Special to Will & Fam!

CONGRATULATIONS WILL SMITH AND FAMILY,

On Will’s getting the role as President Barack Obama. This will be the role almost as great as The Greatest, Muhammad Ali.

All The Best.

Your friends in Philadelphia at  University City High School – Class of 1974!

Wattstax the movie, adult language, but a great film

``Wattstax’’ from 1973 A Film Not to be Missed.

By GOD ALMIGHTY // Tracy Gibson

     I wrote a little about this before, but I can’t help but write a little more.  There is a trailer from an ole movie called ``Wattstax,’’ which is a cornucopia of segments centering on the comedy of Richard Pryor, Isaac Hayes, and different musical groups – a BLACK movie that I remember fondly from the time I worked at the Cinema 19 then at 19^th and Chestnut Street here in Philadelphia.

     There are two reasons why I remember this fondly. One is the fact that there was a small riot at the theatre that summer in the 1970’s when the film was showing because people couldn’t get tickets and there was mass confusion and a little hysteria.  I also remember this because I was a teen-ager at the time and there was a broken glass ticket booth and there was money on the floor in the broken ticket booth and there was this BLACK teen-aged worker named Tracy Gibson ( ME ) who took $10.00 off the floor and NEVER told anyone about it except now. I wrote this in my book  ``The Re-Awakening of the African Diaspora.’’  The newer one from I think 2015 or so.

    Don’t think I am NOT embarrassed by this still until this day.  I took advantage of a situation and I PRAY GOD takes mercy for me and forgives me.

     The other reason I LOVE this ``Wattstax’’ movie is because there is a segment with the singing group, a group of beautiful BLACK women, and they sing ``Peace Be Still,’’ just in a manner I can’t even begin to tell you how fantastic they sound in this trailer of the film. These sisters bring a deeply-rooted level of authentic Soul to this traditional Gospel song that I have never seen topped by anyone else who sings this song.  I have to also tell parents that this film may not be suitable for children under 15 due to some of the language, but it is a great movie. So, when you get a chance, please see this film that is available at the Free Library of Philadelphia through the Inner Library Loan program.

** Editor’s Note: Some of the reference checks for this film were gathered from the Internet Movie Data Base. ( WWW.IMDB.ORG)

 You have to use Inner Library Loan AT THE FREE LIBRARY because the film is very old and they have this special program AT THE LIBRARY for such older films. You might be able to buy it also from the WWW.AMAZON.COM source as well for ( $10.99).    Hallelujah!

Laila Ali Gets great book review for ``Food for Life,'' from GOD ALMIGHTY!

``Food for LIFE,’’ Laila Ali’s Cook Book and life changing nutrition book Gets great Review!

By Tracy Gibson – GOD ALMIGHTY!

     Her recent cook and healthy living book, `` Food for Life,’’ by Laila Ali, is pretty good and has excellent photos of the fantastic foods She prepares.

     Ali makes it easy to lessen the salt and make changes that are easy to make for a trained food professional like myself.  People with less cooking skills will also find this book useful because it is easy to read and very people-friendly!

     I am very pleased with the clear writing and the clear printing that is easy to read and to understand.  She often mentions that good, healthy food is a part of a healthy regimen and can extend life and vitality.

     Muhammad Ali’s daughter and a married woman very proud of Her father, Ms Ali writes about each recipe using common language, but the writing also has a flair that shows off Her writing talents ( it should be noted, and you may already know that Ms Ali is a trained boxer like Her Dad was).

     I had to ``get over it,’’ – as BLACK family healing expert Iyanla Vanzant says – I had to get over it about being an independent man as I was a bit ``fearful’’ of Her book not knowing Ms Ali much at all.  Now, however, I have a more acclimated and comfortable knowledge about Her book and want to read about Her life as a boxer, wife and Mom.  I am sure Ms Ali has a biography out that will inform me more about Her life, family and political activities.

    The stories that go along with the recipes in ``Food for Life,’’ also chip off a part of Her feelings about the foods She is writing about.  She has a great and positive Way of writing that is active and professional.  One thing I will strongly suggest that will help with the flavor of the beef bones She uses to make beef- soup stock, is something I learned from my Mother, Mrs. Jessie Thornton Gibson ( Who was like a GOD for me ) – cook the beef bones in the oven for about 30 minutes – and put the bones into a hot oven at about 350  - and the flavor of the beef bones and all the nutrients comes out even more flavorfully when you make the stock.   I am not just going to do this review and forget about Ms Ali because I LOVed Her Father and was so proud of Him when He took a stand against the Viet Nam war as well as the great sparing He did with announcer and Television personality Howard Cosell. Muhammad Ali also was and is a fantastic role model for BLACK children, especially BLACK teen men who need to have more positive role models and lasting images of positivity for their lives to run a better course than what others might want to steer them into.

