ANTWONE TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN
FISHER RUNS FOR
MAYOR GETTING
OF THE
HER TO HAVE MORE
CLE
REVIEWING
AMERICAN
INCREDIBLE
THE
SEX
OUR
RELATIONSHIP
WITH
SUGAR
SKIN:
MOVIE
EVERYONE NEEDS TO SEE ASAP
APRIL 2021 ISSUE
If you make the lives of men better, You make the world better! www.codemmagazine.com
CLEVELAND AND SURROUNDING OHIO CITIES:
COLUMBUS
TOLEDO
CINCINNATI
DAYTON
N
YOUNGSTOWN TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN
INSIDE 12
REVIEWING OUR INCREDIBLE RELATIONSHIP WITH SUGAR If people of color are ever going to get into better mental and physical shape, we need to have a better understanding of our relationship with sugar and our health.
ON THE COVER
18
ANTWONE FISHER RUNS FOR MAYOR OF THE CLE This story would be the hottest news in Cleveland if it were not April Fools’ Day. The fact
4 APRIL 2021 / CODE M
remains, Antwone Fisher, a son of Cleveland, is living his dream and loving life.
17 MAN CODES Quotes by people of distinction
10 MOVERS AND SHAKERS
33 MURPHY REPRISES HIS ROLE IN COMING 2 AMERICA
Get to know people who are making a difference in their careers and changing the world.
Eddie Murphy brings back the entire gang from his original Coming to America.
CODE M / MARCH 2021 3
[ INSIDE ] 36 AMERICAN SKIN
26 GETTING HER TO HAVE MORE SEX Intimacy in the bedroom starts days earlier with thoughtful gestures that resonate with your partner mentally, get her in the mood physically, and allow you to use your manly sexuality to have her begging for more.
There are very few times when something comes along and moves the soul, the senses and your spirit all at the same time. American Skin does that! 39 BOOK REVIEW: MAKE YOUR BED Sometimes, you must start with something small to make something big happen. 41 JAMES BALDWIN: A SHARP SARTORIAL INTELLECT Explore the fashions of James Baldwin. A trendsetter, political activist, and community leader.
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CODE M / FEBRUARY 2021 7
TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN
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MOVERS &
SHAKERS
D E N N I S 10 APRIL 2021 / CODE M
Get to know people who are making a difference in their careers and changing the world!
G A T E S
[ MOVERS & SHAKERS ]
DENNIS GATES
A’Shira Nelson, CPA
The Cleveland State University Head Basketball Coach took his team to the NCAA Tournament in his second year on the job.
A’Shira Nelson, 32, has achieved success in the accounting and finance industry, along with building her own personal social media brand Savvy Girl Money as a budgeting expert for millennial women. Nelson has a robust background in accounting, with a decade of experience in tax and accounting roles. Her expertise is in tax planning and preparation for S-corporations and partnerships with revenue up to $50 million.
Gates, who was the 20192020 Horizon League Coach of the Year, is expected to continue to bring Cleveland State to the NCAA tourney again next year. Gates played college ball at UC Berkeley where he was an All-American.
HAROLD HARRISON Harold Harrison has been the Chief Human Resources Officer for Cleveland Metroparks since 2010 and is credited with creating a welcoming environment for all Metropark employees to thrive. In addition to overseeing the HR functions for the professional staff at the parks, Mr. Harrison also oversees the HR functions for the nearly 5,722 people who volunteer for Cleveland Metroparks. Since 2010, volunteerism has also increased 125%, which translated to about 2,539 additional individuals.
MEREDITH TURNER Meredith Turner is quickly piloting the way for the Democratic Party to lead now and into the future. Her Experience as a Senior Associate with a demonstrated history of working in the government relations and administration industry. She has extensive experience in nonprofit organizations, career development, and consulting. Her strong community skills makes her a vital part of the political scene in Cleveland for the foreseeable future. CODE M / APRIL 2021 11
HEALTH REVIEWING
OUR INCREDIBLE
RELATIONSHIP
WITH
SUGAR
If people of color are ever going to get into better mental and physical shape, we need to have a better understanding of our relationship with sugar and our health.
