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I'm not knocking the musician. This particular song just doesn't move me. The 70s were the first full decade black people experienced in this country without slavery or Jim Crow. Disco and funk reflected that. We had fun, relaxed and displayed our musical prowess. It takes talent to play instruments, read and write music. So I'd disagree that funk is simple. But it reflects a relatively simple time when black people finally felt a little relief from the boots on our necks. The only music that is unique to Europeans is opera. And nobody likes that crap except Europeans. Everything else they stole from cultured people. Michael Bolton's entire career is plagiarism. The Isley Brothers won a $5.2 million lawsuit against Bolton in 2001 for the latter plagiarizing their song "Love is a Wonderful Thing." That Katy Perry chick plagiarized a Christian rap group for one of her biggest hits. If litigation wasn't so expensive and time-consuming, I'd bet 90% of white "artists" would be exposed for who and what they are. That's why white supremacist society ushered in rap in the late 80s. They wanted black people to be talentless copycats too, like them. And man, that Billy Ocean tape with Caribbean Queen, Suddenly, and Mystery Lady might be one of the best albums of all time. The 1980s was the closest the United States will ever get to being a racial melting pot of peace and understanding. And it was the music and television shows that did it. I believe white supremacist society recognized that they were humanizing black people too much in the 80s and they quickly propped up gangsta rap and all those hood movies in the 1990s to destroy what the 80s had done for our overall image. I wasn't alive in the 1960s at all. But must say I am a big fan of all the original Motown sounds and classic rock. Many of the 80s biggest hits that you wouldn't know were remakes came from the 1960s. Joan Jett's "I Love Rock 'N Roll" is a one of the biggest hits of the 1980s. It's a remake by a 70s group called the Arrows. Bananarama's "Venus" was a #1 hit for several weeks in the mid-1980s. It's a remake from the 1960s-70s band Shocking Blue. Tiffany hit #1 with "I Think We're Alone Now." All the kids my age back then had no idea it was a song by Tommy James and the Shondells. There hasn't been much originality since the 1970s. It's funny how the US and UK were very petty in the 1970s and 1980s as far as what bands they allowed from the other country to rank on their respective charts. I was introduced to T Rex and Sweet only because they were played at my local skating rink in the 1980s. My local public library had a HUGE catalog of albums and 8-track tapes, along with a great librarian who knew his stuff about music (a former DJ who influenced my career). The first paper I ever wrote in school was in 3rd or 4th grade and it was about glam rock. It definitely influenced all the 80s hairbands and some of the others wearing outrageous outfits on stage. I don't know why I could never get into the Beatles. Maybe because I always wanted to be different and everyone liked them. Don't get me wrong. There are several Beatles songs I like. I was a black kid who grew up in a white town so basically whatever my friends' parents listened to, that was my experience since my parents were all about soul, funk and R&B. My town was more about Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Janice Joplin and Canadian rockers like Bachman-Turner Overdrive from the 1970s. You and I could probably sit around, smoke weed and listen to music for hours though! :)

This is the first time I've ever heard this song. It's a combination of gospel and blues, if that's really a distinction. Can't say I like it. This strikes me as field slave coping music! Granted we needed this back in the day. But it ain't groovy or nothing! 😀 I think the 80s was the most perfect age of music. I wish time stood still in that decade. It was the first decade of the 20th century without war or recession; and the music reflected that. Lots of fun, heartwarming, unity music from the 80s. But the 70s was the last decade for true black creative music, meaning when black people wrote, produced and performed MUSIC. Janice–Marie Johnson and Perry Kibble (Taste of Honey) are so sexy playing the guitar and bass guitar in "Boogie Oogie Oogie." I love disco and funk so much because they were so US...so groovy and so soul-cleansing. Black people writing, producing and creating music was the norm in the 1970s. We played and perfected every instrument. Rap and vocals overall took over music in the 1980s. @Maurice if you've never seen it, you will appreciate this Jimmy Hendrix interview on the Dick Cavett Show in 1969. We'll never see another Hendrix. We'll never see another 70s or 80s either. Both decades are essentially considered politically incorrect these days. All those 80s odes to women by men, and women singing odes to men will never happen again. This society doesn't want men loving women and women loving men anymore. Whitney Houston's first great song, "All At Once," didn't even chart in the USA in 1985. But itt was top 5 in Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands. I think this is Whitney's greatest song of all time! Don't get me going on music though! LOL!

