The Holiday Challenge

The holiday season is based in Love, Joy, and Peace.  We celebrate the power of giving, which is the essence of Love.  We recognize and appreciate the Blessings that are bestowed upon us every day which bring us Joy.  But obtaining Peace can be more elusive because of the challenges we sometimes face.  Those challenges become more manageable we remain ever Faithful.

The holiday season provides us the perfect opportunity to practice our Spiritual Faith.  Despite the challenges we face, or have faced during the year, when we choose to engage with others, we leave the challenges to our Faith.  When we share food, toys, or clothing, our focus shifts to others, and not ourselves.  Faith allows us to unselfishly share time and compassion with those who need it, because we Believe the Spirit to take care of our own needs.  Sometimes a kind word, or a smile, or just taking the time to listen, can be the most meaningful gift, and Faith allows us to do that.  The more you put your Faith into practice, the more you approach Peace.  This Holiday Season, take the challenge and rely on your Faith to bring you Peace.

IT’S TIME TO CANCEL THE CHAOS AND CONFUSION SHOW

Over the last 75 years NBC, CBS, and ABC have been the primary broadcast television networks in the United States.  Known as the “Big Three” of broadcasting, the networks have always played a vital role in dispensing information about American culture.  Early television distributed thousands and thousands of images of cowboys heroically “taming” the wild, wild west.  In the 50’s and 60’s television reinforced the perceived cultural norms of white men as the head of the nuclear family, and white women as the domestic counterpart.  In the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s broadcast television became more diverse in its programming and talent as images of Blacks, women, and ethnic minorities become more commonplace.  During all of these eras, “The Big Three” remained the primary source for national news.  The “Evening News” was destination television, and viewers received a daily dose of what was important and worthy of their attention.  Consider the impact of television news coverage on the Civil Rights Movement and the Viet Nam war.  The “Big Three” didn’t just provide the images, they provided the commentary that they believed best served the public interest.

As the turn of the century approached, network news began to see some of its influence start to dwindle.  The Internet and cable television were emerging as influential, though not always accurate, sources for news.  With cable television and the Internet, access was on demand 24/7, so there was no real need to be in front of the television at 6:30 pm.  Additionally, Internet and cable television news products focused as much on entertainment as it did on news.  This format was appealing to many viewers and drew them away from the “Big Three”.  In order to compete, the “Big Three” began changing their focus from simply fair and accurate news to more entertainment style reporting.  Shocking stories about misbehaving celebrities and politicians began receiving as much airtime as a natural disaster.

Today, that trend continues.  Broadcast news organizations seem more interested in distributing controversy over facts, which explains why there is so much coverage given to “The Chaos and Confusion Show” that is paralyzing Washington, D. C. “The Chaos and Confusion Show” stars dysfunctional politicians who spend most of their time complaining and dispensing false information instead of working together to solve the myriad of problems facing the United States.  The “Big Three” news programs give way too much oxygen to the nonsensical statements and actions of these elected officials.  Some might suggest that the “Big Three” broadcast “The Chaos and Confusion Show” in an attempt to provide balanced news coverage, but balanced news coverage does not require the broadcasting of divisive and mean-spirited commentary.  The bottom line is that by broadcasting the ridiculousness of those who traffic in chaos and confusion, the “Big Three” are complicit in creating discord and divisiveness in our society.

I recommend that the “Big Three” make the conscious decision to thwart the purveyors of chaos and confusion and cancel “The Chaos and Confusion Show”.  It is time to return to presenting substantive news and leave the drama and ridiculousness of D. C. politicians to the Internet and cable TV.  And while some might argue that the “Big Three” have to run “The Chaos and Confusion Show” in order to compete with audience share, I submit that there is still a very large and lucrative demographic who grew up on network news, and have no interest in subscribing to what is offered on cable TV or the Internet.

Make no mistake, even with continuous competition from the Internet and cable television, the “Big Three” news organizations still wield a lot of power.  They are still respected by the industry, and trusted by the public.  Consider how often you hear ABC, or CBS, or NBC mentioned as the source for a particular story that is distributed by another news outlet.  The sooner the “Big Three” refrain from broadcasting the chaos and confusion, the sooner they will be able to use their superpower to influence and encourage viewers to become a more compassionate, respectful, and caring society.

