“Jesus is King”

Pictured below is the color photo I referred to in my linked Instagram post of the facade marquis of Fox Theatre in downtown Detroit, Michigan. I photographed it while outside of the venue on the evening Kanye West was performing one of his groundbreaking gospel concert/church services there on September 28, 2019. 

Check out my related Instagram post at this link.

Oscars So Inclusive

Regina King's Best Supporting Actress win, Black Panther's multiple technical wins including two black women for Best Costume Design and Production Design, Mahershala Ali's Best Supporting Actor win and Spike Lee's Oscar triumph, receiving his first competitive award after so many years was satisfying to witness. Then there was Roma and Rami Malek's win. From beginning to end the show appeared to proceed historically for blacks, progressively for women, Latinos, immigrants and LGBT at a swift pace without a host and without a hitch. I don't know what went on behind the scenes. Beginning with Queen's and Adam Lambert's "Rock You", diversity was the theme that ran through the show.

Despite having  no official host-Amy Poehler, Tina Fey and Maya Rudolph did a humorous job as introductory hosts. It was a nice peripheral touch shining a light on  the band stand where Ricky Minor,  African American band director was briefly spotlighted.

Ruth Carter and Hannah Beachler made history as two of the first Black women to receive Oscars for Best Costume Design and Production Design. During Carter's speech she paid homage to her 97 year old mother and  also gave Spike Lee props for giving her a start in the industry.  Congressman John Lewis' introduction of the Green Book movie preview and Mahershala Ali's Best Supporting Actor win which forshadowed the film's surprising Best Picture win to Barbra Streisand's poignant introduction of Spike Lee's Klansman. Her acknowledgement that they were both from Brooklyn and his subsequent win for Best Adaptation of a Screenplay followed by a speech that exhorted folks to get to the polls in 2020 and "Do the Right Thing", was made in touching and exuberant homage to ancestors. Rami Malek's Best Actor win for Bohemian Rhapsody and portrayal of LGBT musician Freddie Mercury and his mention of his parents being Egyptian immigrants and Mexican director Alfoso Cuaron's win for Roma a tale about a woman who helped raise him were among a stream of highlights of last evening's inclusivity.

Rumblings of pre-show discord that filled the air concerning lack of a host for the show, Black Panther standing the risk of not being given its deserving accolades and other seeming diversions from the event, no host confirmed after controversy over #Kevin Hart and the lingering #Oscarssowhite matter initially concerning, were gently massaged and eventually resolved with a variety of brilliant performances, acceptance speeches and movie introductions by Jennifer Hudson, Barbra Streisand, Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Rami Malek, Mr. Key, Lady GaGa, Bradley Cooper and a host of others.

There were a few surprises as well. However, from the looks of things Glenn Close seemed to handle Olivia Colmans unexpected win for the Favourite with dignity and class.

Everybody's light seemed to be shining last night from the glitter,sparkles and shine of their fashions-Jennifer Lopez and Queen Latifah come immediately to mind- to the gleam in awardees eyes upon accepting their hard earned prizes. The brilliant 
speeches by Lady GaGa who gave a very  rousing message about her journey and the importance of not giving up on your dreams! That was very inspiring.

I enjoyed the show. This year was definitely an improvement over prior years in many respects. Evidence that people took concerns expressed to heart and worked behind the scenes to change perspectives and get good material I.e., scripts and stories into the hands of actors and producers. I was glad that the producers did not mess with the awards format and try and squeeze some of the awards in during commercial breaks.

Incidentally, the stage decoration was magnificent.

"This little light of mine. I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine."

Faith in Action

Today's word is from Mark 2:9-12. A reading of the entire second chapter, reveals the full story of the paralytic's desparate effort to be blessed by Jesus' healing power after he had returned home to Capernaum.

By the time Jesus returned home, he had gained superstar status. Word of Jesus' miracles had spread far and wide. He was someone that everyone wanted to get a touch from. He drew mass crowds to the places he came to teach and preach. On this particular day, there was a paralyzed man being carried by some men determined to get to Jesus. As they approached the place where Jesus was they realized the crowd was too large to get through. In their desperation to reach him, they eked out an alternate route, as it became clear they were not going to be able to navigate through the crowd and reach the place near Jesus and speak directly with him.

So they circumnavigated the masses, climbed the building and dug an opening in the roof above Jesus and lowered the paralytic near him. Jesus healed the man commanding him to get up and walk home.

The lesson from this story is that you have to often press your way in faith, moving and acting on your faith and determination to move around obstacles in order to reach the person who can really help you.

There is a blessing in the pressing.

Council of Baptist Pastors/Russell Street Baptist Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Day with the Community

 

       Rev. Dr. Dee Dee Coleman, Host Pastor and President, Detroit Council of Baptist Pastors

Rev.Dr. Dee Dee Coleman and Rev. Cynthia Wilson

                    Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan

 

Joy in the Morning

Joy Reid is excellent. Her punditry is impeccable. I have always been impressed with the incisive and well informed coverage she provides in combination with her special analysis of complex political issues. She is the only black female journalist to have a nationally syndicated show on MSNBC after Melissa Harris Perry's questionable departure. I look forward to her weekend show, follow her online and make a point of tuning in to any news show where she is a special guest host or panelist. I was thrilled to learn that she had been awarded her own show the Reid Report and her latest A.M. Joy, both well deserved.

By the same token, I was unhappy when I read a news article on the internet recently about her controversial run in or perhaps more accurately, misunderstanding with the Gay community concerning some remarks discovered on an old blog. This incidents brings to light some crucial issues of internet misrepresentation and fraud which is unfortunately running rampant on the web. Those who recognize and have the courage to call it out are often subtly  discredited and mocked.
As a blog owner with an archive of blog posts which have been tampered with from screen shot manipulation to removal of irreplaceable photos and posts, this stuff she claims does happen. I believe her not just based on her own credibility but based on my similar experience.