Black Men in Life Space: A Change for the Better

Photo Source: Showtime

The late great Chicago soul singer, Sam Cooke sang and announced that "A Change is Gonna Come." On season five of Showtime's, "The Chi," the award-winning writer, creator, producer, actor, and CEO Lena Waithe is helping to change the way everyone views Black men in life space. The APA Dictionary of Psychology defines Life space as a representation of the environmental, biological, social, and psychological influences that define one person’s unique reality at a given moment in time. The physical and psychological environment of Black men in life and in film has been in jeopardy for decades but Waithe is helping to change that perception while maintaining characters who are flawed but redeemable.

On the eighth episode of The Chi, Season 5 “Sweet Thing” (S5E8) the overriding theme is all about change. For some, change can be painful. Change means that things will not remain as they were; in fact, change can mean a shift that is sometimes so dramatic it can transform a person’s life for the long

Photo source: yolondaross.com/bio

 term. I have watched “The Chi” since the first season, and I have been more than pleased with the creative plot twist presented by director and creator, Lena Waithe. This Showtime American drama about the lives of Black people living on the Southside of Chicago has provided some of the most entertaining and riveting storylines that I have ever viewed and experienced in television. Character development since the first season has been both refreshing and true-to-life. For example, the character Jada (Yolonda Ross) and her progressions as a single mom navigating dating life, the pain of loss, and nearly loss of life as a cancer survivor, finally reaches a redemptive point when she rekindles her relationship with high school love and son’s father, Darnell (Rolando Boyce).

Photo source: Showtime

Darnell’s transformation (as a Black man) from the mannish boy that Blues legend Muddy Waters screamed about to a man, father, and possible loyal husband is a rare sighting in television and film. Why is that important? Arguably, without looking at “The Chi” ratings based on race, gender, etc., it is safe to say that a majority of the viewership reflect the characters on the show – Black people. Some of those Black viewers are likely between the ages of 18-33. It is important (for a change) that those viewers and others see Black characters -- in all of their imperfections -- develop or change into people who make better life decisions. In other words, they are redeemable characters. This is important in a society that views many Black boys and men as oversexed, unredeemable, and completely lost. This counternarrative presented by Waithe and her team of writers demonstrates that even though characters like Darnell, as well as his son Emmett (Jacob Latimore) started as flawed, disloyal men, they were more than capable of changing for the better. Like anyone, they are capable of becoming loving fathers and husbands if they are given a chance to develop and make a change for the better. Bravo to the cast and crew of "The Chi". You are creating television that is worth watching and this is definitely a welcomed change. ~Peace 

Memories of A Sunday Kind Of Love

I love this song by Etta James, "A Sunday Kind of Love." I loved it so much that I gave the title to my Sunday night show on WHCJ at Savannah State University (College in my day) in Savannah, Georgia in the early 90s. I was on-air every Sunday evening from 8:00 p.m. - 12 midnight. It was one of the few commitments that I would keep on a weekly basis for more than 3 years. That's how I knew that it was true love. It lasted longer than any of my campus relationships.


Although I have moved on with life and married, I still think about that commitment now and then; of course, it is usually on Sundays as 8:00 p.m. approaches. Back then, I would jump on my bike with my sack of choice music and glide on over to the station. Once that big hand hit the 8, I'd hit play and on came... "Summer Madness" by Kool and the Gang. I know. Why didn't I use Etta? Well, I thought that it would be too obvious. Plus, "Summer Madness" was a great music bed while I introduced myself and the night's show:


Good evening. You're listening to Savannah State radio, WHCJ-90.3 FM. This is your host, Stephen Bess, and thank you for joining me this evening for another edition of "A Sunday Kind of Love." Please, just sit back and relax and I will take care of the rest...


Man, I loved it! Yes, those were good times. I will never forget those days. I enjoyed some quiet times every Sunday night in that campus studio. I took request and talked to friends of the station over the phone. Once in a while, I even received a visit from a friend on campus. However, most of the time it was just me and the microphone. Well, now that those days are behind me, I just listen to Ms. Etta sing as I reminisce of "A Sunday Kind of Love" at WHCJ radio. Those were good times. Good night everybody.

