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Showing posts from February 12, 2012

Notebook on Black History Month 2012 (Part 6): The Consecrated Soul of Whitney Houston (editorial and poem by Aberjhani)

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(Cover of Whitney Houston's brilliant debut album .) With the death of Soul Train founder Don Cornelius at the very beginning of the month, and that of Whitney Houston on February 11, Black History Month 2012 is fated to go down in history as one during which the world lost two of its greatest champions of African-American music. Moreover, since almost two weeks still remain in the month, one presents such a statement with noted caution. Yet as the world community and the good people of Newark, New Jersey, bid farewell to the elegant Whitney Elizabeth Houston, it seems appropriate to pause a moment and give some consideration to things of an elevated nature. To repeat myself from another occasion: Sometimes an angel gets in my head and refuses to leave until I write down whatever it says. It felt that way when Michael Jackson passed in 2009 and it feels like that now. Please click the following link to read the full editorial and poem by Aberjhani in honor of Whitney

Notebook on Black History Month 2012 (part 4): The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975

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Filmmaker Goran Hugo Olsson and actor/producer Danny Glover. ( Photo by Larry Busacca and Getty Images ) After opening in U.S. theatres September 9, 2011, and closing November 6, 2011, The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 managed a total d omestic gross of only $268,813 before making its debut on Public Broadcast Stations (PBS) over the February 10-12, 2012, Black History Month weekend. Although the documentary film made its PBS debut as stated, it did so in the state of Georgia initially on channels accessible only to those who subscribe to high definition cable services. It later aired on more accessible channels at 1 a.m., 3 a.m., and 6 a.m. respectively. Consequently, many who may have wanted to see it did not and those still wishing to see the film would do well to check local broadcast schedules before its final PBS showing on February 29, or, invest in the DVD. That a film such as The Help has grossed almost $170 million during its theatre run, and is nominated for this ye