Republican Vs. Democrat, Male Vs. Female, War Vs. Peace, Light Vs. Dark, Good Vs. Evil, Man Vs. Machine, Love Vs. Hate, Dog Vs. Cat, Sun Vs. Moon, Brain Vs. Brawn, Oscar Vs. Grammy, Angel Vs. Demon, Laurel Vs. Hardy, Beer Vs. Wine, TV Vs. Radio, Pitcher Vs. Batter, Paper Vs. Plastic, Reality Vs. Fantasy, Yeshua Vs. Beelzebub, Conservative Vs. Liberal, You Vs. Me, House Vs. Senate, Offense Vs. Defense, Kramer Vs. Kramer, Spy Vs. Spy, Fischer Vs. Spassky, W.C. Fields Vs. Sobriety, Harold Gimpy, Jr. Vs. Sheldon J. Pismire, Rock Vs. Paper Vs. Scissors, Islam Vs. Everything, Singer Vs. Singer, Band Vs. Band...
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'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' ('BOTB')
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Shoop-Shooby -
Shooby-Duh-Dooby-Doop-Dooby-Dooby-Doo-Wah -
Buh-Doo-Wah!
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Yes, it's time once again for 'Battle Of The Bands' ('BOTB').
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Alright, let's get on it. Let's get ON this thing!...
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| EUGENE MARTONE VS. JACK BUTLER |
FIRST, A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
For those of you who did not see my previous blog bit, beginning with THIS Battle, THIS blog is going to a new BOTB schedule: From now on, I will be constructing just 1 BOTB contest per month. My Battles will always appear on the 15th of every month, with my own vote noted and the Battle Result being announced on the 21st of each month.
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However, I want those BOTBers who decide to retain the old schedule of two Battles per month (the 1st and 15th) to know that if you make me aware of your First-Of-The-Month BOTB installments, I will continue to vote on them just as if I also had a Battle in progress at that same time (although I won't because the TIMES they have a-changed!)
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To commemorate "the changing times" of most BOTB participants who have decided to reduce their BOTB involvement to once-a-month, I decided to use the classic Bob Dylan song 'THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGING' in this round. It's unquestionably one of the most quoted songs of all-time and played a large part in Dylan being (justly) recognized as the greatest American song lyricist.
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Wackypedia sez:
"The Times They Are a-Changin'" is a song written by Bob Dylan and released as the title track of his 1964 album of the same name. ... Ever since its release the song has been influential to people's views on society, with critics noting the general yet universal lyrics as contributing to the song's lasting message of change. Dylan has occasionally performed it in concert. The song has been covered by many different artists ... [It] was ranked number 59 on Rolling Stone's 2004 list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
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(But then again, what would those tards at 'Rolling Stone' know?!).
This is a 3-Way Battle with each version being radically different in style from each other -- from Rock to Gospel to Spanish...
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| GOODNIKS VS. NO-GOODNIKS |
PHIL COLLINS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
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| GODZILLA VS. KING KONG |
MERRY CLAYTON w/ The Brothers & Sisters Of Los Angeles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2haiLrFRJqY
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| RIDDLER VS. BATMA |
FRANKY PEREZ & Los Guardianes del Bosque
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
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Question: Will someone win this Battle?
Magic 8-Ball: "As I See It, Yes"
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That, almost certainly, means it will be a tie.
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Alright now, “you know the gig”... I welcome you (whether I know "you" or not) to vote for your favorite of these songs in the comment section below. And feel free to tell us WHY you chose one song over the other.
After voting here, I suggest - actually I insist - you pop over to the blogs of the other 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' participants to see which songs they have chosen and vote there also. (If their ‘BOTB’ blog bits aren’t posted yet, pour yourself two shots of ‘Grand Marnier’ over ice – do it twice – and then return to their blogs to
Voice Your Vote...
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
As I've done in the past, I will continue to return to my 'BOTB' blog bit on the 21st of each month to post my own vote and announce the winner in the comment section.
