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| Nia Chance |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to administrator and veteran ace panist Vern Rosemin
June 6
Happy Birthday to Despers USA foundational member and veteran New York panist
Relevant contentSaturday, November 26, 2022
Saturday, November 19, 2022
Saturday, October 8, 2022
German colonizers in Namibia
German colonizers in Namibia, due to their interest in evolutionary theory and missing links executed inmates and decapitated them.
Herero women were required to remove all flesh from the heads to create clean skulls suitable for shipment for study in German Institutes.
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Marilyn famously stood up for Ella Fitzgerald
by Taylor Renee
Marilyn famously stood up for Ella Fitzgerald when Fitzgerald wasn't allowed to play at the Mocambo and other places in Hollywood because of her race. Fitzgerald said, “I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt…
I tried watching the movie Blonde on Netflix, and it really pissed me off because it was an awesome opportunity to show what a cool person Marilyn Monroe actually was. She was a remarkable woman who was not just an actress but an activist progressive voice in Hollywood. The movie sort of goes over some of this, but it's all through a story telling lens that paints Monroe as a constant victim, when in reality she was her own greatest champion. Marilyn Monroe is very much the hero of her story.
She married Arthur Miller after he had been called to testify during McCarthyism and anti-Communist investigations. Miller wrote The Crucible which basically spit in the face of McCarthy, and not only standing with him, but marrying him, was an incredibly brave act at the time. She openly supported Miller while other actors were running scared from McCarthy.
Marilyn famously stood up for Ella Fitzgerald when Fitzgerald wasn't allowed to play at the Mocambo and other places in Hollywood because of her race. Fitzgerald said, “I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt… she personally called the owner of the Mocambo and told him she wanted me booked immediately, and if he would do it, she would take a front table every night. She told him — and it was true, due to Marilyn’s superstar status — that the press would go wild.”
“The owner said yes, and Marilyn was there, front table, every night. The press went overboard. After that, I never had to play a small jazz club again. She was an unusual woman — a little ahead of her times. And she didn’t know it.”
Michelle Morgan, a Monroe biographer, writes “Marilyn didn’t care what people thought of her. She had this ambition and she wanted to go for it … She was constantly educating herself, always fighting for the rights of herself and other people. And really, she contributed to the breakdown of the studio system by … demanding her rights and demanding to be treated as an individual, as a human being. She was a trailblazer."
She took on the studio when they wanted her to do a role she thought was demeaning and she refused. They suspended her contract and expected her to come back with her tail between her legs. Instead, as her wiki explains, "When the studio was still reluctant to change Monroe's contract, she founded her own film production company in 1954. She dedicated 1955 to building the company and began studying method acting under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio. Later that year, Fox awarded her a new contract, which gave her more control and a larger salary."
In 1960, she became a founding member of the Hollywood branch of the Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy.
Marilyn Monroe was, plainly stated, a fucking cool person and interesting historical figure. She did have a difficult childhood filled with abuse and bouncing between orphanages and foster homes, but what is remarkable is the fortitude and straight up bad-ass-ness that growing up like this instilled in her. She was actually one of the few actresses that openly talked about film executives trying to sexually exploit actresses, she talked about walking out of interviews after being propositioned, and warned others as much as she could about this predatory behavior. She was out there trying to expose the Weinsteins of her time.
Marilyn Monroe was well read, funny, strong, a good friend, a great step mom. She spent the night of her death consoling Joe Dimaggio Jr. over the phone about a break up. She had been divorced from his dad for a long time, but you don't divorce kids, and he still saw her as a mom figure.
To take this human, complicated, fascinating figure and make a movie about her life that amounts to watching her cry for two hours while being abused in various ways is basically a crime. A crime against facts, against women, against historical accuracy, against decency, and against good film making or story telling.
I hope this is the last movie that gets made exploiting her memory in such a gross way, and it's sad that this movie filled a space that could have been taken by a movie that actually told her real story and did any of it justice.
Marilyn famously stood up for Ella Fitzgerald when Fitzgerald wasn't allowed to play at the Mocambo and other places in Hollywood because of her race. Fitzgerald said, “I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt…
I tried watching the movie Blonde on Netflix, and it really pissed me off because it was an awesome opportunity to show what a cool person Marilyn Monroe actually was. She was a remarkable woman who was not just an actress but an activist progressive voice in Hollywood. The movie sort of goes over some of this, but it's all through a story telling lens that paints Monroe as a constant victim, when in reality she was her own greatest champion. Marilyn Monroe is very much the hero of her story.
