Growing up, two of my parent's favorite entertainers were famous African Americans Nat King Cole and Sammy Davis Jr. They drooled over Nat's crooning and Sammy's tap dance routines. They would, however, have been pretty horrified if I'd ever brought home an African American boyfriend. My parents were typical of many white audiences. They thought in boxes. To my parents, Nat King Cole didn't represent any race or symbolize any political statement. He was just, well... Nat King Cole, an entertainer they liked. He existed in the magic world of television and when they switched the TV off, he was gone. Not much thought was given to the fact that when Nat and his family moved into a better neighborhood, as a result of his success, none of the neighbors spoke to them. He'd had the nerve to step outside the magic box.
This mindset of partial acceptance for famous African Americans was also evident in the world of sports. My Mother was a tennis nut, and greatly admired the quiet dignity of Arthur Ashe. She also followed boxing and loved to watch Muhammad Ali float like a butterfly. It was a safe enthusiasm for one of the most famous African Americans in history, and was never challenged by any demands of reality.
My parents were not prejudiced in the sense of thinking that being white was in any way superior. Being white was simply the norm for them. Black people coming into the community or the family circle were different, and being different was... awkward. Being different was troubling, like men with long hair. Famous African Americans were there to entertain us, not to start a social revolution.
For Middle America, Elvis Presley was the acceptable face of black music. Famous African Americans, even Aretha Franklin and James Brown, would never achieve the same amount of mainstream superstardom as the boy who sounded black but looked like the all American hero. Famous African Americans laid the foundations and the white interpreters lived the dream. There were attempts to redress the balance. The Rolling Stones once refused to appear on a British TV show unless Muddy Waters was invited to come on too. Muddy Waters was an African American hero of theirs, and they duly did a terrific show together.
It's been a long, hard road for famous African Americans. It's not that long ago that singers and musicians were not allowed to walk through the front door of the club they were booked to perform in. Billie Holliday knew all about going in the back door.
So, is anything different today? Now, Eminem is the acceptable face of rap music. Shades of Elvis there. Many famous African Americans of the younger generation make no attempt to ingratiate their way into cozy picket fence territory, but rather celebrate their color and their place in the urban mythology. White boys today like to pick up on black culture and language, but from a safe distance. They may fantasize about gorgeous, famous African Americans like Halle Berry, but how many of them would take her home to meet Mom? OK, bad example... I would!
I Love My Apple G4 Ibook
While PCs have the standard right and left click option...
i-love-my-apple-g4-ibook.php
Looking For Apartments For Rent
Some people rely on the newspaper when looking for apartments for rent. They may end up settling f...
looking-for-apartments-for-rent.php
Poinsettias Are Beautiful Christmas Flowers
The image that comes to mind when most people think about the traditional Chris...
poinsettias-are-beautiful-christmas-flowers.php
Mother Of Pearl Jewlery
Mother of pearl can be found in almost every color of the rainbow. When you visit a jewelry sto...
mother-of-pearl-jewlery.php
Get It Done With A Chore Chart
In another episode, there were some six to ten kids. A...
get-it-done-with-a-chore-chart.php
Toying Around With Lincoln Logs
What amazes me is that you can still buy Lincoln logs. They have changed quite a bit...
toying-around-with-lincoln-logs.php
Checking Your Brake Systems
As long as you keep it in good repair and get it checked out regularly, the brake systems which your car came with...
checking-your-brake-systems.php
The Ever Popular Book Of The Month Club
To start a book of the month club, approach four or five people that you enjoy spending t...
the-ever-popular-book-of-the-month-club.php
Aid In A College Scholarship Search
So you're finishing up high school - have you applied at any colleges yet? This is a...
aid-in-a-college-scholarship-search.php
The Godfather Trilogy
Have you seen the Godfather trilogy? This is certainly a well crafted masterpiece. In fact it's pr...
the-godfather-trilogy.php
Campaign Signs Of The Times
No matter what office you may be running...
campaign-signs-of-the-times.php
The Hoes And Woes Of Organic Farming
First of all, were the slugs. Everyone knows that you can get r...
the-hoes-and-woes-of-organic-farming.php
A Pretty Woman
Today, a woman would not be considered a pretty woman suitable for...
a-pretty-woman.php
Comparing Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance Against Other Providers
It would be misguided to think that a company like Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance is the best to go w...
comparing-blue-cross-blue-shield-health-insurance-against-other-providers.php
Slavery And African American History
There are many shameful events that make up the history of a nation. Many countries have been built on the b...
slavery-and-african-american-history.php
Love To Hate Those Answering Machines
Sometimes I think that the answering machine is ...
love-to-hate-those-answering-machines.php
Special Birthday Gifts
My older Sister stated that she had seen Mom embroidering dish towels. She is ...
special-birthday-gifts.php
Seeking Camping Trailers For Sale
I've always wanted to drive across the United States and take in all the beautiful...
seeking-camping-trailers-for-sale.php
Adobe Photodeluxe Makes It Easy To Say Cheese
Adobe PhotoDeluxe can be used to downsize large amounts of photos from your digital camera. I often ...
adobe-photodeluxe-makes-it-easy-to-say-cheese.php
Give African Safari Hunting A Shot
Anyway, the sport of African safari hunting is a reality in contemporary times. No...
