Black History Month: Josephine Baker

Good Day you Magnificent Minions!!!

We’re here, we’re queer, that is one of the reasons that the Passions is honoring quite possibly her most favorite Black History Month Beauty thus far, the one, the only, the Bronze Venus, the Black Pearl, Miss Josephine Baker.

Beautiful, fearless and quite talented, she embraced herself in her entirety, her open and far-reaching mind, her body and her rich culture.  She is a huge reason why the Passions feels so passionately about the topic of the erotic.  From the Harlem Renaissance to Broadway to Vaudeville (where she was the highest paid), to opening in Paris in the Theater des Champ-Elysees with her “erotic dancing,” Josephine was organically controversial in order to make her mark.  Paris loved her and that performance was only the beginning as it led to her starring in the famous Folies Bergeres where she did her notorious Danse Sauvage.  Imagine that, when Miss Baker graced the stages in gay ole Paris, dancing wearing nothing but a smile and a string of bananas laced around her waist – she was thought of as a controversial anomaly here in the States.  But in France, she was accepted and loved wholeheartedly because mainly, “they got it.”

She collected a very eclectic group of friends and admirers including a pocket of close knit ex-pats.  Ernest Hemingway said Baker was “the most sensational woman I ever saw.”  She became a muse for many important artists (contemporary writers, artists, designers, sculptures) of that time – Langston Hughes, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso, Christian Dior.  Shirley Bassey cites Baker as her primary influence.

And her love interests?  Well, we’re gonna keep it queer here and say Josephine loved the ladies.  Her son, Jean Claude Baker states that his mother had numerous lesbian affairs with many of the women she toured with on the Black Performing circuit like Bessie Anderson, Ada “Bricktop” Smith, Clara Smith, Evelyn Shepard and Mildred Smallwood. But she was also involved with the French writer Colette and Mexican artists Frieda Kahlo.  Apparently it was not uncommon for Baker to have affairs with women throughout her life, regardless of her/their marital status.

Civil Rights Activist and Humanitarian – Miss Baker raised her Rainbow Tribe which consisted of twelve multi-ethnic orphans despite some hardships that found her in her later years.  But she was courageous – refusing to perform for segregated audiences in the U.S., and standing side by side with Dr. Martin Luther King during the March on Washington.  Miss Baker was the only woman to speak at the rally.  After Dr. King’s assassination, it is alleged that Coretta Scott King asked Baker if she would consider taking Dr. King’s place as the leader of the American Civil Rights movement to which Miss Baker declined, citing that, “her children were too young to lose their Mother.” My dear sweet ones, this is a legacy, a profound legacy that is extremely hard to top.

We lost this legend of legends in 1975.  She received full French military honors at her funeral.   It is not difficult to see her influences in Grace Jones, Janet Jackson and even Madonna and Gaga because Miss Baker’s personae was always pushing the boundaries when she was being herself, artistic, Avant Garde, sensual and VERY political.  In all seriousness, if there is an artist that has truly inspired the Passions more than anyone else, it is most definitely Josephine Baker.

Black History Month Beauties: Judy Pace

Well Hello – Thanks for stopping by 😉

Not as well-known as our other Black History Month Beauties, in the seventies, Judy Pace was lauded as the personification of Black Beauty.  And we can see why!

Miss Pace has also had one of the most busiest careers in Hollywood in her day, starring in such dramas as Peyton Place, Ironside, Batman, Bewitched, The Flying Nun, I Spy, The Mod Squad, That’s My Mama, Kung Fu, What’s Happening just to name a few.   She is most remembered as her role as Gayle Sayers wife in the motion picture Brian’s Song.  And this is only part of her film and TV resume.  Please enjoy the chocolaty lusciousness that is Miss Judy Pace.

