Monthly Archives: March 2009

To many people, some of jazz and blues singer/essayist Abbey Lincoln’s words may seem dated, but, there is still much truth and fire in her words written over 43 years ago. Words which still resonate the bitter truths that still fill … Continue reading →

The People Speak is a documentary inspired by Howard Zinn’s book, A People’s History of the United States and from the book he co-authored with Anthony Arnove, Voices of a People’s History.   This documentary showcases many well-known people who read excerpts from … Continue reading →

  The Manhattan Project. The ‘Trinity Test’ at Alamagordo, New Mexico. The guinea pig test of the people of Bikini Atoll of the hydrogen bomb. Fat Man and Little Boy. Colonel Paul Tibbets. The Enola Gay. Hiroshima and Nagasaki.   On … Continue reading →

Women in Prison: How It Is With Us Assata Shakur / Joanne Chesimard published in The Black Scholar, April 1978 We sit in the bull pen. We are all black. All restless. And we are all freezing. When we ask, … Continue reading →

#1 R&B Song 1970:   “Call Me,” Aretha Franklin   Born:   Eddie “Son” House, 1902; Otis Spann, 1930; Russell Thompkins, Jr. (the Stylistics), 1951   ****************************************************************************** 1930   Otis Spann, considered one of the finest blues piano players, was born today. He … Continue reading →

Venus. Beautiful, Venus. I never tire of looking up to the heavens and seeing  her rise in the East and go across the sky into the West (the Morning Star and the Evening Star), so brilliant, so spectacular, so close. … Continue reading →

  March 19, 2009 ColorLines Direct. News and commentary from ColorLines magazine and RaceWire blog. The ColorLines March/April issue is available now. Find out why racial justice matters in the fight for gay marriage. On ColorLines.com     The War … Continue reading →

#1 R&B Song 1943:   “Don’t Stop Now,” Bonnie davis   Born:   Sister Roseta Tharp, 1921; Tracy Chapman, 1964   ******************************************************************************* 1948   Dinah Washington charted with Fats Waller’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” reaching #6 R&B. The song was originally used in Waller’s 1929 … Continue reading →

#1 R&B Song 1966:   “634-5789″ (Soulsville USA),” Wilson Pickett   Born:   Clarence Paul (the “5″ Royales), 1928; Clarence “Frogman” Henry, 1937; Walter Jackson (the  Velvetones), 1938; Ruth Pointer (the Pointer Sisters), 1946   ************************************************************************************* 1955   Johnny Ace’s posthumously issued “Pledging … Continue reading →

DALLAS JUDGE CRITICIZED FOR RACIALLY CHARGED QUOTE DALLAS (AP) ― March 18, 2009 12:11PM/CST The top judge in Dallas‘ municipal court system is receiving criticism for writing that “black folks have been cleaning up white folks’ messes for hundreds of … Continue reading →