Rhiannon Giddens- "Julie"

Rhiannon Giddens' music is based on a collective number of slave narratives. This is an absolutely beautiful way to preserve the history of our enslaved ancestors; it addresses and expresses the very heart of wanting to be free from bondage. Thank you, Rhiannon Giddens. Lovely.

John Lee Hooker - Hobo Blues

John Lee Hooker (August 22, 1912 – June 21, 2001) is one of my favorite Blues singers. He was so poetic and creative with his guitar and lyrics. I think of the Blues as a linguistic record of African American Vernacular English. Listen closely and you will understand. Well, if you were raised in an environment where that language was spoken, you will have a better understanding. Enjoy. Peace~

Jimmy Rushing: Sent For You Yesterday

Jimmy Rushing, the beloved teddy bear, blues shouter, balladeer, and swing jazz singer who hailed from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was best known as the featured vocalist of Count Basie's Orchestra from 1935 to 1948.

He also made appearances in film such as the 1969 Gordon Parks film, The Learning Tree. In this video, Mr. Rushing is showing off some of his big, smooth dance smooths and vocals. Read more about the life and times of of Jimmy Rushing at AllMusic.com. 

Merry Christmas 2016

One of my favorite Christmas scenes featuring Oprah Winfrey as "Ms. Sophia." This is for anyone who wishes to be home for the holidays. It's for those who miss their parents and loved ones. God bless and comfort you. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. I'm looking forward to a fantastic New Year for us all despite the forecast. Peace~

Billie Holiday - "I'll Be Seeing You"

I've been thinking about Billie Holiday's music all week. I guess it's just that season. The weather is cooling off and perhaps I associate her music with autumn days. I don't think of her music as sad, but it does cause me to be contemplative and dreamy. I think of these times and her times. I think of the world, but not as it is but how it could be. Yes, I am a dreamer. I supposed that is what helps me to cope. God keeps me sane. Well, I just dropped in to share my thoughts. I'll be seeing you...soon. ~PEACE

Sea Lion Woman - Christine and Katherine Shipp

I love what Nina Simone did with this song, but this original adolescent song is so pure and innocent. I love it.  It goes to show how much of a cultural preservationist Nina Simone was through her music. She not only sung and preserved African American culture but American culture. She was and still is a treasure. Nevertheless, thank you Ms. Christine and Katherine Shipp for this lovely rendition. Peace~ 

Bessie Smith (Down Hearted Blues, 1923) Jazz Legend

On February 16, 1923 The Empress of the Blues, Ms. Bessie Smith, makes her first recording, "Down Hearted Blues," which sells 800,000 copies for Columbia Records. She went on to become one of the most popular entertainers of the 1920s.

Gary Clark, Jr. "Catfish Blues" | White House

Piedmont Blues Talk

Featured art:  William H. Johnson

Headed South to Montevideo

In November, I will visit the country of Uruguay in South America. This is not a planned trip or vacation; I was invited as part of an effort to introduce students in Uruguay to African American culture. Specifically, I will teach students about the African influence in American culture as it pertains to music. This comes easy to me because it stays near the front of my thoughts; however, my challenge is that most of the students speak limited English. I’m attempting to brush up on my Spanish in an effort to communicate as effectively as possible. Otherwise, I will depend on the universal power of music, and the supreme power of God, who will lead and guide me on this venture.


You may giggle, but I took my time to inform the Morphological Confetti community because I wanted to make sure I had my plane ticket. This entire trip is funded by the arts council, but I had to be perfectly certain that my ticket was in hand. I truly give thanks to God for this opportunity, but I would also like to thank one of my readers in Uruguay (Analia) for mentioning my blog to a group of teachers. She mentioned that my blog, Morphological Confetti, focuses on African American culture and language and the rest is…me getting on a flight to Uruguay in November.

As for Uruguay, its population is mostly of European descent. According to Wikipedia, 95% of Uruguayans are of European ancestry from Spain and Italy. There are nearly 4% of Uruguayans who are of African descent. They are my West African cousins who were brought there as slaves around the 16th century. It is estimated that 30 million Africans were shipped to the Americas, and the 6 million who survived the journey entered mainly through ports such as Buenos Aires, and Montevideo, Uruguay.

