All Aboard the Soul Train Express!!

Whats shakin, Old Skoolers?!

I know, I know its been awhile since my last Old Skool Time Travel. Truth be told, my old (t)rusty Time Machine has been at my uncle Lester's shop for some repairs. Never fear, though! I hopped back in the time traveling saddle last night.

I knew this ride was gonna be a funkadelic one when I heard none other than the P-Funkalicious music of George Clinton w/Parliament blasting through the Time Machine's speakers.
"You've got a real type of thing going down, gettin' down
There's a whole lot of rhythm going round

Ow, we want the funk
Give up the funk
Ow, we need the funk
We gotta have that funk "

I jumped out of bed, hip to the groove! Upon hearing the music, Calvin hopped out of bed, and surrendered his funk, too! When we got into the Time Machine, I had to settle him down, (he was so busy boogying to the music) and make him strap on his seat belt. Midway through the ride, our pajamas morphed into radical threads with psychedelic colors, wispy fringes, skintight bell-bottoms, and sky scraping platform shoes! What a ride!

Suddenly, the smoke machine inside the Time Machine started gushing clouds, and at the request of the song, the Time Machine's roof was torn off (that counts for another week at uncle Lester's shop). We had landed on the legendary dance floor at SOOOUUUUUUULLLLLL TRAIN! There stood Don Cornelius, with his proud afro, hip suit, and familiar glasses! Don, and everyone else there was so busy getting down to the music, they didn't even notice that we had landed. We were actually on Soul Train, on October 1, 1977!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once the Parliment song faded, Don grabbed his trusty mic, and in his best deep sexy voice said,
"Ladies and Gentlemen put your hands together and welcome to the stage three ladies of sophistication, style and soul... The Emotions!!!!"

I couldn't hide my excitement as I yelped, "DYNOMITE!"
I started clapping, and jumping around before the talented threesome even hit the stage! They began singing one of my favorite songs, REJOICE!! The song, their melodious, high pitched voices, took me to a far out place. I lost all control as my body moved and grooved to the music! Calvin, my dance partner was on the same high as me! Calvin wasn't gonna let those unfamiliar platforms stop him from moving to the music!
After a few more rhythmic selections, it was time for the Soul Train Scramble Board! (By this time, I'm very close to fainting from happiness!) Me and Calvin were chosen to answer one of the always easy questions. Don told us we had 60 seconds to unscramble the letters to reveal the name of a Dallas born soul singer who had orchestrated the sound track to the popular movie, The Mack. We placed the letters in all the right spots in just enough time to correctly answer, Willie Mack, and win a year's supply of Afro Sheen!!!

Next, it was time for my favorite part of the show! Me and Calvin sashayed on the sidelines as couples high stepped, booty bumped, and roboted down the Soul Train Line!!! This was the best part of the evening! All of the twosomes were perfectly in sync as they made their way down the infamous line! When it was our turn, I put to good use the Old Skool dances my mom took care to show me over the years, while Calvin was in step with me.

Old Skoolers, this was the best night ever! We had officially taken the hippest trip in America! After a few more lively performances, including the Emotions performing another hit, Best of My Love, Don Cornelius came to the center of the floor to recite his famous departing lines! This was it, Old Skoolers....LOVE, PEACE, and SOOOOUUUUULLLL!!!!!!!!!!

Recalling the Ladies In the Place With Style and Grace

As you all know by now, I'm a huge fan of Old Skool style. The big hair, of course, sky-high platform shoes, shake-yo-booty bell bottoms, and the flowy disco dresses are among my personal favorites from the Old Skool.

During my time travels, I've come in contact many, many style mavens from the past. My personal favorites are Cleopatra Jones (man she got it going on), Betty Davis, Thelma Evans (you already know), Iman, my girl Chaka, Willona Woods, Sophia Loren, Cher, and Diana Ross. The styles of these women range from lusty, uninhibited, far out, hard-boiled funk (pronounced FONK) to polished, unparalleled, enchanting glamour.

Without showing too much skin, and minus the inappropriate flashes a la Britney Spears, these Old Skool Fashion Champions managed to be fierce, but not filthy, impress, but not undress, to be seductive, but not slutty, and tempting without being trashy.