Written by BRAD BOWLING Brad Bowling is the President of Code Media Group, LLC. Bowling has his BA in mass media communication and a MBA in marketing. He contributes articles to the magazine continuing his love for writing.
I
f you look at photos of the 1950s and 1960s, you’ll notice one common thing: everyone in the picture is slimmer and healthy looking. Pictures of countless people in shape is a thing of the past. Today, it seems like we’re all struggling with keeping our bodies in shape and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Dieting is a 72 billion dollar-a-year busines, yet we continue to get larger and larger. COVID-19 only exacerbated the problem. When the world stopped, we all stopped, too. We moved less and we ate
12 APRIL 2021 / CODE M
more. That horrible combination has become a huge problem for Blacks, turned it into a pandemic all its own. The problem is that Blacks have an incredible relationship with sugar. Historically, Blacks consume more sugar that whites. Between 2005-2010, Blacks consumed sugar in over 20 percent of their diet compared to whites at 16 percent. Blacks on average have less options when it comes to eating a sugar-regulated diet than all other races. That, combined with a Black medical history of not being able to tolerate a diet filled with sugar or salt, makes this a huge problem for the community. “I try to eat as healthy as I can but no matter what I try, nothing seems to work,” said Pamela, from Akron. The truth is our relationship with sugar is hard to explain. The way it breaks down in our body is one thing. But the other fact is that, simply put, sugar is in everything. So, let’s talk about where it is, and how we
[ HEALTH ]
can control it better.
There are three types of sugar: sucrose, fructose, and lactose. The three act differently in the body, but all contribute to added calories in your diet and need to be monitored. Sucrose is common sugar. It’s a disaccharide, a molecule composed of two monosaccharides: glucose and fructose. Sucrose is produced naturally in plants, from which table sugar is refined. Fructose, or fruit sugar, is a simple ketonic monosaccharide found in many plants where it is often bonded to glucose to form the disaccharide sucrose. It is one of the three dietary monosaccharides, along with glucose and galactose, that are absorbed directly into the blood during digestion. Lactose is a disaccharide. It is a sugar composed of galactose and glucose subunits and has the molecular formula C12H22O11. Lactose makes up around 2–8% of milk (by weight). The name comes from lac (gen. lactis), the Latin word for milk, plus the suffix -ose, which is used to form the names of sugars.
What needs to be understood about all three sugars is how the body uses them, and how it impacts our daily diets. The term “empty calories” comes from the fact that processed sugar, stripped of all its nutrients, does not create the feeling of being full. So, we never become satisfied by eating foods loaded with sugar. Processed foods are the worst because the body breaks these foods down more quickly than natural foods, which makes our blood sugar levels spike.
If you are going to consume any food with sugar, substitute eating fruits and vegetables. These foods, loaded with fructose, offer a better solution and healthier choice because of the way the body breaks down the natural sugar from fruit. The recommended daily intake is 2 to 3 servings of fruit daily. Taking this action will leave you fuller and create more balance in your diet.