I will also enter Uruguay through Montevideo under much better circumstances. I won’t be there long enough to experience the fullness of the culture, but I will soak up as much as possible. I’m particularly interested in Candombe, a rhythmic drum sound that arrived in Uruguay with the Africans. I will give you more once I return – God willing. Peace~

Sources:  unique-southamerica-travel-experience.com, candombe.com, wikipedia, and youtube

Poetry: Here’s the Situation...

My old lady ain’t never been one to cut me no slack
If I tell her I’m going to the store
She wanna know what time I’m coming back
But that’s okay ‘cause papa ain’t salty

You might think that what I’m saying ain’t real,
but the president has to sign a bill
Just so I can spend a bill – I’m talking about a dollar!
Yeah, sometimes it makes me wanna holler
but that’s okay ‘cause papa ain’t salty

You see…

I messed up just a while ago
with this sweet, fine thing – age around 24
Man, I thought my game was tight
‘cause I never tried to spend the night

But one day…

I guess the time was around 4
That sweet, fine thing knocked on my front door
Well, she told my ‘ol lady everything including things I said
Meanwhile, I’m ducking and dodging the pots and pans flying at my head
Man, was I scared!

But that’s okay ‘cause papa still ain’t salty
I just wish my ‘ol lady would cut me some slack
‘cause I just met this sweet, fine thing – age around 29
that I been dying to get at




This is an excerpt from my new chapbook, Liquid Lunch. How do you order your own copy? Just look to your right margins and click the "Buy Now" button through PayPal. It's fast, it's safe, and it's the Blues. Thanks for your support.

MC Spotlight: Liquid Lunch

I am proud to present my first book of poems titled, Liquid Lunch. (A thought: Hey, this is the first MC spotlight that is about me!) Anyway, it is a collection of Blues-Inspired poetry that I have put into a chapbook. The chapbooks have not arrived yet, but I am expecting them any day now. Where did the idea come from? I got the idea of putting together a Blues chapbook from my good brother and writer Geoffrey Philp. In essence, he told me that I had accumulated a good amount of blues poetry that I should consider sharing with the rest of the world. So, I took the poems that I had already written, added a few more and voila! Thanks, Geoffrey. The current book cover is not as colorful as the one you see because of the paper used; the picture above is for advertisment. Besides, I wanted to display my friends wonderful work. It was done by a fantastic graphics designer, artist, and good friend Marilyn Gates Davis.

Info about Liquid Lunch:

As some of you know, the term liquid lunch refers to a lunch that consist of alcohol as the main course. Back when I was a sailor in the US Navy, my comrades and I would sometimes choose this as a way to "pick up" the day. I called this chapbook that because I envision it as a quick "pick-me-upper." My hopes is that it will lift your spirits and inspire you in one way or the other. The poems are based on little of everything: my life, my imagination, my grandfather's life. By the way, my grandfather is the young man you see on the right. This image is from a photo of him in the US Army, 1944. Today, he is 90 years old and living in North Carolina and yes...he still enjoys a little liquid lunch now and then.

I will post information about the pricing and how you can get a copy soon. As always, thanks for all your support. Peace~

 

Note: Big thanks and all the love to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ, and my wife who is always telling, "put it in a book Bess!"

Subway Art: U Street Station in DC

I wanted to share a little subway art to start your weekend. This piece is part of a mural at the U Street metro station in DC. I don't know the artist, but I always stop to see what else I can see in this mural which takes up a long stretch of wall. The mural reflects a community that is culturally rich and diverse. This seems to reflect the Caribbean. I wonder what song he's playing? Maybe he's playing, Ding Dang Walla. Well, have a great weekend and be safe. Peace~

Poem 7:Blue Holiday

Blue Holiday

Don't matter how bright the day

or how new the moon
Trouble is always in sight
and my mood is always Blue

Even if I pray
before I start the day
and give The Father his due
Weary is just down the street
and my my mood is bound to be Blue

Lord, take me now
cause I'm just about through
ain't no use in carryin' on
cause my mood is always Blue

By: Stephen Bess

Dedicated to the memory of Ms. Billie Holiday born on this day in 1915. Billie Holiday, like so many of our young girls, was the victim of sexual assault at an early age. However, women of all ages are being assaulted even as I type these words. Big thanks to Xavier for promoting awareness.

