If you are a woman and more specifically a black woman, and have been marginalized, objectified, and subjugated to various forms of oppression; you don’t want to miss this show! If you are a man and have been the perpetrator of marginalizing, sexually objectifying, and abusive towards women; you don’t want to miss this show! Listen and download this show as Eliakim is joined by world renowned bassist, Russel Blake who insightfully, spiritually, intellectually, and critically discusses the: perceptions, ideologies, systematic degradation of women, systematic emasculation of black men, and the systematic dismantling of the black family. Rape and violence against women are on the rise, women are functioning in a surrogate role to the father of their children, and global atrocities against black women are causing an HIV/AIDS pandemic in the African continent. Many external and internal forces have contributed to the devaluing of women that has taught our culture that it is socially and culturally acceptable to marginalize the importance of women in today’s world. Listen as Russel Blake eloquently provides answers to critical issues surrounding the sexual objectification of black women found in Hip-Hop videos, TV, and other forms of mass media.
Russel Blake, a native of New York was influenced by his parents to play music, has toured 65 countries. In addition to performing on Broadway as a bassist in “The Lion King” and “Dreamgirls,” Russel Blake has toured, performed and worked with Sonny Rollins, Pharoah Sanders, Hugh Masekela, Paquito D’Rivera, Hilton Ruiz, Chaka Khan, Wallace Roney, Hiram Bullock, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Harry Belafonte, Machito Y Su Orquesta, Dave Valentin, Michel Camillo, Sam Rivers, Clark Terry, Mary Wells, Wynton Marsalis, Melba Moore, Brenda Russell, and Cybil Shepherd. Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Freddie Hubbard, Nancy Wilson, Manhattan Transfer, Lee Morgan, Billy Cobham, Art Blakely, Max Roach, The Last Poets, Astrud Gilberto, Stan Getz, Pharoah Sanders, Mary Mary, Tramaine Hawkins, Byron Cage, and many other artists/entertainers. He is an Ordained Minister and has written “Proverbs 31:The Virtuous Black Woman.” His book honors, uplifts, encourages, and empowers Women. Volume 1 is dedicated to “The Virtuous Black Woman” in honor of the first Virtuous Woman in his life, his Mother. In a passage from Russel Blake’s book”Proverbs 31:The Virtuous Black Woman“; it says, “Lift up your head for you are a champion; Walk proudly in grace and gracefully with pride knowing that you are a winner; Let no man define your soul nor any job confine your spirit; As wings are to the eagle, so are you to the ideas of God given to your imagination through the bountiful blessings of His will in, of and for you life; I love you not only for what highs you have achieved, but rather for what lows you have overcome in reaching your goals; As long as there is breath in your body there is hope for anther day; Light for the poser of love; Praise for Almighty God; Distinction for the legacy you are creating; No weapon formed against thee shall prosper for you are neither declining nor defeated; For truly, in all ways you are a virtuous Black woman rising.”