CODE M / APRIL 2021 13
[ LIFE ]
12 MARCH 2021 / CODE M
[ HEALTH ]
SUGAR AND YOUR BODY The complicated relationship of sugar in the body is critical to understand if you struggle with illness due to poor diet and weight gain. The ramifications of not watching your sugar intake can be devastating if left unchecked. African Americans simply need to understand that sugar is slowly killing our race. The damage done from consuming large amounts of sugar is quite dangerous. The most serious issue is organ damage associated with hypertension and diabetes causing retinopathy, nephropathy, and lower-extremity amputations. To date, research suggests that underlying genetic mechanisms may be responsible for the increased frequency of high blood pressure and kidney disease in African Americans. For Black women, the largest cause of death is heart failure due to obesity. The combination of poor diet and increased sugar intake is the cause of this problem. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) can be blamed for killing over 50,000 Black women annually and only 48 percent are aware of the high risk associated with diet and lack of exercise. NOW FOR THE BAD NEWS The consumption of sugar not only causes blood levels to spike, and diabetes and hypertension. It also attacks the body’s anti-aging genes. In various chronic diseases these anti-aging genes are deactivated with altered immune responses. This means that the body literally stops or begins to fall apart as we consume too much sugar. There is no single greater threat to people of color than how much food we consume and, more importantly, how much and what type of sugar. In the US, sugar is used to sell more products, stabilize food, and make everything taste better. As of 2015, there are over 600,000 foods in the American food industry and 80 percent of them contain added sugar. So, resist the urge to fall prey to your cravings, develop a better relationship with food, and play it smart. The good decisions you make today will positively impact the rest of your life.֍
CODE M / APRIL 2021 15
MAN CODES: “The only unnatural sex act is that which you cannot perform.” - Alfred Kinsey “Healing begins where the wound was made.” - Alice Walker “I know a man who gave up smoking, drinking, sex, and rich food. He was healthy right up to the day he killed himself.” - Johnny Carson “To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” - Buddha
QUOTES BY PEOPLE OF DISTINCTION
Compiled by Bilal S. Akram
“I've made a promise to myself to be a 100% healthy person if nothing else.” - Picabo Street
“Treasure the love you receive above all. It will survive long after your good health has vanished.” - Og Mandino
“Hearty laughter is a good way to jog internally without having to go outdoors.” - Norman Cousins
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19
“Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.” - Redd Foxx
“Wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.” - Toni Morrison (Song of Solomon) “There are two sayings that are familiar in every news room across the country: 1. sex sells; 2. if it bleeds it leads.” - Armstrong Williams “The greatest lie ever told about love is that it sets you free.” - Zadie Smith “You can't have rock and roll without drugs, you can't have rock and roll without sex.” - Rick James “Health is not valued till sickness comes.” - Thomas Fuller “The healthy man does not torture others - generally it is the tortured who turn into torturers.” - Carl Jung “There are two things people want more than sex and money... recognition and praise.” - Mary Kay Ash
Redd Foxx is an icon in Black-American culture.
CODE M / APRIL 2021 17
COVER
APRIL
FISHER RUNS FOR
MAYOR OF THE
CLE
FOOLS
ANTWONE
This story would be the hottest news in Cleveland if it were not April Fools’ Day. The Fact remains, Antwone Fisher, a son of Cleveland, is living his dream and loving life. by Brad Bowling
18 APRIL 2021 / CODE M
[ COVER ]
CODE M / APRIL 2021 19
[ COVER ]
ANTWONE FISHER KNEW HIS
WHY
AT THE AGE OF 9
20 APRIL 2021 / CODE M
[ COVER ]
W
We all remember the movie, Antwone Fisher, starring Denzel Washington and Derek Luke as Antwone. It was about a little boy who grew up in the foster care program, alone, angry, and abused by his foster parents. The movie was a story about forgiveness and the relentless pursuit of survival. But what the movies only hints at, what we all missed, is how Antwone Fisher discovered his gift. Mark Twain said, “The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.” For Antwone Fisher, the pain of growing up alone and abused pushed him to find solace in a place he knew could protect his spirit, his mind, and his peace. “I discovered a long time ago that I had a love of sketching and writing,”
Antwone Fisher, the movie, was one of the top grossing films of 2003 and made Fisher a household name.
Fisher said, “It made me happy, kept me calm, and allowed me to escape to other places using my imagination.” Fisher’s writing became the “why” for his being born. For Fisher to have discovered this at such a young age explains his incredible ability to not be scarred by his horrific upbringing. “I remember when Carl Stokes became mayor, he was so powerful. He came to my elementary school (Oliver Wendall Homes Elementary School). I saw him walk past a group of people and it made me realize that I could be something myself,” Fisher remembered. “The mayor came to the park and he was throwing out basketballs to the kids. I didn’t know much at my age, but it was quite a sight to see a Black man with that much power.” Fisher did not just have to battle his foster mother to stay alive, he also had to deal with internal struggles. Born with dyslexia, Fisher struggled to read and maintain good grades due to his inability to see and read. “I am dyslexic. It is hard for me to read. I have a little anxiety as well. I remember when I was a kid I was embarrassed to read in front of the class. I learned how to do it in small bunches. Sometimes my computer will read what I write back to me,” Fisher said. Once Fisher became old enough, he joined the Navy where he could hide his problems and find the space to grow up and nourish his love for writing. One would think getting away from the city where he experienced so much pain would be good. Most people die within a 25-mile radius of where they were born. They struggle to escape their past and it ends up predicting their future. But Fisher channeled his past into his first movie script. Success did not come quickly for Fisher. He wrote the screen play, Antwone Fisher, in 1993. CODE M / APRIL 2021 21
[ COVER ]
Fisher enjoys his life living in LA with his family and pets.