Art Source: boundlessgallery.com

Art and Lyrics: Terraplane Blues

Robert Johnson, Terraplane Blue 2001. Stephen Bess

Watercolor, pencil, and ink on paper

Terraplane Blues

"And I feel so lonesome you hear me when I moan (x2)

Who been drivin my terraplane for you since I've been gone

I'd said I flashed your lights mama your horn won't even blow

I even flash my lights mama this horn won't even blow

Got a short in this connection hoo-well, babe, its way down below

I'm on hist your hood momma mmmm I'm bound to check your oil (x2)

I got a woman that I'm lovin way down in Arkansas..."

Lyric Source: © (1978) 1990, 1991 Lehsem II, LLC/Claud L. JohnsonAdministered by Music & Media International, Inc.

Art and Lyrics: Liquid Lunch

Artwork: S Bess (Watercolor, pencil, and ink on paper)

Bad Liquor Blues

Listen here people, listen to what I have to say (2x)
If you drink bad whiskey, it will do you this a-way

Make you lose your money, make you lose your best friend (2x)
And when you get sober, swear you'll never get drunk again...

As sung by: Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell

My inspiration for this piece came from a photograph I recently shared with you of my grandfather.

Well, I'm watching the democratic debates so I must go. Take care, my friends. Peace~

Two Black Men Sitting On Porch

Man 1: "Why is it this man wanna take a picture of us?"

Man 2: "I don't know, but I sho hope my check come today."
Photo credit: www.discoverblackheritage.com

Lucille Bogan

Lucille Bogan was born Lucille Anderson in Amory, Mississippi on 1 April 1897. In 1923 Lucille recorded for the first time in Atlanta, Georgia. Perhaps the public was not yet ready for the young Lucille with future legends like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith still reigning as queens. Lucille Bogan returned in 1927 under the pseudonym of "Bessie Jackson." The pseudonym seemed to get her some notice due to the popularity of Bessie Smith. Lucille bogan wrote and arranged many of her popular songs which covered every theme from sex, prostitution, Alcoholism, drug addiction, lesbianism and yes…more sex! The question most often asked about Lucille Bogan was if she really lived the lascivious lifestyle portrayed in her music?

Rumor has it she came by her material through her associations with the Birmingham, Alabama underworld. It’s also rumored that in 1927 she was having an affair with her piano man, Will Ezell while she was still married to Nazareth Lee Bogan Sr. [Lucille's husband of 11 years at the time]. There were songs like, Barbecue Bess [no relation] (1935) where Lucille sang about a sign on her door stating, "Barbecue for Sale" and she wasn’t talking about the kind of barbeque you eat with cole slaw on a bun. There were other songs like Groceries on the Shelf (1933) and Stew Meat Blues (1935) which also carried the theme of prostitution.

Songs with lesbian themes included, B.D. Woman's Blues and the forthright Women Won’t Need No Men. Her true sexual preference was never truly revealed and this is how she wanted it. One of Lucille Bogan’s most popular songs was the risqué hit, Shave ‘Em Dry (1935):

“…Grind me honey and shave me dry,
And when you hear me holler baby,
want you to shave it dry…
Oh, daddy shave me dry,
And I'll give you somethin' baby,
swear it'll make you cry."

Honestly, I didn’t have the guts to post the most explicit parts of the song. Check it out for yourself. Shave ‘Em Dry stands as the most sexually explicit recording that is as old as the Blues itself. Yes, this would make her the queen of “nasty.” Well, at least in the 2oth Century. So, Lil’ Kim , 2 Live Crew, and all the rest of the artist who thought that they were "As Nasty As They Wanna Be"…think again. However, with all due respect Lucille Bogan was a serious Blues artist who did her research and gave the people what the wanted on a juke joint Saturday night. Hip Hop artist like the Notorious B.I.G. would do the same type of research for some of his more nefarious material some 60 years later. Bogan’s last recordings were done in 1935. She would go on to perform at different venues for years afterwards, but her recording career was no longer. She left the South and moved to Los Angeles in 1948. Unfortunately, she died a couple of months after on August 10, 1948 from Coronary Sclerosis. Lucille Bogan was 51 years old.

Sources and photo credit: wikipedia.com, redhotjazz.com, and deltahaze.com