She married Arthur Miller after he had been called to testify during McCarthyism and anti-Communist investigations. Miller wrote The Crucible which basically spit in the face of McCarthy, and not only standing with him, but marrying him, was an incredibly brave act at the time. She openly supported Miller while other actors were running scared from McCarthy.
Marilyn famously stood up for Ella Fitzgerald when Fitzgerald wasn't allowed to play at the Mocambo and other places in Hollywood because of her race. Fitzgerald said, “I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt… she personally called the owner of the Mocambo and told him she wanted me booked immediately, and if he would do it, she would take a front table every night. She told him — and it was true, due to Marilyn’s superstar status — that the press would go wild.”
“The owner said yes, and Marilyn was there, front table, every night. The press went overboard. After that, I never had to play a small jazz club again. She was an unusual woman — a little ahead of her times. And she didn’t know it.”
Michelle Morgan, a Monroe biographer, writes “Marilyn didn’t care what people thought of her. She had this ambition and she wanted to go for it … She was constantly educating herself, always fighting for the rights of herself and other people. And really, she contributed to the breakdown of the studio system by … demanding her rights and demanding to be treated as an individual, as a human being. She was a trailblazer."
She took on the studio when they wanted her to do a role she thought was demeaning and she refused. They suspended her contract and expected her to come back with her tail between her legs. Instead, as her wiki explains, "When the studio was still reluctant to change Monroe's contract, she founded her own film production company in 1954. She dedicated 1955 to building the company and began studying method acting under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio. Later that year, Fox awarded her a new contract, which gave her more control and a larger salary."
In 1960, she became a founding member of the Hollywood branch of the Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy.
Marilyn Monroe was, plainly stated, a fucking cool person and interesting historical figure. She did have a difficult childhood filled with abuse and bouncing between orphanages and foster homes, but what is remarkable is the fortitude and straight up bad-ass-ness that growing up like this instilled in her. She was actually one of the few actresses that openly talked about film executives trying to sexually exploit actresses, she talked about walking out of interviews after being propositioned, and warned others as much as she could about this predatory behavior. She was out there trying to expose the Weinsteins of her time.
Marilyn Monroe was well read, funny, strong, a good friend, a great step mom. She spent the night of her death consoling Joe Dimaggio Jr. over the phone about a break up. She had been divorced from his dad for a long time, but you don't divorce kids, and he still saw her as a mom figure.
To take this human, complicated, fascinating figure and make a movie about her life that amounts to watching her cry for two hours while being abused in various ways is basically a crime. A crime against facts, against women, against historical accuracy, against decency, and against good film making or story telling.
I hope this is the last movie that gets made exploiting her memory in such a gross way, and it's sad that this movie filled a space that could have been taken by a movie that actually told her real story and did any of it justice.
Sunday, July 31, 2022
Ground Breaking Actress Nichelle Nichols has passed
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| NBC News Nichelle Nichols, groundbreaking 'Star Trek' actor, dead at 89 |
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Sunday, July 24, 2022
Black Panther 2 Wakanda Forever Official Teaser Trailer
Marvel Studios released the first trailer for Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever at San Diego Comic-Con 2022. The Ryan Coogler-directed sequel stars Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Martin Freeman, and Tenoch Huerta in his MCU debut as Namor, king of Atlantis. The film opens November 11, 2022.
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Black Japanese Generals celebrating their victory over Russia in 1907
Thursday, June 16, 2022
"African Venus"
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| African Venus |
This beautiful, remarkable sculpture was created over 171 years ago in 1851. ♡♡♡
'"African Venus"...an absolutely incredible sculpture created by artist, Charles Henri Joseph Cordier, in 1851. Cordier was a French sculptor of ethnographic subjects
Thursday, June 9, 2022
Black NC Family Targeted in Two Racially Motivated Arsons
The Judge family said they’ve been experiencing racial targeting since 2015.
by Kalyn Womack -- The Root
Two North Carolina homes belonging to the Judge family were set on fire this year, both while family members were inside. The property belongs to a beloved matriarch of Duplin County, 88-year-old Rebecca Judge, whose family is well known in the area for their community service. However, the incidents were met with a lack of action from law enforcement and the family believes the arsons were racially-motivated.
The Judge family are known for their work to better the community from
volunteering to social justice. Alexander Lee Judge Sr. made a huge
economic impact on the county with commercial farming and transporting
crops. Rebecca Judge was honored with a plaque in the Duplin County Hall
of Fame for her work as a school board member, nurse and civil rights
activist. Though, after all their years working together, she never
heard from Duplin County Sheriff Dalton Wallace regarding the
fires.
The family is working now with Courtney Patterson, the fourth vice president of the NAACP NC and the Southern Coalition for Social Justice to call for a proper investigation into who committed these crimes and possibly file a suit.
