Now, I firmly believe that at its best art (and i’m using that term generally here) has the capacity to change those who witness it. I think we all can testify to this. There’s that book you read years ago that changed the way you look at relationships, the song that always reminds you of summer ‘98, the movie you watch that always makes you feel better.. hopefully the list goes on and on. Well, I’ve decided to put together a list of the top ten things (movies, plays, books, etc.) that have had a tremendously positive impact on the way I see myself and the world around me. Hopefully, you will check some of this out and get conscious. Or, even better, compile your own list and share it with others. Let’s get conscious together.
(for the record, I’m way too passionate to put things in a certain order. So, everything is equal here.)
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
- “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle The Master’s House” by Audre Lorde (essay)
- The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
- “On and On” and “I Want U” by Eykah Badu
- The Poetry of Christa Bell
- The Work of Toni Morrison
- The Music of Nina Simone
- Tell Me by Kim Addonizio (collection of poetry)
- The Music of Jill Scott
-Dave Chapelle’s Block Party (documentary/concert)
This is just the list. I will be going into detail on each of these wonderful items one at a time. They are all worthy of a little attention.
I found this clip from the 2004 BET Awards and I’m so glad I did. It features the show’s host, Monique, doing her own version of the now famous dance from Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love” music video. Yeah, I know. Now you probably have that song stuck in your head. (thank me later) Anyway, this clip is great for several reasons. One, in true Monique fashion, it brings a smile to your face without it being at someone else’s expense. It’s good to see that humor is possible without being degrading or mean spirited. Second, it presents a positive image of black women as well as larger women. It’s very rare that we get to see plus sized black women at center stage having a good time. I loved Dreamgirls as much as the next gay black man, but it’s worth noting that Jennifer Hudson’s tour de force performance – most notably “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” – is about a woman who’s already been abandoned. She’s lost her “love” to a younger, thinner, lighter woman. (Beyonce no less) Fortunately, women like Monique afford us an opportunity to revel in the joy of positive images of black women – regardless of their size or choreography.
I should warn you right now that I am a devout reader of bell hooks, the black feminist culture critic. Her writing is straight forward, honest, and important. So, don’t be surprised if her name comes up constantly.
