By now you have heard that Lena Horne passed away on Sunday. I thought she was just the epitome of elegance. I also thought that she had a striking resemblance in certain pictures (like this one) to my own grandmother -- don't think I'm patting myself on the back -- I don't look at all like my grandmother. But I always loved looking at pictures of my grandmother and family back in the 30's and 40's, when they looked so well-put together and beautiful -- and they made it look so effortless. My family wasn't rich, but they always looked sharp. As much as I would love to uphold that tradition, I fall far, far short on a regular basis. I also admire their focus on the importance of family, which is too easy for me to put to the side for work.
Lena was elegant and striking and talented and seemed gracious and strong and intelligent. Though Black women who played maids opened doors for Black actresses, Lena stood her ground, never played a maid, and blazed trails for Black actresses as well. We still have a long way to go in how the wider society sees Black women -- when Oprah and Michelle Obama are seen as exceptions and not the norm in terms of who Black women are and how they comport themselves. I am glad that I grew up in a world that had Lena Horne as an example of all those traits I mentioned before, but I am more glad and proud that I was able to personally know women who embodied those qualities. They handed down a legacy of dignity that I will try my best to pass on to my daughter.
Most people, when they think of Lena Horne, think of "Stormy Weather," but I've always had a soft spot for her ever since I was 7 years old and saw her as The Good Witch of the South in the movie version of The Wiz, one of my favorite movies to this day -- no matter what other people say about it.
This song gave me chills as a child. I knew I was hearing greatness. It still can bring me to tears.
(Check out the sweet, beautiful little Black babies as stars in the night sky)
"If you believe, then in your heart you'll know,
That no one can change the path that you must go.
Believe in what you feel and know you're right because
The time will come around when you'll say it's yours...
Believe in yourself, right from the start
You've got to believe, believe in the magic right there in your heart.
Go 'head believe all these things, not because I told you to
Go 'head believe, believe in yourself,
Believe, believe in yourself,
Believe in yourself as I believe in you."
1 comment:
Wow. Where did you find this video?!
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