- Jun 8, 2004
- 3,210
- 64
Sometime ago brother Dusty Elbow asked me if all Black Culture consisted of was artists and musicians, which as artists and musicians go in THIS society, was kind of a low blow(SMILE!) But looking at the very powerful role our artists have played in, not only the entertainement arena, but the socio-political fabric of the world, I would say that their art and their politics are almost intertwined...
Look at, for example, Paul Robeson, a fantastic actor with operatic singing skils, who used his art to propagate Black liberation all over the world... How about actor Canada Lee, who also used his acting skills to bring exposure to Apartheid in South Africa - in the 1950's! How about Harry Belafonte, and his indefatigueable work in politics and the civil rights struggle???
Those of us who are old enough to have experienced the 1960's know that our artists were among the most delicious personalities of the period... The Lena Horne's, the Max Roach's, the Nina Simone's, and James Baldwin's were instrumental players in the struggle, not just some entertainers to be looked upon as insignificant self-seekers like White entertainers... Even now, a Stevie Wonder continues to play an important role with his lyrics, as did Robert Nestor Marley with his... Those who say that all these people represent is entertainment need to get their information straight...
Have you heard the words of Curtis Mayfield, or Donny Hathaway - all of them??? Not just the love songs??? Have you heard the very titles of the songs of John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders, David Murray and Don Cherry??? Well, all you need to know about these proud men is that they have a consciousness beyond their artistic skills that they incorporate into their music... And what has to be understood is how important it is, and was, to hear a James Brown singing Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud... That was no novelty piece, it was real and heartfelt... James bought businesses and employed African Americans... "He said I dont want nobody to give me nothing... Just open up the door, and I'll get it myself..." That is a message of empowerment that reverberated and resonated in our communities at that time... Curtis Mayfield said We're a Winner, and that we were Movin' On Up, and that, too, resonated with our people...
So Art is powerful, and Black Art always tells the socio-historical place African people reside in at any given moment in history... I mean, you can tell we're in a lot of trouble listening to the music that's out here now...and we are as directionless as the music... Sorry for the longwindedness, but I am looking for some real commentary on this whether you agree or disagree with what I've said... Just give it some thought, and let's have a real strong discussion on the merits, or lack thereof...
Peace!
Isaiah
Look at, for example, Paul Robeson, a fantastic actor with operatic singing skils, who used his art to propagate Black liberation all over the world... How about actor Canada Lee, who also used his acting skills to bring exposure to Apartheid in South Africa - in the 1950's! How about Harry Belafonte, and his indefatigueable work in politics and the civil rights struggle???
Those of us who are old enough to have experienced the 1960's know that our artists were among the most delicious personalities of the period... The Lena Horne's, the Max Roach's, the Nina Simone's, and James Baldwin's were instrumental players in the struggle, not just some entertainers to be looked upon as insignificant self-seekers like White entertainers... Even now, a Stevie Wonder continues to play an important role with his lyrics, as did Robert Nestor Marley with his... Those who say that all these people represent is entertainment need to get their information straight...
Have you heard the words of Curtis Mayfield, or Donny Hathaway - all of them??? Not just the love songs??? Have you heard the very titles of the songs of John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders, David Murray and Don Cherry??? Well, all you need to know about these proud men is that they have a consciousness beyond their artistic skills that they incorporate into their music... And what has to be understood is how important it is, and was, to hear a James Brown singing Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud... That was no novelty piece, it was real and heartfelt... James bought businesses and employed African Americans... "He said I dont want nobody to give me nothing... Just open up the door, and I'll get it myself..." That is a message of empowerment that reverberated and resonated in our communities at that time... Curtis Mayfield said We're a Winner, and that we were Movin' On Up, and that, too, resonated with our people...
So Art is powerful, and Black Art always tells the socio-historical place African people reside in at any given moment in history... I mean, you can tell we're in a lot of trouble listening to the music that's out here now...and we are as directionless as the music... Sorry for the longwindedness, but I am looking for some real commentary on this whether you agree or disagree with what I've said... Just give it some thought, and let's have a real strong discussion on the merits, or lack thereof...
Peace!
Isaiah
