The Approaching Dawn: OSF Songs that Inspire
on Nov 7, 2009 in Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes Old School Friday When you listen to this 1975 hit by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes it appears that nothing has changed in 35 years. In many ways that is true as we look around and see all that is wrong in society. However, there is also much work that is being don...

Fruitful Despite Forbidden: OSF Sade
on Oct 23, 2009 in OSF Interracial Bias Sade Despite a supreme court decision (Loving v. Virginia) in 1967 and a bi-racial President of the United States in 2009, only 77% of Americans approve of black/white interracial marriage even today. Blogs BlackgirlinMaine and Nordette grapple with this...

I'm Tired Now but Y'all Go 'Head On: OSF Songs I Detest but Know All the Words
on Oct 16, 2009 in Bobby McFerrin Joe Tex Old School Friday Sometimes too much of a good thing either makes you sick to the stomach or just too tired to take it anymore. I ain't tryin' to slow anyone else's roll, but for my own sanity, these are a couple of songs that I initially enjoyed but really don't want...

Old School Friday: Freshman Year High School
on Oct 9, 2009 in Marvin Gaye Old School Friday The lyrics say it all:"I needed someone to understand my ups and downs; You were better to me than I was to myself; I want to stop and thank you....How Sweet it is to be loved..."Otherwise, I never could have made it. Grace and Mercy.

Grown Children
on Sep 15, 2009 in Joe Wilson child poverty immaturity Kanye West Serena Williams President Obama Last week featured grown folk behaving badly and adults gone wild. From Serena Williams’ temper tantrum and tirade at the U.S. Open tournament to Kanye West’s disgusting and ill-timed protest of an MTV VMA award winner and from Republican U.S. R...

When Profit-Motive Meets Poverty
on Sep 8, 2009 in Toledo Kroger poverty corporate interests Contemporary portraits of poverty are usually painted with wide brushstrokes of individual responsibility, educational failure, moral deficiencies and even race or cultural factors. Always in the shadows but seldom mentioned in poverty discussions is...

1st Things 1st, Cuddling: Old School Friday
on Sep 3, 2009 in Luther Vandross Fore-Times Old School Friday Angela Bofill Several Isley ballads come swiftly to mind i.e. Voyage to Atlantis, For The Love of You,etc. but they remind me more of "baby-making" music. What about "fore-time"? I chose to go with this Luther selection because cuddling, like the experience of be...

Caught Up: Old School Friday Prom Songs
on Aug 21, 2009 in Eddie Kendricks David Peaston Old School Friday I thought I had expert knowledge, but had no idea of what life was about during my prom days. Being "caught up" but not "caught out there" is nostalgic. It is also an act of grace. Thank God. You Got Me Goin' In Circles:Can I?Original VersionLater V...

Walking On Turbulent Waters: FemCees Flipping Pain
on Aug 19, 2009 in Gwen Pough Hip Hop Feminism Elaine Richardson The "most beautiful music (and artistic expression)comes from pain and struggle."Black women have a life span that exceeds that of black men by seven years. The reason, I believe, is that they process pain and struggle far more effectively than black...

Old School Friday: Turning Point
on Aug 8, 2009 in Chaka Khan Old School Friday What cha' Gonna Do For Me by Chaka Khan was released in 1981, year of my baby's birth causing me to look at life entirely different than I ever had. Can't forget the song, the year, the new birth.