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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This was one of the first Dylan songs where I really started to take notice of Dylan as a songwriter and made a connection between him and his song. The first version I heard of this song was the cover done on the album Beach Boys Party. Despite their playful handling of the song I recognized it as being a very cool song. The next version I heard was by the Byrds. I meticulously copied the lyrics down on paper--this was when getting lyrics was a tedious hassle that required repeated listenings to the vinyl, picking up the needle from the record and trying to replace it in the same spot after I copied whatever lines I had previously heard.
ReplyDeleteBottom line, it's a great song that captivated me back in my high school days when I was just a student in East Tennessee for whom the civil unrest across the country was something that only remotely touched me from TV news accounts.
AS for the versions you've presented here, I'll immediately dismiss Merry Clayton. She does her version well, but her style is just not my thang.
Franky Perez? As you probably know I do like music Espanol style, and this version is nicely done, but not a big grab for me. But it is nice to listen to.
At first glance at the contestants I figured Phil Collins would be definitely out for me, but I thought he did a good version of the song.
My vote goes to Phil Collins.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
LEE, knowing that you really don't care much for that Black Gospel style, I knew that Merry Clayton had a sinner's chance in hell of getting your vote.
DeleteBut I felt certain you'd go with Franky Perez because I know you have an affinity for Mexican music and because the acoustic guitar work on that track is so deliciously delicate yet passionate.
This goes to show that my prognosticating gift is no better than the Magic 8-Ball's.
~ D-FensDogG
[Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Stephen darlin'
ReplyDeleteAs much as I like Phil Collins (and I really do like Phil - I actually own a few of his albums) his voice started to grate on me in this song and I had to stop listening at about the 4 minute mark.
Gospel music isn't really my thang, but I can listen to it in small doses as well.
The spanish version was easy on the ears, but somehow I feel as though they didn't do the song full justice.
That being said, I'm going to give my vote to the gospel singers - Merry Clayton. I felt they had the best version that was fitting for the song.
~Mary
Thanks for the analysis, MMQE.
DeleteI find it interesting that this song was written early in Dylan's career during his Folk "social protest" era, and long before his conversion to Christianity and his first Gospel album in 1979.
In 1965, a female reporter asked Dylan if he read The Bible and he said no, that he had glanced at it but had never read it. She then began to say she'd asked because a lot of the things he wrote seemed to have Biblical connotations.
And she was exactly right. Many of his earlier, pre-Christian, secular protest songs seemed to hearken to Biblical verses and ideas.
An example: In this song, Dylan wrote...
"For the loser now will be later to win"
...
The slow one now
Will later be fast"
And that is very close to what Jesus said in Matthew 20:16...
"So the last will be first, and the first last."
Dylan being Dylan, it's hard to know if he was telling the truth or just pulling that reporter's leg, but if this is a coincidence, it's a pretty wild one.
And I find it rather incredible how well this social protest song actually works when interpreted as a Gospel. It reminds me of Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. If one imagines those lyrics being spoken by God to the listener, it becomes (in my mind, anyway) one of the all-time great Gospel songs, even if that's not what S&G intended it to be. (Which I am assuming they didn't, although I could be mistaken.)
~ D-FensDogG
[Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
BOTW is one of my favorite songs. And yes, the song was inspired by a line in a gospel song. It was originally written for the guitar, but after Garfunkel agreed to do the lead vocals, Simon changed it to a piano arrangement to give it a more gospel feel, and also to better suit Garfunkel's voice.
DeleteInsert 'The More You Know' image here :)
~Mary
MARY, you are so full of... music information. HA!
DeleteWell, no wonder then that BOTW seems like an ideal Gospel song. Not much of a coincidence.
You know, I have a theory:
If one looks through Paul Simon's musical history, there are quite a number of references to Jesus (and Gospel influences) for a secular Jew.
Methinks Paul has been on the verge of converting to Christianity for a long, long time. I should call Mr. Zimmerman one of these days and tell him to yak with Mr. Simon.
~ D-FensDogG
[Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteI wasn't familiar with this song or many of his songs for that matter but I found the factoid that he turned to Christ a nice tidbit to know. That's awesome!
I like Phil Collins and thought I'd go with him initially but I actually preferred the gospel and Latino covers.
