Revisiting The Wiz: A Brand New Day!*
Greetings friends, and welcome to The Positive Community’s (TPC) annual Summer Issue! In this edition, we are happy to share the stories of two very influential leaders, our friends New York Urban League president Arva Rice and Urban League of Essex County (NJ) president Vivian Cox-Frasier. Both oversee major regional offices of the National Urban League, under the leadership of Hon. Marc Morial, President.
On the evening of Juneteenth, while flipping through the channels, I stumbled upon the 1978 Motown movie classic The Wiz. It had been years since I last saw this film, and I was reminded of how great it is—refreshingly wholesome, joyful family entertainment.
Ease On Down the Road*
Many of us are already familiar with the film, produced by Motown founder Berry Gordy and starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and Richard Pryor, with musical arrangements by Quincy Jones. The movie was adapted from the original Broadway production. The Wiz was the play that launched Stephanie Mills’s successful music career. Both the film and the play were inspired by the iconic 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland.
The Wiz is an excellent production showcasing our people’s collective talents and gifts in the creative arts: music, song, dance, theater, and fashion—“the Truth, Beauty, and Goodness of a loving and gifted race.”** It reflects the dignity of our humanity with life-affirming values and hopes.
This movie promotes positive, community-building ideals: teamwork, trustworthiness, wisdom, courage, living faith, and love—positive change!
Ideally, especially at such a time as this, each of us would do well to revisit the story of The Wiz. It is both culturally relevant and morally uplifting: a spiritually grounded narrative that our children will enjoy while learning valuable life lessons.
Movie Night
What if our own community institutions were to host a “movie night?” Invite young people (ages 6–17) in age-appropriate groupings to watch The Wiz together. Collect cell phones and media devices at the door, and provide light refreshments. After the movie, let’s have a group discussion. Ask questions: Did you like the movie? What about the music? What was your favorite song? What did you think about the characters? Who were the heroes? Who were the villains?
Now, more than ever, we must all be about the business of our future—now! Collectively and individually, we the people must assume complete and full sovereignty over three sacred areas of a child’s character development and education. Together—one generation to the next—we must teach and learn the essentials:
- Cultural literacy. Everyone needs to know the story of their own people, particularly in this land. Among many options, learn “The African American Cultural Narrative”; learn lessons from The Wiz.
- Music appreciation. Teach and promote the real elements of music, song, and sound—harmony, melody, and rhythm. After all, Positive Music Matters!
- Economics of culture—teamwork. Cultural pride is a good thing, and so is self-esteem. Prosperity, lasting progress, and loving service will define our future. Renew an appreciation of core values: self-acceptance, self-reliance, and self-respect.
If You Believe*
Any club, school, church, or organization that touches the lives of young people and is willing to host a “movie night” for children can contact TPC at 973-233-9200 or email: leslie@thepositivecommunity.com. We will help spread the word among our community networks for free! In exchange, we’d like you to share photos and a brief recap of your group’s “movie night” experience.
At the end of the day, the progress of our children and the integrity of our African American culture, values, and traditions mean everything—it’s our claim on the American Dream! Always remember this truth: the only way we can ever be denied that which is already ours is if we deny it to ourselves.
The Wiz is a story about a personal quest for answers and the discovery of one’s true identity and value. This movie has a happy, triumphant ending. It is finally revealed to the main character that she already has all that she seeks. The answers come from within. Victory is in your heart and in your soul—if you believe.
