An All Inclusive Emmys: Sunday Night Amazing Job. Seriously!

This years’s Emmys telecast was a real class act.  Jimmy Kimmel did a great job as host. I thought they went the extra creative mile using cars to get the award trophies out to the awardees fast and with lot’s of buzz. The focus on voting and getting out the vote was a lot of fun to watch and kept momentum up throughout the broadcast. 

It was notable the number of blacks winning Emmys this year in categories across the board. Regina King and her show “The Watchmen” was a big winner, picking up awards for Outstanding  limited series and acting trophies for her and Yahya Abdul-Mateen III.  Tyler Perry had a big night as he was honored with an introduction by friend and fellow billionaire media icon Oprah as a recipient of the Governor’s award which recognizes extraordinary or cumulative accomplishments in television. You could almost hear a pin drop(figuratively speaking) when he gave an engaging and sensitive speech about his grandmother, the black experience in America and how thrilled she would have been to see him receive his Emmy. Zendaya a young black woman won for her role in “Euphoria” and became the youngest in Emmy history to win in the category of best leading actress in a drama. Other winners included Uzo Aduba of Orange is the New Black fame for her supporting actress role in Mrs. America. Maya Rudolph and  Eddie Murphy won Emmys for Outstanding Guest Actor and Actress on a comedy show— Saturday Night Live. Also, Ru Paul’s series won Emmys in two reality categories. 

Schitts Creek which addresses humorously LGBT life won a record nine(9) Emmys in the comedy genre. HBO drama series about a business tycoon and his relationship with family, Succession garnered several awards including Best actor and Best drama. For a complete list of nominees and winners please go to any of your television entertainment magazines or blogs. I tried to provide a link. But my link forwarding apparatus is currently malfunctioning.

 

The Season of Giving More Than Expected...

 The song goes "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”

As we put up our decorations, gather together with family and friends while reveling in the joy and merriment of this holiday season, imagining new ways to bring happiness to children and loved ones, it is also a time to take stock of just what religious values mean. What can be done to heighten the true meaning of Christianity and Christmas in our families, communities and wider world, if Christianity is your religion of choice?  This is especially so in light of the intensity of the Covid-19 "roller coaster" ride we've all been on along with confrontations with police, racism and anxiety many may be feeling about the current political controversies,creating a divide in our two party system. Though there are independent parties bobbing their heads and throwing their hats into the political arena from time to time as well.

Do you as an individual ever have feelings of giving more of your time, your treasures and yourself than you had ever imagined? God loves a cheerful giver. But you do have to guard your treasures I.e., Even during the upcoming season of expected generosity that is rapidly approaching I.e., Thanksgiving next month and Christmas only 30 days from that. So, it’s prudent and timely to prepare and plan ahead.

 If you and those you plan on gifting love music, I have compiled a wonderful Christmas Jazz playlist for the holiday season.

For some of us Christmas came earlier this year and "over-giving" like oversharing can take its toll. But what do you do you the cheerful and Christ-minded giver encounter "takers", people who have little or no regard for your property. They think you are being petty because you want to make sure that your property is recognized as your property with proper credit given to you if you choose or have chosen to give it away. Not some fly by night gold digger who is only out to accumulate and maraude. What's wrong with you wanting recognition for your assets even the one's they take that you may have wanted to get credit for generously donating to them instead? There is something good about the joy that fills your heart when you give. I know I feel happy when I make a gift to someone who truly appreciates it.There's a very healing energy exchange. To be deprived of that kind of exchange is damaging to the giver who expected to give but was deprived because of an unauthorized interloper. It is a big loss.

So plan ahead for your next season and take every opportunity to give extravagantly from the heart what you want and intend to give. But guard against being co-opted or sly balled into giving what you had no intention of giving. Take every precaution that your generosity, hard works and kindness won’t be counted as weaknesses. Don’t continue to overextend yourself. 

Let’s keep that situation lifted in prayer as well.🙏🏾

Doing a Good Job

         Photo credits:cnn.com(above) rcarecords.com(below)

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. 

Beautiful song. Amazing! Thank you, Alicia Keys!