It felt like I was sitting in the pews of a small rural church while I listened to the soulful, power house gospel rendition with the Holy Spirit working miracles in hearts.
The Spanish version is soothing to my ears and mood. I love the contrast of Perez's cover. It gave me such peacefulness which I need and earned my vote. Please put me down for Franky Perez.
Thanks for letting me know of your new BoTB schedule. I plan to do the next couple of months off unless I change my mind. Hey, I'm a woman. I can do that! :) I can't promise but I'll try to visit everyone if I can remember. My brain gets overloaded sometimes. Whenever you can stop in to vote in A Father's Day Tribute #BoTB Showdown!
CATHY ~
DeleteHokey-Smoke! You'd never heard this song before? Really? OK. But surely you've often run across the expression "the times they are a-changin'", right?
With your FRANKY PEREZ vote, every one of my contestants has now received a vote. No one will get shutout, and I likey!
Say, I'd been to your blog and voted on your Battle even BEFORE you voted here. I hope my comment didn't disappear from your blog. I know it was published there before I left your site.
Sure, you're free to take a couple months off from blogging.
See ya at yer July 15th Battle, my friend!
[;^)}
~ D-FensDogG
[Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
StMcC -
ReplyDeleteI like all three versions of the song you've presented... quite a bit, in fact. You will prefer the Merry Clayton version because of the religious/gospel and Los Angeles connections.
The Perez version is lovely, but not quite right to my ears... but had I been raised in a different culture, then perhaps it would sound JUST right.
Collins will be the one dislike the most by far, but it is the one I prefer. To you, it will be overlong and over-produced. It features synths which you loathe.
But I have always really liked Phil's voice and think it is an exceptional version here.
BROTHER McITCHYFINGER, thanks so much for checking in with your vote. I know I've said it many times, but I sincerely appreciate your longtime support of my BOTB installments. Sincerely!
DeleteOh, Bro! -- I am so misunderstood by you.
First, I too like every single one of the recordings I've presented here. Only on very rare occasions do I use a recording in BOTB that I personally dislike. For the most part, I won't subject my readers / listeners to anything that I myself would be loathe to listen to.
I DO INDEED like that Black Baptist Gospel style in general. In fact, I love it to the same degree that I hate Rap... and Speed Metal,... Hair Bands,... most Disco... OK, I'll stop now.
But the Los Angeles connection means nuttin' to me. It could be "The Brothers And Sisters Of New York" and I'd feel the exact same way about it. Unlike someone from the Philly area who shall remain nameless, I am not provincial. When you're from Los Angeles, there are SO MANY connections and cultural touchstones that they become almost meaningless. (In fact, you know that song by Sheryl Crow, 'ALL I WANNA DO'? It repeatedly mentions Santa Monica Boulevard in the chorus. I grew up in Santa Monica and if I had a dollar for every time I was on Santa Monica Blvd I'd have retired many moons ago. And yet, that Sheryl Crow song is certainly one of my 100 most hated songs of all time.)
I like Mexican music generally, even though all the Spanish I know is, "Mas cerveza, por favor." And I love the gorgeous acoustic guitar playing in the Perez version, along with the passionate singing.
Now, to Phil Collins. This is where you really don't quite "get" me. I actually like synthesizer, but only in a supporting role. When it is featured as a major component of a piece (such as in most ProgRock and that artificial '80s Pop like Flock Of Beta Males), that's when I hate it.
I really like how the Phil Collins version builds with additional instruments and intensity as it goes along. Now, admittedly, it reaches a point where it has an almost U2-like sound to me. But it's NOT U2, and I still like it.
So, there's that. Now let's drink on it. I'll have a cold Mojito and you can have a U2. Er... I mean, a V8.
[;^)}
~ D-FensDogG
[Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
HA! Well... let's just say that - although my votes are always for the version I think is best - sometimes my surrounding comments are mostly aimed at stirring up trouble. These then prompt you to reply to me and clarify your thoughts. And you did.
DeleteThink of it like Rush Limbaugh describes his listeners: "their purpose is to make the host look good."