@Mel HopkinsThank you! Re: EBONY, I was among the freelancers who had to sue them to get paid. I wrote four pieces for them and had a great experience with the editors. So many good people suffered because of the terrible new owners. Good luck with your (eventual) relocation!

Greetings Everyone and Happy 2020' I am feeling energized by what is still yet to come for me and continuing my journey. I recently went out to perform and it felt great being appreciated by the crowd. Here is a little clip of me. Peace! https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=37701fd47c&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-a:r172384196585482943&th=16fa897786429dd7&view=att&disp=safe&realattid=16fa896ea276ea0d9b71

That's fair to say. I've never heard of Davy Graham and Joan Baez. I'll downloiad some of their stuff and have a listen this weekend. I was introduced to them with Neil Young's solo stuff in the 1980s and 1990s. The grunge and ska sounds from the 1990s also got me into the Stones and Pink Floyd. The blinking light on my "Pulse" CD box of Floyd still blinks! 😀

Well that must be confusing; living in a constant of cognitive dissonance and all. I'm fine with simply being unsure. 😉 Seriously, your thinking must informed by something? Ideas don't emerge from a vacuum. You rely much more heavily on news that I do. I think history is a much better teacher. If 45 tweets something, it is almost certainly a lie. When the "news" races to rebroadcasts his tweets thm comments on the them all they are doing is propagating lies and giving the lies credence. I don't have the time...

Nope, because most of it is not "news." Besides I already know how the country works. I was exaggerating, but 15% of it has already burn up and that is indeed massive! Yes, it is well known that a lot of folks get their news from Facebook, but there is no indication that they are fact checking in higher numbers. Even if they did, this is increasingly difficult because news sources are not always fact checking they sources are the have an agenda like Rupert Murdoch, FIX News, etc.

@Delano, I trust you are your's are safe. However I was wondering it the inferno raging across the country you live in has changed your opinion on climate change. The reason it occurred to me is the U.S.'s coverage, of the Australian coverage, of the unprescenced fires raging across your continent. Apparently, Rupert Murdoch's media conglomerate is doing everything in its power to push the agenda that climate change is not a factor in the fires. This led me to believe Murdoch's influence may be -- even unconsciously -- influencing your stance on man.s influence on the climate. Media also made me think about our bets in 45 presidency. You and @Kalexander2 after losing a bet to me over 45 presidency doubled down and bet me again thinking he would be booted from office before the end of his term. It is virtually certainty that he will complete his term, in fact he may win a second. I thought about why a situation they seemed so obvious to me could be seen so differently by you and K2. Then it occurred to be -- neither of you live in the U.S. Your perceptions of what is going on here is quite distorted leading you to believe things that folks here would not possibly believe. In much the same way we, in the U.S., are given distorted views of other countries by our own media you are given a distorted view of the U.S. What do you think?

@Kareem, I think ,at least to an extent, folk music was quite unique to Europe in particular the UK though a kind of folk at least existed in the States too. Not including Dylan, people like Davy Graham and Joan Baez. Here Bert Jansch, Fairport Convention and Pentangle reigned supreme. Lots of pubs and clubs playing host to many folk artists who quite a lot sang about old tales of old folk from rural England,Wales etc. All I can remember from the 60s themselves,musically was seeing the Beatles performing Hey Jude on tv. I was only five. I suppose I do tend to listen to the likes of the Stones, early Floyd and more obscure bands than I do of the Beatles now. Crosby,Stills,Nash and Young are great. But more recently having been trailing through the web looking for lesser known soul and funk . Hence that recent album I found,Barnyard Soul which is just superb. Add a little vino,just a little to go with the weed and some decent sounds and I bet you just might see Lucy in the sky with diamonds or a purple haze 😀

