Coming 2 America

 Now you know I had to blog about this movie. The 1988 original is one of my favorite quotable films! From Randy Watson’s “sexy chocolate” to the barber shop men, “Sweets!” “Don’t be hollering at me, hell, I thought it was the trash” to random men and small roles, “Oh my goodness! It is you” “I want to tear you apart, and your friend to zzz a o” to larger than life roles, “Somebodies been messing around!” To singing “She’s your queen to be” “To be loved, to be loved...oh ho...what a feeling to be loved!” 

That is my movie!! So naturally I was on the side of excitement when the announcement came for the sequel a full 33 years later! I’ve been watching every interview, stalking every Instagram associated with the film in the hopes of catching glimpses of behind the scenes action, along with The Who’s who of the film! 

Let’s face it: Eddie Murphy is a BIG name. He’s a movie star. He was big then, and I most definitely want to say larger now. Coming to America, if memory serves me, is his first time acting in one film with various roles! I still didn’t know he was the old Jewish man in the barbershop or even believe it until I was in my late teens. 

I digress: 

Coming 2 America, for me, gave me all the feels! Nostalgia at its finest. I absolutely loved seeing all the original players from the film. They had aged and, maybe it was this Covid reality coming to grips on me; but I was just full of pride and joy to see them! It really wouldn’t have mattered what they said. Rev. Brown, I was glad to see him! I could tell there was an air of wokeness throughout the film as they called out Rev. Brown (don’t want to give away the entire movie-I’ll replace this with the facts after about a month) LBGT, and included elements of women’s rights. 

There were corny jokes, just like the first. You either take life too seriously or you enjoyed the movie. There were silly moments and scenes just like the original...those moments and scenes will either be imitated for years to come or they’ll be forgotten and you’ll stick with the original memorable scenes. Was it rushed? Naaaaaaah. Not anymore than the original. 

Were the costumes bad? Yep! They were Micheal Jackson Bad and outstanding! Imagery outstanding! My favorite scenes may have absolutely been the flashback scenes. Kudos to the special effects and digital imagery team! 

With the thriving cast members, wardrobe, soundtrack, digital work, and locations alone this movie- not for nothing- was a great inclusion for 2021! Just what the proverbial doctor ordered and precisely the comedy relief I needed during this pandemic! So, thank you to the cast and crew. 

To those critics that didn’t like it and want to tear it apart, “Get. Get out of here. Go on. Move!”

Black History Month...and attire

 I love the month of February! 

My baby girl was born in this month 💕 

There’s Valentine’s Day ♥️ 

And if that wasn’t enough...it’s Black History Month! 

For me; I am Black History in the making BUT I enjoy the specific celebration, acknowledgement, and festivities surrounding the culture of, not only who, but where most if not all, come from! Usually church has a special recognition day set aside for African attire , my sorority meeting usually sets aside a day, my job even usually sets aside days to wear the attire and I, me...I ALWAYS forget to go and get something to wear! Go figure. So I only get to view the beautiful attire and admire the African fashions, colors and patterns. 

This year though...2021...thanks to quarantine I actually had TIME to remember the smallest details of things and then special thanks to social media; I wasn’t limited on where I could shop or find the attire! 

So here’s my celebration of Black History AND attire:

I Felt That...

It’s always great when someone else captures your thoughts and prints or posts them. That just mean you are NOT alone, you are NOT crazy, and it IS common! Sometimes it’s in the spirit of great news and positivity...other times in it’s in the spirit of judgment and negativity. Read below to see if you have heard these things or said these things:

“After having a child, I realized that in the eyes of society mothers can't:

- Complain (who told you to have kids?)

- Cry (why are you crying? Did you think it was easy?)

- Getting tired of what? (you do nothing!)

- Sleep (You're lazy!)

- Rest (you'll have plenty of time for that after they grow up) 

- Getting pregnant again (are you crazy? How many more kids do you want?)

- Quitting work (how will you support your child?)

- Work (who will take care of the child?)

