Thinking out loud
Angels Cry Too
Angels Cry Too!
Cry Angel Cry.
Cry because you are hurt.
Cry because you are happy.
Cry because you are tough.
Cry because you are sad.
Cry because you made it.
Cry because you can.
Let the tears fall down.
Angels cry too!
Black girl you are allowed to cry!
They’re so quick to lift you up but quicker to tear you down.
That crown you are holding up will soon be on the ground.
While others are allowed to be tough and cry when they don’t “Succeed”
You better NOT even think about it.
Because you know how you are perceived.
That softness you showed does NOT pertain to you.
That softness, It’s only for the chosen few!
Again, we have to remind them.
That Angels cry too!
There are others that have been there.
Been there before you,
They can also tell you a thing or two.
Ask Sha’Carri, Simone, Gabby, and Megan just a list, to name a few.
I cry too!
Tears of rage.
Rage for the language,
The disrespectful language.
you know the suck it up butter cup.
The “cowardly dog”
The “dirty debutantes.”
And let’s not forget those “Nappy headed hos.”
The constant disrespect, even in your vulnerability.
The Vulnerability of your tears.
Why is this not all so clear?
But for them those tears are only for some peers.
But I am here to tell you, cry all you want.
To all the beautiful Black girls including my daughters
While picking up that crown
Let the tears fall down.
Because
Angels cry too!
-Yflorence
SPOT LIGHT CORNER: WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Shine A Light on: The Women Of A Different World
I was recently watching an episode of Abbott Elementary and to my delight I was so excited to see the actor Cree Summer in a guest role. There she was, a mature Freddie Brooks, obviously in a different role. Somehow, I feel still dressed how Freddie Brooks would be dressed in 2024. This immediately made me smile and think of one of the television shows that helped shape my teenage years and why I originally chose to attend an HBCU (I didn’t graduate from said HBCU but that’s another story). If you have figured it out by now, I’m speaking of the classic sitcom A Different World. There are shows that we remember and love when we were younger and there are shows that literally are part of our childhood or teenage years. This was the show for me.
With March being Women’s History month, I thought I’d pay homage to the women of A Different World. A Different World ran six seasons, debuting on September 24, 1987. I was 14 years old. The last show aired on July 9, 1993. The show takes place mostly at the fictitious campus of Hillman College. We, the audience, got to experience an array of characters walking the Hillman halls for six years. These characters became part of my world every Thursday night. I remember taking no phone calls the hour that Cosby Show and A Different world was on.
The women of A different World each possess their own superpowers. From characters such as Denise Huxtable (played by Lisa Bonet) and Maggie Lauten (Marisa Tomei), both only appearing in season one, to other characters we came to love and look for season after season. These staples such as Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor (Dawnn Lewis), Kimberly Reese (Charnele Brown), Freddie Brooks (Cree Summer), Charmaine Brown (Karen Malina White), Gina Deveaux (Ajai Sanders), Lena James (Jada Pinkett Smith) and the woman you will recognize from her southern twang before she even enters the room, Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy).
With six seasons of enjoying the laughter and tears of this wonderful ensemble cast there is far to many moments to cover. However, I wanted to mention a few moments that these women added to the show. I get such joy thinking about the sassy leader Jaleesa was from day one. She went from being a divorced nontraditional student to owning her own company. She was a true leader and lived up to that boss’s attitude episode after episode. Her character was a triple threat. She was intelligent, could sing and dance. Whether it was watching her, and Whitley compete to be Glady’s Knight backup singer or choreographing a step routine for Gilbert Hall. It was a treat watching her character mature season after season. Speaking of mature, it seems as if Kimberly Reese had a mature attitude from the beginning. She entered Hillman in season two. It was awesome seeing a young Black female studying to be a doctor often working so hard, she at times forgot to have fun. A memorable moment for me was when she decided to be deceptive and leave school during home coming, not realizing her father was going to come to campus and catch her in the lie. Kim had a few mishaps however she always kept her eyes on the prize, which was medical school.