S.A. Miller                                                      11.7.2023

The Women of AKA Sorority Getting It Done

I recently wrote an essay titled “Black Woman Excellence” (BWE) that chronicled how Black women are impacting today’s society.  The premise of the essay is that Black women are excelling at all levels of society.  That premise is reinforced by the women of AKA Sorority who have opened their own member credit union; the first of its kind.  That’s getting it done!

S.A. Miller

Video:  https://youtu.be/hhVJx6OE7F4

SOUL MUSIC YOU PROBABLY FORGOT ABOUT

Soul Music is Powerful, Rhythmic, Soothing, Energizing, Funky, Groovy, Unapologetic, Spiritual, Essential, Expressive, Internal, and Enduring.  For me, Soul Music has always been Memorable, so for June, which is Black Music Month, I want to turn you on to some of my reflections of Soul Music.

I am a child of the sixties and seventies when it comes to Soul Music.  A lot of the music from those years still hold specific memories from fifty years ago, but it’s not just the iconic records by iconic artists that played on the radio for 3 minutes and 35 seconds that I remember.  A lot of my memories come from what I call, “Soul Music You Probably Forgot About”.

Consider the song “Once I’ve Been There” by Norman Connors with Phillip Mitchell.  In my adolescent brain, I thought the message of the song was cool.  There was a  song by Deon Jackson called “Love Makes the World Go Round” that had a Motown vibe.  The incomparable Jackie Wilson had a hit song in the early seventies called “This Love Is Real” which was much different than his previous hits.  Do you remember “Sweet Inspiration” by The Sweet Inspirations, a group that once included icon Dionne Warwick?  There was Brenda and the Tabulations who softly and sweetly told us that it was “Right On the Tip of My Tongue”.  Or how about “The Bells” by The Originals who also had the hit, “Baby, I’m For Real”.  “Jealous Kind of Fella” by Garland Green was always a good record to play after you had “messed up”, and I also need to mention a little known group named The Fuzz who had one of the best love songs ever produced called “I Love You For All Seasons”.

The Dells put out a lot of good music during this time including the long “Stay in My Corner” and “Oh What a Night”, but “Always Together” was a pure song for lovers.  The Dramatics also put out some good music including “Get Off My Cloud” and the melodic “In the Rain”, but the song, “Lady Love” was a masterpiece of love.  Another masterpiece was “I’m So Proud” by the Main Ingredient.  This song was written by the lyrical master of soul, Curtis Mayfield and originally performed by the Impressions.

There is lot more music in my adolescent life’s soundtrack including “Cowboys to Girls” written by Gamble and Huff, and performed by the Intruders; and “Tighten Up” by Archie Bell and the Drells from Houston, Texas, but I will end this essay with two songs.  The first song is “Groovin’” by The Rascals.  With the soul-enriched harmonica, this was the perfect song for cruising through Memorial Park on a Sunday afternoon.  The last song I will talk about is probably the greatest summertime  record ever produced.  “All Day Music” by WAR was infectious.  You couldn’t just play it once or twice; it had to be played over and over again.  And every time it played, something different would grab your soul whether it was Papa Dee Allen on the congas, Lee Oskar on the harmonica, or Lonnie Jordan on the organ.

During Black Music Month, I encourage you to seek out and listen to some of that Soul Music you probably forgot about.  It’s guaranteed to make you smile.

S. A. Miller

6.20.2023

For more Soul Music you probably forgot about go to:    https://www.youtube.com/@SoulVisionTV/videos

Soul Perspectives is written by S. A. Miller, a motion picture producer and director, author, and educator who has been writing commentary on Social, Economic, Educational, and Political topics for over forty years.

Black Woman Excellence- Recognize, Acknowledge, Appreciate

We are living is a unique time in the United States.  Over the last ten years or so, we have witnessed what I call Black Woman Excellence (BWE) .  While we extol the emergence of Black Girl Magic, Black women are affecting U. S. society in so many ways, that it has gone beyond magic and has become a Profile in Excellence.

Black women are excelling in so many areas including Science and Technology, the Judiciary, Government and Politics, Entrepreneurship, Corporate Governance, Education, Entertainment, Medicine, Sports, and many, many more.