The film didn’t get made until 2003. It took 10 long years and hundreds of rewrites for Fisher to perfect the script and movie we all enjoy today. The patience and desire to stick with the plan is why Fisher has been able to thrive in so many difficult situations. The difference between most people and Fisher is the fact that he learned to dream early. That dream was cultivated
fifteen film writing projects, script doctoring, or script consultant assignments with the major studios and working as a writer, producer, and filmmaker himself. In his spare time Fisher does public speaking and continues to write every day to continue to keep his imagination sharp and thriving.
“I think everyone should write their own story whether it gets made into a movie or not. I play the base guitar and it is a blessing for me.” through writing, which helped him mentally escape his problems and explore at better outcome. His love for writing helped Fisher create Antwone Fisher, the film that won scores of awards and made Fisher a household name. “I think everyone should write their own story whether it gets made into a movie or not. I play the base guitar and it is a blessing for me. I water paint. Those things make me happy and relaxed,” Fisher explained. Today Fisher has enjoyed twenty-six years with an impressive
22 APRIL 2021 / CODE M
“Today is an incredibly special time for writers. With so many streaming services looking for original content, writers are finding amazing outlets to get their projects done,” Fisher said. There are so many things people can learn from Fisher. One of the more significant lessons is that their circumstances don’t have to define who they are or who they will become. They can escape to a better place and find what makes
16 MARCH 2021 / CODE M
[[COVER COVER]]
them happy. Fisher believes there is a story to tell in everyone and that they should write out their experiences on paper to rid themselves of feeling guilty. Fisher has done an amazing job of becoming the man he never had in his life. If anyone is looking for the sequel to Antwone Fisher the movie, all they need do is get a pen and paper or sit down at a computer and type out their own story. According to Fisher, we all can have the kind of Hollywood ending we envision for ourselves. ֍
Fisher enjoys time alone to create and write at the level that he does.
CODE M / MARCH 2021 17
CODE M / AUGUST ISSUE15
Frederick Douglass
26 APRIL 2021 / CODE M
Harriet Tubman
LIFE HER TO
GETTING
[ LIFE ]
HAVE MORE
SEX
Intimacy in the bedroom starts days earlier with thoughtful gestures that resonate with your partner mentally, get her in the mood physically, and allow you to use your manly sexuality to have her begging for more.
By Justin Roberts
I
t’s no secret that men like sex. What is even less of a secret is that women like sex, too. However, there is a huge difference between how men and women approach the art of wanting and enjoying sex. For men, the process of wanting sex is simple: we want it all the time. But with women, the process takes more time. And because men want it more, ultimately, we need to do a better job of creating an environment where women crave it more also. There are several things men can do to excite women into wanting more sex. The overall process is 50 percent mental and 50 percent physical. If you want to create a better bedroom experience with your lover, you will need to do both equally.
MIND#*&K HER If you want to create an inviting space for her to get busy, you first need to start with her mind. Pay attention to her needs and find the time to listen to her when she speaks. Being on your cell phone constantly looking at it can easily irritate her, so put it down. Remember: magical sex starts way before you get to the bedroom. CODE M / APRIL 2021 27
[ LIFE ]
Practice making love to her mind so she will want to make love to your body.
You can begin foreplay by doing thoughtful things for her like opening her car door or pulling her seat out when sitting down to dinner. Great relaxing conversation always sets the right mood. Basically, you need to become more attentive and way more receptive to her desires and needs outside the bedroom if you expect to please her in the bedroom.
COMMUNICATION Women expect some level of stimulating conversation when in a relationship. Today, some men might consider texting in broken sentences a form of communication. You might be surprised to find that women loathe constant texting without some form of verbal communication. Great communication includes periodic phone calls to keep the flame alive and interest going. Also, make sure you offer different levels and types of communication — and be authentic, not superficial. Women see right through to a man’s desire to just have sex and
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the last thing they want to feel is that they’re only a means to an end. So, talking about work is cool but find other things to discuss as the evening goes on, especially those things that are of specific interest to her or the both of you.
