The power for young minds is back on

Here is something that probably escaped all mention or notice as the inauguration has approached. An old friend is about to return to the nation.

Yes a favorite of tens of millions will be returning to television. A show seen across the land, and has led to some of the greatest stars in recent decades. Well at least 2 anyway. I’m sure some of my younger readers are thinking, ‘But American Idol already started its season’. Such a thought is nowhere near the answer.

The show in fact is far more intelligent, and universal in appeal. It’s the Electric Company.



Now fans of the early Sesame Street, a program now considered too adult for children, will know this show in a second. The 2 programs were the hallmark of PBS in my youth. Educational, fun, and captivating. Long into our teens, many watch these programs.

And it was quite the surprise the day that Morgan Freeman, known to us best as Easy Reader on Electric Company, became a movie star. But at the same time having him portray characters larger than life, or with enormous gravitas, seemed welcome with his familiar presence.

And Rita Moreno is no minor B-actress. She is a star of stage and films. She was one of a few Latina/Hispanic women to rise to fame during the 70’s and 80’s. Today she is still a star and has no less a commanding presence. And unlike the multitude of actresses today, she is without the scandal and tarnished image that so many young girls are fed by the media as attributes of success and fame.



But Electric Company was taken of the air. And Sesame Street was left alone, helping children learn and grow. PBS became a lonelier place.

Now that will change. As will the Electric Company. A new generation of young adults will takeover. Their goal is the same though. To help kids (and occasionally adults too) learn to read english.

But the means of these lessons, and new words, is quite different. This will be a narrative story. Based almost like a series. With bad guys, and a plot driven story as opposed to situational skits. And I almost forgot about the song-and-dance routines in the New York City streets.

I am sure this is part of the new kid safe programming that condemns the old Sesame Street to adult only ratings. As such I am filled with foreboding about the presentation, and its ability to educate the masses. The goal of this program is not ratings, or future superstardom of its talent pool, but the children expanding their minds. Still the Electric Company has not turned on its lights yet. That comes on January 23rd.

Will this be the joyous program of the past? No. Will it be a boon to children across the nation? Possibly. Will Easy Reader ever make a special appearance on the program? They can only hope and pray he would.

Yet, for all the misgivings I have about the new paradigm in education, and children’s television and programming, I truly hope this will instill a desire to learn and read. Children need whatever motivation we can give them to expand their minds beyond the brain-numbing life-limiting fare of American Idol, gangsta rap videos, reality television, and children-know-best programs that proliferate the various networks these days.

So I hope when the call goes out, “Hey you guys!”, the response will be minds turning on and not just television sets.

Morgan Freeman recovering - respect is due

The news is spreading fast so I am sure that most have heard the news, Morgan Freeman was in a car accident. So far the news has been clear to point out that his injuries were not life threatening. The last I heard he suffered a broken arm and shoulder.

Of course I have also heard a good and bad thing along with that news. The good thing is possibly the bigger issue. Before rumors run around, all indications and statements at this time from the police and other sources state that he was not drunk driving. He was driving very late at night, and it is believe he may have fallen asleep at the wheel. While that is still very bad, it is something any driver on a long trip, or after a long hectic day, can attest to having done at least once. Thankfully there have been no fatalities reported.

The other item that I heard is the potential gossip and venom that the major news and entertainment media loves to put out on any entertainer in the news. It’s the shadow of the negative spin that normally occurs in any news about an entertainer, especially if it’s a Black entertainer. In this case it’s the question of the passenger in the car.

It was a woman, that has been confirmed. Who the woman is has also been confirmed but I will not mention it as that is not relevant to me. The state of her injuries is unreported though. I hope that she is relatively well and not in danger of any complications or critical medical state.

Morgan Freeman is a superb actor. He has worked diligently to gain the recognition and acclaim he has today. His ability to display gravitas on the big screen is nearly unmatched by any actor, and certainly unmatched by any current actor now.

He started in his acting career at 8, in a school play. He won a statewide drama competition at 12. He has served in the Air Force. In 1964 he was a dancer in the 1964 World’s Fair. He has worked with Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway on Broadway. He is famous for his role as Easy Reader on the PBS show Electric Company (which I grew up with) at the age of 34. But he gained prominence after his movie role of Fast Black in Street Smart in 1987 at the age of 50. He has been married for 24 years.

