Reflections: Mixing it up

Most of us know that we are all on the same plane as  human beings, that one’s ethnicity is not a choice and, therefore, that race is not the be-all and end-all.

But even so, it is interesting how many entertainers today are of mixed parentage. That would include Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Boris Kodjoe, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Halle Berry, Jordin Sparks, Dwayne Johnson (the Rock), Vin Diesel and Drake, among others.

By the way, Kodjoe’s full birth name is amazing: Boris Frederic Cecil Tay-Natey Ofautey-Kodjoe.

LEAVE IT to Whoopi Goldberg to get some controversy going — not on purpose, but because she just says what she thinks about everything. In her new book she reveals that to her way of thinking, there are times when cheating is acceptable.

“Sometimes in a relationship, people can’t always get what they need,” she said, “and if you have reputable people you can turn to in order to get what you need, I say go for it. It is a whole lot better than being frustrated and angry with the person you love.”

Sounds crazy, far-fetched and even immoral but, in a way, it makes a certain amount of sense.

The title of Goldberg’s book is “If Someone says ‘You Complete Me,’ RUN!”

Aretha Franklin got a very nice compliment from another great singer recently, Darlene Love. She said, “Aretha and I are kindred spirits. I love all of her songs, especially ‘Ain’t No Way.’ It really moves me and touches my heart.”

RAP DOESN’T even come close to being one of my favorite kinds of music, but I have become a fan of Drake. He brings something different to the genre, and he might possibly be the best out there today. I love his unique, artsy video for his hit song “Hotline Bling,” and his smooth, carefully developed moves.

Of course, I could do without Drake’s use of profanity, but there seems to be no getting away from that in rap.

Jaden and Willow Smith, children of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, have become as much, if not more, known for their wild sense of fashion in clothes and hair as for their acting and musical skills.

Jaden commented, “I feel like it’s an honor for people to think I’m crazy.”

Congrats to Justin Timberlake on being inducted into the Memphis Hall of Fame. He gave an outstanding performance at the induction ceremony and concert. Timberlake was born in Memphis on Jan. 31, 1981.

SHONDA RHIMES, red hot TV show creator, writer and producer (“Scandal,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” etc.), has been writing stories since she was about five years old. Furthermore, her mother didn’t believe in censorship, so she let her daughter read whatever she pleased.  That explains why her shows are so daring, unpredictable and addictive.

Sonya Miller, ex-wife of Master P, is accusing him of using his son, rapper-actor Romeo Miller, to hide assets from her, giving the impression that his worth is much less than it actually is.

John Legend sang Marvin Gaye’s classic “Sexual Healing” at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles recently. It was interesting. You see it on YouTube, identified as “Kygo (feat. John Legend).”

BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW…that Tavares started out as “Chubby & the Turnpikes.” (Thank goodness they changed their name!)

MEMORIES: “Come See About Me” (the Supremes), “For Your Precious Love” (Jerry Butler and the Impressions), “Close the Door” (Teddy Pendergrass), “Any Love” (Luther Vandross), “Early in the Morning” (the Gap Band), “Real Love” (Mary J. Blige), “Zoom” (the Commodores), “Rub You the Right Way” (Johnny Gill), “Centipede” (Rebbie Jackson), “Rockin’ Chair” (Gwen McCrae).

BLESSINGS to Robert Brown, Derek Dirckson, James Mitchell, Claudette Robinson, Lois Reeves, Horace Boyington, Diane Perkins, Chuck Bennett, Mike Wimberly and Donald Phillips.

WORDS OF THE WEEK, from Don Lemon: “Listen to what your spirit is telling you. Don’t worry about what people say. Be bold. Live your life.”

Let the music play!

Steve Holsey can be reached at Svh517@aol.com and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.