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Ms. Lena Horne was a beautiful sight to see delivering a melody like no other. May you rest in peace.

I’m always filled with a little sadness and nostalgia when something or someone from the culture of my childhood slips away. I felt that way about Michael Jackson and I felt that way when I found out  that Asbury Park, New Jersey closed down their amusement park.

The most recent event that brought on these feelings is the death of Theodore “Teddy” Pendergrass. I was a little girl and I can remember my father and my grandfather playing some of his best songs. Songs such as “Turn Off the Lights“, “Love TKO“, and “Close the Door“.

However, a few years ago, I discovered what would become my most favorite Teddy Pendergrass song of all time, when Nelly remade “Come, Go With Me”. Nelly’s version was called “My Place“. When I found out it was a remake of Teddy’s song, I had to hear the original.  I ended up liking Teddy’s original best and the song reconnected me to the singer’s talent. Something I hadn’t thought about since I was a child.

In tribute to the passing of a great sensual balladeer, here’s “Come, Go With Me.”

Thank you Teddy Pendergrass for your tremendous contribute to R&B Soul! May you rest in peace!

It’s that time of year again. September 15th is the start of Hachette Book Group’s Hispanic Heritage Month. Sable Lit Reviews is proud to participate for the second year in a row.

Hachette is offering 5 great reads. Find out more about the contest by selecting the WIN BOOKS tab listed at the top of this block.

Show your support for the value of multicultural fiction. Good Luck!

The events of Thursday, June 25th 2009 are probably not lost on anyone with a television, an Internet connection or a cell phone with texting capabilities.  Like most people, I was working when I heard the news of Farrah Fawcett’s death. When my co-worker mentioned it while looking at a news website while eating his lunch my initial reaction was “na-uh!” (yes, I know very eloquent!) I felt a moment of sadness and nostalgia before returning to my routine. I had watched the majority of Fawcett’s documentary and knew that she’d been fighting cancer. While I thought her courageous for surviving the battle as long as she did, I figured at least she wouldn’t be suffering anymore.

A few hours later when I heard that Michael Jackson had suddenly died of cardiac arrest, I was saddened and shocked. It’s a feeling that still persists even now as I write this.

A fan said it best, when it was quoted that “…Michael Jackson’s passing is like a piece of my childhood dying with him.”

I hadn’t posted sooner about Michael’s death because it is still so hard to believe. Someone at work made a snarky comment like, “you actually like Michael Jackson?” All I could say was, that I know he was very screwed up but the days of Thiller were the best ever in terms of music.” I didn’t like what he’d become in recent years, kind of a caricature of his former self, but it never changed the value of his music.

It’s funny how we are not allowed to be flawed. I find myself constantly trying to correct my flaws, hide them and even search for those who will love me in spite of them. In the end, I think that’s what Michael wanted too.

As I sat this weekend watching all the coverage…the biographies…the music video tributes…the speculation over his death and his life, I wondered what made him the way he was. It could have been loneliness or baggage from a very unique, challenging and rewarding childhood, (there’s definitely irony in that sentence…) but only he truly knows. His transformation or metamorphosis as some like to call it definitely added to the mystique that is Michael Jackson. We don’t know what he saw when he looked in the mirror or why he wanted to change it, but it leads me to wonder how as a society we come to mourn someone we don’t really know…

I’m a constant thinker… in fact thinking often keeps me up at night. And what I came up with almost as quickly as I asked the question is that we mourn the loss of a person’s contributions when they die. Someone like Michael Jackson or Princess Diana for instance are known for the contributions they made to society. Whether it’s philanthropy or entertainment, it has value and it is the loss of that contribution and the admiration for the people who share such great talents with us that makes us sad when they pass. We know people for the contributions they make, whether they are celebrities or not. If it is a positive contribution then there’s a bond of abstract friendship or kinship. We may not know someone like Michael Jackson personally but we know the talent and the contributions he’s made that has inspired others to chase their dreams and taking command of their lives. We even know the benefit of someone’s generosity even if that generosity isn’t bestowed on us directly. (Think : We Are the World).

Michael Jackson will now go the the place where all great unique talents go. Like Elvis, Janis, Jimmy, Marilyn, Marvyn and Diana, Michael  will live on in the contributions his talents have made to modern culture for many generations to come.

Title: AAMBC National Meeting
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Description: Join your favorite authors at the African Americans on the Move Book Club in San Antonio, Texas where authors and readers are brought together to experience southern hospitality and build relationships around their favorite books.
Start Date: 2009-06-13
End Date: 2009-06-14

Title: 9th Annual National Multicultural Business Conference
Location: Orlando, Florida
Description: Join many business innovators in the areas of Human Resources, Education, Gonvernment and Small Business as they seek to improve the multicultural influence in human resources, marketing and advertising. For more information visit: http://www.diversitybusiness.com/Events/DivEvent/2009/
Start Date: 2009-04-29
End Date: 2009-05-01

Often when it comes to trying new things we may not be as willing to give a new experience the chance it deserves. Part of being enamored of multiculturalism is being willing to explore different cultures that may not suit the norm. It goes beyond trying a diferent dish at your favorite restaurant or reading a book from a genre that differs from your favorite one.

