Cynthia Wilson, affectionately dubbed “Chaplain of Pop” has built a bridge between theology and popular culture as a blogger for twenty years providing commentary on faith,art, politics and music. Listen to her podcast by clicking the web version link at the bottom of this blog and at the top of the web version after the jump.
Every wednesday I lift up a blog post from my archives that may or may not be listed in the featured posts line up found in the far right hand column of this blog. Last week’s post was on Alicia Keys, highlighting her performance at the 2021 Billboard Awards and a lift up by former First Lady Michelle Obama. This week I go all the way back to 2008 when Barack Obama was running for election and a number of musical artists got together and compiled an album entitled “Yes We Can:Voices of a Grassroots Movement” to promote his historic run for the White House. Click on the image in the Photo Story column in the upper right hand column of the blog to read more about it. You may also find the post by clicking on the link below:
She performed a medley of some of the songs that made her a pop music icon in the soul and rhythm and blues genres. Michelle Obama proclaimed Alicia a "shining light and singular force" for her contributions and mentioned how the music icon's song "Fallin'" from her Grammy award winning debut album "Song's in A Minor" had such a profound impact on her musically, inspiring her as a young woman. Paraphrasing Obama, she said listening to that song made her feel like she was at church and the symphony all at the same time.
Alicia entered Billboard center stage dressed to the nines. She was adorned in a fabulous sky blue tie dyed-ish pantsuit that fitted the occasion and Alicia like a glove. It was topped off by a stunning hat that accentuated her beautiful facial bone structure.
Alicia yours was certainly a key performance of the evening and you remain a Creativessel Inspiration for sure. All the best in your music career, Key's Soul Care venture and your role as nurturing mother to your incredible sons. Be sure to tune into my podcast at the link provided in the blog header above
for additional highlights of the Billboard Awards and inspirational messages, reviews and updates.
To view the video so graciously provided by Access please click on this link or click on the Web Version link located in the bottom column of this blog.
This song was originally broadcast back in April during the height of the coronavirus public health crisis. Frontline workers were in need of sincere and heartfelt expressions of gratitude. Alicia Keys being the megawatt musician and humanitarian she is delivered powerfully with Doing a Good Job. Alicia pays a touching tribute to all the health care workers who have been working fearlessly and tirelessly attending to the overflow of Corona virus patients admitted to the hospitals worldwide. The lyrics and melody soar as much as the cause.
I just wanted to lift this song up again during this time frontline workers and first responders are being challenged in so many other ways as they rescue and provide care to those in need.
Oprah's parting words on today's farewell show was not a goodbye,because she did not want to use that term. Instead she told her studio audience and millions of viewers worlwide, "Until we meet again. To god be the glory." Oprah has been a tremendous inspiration to me over the years and I join with millions of friends and viewers to the show in wishing her well. Oprah's humble manner and graciousness won me over as a fan and admirer from the beginning. I have been a loyal viewer for years.
The farewell season has been phenomenal. The United Center Spectacular was riveting. But,this show today was my favorite one of all. Why? Because Oprah in the way that only she could, came full circle and stressed the importance of her viewing audience, proof positive of the magical connection she has with everyday people.On the show,Oprah has no guests onstage. There is no fanfare and she says there will be no makeovers,no cars She stands regally, yet humbly before her guests with the presence of a spiritual leader or Guru as she reminesces in her "love letter" to us about how she got her start , humble beginnings in a rural Mississippi town , video clips of her first television show and other memorable show segments. There was no studio audience at her first show taping years ago. The studio she mentioned had no heat, only her and a couple guests in the throes of cooking chili. At this stage in her career, and in view of the luminaries and celebrities she has interviewed and the vasteness of her current audience, it is difficult to imagine that she was in a television broadcast studio with no people to bounce her interviews or shows topics off of.
She makes a point to today's audience that they have been as important to the shows success as she and her team and segues into the importance of "calling" and says that the "Oprah Show" and what she does is her calling. It is her passion. She emphasizes her wish that everyone of her viewers find their calling. She feels this is one of the true keys to success.
