Finally, An Ethnic Question That I Can Answer

by Fatherofeight | More from this Blogger

25 Jan 2007 01:09 PM

I have written a lot about trying to teach myself an African American studies course as I raise four boys whose ethnicity requires that I get myself up to date. I was finally asked an ethnic related question by my oldest adopted son that was a snap to answer. In fact, I was able to convince him that I am an expert on the subject.

We were driving into Houston for an appointment with one of his doctors. We go back and forth over who has control of the radio; he had won out this day. We were listening to my XM satellite radio to a program called XM Kids. The program played an old James Brown song; I believe it was "I've Got That Feelin".

As we were driving along, James Brown was really letting go. Matthew Walter and I were singing and dancing, the kind of dancing that you do in the car. I am a better than average dancer when I am sitting behind the steering wheel and Matthew Walter is a really, really good dancer. I may be able to teach him how to hit a golf ball, but I will never improve his dancing.

Towards the end of the song, James Brown does something like "aaaahhaahhhhhaaaahhhh, I got that feelin". Then, Matthew Walter asked me if I knew anything about the man who was singing that song. I responded that I knew quite a bit about him and that I had seen him perform many times in person.

Matthew asked me if James Brown was black. I confirmed that he was. I asked Matthew how he knew. His response was not what I expected. He said, "We just know."

He asked me questions about the man and I must have impressed him with my wealth of knowledge. I had seen "James Brown and the Famous Flames" in live performances at least a dozen times. Some of those times, the audience was quite raucous and my friends and I stuck out like a sore thumb. He had earned his self proclaimed title as "the hardest working man in show business" and my group of friends and I could not get enough of him.

My ethnic awareness on this particular subject was outstanding. I can't wait until he asks me if I ever heard of Little Richard.

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Ethnic Culture Class, Part 2

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Linda Hansen (1796) 25 Jan 2007 02:39 PM

The first time I saw James Brown live was at the Moody Center in Galveston, I was 17, if memory serves. He was fabulous! He did his famous cape seen and the placde was packed! Artcraft

Fatherofeight (2475) 25 Jan 2007 04:13 PM

The godfather of soul was quite an entertainer, he could dance like nobody else. He filled the house everywhere he went. Thank, Art.

Linda Hansen (1796) 25 Jan 2007 10:09 PM

Ed, I just had a thought I want to share with you. I have introduced the boys, including my bio son, to oldies, light classical, of course! the Beatles, swing, etc. I want them to know the true flavor of music from today and yesterday. You have a whole lot to introduce your boys to, as far as ethnic music goes. There is sooo much history and great music that came from Motown. Bet they would enjoy learning about the history of AAs in music. Think of the great tunes you would get to revisit, Martha Reeves, Smokey Robinson, Jackie Wilson, Sly and the Family Stone, The Commodores, The Four Tops, Sammy Davis,Jr. I could go on and on. Artcraft

Fatherofeight (2475) 26 Jan 2007 08:00 AM

Art, I started college in 1964 when Motown and the Memphis groups were getting a lot of play, so I would add the Temptations (I talked my way into their dressing room years ago and met all of them), Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, the Chiffons, Gladis Knight and the Pips, Mary Wells, but JB was my main man. I went through a time where I was listening to the blues a lot, many of those songs have not so good lyrics and were not that good for the kids. Lately I have been listening to 60-70's Rock and Roll, I listened to nothing but Chicago for a while, now I am listening to the Rollng Stones and the Eagles. Matthew likes to look at the pictures that come with the CDs and his observation was that all the bands had the same haircut. "Xcuse me while I do the Boogaloo."

Andrea Hermitt (5512) 26 Jan 2007 09:04 PM

funny.. "we just know". 9 time out of 10, we just do!

Fatherofeight (2475) 26 Feb 2007 02:53 PM

I'm sort of feeling left out here, not really. Thanks Andrea.

Andrea Hermitt (5512) 26 Feb 2007 05:46 PM

side note Ed: I am one of those few people whose voice gives no hints toward ethnicity... or towards my ethnicity at least. It's funny to see the faces of people who meet me after talking to me on the phone and expect anything but me!