LOVE LANGUAGE The art of understanding how your partner communicates their love is one of the best ways to create more excitement in the bedroom. For women, if they’re mentally into you, they’ll become just as into you physically. Knowing that, you need to find out how to best provide them with the things that they want. There are five love languages: words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, acts of service, and receiving gifts. Once you understand her love language, create the environment to provide for those needs. It will help you get what you want faster. These are just a few suggestions to mentally put her in the right place to receive pleasure. Women also need to have a relaxed, non-stressed environment if they are going to be able to have the space to need or want physical pleasure. So, if you have drama with the ex, if you
TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN
THE
WOMEN’S ISSUE COMING
MAY 2021
SERVING
CLEVELAND AND SURROUNDING OHIO CITIES: COLUMBUS TOLEDO CINCINNATI DAYTON YOUNGSTOWN
[ LIFE ] live with your mom, or if you cannot afford to provide for a safe, fun experience, you may want to wait until these things are cleaned up. After you have created a meaningful situation for her mentally you still need to work on the physical aspect of pleasuring your mate. Women climax during intercourse only 25 percent of the time. If you’re going to create more desire in the relationship where she craves you physically, you are going to need to understand her actual needs in the bedroom.
extend, and under the outer labia are two big wads of engageable erogenous tissue called the paired vestibular bulbs. All of this means that a woman’s body is primed for pleasure — if you know what you are doing. Now the act! Take her hips and place them on something soft. A pillow or folded towel so you can lick on, around, and under her clitoris. Make sure you lick as she moves. Follow her lead so she can develop her pleasure until she climaxes. It takes about twenty minutes of stimulation for a female to climax, so understand that going into it. If you can master this, you will become superman to her in the bedroom, thus increasing her desire for you physically.
SLOW DOWN Women want to be romanced. The reason you had to sit through five rom-coms before she’ll have sex with you is because she wants to revel in the fantasy. Women want to feel appreciated. This means that you need to take your time and provide an experience that’s lasting. Consider a soothing massage to set the tone. Physical touch starts way before the bedroom, but a massage sets the tone for what is to come. Massaging her allows you to touch her all over and for her to relax and mentally prepare for sex.
GO DOWN ON HER If you are going to create a meaningful sexual experience, you’ll need to broaden your skills concerning how you provide pleasure. Because women climax only 25 percent of the time through intercourse, adding cunnilingus to your game is going to increase her chances of climaxing.
PENIS SIZE DOESN’T MATTER The one known fact that women all seem to share is that size does not matter. If a man can use his tool the right way, he can satisfy his lover. Make sure you understand her favorite positions and how she likes to be treated in bed. Some women like seduction and some women like romance. The better you understand her physical needs, the more times you’ll have her desiring sex with you. Remember, half the battle was getting to this point, so capitalize on that and take things to the heights of ecstasy for both of you. These are just some of the tips that can have your plus one wanting more and more of you, naked, if you know what I mean. So live and learn and create the dream for her so that you can be sexually fulfilled, too. ֍
First, the science. A woman’s clitoris has about 6,000 to 8,000 nerve endings — and its only purpose is pleasure! Only about a quarter of the clitoris is visible outside the body. There is an internal female erectile network, all comprised of erectile tissue. The clitoral shaft has “legs” that
Increase her chances of reaching climax by perfecting oral sex.
CODE M / APRIL 2021 31
[ COVER ]
NOVEMBER 2020 ISSUEM / CODE M 2622DECEMBER 2020 / CODE
ENTERTAINMENT
MURPHY REPRISES ROLE IN COMING 2 AMERICA Written by WAYNE DAVID HUBBARD Wayne David Hubbard is an author, poet, and educator. His first book Mobius: Meditations on Home is available on Amazon. He lives in Virginia, and when he is not writing, he teaches chess and flies airplanes.
