For Colored Girls

Back in 1992, I was an undergraduate chemistry major at Wayne State University (Detroit, MI), and I took a course entitled "Black Theatre: An Introduction." Honestly, I was trying to complete requirements for graduation, and I thought the course would be rather interesting. I couldn't have been more wrong!

I recall how much I enjoyed watching "Carmen Jones" and the excitement in class when we recognized a very young Pearl Bailey, Diane Carroll, and Harry Belafonte. We were equally excited to watch "A Raisin in the Sun" with Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier. But, what I remember most about the course were two poets, namely Amiri Baraka (The Dutchman + The Slave) and Ntozake Shange (For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf).

This weekend, a group of friends from my book club got together and saw the movie "For Colored Girls." The movie was directed by Tyler Perry with top notch talent including, Kimberly Elise, Anika Noni Rose, Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washington, Loretta Devine, Thandie Newton, Tessa Thompson, Janet Jackson and Phylicia Rashad. Honestly, I was nervous about seeing the movie, because I was not sure how Tyler was going to stay true to Shange's work. Let me just say, the movie was quite good, and it is Tyler's best movie yet. I highly recommend it. These women did an amazing job in this movie.

After the movie, we sat down and had dinner to discuss the film, and decide on the next book to read. (I will be hosting the next book club meeting.) As we were being seated, our waiter asked us if the movie was about "hating men," which we chuckled and replied it was not about hating men. In fact, there are lessons for everyone in this movie. What lessons did I learn from the movie? Quite honestly, I was just reminded of the fact that women are strong human beings. (And no, I didn't need a movie to remind me of this.)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Finding Another Beautician

We all know that hair has always been a very big deal in the African American community. Finding the right beautician is just as important as finding the right shoes to match an outfit. It really does matter. Today, I decided to try a new beautician near my home for a quick blow dry and curl. When I arrived at the salon--on time--the salon was closed. I decided to call the beautician on her cell and she informed me she was about 10 minutes away. She actually showed up about 20 minutes later, but I was trying to give her a "pass" because the weather was a little nasty outside. While waiting, another young lady was waiting to see a different beautician who was also late. She an I chatted for a minute and she told me that her appointment was at 10:00am, but it was pushed back to 11:00am. (It was about 11:20am at this point.) My beautician finally arrived and apologized for being so late. She actually did a decent job, and I did accept her apology. She tried to convince me to get
Read more

Unsung Chemist: Dr. Booker T. W. White (1907 - 1990)

Born in Tryon, North Carolina on September 9, 1907, Booker Taliafero Washington White was an agricultural chemist and one of several African Americans that earned a doctoral degree in chemistry from The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio) between the years 1940 and 1970. Booker T. W. White began his college career at West Virginia State College (now know as West Virginia State University), an HBCU (Historically Black College and University) located in West Virginia. White completed his undergraduate degree in 1929. White pursued graduate studies in the Department of Agricultural Chemistry at The Ohio State University earning his M.S. degree from OSU in 1937. He attended OSU during the 1936-37 academic year and the 1941 - 1944 academic years. In 1941, an article entitled "Southern Educator Tries to Find Use for Buckeyes," was published in the student newspaper, The Lantern and briefly described White's research efforts. "Booker T. White, on leave of absence
Read more

A New Place Called 'Better'

Image
     The year 2020 has been tremendously difficult, challenging, and so hurtful. How did I manage to keep my head above water this year? I could not have achieved anything in 2020 without the amazing support of friends and family. Honestly, I kept going because of them.      If anyone had told me that in the year 2020, I would publish a new book chapter focused on "superhero chemistry" and two articles in both Nature and Nature Chemistry focusing on achieving equity in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines , I would not have believed it. In addition, I actually officiated my little sister's wedding this year! Furthermore, I turned 50 years old in 2020, which actually still shocks me. There were so many milestones achieved in 2020. However, like all of you, I am looking forward to the year 2021. In other words, I am truly looking forward to new spaces and places called 'better.' Happy New Year everyone! Sibrina #HappyNewYear2021
Read more