Friday Developments.

 

 

 

Politically, all eyes are on Virginia. Virginia has been one major center of American culture for numerous reasons. I'm a black Virginian, and Mcauliffe and Youngkin are running for the Governor of Virginia. Youngkin can't have it both ways. He can't show reactionary views in private and then claim to be above it all. He has refused to condemn Trump completely. He has refused to advocate for an increase of a minimum wage, and he has stated that he is against progressive policies in many cases. I voted early today, and it is obvious who I voted for. This is one of the most important Virginia gubernatorial elections in American history. Voting is more than a human right. It's certainly a great responsibility to defend our freedoms. Early voting is one of the most pro-democratic actions that anyone can make. Also, we have voting rights legislation in Congress that must be passed. At the end of the day, universal health care, universal pre-K, environmental protections, racial justice, and economic justice are creeds that we accept wholeheartedly.

 

Right now, Trump has increased his hold on the Republican Party. Back in the day, there were moderate or liberal Republicans like Abraham Lincoln and Jackie Robinson for a time. Yet, even Jackie Robinson got so disgusted with racist Goldwater supporters in the 1964 RNC at San Francisco that he voted for Johnson in 1964 and Humphrey in 1968. So, the GOP has totally been so far right that they are off the cliff. They are trying to use legislative deception and other tactics in order to eliminate legal elections, eliminate voting rights protections, and decrease the social safety net.

 

Days ago was the Birthday of the late icon of Brother Dick Gregory. For decades, he fought for civil rights, human rights, and black liberation. His commentaries on politics, social issues, and on health certainly has assisted multiple generations of human beings. From his comedy routines exposing racism to his protests against the Vietnam War, Gregory has been on the front-lines of numerous causes. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He played many sports at Sumner High School like running. Gregory was involved in the Army. He moved into Chicago to work on his professional comedy career. He loved his wife and their 11 children. Gregory gave a keynote address for Black History Month a Bryn Mawr College on February 28, 2013 to never accept injustice. 

Rest in Power Brother Dick Gregory.

 

If you love 1980's music, you know about this artist. She is Sister Karyn White, and it was her Birthday days ago. She is now 55 years old, and she was born in Los Angeles. For years, she was involved in R&B, soul, and new jack swing. She sang in the church choir and worked as a backing singer. Her first album was called Karyn White in 1988. Her famous songs are The Way You Love Me, Secret Rendezvous, and Superwoman. Love Saw It with Babyface was a No. 1 R&B hit. Karyn White always have a love affair with the art of musical expression. The late 1980's and the 1990's had many underrated singers too like Pebbles, Jody Watley, Phyllis Hyman, Sade, Janet Jackson, Chaka Khan, Regina Belle, Angela Bofill, Irene Cara, and Stephanie Mills.  

In 1991, her 2nd album was Ritual of Love. The songs were produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. There was the hit single called Romantic in the  album too. In 1994, she released Make Him Do Right. She started a family in 1999, and she continued to make music in the 21st century. In March 2012, Karyn White released the album of Carpe Diem with songs like Sista, Sista and Unbreakable. She has her own interior design and real estate business. She lives in Rocklin, California.  People to this day remember her powerful voice, her charisma, and her compassionate spirit. I wish Sister Karyn White more blessings. 

 

By Timothy