Who Else is a Black Star

The Master had said to the Breedlove’s “You are ugly people”, and just like that they believed black was much more than race, it was a curse. If only Pecola had the chance to play “ Black Star” by Astronomy. Only then would she feel a sense of acceptance, self-actualization, and most importantly pride.

In the first chorus, Astronomy presents a question that is not very easy to answer because at the end it is meaningless.

“Against the canvas of the night 
Appears a curious celestial phenomena 
Called black star, but what is it? “

What is black? What is race?

“It is commonplace and different”

Astronomy believes that there is no fixed definition. It is so personal and at the same time controversial that its mere existence is a fallacy. If there is something I’ve learned is that race does not exist and being black does not mean the loss of aesthetics, on the contrary, Black means Beautiful.

“Black like my baby girl's stare Black like the cheeks that are roadways for tears.“

Pecola can only think of a blue-eyed baby girl doll whose skin symbolizes something more than just beauty, survival. But the second verse gives her the best possible advice when they say “Black like the planet that they fear, why they scared? “ The way they are able to intensify and humanize the smallest details of “blacks” awakens a shift from shame to pride in the voices of the artists. They don’t see cheeks as a just colored skin on a face, but rather a path for tears that mean strength and not weakness. They don’t see a pair of defeated dark eyes that are craving for color, but rather a strong stare that comes innate in every individual.

Another great song that was part of the strong black pride movement in the 70's is " We're a Winner" by Curtis Mayfield.

check it out!