Cicely Tyson - Always Representin'

Every time one of them passes, I feel a part of my spirit lifted up and away. 

Cicely Tyson, our shining and enduring black actress, whose portrayal of strong black women onscreen was a godsend, has passed on. In a time when movies featuring strong black women were few and far in between, Cicely was the the one who carried the torch for us. Onscreen, she represented my mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and every good black woman in my life. Her pride and strength became our pride and strength in our daily tussle with America.

"Sounder" and "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" are my best memories of Cicely's portrayals. Watching those made for television shows back in the early 1970's was a family affair. We all hunkered down in front of that newly purchased floor model Magnavox television set and got lost in stories about our peoples struggles against inequality. 

Those were some of the best lessons on history of race in America we kids received. School did not teach about slavery or race inequality back then. These movies aired a few years before the 1977 mini-series "Roots," which was shocking in its depiction of atrocities against blacks during the era of slavery. Everyone, black and white, got a lesson from "Roots." And so the struggle against racism and inequality continues. 

What Cicely Tyson represented was so much more than the ugliness of fighting against racism for change. She was so naturally beautiful, with a smile that seemed almost unreal. When her mouth formed into a smile her eyes seemed to twinkle with an unmistakable energy. I didn't know that she started out as a model; its not surprising. 

Thank you Cicely Tyson for the pride and strength you so courageously instilled in roles as leading black women.

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" - Ecclesiastes 3.1

Billionaires Losing Billions

 

Freezing access and changing terms of trading fits my perception of a manipulative Wall Street when finding themselves on the "short" end of a Stock Market crisis. Now that professionals are losing billions, they're looking for government regulation to help stop the bleeding. 

An overall Stock Market fix has been needed for quite some time. Too bad it takes billionaires to feel the crunch before calling for fairer and safer trade regulations. Who knew Reddit could be so game-changing. When smaller retail investors lose money due to a market crisis, nobody comes to their rescue.  Keep an eye on the fallout from this folks, you're gonna see Atlas Shrug. 

I'm not versed in stock market manipulations and volatility enough to give an accurate account of exactly what's going on with the "GameStop" pop.  Here's an article from Wall Street Journal that does. 

By 

, 

 and 

Updated Jan. 27, 2021 6:46 pm ET

The power dynamics are shifting on Wall Street. Individual investors are winning big—at least for now—and relishing it.

An eye-popping rally in shares of companies that were once left for dead including GameStop Corp. GME -28.88% , AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. AMC -49.25% and BlackBerry Ltd. has upended the natural order between hedge-fund investors and those trying their hand at trading from their sofas. While the individuals are rejoicing at newfound riches, the pros are reeling from their losses. Cont'd reading...

NBCnews - Redditors took on hedge funds and won

MarketWatch - The GameStop pop

cnet - Reddit Fueled Rollercoaster

Listen to podcast of  How Reddit chat room 'gamed the stock market:

One Night In Miami

 

Malcolm X, Cassius Clay, Jim Brown, Sam Cooke

If the movie looks and feels like a stage production, it's because it was adapted from a play by Kemp Powers, who also wrote the movie screenplay. In this phenomenal movie, directed by Golden Globe,  Academy and Emmy Awards winning actress Regina King, four black icons come together to celebrate one's victory and end up discussing the black struggle against an oppressive white America.

I'll admit, I can watch any movie/television show with Regina King in it simply because she brings that certain real presence you look for on film. However, in "One Night in Miami," Regina is behind the scenes making her directorial debut, and she nails it. If the saying, "behind every good man is a good woman" is true, then the woman behind the scenes getting these four brotha's to put forward such high-powered performances like they did in this movie, makes Regina an Extraordinary woman. 

What Regina must have instilled in the four actors was the pride and courage to succeed in becoming the larger than life icons they portrayed. What she got onscreen was like the reward of a mother, wife or sister who, through encouragement and love, helps a man become a better man. Credit Regina for setting the stage, and the actors for building a strong and trusting, brotherly friendship that came across onscreen.  

In describing the movie I think its writer, Kemp Powers, said it best; "a work of fiction powered by the truth."

