Reflections on Faith, Family, Politics, and Authenticity by Joseph C. Phillips, Foreword by Tavis Smiley
Publisher: Running Press Book Publishers
Review by D.S. White for Active Christian Media

“…I was determined that if I didn’t learn to like rap, I would at least develop a working knowledge of the music so I could discuss it intelligently. I dashed out to the music store and bought CDs by Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, and a list of other artists who were hot at the time. The only ground rule I set was that I had to play each album all the way through at least once. As an illustration of my lack of commitment, I soon decided that playing an album all the way through didn’t necessarily mean I had to be in the same room while it played. Strictly speaking, so long as the album played all the way through. I didn’t even have to be in the apartment. I will never forget putting NWA (Niggaz with Attitude) on the stereo. I almost broke my neck sprinting across my apartment to turn the volume down when ‘F**k the Police’ began blasting through the building.”

The above quote is one of the many reasons completion of this book was mandatory. By its very title, this book makes a provocative statement which is ably reinforced by its content. The author, Joseph C. Phillips is an actor, writer, lecturer, and social commentator best known for his role on The Cosby Show as the character Denise’s (Lisa Bonet) husband, Lt. Martin Kendall. He has also appeared in such films as Strictly Business, Midnight Blue, and Let’s Talk about Sex. As a writer and social commentator, Joseph’s work has appeard in Newsweek, Los Angeles Daily News, Essence, Upscale, and USA Today. His weekly column, “The Way I See It”, appears in newspapers around the country. He was also a regular contributor to NPR’s Tavis Smiley Radio Show. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children. The book is a collection of essays divided into the following themes:

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I know by its very definition, the word surprise means that something unexpected happens, but as we both know, surprises can be good, bad, or indifferent.

By 10 a.m. today I’d had three surprises; and get this—they were all good, great even! That was in total opposition to my day yesterday. When:

• The phone wouldn’t stop ringing,
• Notes were making nests on my desk; and
• I didn’t leave the office until the cleaners came–and the song in my soul was, Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen

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I borrowed this one from bloggerville while voting in the BOTB.  If you really like it, be sure to give bloggerville a vist to say thanks for the laugh: 

1) Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat’s mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2) Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

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Remember the days of zoot suits?  I can only do so from hearsay, actually…LOL, but from what I heard.  Those folk really knew how to look fly!

It is with that in mind that I present my latest find!

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