Below is the "About Me" section of my Youtube Channel just to give you a greater understanding of what I did for my Anthology Project. Enjoy! :-)
This channel has been designed as an Anthology Project for my African American Women's Rhetoric Class. In this channel, I want to touch mainly on the Unbridled Glory of the Dignified and Self-Actualized women I have included in this clannel. Each of the women, and many more, have paved the way for young leaders like myself who are ready to step up and continue to fight for African American women's rights in this still-oppressed society. I am inspired by their teachings through their craft and plan to have such a massive impact on the leaders that come after me as those that honorably came before me.
All the best,
Rolanda, Student
Click Below To Head Straight Over To My Youtube Channel!
I have compared Barbara Jordan and Rachelle Farrell below. They have both shown similar characteristics in regards to demanding respect and defining themselves by doing what they do best... BEING THEMSELVES. Obvious but rare traits like doing what you want to do WHEN you want to do it is what makes these women stand out. They say what they feel, express what they want, and do what they please all at the same time. Simply BRILLIANT.
Below is a video of Rachelle Farrell singing one of Patti LaBelle's songs with a few other renowned artists. I wanted to show you this clip because although Farrell shares the stage with a few other artists, she still gets the biggest reaction out of the superb, Patti LaBelle. (2:52) Check out how:
I think it is extremely necessary to include the next video because it shows how Rachelle Farrell DEFINES the phrase: "Doin' Me". Point of interest: Have you ever... and I do mean EVER just seen an artist have a huge jug of water on stage because she felt like it and drink from it as she pleases without regard to how the crowd may feel about it? Well, I haven't and that really is one point that definitely stood out to me. Rachelle Farrell just owns this stage by letting the band play and feeling the vibe of the music before she even opens her mouth. In doing this, her audience is subliminally forced to soak up the music as well and wait for her to being when... HAHA! When SHE gets ready to speak. Wow. What a powerful presence she has on this stage. Take a glance:
This woman is definitely talking to me right here... She is talking to me as her true "Sista" and uses the same form of expression as the video before. I love the dragged walk she gives in the beginning of the video setting the tone for the song. By her disposition, she helps the audience know that she's "finna tell it like it is." So listen up y'all! This is... "Sista"
Take a glimpse at Barbara Jordan's Keynote Address to the 1976 Democratic National Convention. I'd like you to all listen to how she owns the crowd via her powerful words, poise, and commanding presence. This woman is NO JOKE and plays NO GAMES. Make sure you have enough time to watch this video because you'll be commanded to keep listening once she starts. Don't believe me? HA! Click below to try my bluff.
Click below to access the page that leads to my presentation on the remarkable, Maya Angelou!
My professor, Carmen Kynard, posted a few videos of artists from BAM (Black Arts Movemement) as well as contemporary spoken word artists on her YouTube channel. Feel free to click below to go to the channel and check it out yourself:
Today, I've posted videos of a few women that have stood out to me on my professors site. The first artist featured below is Sonia Sanchez. Sonya Sanchez is the one artist, of the three posted, from the Black Arts Movement. I found it imperative to add her to my site because she speaks on something that is extremely dear to my heart. ACCOUNTABILITY. I feel that now, more than ever, we black women need to hold ourselves accountable for our actions and feelings and that is exactly what Sonya speaks on in the video below. I don't believe holding ourselves accountable is necessarily filled with the negative connotation that is often placed on that word. Holding yourself accountable is very much a POSITIVE thing. How can we grow if we not only feel as if we are not responsible for our actions but also TRULY believe there is nothing we can do about it? Something must be done about this. Sonya Sanchez tries to help us understand that. Check it out:
Sonya Sanchez speaks words of encouragement and tries to give us a sense of "push" into accountability and self-awareness. Below, I have a video of Rha Goddess speaking on knowing your worth. In the link above that will take you to my professor's YouTube CHannel, you will also find this video listed under the contemporary artists.
In my own personal words regarding this video, I feel Rha Goddess is tryna say... SHO ME WUTCHA WORKIN' WIT! Haha! In order for us to get ANYwhere in life, we have to know what we are made of. We've got to know exactly what we're worth and in knowing that, we can make powerful movements in this world as a people.
I truly believe artists like Sonya Sanchez were the foundation for black female spoken word artists today. The women of the Black Arts Movement were strong in who they were and worked deligently on empowering women to know who they are and understand that they are powerful BEYOND measure. Below is a video of Sunni Patterson's "Faith Ain't Got No Eyes" and to me, she follows in Sonya Sanchez's footsteps. Sunni Patterson is another contemporary spoken word artist that speaks to women on the same level as many of the BAM women. Using her rhythm and experience, she educates her listeners on what it is like to be strong black women that walk with spiritual sight and faith the can move mountains.
In class today, Monday, April 15, 2013, I was in a group consisting of Jane, Morgan, Anayiah and myself. We got together to create the chart you see below. The class assignment was to create a two-column list. On one side, we were to take notes on the different issues that each of these women address. On the other side we wrote about these women's rhetorics sound like and do. Once we all put our notes together during a thorough discussion, the following picture below came about. We decided to draw a tree because we felt it would best emphasize what we were trying to say. For example, the roots are what they have in common (kinda like the foundation). The stems and limbs are their individual thoughts and issues they address and they are listed on their respective sides.
In class, we watched Barbara Jordan speak on Nixon's impeachment following Watergate and she ROCKED IT! Barbara Jordan was articulate and precise and she spoke in a manner than not only demanded attention but commanded it as well. Here are is the video which includes a clip of her speech. Following the video is my in-class work. We were asked to answer a few questions about the video and below are my responses.
Shirley Chisholm is a woman like no other. This woman has the power to not only demand but also to COMMAND. I absolutely love who she is and what she has done. Have you ever heard of that saying, "I'm doing me"? Well, this has Shirley Chisholm all over it. This woman literally was doing whatever she wanted HOWEVER she wanted 'til the day she laid to rest and I have a tremendous amount of respect for me. A woman like no other... Take a look at some things I have to say about Shirley Chisholm:
Below is one of the many powerful speeches Shirley Chisholm gave. She is so articulate and punctual. Chisholm demands attention with every word and forced you to listen because she definitely has something to say! Take a glance:
Shirley Chisholm is definitely a woman I admire and look up to. I'm grateful for her and her defiance towards society's norms. She is an amazing woman that will always be remembered for being a catalyst for change.
Fannie Lou Hamer was so strong for what she, and plenty of others, put up with and had to deal with. It's heartbreaking to already have the problems that already come with simply being a human being but having MORE problems because of the fact that I was born into a particular race... NOT OKAY.
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