In America is the "Great Migration" Being Consistently Enacted?

- No employment; move

- No housing; move.

- No love; move.

- No hope; die.

Are migrators purposely forced to shift their entire livelihood, simply to appease those who crave a certain way of life? That way of life may exclude certain races of people who may have differing statuses, while being placed in "a box" labeled "class". 

African Americans began their Great Migration between 1910-1970, leaving horrid memories of the South behind to advance North, towards freedom and opportunity. The great migration of African Americans was attributed to fierce racism, which was protected by Jim Crow law from 1876-1965. 

When the Emancipation Proclamation was enacted in 1863, that was code for Black people to get-the-hell out of the South! 

The executive order passed by our 16th President Abraham Lincoln, infuriated White Southerners to the point of retaliation; enters the first Klan members of 1866, with political massacres carried out by 1868. With no hope for career opportunities in the South -- the "Great Migration" commenced. 

Was it difficult for African Americans to up and leave the South, being that they had no money because their forced labor didn't acknowledge their worth? What about when they reached their destination, where would they lay their heads? 

The desperation for freedom to live, far surpassed their fears of the unknown that certainly awaited them on their enduring journey. 

Fast forward to 2013, where some of the richest Americans have roots firmly planted in the South, with many companies of substantial status to show for it. The heads of these companies will most certainly hire like-minded individuals, as to not cause in off-set within the conservative utopia. 

Hiring individuals not like-minded, is a game that must be played due to federal laws and regulations currently in place. However, those companies can retaliate by keeping "not like-minded" individuals at bay; meaning to be kept in lower wage job positions with no opportunity for advancement. And only those who've experienced it can properly call it by its name; discrimination.

- No employment; move.

- No housing; move.

- No love; move.

- No hope; die.

2013 LA

Lee Daniels' "The Butler" - Movie Review

The much anticipated film of the year and the biggest hit at the box office to date Lee Daniels' "The Butler", had me on edge as the storyline opened up to America's greatest sin; slavery. 

The slavery scene in the beginning set the mood for the rest of the film, and I immediately understood the journey in which I was about to embark; It was dark, stifled, lonely, and the only traces of light was the love shown between a father and his family. Love of family coupled with a people's persistence to persevere regardless of the odds, is what got me through the film. 

One of the most disturbing scenes displayed the Freedom Riders where Klansmen/civilians attacked a group of college students, until their bus exploded into flames. Every emotion in me wanted to make my body stand-up and throw something at the movie screen, I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs for them to STOP! 

As the heinous scene dissipated into the next so did my fury, leaving behind traces of my tears. As my heart palpitations ceased, the struggle between father and son continued. A struggle between two men living in two different worlds and clashing, because while one tempted the status quo the other tried harder not too.

The true events of the film gave way to the election of our first black president, Barack Hussein Obama. I surprised myself when my body began quivering, emitting loud sobs from deep within that my neighboring movie goers couldn't help but hear. It was an unexpected reaction at the end of the film, but as I replayed Lee Daniels' "The Butler" in my head -- my loud outcry made sense. The journey of darkness led to a victory of light and after all that, my sobs of bittersweet emotions were indeed relevant.

Kudos to the writer of this film Danny Strong and the Director Lee Daniels, for bringing this film to our eyes and ears. And kudos to the extraordinary cast for using their artistic craft of acting, to simultaneously mess with ALL my emotions. This film is a must see!

2013 LA