"Key is not relying on Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, etc. since they ban true pro-black people. Independent spaces and mutual promotion helps us all in the long-run." This is an important point from the article. I recently stopped listening to the Breakfast Club because YouTube is constantly shoving their videos down my throat. I could be listening to a video on string theory and YouTube will autoplay some Breakfast Club video. Why? One of my most popular facebook posts this month was a link to sub-one-minute video clip from the breakfast club. Why? The most popular YouTube videos I've posted deal with crime, homosexuality or both. While my other videos enjoy no organic reach. Why? All coporate social media YouTube, Facebook, etc, show you what they want you to see in order to maximize revenue. This is undebatable, axiomatic. I argue anything white folks have ever invented, in recorded history, that is designed to maximize their revenue has NEVER served Black people. So, I'm very conscious how I use corporate social media.

@Mel Hopkins, thanks so much for the warm welcome back and well wishes! And thanks for the scoop on ATL metro. When I toyed with the idea of moving there--caught up in the headiness of a fun visit with some friends--I also thought about whether or not it was a good fit for me, if I'd find my people (besides the ones I already knew). I'm originally from Florida and still identify in many ways as a Southerner, but I'm a lot more left of center than many of my friends who are still in the South. So you did time in WV and PA?? Whew. Bless you. Incidentally, speaking of WV, my book is coming out from West Virginia University Press. It's the first of its type from the press, and it will lead their fall 2020 catalog. I never envisioned an academic audience for the book, but now that's a bonus. Are you currently working in broadcast journalism? Also, if I may ask, what's keeping you in ATL? Are you looking to relocate?

IT is the moment in the elliptical orbit of any body around our sun when the sun is closest to it. In this case, the earth was closest to the sun in a moment in jan 5th. Every day after the perihelion the earth is farther away from the sun in the elliptical orbit until the aphelion, what i call the natural midyear. After the earth is farthest away from the sun in the elliptical orbit, the aphelion, the earth will continually move closer to the sun till the perhelion. When I say closer or farther I mean based on distance from a line from the center of the sun to the center of the earth. @Mel Hopkins fair enough, in many ways, mlkjr's views/philosophy/desire has had another grand rebuttal.

I HAD to respond. I really didn't want you getting the wrong idea. The AALBC site and forum are great. But as I said, Lipstick Alley isn't for me.

It's the Lipstick forum in general. I just don't really feel its my bag really though Troy did mention that it has a literature section. My reply wasn't aimed at you personally at all. Honestly.

@Kareem I can relate because both the 70s and the 80s was my time! I entered my high school age during these times so I can understand the transitions from the 70s to the 80s. Oh yes, I love that song Boogie Oogie Oogie. Don't get me started! LOL. Those were the times! And although I was very young in the 60s, I was so surprised though, when I later learn that some of the songs I heard actually were remake of earlier Black people. For example, I used to love hearing Cher, sang this song with the lyrics; Our Day Will Come. Man she really had a unique voice, But then years later, I was completely stunned to find out that this song was initially sung by a Black woman and when I heard her, I just couldn't believe it; she blew me away. And, remember Michael Bolton singing 'Sittin on the Dock of the Bay'!? WHEW! He has a unique voice. But, because my Step-father was in the Navy, and he just loved that song, and played it and sang it a lot, I already knew it was a Black man that sang it earlier, and man!!!--- When a Black man 'who can sing' sings-- It's like going into a trance... drift me away... Oh how I miss those days, dreaming about 'sittin on the dock of a bay' and strolling along the beach with a botha, in uniform, ... Yall just don't know... Anyways, but back to the 80s, that song brings to mind Bobby Caldwell's song too, What you won't do For Love and, then Billy Ocean, Oh my, my, my ... There you go! Hopefully, we can bring back those days. I believe in it! Really!? I don't think I've ever heard it! So, I will be searching for it! LOL! Too late now. You have to keep on...