One example of BWE in technology and entrepreneurship is Patrice Banks, the founder of Girls Auto Clinic in Philadelphia.  Ms Banks took her knowledge of automotive technology and started GAC, a full-service repair shop designed to empower women in the care and repair of their cars.

When we consider BWE in science and medicine, we have to look no further than Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett, Assistant Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases.  She is credited with leading the team of scientist at the NIH that developed the COVID-19 vaccine in 2020.  No doubt her work saved thousands of lives.

Over the last several years there has been no greater manifestation of BWE than in politics.  More Black women are active in politics than ever before, which has put more Black women in positions of governance power at all levels of government.  We start with Vice-President Kamala Harris, then consider U. S. representatives like Ayanna Presley of Massachusetts and Cori Bush of Missouri.  Karen Bass is the mayor of Los Angeles, Muriel Bowser is the mayor of Washington, D. C., and Tishaura Jones is the mayor of St. Louis.  We should also remember the impact Black women had on recent elections in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina.  Life would look a lot different in those places had it not been for BWE.

BWE has always been evident when it comes to educating our children.  Black women teachers have always been adept at educating, while simultaneously, nurturing students from pre-school through college.  In recent years we have seen a greater impact on higher education as more Black women serve as the heads of their universities.  Dr. Claudine Gay was recently named president of Harvard University, becoming the first Black Woman president for the university.  We also have more Black women presidents at HBCUs than at any other time in history.  Consider the following HBCU presidents: Dr. Brenda Allen, Lincoln University PA; Dr. Felicia Nave, Alcorn State University; Dr. Javuane Adams-Gatson; Norfolk State University; Dr. Helene Gayle Spelman College; Dr. Kimberly Ballard Washington, J. D., Savannah State University; Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, Tennessee State University; Dr. Charlotte Morris, Tuskegee University.  These Black women educators, and countless others are making sure this generation gets a comprehensive and inclusive education.

The history of Black women in professional sports has been well documented over the years.  Most of the discussion has revolved around outstanding athletic performance, but today, Black women are exhibiting excellence in other lanes of professional sports.  For instance, Nicole Lynn became the first Black woman sports agent to represent a player in the Super Bowl.  Sandra Douglass Morgan of the Las Vegas Raiders is the first Black woman to be named president of a National Football League team.  Maia Chaka became the first Black woman to officiate a National Football League regular season game.  Then there are Simone Jelks and Danielle Scot who are currently refereeing in the National Basketball Association.  This discussion also needs to include Tara August who recently served as SVP of Talent Relations for Turner Sports.

The history of Black Woman Excellence in the entertainment industry is both rich and long.  Black women have always been outstanding performers whether it be singing, acting, or dancing.  We are used to the excellence that Angela Bassett and Viola Davis bring in front of the camera, but today we have more Black women behind the camera.  Consider writer/producer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood who directed “The Woman King”.  There is Ava DuVernay, the creator and producer of the television show “Queen Sugar”.  She used her power to hire women to direct all 88 episodes of the show.  We must also recognize women like Kerry Washington and Robin Thede who not only act, but also write and produce their own projects.  Besides more Black women writers, directors, and producers, we also have more Black women Talent Agents representing some of the most recognized stars in Hollywood.  And Kim Godwin resides in the C-Suite at ABC News as its president.

Finally, let’s look at Black Woman Excellence in the judiciary, and to do that we start with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman confirmed to the U.S Supreme Court.  The vitriol Justice Brown Jackson was subjected to during her confirmation is well documented, yet this woman of excellence stood firm and endured.  There is Judge Dana Douglas who serves on the 5th U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, and Doris Pryor who serves on the 7th U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Indiana.  We should also recognize the work of state legal officials like Attorney General Letttia James in Georgia, and District Attorney Fani Wills in New York.  And Black women are leading several police departments across the country including Chief Keechant Sewell in New York, Chief Harvette Smith in North Mami Beach, and Commissioner Danielle Outlaw in Philadelphia.