Segments of the show that stood out to me and which Oprah highlighted as some of the best moments were the ones in which friend and producer Tyler Perry revealed he was a victim of sexual abuse. This was the show where a large audience of men were liberated from the emotional trauma as well. It is a subject Oprah has discussed intimately in sharing her personal stories over the years with viewers in what has been a very illustrious journey.
The most memorable highlights of the show for me were:
• Her sharings about "calling" and passion
• The video clip of Iyanla Vanzant and how she transformed that into a powerful lesson about validation.
Oprah sealed it with the statement that we should always take the time to validate others.
• The heart and we should be of service and let our light shine
• the show clip on sexual abuse and Tyler Perry's revelation
• when Oprah imparts line from Color Purple "Everything Done to Me, Already Done to You", urging those in abusive relationships to leave them. The scene in the movie also prompted a lesson in what comes around goes around.
The statement she made about the importance of children and wanting to prevent sexual abuse and molestation to them.
The farewell spectacular at Chicago's United Center was the party that will never be forgotten with Oprah breaking down in tears as 300 men from Morehouse college walked down the isles with candles as an expression of appreciation for help she has given by way of scholarships to them to pursue their education. Celebrity after celebrity paraded on stage with phenomenal performances accompanied with creative and power packed accolades.
Twenty thousand fans filled the United Center to celebrate her generosity,humanitarian stands and her involvement in matters that have touched their lives including mega stars Aretha Franklin,Stevie Wonder,Alicia Keys,Beyonce,Usher,Madonna, Patti LaBelle, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Halle Berry, Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning,Diane Sawyer,Josh Groban,Rascal Flatts, Rosie O'Donnell,Tom Hanks,Tyler Perry,Tom Cruise,Dr. Oz,Dr. Phil,Nate Burkus and ordinary viewers. Close friend Gayle King and partner Stedman Graham. Regular people traveled from all over the country to express their appreciation,support, and some, even sadness about the void they anticipate will be left on the tube in their living rooms during the time her broadcast usually fills for the first time in 25 years.
No matter what the controversy, the need to be met after a disaster, individual, family or community tragedy Oprah has always been a comforting presence. Two of my most poignant memories of her care and humanitarian range was the handling of the New Orleans Metro Dome disaster after Hurricane Katrina and her involvement in Barack Obama's Presidential campaign. She was there on the scene early to find out just what was going on and doing all she could, lending her influence in correcting the situation while making sure the news got out to the world. The second is the role she played in the election of President Barack Obama.
The courage to stand up for a presidential candidate in light of the risks and backlash she received was profound. Many have credited her with playing an instrumental role in the election of this nation's first Black President, Barack Obama. She while playing the feat down and being extremely modest about it--it wouldn't have been Oprah-ish to laud those laurels--will undoubtedly go down in history as achieving that whether it be an oral one in the griot tradition or substantiated on the books. I have also enjoyed blogging about several of her show episodes involving major celebrities and their involvement in humanitarian projects, which she has also embraced on her program including Alicia Keys, Bono, John Mayer and others. I enjoyed attending an Oprah taping at the Fox Theater in Detroit years ago and it was a singular experience. She was gracious and very down to earth. People,mostly women stood around the block waiting for hours to get a good seat in the audience.
Her "Oprah" show will be missed, but I feel that she is going on to broader purpose and influence on the OWN Network which has gotten off to a tremendous start with insightful, self help and life improving programming. I hope she can continue with her book club somehow as well as some spin off of "Oprah's Favorite Things" with an expansion into favorite causes and programs. Perhaps I've just summed up OWN?
I also fervently hope that I will have the opportunity to meet and work with her one day. I've been blessed with meeting many celebrities over the years,but only an audience encounter with Oprah. And,while you gave viewers and those wanting to get in contact with you your personal email address with an open invitation to send one, I can't help but think of the millions and millions of emails that will come flooding in. How will you possibly be able to answer them all? Well,I suppose in the same manner as you answered so many dreams,letters and emails of those who faithfully wrote you during your 25 years on television.By the grace of god,you answered so many.