@Troy, I'm confident none of those cities are as provincial as Pittsburgh, but I was trying to avoid using that word. You cut to the chase, lol. I visited some friends in ATL and had a blast, but I don't think I can live there, for the reasons you gave. Plus, I've heard the dating scene is abysmal, for black women. And to answer your question, I don't see swirling in my future, lol. Thanks for profile! I will email you the rest.

Check out all 40 books nominated for a 2020 NAACP Image Award in the following eight literature categories; Biography/Autobiography, Children, Debut Author, Fiction, Instructional, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Youth/Teens. There was a time when the titles on this list were quite controversial as they tended to skew heavily toward celebrity book. The choices are much better, nowadays but skew to folks willing to pony up the entry fee. There are many great books from 2019 not on this list for that reason. There were also some odd choices like like the book, More Than Pretty: Doing the Soul Work That Uncovers Your True Beauty, by Erica Campbell being nominated in two categories (debut author and instructional). Nominees should be restricted to one category unless they are phenomenal books. I'll go out on a limb and say I doubt More Than Pretty is a phenomenal books. I also think the nominees should be Black unless they have written something that speaks substantively to Black people. Two bios on Prince is one too many and not another book on Dr. King... At any rate, I'm glad to see Black literature being celebrated. This is perhaps the highest profile event for Black books in the country. The Image Awards were also sponsors of AALBC this year, so I really can't complain all. In fact, that is the only reason I put in the effort to cover all 40 books -- I would have just covered the winners otherwise. Several of these authors would never have been added to the site were it not for their Image Award nomination.

@FerociousKitty, NYC is really no longer a place for artists. It is simply too expensive. I'll be in Ft Lauderdale this weekend, but I prefer Tampa which is a much larger city. I've been to the other cities you mentioned many times and enjoy visiting them. I could live in any of them. Outside of NY, LA, Chicago and maybe DC, the rest of the cities are pretty similar all the same they tend to be somewhat provincial, but are getting better as they attract more people from larger cities. If you can live in Pittsburgh you can adapt to life in any of the cities you mentioned and enjoy better weather. @Mel Hopkins can give you some feedback on ATL. It is indeed a chocolate city but is very spread out and traffic going downtown is a nightmare, so many people hang out in the in their local suburban communities which are all starting to look the same to me with the same chain restaurants, stores, etc. The real estate is inexpensive if you want a big house. As far as the dating scene, I have no idea which city is ideal for that. Admittedly, men generally have an advantage in this regard. Have you considered "swirling?" 😍 Austin Texas seems to be popping, but getting expensive pushing people out to the suburbs which is happening in many cities. Even downtown Raleigh is expensive I just started a profile for you this morning: https://aalbc.com/authors/author.php?author_name=Deesha+Philyaw You can send me a bio, headshoot, and link to audio or video (youtube) you might have.

Yes I'm in Tampa FL @FerociousKitty. I purchased a place here in 2011 and have been living here full-time since 2017. I actually live in the suburbs (not downtown). It is actually the "country" by my NYC standards. I can see raptor birds, alligator, fox, deer, cranes, turtles, snakes all in the same day from my back yard. As far as pros and cons it really depends on what you want and where you are coming from. I was born and raised in NYC, but I always preferred the south it is quieter, less expensive, cleaner, better weather. Unless you have some serious paper living in NYC is very stressful. The downside for me is the Black middle class is small and somewhat insular. Still I'm building a network of book people and friends. I've known two Black women who moved here and hated it. They found it difficult to meet people -- especially men. This is a common refrain for single middle aged women, but I imagine this is true in many places. As far as seeking professional help after our breakup I did not do that, because I'm a man. Seriously, I have great friends who were super supportive. By the time the ex made it cyrstal clear that she did not love me or want to have anything to do with my website I was happy to be free of her. The kids were grown and out the house, I already had the place in Tampa, so the transition was relatively easy. That's the condensed version, of course the full story is more complicated than what I've just related. I'm assuming there is an Author Profile for you on the site FK, if not send me your info troy@aalbc.com

Agreed, @Troy. Divorce--like money, politics, and religion--is one of those things many of us were raised not to discuss, but we should discuss it more often. I think there's also a degree of shame associated with it. Not treating it like some deep dark secret or a personal failing can go a long way in destigmatizing it. That would help more women to not feel like they have to stay in bad situations, and it would help more men thrive after divorce. Women typically fare worse than men financially after divorce, but men fare worse by almost every other measure, mostly because they have fewer social supports, are less likely to seek professional help for depression, and are more likely to die by suicide (related to the depression). I don't do any writing related to co-parenting and divorce anymore these days, but for almost a decade that was my "brand." So I still have all those stats in my head. Which brings us back to doe. Big Social was (is) great for building a brand in order to attract traditional publishers for a book deal. And unless you were established before the rise of social media, many publishers and agents require writers to have a platform/following before they will even consider them. So that's what I did for our co-parenting book--build a platform. It was a full-time job. My next book is a completely different genre, and now I don't feel the same pressure to "be/build a brand." I'm going to have to continue to be present on social to promote the book, but it's a different kind of engagement now. I've changed, the platforms have changed, how people engage has changed. And I don't feel anywhere near the same pressure as I felt with the first book. In other news, did I read correctly somewhere in here that you are now in Tampa? I'm looking to relocate in 2022, and Tampa is among the cities folks have encouraged me to consider. What do you find to be the pros and cons of living there?

I just finished Genesis Starts Again. It is a novel written for preteens but I would absolutely recommend it to older readers and even adults. I currently rereading The Mis-Education of the Negro because if it actively speaks to our current predicament, I'm going to actively sell it in the real world. I'm also read The Famished Road as it generally regarded to be a great work of literature and I need to read some great literature now. I was pleased to discover my copy was signed to me by Ben Okri years ago (I'd forgotten 🙂)

I read the Nation's article and was outraged, but not surprised. Some damning quotes; Jared Kushner’s real-estate business obtained arrest warrants for 105 former tenants since 2013, resulting in 22 debtors’ going to jail. Hundreds of these arrest warrants can be rubber-stamped by judges in a single day. You already know the complexion of those thrown in jail... And of course these are traditionally the most vulnerable members of society, disproportionately black and brown, bearing the brunt of this perversion of the law. The impact doesn’t just include a couple weeks in jail but lost wages, potential lost employment, scrambles for childcare, the burden of a criminal record, and the psychological stress and humiliation of being locked up for being poor. Corporations are literally trying to bring back slavery and our government is perfectly complicit... like the last time.

Just started this, the second in the trilogy though I've already read Detroit 67 and Harlem 69.

What is "perihelion"? I could search for it but no search engine would tell me why you wished me a happy one (smile) . MLK jr day isn't on my radar this year. Sometimes I'm moved by his message but this year I'm interested in other species - and how they are dealing with mother nature.

You're not wrong there. Sometimes,I'm sitting there with a particular album on and I think how lucky I am. A real and authentic age of music. This baby arrived less than a week ago and I'm giving it its first airing right now. WOW.

Critical Thinking is in critical condition.

@Maurice Oh yes! Sometimes when I listen to some of that music, I feel as though I wish that time would just stand still... For me, that time period was like a golden age of music-- so free spirited.

Kids kicked out the nest perhaps to soon so they are destine to be domed, A parents call in spite of it all being that I am far from an animal to attempt to help them avoid altogether the fall. So many of us had dreams cut short or fear the movement cause no one thought enough of us to cultivate our world beyond the enviable pain life applies. One lie, but we try, in spite the knock down we stand our ground, realizing that birthing a child doesn't make you a mother Loving them in their pain when in earnestness the need you show them an example that welcomes true peace, not self pity, not blame, You allow them to grow, not throw them to the wind because of something you think you know