 and who were on the cutting edge of change and rebellion for those times.
We have come a long ways, but have a longs way to go.
Take care.
thanks Russell for sharing....we need to do that and Honor our own History and others...and OUR Collective Conscience and Past....that will lead to a better future...
( if you read post over at watergate Summer.in the threat comment number 55 you will see that I am having fierce internet troubles...so please know that I am trying to keep up )
Everyone please do go read Rawdawg's Black history post that is up today- it rocks....excellent...he has an amazing blog..
Only light can drive out darkness. We must apply this to our own lives as well: the more you focus on fear and lack, you get more of the same.
Focus on only the good and you get more of the same.
We all have to stop looking at the dark side for so long. We have to stop living in fear and simply EXPECT change, hope and bounty.
And love. Love casts out fear. MLK was a minister and he read scripture correctly.
We cannot waste any more time being pessimistic. Even on our blogs.
Keep up the good work.
xoxo
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