I have the perfect example that happened to me a couple of days ago. On Friday morning I received a text message from a friend regarding an extra ticket she had to a Mary Mary concert happening the next night. Frankly, because I have been listening to the same ten CDs in my car and only listening to my favorite artists on Slacker Radio online, I just assumed Mary Mary was a new nickname for Mary J. Blige instead of the name of a new music duo. (They are actually not that new, just new to me). Of course in my confusion, I texted her right back and expressed delight at the opportunity to go.
Something told me to investigate this a little further. After all, if it was Mary J. Blige, wouldn’t my friend have just referenced her in that way?

Good ol’ Google, I punched in Mary Mary to find that they are a Christian singing duo with an R&B sound. Since I hadn’t of them, my immediate response was to contact my friend back and decline the offer because 1) I hadn’t heard of them 2) I thought it was Mary J Blige and 3) I felt it might be better if someone who had actually heard of the group would get the chance to see them for free. Then I started thinking about my blog and my emphasis on being open to multiculturalism. Just like ethnicity, food and gender, music and religion are also a culture. So I when to another great site, YouTube, to find video of their music. Among the songs listed, I found one that I had actually heard before.

Now I was convinced. I would go to the show and give these singing sisters with the beautiful voices a chance. I arrived too early and just waited in the parking lot. I love to people-watch so it was easy to spy on all the concert-goers as they arrived. Most of them were African American. Yes the singing duo was African American also. So that wasn’t a surprise. Even the varying age ranges came to know surprise to me. There were singles, couples with and without children and people old enough to be grandparents. There were people dressed like it was a concert with their skimpy attire and those dressed in their Sunday best.

When we finally got in, I people watched some more until the warm-up acts were finished. The duo finally came on and I was very impressed. It was one part concert, one part church service and one part religious revival. I was interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. While I don’t attend every Sunday, I’m no stranger to church service and the natural order of how they function, however, I was slightly disoriented by the church like behavior in a concert like setting. By the varying degree of dress and undress, I wasn’t alone. I was greatful though, that I wore jeans and a sweater. Gotta love a state like Arizona where you can were nice jeans just about anywhere!

I’m glad I gave Mary Mary a chance. I foresee adding them to my Slacker Radio channel in the near future.

Having just returned from a trip to New York City and New Freedom, Pennsylvania, I realized each state has its own culture. I was fully aware of the cultural differences among the regions, but I never paid attention to specific state cultural contrasts. Sure, there’s a difference between Arizona and New York, but was there a difference between Pennsylvania and New York? After all the east coast is the east coast right?

During my travels I discovered that there was a huge difference between New York and Pennsylvania. The pace is faster and everything has its price. Parts of Pennsylvania has a Midwest appeal with dollar theatres, cheaper gas and a dairy farms.

Meanwhile, New York City waits for no one. Get up and get moving or get run over. Be book smart and street smart or get cheated. Brands are huge and deep sense of uniqueness resonates.

One of the things I valued most was how a car ride can lead you to another state and another culture with time to explore both.  I even ventured into D.C. for a few hours taking in all the historic building  and statues. The only thing that kept me from documenting the sights digitally was the constant rain that poured for three days.

A trip to a different state isn’t just a trip to a different place, it’s a trip to a different culture with different experiences and expectations.

photo courtesy of Library of Congress (Flickr)

Ironically, on April 1st, I came across an article about Arizona Senator John McCain’s mission to see  the first African American World Heavyweight Champion, Jack Johnson, pardoned for his alleged violation of the Mann Act in 1913. The Mann Act which made it illegal to transport women in interstate or foreign commerce i.e. prostitution, debauchery or any other illegal purpose.

What activity did Johnson engage in to bring about a conviction?  It was his frequent romantic association with white prostitutes.  At least two white former prostitutes were documented as his traveling companions during his successful boxing career. He also married another white woman, Etta Duryea, but their marriage was troubled and she committed suicide. Johnson, a widower, took up with another white woman, a former prostitute, when he was charged with violating the Mann Act. 

Johnson constantly defied the era in which he emerged. First, by pursuing the World Heavyweight Championship title, an honor thought only worthy of talented white boxers. His earning of the title sparked riots and debate of its authenticity for many years. When he could not be restricted professionally, he was prosecuted for his personal relationships causing him to flee the country. He later returned and served his sentence.

While many at the time and even to this day view the case as a cover-up for society’s discontent regarding interracial relationships, now that Jack Johnson and those who prosecuted him have passed on, what true purpose would it serve to issue a posthumous pardon? Will later generations always be burdened with the task of righting the misdeeds of our forefathers?

              On any given day, my creative side is at war with my analytical side. Well, last week, my creative side won. I was at a metaphysical/new age bookstore. ( I love the metaphysical and New Age concepts) I had just had a facial and was in the neighborhood of an the bookstore that I use to frequent often when I lived in the area. I walked in with every intention of getting a tarot reading depending on who was on duty. Instead of wanting a prediction, I was seeking insight on things that have already happened or were in progress.
           What I enjoyed most about this reading wasn’t the predictions. It was what happened between the predictions. We talked about our life perceptions. We talked about how changing our behaviors and our thoughts adjusts how we perceive the events in our lives. Surely, I didn’t have to seek a conversation with a medium or a psychic to reach these conclusions but it’s nice to talk to someone who doesn’t  know you but can relate to you solely based on intuition, perception and body language. It was very interesting to experience.