T
hirty-three years after Prince Akeem of Zamunda graced the busy streets of Queens in Eddie Murphy’s classic Coming To America (1988), the stars of black royalty realign to join him for Coming 2 America (2021). Since then, much has changed in African American culture and recent history — not to mention viewer expectations. Perhaps no other comedy sequel has faced such an unusually high bar. Like lost relatives, we reunite the familiar smile of
Eddie Murphy playing Prince Akeem, Arsenio Hall as Seemi, his best friend, and the impeccable James Earl Jones as King Jeffa Joffer. The elder king is of age and the three must face the reality that Prince Akeem must soon rule Zamunda on his own. This transition of power threatens the stability of Zamunda. Their royal patriarchal tradition clashes with the simple fact that Prince Akeem has only daughters, while the law of the land states that the royal throne can only go to a male heir.
As Prince Akeem journeys back to America to solve his dilemma, viewers are also taken back in time. The movie seeks to be a greatest hits machine, highlighting numerous beloved moments in social consciousness from near present to the late ‘80s era of hip hop and soul. Cameos from past favorite music artists create moments of surprising joy, and the movie pays homage to the major accomplishments of real-life African American figures and Black culture.
This moment of potential weakness draws the attention of the hostile General Izzi (Wesley Snipes) from neighboring country Nextdooria. The General wants a piece of Zamunda, and the stage is set for potential war. Or there could be peace. The outcome hinges on Prince Akeem’s decisions, both past and present, which send him on a return quest to New York City.
Unfortunately, a few moments of picking up from the past did not translate well for present day. To state this another way, this sequel about African royalty, to its credit, fully recognized a post-Wakandian era of cinema. As a viewer, I hunger for immersion in full vibrancy of African culture, and now that CODE M / APRIL 2021 33
[ ENTERTAINMENT ] Hollywood is finally delivering, there is no going back. With this in mind, some jokes about African poverty felt like a step backward, neither new nor necessary. I felt the script would have been wiser to pull punchlines in a more creative direction. Creatively, here is where Coming 2 America resoundingly delivers. The visual presentations of Africa in its finest clothing and royal regalia were unlike anything ever seen before. In an ironic twist, much of the sequel’s major action does not happen in America, but inside the Zamunda Royal Hall. Prince Akeem’s lavish palace becomes a theater-within-a-theater for a continuous celebration of African American culture in lockstep with African beauty and strength. The fashion aesthetics are visually magnificent and totally mesmerizing. Costume designer Ruth E. Carter, whose Academy Award-winning work includes Black Panther (2018) and the first Coming To America, might be the true champion of this sequel. Her displays of the African royal garb inspire awe. Her costumes transform scenes into a literal fashion show making viewers want to lean in for a better view. It was as if every gorgeous article of clothing had its own story to tell. What a wonder it would be to experience the grand parade of African design in the full dimensions of a movie theater screen. In March 2021, designer Carter earned a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. I would love to see more exhibitions of her work, and I wish her many more accolades. The additional cast of Coming 2 America
brought their celebrated personalities to the story. Tracy Morgan plays Uncle Reem Johnson who infuses several scenes with a classic New York swagger. The communal spirit of Queens is also revived by the additional characters Eddie Murphy resurrects: the old rowdy men in the barbershop and a bombastic street preacher. Their bantering hysterics made for hilarious homecoming moments. The movie also features Salt-N-Pepa and Gladys Knight whose presence will bring a warm smile to any face. Current media sensations like Trevor Noah join the fun, too. There were many more appearances, yet one cannot forget the man whose voice is, at times, regarded ubiquitously with “the voice of God”: Morgan Freeman himself. The cultural contributions of all of these figures are worthy of celebration. Certainly, they have earned their screen time. However, the younger Hollywood actors and actresses piqued much more interest. Kiandra “Kiki” Layne plays Prince Akeem’s daughter, and is a perfect balance of beautiful and fierce. Teyana Taylor who plays General Izzi’s daughter commands attention with simply her presence. We also meet Nomzamo Mbatha, an actress from South Africa who plays Lavelle’s attendant. We absolutely must see more of them in bigger films, also playing roles with more dynamism than Coming 2 America allowed space. An irony in the staticness of the female roles reveals itself. The sequel acknowledges the ascendant power of women in the world as a force that can be delayed no longer. However, it misses an opportunity to realize this by giving