SIXGUNBOY ~
DeleteYou? Stir up trouble? YOU?! I'll not believe it! [:oD
Hmmm.... Well, if that's the case with Rush, then... he needs new listeners, IMO. 'Cause they ain't made him look good in about 4.28 dog years.
~ Stephenboy (aka Rupert)
[Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
All good versions of a song I hadn't really listened to before now. Wow. I'm convinced that Dylan was a prophet in disguise. Not exactly a song I'd expect to hear from Phil Collins and while Merry Clayton did a rousing rendition, my hat tips to Franky for "singing it how it feels" ;-)
ReplyDeleteHowdy, dIEDRE, my Arizona Desert friend! Thanks for stopping by to listen and vote.
DeleteThis is shaping up to be a really good Battle and I have absolutely NO IDEA how it's going to turn out.
Glad to see the Spanish version get another vote. I knew that version was sort of the "wild card" in this contest and I was hoping there would be voters who could embrace it despite it being sung in a foreign language. I really dig it, too!
I'm sure you heard that recently Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. I don't put any real stock in awards like that, but the fact that no other songwriter has ever won it says something.
I don't like all of Zimmy's songs, but I like most of them, and some are almost otherworldly. Although I'm not really partial to it, I consider 'Mr. Tambourine Man' to be the only genuine poetry ever recorded as a modern song.
And then there's 'It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)' which is my favorite Dylan song and which I find utterly mind-blowing. If you ever have nuttin' much to do and want to try a little exercise, sit down with a piece of paper and a pen and chart the rhyming scheme in 'It's Alright, Ma'. Just the rhyming pattern alone is out-of-the-box brilliant, and that's without even taking into consideration the lyrics themselves which... even Dylan has admitted he could not duplicate. He said that for a few years there ('64-'66) he was in some sort of creative zone that he couldn't understand, couldn't explain, but the songs just flowed out of him as if they were writing themselves and he was just the channel they used to get out, and he rode that gift to super-stardom.
Thanks again for supporting BOTB, dIEDRE!
~ D-FensDogG
[Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
I give it all to Franky Perez from his singing and emotion he put into it to the beautiful styling which is beautiful with the harp. Second goes to the gal who sang it well and last to Collins who sounded like Dylan actually.
ReplyDeleteBIRGIT, I thank you for your participation! Surprisingly (to me, anyway) Franky Perez with his Spanish version of this song has actually taken a lead in the voting.
DeleteAnd I agree with you that Phil Collins does indeed sound a trace like Dylan. Perhaps he was thinking that since he was doing a Dylan song he'd kind of "Dylanesque"-it-up a shade in the vocals department.
Thanks for listening and voting!
~ D-FensDogG
[Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
I suspect the revised schedule will work better for many. Go ahead and remove me from the list for now. I probably won't be able to post a BoTB until September. I will be at camp in July and traveling in August, with an extended stay in Augusta.
ReplyDeletePhil Collins stuck with the original sound. Was it just me or did even sound Dylan-esque? I'm not sure I would have known who was singing just by listening. The Spanish group made it their own. It was a bit tra la la for me, but I liked it. I thought Merry Clayton did it the best. Soulful, but true to the intention of the song. Excellent choice in song to celebrate the changes!
Thanks for stopping by with a vote! And, yes, a couple of us feel that Phil Collins was sort of doing a bit of a Dylan impersonation with his vocal. Not exceedingly so -- not laying it on thick -- but just kind of subtly so.
DeleteOK, I have removed the link to your blog from my sidebar and my future BOTB pages won't include it either unless I hear from you at some future point that you want to return to BOTB.
Safe travels!!
~ D-FensDogG
[Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Hey Stephen,
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday! I do like this song and love the lyrics. At first I thought I'd vote for Phil Collins because I liked his version right off and I like so much of his music. But then I heard Merry Clayton's version and I was like Wow, I really like this! Maybe Phil's just sounded a bit too much like Dylan's...although I really did enjoy the instrumentation in his version.
Franky Perez's version is really nice too. And especially today, on Father's Day, having just posted a tribute to my Dad today and mentioning his love of going to the flea market here and listening to the Mexican bands play while drinking a few beers, it made the song a bit sentimental for me as well.