The dialogue, with its arguments on race, wealth, power and faith, unapologetically gives viewers a taste of what it was like for a black man to be a successful icon in America in 1964. The choices and consequences which came with that success were something each had to work through. This meeting between the four allows them to share their feelings and views of it all, with each other and us viewers.

The movie is a beautiful snap shot of an era blacks as a whole should reacquaint themselves with today, if for no other reason than to assess and reevaluate the road that led to a much needed Black Lives Matter movement today.  

For me personally, I was drawn into the times, characters and culture of the movie because it's a story about my peoples, written and performed by my peoples and based on real life heroes of my peoples. Peoples of other cultures, whether they know something about the real life characters and times portrayed or not, will take away some enlightening things from this movie I'm sure. But for a black man, along with black women, this movie touches on our long brotherhood and sisterhood struggle to stand together against inequality and oppression in America. 

It is a reflection of us at a time of socioeconomic change and choices. A time not unlike the times we find ourselves in today, where as referred to in the movie, we blacks just wanna be treated as human beings by whites.

I could go on. Instead, catch the movie on television and enjoy time well spent with Malcolm, Cassius, Jim and Sam. Get a lesson in what it means to discuss differences of opinion with those you love and respect.

A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke

True Events that Inspired Regina King's One Night In Miami

One Night In Miami, speculative history sings

Brady Hit Tune

B.R.A.D.Y.

To those who love'em, the spoof of Kenny Rogers song "Lady" is a tune best forgotten. For those who detest the cheating, penalty-proof, gameday favored, media darling of football, the song above just gets better and better with age. Hilarious!

QB Tom Brady will face-off against Aaron Rodgers and #1 seeded Green Bay Packers in Sunday's NFC Championship game. Both quarterbacks are seasoned veterans looking to add to their HOF Legacy. 

If Rodgers wins and goes on to secure Superbowl LV, it will be a true highlight in a great career. Should Brady lose after such a successful inaugural year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, expect to hear rumblings of the G.O.A.T. Joe Montana, especially if he has a less than stellar game. 

As a Raiders fan (Tuck Rule) I'll be rooting for Aaron Rodgers and the Pack to force Brady and the Bucs to watch Superbowl LV, being played in their home (Raymond James Stadium), from the comfort of their living rooms; just like 30 other less fortunate NFL teams.

Either way, this NFC title game will be a high-stakes competition no football fan will wanna miss. Unless of course a Kenny Rogers concert is streaming online. 

"Lady, For so many years I thought I'd never find you, 

You have come into my life  a n d ........ Made me whole"

Deflated

Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman

 

The Hill We Climb

the new dawn blooms as we free it

for there was always light, if only we're brave enough to see it

If only, we're brave enough, to be it
                                                        from "The Hill We Climb" by Amanda Gorman

Twas the Night Before Inauguration ❄❄❄ Feels Like Xmas Eve ❄❄❄

I don't know what makes me more full of promise today, the Warriors comeback win over the Lakers last night, or hearing Trump's goodbye concession speech today. As much as I despise the Los Angeles Lakers and celebrate every time they lose, seeing this Pathetic excuse for a human being finally concede his election loss to our soon-to-be 46th President has to top the list.

Tomorrow, January 20, 2021, Joe Biden will become President of the United States of America. If you haven't been hiding under a rock for the past four years, or past four weeks for that matter, then you understand the significance of this national event. America will have a President that puts the interest of our country first and foremost. A President who brings pride and dignity once again to the office of commander-in-chief. A man who is not scared to tell the truth and can express his thoughts clearly. A man familiar with biblical scripture who looks to the bible for more than a photo-op prop. A man humbled by tragic losses in life. Not just a man, but a Just Man.

Tomorrow, at 12:00pm, EST, Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of our Democracy. We know he and his administration have lots of repair work ahead. We as citizens also will have work to do; the task of trusting our government and respecting our differences/disagreements is high on the list of civilian duties. 

The way to combat those who continue to espouse conspiracy theories to divide our government and citizens is to stay active and informed on the issues and policies effecting our nation. And while we're at it we should all try to be more involved in our communities. 

When in doubt, do the opposite of what twice-impeached Donald J. Trump would do. See someone in need, offer help. See a danger to the community, address it or bring it to someone's attention who can address it. Make a mistake or use poor judgement, acknowledge it and immediately work on correcting the wrong. Become a Volunteer. Be accountable for something.

