Some words need to make a comeback. “Haughty” is one of them. It best describes “mean” without being nasty and evil. It even sounds (breath out) haugh-T:
Culture. Is. Power.
Some words need to make a comeback. “Haughty” is one of them. It best describes “mean” without being nasty and evil. It even sounds (breath out) haugh-T:
Before Jane Austen, and after Louisa Mae Alcott, I was enthralled with Maya Angelou. I was 13 years old. I had a summer reading list from the high school I would be attending in the fall. One of the books was I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. I read it. I saw myself and my mother’s younger self, and so many people I knew in little Marguerite’s world. The girl living in Stamps, Arkasas who would rename herself “Maya.” The book, and that new high school, were my life savers after two painful years at a public junior high school.
I would read all Maya Angelou’s memoirs from that moment on. Singin’ and Swingin’ and Makin’ Merry Like Christmas was my second favorite. I saw her walk into B. Smith’s at Union Station in DC. She would have a limo drive her from Winston-Salem, NC, drop her off at Union Station, and have a drink at the bar before taking the Amtrak train to New York where she would kick off her shoes in her brownstone in Harlem. How cool is that?! Phenomenal eclectique woman! Dance with the ancestors! Well done sister girl!
I am human, I consider nothing human alien to me.
Terence or Publius Terentius Afer
Playwright of the Roman Republic of North African decent
Amma Asante has done it! For all us colored girls who clung to our Jane Austen, Bronte sisters, and Louisa Mae Alcott novels and saw ourselves in Elizabeth Bennett, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, Jane Eyre, Jo, Meg, Beth, Amy. For the girls who understand, love is a many splendid thing, but the money thing can not only be a heart breaker, but a deal breaker. For colored girls who see “Downton Abbey” as “modern” and can’t wait for the next PBS “Masterpiece Theatre” mini-series. Who’d give up HBO for more BBC.
But we’re not snobs.
For colored girls who are called “snobs” and “acting white” for running to the next Austen, Bronte, or period feature film on the opening weekend instead of a date night at a 3D blockbuster movie. And please lower your voice when I’m watching my “Sense and Sensibility” DVD for the 20th time.
It didn’t phase us that these women on recreating a narrative on screen were, white, British, or European and very different from ourselves. We connected with the characters’ humanity, struggles, and most important the power of their stories. At the same time we always knew our stories were powerful and were part of the human story even though we never saw anyone who resembled us. We knew all along there were colored girls in our past who were free, and brave, and beautiful.
Amma Asante has done it! with her film “Belle.”
Belle – based on the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle. Read more about the real Dido Elizabeth Belle story here.
Note: Even before “Belle” Wall to Wall Productions (UK) produced several “period reality” series that brought 21st century people into the living past. Oprah featured “Colonial House” on her show and even made an historical pop call with her friend Gail King. “The Regency House Party” (2004) was set in Jane Austen’s time. Committed to historical accuracy of the period, and after unsuccessful attempts of the ladies and gentleman to form a match a la The Bachelorette 1812, “The Regency House Party” invited another guest to the party — Miss Samuels.
—For Colored Girls Who’ve Considered Jane Austen… (Part 1)
You’re in the right place. This is the new look for eclectique916.com for awhile – simple, elegant. A few tweaks will be in order But I wanted the content to stand out more. I want the blog and visitors to have a fresh start.
Presumptive politicking can be a real turn-off. But in DC, it’s considered tradition and strategy. It’s assumed whoever wins the Democratic primary, wins the general election. In the upcoming mayoral race, that presumptive winner is Democratic Ward 4 Council Member Muriel Bowser. Her opponent is Independent Council-Member-at-Large David Catania (a former Republican) who, in terms of public service has some years and a policy track record over his challenger.
At first I thought it was a silly rumor that the key strategy for a Muriel Bowser victory was to intentionally avoid debates with her chief opponent (and other candidates as well including the Green Party for example). Bowser’s strategists are confident that D.C.’s long-held tradition and culture of “presumptive politics” and its Democratic stronghold (with a capital D) will prevail. But my rumor assumption was confirmed as fact in today’s Washington Post with a branding profile of David Catania (who should be using “DC for D.C.”as a campaign slogan – thanks for that E-bert).
Sitting Mayor Vincent Gray, whom Councilmember Bowser defeated in the Democratic primaries, has been avoiding eye contact with the victor for some months. But he declares his loyalty to the party in power:
“I refuse to . . . allow somebody who is not a Democrat to dictate what will happen in terms of Democratic values for our children.”
Democratic values as in party values? Or Democracy? Gray knows who butters the city’s bread. D.C.’s got your back. Let’s face it, the Democratic party has been more supportive for the city having a voice on the Hill, more so than the Republicans.
But is this presumptive party posturing? Is this Democracy (with a big D) in-action? Will the people have the candidates’ “say” on how I’m different from the other one? I know David Catania is not afraid of a fight, least of all a debate with a political opponent. Not so sure for Muriel Bowser based on these avoidance moves of the Democratic candidate’s camp. Is this a fight she can’t win? Do we want leadership that avoids a challenge or is afraid to fight even for herself?
If this was an old school yard, the word “Chicken” would’ve been blurted out by now.
During the primaries, I gave the Washington Post credit for their ability to influence local election outcomes. They took an 8 candidate primary race and reduced the choices narrative to 2 – Bowser and Gray. The DC Democratic Party is bringing the choice down to one. More of a confirmation than a vote.
Two choices are better than one or none. And for those of us who do show up at the polls for every election, big or small, and you’re still undecided, this strategy leaves you feeling cheated. An “anti-presumption” vote could be the choice.
I’m a registered Democrat (disclosure). I’d like to hear the candidates in debate as part of the big D democratic process. The primaries are over, and the Washington Post will be making another endorsement. Blue is Green. Green is Blue. In a changing city, one should be careful to presume.
P.S. – Yes, candidates, I do get your emails.