‘Miscellany’ Archives
Something I Said
Dark girls deserve better By DWIGHT HOBBES Black was only so beautiful when the phrase hit in the 60s. Sure, we were at the tumultuous crest of a movement to throw off society”™s shackles and, in the process, bolster self-esteem. Superficiality, though, runs deep. While we were exultant, reveling in social revolt, it didn”™t displace an entrenched ideal. It didn”™t cure a psychological infection. Folk with African features were no more attractive than they had been since the advent of that age old ditty, “If you”™re white, just right. Yellow is mellow. Brown can stick around. If y”™ black, get back.” However, times have changed, this has stayed the same. Hence, “Dark Girls”, a documentary the Association of Black Psychologists credits with providing,“an opportunity to take a soul-searching look at the effects of racism affect on the self-image of black women. Among several salient [...]
Book Review
Angela Henry Offers Another Thriller, “Doing it to Death” By Dwight Hobbes Fans of mystery novelist Angela Henry”™s Kendra Clayton series, rejoice. Delightfully intrepid, crime-solving sleuth Clayton is back, flying by the seat of her pants and as usual, two steps ahead of police detectives on the trail of a murderer. Also par for the course, the closer she gets to figuring things out, the more her own life is in danger. On top of everything, Kendra would just as soon be left in peace, minding her own business, which is exactly what she”™s doing when circumstance hurls her headlong, up to her neck in someone else”™s troubles. Far from formulaic, this time around Henry has come up with yet another way for Kendra to stumble into difficulty that she”™d rather have nothing to do with but can”™t see herself avoiding. In “Doing It to Death” (Boulevard West Press), Dibb Bentley, about as [...]
Art For All
By PATRICK CABELLO HANSEL, Semilla Center The Semilla Center for Healing and the Arts at St. Paul”™s believes that creating art together can be a way of healing for individuals and communities. Semilla will host an “Art Block Party” for Block Clubs, where artists will create art with your neighbors””art that will beautify your street and send a message of unity. Interested? semillacenter@gmail.com Welcome to Semilla benefit “Art for All” on Saturday, May 16 from 5 to 9 pm, at the Center for Changing Lives, 2400 Park Avenue. Live music, food, hands-on art making, a silent auction, youth photography show and more. $20 suggested donation””discount tickets for volunteers.
