If Jesus Were a Black Man...

I haven't seen it and I'm not endorsing it, but I am intrigued. There's a new film on it's way to a cineplex near you called Color of the Cross. Like the Passion of the Christ, it depicts the last couple of days of Jesus' life, including the crucifixion. BUT and here's the big deal, in this movie, Jesus is BLACK. And I don't mean tan with wavy hair, I'm talking an authentic negro with an afro and everything. Jesus is played by actor Jean-Claude LaMarre, who also wrote and directed the film.

The movie is scheduled to be released in select cities on October 27. That's today. If you're at all interested in finding out if the color of Jesus' skin could have had anything to do with his persecution, then try to see the film. (Also if you want to see what Ananda Lewis has been up to since they cancelled her talk show, check out this movie.)

What's interesting to me is that the news media is already calling the movie controversial because Jesus is Black. That to me isn't really controversial. As one reporter wrote, in every other country in the world, Jesus looks like the people of the land. In Japan, for example Jesus looks Japanese. So why shouldn't he be darker hued for the Black American people who want to see themselves in the image of the son of God?

Just as an aside, when I was in Spain recently, I discovered that one of the most popular religious icons in the whole country is Jesus de Medinacelli. And guess what? He's a Black Jesus! Go figure. So why the controversy here people?

For more about the movie check out the website here: color of the cross

If anybody goes to see the film let's hear your thoughts.

Peace Out!

Rice in Korea

So I'm reading with growing horror about the threats and tantrums of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il in the face of UN sanctions. Mr. Kim Jong-Il claims the sanctions are tantamount to an act of war and North Korea will respond accordingly. So Secretary of State Condi Rice is dispatched to Asia to try and drum up support from other Asian nations against Mr. Kim (or is it Mr. Jong-Il? ) and to try to talk some sense into the seemingly deranged leader.

So here's my question. Does a Korean man like Kim Jong-Il -- who clearly has some issues with power -- take a Black woman seriously, even if she is the Secretary of State of arguably one of the most powerful nations in the world? I mean is race an issue in international diplomacy? Is gender? I'm not saying that all Koreans have a problem with Black people, or women, but we know in this country there is some tension between the two groups and we know that Korean culture is quite patriarchal. So what is Kim Jong-Il thinking when Ms. Rice tells him he better behave or else? Is he laughing at her? Should George W. send someone more impressive and masculine to work this out like the supremely scary looking Vice President, Mr. Dick Cheney?

Any thoughts on this one? I'm curious what others think.

Pray for Peace!

Madonna and Child

They said it wasn't true, but apparently it was. Madonna has gone and pulled an Angelina. She went to Africa and bought herself a little Black baby.

To be fair and honest, the child may not be Black, but I think most natives of Malawi are, but until I see pictures I cannot confirm. For an update on the still breaking story, check out MSNBC.

So is this the latest trend? Superstars rescuing AIDS orphans from impoverished African countries? Although it should be noted, the little boy Madonna and Guy Ritchie have in their possession is not an orphan, just motherless and Dad has given the OKAY to let the Material Girl be his son's new mom.

Some people are bristling at this seemingly new hobby of the rich and famous, or maybe they just don't think Madonna and Angelina Jolie are exactly overflowing with maternal wellness. 'What about all of the poor orphans in this country?' they cry out in righteous indignation. And they have a point. I, on the other hand, don't have an opinion on this one except that I think any time a child is given a loving home to live in as opposed to a disease infested orphanage, that 's a good thing. One person can't adopt all of the world's unwanted children.

Let's pray for these adopted children, that they will be able to retain some of their own culture and will be able to take advantage of all of the luxuries afforded the child of a superstar. Like Nicole Richie. And for the ones who still languish in foster care or one-room orphanages abroad, let's pray for a miracle.

Peace Out!

Ready for Racialicious!

I know, I could have just added a new link to my page, but I just had to alert my loyal readers that there's a new website in the blogosphere that deserves some attention.

It's called Racialicious and well, it's delicious. A veritable feast of meltingpot moments. Promising to keep readers updated on where race and culture intersect, the site was created by two racialicious women with a passion for progress and change. I don't need to go on and on because you can see for yourself by clicking on the link above.

Enjoy!

P.S. Yesterday I spoke on a panel at the 12th Annual International Locks Conference in my new hometown of Philly. And let me just say that, yes, Black hair is still political.

Peace Out!

Brad Pitt and Black Hair

"For white people who might be having a little trouble with black- person hair, Carol's Daughter is a fantastic hair product. We got it for Z. Now her hair has this beautiful luster. And it smells nice, too." -- Brad Pitt, Esquire Magazine, 10/06


For those of you who don't know, Black hair as a social phenomenon is my thing. I wrote a book about it and everything. So you know I have to talk about Brad Pitt.

As it goes, in the October issue of Esquire magazine, Mr. Pitt made a comment about how much he likes Carol's daughter's products for his daughter Zahara's hair. Originally I was simply going to write about that. You know comment on how his casual endorsement would probably translate to thousands of new customers for Lisa Price and her Brooklyn-based company. I was also going to mention that this was the kind of meltingpot experience that I love to see. You know, White people learning through hands-on experience what Black hair is really about.

But that's not the real story here. The real story is how much press this comment has gotten, online and in the blogosphere. People are going crazy over this. Go ahead and Google Brad Pitt and Carol's Daughter and you'll get over 200,000 hits. Why? Because people want to see controversy in a White man talking about a Black person's hair. Some people are offended that Brad referred to his daughter's hair as "Black-person hair." Others were offended that he said the products made Z's hair smell really good. As if it smelled bad before. And one website actually labeled Pitt a racist, misquoting him of course, saying that he had "trouble" with his daughter's hair. Wow!

When my co-author, Ayana Byrd and I wrote Hair Story five years ago, people were crucifying another White person, this time a public school teacher, for reading the book Nappy Hair to her Black students. As it was then and it still is now, the Black community is still really sensitive when it comes to our hair. Sure we may be more accepting of natural styles and less ashamed to flaunt our weaves and extensions but something is still unhealed in our collective psyche.

I don't believe Brad Pitt deserves any criticism or condemnation for his comments. But maybe I should send him a copy of my book so he understands the tangled roots of our hairstory.

Peace Out