(l to r) Ephraim Sykes (David Ruffin), Jeremy Pope (Eddie Kendricks), James Harkness (Paul Williams), Jared Joseph (Melvin Franklin), and Derrick Baskin (Otis Williams) in the world premiere of Ain’t Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Photo by Carole Litwin/Berkeley Repertory Theatre On a brisk Tuesday night in New York City,… Continue reading Ain’t Too Proud
While some of us sing, "What a friend we have in Jesus" others may be thinking, "Well I don't really know Jesus like that, but my friend does." Is Jesus your friend? Or is He a friend of a friend? I briefly met Michael Jordan back in the day. I knew a lot about him… Continue reading Friend of a Friend
While most of my twitter timeline is outraged about the Oscar Noms, there were a few good opposing arguments that I had to agree with. Awards are based on merit and performance. That's true. But when a merit (or penal) system is so glaringly disproportionate, the system is clearly broken. Consequently, we need to take a look at our intuitive human biases on an individual level to make systemic change.
"Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant." - Galatians 1:10 Obviously! Paul is pretty direct in his message to those foolish Galatians. His goal is to do the will of God, regardless of what people think. That… Continue reading Follow the Little Voice, Not the Loud One
In the current environment I'm fighting like Rizpah to keep the scavengers from tearing away at my sons-- their dignity, honor, self-esteem, self-image, and life itself. I have to watch police, politicians, teachers, coaches, store clerks, and strangers who might consider skittles to be dangerous. Every night I fall into bed, I thank God that my sons are alive and pray they live another day. It's a real, not at all irrational, fear of this Black mother.
TOYI ELIZABETH 