I mention all this because at 71 any injury can potentially be serious. In addition I think he deserves some respect. Morgan Freeman grew up before the Civil Rights Movement in the South, which was no easy task. His achievements in his youth meant that he was not just good but stellar to be recognized at that time in America. His time in the military reveals a dedication to America and a will that exceeded the segregationist policies of the time. And his ability has stood out enough (1 Academy Award and 3 nominations, 1 Golden Globe and 3 nominations, and 2 Screen Actor's Guild Award nominations) that when many other actors end their careers, or have extreme difficulty in getting work, he is now in demand.

Respect means that the tendency of the media to create rumors about the woman in question should not happen. Respect means that whatever her reason to be in the car is private and not fodder for Entertainment Tonight, The Globe, or the gossip blogs.

I do not presume anything about the woman in the car. I don’t know of her, and really don’t want to. But I shudder to think that the Freeman family may be dragged through the mud because some media outlet will hope to increase ratings and circulation. No one deserves that kind of treatment, especially after an accident, especially at 71.

So I hope Mr. Freeman and the lady in the accident are well. I wish them swift recoveries. And I have my fingers crossed that Paris Hilton or Britney Spears will do yet another stupid thing to keep the dogs of journalism away.

LL Cool J, Julia Child, and Amobi Okoye - 1.29.2007.1

There were a couple of things that most might have missed in the last couple of days. One is a nice tribute to the original television chef that started the industry niche. I’m speaking of Ms. Julia Child. I’m sure many my age and older recall this chef and her cooking program, that was on the same channel as Sesame Street and the Electric Company. I loved watching her put together a meal, which was always a bit better when you add a bit of sherry. Seriously, I’m pretty sure I recall her often taking a sip of sherry or 2, or more, in every episode. But she always looked like she was having a great time, and it was well worth the time to see what she created. It always looked like something you wanted to eat.

While younger readers may not be familiar with Ms. Child, they should take a moment to do a search on her. Without her show (which to my knowledge was the first cooking show, or at least the only one in the 70’s and 80’s) I doubt if there would be a Top Chef, or Food Network. Because of her achievements, Ms. Child is being honored by being added to the National Women’s Hall of Fame. It’s a shame this is being done after she has passed, but it is something I’m glad to see happen.

Another nugget of news is about LL Cool J. He has a new book out, LL Cool J’s Platinum Workout, that he hopes will help people improve their body and lives. I’m sure there are many women, and some men I’m sure, that love his physique. Well now anyone can get a better body, perhaps even one like his. But the big point is that it’s not about the outer image but the inner one. Unlike most stars that hock a video or book about dieting or getting in shape, LL Cool J is centered on the inner development that works its way out. That’s the difference, and that’s why I’m mentioning it. I haven’t read the book, but I did read his interview. Considering his words I think it could be worth the time for some.

And another inspiring item is a potential NFL draftee. Mr. Amobi Okoye is 19, entered high school at 12, got into college at 16 and a degree 3 ½ years later in psychology. He is expected to be in picked up in the first round of the draft. This is the kind of kid I think should be allowed into the majors. Unlike the high school kids that have no back-up plan, nor maturity, this is a kid that has accomplished a lot quickly. Especially when you consider that he is from Nigeria, he came to America when he was 12.

Now this is what more African American kids should be striving to be like. Success in more than just physical abilities. His mind has had at least as much growth as his body. He has adapted to the environment he is in, and he has excelled. I pose this young man as the example that there is more to life than trying to be a ‘baby-daddy’ or ‘thug.’ There is more you can gain than drinking a 40 on the corner waiting for someone to shoot you dead. There is a reason to stay in school. Maybe you won’t be a star athlete, maybe it will take longer to get your degree, but there is no reason you can’t do it. African Americans don’t need to learn a new language [and eubonics is not a language, it’s an excuse to allow people to be uneducated and poor – in my opinion] or travel to a different country to have a better quality of life. The color of your skin does not prevent you from gaining knowledge and improving your life. You just have to want it, and strive for it.

There was an old television ad by the NAACP, I believe it went, ‘There nothing worse than wasting a mind.’ Mr. Okoye knew this, perhaps the television ad needs to come back to remind everyone else.

This is what I think, what do you think?