I was very glad that Ms Ali uses many flavorful vegetables, whole grains, and other healthy foods like fresh fruits in many of Her recipes.  I look forward to reading more about Ms Ali and I am more than willing to help Her if She wants to break into the movie business. I am NOT trying to be funny, but She may want to take a few acting lessons, unless She is a natural, which may well be the case.  Some people think acting is easy like RAP is easy. I did a rap in my living room a while ago and do you really want to talk about  me sounding like really bad, well that is what I sounded like – really bad at Rap folks.  But cooking, see I come from three generations of cooks and chefs – my father and grandfather.  If Ms Ali wants to start a restaurant here in Philadelphia and needs my help, please allow Her to feel free to call my home office because I know plenty of restaurant people here and have some locations I am thinking about.  Judging from Her book ``Food for Life,’’ Ms Ali is more than ready to take such a step.

A Visit to Larry's Steaks for Healthy foods

Healthy Things to eat: A Review of the Healthier Items on the Menu at Larry’s Steaks

At 2459 North 54th Street (54th Below City Line Avenue).

1 (215) 879 1776

Open: Monday through Thursday 10 A.M. to 2 A.M.

Friday & Saturday:  10 A.M. to 3:30 A.M. (GREAT FOR LATE NIGHT EATING).

Sunday: 10 A.M. to 11 P.M.

A look at better food by Brother Tracy Gibson

They don’t offer much for home-made desserts, but Larry’s Steaks has several items on their menu that will help the person eating out find something healthier to munch on.

1] You can just order a Vegetarian Pizza with a little cheese; or ask specifically for the kinds of toppings you want such as Green Peppers; Mushrooms; Onions; Broccoli; Spinach and / or Black Olives.

2] Chicken Cutlet Stromboli ; Grilled Chicken Stromboli; Vegetarian Pizza by the slice [$3.00]

[More prices will be added later].

3] Sweet Potato fries $3.25

4] Onion Rings $3.75  (Treat yourself to three & four, rings, not orders of rings)…

5] Gyros – Lamb or Chicken.

6] From the Catering menu (They serve as an official caterer for the Philadelphia 76ers) – Green Salad with Grilled Chicken [Serves 8 to 10 people]. You can get Russian or Oil & Vinegar dressing. $35.00.

7] Salads include: Garden Salad or a Turkey Salad with Italian, Honey Mustard or Russian Dressing.

8] [Just be bold & order a Vegetarian Pizza. It does not mean you are going to be a vegetarian and never eat meat again!!!]

9] Fish with vegetables  (Flounder Hoagie – with no cheese $7.85)…

9A] Tuna with vegetables like peppers, onions, tomatoes, and black olives [no cheese]

9B] Grilled Vegetable Hoagies

9C] Grilled Chicken Grinder with no cheese;  [Even if you ask for just a little cheese, your waistline will thank you…..]

10] Wraps: Turkey & Cheese ($7.60); Tuna; Grilled chicken. add vegetables.

11] Vegetarian White Pizza: (With little cheese).

12] Turkey Breast Panini;  Fat Veggie Panini; 10.00 Vegetarian Pizza.

13] Master Card; Discover; Am Ex; & Visa accepted.

14] Don’t forget to ask if they have a fruit salad. Great for energy and vitality. You will be a great Vivid Image for the cameras on the basketball court! Go Women and Men of the 76ers!

14] They don’t carry Fiji water {which as far as I’m concerned is the best kind} , but they do have Spring Water, which is recommended as opposed to sodas and milk shakes.

 15] There are many other items on the menu, but we were interested in items that burn up faster as calories and are not so fattening.  Any one trained a bit (even through self-training) can go through a menu and find more healthy items, if they are so inclined. The people at Larry’s Steaks were very friendly about my questions once I explained I was doing an article for my blog. http://thepoliticsofReal.blogspot.com

 (I was hoping they offered me a free meal, which they did not—better that Way, I don’t want them to sway me in any Way in what I wrote.).

A Review of ``Trust,'' Iyanla Vanzant's Master Work

A Review of Iyanla Vanzant’s ``TRUST,’’ from Tracy Gibson.

One thing I have done is work very hard to NOT confuse people about me, what I believe, and who I am. One of my ole friends – Bruce Harvey -  always calls me ``Traceology.’’ I think He was coining a phrase to note that I have a whole school of thought that is part of what I do, say and write. ( I have to mention that some of these things that make up ``Traceology’’ are NOT original, but made up of the ideas I have honed from hundreds of books and thousands of interactions I have had – both negative and positive - with intelligent and not- so intelligent people. Ordinary people and extraordinary people who have helped me heal, grow and be the best person I can be right now, today.).

While I say I am GOD, what you might not know is that I also say, usually at the same time, but not always, I also say that I am no more GOD than you or anyone else. The end of the Malcolm X film starring Denzel Washington comes to mind. There, all who spoke at the end of the film, said ``I am Malcolm X,’’  ``I Am Malcolm X,’’ `` I Am Malcolm X,’’ but they were regular people, or Black celebrities, or people like Nelson Mandela – THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA…..  I think what the filmmaker, Brother Spike Lee, was getting at is that Malcolm X is in all of us who care about BLACK humanity as He did and who want to see a positive impact of improving the human condition, as He did.

