#black performers

[threaded-in-feelings]

Yes…. there was a made-for-TV movie about Josephine Baker that aired on HBO in 1991.

…and yes, it stars Lynn Whitfield.

…and yes, you can watch it on YouTube for free 👀🍿

You’re welcome.

The Josephine Baker Story

[sbrown82]

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[weclassybouquetfun]

In no time now will be the first Monday in May and that means the annual The Costume Institute Benefit aka The Met Gala. This year's event is co-chaired by Colman Domingo, Pharrell Williams, Sir Lewis Hamilton and A$AP Rocky - who each cover Vogue's May issue saluting this year's gala and its theme "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style".

The issue is a gorgeous salute to Black creatives and there's 21 minute behind-the-look of the making of the issue.

Also in the issue is Anna Wintour's piece about the late former Vogue editor André Leon Talley and it's very bittersweet as he felt iced out by her at the end of his life and it's really heartbreaking that he isn't here to see this exhibit.

The picture of Talley accompanying Wintour's piece - Talley's favourite picture of himself snapped by by Arthur Elgort (yes, father of Ansel).

Some of the photos from the issue styled by Law Roach.

Janelle Monae, Teyana Taylor and Ryan Destiny

Myha’la, Jon Batiste and Jeremy Pope

Lana Taylor, Spike Lee, Daryl Diamond, and Dapper Dan

Solange Knowles' son and Joanne the Scammer cosplayer, Jules Smith and Imaan Hammam.

Yara Shahidi and Aaron Pierre

Akeem Ali, Keith Powers, Danielle Deadwyler and Honor Titus

Jerry Lorezno and Lakeith Stanfield

Law Roach

Naomi Ackie

Ayo Edebiri

Tyson Beckford and Noah Lyles

Janicza Bravo, Alton Mason and Ferrari Sheppard

[newyorkthegoldenage]

The first strike by black performers of the American Guild of Variety Artists, an affiliate of the Associated Actors and Artist of America, picket in front of the Apollo Theater on 125th Street in Harlem, February 23, 1940.

Photo: Associated Press

[black-is-beautiful18]

The thing I’ve noticed since the Tonys on Sunday is the way white theater lovers/fans have been very hostile towards Black performers, especially those that are women. Now this isn’t anything new. It’s not new at all. However, the weird comments I’ve seen about Audra McDonald and Jasmine Amy Rogers since Sunday are not ok and are quite frankly micro aggressive. Cuz a lot of y’all are attempting to tear them down and diminish their talent and therefore their careers to prop up your white favs, which makes you sound like Patti Lupone in essence. Sure they didn’t win but their talent is unmatched. Jasmine is already on her way to becoming a star and Audra is freaking Audra McDonald. Most nominated and awarded person in Tony history. Y’all pulling this hate campaign out of the air for these two women especially only makes you look like a loser.

[saintsir4n]

— there are some things I want to say, many of which are regarding race!

The fact that Francesca Amewudah-Rivers is receiving hate the fact she’s playing Juliet is not surprising, since people do not need reasons to hate black women. She’s a dark-skinned pretty woman but of course, because she has prominent black features she’s seen as manly and shouldn’t be playing alongside someone like Tom Holland. I’m not one to put down people but Tom Holland is not God’s gift, and neither is he publicly defending his co-star, a matter that I won’t get into as the focus is Francesca. The role of Juliet is one that was originally played by a man, and since then has been played by people of different ethnicities, some being black women. The fact people are using her appearance or the fact she’s deemed as “not conventionally attractive” is disgusting as if that’s an excuse. I’m glad that over 800 black actors signed a letter in solidarity because of the racial abuse as well as the production company who issued their own statement.

POCs especially darker-skinned women are constantly the target of racial abuse even over things that don’t exist and yes I am talking about fan-casts, especially tangled. I haven’t watched the film but I know the source material isn’t from Brothers Grimm but a Persian poem written in the 10th century by Ferdowsi, 8 centuries before it was turned into a “German folklore.” It’s hilarious how micro-aggressions and racism come out when people think white characters aren’t at the centre of it all. People crying about how their younger selves Would hate to see a stunning South Asian actress in the place of a blonde hair, blue-eyed ADAPTION of an original when brown and black girls had little to no representation at all. “Why can’t we stick to the originals?” Please look up what the original is before you start with your insults specifically those who are crying on TikTok or trolling on Avantika Vandanapu’s Instagram.

And lastly, stop bringing Tiana into it. She’s based on a real person just like Pocahontas, their race is important to their stories, black and indigenous, it’s tiring and also just foolish to post edits of “if they can have an Asian Rapunzel why can’t we have a white Tiana” when it’s clear that missed the plot of the princess and the frog, blind to/ ignoring its micro-aggressions (that are written in solely for a black character) and are just showing their bias all in defence of a film that doesn’t even exist.

And before anyone starts on “Why don’t you just invent your own characters?” Many have tried and the movie itself wasn’t watched, had little to no promotion or has been whitewashed but of course that gets little backlash.

And don’t get me started on wish…

So just to conclude, stop attacking us!

[artemiseamoon]

One of my favs and inspirations when I used to dance was Sahji (Madeline Jackson)

I loveeee dance and during college I used to be in a dance group, we mainly did various world dance and belly dance styles. I continued on and off into my late 20s. 30s came and I got interested in other things, but still love dancing so much.

I miss belly dancing and def don’t have my old body anymore, so far from it. But I’m thinking of getting back to it, just for myself and how good it feels.