Media & Me: A Playlist by Ms. Calvert ELA 7/8

A Life Changing Play

calvertc4 — 2024-09-23 00:54:33 UTC

When I titled the last post a Bite of the Apple, it has more to do with this post. I often traveled to New York City to visit my maternal aunt and paternal grandmother. My aunt and her husband were in the theater. They took me to see this play and I've been writing ever since. I can remember sitting, hanging on each word that emerged from the poetic presentations of each woman's dilemma. Being a young girl from Detroit, I had seen nothing like it.

Growing Up in Motown

calvertc4 — 2024-09-23 01:02:30 UTC

So I was born in 1964 (favorite '64 song: Shout by the Isley Brothers; it didn't populate), and with six aunts and a whole lot of finger snapping going on, I was inundated with Motown. This is one of my favorites, even though people still ask how I know such old Motown songs. Motown doesn't grow old, it is just passed through generations. My children know some of the tunes that were created before I was born...and they know them well. Motown is cultural; a tradition.

Westerns

calvertc4 — 2024-09-23 01:05:58 UTC

Like any other child in the '60s and early '70s, I grew up watching whatever my parents watched. I was far too young to make a decision, or read the TV Guide. But I do remember westerns being big in our culture-we liked them just fine. Whether it was Bonanza or Big Valley, westerns were always welcomed.

TV Shows

calvertc4 — 2024-09-23 01:17:39 UTC

This random guy gives a rundown of 20 of the top shows of the 70s. Because I have been looking for short clips, I let him slide. But if I were to give my take on it, they should include the ones featured in the image and then some. Carol Burnett was always good for a laugh and perhaps an escape from reality (for some). These type of shows helped to develop my insensitivity to much of what was going on in the mid '70s; for which, I am grateful.

There Are White Folks With Soul

calvertc4 — 2024-09-23 01:22:14 UTC

Tom Jones is the first white man that I saw and liked on television. He belted out his songs and was so entertaining. Additionally, he often featured black artists on his show which we had to get via Canada (ch. 9); there were less than 10 channels back then. I am thankful, that we got him!

A Bite of the Apple

calvertc4 — 2024-09-23 01:24:22 UTC

Who dat is? My God, Robert Dinero was showing up and showing out. I had already seen Bobby Deerfield and The Godfather, but now here he was playing opposite of Liza Minelli in a film noir. I knew then that I would follow him all my life, and I have. He is an iconic actor with activist roots, and he executes it just like a mob boss. Love him!

Do People Feel Like I Do?

calvertc4 — 2024-09-23 01:27:05 UTC

I am not sure if someone told me or I just assumed that rock needed to be played as loud as possible. However, I can remember my neighbor commenting on the strange sounds that rang from my second floor window; he was both puzzled and amused. But rock was so much better than disco; and now that I had been bussed to an integrated school, rock was a big part of that new experience. From Aerosmith to ZeppI was rocker.

I had visited New York again, returning with a bandana-ed secret haircut, only to be revealed by a close family friend.

I so much liked rock music-especially Rod Stewart and The Rolling Stones that I let the scissors rip and whacked off inches of my hair to mimic the bird style hairdo of Rod Stewart and many British rockers of the time. The elders were infuriated, of course. Having done the first rebellious thing in my life, I abstained. It wasn't until my Rod Stewart whack job grew into a beautiful mushroomed version of Mick Jagger, that I felt vindicated. They didn't understand what I was feeling, but I had been shown the light.

It's Only Rock N' Roll, But I Like It

calvertc4 — 2024-09-23 01:29:38 UTC

Sure I'd seen The Way We Were and Fanny Brice, but this rendition of Streisand was hands down, phenomenal! Loved the energy of the movie and the music, especially. I was only 12 years old when I saw it but still know the words to several songs by heart. I just watched it only a few months ago. Perhaps it made me understand why relationships are difficult; it definitely helped me to understand that rock n' roll is a blast.

Mod Squad

calvertc4 — 2024-09-23 01:33:17 UTC

In addition to westerns, my initial acquaintances with TV were with series like the featured Mod Squad -a favorite in Black families because one of the three squad members was black. But I also liked Ironside, Marcus Welby M.D., and That Girl to name a few. I believe it was from those shows that I acquired what Gee would call my second discourse.

Black & White

calvertc4 — 2024-09-23 01:35:24 UTC

Getting back to rock, but not so much what I did with my hair. I was teased by my own people because I loved rock; because I could not stand disco. Disco was a constant repeat of idiotic lyrics...couldn't stand it! The reason I still retreat to older music today is because of the lyrics-the power of words. And at this time in late '70s, when I am coming into my true adolescence, everything is so Black & White. Prince, the Artist, or whatever was the saving force that insured my people I hadn't given up on black music. I was in high school when his debut album was released and Oh Boy! But everyone liked Prince, just about. His musical was universal; it wasn't designated for any particular slot.

Star Wars

calvertc4 — 2024-09-23 01:36:32 UTC

I've never been into Sci-Fi, but this was a masterpiece of my generation-so much so, that when I bore a child ten years later, this was the first movie of my past to which I wanted to introduce him. Not sure what it is about Star Wars, but it definitely did what Logan's Run and Odyssey could not do for me.

Can I handle It?

calvertc4 — 2024-09-23 01:37:34 UTC

My freshman year of college I thought, or felt, that I had discovered Luther Vandross. His debut album dropped just when everyone was heading off to school. I was blessed with a late evening radio show in which I played the R&B best of my rock favorites and slid in something special if possible. Luther was that something special; no one had heard him.

Knowing that I could appease people through music, I forged on to see what I could do with my writing.

I Don't Believe He Did It

calvertc4 — 2024-09-23 01:38:57 UTC

Years pass and you mature into what is supposed to be an adult. Sure, I still had my youthful thoughts and even some pleasures but the time to indulge in them was extremely limited with a husband and three children. Time to put childish things away. But how ironically, as soon as you do here comes some blast from the past doing something that no one saw coming.

The black man that I had watched hurdle over suitcases and whatever in the airport, all while carrying a Samsonite suitcase-the man that was in many ways a hero to many black people, was called out on the most unthinkable.

I've Got to Get to My Kids

calvertc4 — 2024-09-23 01:40:36 UTC

If I didn't say it before, I'm married with kids. When things went down with OJ, I think my youngest was one years old. I have no time for TV, TV shows and so forth. I need to take care of my family. At this juncture (2001), I am divorced and raising three kids. All of a sudden its 9/11, and I am worried. Worried like never before; I am seeing our nation and potential threats for what they are. That is the growing process or the process of growing.

What Makes Me Feel Good

calvertc4 — 2024-09-23 01:42:37 UTC

When you become responsible for other lives, you care less about yourself and even what entertains you. You pay attention to the decision makers and the ballot wars. If you are lucky (as I am), you just might be able to kick back and relax, reflecting on a bit of your past. My son introduced me to Yacht Rock. The first song I asked him to play was Christoper Cross, Sailing. Being older, I was probably thinking of songs about boats...the water. But once I got a clear understanding of it, I requested...well, just listen.