For every tree is known by his own fruit.-Luke 6:44. I think we can all agree that Oprah has been a bearer of exceptionally good fruit.
Sometimes we have to look at things differently to find hope beyond appearances and seeming limitations. This drawing represents an imaginative perception of a city through a lens of love and hope. Viewed through a lens of love, hope and expectancy, decay and rust can be transformed into building blocks for a brighter day.
As I progressed through what started out as a sketch, it turned into a colorful drawing which incorporates some of the ambience of each of my favorite cities.Under the heading of Avenue "B'" Bridge and the auspices of love, I suppose it could be summed up as a love of city or City Love. Another way of looking at a real city from an imaginary standpoint while showing and hopefully symbolizing the love of urban life as we know it in the USA. I don't think there is anyone around that would not agree that our cities could use some love and devotion. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, this is a very timely theme. So let's pump up the volume. Think of something, however small or large,you could do to improve the quality of life in your city.
Have a great weekend and have a good time hanging out in your favorite places with the people you love and enjoy most. Hope you like the drawing. Don't forget to show some city love.
Brings to mind some of my favorite pop/soul tunes including Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City", John Mayer's "City Love and Jay-Z's featuring Alicia Keys Empire State of Mind.
It is uplifting to look at my favorite cities from this perspective. What do you need to look at from a heightened perspective today and perhaps tomorrow?
Have a great weekend and "be" loving and hopeful.
By the way, Happy Valentine's Day!
Cynthia
Scripture reference
I Corinthians13:13:
AND now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love
Tonight Alicia Keys will perform a concert to benefit her organization, Keep A Child Alive. In conjunction with World AIDS Day,it will be broadcast live from New York's Nokia Theater.
Heavier Octaves gives a special "shout out" to Alicia. We appreciate her courageous and compassionate involvement in KCA's effort to provide prescription medications and other needed medical supplies to those children suffering with the disease.
in reference to:
"A reminder...Alicia Keys will be playing a benefit concert tonight in support of World AIDS Day 2009. The concert will be taking place at the Nokia Theatre in New York City and will be streaming live over YouTube in real time. Proceeds from the New York benefit concert entitled “ALICIA KEYS Live! One night. One voice. One life at a time” will go to Key's own charity "Keep A Child Alive."" - www.heavieroctaves.org: Alicia's State of Mind and Alicia Keys World AIDS Day Special On You Tube Tonight! (view on Google Sidewiki)
In continuing with the 8 part "An Inspiration Fund" blog in seeking pledges, I thought I'd lift up an earlier blog written almost two years ago--Global Day of Action Against Poverty . It isn't "Global Action Day Against Poverty" today but today's blog lifts up some of the same ideas and sentiments. So, when you're done reading it, have at one from the archives. A bonus is that I provided a link to a video in which Alicia Keys performs that classic O'jay's tune "For the Love of Money", which is posted at the top of this blog article as a "blast from the past". Enjoy! ____________________________________________
For whatever reason, a good portion of government aid for the ordinary citizen seems to have clogged up in one political bottleneck or the other. It just does not seem to be pouring out fast enough to meet people's immediate needs. And, let's not forget another layer of delay and set back, financial predators who profit and gain from schemes and plans designed to benefit only themselves at the expense of others. They don't care about others as long as they get theirs, taking under the pretext of helping--with their own Madoff-esque twist.