- Leave them at the nursery (Don’t let others raise them!!)

- Being a housewife (Poor husband, works too hard and his wife stays at home!!)

- Being single (nobody wants a woman with children)

- Going out for fun (why are you leaving your children with their Nana to have fun?)

And you know whats worse???

90% of these phrases are spoken by other women.

Let's learn to be more supportive of each other. I'm human and I love my kids but I'm guilty  of all these emotions  at some point.”

(Repost)

Some of those things are said by women and it’s even worse when it’s said by your support system, whether man or woman. It stings just a tad bit more. But it doesn’t matter who says those things, or what part in your life they happen to play; tell them to shut the heck up! You’ve heard about enough from them. Then keep it moving because no matter how hard it gets, God NEVER places more on us than we can handle or that we desire. 

Keep going...

Why was Coca Cola Such a Big Deal to Ma?

This Sunday I spent time with my Sorors and guests enjoying an evening of The Arts! viewing playwright August Wilson’s film adaptation of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. 

Have you seen it? A question was posed in my blog title...comment your answers.

I’ve seen it twice. The Thespian that I am has seen scenes and monologues from the play more times than I can count but it took 2020 for me to sit and watch from top to bottom the play that chronicles the 20th century African-American experience set in the Chi Town 20’s dealing with issues of race, religion, and the oh so common black exploitation of artistry and originality.

I don’t want to give anything away...check it out! 

And in an effort to not only, explore the arts by highlighting the eras of Harlem Renaissance and Black Arts Movement, my great Sorority also encouraged invited viewers to purchase a meal from a Black-owned business to indulge. 

The food tasted better than it looks 😊 Oxtails, rice and gravy, greens, candied yams and cornbread.

Mocktail: Cranberry juice, (sans orange juice) sprite, over ice splash of cherry juice 

Founders’ Day January 15, 2021

 What an unprecedented time to be alive...and well! 

My Sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha and I will be celebrating 113 years of supreme service to all mankind! A vision started in 1908 by our Founder, Ethel Hedgemen Lyle on the campus of Howard University! 

To my Sorors, 

This is an opportunity to have another FIRST in history as we embark on innovative ways to celebrate sisterhood and service! Virtual and socially distant events are our platform and it will be a fantastic opportunity to connect in ways we never have before! Embrace change and let’s enjoy our 113 year celebration! We have a sorority sister duly elected to be in the White House and we shall represent thoroughly! 

To the world, 

I, nor we, will apologize for the heightened level of excitement, enthusiasm, or ear piercing Skee Wee’s, neither will we excuse the massive amounts of the color combination pink and green you will experience tomorrow! January 15, 2021! 

We. Are. History. 

We. Are. Alpha. Kappa. Alpha. Sorority. Incorporated. 

We. Are. (K)oming.

Signed, 

Onyx Pearl 

Fall 2003 Zeta Gamma 

Me vs Them Saturday Funny

Wear Your Masks 

Scum of the Earth

Photos courtesy of CNN

It’s the silence from those on my social media timelines that had SO much to post back in the summer months for me. Where is the people that attempted to attack my blog posts! We need to hear all of your ideas and condemnation for crime and punishment now against “protesters” 

Where are you?

What do you have to say today?

Wow. Just wow. 

If those were peaceful Black Americans they would have been shot in the back like rabid dogs. You don’t have to tell me I’m wrong LIVE video footage and the blood stained streets across this nation agrees with me! 

This is a disgraceful representation on our democracy and our Amendments. This is what Terroristic speaking Trump America looks like! He told those proud boys to stand down and stand by and here.they.are! Standing up! Such despicable thugs! We’re finally, after all this time, seeing the sons of bitches Trump tried to liken Kapernick to. In fact, use any word to describe them that was blazingly tossed around this past summer and throughout Trump’s entire administration! Please do.

Nothing. Not. One. Thing about the way these morons are acting is in the name of patriotism or peace! They are in fact, the scum of the earth! Yes, I said it. Stand by it. 

Courtesy of Getty images