VOLUME VII. 6.22.12

We hereby present to you the Wondaland W LIST….a funky gathering of remarkable art i facts and experiences guaranteed to keep you balanced and on the tightrope for at least the next seven days…

(in no particular order, but arrayed in a fashion to make you smile)

1. The Passing of Rodney King (1965-2012)

I was in the seventh grade when the news of a video depicting 4 LAPD officers savagely beating a Black motorist reached Atlanta. Outrage, and fear, and disgust, and fatigue, and disassociation, and shock, and a million other emotions rippled through my city in waves throughout the trial. My mother was driving me to the meeting point for a field trip when Ryan Cameron announced that the officers were acquitted, and urged us to turn on our headlights in protest. My mild-mannered mother turned hers on. Ten seconds later, she turned them off and exploded, “WHAT ARE HEADLIGHTS GOING TO DO?! WHAT PURPOSE DOES THAT SERVE?! WILL IT SAVE MY HUSBAND AND MY SONS FROM THOSE MURDERERS?!!” She pulled the car over and cried. Later that night, once the rioting was in full swing 3000 miles away, Atlanta police in full riot gear descended upon a quiet Morehouse campus, in the midst of final exams study week, and ordered all the students into their dorms. Once the students had complied the police shot tear gas into the dormitories, sending my oldest brother into seizures. The lessons I learned from the brutality Mr. King endured have opened my eyes to the difference between justice and the US justice system. The simple act of capturing the beating on video has provided our generation with a new tool in the fight for protection from our ‘protectors’. Thank you, Mr. King, for your sacrifices.

2. Ice T’s Documentary Hits Theaters

Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap opened June 15.  Legendary!!!!!

3. UK Soul Singer Omar Lye-fook Gets Knighted

4. The Passing of Erica Kennedy (1970-2012)

Honestly, I’ve never bought into the narrative that little Black girls don’t have any role models. My parents introduced me to many and provided me with the tools for discovering many more. The lovely and talented Erica Kennedy was especially inspiring to me, however, and losing her this week has been extremely emotional. A Sarah Lawrence College and Oxford University grad, Erica is a youthful, beautiful, gifted, graceful and successful journalist and bestselling novelist. Thank you for the life that you lived.

5. Ladies and gentlemen, Voyager 1 has left the building

As we speak, an object conceived in the human mind, and built by our tools, and launched from our planet, is sailing out of the further depths of our solar system – and will be the first object made by man to sail out into interstellar space. The Voyager 1, built by Nasa and launched in 1977 has spent the last 35 years steadily increasing its distance from Earth, and is now now 17,970,000,000km – or 11,100,000,000miles – away, travelling at 10km a second. Indications over the last week implies that Voyager 1 is now leaving the heliosphere – the last vestige of this solar system.

8. Maxwell

Which do you want first: the good news or the bad news?

The bad news is that Maxwell has canceled his 3-city summer tour, in which he was going to perform his ENTIRE DISCOGRAPHY, due to vocal hemorrhaging. *Get well soon, Maxwell.

The good news is that Maxwell will complete the tour later this year when he releases HIS NEW ALBUM! blackSUMMERS’night is set for a fall 2012 release. Here’s a really sexy video from his 2009 album, BLACKsummers’night, in which both Kerry Washington and high-water slacks are featured prominently:

9. Radiohead Postpones Tour Following Roof Collapse in Toronto

“Whilst we all are dealing with the grief and shock ensuing from this terrible accident there are also many practical considerations to deal with,” the statement read before listing upcoming shows in Italy, Germany, and Switzerland that will be postponed. The band plans to announce the new dates on June 27th, and they will also offer information for fans who will be unable to attend the rescheduled shows and will be seeking refunds.

“We will make every effort to offer the fans the very best show possible under the circumstances – thanks for your understanding and support,” the statement closed. The accident claimed the life of drum technician Scott Johnson and injured 3 other crew members.

10. Middle of Nowhere Hits the Summer Film Festival Circuit

Ava Duvernay’s film — the one that earned her place as the first African-American director to win Best Director at Sundance — plays this weekend at the LA Film Festival. Check film festivals in your area for a chance to see the film before it hits mainstream theaters in October.

Here’s an interview with writer-director Ava Duvernay.