Unfortunately, this kind of mentality has contributed significantly to the current economic crisis. Simply put, greed just got out of hand. One prime example and glaring reminder is the foreclosure crisis. It sent this country into a financial tizzy that will take it a while to recover from. The domino effect has sent financial giants to the bankruptcy courts and thousands have been laid off or terminated from their jobs. Many of us know friends and family members who have been impacted. to be continued
" Purple Dream Come True" Drawing by Cynthia D. Wilson
Today is the Global Day of Action Against Poverty.In recognition of this sentiment and in an effort to heighten perspective about the ravages of poverty around the globe,which has both spiritual and material consequences,I dedicate a poem which I wrote several years ago. Entitled "Love is the Currency", here is a link to the audio podcast and written introduction which is posted on "Cynthia D. Wilson Speaks-To Go", an abbreviated or take out version of this "Cynthia D. Wilson Speaks and Writes" blog.
As you read it, reflect on money and how this wonderful concept and tool has been and continues to be misused by some. As beautiful a resource money is and can be, it is frequently misused in our world as a tool of oppression and malevolent control.How people will sometimes do any and everything for the "almighty dollar", as the classic O'Jays song "For the Love of Money" goes "... People will lie,they will cheat...People don't care who they hurt or beat" sums up nicely this negative aspect of financial exchange, or stagnation,if you will. (Incidentally, the song was performed beautifully by Alicia Keys at the "Live Earth" concert in July at Giant Stadium.See a related article here. See a video of her coverage of that song which begins a medley of soulful social observation songs on Live Earth MSN video. Alicia also honors Bono,superstar rock musician who led the charge in this mammoth effort for debt relief, as well as the effort to fight AIDS in Africa.See that article here.)
What if the paradigm was shifted and it became "For the Money of Love"... instead. Maybe that tremendous debt that weighs down the progress of several underdeveloped countries across the continent of Africa would not have accumulated in the manner in which it did. There's also a strong possibility that it would now be more readily forgiven.
While my poem is somewhat introspective,I believe it is relevant in that it speaks to the truth of personal as well as global financial woes. Changing the world and offering meaningful solutions to its problems begins at home with each individual. Perhaps acknowledgment of a greater and higher system of currency in relation to resolving the scourge of poverty is the beginning of the path to reconciliation and a step in the right direction.There might actually be some benefit derived from shifting thinking patterns on money matters to the extent that the flow of love starts counting and adding up like never before.
Yes. It is of course a lot more complicated than this. But a shift in how we think about money could very well lead us on the path of progress out of a debt and poverty hole which has trapped many.Let's just say there is a lot of overlap here. As in "Let there be debt relief on earth,in Africa,etc. and let it begin with you."
I can think of so many occasions and so many times that I have witnessed a person or community suffer not because there was a lack of money,but because there was a lack of compassion on the part of persons or institutions having it in abundance. However, access to it was denied due to either bureaucratic or other forms of red tape.
Enjoy your day of Global Action Against Poverty! And,let it begin with you.Take some positive and constructive actions which demonstrate your care and concern for the "Debt Relief" in Africa campaign being led by One.org. In addition, be mindful about other issues of financial abuses and misuses which you observe on a daily basis in your own communities.
And remember, "Love is the currency. Let it flow!"
When and ever love flows as vibrantly as the colors spiraling up the stem of the flower drawing above, my "Purple Dream"(purple in the sense of high in aspirations, lofty,ornate and regal) will have indeed come true.
Today President George Bush announced his five (5)year- $30 billion dollar plan for AIDS Relief to Africa.It is called the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief or PEPFAR(More...) Don't get too excited. After reading Bono's statement in response,I don't think we should pull out the corks just yet. In a statement released today,he said..." this could be a turning point if other G8 countries meeting in Germany next week follow President Bush's lead". Hold that thought.
This past Sunday,I spent my time at a Ghanaian Church in Brooklyn, New York celebrating their Men's Day.Even though I am a woman,I was invited and participated on the program as one of the "distinguished guests". The Ghanaian Ambassador was also there.The church was packed and there was an air of fullness and abundance in the atmosphere which satiated my spirit and soul.
