Eartha Kitt Quote: Listen Ladies

Listen Ladies,

Eartha Kitt quote:

"A man has always wanted to lay me down but he never wanted to pick me up." (wow)

-------------------------------------------------------------- (By the way Dad, Eartha is from North, South Carolina, which is in Orangeburg County. I've never heard of that town either.)

Nkosi Sikele iAfrica: Lord Bless Africa

Here is “Nkosi Sikele iAfrica," performed by my brother Kue Jean from Cameroon, by way of Ottawa, Ontario.

Wikipedia reports that this song was originally composed as a hymn by a Johannesburg Methodist mission school teacher, Enoch Sontonga in 1897, to the tune 'Aberystwyth' by Joseph Parry. The song became a pan-African liberation anthem and later, several African countries adopted “Nkosi Sikele iAfrica,” (which means Lord Bless Africa in Xhosa) as their national anthem.

Thank you for sharing brother Kue Jean. May God continue to bless you and your beautiful family.

Buying and Selling vs. Sowing and Reaping

The world’s economic system operates on the principles of buying and selling. God’s economic system operates on the principles of Sowing and Reaping.

Womanifesto and Hate on Me

It's confirmed. Black Girls Do Rock and Jill Scott let 'em all know, without a doubt, when she performed her spoken word piece, "Womanifesto" and then her song, "Hate on Me" at the Black Girls Rock! show on BET. What did she let 'em know? Listen for yourself. Tell 'em Jill!

Ooh if I gave you peaches Out of my own garden And I made you a peach cobbler Would you slap me out? Wonder if I gave you diamonds Out of my own womb Would you feel the love in that Or ask why not the moon? If I gave you sanity For the whole of humanity Had all the solutions for the pain and pollution No Matter Where I live Despite the things I give You'll always be this way So go ahead and ...

Mary J. Sings "My Life" for the Black Girls

I missed "Black Girls Rock!" on BET last Sunday, but you can best believe I will watch it as the TV station rebroadcasts the show this Saturday at 9 p.m. I did, however, catch Mary J. Blige sing "My Life," my very favorite song by this resilient, talented sister. She broke me down and made me feel like I was one of the black girls in the audience helping her to sing this tune. I also love the song that "My Life" samples -- "Everybody Loves the Sunshine," by Roy Ayers. It doesn't get any better than this -- Sing Mary! And let's here it for the Black Girls!

How Convicted Felons Can Vote in North Carolina

Editor's Note: I originally posted this information three years ago, but now that it's voting time again, I thought I'd send it out there again. Don't let past mistakes stop you from trying to make this a better place. Get out there and vote!

An organization called Democracy North Carolina is serious about getting people registered to vote in this state. I recently saw one of their flyers that explains how ex-felons and other convicts can vote.

The flyer says, "Don't be locked out!" It goes on to say that if you've been convicted of a felony in North Carolina, you only temporarily lose your citizenship rights, including the right to vote. BUT you automatically get those rights back after you serve all parts of your sentence, including probation, parole and restitution. You do not need a special document saying your rights are restored. You just register and vote like any other citizen.

And for those who have been convicted of a misdemeanor, you never lose your citizenship rights. You can register and vote, even if you are still in jail.

For more information on where or how to vote, call toll free 866-522-4723.

Good information! Thanks Democracy North Carolina.

Gigi and Romare Bearden

Gigi with Romare in the background

I Am the Black Gold of the Sun

Rotary Connection's “I Am the Black Gold of the Sun” is one of those songs that grab you from the first few bars and as you continue to listen, you know that it was divinely inspired.

After the tranquil, lush opening interaction between two acoustic guitars, you have to get over the genius of the piano solo and wicked electric guitar playing before you find yourself asking, “What are they saying?”

The very title is a revelation. When they sing, “I Am the Black Gold of the Sun,” they’ve already jumpstarted your brain with poetry that gets your imagination running. I haven’t found the lyrics to this song yet, but I can hear the chorus and the lead singer say things like, “I am the morning sun…smiling on everyone… follower of the One …shadows that light up the day….I am the tall Oak tree…I am the jungle stream…I Am the Black Gold of the Sun."

Listen to the recurring piano, wild guitar solos, and semi-operatic chants by the background singers (who include by the way, Minnie Riperton, before the group knew that her voice was the one that you put out in front on ALL the recordings).

When you listen to “I Am the Black Gold of the Sun,” you’ll want to stand up, put your hands in the air, pump your fists, sing, and rejoice with your whole body.

Liberian Women: Pray the Devil Back to Hell

Watch Pray the Devil Back To Hell on PBS. See more from Women War and Peace.

Happy Birthday Dizzy!

Happy Birthday to one of my Favorite artists: Mr. Dizzy Gillespie from Cheraw, South Carolina!!! Check him out with Stevie Wonder on "Do I Do!: