They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anymore: RIP Sherman Hemsley

Hello Meltingpot Readers,

I am very sad to report that the man who will always be remembered as George Jefferson, aka Sherman Hemsely, died yesterday. He was only 74 years old. I just found out that Hemsely was a Philadelphia native, so the Philadelphia Inquirer posted a great article covering his childhood in South Philly, his early career and rise to fame.

I don't know about you, but The Jefferesons was one of my favorite shows to watch as a child. And as I reflect on it now, I am amazed at just how good it was. Even the theme song was the bomb. (Yeah, we're movin' on up...)

I mean here was a 1970s sitcom that revolved around a proud Black businessman who was openly hostile to White people, was rude to the help and was vocal about his beliefs that Black was always better. And he was damn funny. Sidekicks on the show included a bumbling white British neighbor, an interracial couple and a sassy maid. Can you imagine if somebody pitched that concept in Hollywood today? Nobody would touch it. Yet, twenty years ago, The Jeffersons was one of the most popular shows in prime time. Why is that? Why have we regressed in our ability to push the envelope, feature multiracial casts and perhaps explore some newsworthy issues with our television programing? Pardon my pom poms but, Come on People! Can't we do better?

What happened in the 90s that made television so reductive and stupid? If you have the answer, please speak up. I want to know.

You know I'm listening. And here's something for you to listen to while you ponder the problem. Enjoy.


Peace!

Happy Loving Day! A Day Late...

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

Yesterday was Loving Day. Did you remember to celebrate? I kind of forgot. But just like I feel like every day is Martin Luther King, Jr. day when you're Black in America, every day is Loving Day when you're a Black woman, married to a Spanish man and you have three brownish kids. I mean, we celebrate interracial marriage being legal every morning we wake up in the same bed together. Ya dig?

That being said, there are some things I would like to do in honor of the great sacrifice Mildred and Richard Loving did in order to have their marriage recognized by their home state of Virginia. Namely, I'd like to fly my entire Kinky Gazpacho family to the Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival this weekend in Los Angeles. But it ain't gonna happen, because we just don't have the funds this year. (sigh) But we'll get there hopefully next year.

I'd also like to get a chance to see the new documentary about the Lovings, The Loving Story. It's being screened at Mixed Roots, but you already know, I won't be there. (bigger sigh). Here's the trailer.



I'm not sure when I'll be able to see the film, so in the meantime, to satisfy my Loving Day wanderlust, I'll probably just troll the internet and look for all of the slideshows that feature 'our favorite celebrity interracial couples.' I admit, it's a guilty pleasure. But one I really only indulge in, on Loving Day. I swear.

Okay, dear readers. Did you do anything to celebrate Loving Day? Are you going to? Let's hear it. You know I'm listening.

Peace!

Can You Say Salsa in Hebrew?

Hello Meltingpot Readers,

Here's another reason why I love the NPR show, Tell Me More. Today while listening, I heard about the Israel Film Festival, happening now in Los Angeles. Normally, I probably wouldn't have bothered to investigate further. I'm not that into Israeli films. Let's be honest, I just don't know enough about Israeli films to be into them. Well, I might now.

Peep this trailer for a film called Salsa Tel Aviv. It's about a Mexican salsa dance instructor who goes to Israel to teach salsa dancing. She decides to enter the country disguised as a nun in order to sneak through customs. Hilarity ensues, as does a little romance. It sounds like the perfect Meltingpot mash-up. Check it out.




So, people, what do you think? Do you want to see it? Do you have any other Israeli films you think we should talk about here on the Meltingpot?

I'm listening.

Shalom!

A White Woman and a Black Man Walk into a Church in Kentucky...

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

So did you hear about the church in Kentucky that recently decided to ban interracial couples from joining their congregation? If you have no idea what I'm talking about, here's a brief article from the Huffington Post to catch you up on the  shenanigans.

My favorite part of that story is that the church board decided that interracial couples could attend church services but could not officially join the congregation, nor participate in church activities, "except for funerals." Why funerals I wonder? Does death trump racism? Or maybe a funeral, just ain't a funeral without a negro in attendance? I'm just wondering.

But before anyone gets really angry, there's good news up ahead. Once the church members discovered that it was against state and federal law to ban interracial couples from the church, they decided their previous vote didn't count. Now, everyone is welcome to worship at the Gulnare Free Will Baptist Church. Don't you feel better now? I'm sure there's going to be a long line of colored folks banging on those church doors asking to praise the Lord with the fine folks at Gulnare who have recently seen the light.

Okay, I'm going to get serious here for a second. One, I'm not surprised that this happened. I'm not surprised because I know that racism is still very much alive in this country and the world. I know that many people -- of all colors and stripes -- believe that folks should just stick with their own kind when it comes to marriage.

But I'm going to try to sympathize with this congregation, give them the benefit of the doubt. Gulnare Free Will Baptist  is a tiny church in Appalachia. Now, I'm no Appalachian expert, but I do know that there aren't a ton of Black people in them thar hills. It's very easy to stay rooted in ignorance and stereotypes when there's nobody around to challenge your belief system. Perhaps now that their peculiar brand of "ignorance" has been shown to the world and they have been shamed, they will begin to change their ways. Maybe. I said, maybe.

Here's a clip from the church's pastor who suggests that maybe that will happen.



What do you think? Can anything good come from this painful moment? Like what? And is anyone else wondering if the young White woman who dragged her African fiance to the church truly believed that the congregation would welcome her with open arms? Or was she just hoping to heat things up and bring the church into the 21st century?

I'm so totally listening.

Peace!

Black Women, White Men -- What's the Big Deal?

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

Yesterday I was reading The Root.com and I saw the following headline, "Black Women and the White Men They Love." Of course I clicked on what turned out not to be a story but a slideshow of famous Black women -- from Josephine Baker to Iman -- who have married White men.

My first reaction to the piece was surprise because there were a few women included who I had no idea had married across the color line. Like the actress Alfre Woodward. In fact, I was kind of inspired by the longevity of many of these unions, but not because of the racial differences, but simply because I know it's hard in Hollywood to keep the vows of matrimony. And that's when the discomfort set in. Why are we still highlighting marriages between Black women and White men as if it's worthy of some kind of anthropological analysis? Doesn't it just make you feel squirmy? I kind of do. I mean I don't go through my life thinking about el esposo as my White husband or my Spanish husband. He's just my husband. Am I being naive? Does everybody else view my marriage as some sort of racial experiment?

What do you think Meltingpot Readers? Is it time for us to stop 'highlighting' the extraordinary marriages across color lines? Or should we be showcasing them to prove to the world that when it comes to love, everybody is fair game? I'm torn, so I'm totally listening.

Peace!

Interracial "Loving" on the Big Screen

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

Amidst the horrifying sound bites and statistics that (Republican) folks in Mississippi still believe that interracial marriage should be against the law, it's refreshing to hear that a film documenting the historic court case of the Lovings vs the Supreme Court of the United States will soon be seen on the big screen.

A new documentary, The Loving Story is about to premier at the Tribeca Film Festivalin New York City. From the Film Festival website:

" Through stunning archival footage of the Lovings, the film revisits this public battle through the eyes of a private couple who simply wanted to have the right to get married and live in the place they called home.

Director Nancy Buirski reacquaints us with this famous couple with the same grace and elegance of the soft-spoken but driven Mildred Loving herself, and subsequently breathes vibrant new life into history. Beyond the trials and legal battles, Buirski delicately anchors this inspiring film in an engaging human love story with a timely message of marriage equality, echoing the words of Mildred on the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision: "I support the freedom to marry for all. That's what Loving, and loving, are all about."

The first showing in New York City is tomorrow, April 21. Anybody in the area, please go see it and tell us how it is. Hopefully the film will generate enough interest and be shown across the country. I know I'll do my part to bring it to Philly.

Do you want to see it? Tell me why?

I'm listening.

Peace.

p.s. I hope everyone caught the first episode of Black in Latin America last night. If not, tune in next Tuesday when they discuss Cuba.

WTF? Friday: An Offensive Guide to Interracial Dating

Meltingpot Readers,

I had another post all ready to go today, but I got word of a new book -- I Got the Fever: Love: What's Race Got to Do With It? -- that purports to teach women the secrets of how to date outside of their race. Although, because it is written by a White American woman who refers to her own cultural background as Poor White Trash, it kind of slants towards teaching White women how to get with a man of color.

Here's how the copy reads on the authors' website:

"Are you sick of believing all the good men are either married or gay? Then it’s time to catch the fever—for intercultural dating, that is. The fact is, soulmates come in every color—and I Got the Fever can help you find yours. Injected with pants-wetting anecdotes, eyebrow-raising commentary, and plenty of juicy details, I Got the Fever offers a practical course of treatment for dating within five unique cultures: Latino, Asian, Black, Indian, and Jewish. Plus, author J.C. Davies delivers the low down on every question you ever had about dating men of other races but were too PC to ask:
• Do Asian men like their women submissive?
• Are Jewish men really cheap?
• Are all Indian men well versed in the Kama Sutra?
• Do Latin lovers live up to their reputation?
• Do Black men actually have big, er, uh, equipment?

Whether you’re already in an interracial relationship, contemplating one or just want to be entertained by JC’s conversational style and hilarious anecdotes, I Got the Fever is the perfect prescription for dating in a new and diverse world."

I'm still left scratching my head. Is this woman for real? (She obviously takes herself and her mission very seriously.) Does she really think because she has dated many men of many different cultural backgrounds she is qualified to dole out such advice? But even more importantly, should anybody be approaching their romantic life with such racially codified motivations? Somebody help me understand this woman. And then help me understand the people who are actually buying it. Should we be afraid? Very afraid? And last but not least, why are all the men on the front cover shiny and hairless?

I'm listening.

Happy Weekend!

Peace.

Shame on You Dr. Laura!

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

So I'm still maintaining the buzz of the big "Pub day" for Substitute Me. Thank you all for your sweet encouragement, your blog reviews, tweets and well wishes. I feel so happy. But that happiness can't keep me from getting hot under the collar by the outrageous behavior by that woman who calls herself Dr. Laura.

I barely knew who Dr. Laura was, but I couldn't ignore the constant media attention given to her recent reported spewing of the n-word on national radio. So of course, I had to investigate. Here's a a story from abc news that apparently covered the "controversy."

But of course mainstream media got the story all wrong. In my opinion. Yes, Ms. Laura was way too comfortable using the n-word, in fact she seemed to enjoy it, but what was truly reprehensible about the situation, was the advice she gave to the caller who was calling with a legitimate problem. The caller was a Black woman married to a White man. Apparently the White husband's White friends and family often made racist comments around the wife and her husband didn't stick up for her and she wanted to know how to handle it. Now, why this woman decided to call Dr. Laura for help is beyond me, but she did. And Dr. Laura's response was --I'm paraphrasing -- "stop being so hypersensitive. You shouldn't have married outside of your race if you couldn't handle such situations!!!!!" Excuse me?

Here's a link to the whole disgraceful transcript so you can see for yourself how racist this woman really is. Yes, I said it. I think Dr. Laura is a very racist human being who should take herself to therapy to see why she harbors so much negative energy towards Black people. Maybe she can do this now that she's going to be out of a job :)

And I ask myself, why is this woman popular? Why do people listen to her? What is her appeal? Somebody please help me understand.

I am listening with both ears.

Peace

Alicia Keys Tackles Interracial Relationships in a Song

Thanks to Meltingpot reader, Sandra, I discovered Alicia Keys' new video for her song Unthinkable (I'm ready). Go watch it here on YouTube or check it on here on the official Alicia Keys website, where you'll also get some background on the making of the video.

Did you watch it? I'll wait. Go watch it and then come back here and tell me what you think? I'm seeing a retrospective of interracial dating through the ages in the United States. And then the ending feels a little ambiguous. Does the Black woman choose her Black family (who it seems has a problem with her dating a White guy) or does she follow her heart? I kind of sensed that in the end she pulls back and stays with her family. What do you think?

And more importantly is this accurate? Is this what the interracial dating experience is all about? Obviously not, because it only explores Black/White romance and Black woman with a White guy, and I also sense a bit of working class drama in there as well. Which, if we're honest, plays a role in how interracial romance will play out. Still, it is an ambitious issue to tackle in a music video and obviously one near and dear to Ms. Keys' heart as her mom is White and her dad is Black. In a press release, Keys said she made this video to “capture…the torment and turmoil of a forbidden love that crosses racial and family ties” and “question…whether or not true love really conquers all.”

In 2010, a lot of online commenters are asking, do we even need to ask that question? Can love conquer all? Do you think this video is just a great history lesson, or is this a conversation we should still be having to help those dealing with "forbidden love?" I'm of course biased. I live this life of "forbidden love" every day and I live in a neighborhood full of forbidden lovers. As we approach Loving Day 2010, where are we on this topic? What do you think the state of Interracial romance is in the United States in 2010? Oh and do you like the video?

Happy Monday.

Peace.

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LATINO BOOK GIVEAWAY WINNER

Thank you all for your entries. I admit that was a ridiculous question to ask for your favorite Latino author. It is such a wide-open field. But I like how you all interpreted the label in your own way.

So, the winner of three books of her choice from that awesome list is Regina!!!! Regina, send us your full name and address to Myamericanmeltingpot@gmail.com and we'll get those books to you right away. Congrats!!!

Interracial Relationships Making Headlines

Okay, dear readers, you have all probably gasped, sucked your teeth, shouted a few "no he didn'ts," and rolled your eyes several times because of yesterday's news that a justice of the peace in Louisiana refused to issue an interracial couple a marriage licence, citing concern for the future offspring of such a union. Maybe you didn't read the story, but suffice it to say, it feels like a throwback to life before the Loving decision.

Now before you go deciding that America is so backwards and behind, check out this Politico story about New York City politician, Bill de Blasio who actually found that his African-American wife (he's White) and Mixed children were an asset in his campaign for New York City public advocate. Being in an interracial marriage apparently marks him as a progressive and in tune with issues affecting and important to minority voters.

So maybe Louisiana is an isolated incident? Maybe America is ready to accept and even champion love across the color line. Apparently NBC is ready to push the envelope as Gabrielle Union and John Cho get to be a hot and heavy couple on the new drama series, FastForward. I actually haven't seen the show, but Sky Obercam over at Clutch Magazine wrote about their "Bumble Bee" romance and what it means in terms of progress on television. (I admit, I much prefer the term "Bumble Bee romance" to interracial relationship.)

So what do you think people? Do we get out our poison pens and picket signs and head to Louisiana? Or do we throw our support and praise behind people like Blasio who are putting their families front and center? Where do you think America is in accepting interracial relationships? To be honest, I often forget that I fall into this category, it is such a non-issue in my life. But I have worked hard to get here. I chose a neighborhood where interracial unions are commonplace. I'm now attending a church where multiracial families are a huge part of the congregation, and most of my friends are some sort of colorful. So I basically live in a multi-culti bubble. So, tell me please, does it need to be burst?

I'm listening.

Peace.

Why Indeed?

Karen Hunter has been at the receiving end of a lot of criticism this week (See My Terry McMillan post below) and I'm going to have to add my fuel to the fire.

Why would this book, Why Black Men Love White Women, be her debut book for her new imprint at Karen Hunter Books?

I want to applaud any young Black woman who lands her own imprint at a major publishing house, but gee, can we come up with something a little more useful than a stand-up comedian's unfunny examination of interracial relationships. The most unfunny thing about it is, the author Rajen Persuad was serious when he wrote this book, self-published it and then sold it to Ms. Hunter.

I wouldn't mind if this was being sold as humor tome, but these people are positioning this book as if Persuad had some Real information to share. From his website for the book Persuad writes:

I don't know how much you know about sex, power, politics and racism but when you read Why Black Men Love White Women you will most certainly be in for an intellectual exercise. You will know what it’s like to journey into the minds of the men and women around you. You will understand how they think and why they think that way. You will then become in touch with their deepest motivations and may be able to predict their every move.