By no means is this essay an exhaustive discussion of Black Woman Excellence. On the contrary, this essay only scratches the surface.  Black women have always been the guiding light, and their historical significance to the development of this country has always been understood, but this is a different day.  Black women have been Divinely destined to lead this country and we need to recognize and acknowledge that fact.  More importantly, we need to appreciate all that Black women do for us.  Yes, we know Black women have always led our homes, our churches, and our neighborhoods, but that leadership has progressed well beyond those places.  Black women are exhibiting excellence in all areas of our society, and we are all the better for it.  As long as Black Woman Excellence continues to guide us, we’re going to be just fine.

S. A. Miller

3.31.2023

Soul Perspectives is written by S. A. Miller, a movie producer, director, author, and educator who has been writing commentary on Social, Economic, Educational, and Political topics for over forty years.

NEW PERCEPTION OF BLACK MALES REQUIRED

Fact:  Black Males are perceived as “less than” in the United States of America.  It is this perception that needs to change before Black Males are given the same considerations that all other Americans  receive in this society.

Perception is defined as an “active process of gathering sensory information and assigning meaning to it”.  We take what we see and assign meaning to it.  It is something we all do for all people we meet in an attempt to understand who they might be.  Our perceptions are based on our experiences and knowledge bases commonly called perceptual schema.  What happens when someone engages a Black Male they may not know, they begin searching their knowledge bases trying to get an understanding of who this person might be.  What should be clearly understood is that whatever interpretation a person comes up with may be 100%, absolutely WRONG, and thus, our behavior towards Black Males may be based totally on misperceptions.

This is a problem with American society as a whole.  Beginning in the days of servitude, society -at- large, demonized Black Males.  They were whipped and beaten for “talking back”.  They were chased and captured by Slave Patrols then hung as “examples.”  They were beaten and thrown in rivers for daring to engage a woman.  These examples, and thousands more are all based on a perception that if your skin is Black, and you are male, then you aren’t entitled  to be treated with basic human dignity.

If you are a Black Male you can fight in the War for your country, but you still have to get on the back of the bus when you get back home.  You can develop and nourish vibrant and prosperous communities in Oklahoma only to have them destroyed by the evils of racism.  You can get pulled over by law enforcement for a minor traffic violation and end up dead.  This is the reality of the Black Male experience in America.

Some will suggest that Black males are doing well for themselves.  Yes, Black Males are continuing to be educated, and become positive role models in our communities.  They are scientists, engineers, professors, judges, surgeons, entrepreneurs, managers, directors, and CEOs.  There are also hundreds of Black Male millionaires who have gained wealth and fortune through entertainment and athletics.  This is all well and good, and is something we all should respect.  However, for too many is this American society, for all of the accomplishments, these Black Males are seen as less than.  It seems ridiculous, but it’s true.  How else can you explain the overall discrimination and prejudice Black Males are subjected to?

So how do we fix the problem?  You have to change your personal perceptions of Black Males.  Consider this example:  Two males, wearing white lab coats and stethoscopes, are walking down the hall of a hospital.  You assume that they are both doctors.  One is Black, the other one is not.  What are your immediate thoughts about each male?  Based on nothing more than the color of the Black Males skin, what do you think?  Do you assume the Black doctor is less qualified?  Are you less trusting of the Black doctor?  Do you consider that the Black male may not even be a doctor?  It is this misplaced, yet simplistic thinking that creates so much stress and strain in this society and keeps us from engaging openly with each other.

If we are going to be a civilized society where all people, regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity are afforded the same rights and liberties, then the only way that happens is if there is an intentional and deliberate choice to change perceptions of Black Males.  Be open and honest with yourself.  What are your biases; yours fears; your prejudices?  If you want justice and fairness for Black Males, you will have to change how you see Black Males.  Realize that every Black Male you engage is not a threat, but more than likely, someone who has goals and aspirations just like you.  As long as this U.S. American society perceives Black Males as “less than”, nothing will change.  Nothing will get better.

In the words of the En Vogue song, Free Your Mind, “Before you can read me, you got to learn how to see me.”

S. A. Miller
2/7/2023

Soul Perspectives is written by S. A. Miller, a movie producer, director, author, and educator who has been writing commentary on Social, Economic, Educational, and Political topics for over forty years.

Email: SoulPerspectives20@gmail.com