give-african-safari-hunting-a-shot.php
The Acne King
My peers were not much of a help wither. M...
the-acne-king.php
Sending Western Christmas Cards
Sending western Christmas cards can provide a unique touch to your holiday c...
sending-western-christmas-cards.php
Answering Machines
Sometimes I think that the answering machine ...
answering-machines.php
A Pretty Woman Is Timeless
The 1960's changed the scene completely, with the coming of Twiggy. She was undoubtedly an extre...
a-pretty-woman-is-timeless.php
Carbohydrates And The Atkins Diet
The first two weeks were difficult to get used to eating only low carbohydrate foods. Once we got past that...
carbohydrates-and-the-atkins-diet.php
Enjoying Beaded Purses
A small shop close to the hotel had many accessories. They had beade...
enjoying-beaded-purses.php
Occult Supplies Witch May Be Of Interest
Whether you're into sports, reading, baking, collecting, martial arts or witchcraft and sorcery, it's really oka...
occult-supplies-witch-may-be-of-interest.php
Shutters Fly With American Photo Magazine
Anything that gives you a new perspective on the world is, in my opinion, invaluable. So if you get the chance to ...
shutters-fly-with-american-photo-magazine.php
Book Shop Browsing
One of my favorite activities is browsing round book shops. Even in Prague and Rome, I wandered in to look at the bo...
book-shop-browsing.php
Sing A Long Some Preschool Songs
Music is great for learning because it can be coordinated with lesson plans. A...
sing-a-long-some-preschool-songs.php
The Best Cell Phone Plans
The competition for your cell phone dollars is getting ...
the-best-cell-phone-plans.php
Black And White Photos Are Still Cool
Too much color can make the onlooker lose focus. Sharp black and white photos provide focus and clarity that i...
black-and-white-photos-are-still-cool.php
Klutz Books
Road trips with impatient children in the b...
klutz-books.php
Planning A Baby Shower Checklist
Another difficult part of planning a baby shower is deciding when the baby shower is to take place. My niece wanted to ...
planning-a-baby-shower-checklist.php
Walk The Line With Johnny Cash T Shirts
Wearing a Johnny Cash t-shirt alone does not make you cool. I can understand when teen...
walk-the-line-with-johnny-cash-t-shirts.php
The Proactive Acne Solution
If you've strolled through your local shopping mall lately, then you've most l...
the-proactive-acne-solution.php
Fear Of Flying
I do have a mild form of anxiety when I board an airplane. I wouldn't...
fear-of-flying.php
Buns Of Steel Workouts
You owe it to yourself to try Buns of Steel workouts to get those gorgeous buns and aw...
buns-of-steel-workouts.php
Info On Book Agents
The Burry Man Writerís Center ñ This is ...
info-on-book-agents.php
Chinese Landscape Painting
Chinese landscape painting is an ancient art form that has moved and inspired people fo...
chinese-landscape-painting.php
Fix Up Those Old Oil Lamps
Of course, all the oil lamps needed to be cleaned. Several of them stil...
fix-up-those-old-oil-lamps.php
Impressions Of An Animated Powerpoint Background
Also, the more serious professional may find the animated PowerPoint ba...
impressions-of-an-animated-powerpoint-background.php
Cause Of Bipolar Disorder
Everything happens with a cause and that is a fact. It has ...
cause-of-bipolar-disorder.php
Sitemap
...
sitemap.php
Finding The Right Website Design Software For You
The website design software I have found pretty easy to use is Swish. This program...
finding-the-right-website-design-software-for-you.php
Kadir Nelson And African American Art
The artist began seriously delving into his craft at the age of eleven. This pioneer of A...
kadir-nelson-and-african-american-art.php
Lg Cell Phones
When it comes to choice of cell phones, there are so many options to choose...
lg-cell-phones.php
No Butts About Those Jennifer Lopez Dresses
If you've watched an Oscar telecast or the Grammy awards in recent years you are prob...
no-butts-about-those-jennifer-lopez-dresses.php
Those Anne Of Green Gables Fables
Little girls all over the world were encouraged to be brave, honest, and imaginative wh...
those-anne-of-green-gables-fables.php
800 Thread Count Sheets Are A Dream Come True
A few months back, my wife and I decided to purchase a nice bed. We had been sleeping on the same old Se...
800-thread-count-sheets-are-a-dream-come-true.php
TopResources
...
TopResources.php
Kansas City Auctions Here I Come
There are few things in Missouri more popular than Kansas City auctions. I mean, this is practically the home of the auc...
kansas-city-auctions-here-i-come.php
Acne Diets May Be The Cure
You may or may not have come across the subject of acne diets. This pertains to what you consume ...
acne-diets-may-be-the-cure.php
Marketing Through Internet Radio Stations
As an online marketer, I'm always looking for new ways to get my message ou...
marketing-through-internet-radio-stations.php
Spinning The Web With Microsoft Office Software
Are you in need of some up-to-date Microsoft Office software? These wonderful work aids are updated regularly and typica...
spinning-the-web-with-microsoft-office-software.php
Teeth Whitening Strips
Crest makes the most popular whitening strip on the market...
teeth-whitening-strips.php