woman characters charge of their own destiny. In short, we hear about how times have changed, but the characters themselves are slow to act on this. At worst, the sequel directly replicates presumed tropes about women’s roles in an identical manner to thirty years ago. With Vice President Kamala Harris, there is clearly no going back to assumed restrictions, nor should we. The film lags in this regard, perhaps unintentionally. Mercifully, Shari Headley, Prince Akeem’s bride — now a dominant princess, and Leslie Jones, the influential and raucous comedian who plays Prince Akeem’s former mistress, take turns defying the royal patriarchy. Each demonstrates in her own manner that — as in chess — a Queen is most powerful. She can move in any direction she chooses. Eddie Murphy’s performance was on point as expected. Thankfully, thirty years later, he is still himself. Coming 2 America is a fun film, better suited for fans of the original classic, and people who want to remember fonder ‘90s moments. Younger audiences may not connect as much with the intentional throwbacks. Yet many can and should appreciate the energetic celebrations of African American and African culture that unfold scene after scene. Viewing this film in historical context is to acknowledge that while these times are not perfect, much has changed for the better in thirty years. Coming 2 America attempts to bundle as much black imagination and real-life aspiration as possible into one film. In this way, it succeeds. It is a big feat when you consider how much there is to cover. This is something perhaps only Eddie Murphy’s magnetic personality could bring together. ֍
Clevelander Arsenio Hall and Eddie Murphy in Coming 2 America.
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CODE M / FEBRUARY 27ISSUE 27 CODE M /2021 AUGUST
[ ENTERTAINMENT ]
T
here have been very few times since the American cinema was created that a movie has been made that impacts the entire country. One could argue which movies made such an impact: Moses, JFK, The Day After, the TV movie with Jason Robards about the aftermath of a nuclear missile strike against our own country], and now American Skin. This highly relevant movie is about police brutality and holding the police accountable. The movie was made in 2019 but the pandemic and timing created a circumstance wherein the movie was just recently released. Typically, movies are made to mimic life, but in this Nate Parker -directed film, it’s more of a “what if?” It is all too familiar to have a police officer-involved shooting of an unarmed Black man or woman happen only to be forgotten or swept under the rug as time passes. We’re kind of used to the “Let the investigation happen before we discuss anything” position of the police as the process drags on so long that we lose focus on the incident or we simply move on to the next police shooting. American Skin helps us bring together all the frustrations of hearing another police officer escape prosecution for his crime because it deals with the situation head on. Omari Hardwick, who plays Omar Scott, brilliantly deals with his 14-year-old son being shot dead for simply trying to film the police. The movie quickly
36 APRIL 2021 / CODE M
escalates as the military veteran dad struggles when the police officer who killed his son, played by Beau Knapp, is not held accountable for his actions.
Scott decides to take matters into his own hands as he storms the police station where Knapp works so he can bring his own brand of justice to bear. Scott, along with his friends and family, take the police station hostage and hold court against Knapp using inmates and private citizens as the jury. Hands down, the best part of the movie is the dialogue between everyone in the “courtroom” who are very vocal about their position on the matter. The movie simply presents all angles — of Americans as a whole — giving a voice to each of their perspectives. Written by Nate Parker, American Skin is amazing in how it allows each race, person, and gender the opportunity to speak their piece. We all could learn something from this film — if nothing else, it’s that we are closer to being on the same page than we think. Everyone just wants to go home. That turns out to be the underlying theme of the film. How we go home is what we all need to work on. If we could remember that underneath, we are all the same, we can figure out how to co-exist and treat each other just a little bit better. ֍
Omari Hardwick stars in American Skin.
[ ENTERTAINMENT ]
AMERICAN
SKIN:
THE
MOVIE
EVERYONE NEEDS TO SEE ASAP
There are very few times when something comes along and moves the soul, the senses and your spirit all at the same time. American Skin does that! by Leslie Logan
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Little Things That Can Change Your Life...and Maybe the World.
