(Hang On Have Faith By Johnny Myer)



Shout Out To The Brothas

I n my previous blog I gave kudos to Big and beautiful sistas now it is time to give the respect due to our African Kings. Black men have had to endure and perservere for centuries, beside and at times behind Black women because they are marginalized. Well, the margin is no longer sufficient for our Brothas and it is time they step back into the limelight and claim their rightful thrones. From the great Pharaohs in Egypt to the Kings in Kush, West Africa, Southern and Central Africa, to the freedom fighters in the America's men of the African diaspora have made strides and helped to create the world as we know, so let's give the men a hand. Here are some of my Favorite Black men from history to the present.

I will begin in antiquity and move forward. The first Brotha I want to give homage to has been immortalized, anglicized and villianized by many, but to me he is a hero. He was obedient to God, even when he didn't know God with the big "G", Ladies and Gents Pharoah Ramses II. He had great pyramids built and ruled his country with compassion and an iron fist.










The next high profile Brotha I want to recognize is Mansa Musa. Many of the young cats nowdays say that they are ballers and that they can buy all of these things, but can they bring so much money or gold in this case to a city and bankrupt them? Mansa Musa did on his pilgrimage to Mecca, which is done by an obedient follower of Islam as a part of the five pillars, when he stopped in Egypt to rest. He had so much West African gold that he devalued it in Egypt. Now that is for real baller status and to top it off, he was so secure in his kingdom, that he took the majority of his kingdom with him on the pilgrimage so that they all were obedient to Allah. Now that is holding down the family.

Now I am going to jump forward centuries to a man, who if he weren't like 50 years older than myself I would marry him, that and he is married. Mr. Harry Belafonte. Even though I believe he should have married Dorothy Dandridge, he still gets and "A-okay" in my book. His lilting voice and smooth moves, made more than one woman swoon in the 40's, 50's and 60's. He is considered the King of Calypso in the United States and he is a very vocal activist for the rights of the oppressed. Gotta love Harry Belafonte. I know I do.


Next we move to a grouping of men and one man in particular that I admire for their strength in standing up for what they believe is right. The Black Panther Party and especially Huey Newton. The Black Panther Party stood up to the Oakland Police and eventually the oppressive American nation saying that they would no longer take the abuse that was being doled out on a daily basis in the Black community. Their work in education, awareness, activism and free breakfast programs demonstrated what we can do as a people if we mobilize and work to improve our community and take it back for our children. They were so bad (meaning good) that the FBI had to create a program to divide and conquer the Panthers called CoinTelPro. You know you are doing something right when you are on Washington's radar. Huey Newton, Co-founder and outspoken leader was a man among men. Though he had his faults, he was extremely intelligent earning a doctoral degree while fighting the power. He worked inside and out of the system. Unfortunately he was murdered by a drug dealer in the 80's, or so the story is told. The Panthers had not mobilized in that fashion since, but will forever be a great example of Black mobilization. Beret's off to the Black Panther Party and Huey Newton.


Next we have a couple of gentlemen that I have had crushes on for a long time. The first is Mr. Morris Chestnut. He is a fine actor and just fine in general. I know that he is married and I respect that because from what I understand stand his wife is a sista that is handling her business. So big ups again to Morris for finding a strong black sista to hold him down. That is just one more reason for me to be a devoted fan.







One of my most favorite recent actors is Isiah Washington of Grey's Anatomy. I don't care what the fight was about, this man can act his butt off. He brings forward a sincerity and vulnerability that is rarely seen in Black characters. He also has an amazing amount of strength and really brings a humanity to his character. He is good looking and talented what more can you want? Now I know some of you may call my card about him being in the movie Love Jones. He was a great actor then, but the scraggly look was not working for the brotha. Not only that but I just knew that Larenz Tate was the most beautiful man in the world. Isiah has over showed Mr. Tate and how lovely is it in the 106 degree shade.

The next adoration of my life is none other than Ruben Studdard. Oh the velvet teddy bear. He is just so handsome, the epitome of manliness to me. When he first sang on the audition for American Idol I honestly had to sit down because I became literally weak in the knees. Anyone who knows me, knows that I have an affinity for large men and boy does Ruben do it for me. It is so sad that he had such a hard introduction into the music business, but like the velvet teddy bear phoenix that he is, he has overcome the odds and has in my opinion a great album.



Now these are just the "famous"Black men that I adore. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Famous, and always superstars to me, men that are in my life. My dad Mikey J, Paz the ultimate Big Bro, Dragon my brother from another brother/mother, Brandon keeps me on my toes, Josh brings out the music in me, Keith my cousin the holds me down and keeps me fed, Melvin you know how we do, Be Frank making sense of life, Norman what's buzzin cousin, Nick 97 skillz eternal and the many faithful blog readers who help me wade through this thing called life.

All honor and pride to the brothas,

Ms. Denva