A Glimpse from the Not-so-Distant Past
Posted on 2/9/2010
My girlfriend, Yvonne's house is like a living museum of African American history. Filled with antiques dating all the way back to the 1800's - including old kitchen appliances by black inventors (like the rolling pin), paintings, artifacts - it's just so fascinating, what she has collected over the years. Her home has a rich history itself - being built and once owned by the Pierce family of Pierce College. This past Superbowl Sunday, after the incredible win by the New Orleans Saints and after we had gobbled down most of the beef and cheese enchiladas, I took another stroll around her house and happened upon one of her "finds" that brought the undeniable, horrible past immediately into the present. On a shelving unit against the wall were three sheets of paper that Yvonne had encased in plastic to protect them. A certain gentleman from the south had written down a list of his "possessions" and each item's value. Sort of like in the form of a will or some kind of legal document for business purposes. The year, the owner signed the papers was 1835 and you can see they read as follows:
One Sorrel Filley (Filly) at 55 is $55-dollars.
One Bay Filley at 55 is 55.
2 Old Mares at 25 is 25(dollars)
Farming utensils at 11.25
3 Cow hides at 1-dollar each is 3.00 (*Drum beat now*)
NEGROES
Mindes at 200.
Aaron at 1000.
Marry at 600.
Phoebe at 600.
Lovina at 700.
Dice at 700.
Jude and child at 750.
Sarah at 700.
Jinny at 600.
Tina at 500.
Mary Stubbs at 500.
(**Okaaaaay. Let's take a breath here)
What struck me was how he listed his horses and farming utensils before the men, women, Jude and her child. I checked the date again - 1835, just 175 years ago. Not far enough.
And just when you thought it was over...this evening, yet another story on the news about the atrocities against children in Haiti - being sold for sex slaves and for labor - some to be shipped HERE to America.
How do we come together and take action and make sure the past is never repeated?
Because we do have the power to say, "NO MORE".
Shaun
Vanity Fair Colorless Cover
Posted on 2/5/2010
I WROTE A BOOK ON GIRLS AND
SELF-ESTEEM AND WHAT I KEEP HEARING AGAIN AND AGAIN IS THAT YOUNG WOMEN WANT TO
SEE VARIETY. THIS YEAR WE'RE GOING TO SEE OUR MOST DIVERSE OSCARS RED CARPET IN
YEARS. WE SHOULD SEE THAT REFLECTED ON TELEVISION AND ON OUR MAGAZINE COVERS.
THE SAD PART IS THAT WE ARE ONLY TALKING ABOUT TWO YOUNG BLACK ACTRESSES - ZOE AND GABOREY.
IF THE CRITERIA TO
BE CONSIDERED FOR THE COVER OF VANITY FAIR IS THE ACTRESSES MUST HAVE A BODY OF
WORK BEHIND THEM - THEN THE QUESTION IS "WHERE ARE ALL THE MAINSTREAM ROLES FOR
ALL THE TERRIFIC AND QUALIFIED YOUNG ACTRESSES-BLACK, HISPANIC, ASIAN, INDIAN??
- WHERE ARE THEY? WHO, OTHERWISE COULD HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED.
BUT MAYBE WE WANT
VANITY FAIR TO DO IS, NOT TO FOLLOW HOLLYWOOD'S LEAD BUT TO "TAKE" THE LEAD IN
CHANGING ATTITUDES AND CELEBRATE THE MANY DIVERSE AND TALENTED ACTRESSES OUT
THERE.
BECAUSE A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.
SHAUN
Grammys
Posted on 2/1/2010
Lionel Richie, who is one of my favorites, chatted with me about the remake of We Are The World they were shooting the very next day with stars like Natalie Cole, Kanye West, Celine Dion, The Jonas Brothers, and so many more with the proceeds going to Haiti relief.
Picking a dress for Grammy's is always fun for me because I feel like a rock star. I chose a silver metallic mini by the designer Theia that I just loved. It was a great night!
xo, Shaun
