I remember in the early 90s we would all pile up in the car, myself, my grandmother, Aunt Earnestine, Aunt Johnnie, and Aunt Bettye, and go to Montgomery for their doctors appointments. We would get there at 8 am and the sun would be down by the time we left the doctors office. I am quite familiar with hospitals as well. I remember with both Aunt Bertie and Uncle Archie we would be at the hospital and I would have to sit outside in the lounge area while the others went back. I always wanted to go back in the icu ward....

I'm Black and I'm Proud

I was so encouraged to hear that there were thousands in the streets marching behind James Brown's casket singing I'm Black and I'm proud!

Now we demand a chance to do things for ourserlfWe're tired of beatin' our head against the wallAnd workin' for someone elseWe're people, we're just like the birds and the beesWe'd rather die on our feetThan be livin' on our kneesSay it loud, I'm black and I'm proud

It has just been a holiday season for tears. Ms. Llewwellyn, my grandmother's neighbor and distant relation, just died.

What I Have Learned From bell hooks

There is no love without justice.

my grandmother the other day, she expressed some of the values that she holds that were passed on to me, and that stem from a time, an era, and a belief system that is all but forgotten. She said that she would never desire to be wealthy, that wealthy people more likely were not going to make it into heaven, that poor people lived closest to the lord. These values have been been tossed in this day and age where most people equate acquiring money and status as signs of goodness. Coinciding with this is a demonization of poverty , all of this indeed going on while this economy is being crunched and crushed more and more.

What a great passing with James Brown's death. The world is definitely changing.

Musings on History

I have often argued that in the larger context of history that Eleanor Roosevelt is much more important than her husband Franklin. I think that is ringing true.

A Streisand Christmas

This is a Twelve Days of Christmas Song .

One the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me a Barbra Streisand CD.
One the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me two Streisand tickets and a Barbra Streisand CD.
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me three Streisand specials, two Streisand Tickets, and a Barbra Streisand CD.
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me four Streisand films, three Streisand specials, two Streisand tickets and a Barbra Streisand CD.
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me Barbra Streisand in the flesh! Four Streisand films, three Streisand specials, two streisand tickets and a Barbra Streisand CD.
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me 6 dates with Jason Gould, Barbra Streisand in the Flesh! Four Streisand Films, three Streisand specials, two Streisand tickets, and a Barbra Streisand CD.
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me a seven day honeymoon with Jason , 6 dates with Jason Gould, Barbra Streisand in the Flesh! Four Streisand Films, three Streisand specials, two streisand tickets, and a Barbra Streisand CD!
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me 8 Malibu mansions, a seven day honeymoon with Jason, six dates with Jason Gould, Barbra Streisand in the Flesh! Four Streisand films, three Streisand specials, two Streisand tickets and a Barbra Streisand CD!
On the Ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me nine Streisand impersonators, 8 Malibu Mansions, a seven day honeymoon with Jason, six dates with Jason Gould, Barbra Streisand in the flesh! Four Streisand Films, Three Streisand specials, two streisand tickets and a Barbra Streisand CD!
On the Tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me ten Democratic fundraisers, nine Streisand impersonators, eight Malibu Mansions, a seven day honeymoon with Jason, six dates with Jason Gould, Barbra Streisand in the Flesh! Four Streisand films, Three Streisand specials, two Streisand tickets, and a Barbra Streisand CD!
On the Eleventh Day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 11 Streisand Oscar wins, Ten Democratic Fundraisers, Nine Streisand impersonators, Eight Malibu Mansions, a Seven day honeymoon with Jason, Six dates with Jason Gould, Barbra Streisand in the flesh! Four Streisand Films, three Streisand specials, two Streisand tickets, and a Barbra Streisand CD!
On the 12th Day of Christmas my true love gave to me Twelve years of Streisand in the White House! Eleven Streisand Oscar wins, Ten Democratic Fundraisers, Nine Streisand Impersonators, Eight Malibu Mansions,a Seven Day honeymoon with Jason, Six dates with Jason Gould, Barbra Streisand in the flesh!Four Streisand Films, Three Streisand specials, two Streisand Tickets, and a Barbra Streisand CD!