Pic Of The Week: Maya Angelou #BlackHistoryMonth

I love seeing people in their natural element.  No partitions.  No airs.  No filters.  This is one of my favorite pictures of one of my favorite writers, Maya Angelou.  

Growing up, I read a lot.  My favorite books were written by great authors like Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary and Astrid Lindgren.  It never even dawned on me as a kid that black people wrote books.  That's until I read "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings."  I remember reading the author's bio.  Her picture was included too.  Her name was Maya...she was pretty, smart and she wrote books.  

I thought that was THE coolest thing ever! 

Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom - An Inspiring Tribute

Nelson Mandela lived 95 long years.  Amazing.  He blessed us in so many courageous ways.  When I sit and think--really think about his vision, his sacrifices, his strength and his unwavering commitment to humanity, it leaves me speechless.  And after seeing the movie, Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom, all I could do was shake my head in disbelief. This really happened.  

The story of Nelson Mandela.... Whew.  A few months ago, I said to a friend, "How in the world does someone tell THAT story?"  So many layers. Decades of history.  Political control.  Cultural relevance. Apartheid.  Legacy.  Pain and heartache.  What an undertaking!    

William Nicholson's (the film's screenwriter) and Justin Chadwick's (director) interpretation of Nelson Mandela's life is uncomplicated and moving.  This film is the reason why movies should be made: To tell stories that entertain, agitate, educate and make you think.  I'm still thinking about this movie...    

Idris Elba as Mandela.  My goodness.  His portrayal is so captivating that it demands your undivided attention.  The movie begins with Mandela in his 20's.  He transforms from a charming ladies man to a husband and father, who eventually makes mistakes.  Mandela's anger over a friend's death ignites his fire to fight for equality.  That commitment changes his life, everyone who loves him and the future of a country.  Idris physically changes throughout the movie to age 75, but his presence remains strong and dignified until the end.  A commanding performance. An award worthy performance. 

The movie also depicts Winnie Mandela's struggle. Mandela loves his Winnie.  And she loves him, but more poignantly, she believes in him and his vision.  She continues to fight with him, for him and the people of South Africa for 27 years.  Her spirit is fiery and her strength is undeniable, but when she and Nelson touch each other for the first time in 21 years, she is simply....a woman in love.  It is the most heart-rending scene in the movie. Naomie Harris (who played Winnie Mandela) showed up, rolled up her sleeves and gave this role her everything.  Beyond impressive.
   

Idis Elba and Naomie Harris as Nelson and Winnie Mandela.

I grew up knowing Nelson Mandela was a hero of our times.  After seeing the film, I still believe he is.  But now, I realize he was a man with a fearless drive to do the right thing. He was a man who was passionate about humanity and forgiveness. A man who taught the world so many valuable lessons.  An example of love.  A champion of the people.  A great man.  

10 Reasons Why a 'Roots' Remake Is a Bad Idea

Brace yourself.  *long sigh*  History (The History Channel) just announced plans to remake....Roots.  Yes, Roots.  One of the most celebrated and groundbreaking TV programs of all time.  And no, I'm not kidding.  Roots - the miniseries that debuted in 1977 and earned a record 36 Emmy nominations, winning nine, including best limited series.  

A remake?  Nice.  And by nice, I mean no.  Here are 10 reasons why a Roots remake is a bad idea:

1. Just because Django, The Help, The Butler and 12 Years a Slave did great at the box office doesn't mean the remake of Roots will do the same.
    
2. Hollywood has a terrible track record when it comes to remakes.  The odds aren't good.
   
   
3. Black people have other stories to tell.  Wake up Hollywood!
   
   
4. Greatness (Roots) stands the test of time.  It is what it is. (Air the original).
   
   
5. Twitter will completely shut DOWN if this remake really happens.  Explode!
   
   
6. Roots is a classic.  You see anybody remaking Gone With The Wind?
   
   
7. This remake is a perfect example of doing too much.  And doing too much always backfires. 
   
   
8. A remake seems so lazy.  Create new content! (TV writers have completely run out of new ideas.)
   
   
9. Prettttty sure America has capped off on remakes for the decade. (In other words...folks are sick and tired of remakes.)
   