So I guess it's going to come down to Merry Clayton vs Franky Perez for my vote. What to do, what to do?? Can I split my vote??
Well, if I have to choose, I'm going to go with Merry. She has a tremendous voice. But Franky's version is right up there too so it's a very close call, imo.
I was a huge Sons of Anarchy fan. They had such a great soundtrack throughout the series. I can't picture the scene in which this song played but it will be interesting to go back and find it...
Hope you're having a good weekend!
Michele at Angels Bark
I have never seen 'Sons Of Anarchy' but I've encountered a few songs that were used in the soundtrack which I have liked.
DeleteI think Merry Clayton has now taken a lead in this Battle, which is turning out pretty good (although the votes seem to be coming in rather slowly).
Your Pa was onto something! Somehow, Mexican music and cerveza really do seem to go well together. I'm extremely particular about what music I'm willing to drink beer to (Ha!-Ha!), but Mexican music is one that works for me.
Glad you struggled with this one. I just kind of tossed it together on a whim but I like how close it is.
~ D-FensDogG
[Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
And Stephen,
ReplyDeleteAnother tough Battle! All different yet the same. Now, I will admiit that I always felt Phil Collins was a bit of a lightweight. Don't bet me wrong he does have some good songs with good memories attached to them. The Gospel version was good but my vote goes to Franky Perez & Los Guardianes del Bosque. It sound like a song that could have been played at a 99 Cent Club session right after Willie Nelson...Barbarosa! Now there you have it.
JW,
Pooh
...AND POOH... THAT'S NOT ALL!...
DeleteI love your comments, Brother! They ALWAYS bring back to my mind so many fond memories and almost always make me literally LOL! (This one did, at the moment I got to "Barbarosa!" ...Why, I know you! You're Mister Shit! HA! Man... man... I wouldn't trade those years for ANYTHIN'! Life was good, we were drunk, and the word "transgendered" had no meaning. What's that? A hot blonde behind the wheel of a Trans Am?)
Hmmm.... I actually would have guessed you as a vote for Phil Collins, but that goes to know ya what I show.
I raise my glass of (artificially flavored) Strawberry Horchata and Popov Vodka in salute to the good memory of the deceased 99 CENT CLUB and to Willie Nelson who is 'ALWAYS ON MY MIND'. Uh... er... you know I meant that in the most "JOHN WAYNE" and "CONFIDENT HETEROSEXUAL" Way, right?
Damn! I think I just found a hair in this Strawberry Horchata! I thought "hair of the dog" was figurative, NOT literal.
That's it! From now on I drink my daily quart of Vodka straight! Just like the "Werewolf Of London" did. If it was good enough for Warren, it's good enough for me!
Thanks for your vote and for your humor (you Non-Drink-Havin' Muhthuh Phuquh! ;^)
~ Stephen
Phil Collins wins this one, IMO.
ReplyDeletePhil was in need of a vote, so THANKS for that!!
Delete~ D-FensDogG
[Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Al Bondigas here. Before listening to any of the versions, I thought the Frankie Perez y Los Guardianes Del Bosque would be an interesting take on this type of song. I thought they would get the rulin'. I also couldn't imagine Phil Collins doing this song. And reading where people heard him doing it sounding like Dylan, I thought, WHAT THE HELL? This is gonna suck. But, to my ears Collins pulled it off and won this judge's rulin. That's it!! That's my rulin'. Inside joke here. " I still can't believe he got out of that barrel."
ReplyDeleteGood news, Boss! Da Cap'n, Collins, is outta dat barrel! Ain't dat fine? Now you jus' go on an' enjoy dem hotcakes an' I'll see if I can find out how da Cap'n got out.
DeleteI had you pegged as a Franky voter, JUDGE AL. I'm as bad as the 8-Ball. (Low on 'lectrolytes.)
~ D-FensDogG
[Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Right, right.
DeleteHey St Mac; how goes life in the big town? Your wings get ruffled in all that wind? Gads, I need some wind free days. Loving the sun though.
ReplyDeleteYep, Phil did a great Dylan impersonation, and did the song very well. I love Phil Collins, can listen to him play piano forever.
