Voracious DPC:

The journal of an omnivorous reader, nerd for the arts, and believer in the public good.

There was no place in Hollywood for Juanita Moore

In 1959, Juanita Moore was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in “Imitation of Life.” The career changing opportunities that should have come her way after that role never did. Her nephew is campaigning to get her the recognition she deserves. ‘A Star Without a Star’: An Oakland Man’s Mission to Get his…

June 26, 2021
Five Songs For The End of The Week

“First of all, I was born to write. It’s why I’m on this Earth. Secondly, I love doing it. I would never stop doing it. I just so love writing that I can’t imagine doing anything else. So I’m constantly aware of everything that’s around me – ready to absorb it and maybe get some…

June 26, 2021
Links For The Voracious

So be curious, be adventurous, be tenacious, and you cannot be intimidated by the answer “no.” -Bevy Smith A group of gay activists reflect on their revolutionary 1970 road trip to rally gay people to attend the Revolutionary People’s Constitutional Convention in Washington, D.C. organized by the Black Panther Party. “Then I felt around, and…

June 17, 2021
Five Songs For The End of The Week

In this special edition of 5 Songs, it’s a celebration of the birthdays of Patti LaBelle (May 25) and Gladys Knight (May 28). The two living legends have a combined 120 plus years of experience in show business. They are standard bearers of the unmatched skill and discipline Black performers brought to the stage across…

May 31, 2021
Links For The Voracious

NPR’s Audie Cornish breaks down getting over imposter syndrome and knowing when to stop and take care of yourself. Photographer Tommy Kha on making the work you want to create and not succumbing to the limits of other people’s imaginations. What Black critics have to say is essential for expanding our understanding of the arts.…

May 25, 2021
Five Songs For The End of The Week

The one and only Grace Beverly Jones celebrated her birthday on Thursday, May 19. She shares that birthdate with Malcolm X, Lorraine Hansberry, and Yuri Kochiyama. May 19 looks to be an auspicious day to bring people into the world who will grow up to be brave. Ms. Jones’ singular body of self-expression is guided…

May 23, 2021
Links For The Voracious

Meet Doña Viviana Alávez, the undaunted doyenne of candlemakers preserving Zapotec tradition in Oaxaca, Mexico. “City of Ghosts” is a love letter to Los Angeles that will probably make you cry. The animated Netflix kids show uses the city’s neighborhoods as the foundation for a beautiful rumination on memory and loss. Listen to author Rachel…

May 8, 2021
Five Songs For The End of The Week

President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan COVID-19 relief bill and all adults are to be eligible for vaccines by May 1. There is still a lot more to be done, but we’re off to a promising start. What a week. We made it! Enjoy.

March 13, 2021
The Last Time

There are so many days this year that are the anniversaries of the last time we did something in 2020. These pictures were taken on March 6, 2020, at the Oakland Museum of California on my last visit to a museum. The Bay Area shelter in place order took effect eleven days later.

March 7, 2021
Five Songs For The End of The Week

Smooth as silk. Sweet like honey. Made for the moonlight. Brighter than sunshine. There is no voice like Ms. Dionne Warwick’s. If you haven’t already dipped into her catalogue of hits, it’s time to get into it. Here are five of my favorites for the end of the week.

March 6, 2021