ABC to Air Tribute Sunday Night:Rest in Power Chadwick Boseman

Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore 

Wikipedia

ABC to air special “Tribute Fit for a King” Tonite  and also broadcast  the movie “Black Panther” without commercial interruptions. Check your local stations and time zones for exact times.

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Sending prayers 🙏🏾 of comfort and extending condolences to Chadwick Boseman’s family and friends, especially his beloved wife. There is a balm in Gilead and while weeping may endure through the night, we know that joy will be restored in God’s own time. As scripture says,  “weeping may endure through the night, but joy comes in the morning(Psalm 30:5). We will all understand it better by and by.

I was surprised to learn of his passing because there had been no mention of his battle with colon cancer in the media.There was a touching video of an interview he did on Sirius radio in which he teared up when he learned that two young fans battling cancer had passed away before they saw the long awaited Black Panther movie. Little did we know at the time that he himself was secretly battling colon cancer. I wish I could have prayed for him and that he and his family could have reached out for prayer from a band of fans and prayer warriors. But I am definitely praying for the family now, as are many others, including his alumni association at Howard where he gave a powerful speech to graduating seniors. See video.

Chadwick made us proud. Many enjoyed the skillful and laid back manner in which he portrayed his film characters and how he and others made history with the release of  historic mega-blockbuster movie Black Panther. I saw everyone of his movies. Though I completely marveled at Black Panther, my favorites were “Get On Up” and “21 Bridges”. I was thoroughly moved by the skillful manner in which he portrayed Godfather of Soul, James Brown and his magnetic portrayal of a brilliant detective in 21 Bridges.

Chadwick Boseman you were well thought of and loved. Not just for roles you portrayed on celluloid, but for how you connected with and genuinely cared for others. Your life was short, but meaningfully lived. You will be greatly missed.

“Hopeful History Made, Blunting Coronavirus’ Toll

The impact of the Coronavirus pandemic has been blunted notably by the historic nomination of Kamala Harris, the first black woman to ever make it within threshold reach of the Vice Presidential office. For many blacks, it is an historic and hopeful time, though many are worn out and drained from what has been an unceasing  Covid-19 roller coaster ride. The uncertainties that have hatched since its onslaught,and the haphazard way in which the entire matter has been managed still leaves tremendous psychological burdens and trauma on the public. Everyday the community of consciousness takes a beating from media reports of mounting deaths and new contractions of the disease, people being buried in mass gravesites,etc.

The politicians want to point fingers at one another and maneuver the menace of coronavirus into a game changer for either side. The party or person that can come up with a medicinal cure  or who can successfully employ social  stratagems of containment and order to ameliorate the financial impact of joblessness,lost tax revenue from cancellations of major events and mass depression, will be our qualified tested and true heroes. Well, in case you have not figured it out yet, there is a higher and larger dynamic at play here. 

In short and to the point, man’s limitation is God’s opportunity. It’s time to bring the faith communities together like never before and call on our creator for guidance and direction in employing resources to our surrounding communities and broader world. Though notable strides have been made to neutralize the virus’ impact in many ways, measures have been taken to curb its spread, healthcare workers are being lifted up and truly appreciated,neighbors are reaching out in kindness to their neighbors more,doctors are racing for a cure. But Coronavirus continues to bob its relentless head up again and again. New Zealand, Brazil, El Salvador and a host of other countries around the world including the US can attest to that. Human kind seems to be somehow mysteriously log jammed and intermittently stuck. However, Congress has done amazingly in a short time getting the first round of economic relief out to citizens. 

 But, I wonder while many still don’t have steady income or jobs what is taking so long for our leaders to take constructive actions now and pass and sign a bill that will continue unemployment compensation,emergency loans to small needy businesses and substantial relief  to individuals? We need to turn up the volume and shine the spotlight on that. Re-distributing the mammoth loans that went out overpaying wealthy corporations, back to poor families struggling to make ends meet is a good start in infusing hope in the public and restoring faith in our system of government. This action would certainly serve to energize the masses and aid in fortifying the spirit to overcome Covid-19.

I think the Biden Harris ticket can do that and much more with significant input from ordinary citizens like those highlighted during the Democratic Convention’s innovative keynote--a brilliant idea, by the way. Hooray for Kamala!

God is able.