By Selina Cerda |Staff Writer| American culture would not be what it is today without the revolutionary contributions made by African-Americans in the areas of art, music and literature. In this day and age, slavery, and the Civil Rights Movement remain very relevant topics. However, there are many famous African-American musicians, artists, and authors who aren’t discussed as much in classrooms or covered in the media. Jazz, a purely American genre, has roots in African-American communities; they are credited with the invention of the drum set. In 1927, scatting—vocal improvisation with wordless vowels—became a big hit when Louis Armstrong’s music took off. It is unknown … [Read more...] about Black history is American history
Michael Jackson
Pop Gun Rerun shoots you to the ’80s
Taylor Vermillion |Staff Writer| The ‘80s is a decade known for wild hair, brat-pack films, and best of all, killer, music which still resonates with most of us, and will most likely stand the test of time. I don’t know a single person that wouldn’t “get into the groove” as soon as Madonna’s dance anthem rang out, or rock down to “Electric Avenue” if Eddy Grant told you to. The ‘80s tribute band Pop Gun Rerun understands this too, and they pay homage to this awesome decade on stages that rock crowds all over the Inland Empire. From Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin” to Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” Pop Gun captures the essence of popular rock ballads and sends … [Read more...] about Pop Gun Rerun shoots you to the ’80s
My Journey Into Darkness
By Salt and Pepper [Staff Writer] After talking with my doctor, like Michael Jackson, I was presented with a choice of receiving medical treatments that could lighten my skin. The thought of choosing to turn my skin white, caused me to question my blackness. Was being black just based on me having the blood of African Americans in my veins, or does it also have something to do with how other people perceive me? Maybe, it’s based on how I perceive myself. Therefore, it doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks? I found myself empathizing with Michael Jackson for deciding to lighten his skin. Is it really that big of a deal? Whenever I feel like it, I’ll change my hair style from … [Read more...] about My Journey Into Darkness