Duty: a moral or legal obligation; a responsibility.

What we can all say we've improved at from watching Trump in the spotlight for four agonizing years, is spotting liars by the lies they tell. The bigger the lie the less believable and more exposed the liar. If you never had the unpleasant experience of knowing a chronic liar, Trump has given you an advanced class in "The Art of Fabrication."

Finally!

Harden Joins Nets - Instant Eastern Conf. Contenders

The player Warriors fans love to hate, step-back foul creating James Harden of the Houston Rockets, launched a stunning trade deal today that has the NBA stratosphere collapsing like a black hole. Houston, U Have A Problem!

A four team deal sends the franchise player to Brooklyn to join Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in what has to be considered a dream team-like pairing of all-stars. 

I say it couldn't have happened to a better bunch of fans, unless of course you're a suffering Knicks fan.  The Brooklyn Nets have definitely thrown their hat into the ring for a chance to at least attend the dance that is the Eastern Conference Finals 2021.

Time to give Vince Carter a call. The 43 years young gold medalist and slam dunk champion of 2000 was on the Atlanta Hawks roster last season. And I'm sure he would cherish the opportunity for one more run with the Nets. Did you know as a freshmen Vince was quarterback for his high school Football team and Volleyball player of the year in his Florida county of Volusia. Who Knew!

A Devonta Smith Monday Night

 Alabama Heisman Trophy recipient, and now CFP MVP, is the sportsmen of the hour. Any young athlete would easily envy waking up this morning in the shoes of Devonta Smith. His record setting show in college football's national championship game was electrifying. He made many of his 12 receptions, 215 yards and 3 touchdowns look like scrimmage; a simulated exhibition game.

Smith's weapon of destruction is speed, something the Ohio State Buckeyes defense simply had no answer for. His deceptive speed gets him quickly to the spot the ball is thrown. Once he has the ball, defenders best pray he goes out of bounds or falls to the ground. He has gripping hands that catch everything, and how he angles his runs creates even more space between he and any defender giving chase. 

And all this from a player of slim build who might excel more on a basketball court than football field. Just proves never to judge a book by its cover; can't measure heart.

It didn't hurt Smith that his Alabama football program is a historical juggernaut, coming off one of its best seasons. The championship title game win was definitely a team win, but without the aid of Devonta Smith, its entertainment flavor may not have been so Heisman tasty. 

Congratulations Alabama Crimson Tide
Roll Tide!

Final Score

Ohio State 24

Alabama 52

Devonta Smith Highlights

The Sim Reaper - SI

Baratunde Thurston - Gives Props to Black American Voters

Baratunde Thurston explains how Black Americans show up for America and implores Republicans and other Americans 'join us because we've been fighting this a long time.'

Nothing but Pride and Applause for Mr. Baratunde Thurston and his eloquent message to all America. His monologue compels me to think of the peril America would be facing had Republicans and the President succeeded in suppressing the Black Vote. 

What if Georgia's senate race runoff went to the two Republicans? Would the Republican controlled Senate become more vengeful and bipartisan? Would they feel emboldened enough to join the Capitol Insurrectionists and somehow return Trump to power? 

We have seen so many unprecedented and questionable decisions and actions by Republicans these past four years that American citizens are numb and desensitized by it all. Seeing a United States President incite a confederate flag toting mob to Bumrush the U.S. Capitol, in an attempt to “take back America” and overturn his re-election loss, isn't all that surprising if you've been paying attention to Trump and his Republican sycophants. 

Sy-co-phant: a servile self-serving flatterer

This most recent crime against our country and constitution is one comparable to a fictional Netflix series.  But this ain’t no "House of Cards" or “Designated Survivor” episode folks, its a live broadcast of America Unwound: Pandemic Survival 2021.

Whatever tomorrow brings for America, just know that those U.S. citizens it has historically fought so hard to disenfranchise and suppress will be there to save it from itself again. "With malice toward none, with charity for all." Don't believe me, just ask Stacey Abrams:

Abrams lost the Georgia governor's race by 55,000 votes in an election marred by allegations of voter suppression. Instead of fading into the background, she climbed into the trenches. She formed an organization to register and empower voters, wrote a book about voter suppression and co-produced an Amazon Prime documentary, "All In: the Fight for Democracy."

