aka Contrarian

Chicago's legendary Democratic Mayor Richard M. Daley who was the consummate political "boss", once made the statement that "all politics are local". And so they are. The Democratic party takes a lot heat from its right wing detractors, not to mention its perennial black critics who claim its leaders take the black vote for granted, while never addressing the needs of rank and file voters. A patented argument that can be refuted. Chicago's local Democratic machine was running on all cylinders this past election Tuesday as black voters turned out in big numbers rewarding the black candidates and white supporters who have served them well in the past, leaders ranging from Aldermen to the re-elected black Democrat female President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners to the Governor of Illinois, himself. If Democrats lose the Presidential election, blue state Illinois will remain united, endeavoring to serve its Democratic constituency, striving to stand up to a corrupt fascistic Retrumpican regime. On another note, a black female Democrat will be running to fill the seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Elsewhere, jailbird Jesse Jackson, Jr., looking to Jumpstart his stalled political career, finished a distant second to another sista in the state representative contest. His petulant stance, chastising the 3 Presidents attending his daddy's funeral apparently didn't sit well with a lot of people, and this came back to haunt him.

@richardmurrayI watched "Within Our Gates" and fully appreciated it for what it was. In fact, it inspired me to do some research on Oscar Micheaux because I was both curious and confused about him, even misspelling his name. I was, however, vaguely familiar with him which was why I was of the opinion that it must've been his movies that I was seeing quite a while back on a local TV channel that did not run them in prime time but instead put them on during the early afternoon, almost as if to fill in empty air space like the wrestling matches and The Liberace Show did back during the early days of TV. This would mean that my seeing these old films must've been back in the 1950s. Anyway, I learned, to my surprise, that Oscar Micheaux was born in 1884 in Metropolis, Illinois, a town I know of because I had friends from there, and that he died in 1951, so he was alive during my life time. I watched a couple of short YouTube videos about him and have concluded that at least some of those sound movies I was watching back then were ones produced by him later in his career. Finally, imo, some of the stereotypes I previously mentioned did appear in Micheaux's "Beyond the Gates". Certainly Sylvia Landry, the lovelorn heroine of "Within Our Gates, was a "tragic mulatto" whose real father was white and whose black adoptive parents were lynched, her adoptive and nurturing mother, Mattie, being a "Mammy" figure, and the wicked Larry, brother-in-law of Sylvia's cousin, being a villainous "Trickster", while the tattle tale Ephraim, was the "Coon" figure. The minister Jacobs, who ran a school for black children, represented the "Righteous Reverend"and Dr. Vivian, who falls in love with Sylvia, represented the "romantic hero". These personifications, rather than being pantomimed degrading figures, were transformed in "Within Our Gates", and I suspect the improved versions, like the film itself, were used to counteract the negative caricatures that "The Birth of a Nation" depicted. My introduction to Micheaux was probably about 70 years ago and I'm curious if those films I remember seeing were lost and no longer exist since the claim is being made that this movie is the last of its kind in existence. Also, imo, minstrel shows were not totally without merit. They show cased sly humor, buck dancing and banjo artistry among other things. I mention this because there was a time when black Masons would stage their own minstrel shows and, having seen one put on by my father's lodge when I was a young girl in the 1940s, I remember being rather proud that my dad, was a member of a barbershop quartet that performed in a show his Masonic lodge staged. Just some thoughts...

@ProfDin addition to all that, da BEARS traded DJ Moore. Oh, well. I'm not devastated. Plenty of talented receivers left on the roster. That's what DJ gets for trotting instead of running, causing an interception and maybe even a Super bowl bid. 🫤

@richardmurray: this same TV channel that I mentioned watching (back in the 1960's) showed old black movies from the past that did feature the stereo-typical black characters I mentioned. That's how l became aware of them. And they were "talkie" movies, not pantomimed, filmed during the late 1920s and early 1930s by black movie producers, lesser known than Oscar Micheaux. Incidentally, the acting was very amateurish and stilted, the sound and camera work of poor quality. Even so, they were treasures which I hope are stored away in vaults somewhere.

Well, if you dont want the 3 Presidents to talk politics at the funeral of a political figure, then don't invite them, just to show how important the deceased was. And Al Sharpton certainly didn't mince any words about what's happening in the country in his remarks. If you want a dignified funeral, don't invite a bunch of dignitaries to speak, and hold the services at a huge hall to accommodate all the public mourners you opened the doors to. You're just asking for confusion and resentment and that's what the Jackson family got. You can't have it both ways.

