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.

Book Review from author, Stephen Earley Jordan ll

"Liquid Lunch" is a blues-inspired debut collection of poetry by Stephen Bess. Successfully sprinkling dialect of Black Americans, Bess covers topics such as spirituality, human relations, traditions, and how our lives intertwine with music.


Bess successfully tackles a male's sexual prowessness and how his 'old lady' handles him in "Here's the Situation". He states, "I just wish my 'old lady would cut me some slack / 'cause I just met this sweet, fine thing. . ." Bess cleverly challenges the reader with Black folklore in somber "Death Bells"--a highly effective, brilliantly repetitive poem detailing the connection between life and death. Poem "Sweet and Steady"--a definite read, and personal favorite--instantly pulls you in with the narrator's tongue-in-cheek, and appropriately teasing words.

"Liquid Lunch" is serious, humorous, and entertainingly completed with musicality. This collection captures Black South and, like the Blues, represents how Black Americans make the best out of uncomfortable situations. A definite must-read book. For a complementary book, I'd suggest Nikki Giovanni's "Blues: For All the Changes".

Stephen Earley Jordan II

author of "Beyond Bougie" and "Cold, Black, and Hungry"

A Tale From Uncle

The Devil Complains


Well, the Devil said to someone said, no matter what good he did people, he did not have a good name. The Devil said, "All right, I will let you see this."

Now the Devil went to God, and he said to God let God put a big stone on the path, and he would put a sack of money, then they should see who would get the credit. Well, when they did this, then one day someone came by and he struck his fooot on the stone. At once he said, "The Devil put the stone on the path and made me strike my foot!" Now another came by and he saw the money. He took the money, and at once he said, "Praise God! I say to you 'Many thanks,'[that] I found the money."

At once the Devil said, "You see, it is I who put down the money, but the man gives God thanks. And the person who put down the stone, he curses. So me he cursed, and he thanked God. So did I not tell you that I get no justice on earth?"

Proverb: Look where you stub your foot, but do not look where you fall down.

A.E. Roman ~ Writer's revised version:

The Devil Complains

The Devil said to one of his disciples: "No matter what good I do the people, I do not have a good name. I will let you see this.

"The Devil went to God, and he said to God: "You put a big stone on the path of man, and I will put a sack of money, and we'll see who gets the credit."That day, God put a stone on the path and someone came along the path and struck his fooot on the stone. At once he said, "The Devil put the stone on the path and made me strike my foot!" The next day, the devil put some money down on the path, and someone else came along. She took the money, and at once she said, "Praise God!"At once the Devil said,

"You see, it is I who put down the money, but the woman gives God thanks. And God puts down the stone, and it's the devil the man curses! Did I not tell you that I get no justice on earth?

"Proverb: Look to the devil when you stub your foot, look to God when you find the good.

[This story was collected in the country of Surinam, but it is closely related to a story told in West Africa. It's just more evidence of the survival of African culture and folklore in the Americas.]