 

Black History Month Beauty: Dorothy Dandridge

Rise and Shine Gorgeous Ones,

Since Black History Month (as short as it is) is still running hot here at the Passions, there was no way that I would not honor Miss Dorothy Jean Dandridge.  She was the first African-American woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for best actress, which was certainly no small feat in 1954.  To say her time here was tragic would be an understatement but what I can say that much, if not all of her suffering in life can be directly attributed to the racism she faced in Hollywood.  One of her famous quotes pretty much covers it, “if I were white, I could capture the world,” – this after being either ignored for not only choice acting roles but any – or being offered roles that were largely offensive to an actress of her stature.   It is a refrain that some black actresses in Hollywood can even state today – but even they owe it all to Miss Dandridge for opening doors that always seem to be locked shut for actresses of color.

We salute you, Miss Dorothy Dandridge, this Black History Month and always.

Black History Month Beauty: Diahann Carroll

Good Morning Delicious Ones!!!

Okay.  So I’m taking a slight detour back to the “old school” Black History Month Beauties cuz I realized there were quite a few I haven’t highlighted.  And they surely deserve their shine.  Plus, some Passion followers have actually expressed a special interest and appreciation for these sepia-tone cinematic divas that would have surely graced the Passions pages back in the day.

Diahann Carroll……sigh……First of all – Ms. Carroll was born in the Bronx.  BRONX STAND UP!!!!  🙂  – We do churn out the beauties – I keep trying to tell you all!!!!

Of all the beauties she epitomized elegance, class, taste and sophistication. Always. The ultimate Diva.

She broke out as being the first African-American woman to star in her own non-stereotypical television show (Julia) in which she won a Golden Globe.  This was before her roles in Carmen Jones and Porgy & Bess.  She was also nominated for an Oscar for Claudine.  But many remember her best in her role as Dominique Deveraux (one of the Passions pseudonym’s) half-sister to Blake Carrington in Dynasty.  Miss Carroll was able to truly embody her extra fierceness in that series.

Today, she is breast cancer survivor and a vocal spokesperson for the disease. Married four times, she has one daughter and continues to be the perfect example of how an extraordinarily beautiful African-American woman can break out in that monster business that is Hollyweird and still keep her dignity and integrity in check – and this is a career that started over fifty years ago.  Many can stand to take major pointers from her today.

Black History Month Beauty: Esperanza Spalding

Ever heard of REAL MUSIC?  It does exist, believe me.  So let the Passions school you on a couple things.

Esperanza Spalding IS real music.  Ok, so she might be a bit sophisticated for some taste –  a 24yr old prodigy rocking out some incredible jazz on a bass violin and an acoustic guitar (the Passions has a thing for strings) writing lyrics that will melt your ear wax and fuck up your heart-strings.  This powerhouse, teaches, tours does prestigious collabos, she’s played for POTUS and FLOTUS at the White House.  And now after winning a Grammy – one can say she is pretty much well accomplished.  Just an amazing talent.  If you don’t believe me, if you really care, go to iTunes and sample, take a listen and become enlightened.

And that’s all I’m gonna say on the topic, except that, little sis rocks NATURAL HAIR!!!!!!  She has the most beautiful crop of locs in music.  The genius starts from the top of her spectacular head spreading out to the rest of her obviously profound soul.  She’s a rich mix of African-American, Welsh, Native American and Spanish and today, Esperanza Spalding is rocking BLACK HISTORY MONTH at the Passions.

The New York Times answers the question:  Who is Esperanza Spalding?

VIDEO:  Esperanza performs my personal fav, “I know You know,” live in San Sebastian

And in other news………………………..

Happy V-J-J Day, My Passions Lovelies.  Sending Loving and Heart wishes to you all.

Black History Beauty: Vonette McGee

We made it to Friday, Love Bunnies!!!

We are going to wind down our Black History Salute to Blaxploitation Sirens today honoring Vonette McGee.   Did you know there were quite a few tremendously gorgeous black actresses gracing the silver screen back in the seventies?  The overwhelming beautiful Miss McGee was able to break-out of the blaxploitation mold of Blacula, Hammer with Fred Williamson and Shaft in Africa with Richard Roundtree to more ‘mainstream’ hollywood starring with Clint Eastwood as a double agent in The Eiger Sanction.  This was a huge step.  With respect to the Passions including the topic of Blaxploitation icons during Black History – I took a quote from Fred Williamson that basically summed up my feelings on it.  Fred Williamson, who knew Vonetta before they costarred, recalled, “Vonetta McGee was like a lot of actors and actresses at that time, like myself, Jim Brown, Richard Roundtree, Billy Dee Williams and Pam Grier, in that we had more talent than we were allowed to show because everything was perceived as a black project. Once they categorize you, your marketability becomes limited.”  So respectfully, we honor this courageous, remarkable and incredibly sexy black actresses who embraced her blackness while parlaying an immense talent, however controversial, and gave us something to look back on and to hold on to – to reflect the complexities of those times.  We’ll never, ever forget.  