Huh?

According to Persuad, within the pages of his book you will read about:
Why we live how we live.
Why are so many people afraid of Black people. And why so many of us are afraid of ourselves.
Why so many people to this day still hate Black people.
Why are Blacks still “complaining” about America.
What is reparations all about.
Why is there so much crime and poverty.
And why does so much of your hard earned money go to pay for it.
Believe it or not, all of these issues are inextricably linked to sex, power, and politics and are directly related to Why Black Men Love White Women.




Again. I repeat. This guy is a comedian. I'm not saying there's no space on bookstore shelves for a book that pokes fun at interracial relationships. Why not? But this book doesn't seem to be going for the funny.

I saw the book on the shelf at Barnes and Noble yesterday. It has a snazzy new cover with a bald black man nuzzling up with a blonde-haired blue-eyed woman while an out-of-focus (rejected) black woman watches from the background. Very provacative. But remember, you can't always judge a book by it's cover. In this case, judge it by the content because the cover (tacky as it is) may be the best thing about it.

Persuad writes that this book was written primarily for Black women, but I think I'm going to pass.

If someone does decide to shell out $24 to buy it, please chime in here and tell us how you liked it.

Peace.

Say Goodbye Mr. Washington

According to the New York Times, Grey's Anatomy star, Isaiah Washington will not be coming back to the hit show next season. Reportedly, Washington's contract is not being renewed because of his usage of an anti-gay slur to describe a fellow cast member some eight months back. We wrote about the whole brouhaha here on the Meltingpot.

How does this fit into our theme of celebrating interracial relationships for the Loving Conference 2007 Countdown? Well, it means television's most celebrated -- and perhaps only -- good looking, African-American, Korean-American, upper-middle class, professional couple will be no more. Light a candle, watch the reruns and remember the good times between Dr. Preston Burke and Dr. Cristina Yang. They helped bring an alternate vision of interracial love into the mainstream.

But here's a thought. What is the likelihood of Grey producers finding a Korean male star to be Dr. Yang's newest love interest? If you ask me, there's a heck of a good chance the next person she gets involved with will not be Asian. So the titilating, multi-culti love fest should continue at Seattle Grace.

Peace!

Speaking of Interracial Loving

As I begin the countdown for the Loving Decision Conference 2007, I thought why not write about some groovy, important, interracial relationships, past and present, that deserve celebration. Because really, how often does that happen in real life?

It's ironic really that there ever even existed anti-miscegenation laws since it never stopped people of different races from falling in love or even marrying for that matter. History is full of romance and relationships across color lines, but many historians would like to conveniently delete them from our collective memory.

This weekend, while strolling through the Philadelphia Museum of Art I discovered the artwork of William H. Johnson. Johnson was an artistic genius, born in South Carolina in 1901. I'd known of Johnson only as a painter of the Harlem Renaissance who grew frustrated with America's hostile racial climate and so he escaped to Europe.

Indeed Johnson did find the freedom he longed for in Europe to pursue his art as an artist instead of the suffocating label of Black artist. He ended up living for sometime in Denmark where he met his wife, Holcha Krake, a textile artist more than a decade older than himself.

In Denmark, in the tiny fishing village Johnson and Krake called home, the locals were more surprised that Krake had married at age 44. The fact that her husband was a Black man was inconsequential in their eyes. Johnson and Krake supported and influenced each other's work, sometimes they collaborated on pieces and eventually the couple moved to New York City. Krake, reportedly faced far more criticism in the US for being a Black man's wife than Johnson ever did in Europe. Still, their passionate love for one another seemed to sustain them and their art in the face of America's "race problem."

The end of their romance is tragic. Holcha Krake died of breast cancer, circa 1944. Soon after, around 1946 Johnson was diagnosed with "syphilis-induced paresis," which basically meant his brain turned to mush over the next 20 years, leaving him completely without memory of his former life or loves.

If you get a chance, look into the art of William H. Johnson, not because he married a White woman, but because he was a man who refused to allow the color of his skin to limit his passions.

Peace Out and keep Loving!

(illustration by William H. Johnson titled "Cafe" )