@ProfDlol.Can I correct my typo or will that spoil your quip? Catchin' hell trying to post here on my "smart" phone. Anyway, in this microcosm of the presidential election, Jasmine lost to a white male candidate, just like Kamala did. What is the lesson to be learned from that? Furthermore, since black folks currently appear to have decided to sit out the white family feud pitting Liberals against Conservatives, and remain spectators on the sidelines, then they've lost their leverage. Its time to stop yearning about what should be, and deal with the reality of whatever it takes to oust Trump. Seems like it takes white politicians to defeat white politicians. Black folks can't get it together. Jasmine just has to wait her turn. IMO.

@richardmurrayMarcheaux did utilize these stereotypes in his early films. He made 44 movies. He later responded to criticism and stopped doing so. These stereotypes, who were not panomimed, had to have originated with some one. Do you know how they came about?

All of which is why I agreed with Umbrarquist's comment about approving of white male Talarico winning the Democratic primary. Jasmine Crochette is not the person who can defeat a white male Retrumpican.

I think I might have seen this movie years ago when there was a TV channel that show-cased the works of Micheaux. His works typically featured the embodiment of the "Mammy" figure, the "Righteous Reverend," the "evil Trickster", the "romantic male lead" and the "tragic mulatto heroine". They are a good study for film students. Incidently. I Just recently finished a book about W.E.B. DuBois and his affair with Jessie Fausett, a prominent literary figure of the Harlem Renassiance. He was, among many things, a big time playa. 😉

Jesse Jr, has his bi-polar panties in a bunch because the 3 US Presidents invited to the funeral of his father (a political figure in his own right who never missed a chance to speak about political issues) injected politics into their tributes to Jesse,Sr. at his funeral. Jesse, Jr.'s complaints have garnered very little support, with most people cynically speculating that he's probably trying to get on the good side of Trump in hopes of Trump pardoning him for his crime of misusing his campaign funds to finance a luxurious lifestyle and served time in jail for doing this. tsk-tsk. Also rumors floating around about Jesse having conned Trump into contributing to his presidential campaigns back when he ran for president twice. Whatever. As has previously been established, nobody's perfect. 😉

So? Del and I are pretty much on the same page when it comes to you. I'm appreciationg how he so succinctly sums you up. Saves me the effort.

@DelanoA very astute observation. Pioneer is simply an inert jerk, marching in place. 😴

@Pioneer1Get real. How many sleepless nights did you spend before you came up with that lame response??? It's really about time for you to stop trying to "set me up" in order to make yourself look clever or decent, - ever hopeful of controlling the dialogue. But, I'm sure you'll keep on trying because - you're "stuck on stupid".

I recently watched the Oscar-nominated movie, "SINNERS" starring Michael B. Jordan, and it was certainly a different take on vampire horror movies with a black theme. The producers did a very good job of creating the film's dark, eerie atmosphere, as well as recreating the rural zeitgeist of black America back during the 1930s. The authentic characterizations of the cast members also contributed to the over all effect. I had to watch it 3 times to get the full complexity of the plot, but it was well worth it, and when it comes to horror movies, I would certainly recommend "SINNERS" as an intense, gripping example of this genre. The blues-themed musical sound track was also noteworthy.

Last Tuesday, I bestirred myself to make an attempt to see what would probably be the last spectacular red moon lunar eclipse I'll be around to see. But no such luck. It was dark and chilly out there at 3:00am in the morning;yet strangely peaceful and calm and deserted. Not a sign of life anywhere. I felt like I was the last person left on Earth gazing up there at the sky looking at nothing but a dark void. Apparently, the cloud cover blocked out all the celestial activity in my part of country and I didn't see anything... Very disappointed Sooo, I just meandered around the yard and up and down the driveway for about 20 minutes, exhilarated by the brisk air. No moon, but a sense of oneness with the universe. It's March already and I might just make it to my 93rd birthday in August, - if the drones of Iran's allies don't find their way to these parts. zzzzzzzzzzz

@Pioneer1Thank you - for exposing yourself as the attention seeker you accuse me of being. Most of all, thank you for giving me the opportunity to reiterate that you are, indeed, a fool who is stuck on stupid. zzzzzzzzz

Interesting. Can't help but wonder if any of this astrological activity coincides with Israel and America's violent assault on Iran and what it portends for the future of the great American Empire and the orange tyrant who has crowned himself king of it.

An individual who is stuck on stupid would,of course, attribute this to being stable. "He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool."

