Every Writer privately wants to pen something that will transcend his/her life. Although, the current version of that desire is a pitiful 3 hour click response cycle in a sea of tea dropped missives.

However, a long time ago, Donald Bogle, unfurled a welcome mat treatise in the history, depth, wealth, sorrow and hopeful cacophony of Black Cinema and all it variants. His seminal book:”Tom’s, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies and Blacks” was and, I believe, the verses from which new cinematic tablets would be scripted.

It is difficult, in the current world, to image the raging vacancy of Black Cinema; even the masterful Spike Lee and Whoopi Goldberg are quickly shuffled aside, but we’re on the cusp of our arriving 40-plus years hence.

In 2000 even I ascended using Donald Bogle as a featured Speaker for my USA Film Festival 20th Anniversary: Black Filmmaker Symposium. Dennis Hopper even delayed his attendance at an event to catch up on Bogle. He shook my hand and congratulated me on the special event.

I speak of Donald Bogle now in his 81st year to simply say, How Excellent!!! Find his books and give them as gifts to yourself. At the rate the world is turning and The Culture is taking erasure you may discover a familiarity that has already been…spoken on!

Jas Mardis