We can’t mention Kim without mentioning Freddie Brooks. She also made her debut in season two. The free spirit, loveable, social Justice warrior was always on a mission. We watched her take a stand against Apartheid, bring attention to the foster care system and deal with sensitive subjects such as date rape. Freddie Brooks was ahead of her time. As time moved on, new characters began to roam Gilbert Hall. We soon looked to a new trio Charmaine, Gina, and Lena James (Jada Pinkett Smith) to make their mark and boy did they deliver. The group faced situations such as domestic violence, old boyfriends returning, breakups, fundraiser for peace and just sure laughter and comradery. For the sake of time, I am definitely not doing their contributions justice. These additions to the last two seasons were spot on and kept the show fresh. These women were all vastly different and that’s one of the reasons that made me tune in week after week.
Speaking of tuning in week after week, you can’t pay homage to these awesome characters without mentioning what some would say may be the most recognizable Hillman student. One of her famous quotes being “If the shoe fits, buy it.” This person is no other than Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy). Gilbert the Southern Belle raised to believe manners and money belong at the top of your resume. She has given us so many memorable moments covering topics such as navigating her parents divorce, falling in love for the first time, being responsible for her own bills, making real friends, sexual harassment and learning that there are bigger problems in the world other than hers still managing to make us laugh week after week. She was also a triple threat like Jaleesa. I almost forgot audiences may remember her most by the way she said her boyfriend, eventually husbands name Dwayne, putting a heavy emphasis on Dwwwaayne! I laugh just thinking about it.
I could go on and on talking about these women and this entire show. I was excited to hear that the cast is currently celebrating the 35-year anniversary of A Different World with an HBCU tour. I hope they will eventually expand the tour for fans that grew up watching them.
I would like to end this tribute by mentioning other great women that have made this show the classic it is such as Jennifer Lewis (Dean Davenport), Mary Alice (Leticia Bostic), Loretta Devine (Stevie Rallen), Patti LaBelle (Adele Wayne), Diahann Carroll (Marion Gilbert) and Rosalind Cash (Dean Hughes). My last tribute would be to the great Debbie Allen. The legendary choreographer and actor producing and directing this amazing show. I have seen many interviews in which people stressed the show would not have been what is was if not for Allen. I love everything about her.
I give thanks to this awesome show and again to these awesome Women.
Spot Light Corner: Women's History Month
Shine a light on: Nell Carter
I don’t know what it is lately with me wanting to feel some type of nostalgia lately. Last month I literally binged watched episodes of the 80’s classic The Love Boat and now I’m currently watching Gimme a Break starring Nell Carter, another 80’s hit. I must say I used to love Gimme a Break. The show ran from 1981-1987. I was 14 years old in 87, the year the show ended. I must say I am enjoying watching the series all over again, looking at it with a new much more mature lens. The show is still just as funny in my opinion. I am in complete awe of Nell Carter. Her comedic timing and overall talent is noteworthy. I was happy to find these episodes on YouTube. I just had to share my thoughts with people. I thought what a wonderful way for me to start Women’s History month with a tribute to the late Nell Carter.
Carter was born on September 13, 1948, in Birmingham, Alabama. She moved to New York city after high school where she starred in her first Broadway show. She performed in other Broadway shows and acting jobs. She landed her big break in 1981 starring in Gimme a Break, in which she played a caretaker and mother figure to a friend’s widowed husband and his three daughters. Carter talent is unmatched in Gimme a Break. I remember being a young girl watching and laughing with my family. I recently watched an episode in which Carter sang Amazing Grace at a family funeral. I was so blown away, I had to rewind the scene. Her voice was beautiful. This also reminded me of a guest appearance she made on the television show Amen, starring Sherman Hemsley and Clifton Davis. She also sang in that episode. I can’t remember what that particular episode was about, however, I remember Carter singing and again me being totally speechless.
Gimme a Break ended after six seasons in 1987. Carter continued to act and do television shows such as Hangin With Mr. Cooper, also starring Holly Robinson Peete and Mark Curry. As with many people, Carters life did not go by without its trials and tribulations, but this is a post to reflect and pay homage during this Women’s History month. Carter works and contributions to the entertainment industry goes beyond compare. I am so happy that I was able to rediscover her shows and 40 years later her body of work can still make me laugh with her comedic work, smile with her Broadway shows and cry with her beautiful rendition of the song Amazing Grace.
Nell Carter passed away on January 23, 2003.
Thank you, Nell Carter!