"I Pray That We Sing A New Song"
For years I and countless others complained about how many movies there have been made about watered-down representations of slavery.  Few of these movies told the true story of the centuries of Kidnapping, Torture, Rape, Pillage and Murder of Millions and Millions of Africans all across the globe.  Almost none of these movies (with the exception of  1972's "Goodbye Uncle Tom") mention those that fought back.  But then came Actor, Writer, Director Nate Parker to the rescue...  
For those unaware, Nate Parker's biopic about Nat Turner's 1831 Slave Rebellion not only won the Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize at The 2015 Sundance Film festival-but also commandeered the highest investment from a Major Motion Picture Company in Sundance history at $17.5 Million Dollars.   due to hit theaters on October 7th 2016, "The Birth Of A Nation" provides An "honest confrontation with our past, as a means of going forward" and honors one of America's greatest Freedom Fighters.  The chosen title also can be considered as taking a jab at the 1915 film, of the same name, that is historically credited as having fueled a resurgence of The KKK.  let US ALL Make sure WE put pressure on EACH of the local theater chains in advance to ensure that "THE BIRTH OF A NATION" gets the same treatment as all other movie releases.  And be sure to check your ticket stub to make sure it says "THE BIRTH OF A NATION" on it.  Let us not forget the fuckery that went on back in 1992 when "MALCOLM X" moviegoers were given tickets labeled for "Batman," thus credit for how many people went to see/box office revenue was steered away from its true intended place.  If "THE BIRTH OF A NATION" is successful, then this gives much more leverage for other filmmakers to put out more biopics about our true Black Heroes... 
"INJUSTICE ANYWHERE, IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE"  #StandWithUs

So as I clicked on the link to the first trailer for Actor/Director Nate Parker's upcoming Nat Turner Biopic "THE BIRTH OF A NATION," I found myself just a tad bit overwhelmed by the vibrations coming from watching the images of Nat Turner evolving from a preaching pawn to that of a Revolutionary-imagery made ever so much more powerful as Nina Simone's rendition of "Strange Fruit" provides a fitting background.  For years I and others complained about how many movies there have been made about watered-down representations of slavery-but almost none about True Freedom Fighters.  But then came Nate Parker to the rescue.  From first glance, it appears that we not only get to see one of our True Heroes; but also a more grittier look at the violent and oppressive reality that was chattel slavery.   For those unaware, Nate Parker's biopic about Nat Turner's 1831 Slave Rebellion not only won the Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize at The 2015 Sundance Film festival-but also commandeered the highest investment from a Major Motion Picture Company in Sundance history at $17.5 Million Dollars.  
due to hit theaters on October 7th 2016, let US ALL Make sure WE put pressure on EACH of the local theater chains in advance to ensure that "THE BIRTH OF A NATION" gets the same treatment as all other movie releases.  And be sure to check your ticket stub to make sure it says "THE BIRTH OF A NATION" on it.  Let us not forget the fuckery that went on back in 1992 when "MALCOLM X" moviegoers were given tickets labeled for "Batman," thus credit for how many people went to see/box office revenue was steered away from its true intended place.  If "THE BIRTH OF A NATION" is successful, then this gives much more leverage for other filmmakers to put out more biopics about our true Black Heroes... 

Most of us have seen some of the artwork that was featured in "The Black Panther" Newspaper, but few of us know the man behind the beautiful imagery of the movement.  Emory Douglas first joined The Black Panther Party in 1967, and shortly thereafter was promoted to The Minister Of Culture post, and also placed in charge of the Black Panther Publication.  Emory Douglas began his career in graphic design after being placed in a California Youth Authority program for youthful offenders.  He began working in the print shop, and would later go on to college to pursue his dreams.  Once linked up with The BPP, Douglas was tasked with communicating the ideals of Black Empowerment, seeing the enemy for who it truly was, and espousing on the ideals of The Party's Ten Point Program to masses that either did not actively read or could not read very well at all.  At its height, the paper reached a circulation level of more 400,000 papers per week internationally.  Emory Douglas used his art to Fight the Good Fight, from 1967, right up to the Black Panther Party's bitter end in the early 1980's.  Today his is a semi-retired father of three, and has toured the world featuring his art to those who his art has inspired over the past 40+ years.  #RespectThePioneers #PowerToThePeople 

Jerry Ellsworth's young daughter is savagely killed, when the local Ku Klux Clan fire-bombs a church in response to new Civil Rights Legislation passed; and Jerry wants Revenge.  Possessing the then-coveted ability to pass for White, Jerry uses it to his advantage & infiltrates The Klan to carry out his plan.  Released in 1966, "The Black Klansman" aka "I Crossed The Color Line" hits right on target with its examination of many of the challenges & attitudes faced during The Civil Rights Movement Era.  You'll see several very familiar faces in this movie, including Max Julien (Goldie from "The Mack"), Whitman Mayo (Grady from "Sanford & Son"), & Veteran Character Actress Frances E. Williams.  Comments & Feedback Welcome. Enjoy…

"It's Their Paper; So, It Must Be True."

Billed as "The First Black Science Fiction Movie," 1977's "Abar: Black Superman"  serves more as a strong social Commentary piece to me.  Black Superman begins with two California Housewives discussing the pending arrival of their new neighbors.  Hit with shock & horror-as they find out that the "successful doctor with a beautiful family" was a Black Family.   

"They don't look like servants to me Mabel."  "You don't think the agent sold to niggers do you?"  

still convinced that this could not be, they introduce themselves to the Kincade Family's Maid & chauffeur-only to receive confirm that Dr & Mrs Kincade are indeed Black!  LMAO.  The ladies Spazz out-along with the community.  A small scale riot/Protest breaks out, as the citizens begin to worry about their property values & every sort of stereotype they could imagine.  The Kincade Family is approached with offers to buy them out, threatened with building codes, protests on their lawn, and anything that might Get them out!  things get quiet when The Black Front Of Unity shows up & plants a Red Black & Green Flag in the yard; but not for long.  The harassment continues to escalate into outright violence; but the B.F.U. is never far away.  
 
Abar: Black Superman provides a rarely told commentary on the history of integration, as the Kincade Family catches hell from both sides.  Black people look at them as Sell-Outs for moving out of the Black Community; and White People look at them as Savages.  How far will each side go to defend their position?  What kind of Divine Force could intervene & make this right?  I guess you will have to watch.  My favorite scene involves young Tommie Kincade's Cool Black Cowboy fantasy.  This is a surprising good movie-especially for the era in which it was released.  Probably the core reason why so few have heard of this movie.  
comments & Feedback are Encouraged...