Swede sweetback’s baadassss song: The Black Power Mixtape ***

By Dennis Hartley (Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on October 1, 2011) Diana: Hi, I’m Diana Christensen, a racist lackey of the imperialist ruling circles. Laureen: I’m Laureen Hobbs, a badass commie n****r. Diana: Sounds like the basis of a firm friendship.  –from Network, written by Paddy Chayefsky The slyly subversive sociopolitical subtext of that … Continue reading Swede sweetback’s baadassss song: The Black Power Mixtape ***

13 songs the lord never taught us: A mixtape

By Dennis Hartley (Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on October 19, 2024) I know what you’re thinking-we’re still about 2 weeks out from Halloween  …but ’tis the season. Besides, “Halloween” is practically a 4th-quarter long celebration, considering its proximity to All Saints Day, All Souls Day, All Hallows’ Eve, El Dia de los Muertos, Ghost … Continue reading 13 songs the lord never taught us: A mixtape

When strangers were welcome here: A hopeful mixtape (slight return)

By Dennis Hartley Sadly, I can’t say that I was completely surprised by this: Bomb threats on Friday forced the evacuation and closure of public schools and municipal buildings [in Springfield, Ohio] for a second consecutive day, as the city continues to deal with sudden national attention due to false claims involving its Haitian population. … Continue reading When strangers were welcome here: A hopeful mixtape (slight return)

Blood at the root: an MLK Day mixtape

By Dennis Hartley (Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo January 13, 2024) I came into this world on April 4, 1956. 12 years later, to the day, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. left it. My intention is not to attach any particular significance to that kismet, apart from the fact that I have since felt … Continue reading Blood at the root: an MLK Day mixtape

Now We See the Light: A Mixtape

By Dennis Hartley (Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on June 13, 2020) Hey you know something people I’m not black But there’s a whole lots a times I wish I could say I’m not white — Frank Zappa, “Trouble Every Day” It has been an interesting week here in Mayberry (the one with the Space … Continue reading Now We See the Light: A Mixtape

SIFF 2015: The Black Panthers: Vanguard of a Revolution **1/2

By Dennis Hartley (Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on May 30, 2015) If this rote recap of The Black Power Movement feels destined for PBS…it’s because it is. However, that shouldn’t deter you from catching it; it’s an eminently watchable (if not necessarily enlightening) look at an important corollary of the 1960s civil rights movement … Continue reading SIFF 2015: The Black Panthers: Vanguard of a Revolution **1/2

The Fierce Urgency of Now (more than ever)

By Dennis Hartley (Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on January 15, 2022) In honor of Martin Luther King Day, I’ve combed my review archives and curated 10 films that reflect on race relations in America; some that look back at where we’ve been, some that give us a reality check on where we’re at now … Continue reading The Fierce Urgency of Now (more than ever)