or Powell's or me• • •
"Mike and Jon, Jon and Mike—I've known them both for years, and, clearly, one of them is very funny. As for the other: truly one of the great hangers-on of our time."—Steve Bodow, head writer, The Daily Show
•
"Who can really judge what's funny? If humor is a subjective medium, then can there be something that is really and truly hilarious? Me. This book."—Daniel Handler, author, Adverbs, and personal representative of Lemony Snicket
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"The good news: I thought Our Kampf was consistently hilarious. The bad news: I’m the guy who wrote Monkeybone."—Sam Hamm, screenwriter, Batman, Batman Returns, and Homecoming
January 20, 2009
"Black, Brown, and White"
By: Bernard Chazelle
You heard the uplifting words of Rev. Joseph Lowery:
Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right.
The reverend seems to be a fan of Big Bill Broonzy. So am I.
— Bernard Chazelle
Glad somebody else noticed. No mention of "yellow", at least in the version I have.
Posted by: swanksalot at January 20, 2009 10:46 PMbest line of the day, hands down.
Posted by: ltl at January 20, 2009 11:35 PMI am not a religious person but Rev Lowery's every word had a special meaning and it touched a spot. It was amazing and very moving. They saved THE BEST for THE LAST. And when he said "Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen", with the millions in Mall, I said Amen, watching it all at home.
Prof Chazelle, thank you for introducing me to this song ( like the song about "Sunset towns" ). Words ( songs or poetry, like of Darwish ) REALLY tell the NARRATIVE of a people of injustice and their struggle and yesterday, the struggle and journey did not end but it demonstrated how far the black community ( and with them, the country ) has advanced and a new chapter has begun. For millions who struggled to come so far, HOPE was not an empty word and for millions who were on the mall ( and others like me ), "HOPE" is what is going to make them work to achieve their goal of justice, peace and equality.
Posted by: Rupa Shah at January 21, 2009 02:16 PMThat's pretty hot.
Posted by: buermann at January 21, 2009 02:31 PMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCC6_3QwXOc
Posted by: woody at January 21, 2009 04:50 PMThe good Rev Lowery absolutely drop-kicked that porky redneck preacher "Pastor Rick" into touch with his benediction. Some bruised-ego white people registered "concern" over Rev. Lowery's line about "white... get it right", but really, be of the moment!
Posted by: barrisj at January 21, 2009 06:46 PMThe good Rev. Lowery absolutely drop-kicked into touch that porky redneck preacher, "Pastor Rick", with the strength and humour of his benediction. Naturally, some bruised-ego white people groused about the "...white get it right" line, but, come on, be of the moment!
Posted by: barrisj at January 21, 2009 06:48 PMI hate preachers. Someone should have sung it. It sounds SOOO much better.
Posted by: KDelphi at January 22, 2009 02:46 AMSo..it only took 57 years for Big Bill's protest message to be recognised in the land of the free.
Now qualified to lead the world to greater things?
