Smokey Robinson - A Black American
Posted on March 11th, 2008 by ecthompson
The great Smokey Robinson on Def Poetry Jam.
A friend of mine sent this video to me. You never know about my friends. It can be anything from a dirty joke, to a chain letter to something truly thoughtful and inspirational. Smokey Robinson has to be in his late 70’s? He looks good. His mind and tongue are sharp.
It seems that every couple of years we have to re-name ourselves. Black, Negro, African-American. Smokey is basically talking about stopping the madness. This is clearly worth a look see.
I love Smokey, and he can say anything he wants to as far as I am concerned. The rap was excellent-indicative of what his songwriting has been down through the years-However, I would disagree with him on this. Every one America can identify with the land he or she comes from. You hear white people talk about their polish heritage-they have no problem being called Polish Americans. Irish Americans celebrate St. Patricks Day. And Asian Americans can be oberserved referring to them selves as Asian Americans. Point is, everyone in America (except Native Americans) came from some Country they can identify with. Why should it not be the case for blacks who came to this country from Africa. Actually, the first blacks who were enslaved here referred to themselves as Africans. Think-the A in African Methodist Epsicopal Church. Many early Africans enslaved here in this country requested to be buried near water so their souls could travel back to Africa. Africa is us, and in us, and yes, I love Smokey and will continue to love him, I just disagree with him on this point.