While worshipping and socializing with members of the congregation,the most preeminent thought in my mind was the AIDS crisis. During the fellowship dinnerI asked questions about that and other issues particular to the continent of Africa and the country of Ghana,hoping to get a better handle on what they thought could be done in those countries in Africa that are hardest hit like Nigeria,Kenya,South Africa,Lesotho,etc. I got some good and informative responses.
The AIDS crisis in Africa has gotten some solid attention by the media over the years as well as from the entertainment industry with notable celebrities throwing one gala and fundraiser after the next. Creative and inspiring projects like "Red",which reportedlyraised $25 millionlast quarter ,according to Bono, is sponsored by the clothing chain "Gap" and promoted by celebrities such as Oprah, Alicia Keys,Bono and others who do a lion's share to bring attention to this travesty of mammoth porpotions. It gets the public's attention(More below). In addition,Alicia Keys and Bono's duet "Don't Give Up Africa" has graced the airwaves with all of the proceeds from the purchase of the mp3 earmarked for the purchase of needed medicine for children (To buy the song yourself,please click here. Another link is provided in the body of the blog article below).
As you read, or if you buy the song,as you listen to it, think about the billions of dollars being spent on war,yet children,women and men are dying everyday and dropping like flies because they lack needed money to buy medicine that could save their lives. The Red Campaign sponsored by Gap corporation and spearheaded by Bono is designed to raise some of that money. Alicia Keys' Keep A Child Alive campaign which Iman is now serving as spokesperson for is also raising funds for this crisis of humanity. So is the record "Don't Give Up Africa". However,they can't do it alone. The $30 billion in the President's proposed plan could also make a huge difference.The money just has to get to those who really need it.With as many people as possible joining in this thing,we could save some lives.
Leave the gossip columns alone for a second and ask yourself, "Did I buy something "Red" today? Better yet, "Did I contact my Senator,congressperson or my Church's pastor to see what our congregation could do to help out creatively and effectively in this matter? We need to keep the momentum going. As a minister myself,I'm working on some ideas for churches.As soon as I have completed the plans,I'll write a blog. In the meantime, you can get over to Bono's organization Data.organd see how churches and other organizations can plug in.
I lift up the people of Africa today who are dying from the AIDS pandemic. Let's pray also for the many babies who have been orphaned by this ravaging disease.In honor of African's everywhere, the church I visited Sunday, the continent of Africa and all those working tirelessly to solve the AIDS crisis, which is poised to wipe out an entire continent(Africa), I lift up today's blog entry.
And, I top it also with cautious optimism in celebration of PEPFAR:
Bono joined Oprah Winfrey, Alicia Keys and other guests in painting the town red and Keeping a Child Alive this past Friday,October 13,2006. Bono and Keys performed their song "Don't Give Up Africa" for the first time on stage together.
The song which is a plea to Africa not to give up in the face of overwhelming death and disease in the wake of the AIDS pandemic is haunting,moving and soulful. It is currently in rotation on the Heavier Octaves Radio ..."playing sound and music on the scale of humanity...deep and broad..." and has been for nearly a year now(See related blog).
The song has been selected as one of Revcoolc's picks as a winning combination of "social observation" and "protest" in a related Heavier Octaves' blog on Myspace.com. Revcoolc is and has been a supporter of the mission and philosophy of Keep A Child Alive and feels their efforts are well worth promoting and "getting the word out" about.
And,of course,kudos to Oprah,Bono and Alicia for their continued efforts in this area. You can buy your "red t-shirt" at the Gap,purchase the song "Don't Give Up Africa" on the Keep A Child Alive website's Sony Music Store link here. You can also tune into Heavier Octaves Radio to hear the song in rotation on our internet broadcast. It is on our playlist and we are keeping it in heavy rotation this month in honor of this most recent AIDS campaign.
We hope you will take the time to buy a t-shirt at the Gap , if you don't have time to get involved in the "war on aids" as a social or political activist. The money you spend will be channeled to those who need it most (more...)
God bless you all and remember to keep Africa and those struggling with the ravages of AIDS worldwide in your prayers.
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