Capitol On Lockdown

 

I don't know which was worse to witness today, the assault on our nation's Capitol by Trump supporters or the Trumpublican legislators who were willing to obstruct and delay the electoral college vote count. Both believe the absurd, and both were willing to commit atrocities to please a sick man.

The elephant in the room is why the security detail for the Capitol was unprepared to handle the protesters and why it took so long for backup. I wouldn't be surprised to find out the siege on the Capitol was planned and coordinated by supporters and legislators following the orders of a lame-duck resident. Call it an Inside Job or a Fix!

What people of color rightfully take away from this day of national reckoning is how white privilege gives persons with white skin entitlement to assemble with violent intent and unlawfully attack our nation's governing bodies without repercussions. 

Picture the same attack you saw today, substitute Black Lives Matter or Latino, Arab or even Native American protesters assaulting the Capitol in such a way. Any chance they would've been allowed to walk away peacefully? Heck, they would never have gotten close enough to climb the walls or break-in through a window.

Today it was a lame-duck resident inciting a bunch of disorganized conspiracy theorist to hate on our American government. Tomorrow that same lame-duck could plot organized foreign military attacks on our government. 

Today was a dangerous warning, tomorrow could be a tragic and traitorous atrocity. Our legislators have an obligation and duty to protect us by removing the most dire threat facing our nation today. It's what the 25th Amendment was put in place to do, remove a sick, disabled or unfit President. Invoke it Now and save American lives.

 

Curry Comes Alive!

In  the first week of January 1976, an album titled "Frampton Comes Alive" was released featuring UK rock musician Peter Frampton. By April of that year it was #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. It was the best selling album of the 1976, with Rolling Stone voting it “Album of the Year.” It has gone on to become one of the best selling live albums of all-time. 

Anyone living back in 1976 with admiration and appreciation for classic rock/electric guitar, if alive today, will attest to Frampton's musical ingenuity and international appeal. After minor commercial success as a solo artist, Peter Frampton had finally Come Alive!

Peter Frampton - Do You Feel Like We Do

In the first week of January 2021, an NBA player named Stephen Curry gave another historic basketball performance by scoring 62 points in a win over the Portland Trailblazers. He had 21pts in the first quarter and 30pts by halftime. It's the most points scored in any NBA game so far this season. With 42 seconds remaining in the game he launched an awkward three-point shot and of course, it swished through the net. 

In the current basketball era of long range shooting, anyone watching Sunday's game was reminded of just who helped pioneer taking and making incredible three-point shots. Steph has changed the game while broadening its viewership both nationally and internationally. 

Unlike Frampton in the music world of January 1976, Curry had already cemented his basketball world legacy before Sunday's 62 point solo act. And yet he continues to add to his legend with extraordinary games like this. 

It wasn't that he scored a career high 62 points, but how he scored them that made this performance so billboard crashing. He made shots with defenders in his face, over 7ft defenders, around and through multiple defenders, left handed, long-mid-short range. Just about every way possible a player can score, Curry scored. On Sunday night, January 3, 2021, Steph Curry Came Alive, and was Unstoppable! 

Final Score

Trailblazers 122

Warriors 137

Raiders Season Ends

Final Score

Raiders 32

Broncos 31

The Good

24/38 for 371 Passing Yards & 2 TDs, 2 Sacks, 1 Two Point Conversion, 2 Blocked FGs (one Secures Win with 22sec remaining)

The Bad

14 Penalties for 111 Yards, 2 Interceptions, 2 Lost Fumbles, 3 Sacks Allowed (3 turnovers in a 5-snap span)

The Ugly 

8-Losses, Fired Def. Coord., 3-5 in Last 8 Games, Allowed 29.8 Pts/Gm, Missed Playoffs....Again.....

Win, Lose or Tie

2020 Season Highlights

Derek Carr  4,103 Passing Yards

Josh Jacobs 1,065 Rushing Yards

Darren Waller 1,196 Receiving Yards

The Broncos honored Hall of Famer Floyd "The Franchise" Little with a moment of silence. Little died Friday after a long battle with cancer.