You neglected to mention that here in the West, some of us were born here via slavery. Yes, Africa is our common denominator but that apparently is not enough to make an impact. I agree that finding other commonalities like being oppressed is the best any group of people can do when it comes to unity.

@Pioneer1It figures that after your inept attempt to discredit and ridicule everything richardmurray had to say, you would then stupidly seek his advice on having me "put out of your tribe". Not to worry. As a seeker of the absolute truth, I am automatically disqualified from belonging to any tribe made up of lying, assisinine, windbags like you. Feel better now?

😑I'm not really sure nor do I even care what tribe I belong to anymore. I can't even keep it straight what the letters stand for. I would simply say that when it comes to black folks, my first loyalty is to the unadulterated truth, and let the chips fall where they may. The only way I would currently distinguish myself is to declare that my dislike for Trump and everything he represents is so intense that it's palpable, and I have nothing but utter contempt for black Conservative MAGAs. If whatever this reveals about me is true, then - so be it. 🫤 zzzzzz

The melodic love ballads of my 1950s era, particularly the lyrics which were so exquisite in telling the stories of love lost, - and sometimes found, are something I still hold near and dear. Whether it's Frank Sinatra lying awake in the wee small hours of the morning, being "there if only she would call,", or Sarah Vaughn confessing to being "Misty, just holding you near" or the Platters assuring that they "only have eyes for you", this music never fails to bring a wistful smile to my face. Yeah, those were the days. How could you not be entranced by a husky voice caressing poignant lyrics like:"I get along without you very well...Of course I do...Except when soft rains fall...and drift from leaves then I recall...the thrill of being sheltered in your arms...Of course, I do...But I get along without you very well..." or - "Your lips were like a red and ruby chalice, warmer than a summer night. The moon was like an alabaster palace rising to its snowy heights. Each star its own aurora borealis, suddenly the sky turned bright. I could see the midnight sun!", - a melodic tribute to a love connection... Later, of course, there were plenty of R&B story tellers in the person of male groups like The Temptations singing about "Papa" being a "Rollin Stone", or Marvin Gaye, asking "What's Goin' On?" or Prince relating the "Sign of the Times". But even they are now relegated to "oldies but goodies" broadcasts that are few and far between. None the less, the Blues are still holding forth, thanks to every hoarse ol hoot who ever picked up a guitar to strum his mournful tale about "dat low down woman who done me wrong". Sigh. I agree, however, with ProfD that all these classic mini-operas will sadly fade into the dusty archives of bygone music. Gone. But, hopefully, not totally forgotten.

Below is a picture of what was the only theater in my hometown back in the day, and it has since been demolished to make room for a mini mall. In its heyday, it was a beautiful movie palace, and it holds a special place in my heart because, for years, my mother worked there part-time as the ladies room attendant, and I got into the show for free. From the time beginning around 6 years old until I went off to college in my teens. I would go there at least once a week, depending on whether or not I wanted to see what was playing. I remember going there to see both "The Wizard of Oz" and "Gone With the Wind" when they originally came out waaay back in 1939. This easy accessibility is undoubtedly why I used to be a big movie buff.

Outside the Operation Push headquarters, Chicagoans assembled by the hundreds, the lines blocks long, beginning at 10 am this Thursday morning, all gathered to pay homage to one of their favorite adopted sons, Jesse Louis Jackson, who lie in state inside the building that was his domain for over 50 years. Dignitaries like Al Sharpton and commoners, old and young, mostly black, a smattering of whites including Chicago's Catholic cardinal made up the growing crowd expected to stream pass Jesse's casket for the rest of the day until 10 pm, the first of several ceremonies at various locations including Washington DC, and South Carolina, his birthplace. A few states have even ordered their flags to be flown at half mast. Jesse Jackson leaves behind a noteworthy legacy as a diligent civil rights warrior who twice ran for President, and who in 2008 stood in tears among the huge Chicago crowd gathered to celebrate Barack Obama's election victory. Jesse had his critics but few could deny his love for his people. He fought the good fight before passing at age 84. May he rest in power.

I watched the "Hunger Games" TV series and I don't remember them eatin' any niggas. 😉 It's been reported that Epstein's girlfriend who did the recruiting of the female nymphets to be served up to the perverts, was instructed to bypass black girls. They were not the object of fantasies. Racism reared its ugly head (pun intended) even in this sordid area. The men only wanted innocent-looking goldilock types to molest and rape. I doubt if black meat was considered a gourmet meal...but there is no accounting for taste.