Today, join me in saluting the Fashionistas from way back when! Who is your favorite? It doesn't have to be one the women I've mentioned. The clothing that is soon to be featured on this website will reflect the artistry of the Old Skool threads these women once rocked, so STAY TUNED!

Peace,

Greenstar

A Night With the Black Panthers, Oh What A Night!

What it is, friends?

Sorry for not checking in with you all yesterday, I'm a little under the weather. I think I got a little cold from CHERI (yes you, CHECHE) when she stayed over with me for the weekend! Anyway, I'll be fine, but I'm gonna have to keep things short.

Last night's time travels took me for a long, intense ride. My time machine always manages to drop me off in the most fascinating places! You would never believe what I witnessed- a Black Panther meeting! There I stood, in early 1970's California among militant men and women who seemed to be the last African Americans who gave a damn about our communities, and our children.

Contrary to popular belief, everyone and everything at the meeting was calm and orderly. As I sat and listened to the leaders organize clothing drives for the poor brothers and sisters, speak about the free breakfast program they started in 1969 to feed our children, and employment opportunities, I felt a togetherness that I have never before known. Here, it seemed as though nobody was willing to watch his brother or sister be harmed, or go without food, clothing, or proper education. Unity was common theme. I left last night's meeting with a new sense of PRIDE, HONOR, and RESPECT for my people who not only fought for equality, but cherished the Black Family, safeguarded the community, and cultivated the youth.

DON'T SETTLE FOR THE VIOLENT PAINTING OF THE BLACK PANTHERS THE HISTORY BOOKS GIVE YOU. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH.


As I left last night's meeting, I was given a sheet of paper, on it, The Black Child's Pledge. Read it, understand it, and imagine how well behaved the children were then.

The Black Child's Pledge


I pledge allegiance to my black people.

I pledge to develop my mind and body to the greatest extent possible.

I will learn all that I can in order to give my best to my People in their struggle for liberation.

I will keep myself physically fit, building a strong body free from drugs and other substances which weaken me and make me less capable of protecting myself, my family, and my Black brothers and sisters.

I will unselfishly share my knowledge and understanding with them in order to bring about change more quickly.

I will discipline myself to direct my energies thoughtfully and constructively rather than wasting them in idle hatred.

I will train myself never to hurt or allow others to harm my Black brothers and sisters, for I recognize that we need every Black Man, Woman and Child to be physically, mentally, and psychologically strong.

These principles I pledge to practice daily and to teach them to others in order to unite my People.



fist found on mises.org.

Old Skool Time Travels

What's happening, Old Skoolers?!
Last night, as I strapped in for another ride in my time-machine, I decided that I wanted to bring back a memory : super colossal, jumbo, voluminous, feathery HAIR!


Y'all know what I'm talking about, huge, loose, fluffy curls a' la Diana Ross, and one of my faves, Chaka Khan! Everybody had it, fake or real! Imagine me, last night, as I walked through the 1970's, mouth wide open, and awe struck! While visiting the 1970's last night, I actually attended a Chaka Khan and Rufus concert! I noticed that all of the women there were clones of the funk diva. Big, loose, flowing curls were everywhere! I have cornrows, so I felt a little out of place, but I didn't have much time to think about that due to the ripping chords of the guitar, wild gyrations, and out of this world costumes, and Chaka's euphonious voice!


As I stood among the crowd, I felt a pinch of jealousy staring at all the bountiful hair. Afterwards, I made myself a promise to come back to 2007 (yawn) and re-create Chaka's hair. You all know I LOOOVVE big hair! As soon as I retire my long, beauteous cornrows, I'M GOING BIG! I am on a new quest to achieve the hair from last night's journey. I will post pics of my hair when I get the look I want. Unfortunately, I cannot post pics from last night's phenomenal concert, (obviously, there were no digital cameras) but I will try to find pics to show you what I want.

Check back daily as I recount my time travels. I will try to go back in time as often as I can! Going back and re-living the good old days is what I love to do most! Until then, may the force be with you!
Peace!