“If the law enforcement doesn’t investigate, then it’s time for the NAACP to investigate the law enforcement. We will use every tool we have with our local NAACP, our state conference of branches and the National Association to make sure that justice is served” said Patterson via press conference.
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
British Virgin Islands resists UK takeover
The Voice
BVI Premier, Dr Natalio Wheatley, spoke in national broadcast about Britain's attempts for direct rule
Reason for British bid to impose direct rule vanishes after BVI announce new government - but Westminster still plan to go ahead
UWI Vice-Chancellor of UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckle, said in a statement that the Caribbean nation should be given “full opportunity and autonomy” to resolve its own domestic issues and said it was prepared to “assist Britain in curing itself from the persistent impulse and cultural addiction to dominate the people of this region by imperial edict.”
THE BRITISH Virgin Islands prime minister is resisting plans by the British government to impose direct rule from Westminster with a plan for a new government on the Caribbean island.
Boris Johnson’s minister as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) are determined to take over the tax haven, said to be home to £1.2 trillion in offshore assets.
But the reason for the UK’s move – the instability of the BVI government following the arrest of former premier, Andrew Fahie on suspicion of drug-smuggling charges in Miami in April – has now been removed.
New prime minister Dr Natalio Wheatley, who is now leading the newly formed government, believes BVI’s new administration means there is no longer a need for the UK to get involved.
The ball is now in London’s court with FCO minister Amanda Milling set to press ahead with direct rule despite the new BVI government.
Critics have accused Britain of using any excuse to protect the wealth of tax-dodging billionaires. The Panama Papers, exposed by The Guardian in 2016 found more than 100,000 companies registered in BVI, making it the biggest bolt-hole for cash in the world.
Speaking in a national broadcast, Dr Wheatley said: “I’m pleased to report on behalf of the government of national unity that I have submitted a proposal to the UK Minister for the Overseas Territories, the Rt. Hon. Amanda Milling that sets out our approach to reform that presents a framework for the implementation under continued democratic governance.”
“It represents our commitment to good governance and strengthening our institutions and systems of government. We want to engender a new culture in the handling of the people’s business.
“I hope Minister Milling and the UK government will give due consideration to the proposal and not go down the path of direct rule.”
Local protestors on the island and leading organisations in the Caribbean have already voiced strong opposition to the proposals outlined in a one-man Commission of Inquiry (COI) report led by Sir Gary Hickinbottom prompted by the former Premier’s arrest and ongoing allegations of corruption in the BVI government.
Sir Hickinbottom, who made 45 specific recommendations in the report, had called for the BVI to consider “a return to Ministerial Government and an elected House of Assembly as soon as practicable, with the Governor taking regular advice from the Advisory Council and others on the earliest practicable date on which such government can resume.”
Dr Wheatley is reported to be working closely with the Governor of the BVI on the concerns outlined in the report.
The University of the West Indies was the most opposition to slam the UK’s attempt to attain direct rule of the Caribbean country while the Caribbean is amid challenges in seeking repertory justice for the British government’s and Monarchy’s part in the slave trade.
UWI Vice-Chancellor of UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckle, said in a statement that the Caribbean nation should be given “full opportunity and autonomy” to resolve its own domestic issues and said it was prepared to “assist Britain in curing itself from the persistent impulse and cultural addiction to dominate the people of this region by imperial edict.”
The COI report outlines concern over access to the ports in the territory when Oleanvine Maynard, the Managing Director of the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority, also faced arrest alongside the former Premier last month.
Dr Wheatley added: “In the meantime, we are proceeding with some immediate reforms that we believe are in the public interest. In regard to the Ports Authority, I have been in communication with the chairman of the board, and he has indicated that he will tender his resignation.”
“The term of the remaining members will expire within days, and a new board of suitably qualified persons will be appointed.”
Sunday, May 15, 2022
Friday, May 13, 2022
Racism Is Taught: White Kid Knocks On Black Neighbor’s Door With Whip In Hand Looking For Their Kid… Get Threatened With Gun While Confronting Parent!
Racism Is Taught: White Kid Knocks On Black Neighbor’s Door With Whip In Hand Looking For Their Kid… Get Threatened With Gun While Confronting Parent!
Sunday, May 8, 2022
Monday, May 2, 2022
This is the story of Ja Morant
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The Voice BVI Premier, Dr Natalio Wheatley, spoke in national broadcast about Britain's attempts for direct rule Reason ... -
Jazz, R&B and ‘sophistifunk’: James Mtume’s greatest recordings From his Afrocentric jazz with Miles Davis and Lonnie Liston Smith to h...
