Comments on: SPIKE LEE, TYLER PERRY, BERRY GORDY, BILL COSBY + the Role of the Black Artist.

By: Pelvo White, Jr.

Pelvo White, Jr. — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 19:11:15 +0000

Arthur: You have asked ” did Motown lose authenticity by purposefully trying to appeal to a ” crossover audience ? It is my informed opinion that Motown didn’t lose a thing by making this most important move. The best New Years Eve party I ever had in my life was in the city of Saigon, Vietnam present day Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. That party was jumping to the beat of Motown sounds. The room was filled with people from all nationalities and from many differing countries. There were Chinese, Indians,Cambodians,White people, Black people from all walks of life, and from every corner of the earth getting down to the Motown sound. I felt good walking down the streets of Saigon listening to Stevie Wonder’s ” My Cherie Amour being played on loud speakers up and down the streets of Saigon.

By: Kirk Bonin

Kirk Bonin — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 12:40:36 +0000

What in heaven’s name is the first poster whining about? In reference role models in entertainment by ethnicity would include a diverse group of men as well. At the very top of our role models of all kinds would sit inarguably, (in my opinion), the greatest, or at the very least, one of the greatest presidents in our global history, President Obama. Mr. Gordy’s creative genius and business acumen, guided and nurtured the greatest artists in global history, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson, etc. Collectively, these artists belong in a Mount Rushmore-like tribute via their music, films, books, etc. Their art has made an indelible impression around the world. (I’m particularly offended by his reference to “esmasculated males” when the alpha-male persona that has gotten away with harassment and abused permanently demonstrating how wrong we were to not acknowledge their hyper-masculinity as a grave detriment).
When that poster’s personal achievements and impact on the world is so noteworthy, then and maybe then he might have some fleeting right to make his passive-aggressive assessment of others. Until that time, I proudly honor and celebrate the achievements of the men listed here as I aspire to their greatness and am forever inspired by their contributions.

By: Trevo Craw

Trevo Craw — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 04:00:41 +0000

Only in the “black” community do we have comedians, emasculated males and movie producers as role models. Not good.

By: Arthur

Arthur — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 20:11:29 +0000

Peter Benjaminson, nice hearing from you. I used to use STORY OF MOTOWN in my class. I look forward to the new edition. Are you in the New York area? Would you like to come and speak to a class?

Pelvo White, I agree. But is there a difference between say James Brown and Aretha on the one hand and Motown on the other? Did Motown lose authenticity by purposefully trying to appeal to a “crossover” audience?

By: Pelvo White, Jr.

Pelvo White, Jr. — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 19:20:05 +0000

I find these black artist most effective in their work because they have projected their artistic genius to our collective senses through the harnessed powers of sophisticated technologies to appeal to the humanistic universals present in all of mankind. Their art touches the five senses and causes us to emote from crying to laughter. We hear the sounds of their music and want to dance. Their’s are artworks that go far beyond paintings and sculptures.These black artist are on the right path and will take us far beyond the boundaries of artworks of past centuries.

By: Peter Benjaminson

Peter Benjaminson — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 18:31:06 +0000

Arthur – Thanks for a very interesting and thoughtful column, and thanks for mentioning my book, “The Story of Motown.” Although Grove Press first published it in 1979, Rare Bird Books will publish it in a new and revised edition next month. I thought your readers would like to know.