   
10. The History Channel can't give 10 reasons (good ones) why a remake of Roots is necessary. 

Tie Tuesday (Dr. Joseph Lowery)

I've been thinking about Dr. Joseph Lowery lately...  He's an icon who is best known for his leadership in the civil rights movement.  His tireless work has stretched over 60 years.  In fact, after Rosa Parks' arrest in 1955, Dr. Lowery was instrumental in leading the Montgomery bus boycott.  And at the request of Dr. Martin Luther King, he led the Selma to Montgomery march of 1965.  He later founded the Christian Leadership Conference with Dr.King, and led the organization from 1997 to 1987.  In 2009, Dr. Lowery was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama.

He celebrated his 92nd birthday this past Sunday in Atlanta at Morehouse College. Celebrities, politicians and community leaders came out to honor his life and contributions. One person was missing though.  His wife of nearly 60 years, Evelyn.  She passed away a week ago. 

My heart goes out to him for his loss...60 years is a long time to love someone.  But I know he's a man of faith.  And I know he'll keep pushing forward.  One of the many reasons I love and admire him...

My Hope for Trayvon

*Note: I wrote this the day the police made an arrest in the Trayvon Martin shooting. I couldn't bring myself to publish it.  Not sure why.  In honor of the first anniversary of his death, I decided to post this....

Everyone knows the story of Trayvon Martin.  I can barely recount the facts of what happened without getting emotional. And watching Sybrina and Tracy, Trayvon's parents?  So stoic.  My heart aches for them soooo much.  The pain and numbness in their eyes is overwhelming at times.  They'll never see Trayvon get dressed for the prom.  They'll never attend his high school graduation.  They'll never see him go to college.  Gone. Just heartbreaking.

I didn't know Trayvon personally.  But like millions of people around the world, I connected with him.  I have five nephews.  Five!  Any one of them could have been Trayvon.  Every time I see his picture, I see the faces of the young men in my family.  I think to myself, My God...this could have happened to them. It was a harsh reality check for me.

I'm a hyper compassionate person.  I have such a bleeding heart.  I wish I could help everyone who's suffering, and I often pray for people I barely know.  (I'm no Mother Teresa, but I can't help it.)  So, Trayvon's story naturally tugged at my heart.  It woke me up.  And what did I do about it?  I rallied and sent emails. I spoke up, and I hoped and prayed for justice. 

I'm still reading the reports, watching newscasts and listening to legal analysts weigh in.  And THAT my friends, is a different conversation for another time.  But, I've been thinking and wondering more and more about Trayvon...   

More than anything, I hope that he can see and feel what has happened here.  I hope that Trayvon understands that his death wasn't in vain. The last few minutes of his life were filled with confusion and fear. I hope a feeling of love has replaced those last moments. I hope and pray. I hope he's smiling and happy.  I pray that he understands...he will not be forgotten.  People he never knew marched for him, wore hoodies in his honor, cried for him and screamed for justice. I hope somehow, he felt that...

Women's History Month Spotlight: Fannie Lou Hamer

March is National Women's History Month!  Time to shine the spotlight on a few of my favorite ladybugs.  One of my all-time favorite ladies in history is Fannie Lou Hamer.  It really bothers me that people don't know her.  Her story is amazing.  As my momma says...she was something else.

About Fannie Lou Hamer (1917 - 1977)

• Born in Montgomery County, Mississippi, she was the granddaughter of a slave and the youngest of 20 children.
• At age six, she began helping her parents in the cotton fields.

• By the time she was twelve, she was forced to drop out of school and work full time to help support her family.
• In 1962, she'd had enough of sharecropping. Leaving her house in Ruleville, MS she and 17 others took a bus to the courthouse in Indianola, the county seat, to register to vote.
• After being jailed and brutally beaten for trying to vote, she
  began working on welfare and voter registration programs for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

• Her most famous quote: "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."
• She became the Vice-Chair of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, attending the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in that capacity.
• Prior to her death, she was inducted into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, as an honorary member.