I have a friend, Cindy.  And for YEARS….I KID YOU NOT.  She has been asking people (including me)  the question, “What would you do if you were brave?”  The question stems from the lyrics of Jana Stanfield.  The song?  “If I Were Brave”.    Cindy has signed for and been a part of Jana’s music [...]

(c) February 2010 Angela K. Mack
It was Gallery Night in the Third Ward of Milwaukee.   We went into the Artasia Gallery.  Tucked away in the back of the store there must have been hundreds of wooden and cloth asian puppets lying in a heap on a table.  I was totally mesmerized.
I sat and stared at [...]

Used Car Lot

 (c) 12/2004 Angela K. Mack 
    Ever since Sam was a boy, he dreamed of owning his own Camero.  He bought magazines about Cameros, had posters of them on his walls, and even had a few models that he put together.  
    Unfortunately, when Sam got to be driving age, he couldn’t afford his [...]

1 Peter 4:8 (New International Version)
8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Jesus didn’t come for those who are well.  He came for those in need of a physician.  He didn’t come for the righteous.  He came for the sinners.  He loved the lepers.  He loved the prostitute.  He loved [...]

Social Darwinism (C) 03/2005 Angela K. Mack
    Social Darwinism contends that the human race is comparable to the animal world in that we are in constant competition for domination.  Herbert Spencer proposed that social “evolution” should be allowed to take its course and that “only the fittest would survive”.
    I have seen the forces of [...]

Written by Angela Mack   (c) 2004

The time period between 1918 and 1929 contained an explosion of African American immigration, literary and artistic expression in Harlem, NY.(c) Angela Mack 2004   
The Harlem Renaissance, also known as “The Negro Movement” was the time period between 1918 and 1929 in which there was an explosion of African American immigration, [...]

“Interview about Paramount Talent Scout and Salesman Harry Charles”
An interview with his children
Angela Mack (c) 2006
 
 Phone interview with Harry Charles Jr. (HC) born in 1924 and Jeanne Kingsford (JK) born in 1927
Conducted by Angela Mack (AM) 12/10/06 (not recorded)
AM: This is Angela Mack from Grafton, WI. I am very glad that we were able to [...]

“An Interview with Skip James’ Cousin”

(c) Angela K. Mack 2006
How are you related to Skip James?
Skip married my second cousin (my mother’s first cousin).  He’s related by marriage.  Skip’s wife’s name was Lorenzo Hurt.  I’m really a Hurt.
How are you related to Mississippi John Hurt?
He’s my grand uncle.  (My grandfather’s brother)

Do you remember meeting [...]

“Grafton City Blues” Interview with playwright Kevin Ramsey

PUBLISHED IN THE MILWAUKEE REP 2007/08 SEASON PROLOGUE PUBLICATION
Last season Stackner Cabaret audiences were treated to a spirited world premiere production of SAM COOKE – FOREVER MR. SOUL, written and directed by Kevin Ramsey. When he was here last year, Kevin learned about the history of Paramount Records [...]

Harlem Renaissance writer, LANGSTON HUGHES
“The Weary Blues” From the Eyes of a Musician
(c) Angela K. Mack 2/05
    Langston Hughes is a fascinating African American writer who has written many poetry books such as The Weary Blues, Fire Clothes to the Jew, Shakespeare in Harlem, Montage of a Dream Deferred, and Ask Your Mama: Twelve Moods [...]