http://youtube.com/watch?v=aGXO9PGCUuI

I don't have time to opine on his poem, but I will, later on.

In the meantime, all are welcome to listen to the poem and submit a comment(s).

http://africanamerica.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/79160213/m...081058664#2081058664

I agree to an extent what he said on his poem. However, if the majority population (i.e. white) didn't enslave us, discriminate us, destroyed our cultures and languages, making it verboten and against the law to express them, denied us human AND civil rights, we wouldn't be hyphenated Americans, whether we call ourselves Black American, African-American or American Blacks. We would just be "Americans." Our identity wouldn't be solely confined to just a color. We're people, not crayons nor Sharpies.

Of course, he has blue eyes, but I digress.

quote:

Originally posted by Oshun Auset:
http://africanamerica.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/79160213/m...081058664#2081058664

^^^Did it again, huh?^^^



With regard to his poem, I think he's entitled to call himself what he wants. He could've made a good case without attempting to discourage black folks from embracing the home of their ancestors prior to their arrival to this country.

That old "we all from afrika" piece, don't hold water.

For if it did, he should've or would've held virtually everyone in this country to task who are generations removed from their ancestral place of origin, yet identifying with their ancestral place of origin all the same.

Starting with the jews who assisted him throughout his musical career.

Black folks embracing their/our afrikan origins is not dismissing what black folks have done in this country (or this hemisphere) since our arrival in the 1500's. If anything it adds to the richness of "Ourstory".

Smokey said something like, why do folks attach themselves to a continent where if they went, many of the the folks on the continent would dismiss them/us.

If I were a betting man, I would bet that it has to do with many afrikans being/becoming grossly mis-education about afrikans of the diaspora and 'B.E.T.'.

Like NTA stated:

quote:

There are African people in Africa who see the big picture

Besides, I don't need to step off a plane onto afrikan soil to get rushed like dino rushing fred flintstone as soon as he comes through the door.

I highly doubt that most black folks are that naive when heading back to afrika.

quote:

Originally posted by Raptor:

quote:

Originally posted by Oshun Auset:
http://africanamerica.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/79160213/m...081058664#2081058664

^^^Did it again, huh?^^^



With regard to his poem, I think he's entitled to call himself what he wants. He could've made a good case without attempting to discourage black folks from embracing the home of their ancestors prior to their arrival to this country.

That old "we all from afrika" piece, don't hold water.

For if it did, he should've or would've held virtually everyone in this country to task who are generations removed from their ancestral place of origin, yet identifying with their ancestral place of origin all the same.

Starting with the jews who assisted him throughout his musical career.

Black folks embracing their/our afrikan origins is not dismissing what black folks have done in this country (or this hemisphere) since our arrival in the 1500's. If anything it adds to the richness of "Ourstory".

Smokey said something like, why do folks attach themselves to a continent where if they went, many of the the folks on the continent would dismiss them/us.

If I were a betting man, I would bet that it has to do with many afrikans being/becoming grossly mis-education about afrikans of the diaspora and 'B.E.T.'.

Like NTA stated:

quote:

There are African people in Africa who see the big picture

Besides, I don't need to step off a plane onto afrikan soil to get rushed like dino rushing fred flintstone as soon as he comes through the door.

I highly doubt that most black folks are that naive when heading back to afrika.

I LOVED his poem. And it reflects where he comes from as a black man in this country. Although I would have worded my "piece" differently....but! This is his PERSPECTIVE...his journey....how HE saw it through his eyes. And yes I'm sure he is aware of his "blue" eyes[@Huey]....probably got a lot of "leg" action with those eyes.
He made a lot GD sense to me. He's a man's man...so I LIKE the way he word his views on being a black man....how he distinquished the different colors....making us all ONE culture.

It is no doubt that Smokey Robinson is a HEAVY brotha[the thing we use to say in my day]....unlike other Black artists/professionals/ballplayers HE DID NOT
abandon Black WOMEN for a piece of WHITE tail [not saying he didn't get none from them....but if he did...he kept it under wraps]. Can't say that about a lot of brothas...can we? Smokey has been LOYAL from the VERY beginning. And during the time of his career....JEWISH people OWN the record studios....and black people weren't even ALLOWED to have their BLACK faces on album covers....let alone own their recording studios OR HAVE copywrite ownership to the songs they wrote/composed. So. In. That. Smokey kicked the door in for a lot of US...including Berry Gordy. So I'm just saying give the brotha HIS CREDIT! He is a dynamic singer, composer and poet! He is right in line with a lot of successful blackfolks during his time. And his music brought a lot couples together...and his music is definetely responsible for a lot of babies coming in this world....but most importantly, he set the stage for many upcoming writers i.e. songwriters, composers.....and poets.

As a young girl, Smokey was my muse. He is the reason why I write today. Not only do I owe homage to him....I owe him part of my soul as a black woman...cuz to me every time he opened his mouth and sung....he was singing to a lot of BLACK WOMEN...who at the time were told they were nothing but nigress....aunt jeminas[sp], mammies, wanton hussies, heffers....but never beautiful women....Smokey BROKE that myth....and sung lovely, heartwreckin melodies to the black women who totally DESERVED every word....every. musical. note. He sung love to them, begged them to come back to him....defined what it meant to be loved by them....the FULL throttle of love during a time when we did not have the RIGHT to vote....the right to drink water from a clean fountain....did not have the right to LIVE where we wanted....eat where we wanted.....ALL OVER THIS country. So. Pleeze....yall. Give Smokey his due. He is definitely one of the many foot soldiers to the Black cause...but! Did' it HIS WAY. He was in there too...fightin' for all of us....with his lovesongs. So. I'll be the first. Here's to you Smokey! Thankyou! Thankyou! For paving the way....for many of us including those who have forgotten your POWER! THANKYOU! my brotha You are the Best! And a living legend....we ALL should be PROUD to STILL have with us!

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