czvasser Afroticity

Truth and Justice

The never ending battle for truth and justice and the American way.

Superman

The quote, used before WWII, didn’t include “the American Way”. That was added with the Superman television series in 1952. America never really fought the battle for truth and justice for all people. Poisoned fruit came over with the pilgrims and was planted in the New World. It began with land grabs, genocide and unequal rights for women. It continued with slavery and, even though a divided country fought the good fight, the roots and seeds remained and regrew as Jim Crow, race laws, lynching, segregation and bigotry. The American legacy includes Racism: the poisoned fruit of a poisoned tree. We’ve got to work much harder to root it out.

czvasser Afroticity

Harriet Tubman – The Movie

If you are Black, like me, or a person of color (you call you what you want), before you see the latest Brad Pitt movie, see Harriet. I’m an “Ole Joe” and I like movies. I’ve seen scores and scores of them. I’ve never been more moved than I was when I watched Harriet. I could give you a movie critic version of why I thought the movie was great. I could even point out the most poignant scenes. I could tell you why I thought the supporting cast was wonderful. I’m not going to do that. Honestly and earnestly, I implore you to see Harriet.

Maybe later I’ll jump on the bandwagon that will develop demanding Cynthia Erivo be considered for an Academy Award. I’ll jump on it again when she doesn’t win or, more impossibly, when she isn’t even nominated. I’ll scream foul and racism like everyone else. In the meantime, I’ll follow all the articles about why there isn’t more advertising and better distribution. I’ll grumble about the lack of press, but, right now, simply, go see the Harriet and to use that beat up expression, you’ll be glad you did. – Chuck Vasser

ps: It’s a fantastic movie whatever your race, nationality, ethnic persuasion, who you momma was, your daddy wasn’t or your sexual orientation. After all, Janelle Monae is in it and should be considered for Best Supporting Actress.