Some people say Martin Luther King, Junior was GOD and some people think GOD was back on earth as Malcolm X.  I agree and I extend this to include all people who ever helped anyone else, LOVed anyone else, or wanted our world to be better, or wanted to or did work towards a better world.  At the time you were doing those Blessed things, you also were GOD! GOD is in us and we are a part of GOD.  So, when I say I am GOD I am in the company of you, who are also GOD.

There are some other people I have to mention who have been GODs to me. One is my Aunt Helen, who was a living saint. Another was Maya Angelou, who was a BLACK director, Black actress, and a BLACK poet. If you look up Her work on Amazon you can buy one of Her great books. There are women like some of my friends who are GODs as well, they are too many to name.  My Mother was definitely a GOD as was Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, Winnie Madikizela Mandela, and Angela Davis. Jesus is not the only GOD!

Another thing I noticed is people like Iyanla Vanzant are for sure GOD.  I was watching Her program on You Tube a few months ago and I saw Her exiting a car to go and help some people. I thought for a few moments, that She – a television host, a self-help personality, a lawyers, a highly qualified self-improvement coach  - I felt that She was exiting the Presidential helicopter like President Obama used to do.

I don’t think we give Iyanla the credit She is due. We must!  Many people have read several of Her books, including myself.  One of the best books She ever wrote is the book  ``TRUST,’’  ( Copyright 2015; SmileyBooks; Distributed by Hay House, Incorporated. ) which is on-topic for improving Spiritual growth, clarifying how we might feel about GOD and for discovering how, perhaps,  the way we were treated as children or young adults helps mold and shape our beliefs about GOD.  How, when and where we begin to ``TRUST’’ ourselves, trust GOD, trust  Life, and trust others is at the crux of this book. I found this book to be the most important book She ever wrote. ( I have to admit that I have NOT read Her newer book entitled ``Get Over It,’’   but I plan to. ( I have read about ten of Her books, maybe less.).

From ``Trust,’’ page 83, Second or Third paragraph down from the top of the page,:

``It is hard to describe what happens when you feel the presence of God take hold of you. It is both peaceful and jarring. It is both a relief and a shock. It makes you cold and warm. One thing is for sure, when you feel it, whether  you can describe it or not, you know exactly what it is, and you are grateful. I thought I was whispering, but I must have been yelling. Or maybe I was whispering, because I heard Almasi say, ``Are you okay?  Where are you?’’

``I was trying desperately to tell her the story about the new house. I was trying to express the depth of my gratitude.’’

``I thought I was saying, ``Thank you, God!’’ I have no clue what was actually coming out of my mouth, nor did I care. A few days later I paid three months’ rent and a month’s security deposit. When I picked up the keys and saw the house for the first time, all I could say was, ``Oh my God! What the *** was I thinking?’’ It was clear that the wisdom and presence of God had blinded me to the realities of my new home just to get me in it. What a blessing!’’

``With the aid of a very lovely ``cottage,’’ the home that would be my safe haven for the next eight and a half years. I knew enough to recognize that when you are growing, healing, and learning to trust God at a deeper level, there are situations and circumstances that you must encounter and grow through.’’  END OF QUOTE.

(Dear young BLACK people, please remember that if you are quoting from a book, it is OK to take a quote of a few paragraphs and present it to the public, but always mention where you got the quote from.  Please don’t claim the works of others as yours.).

I want you to read this whole book ``TRUST’’ and tell me what you think. I can be reached at – 1 – 215 – 823 – 9985….. Please leave a message for me.   I am putting this review on my reviews BLOG, for the public to read. I highly recommend this book and hope you will actually buy a copy as I did, not just get it from the Free Library.  Thank you, and GOD Bless YOU!

Tracy Gibson,

GOD Almighty!

today ends the negative thinking - PLEASE!

Pigs ( BY THE WAY THEY ARE CALLED Police Officers ) verses the people //  Palestine’s verses the Jews  //  Africans / African Americans and / Black Caribbean’s verse Europeans // bureaucrats verses voters //Christians  verses Conservative Christians // vegetarians verses meat-eaters. The negativity ends today. We don’t all become HIV Negative, but we can work towards real democracy, real decency and real respect for ourselves and each other.  Start by working to understand the other side because you, like me are not always correct. Yes, our judicial system doesn’t always work in our favor, but we have to listen to our Black Ancestors and listen to find a new path and a new Way to find ourselves and our personal relationship with GOD, if we believe in Him or Her, or if we don’t maybe we should just find our purpose in life. Working individually can also work wonders if you don’t want to work with others in a group, association, organization or school. Help your parents understand you by getting and being real with them.  Listen to your children instead of yelling and hitting. They are humans also. I know this is not easy.

     As we all think more positively and get along like Larry Holmes and Rodney King want us to. Rodney King was beaten up by the Los Angeles police on March 3^rd, 1991 and there is film video to prove it. ``Can’t we all get along,?  ‘’ YES! An Unequivocal YES!  A MAN can change His mind!