Jean Seberg X Givenchy in Bonjour Tristesse is nothing but an unequivocal dream.
Later in her life Jean’s active involvement in the Civil Rights movement made her target of an FBI COINTELPRO smear campaign. She then suffered a miscarriage of a Black Pather’s child, was black listed from Hollywood and was subsequently found dead in the back of her car after 10 days having killed herself.
Speaking of white people averting their gaze, The Autobiography of Malcolm X has been causing quite the furor when I dare to take it out and read it in public. I think it’s a little much for everyone to see a brown girl with waist length braids engulfed in this particular book; I may as well be shouting “I’m black, I’m proud” everywhere I go.
The reaction it gets is merely a bonus however, as it’s one of the most powerful insights into the Civil Rights struggle and remains enduringly poignant. The face of prejudice may have changed but the ignorance that governs that mindset is constantly repeated today. The principles of tolerance and understanding the world from a higher plane are littered throughout the book making it something I can’t wait to read again.
It’s not about just understanding the detriment of prejudice that makes the autobiography so worthwhile and edifying, it’s that it encourages you to become introspective. The use of Malcolm’s journey from damaging pride to selfless humility allows this book to be a lesson in how to understand the error of your ways and further your endeavours by voicing your opinions with unrelenting dignity.
Remember the ‘Music is therapy’ post? It featured Henry the Alzheimers patient who was part of a study into how music has the capability to make those not of sound mind lucid.
When Henry’s favourite musician Cab Calloway is played a transformation takes place like no other throughout his illness. Throughout the duration of the music, Henry is reanimated and allowed to gain back a sense of self. As you can see from the video (above) Calloway’s captivating performance makes clear how he can bring someone back (even just for a moment) from the brink of an illness that robs you of your mind and identity.
I’m in love with the thought that though our minds may fade, due to the many different facets that make up who we are there is is hope, even if for a moment that through something as basic and fundamental as our 5 senses we can reacquaint ourselves with who we used to be. It’s comforting; not that we didn’t already know how powerful music is.
Enough of the sentimentality, as always with music posts… ENJOY!
