Song - The Living Proof

This is a very inspirational song which is part of the soundtrack for the movie, "The Help".

A Video Tribute to Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

This is a great video of Michael Jackson singing the song “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin. I did not know about him singing this piece until I heard his brother Jermaine mention it in a TV interview this week. Jermaine Jackson attempted to sing the song, but choked up after singing the first line. No doubt, any grieving family member would have gotten choked up also.

This heart warming video is a great tribute to the memory of Michael Jackson and is very appropriate to commemorate his life as the world mourns his recent passing. The video features the adult Michael Jackson singing and playing the piano while an image of a child Michael Jackson moves and dances at the door of the room. Also included in this video while the song “Smile” is being sung are still photos and video from various moments of Michael Jackson’s life.

Enjoy!
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Smile – Michael Jackson

The 9th Cousins

President Barack Obama, who was a Senator at the time of the interview, discusses being distantly related to former Vice president, Dick Cheney. President Obama and former Vice President Cheney are 9th cousins.

Barack Obama’s Family Tree

The family tree of President-Elect Barack Obama has diverse branches. He is an example of the cliché that says that “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” When you look at him, you see a tall, light-skinned, African American male. What you don’t see in his physical traits is that he is the product of an American Caucasian woman and an African man from Kenya and that his ancestors came from a sundry of places such as Africa, America, and Europe.

Obama’s election as 44th president of the United States continues the presidential legacy in his family. Obama is a distant cousin of three U.S. presidents -- Harry S Truman, George W. Bush and George Herbert Walker Bush. He is also a distant cousin of Vice President Dick Cheney, as well as actor Brad Pitt.

For more information on Barack Obama’s family tree, visit the following websites.

Son of Presidents and Tribal Chiefs

Bios of Obama’s Family Members

Interactive Obama Family Tree

Obama’s Family Tree

Graphical View of Obama’s Family Tree

Barack Obama Wins!

Congratulations to Barack Obama on his election as the 44th President of the United States. His acceptance speech was held in Chicago, IL on November 4th, 2008.

A Bridge to Somewhere

Although I was not able to attend the Obama rally in my city on October 4, 2008, I passed by the street bridge which led to the area where he spoke. In this photo, these people had walked across the street bridge into the downtown Newport News area where Senator Obama would be speaking that afternoon.

I had been out of town on a retreat that day and the Interstate exit to my home was on the other side of this bridge. I drove through this exit around 12:30 p.m. as people were on their way to the rally. The people I saw were probably the late ones who would have been in the back of the crowd.

As I sat at the stop light after exiting the Interstate, I watched from my rear view mirror and driver's window, the masses of people beginning their walk across the bridge which was in the opposite direction of where I was driving. As I drove through the green light, to my left I saw rows of cars for several blocks and people walking towards the bridge. That's not a bridge to No Where, I thought, It's a Bridge to Somewhere. I continued my drive home wishing that I had been home earlier so that I could have attended the rally.

Obama Comes to Town

Last Saturday, October 4, 2008, Democrat Presidential Candidate Barack Obama visited my hometown. I did not get to see him, but thanks to online videos and photos, I can see what occurred during his visit. Below is a video of a portion of his speech in Newport News, VA.

I Have a Dream

Forty-five years ago today, the famous “I Have a Dream” speech was given on the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Today, this speech is still as powerful as it was 45 years ago.

I Have a Dream

Michelle Obama's Speech at Democratic National Convention

Revealing DNA Results to Family

Below are videos of the revealing of the DNA results of six famous individuals. Most of these results were revealed by Gina Paige, a cofounder of the African Ancestry DNA company, at the family reunion of the famous individual. We see in these videos tears, joy at hearing about their African connection.

Watching these videos gives me creative ideas on how I will reveal the DNA results to my father’s family in an upcoming reunion in July. I have not decided on the method yet, but want it to be creative.

The famous individuals whose DNA results were revealed are:

• Dr. Dorothy Height, Chairman of the National Council of Negro Women
• Singer India Irie
• Actor Isaiah Washington
• T.V.’s Judge Hachett
• Emmy-award winning news anchor Susan Kidd
• Actress Vanessa A. Williams

Dr. Height African Ancestry Reveal




India Arie African Ancestry Reveal & Testimonial

Isaiah Washington and African Ancestry on GMA

Judge Hatchett Finds Her African Roots On Air

Susan Kidd African Ancestry Reveal

Vanessa A. Williams and African Ancestry on ABC News

Alex Haley Interview

Alex Haley (1921-1992) was a biographer, scriptwriter, and novelist. His most famous work was Roots: The Saga of an American Family, the story of family through the line of his slave ancestor, Kunta Kinte. Other works of Haley include the following:

• Queen
• Mama Flora’s Family
• The Autobiography of Malcolm X
• Roots: The Next Generation

1983 Alex Haley InterviewIn 1983, Alex Haley visited Fort Wayne, Indiana for an interview to discuss his book and mini-series, "Roots". While there, he also appeared on the talk show, "A New Generation" and was interviewed by Steve Miller.

In memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968)

I dedicate today’s blog in the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thank you, Dr. King, for the sacrifices you made that I might have a life of freedom and justice.

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I See the Promised Land
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s last speech
Prophetic words from Martin Luther King, the day before he was assassinated, April 3, 1968.

Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.