REVIEW
MOVERS & BOOK
MAKE YOUR BED:
Sometimes, you must start with something small to make something big happen. by Bolling Smith
BOOK REVIEW
W
e all have been tested over the last twelve months. Some more than others. Our latest tests have many people wondering if they have what they need to tackle the post-Corona world we will soon live in. Anxiety is high, and the answers we all search for can be complicated.
For those who are looking for an answer, and a new beginning, the book Make Your Bed might offer a good starting point for you. Written by US Navy Seal Instructor William H. McRaven, the book offers suggestions to change the world by doing something we all can do every day. McRaven believes that starting your day by making your bed is one of the single more important things you can do. It starts the day with a goal accomplished. Understanding that making your bed is a small task, it is still one that we all can accomplish. Then tackle the next goal, and the next goal until you are working to complete them all. The book does not assume that somehow making your bed will solve all your problems. It suggests that if you can become tactical with your goals, you can reduce the stress of obtaining the success you want. McRaven goes on to say that, some days, making your bed might be the highest achievement of the day, but the bottom line is that you did something to jump-start your success.
The book encourages failure as much as success. It also encourages us in understanding that the work of getting the things we want out of life is supposed to be hard and takes effort. It’s supposed to be dirty, and smelly and painful, but the journey to get to where we want to be is worth the energy and effort we put into it. Finally, the book urges us to be decent to one another, to set high expectations for accomplishing our goals, and enjoy the process of getting from here to there. For many people, with the last twelve months feeling so foreign to us, Make Your Bed returns us to a place that seems familiar again while at the same time moving us upward and onward starting one made bed at a time. CODE M / APRIL 2021 39
[ HEALTH ]
30 FEBRUARY 2021 / CODE M
FASHION
[ BUSINESS ]
JAMES BALDWIN A Sharp Sartorial Intellect Written by ANTHONY KIRBY Anthony Kirby is the Fashion Editor for CODE M Magazine and has spent over 30 years in the fashion industry. Kirby lives in Philadelphia where he owns a clothier in the city.
I
n my pivoting into new experiences as a fashion and lifestyle editor for CODE M Magazine, I wanted to explore different ways of viewing and interpreting style. In terms of style, it can be defined by “manner of expression that distinguishes the work of a particular artist,” or in the case of James Baldwin, a genius. Baldwin’s style was sharp, a strong reflection of his writing style. I would go on to say that Bro. Baldwin, was the G.O.A.T. in African American literature. He was an essayist, activist, visionary, and playwright. His essay, The Fire Next Time (1963); Academy-Award nominated documentary, I Am Not Your Negro (2016); and his novel, If Beale Street Could Talk, an Oscar-winning film. These are just a couple of examples of his extensive works, and we can’t forget his
A classic look – 1969
contribution to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. I would go on to say his writings and style are as resonant today as they were 60 years ago. Well-attired, this classic look from 1969 captured Baldwin’s personal style, the one-button wide, peak lapel, windowpane jacket with hacking pockets. A rolled button-down collar with the natty printed scarf tie, a cord or moleskin trouser, and topped off with dark, oversized bug-eyed shades.
In his own thoughts – 1966
As a writer, it all started here. Before typing and getting his thoughts on paper, Baldwin pondered the racism and social CODE M / APRIL 2021 41
[ FASHION ]
injustice he often spoke and wrote about. What better way to contemplate his thoughts comfortably than with a 2color stripe, crewneck knit with his ever-present cigarette. This is where Baldwin called home after relocating to Paris in 1948. He needed a new place to finish his first novel, Go Tell It on the Mountain. He also adopted the Parisian style of dressing during this era. The Hermes neckerchief, French-cuff shirt, and accessorizing with cufflinks, a ring, and wrist jewelry. Here we see Baldwin’s diverse style in this photo session taken in the UK. He is impeccable wearing a timeless Safari Jacket with a belted waist — making it look so easy. Both Baldwin’s writing and Ivy Style have been revived. He was ahead of his time with his wardrobe choices that went from classic to urbane. It left a lasting impression just as much as his work in American literature. As the country transitions into new leadership, Baldwin’s insight is needed today to give voice and understanding to what it means to be an American and to be Black. He is doing this with Substance & Style. ֍
A new horizon – 1970s
[ EDUCATION ]
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