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 

Fort Dupont Summer Concert Series 2011

The 2011 Fort Dupont Summer line up is here!  It's really too bad that Roy Ayers has not been featured in recent years.  He was the one who everybody wanted to see at the end of the summer series.  His cd, Mahogany Vibe, features a song named after the park.  The song has a nice groove and a Go-Go vibe that is popular in the DC area.  Anyway, I hope to see you at the park this summer. 


Come DC, VA, Baltimore, Delware, everywhere!
2011 lineup:

July 9
The BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS (T.A.P.)
featuring special guest artist CHELSEY GREEN,
and a “ Soul Review”

July 16
REGINA BELLE
Opener, “Smooth” a Luther Tribute

July 23
The MANHATTANS
featuring GERALD ALSTON & BLUE LOVETT
Opener, Marvin Brown

July 30
ZAPP
Opener, Teri S

Aug. 6
The BARKAYS
Opener, FrameWerk

Aug. 13
MANDRILL

Thursday Thoughts

Hello everyone. I thought I would just share a few of my thoughts this afternoon. It’s been a really busy day here at work and it has reminded me how important it is to do what you love in life. I like the way that Aaron Neville said it in his 1966 hit, Tell it like it is:

“Life is too short to have sorrow
You may be here today and gone tomorrow
You might as well get what you want
So go on and live
Baby go on live”

It would be wise of us to make the best of this ephemeral existence (on earth) given to us by God. We should strive to do all the things most important to us and with all of our might. For me, I will strive to pray with all my might. I will love with all my might. I will hope with all my might and I will live with all my might. I’m not really sure where this road in life will take me, but I know I will not be alone. Enjoy your weekend and accomplish something. Peace~

Marvin Gaye: Silky Soul Singer

"...We're all sensitive people

With so much to give

Understand me, sugar

Since we got to be here

Let's live

I love you..."

Let's Get It On~Motown 1973

Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. was born on April 2, 1939 in Washington, D.C. Marvin Gaye died on April 1, 1984 after an altercation with his father. The altercation ended when Marvin Sr. pulled out a gun and shot his son twice in the chest. [Time of death: 1:01 pm] Marvin Gaye, an American Music icon and Motown legend. Peace~

Side story: My uncle, Merrill "Boogie" Owens, [now deceased] nearly wrecked his vehicle when he heard the news on the radio about Marvin Gayes' death. He pulled over to the side of the road that afternoon and sobbed.

Photo Credit: http://www.thelincolntheatre.org/

More Sweet Soul

Chaka Khan & Rufus - Sweet Thing
Video sent by PeteRock




This week has been a real challenge, but I made it through. Why Chaka Khan? Well, I just love me some Chaka! This is a sweet song and she has a sweet voice. Have a great weekend and I'll be back next week with something we can talk about or discuss. Peace~

Gil Scott Heron: Jazz Soul Funk

Gil Scott-Heron (born April 1, 1949) is an African American poet and spoken word musician of the 60's, 70's and 80's. His famous words, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" is a battle cry that has made it's way into the 21st century. He is the son of Jamaican footballer Gil Heron, who was one of the first black professionals to play in the UK.

This is one of my favorite songs from Gil Scott Heron titled, The Bottle. Enjoy your weekend and be safe. Peace & Soul~

I Know You Got Soul

Hello family! It's always great to end the week on a good note. A Soul note. I was just checking out Geoffrey Philp's blog and he has this great post on Soul Music. I'm going back to comment. Geoffrey is asking the question, "Where Have All the Men of "Soul" Gone?" Click to find out more.

Photo image courtesy of: www.sunstudio.com

I Plan To Stay A Believer

I was a stone cold junkie after the first time I heard Curtis speak
He was Super fly way before I knew about any pimp named Priest

To me
He represented Black music, Black hopes, and Black dreams
when I was just a kid racing popsicle sticks along ghetto streams

By Stephen Bess 2005 ©