SOA was sheer twisted fun I loved the program. It ended perfectly, and it was time it ended. They had awesome and unique music. I should look for a soundtrack to play on my long drives. Perez and the guys did an awesome version. It sounds beautiful in spanish, those guitars.
All three were excellent. I'm giving my late vote to Merry and the siblings. Righteous sound; and lately I need a bit of righteousness to tone down my speed demon ways.
Sorry to see you are down-sizing the BotB. Life just happens sometimes, and don't I know it.
See ya 'round Dude.
OH, DONNA, YOU WILD THING! ~
DeleteThanks for stopping by my humble little blog to cast a vote. (My blog is humble. I, however, am a raging narcissist with a massive superiority complex[;^)
Is this "the big town"? Reno? "The Biggest Little Disappointment In The World"?
Did you know our mutual friend left the area and moved East?
Yeah, those guitars on the Franky recording, huh? So delicate yet emotive in an emotionally moving way that expresses emotions. (That's clear enough, right?)
>>... "Righteous sound; and lately I need a bit of righteousness to tone down my speed demon ways."
Not only am I a narcissistic egotist, but I'm very self-righteous as well. I've got it all goin' for me, baby!
Where are the slot machines I should be playing these days?
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
What a battle, a song done three different ways. My vote goes for Merry Clayton
ReplyDeleteThanks. I would have guessed you as a Phil Collins voter. Good thing my livelihood is not dependent upon my BOTB prognosticating ability.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Almost forgot to come back and leave a comment. Interesting BATTLE you got here. Didn't like Phil and his poor man's Dylan much. The Mexicali guitars where really pretty good and gave the song an unusual flair, but I'll take mine Gospel.
ReplyDeleteGospel
I'm very happy you remembered to return to bote, FAE. I thought about reminding you, but I hate buggin' people about it.
DeletePOOR MAN'S DYLAN: Nope.
GUITAR-FLAVORED TEQUILA: Good, But Nope.
NOT JUST GOOD BUT "MERRY" NEWS: This Porridge Is Just Right.
Thanks, FAE. See ya again next month on the 15th?
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
This was a great battle. Each version is so wildly different. Now that my white privilege has melted away like a snowflake in the sun, leaving behind my natural dirty brown, I thought I'd pick Franky. His version really is fantastic. But yep, Phil Collins pulled this one off. Naturally, he's hit or miss for me. Some of his songs I really like, and others I just can't stand. But this one I really like, so I pick him. And so does Other B (but you already knew that).
ReplyDelete~Julio Seis-Abeja
Thanks, Julio! Glad you liked the Battle. I appreciate the bote from you and Other B. I actually guessed right on this one. It's 'cause I remembered to drink my 'lectrolytes.
DeleteI had to laugh at this: "a snowflake in the sun".
Did you know there's a movie titled A Raisin In The Sun? I saw it once, a godzillion years ago.
But I'm thinking that "A Snowflake In The Sun" is the perfect title for a SJW satire. Damn! Just the title alone gets the gears in my mind turning. (Too bad so many of those gears are now missing teeth.)
That title overflows with White Privilege runoff threatening to flood the whole damn world! (Got ark?)
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Fun fact: back in high school, our English class was forced to read aloud and act out A Raisin in the Sun. No one cared, plus I was a jackass (still am, but I was back then, too), so when no one volunteered, I offered to play Mama. And I did my vivacious ghetto black girl impression throughout the whole thing. Oh no, honey boo boo chile, you diin't!
DeleteThe class howled with laughter, no one learned anything but at least it was fun, and most importantly, no one got offended because this was back in a time when people had a better sense of humor. I think the black kid in class was laughing hardest of all.
Ha! That's indeed a "fun" fact. Hopefully you wore your high school I.D. photo afro for that role.
DeleteYou mentioned "the black kid in class". That actually made me COL, too. You with your Half 'N' Half privilege and one lonely token Black to a classroom. [;^)}
I was surrounded in my classrooms by all the children who are precious in His sight (Red and Yellow, Black and Brown). And we all got along just fine. But then that was the 1970s, long before everyone discovered their "inner racist" and no one had to check any "privilege" at the door.
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...