The incredibly talented and beautiful Vonette McGee passed on just last year.  RIP.

Black History Month Beauty: Tamara Dobson

Happy Thursday Happy Ones,

Ever heard of Cleopatra Jones?  Of course you have, she was a 6’2, leggy, gorgeous specimen of exotic chocolate thunder by the real name of Tamara Dobson.  And so since we talked about the controversial topic of blaxploitation yesterday I thought we hang on a moment longer to another magnificently beautiful black actress doing Kung Fu kicks knocking down racial and gender barriers.  Tamara Dobson was another Passions lady crush.  (I had great taste as a little girl, didn’t I???)

We lost this beauty in 2006 – and to say we miss her presence would be a gross understatement.  However, we will always forever remember her contributions to Black History Month.  Tamara Dobson, RIP.

Tamara Dobson, 59 – Model, Actress, dies – New York Times

Black History Month Beauty: Pam Grier

Hi Cuties,

So we are continuing our Black History Beauty series.

I’m feeling the oldies but goodies these days, especially since the Passions is always crushing on the more younger, hipper, feminine beauties of today.  But to me, Black History encompasses a much larger aspect of our community – those feminine trail blazers that made it possible for those younger lovelies to do what they do so well.

So, another one of my bigger lady crushes growing up was Pam Grier.  Yes, PAM  GRIER.  Known as Queen of Blaxploitation cinema, she meant so much more to little girls growing up not really seeing anything vaguely resembling themselves on the big screen.  She was powerful, she was strong, she was kick-ass and she was magnificently beautiful – something all little girls need to feel in order to be empowered in a world that is often unkind to them.  So I was beyond happy to know that Miss Grier was cast as a major character in the Showtime series The L-word.  Although initially I felt the writing for her character was beyond sub-par – like seriously people, her storyline did improve somewhat over time.  At any rate, we would love to see more of Miss Grier on the silver screen or on the tube because she is a true Black History trailblazer.

Black History Month: Lonette McKee

Good After-noon my Darlings,

Today the Passions is honoring the gorgeous Miss Lonette McKee.

Back when the Passions was a little girl she had crushes on pretty lady actresses.  Lonette Mckee was one such actress when she starred in SPARKLE.  I was crushed out then and admittedly crushed out still.  Growing up I didn’t want to be like Lonette McKee – I wanted to !@#$& her 🙂 !  Some of you might remember Sparkle, I’m betting most of you don’t but I urge you to see it as it inspired the whole Dream Girls thing.  Anyway, from Brewster’s Millions, The Cotton Club, The Women of Brewster Place (it’s old school people, NOT ancient history) to my all time favorite – for those of you who know me personally – She Hate Me, Miss McKee has developed quite a decent filmography.  And to put it respectfully, she’s kind to the eyes.  Enjoy the pictorial journey.

Black History Month: Vogue Italia’s Black Allure

Good Morning Lovelies,

We all know that Black is beautiful :).

But we also know that there are many elements of society that would like for us and the rest of the universe to believe otherwise.  Most notably I’m referring to the modeling industry.  From the absence of our rich, luscious shades in all facets of fashion publications and on the world’s finest runways to the openly disrespectful taunts targeted at our First Lady Michelle Obama because of her fashion choices – The Passions thought it was very necessary to rep our tall, leggy, statuesque Queens for defying the naysayers and defending our rightful throne of being the most beautiful.  It must be true as others try so hard to convince the world otherwise.

Here Vogue Italia does their annual Black is Beautiful issue.  And as you can see, it is beyond remarkable.