Guess what? I found a celebrity who is not apolitical, who is not bashful when it comes to his views about politicians and is using his art to reinforce it.
That’s what I found during an exclusive interview with Main Ingredient lead singer, Cuba Gooding Sr., who was in St. Louis at the invitation of St. Louis actor Marty K. Casey, founder of the Show Me Arts Academy.
The meeting took place at The Bridge, a retirement and assisted living facility in Florissant, prior to Gooding’s visit to Ferguson, which he mentions in his latest song, “Everybody’s Got to Vote,” an anthem designed to galvanize voters for the upcoming presidential, state and local elections.
Our talk was more of a lecture (on his part) designed to encourage media to promote his song and encourage voters to challenge the status quo. “The media and common sense have to get married,” Gooding said, in order to “shut down intolerance” by those seeking high office.
When I attempted to get him to speak on those African-American politicians who would exploit their own, such as in East St. Louis government, Gooding quickly dismissed my question. “There is no such thing as a black politician,” he said. “Politicians are whores, and if we don’t vote it allows street whoredom to determine the future of our youth.”
Admittedly, I felt good with Gooding raising the very same criticisms that I often address in my columns regarding politicians and black leadership. But I’m a political columnist. That’s what I do.
Gooding has activism in his DNA, his father being a follower of Marcus Garvey, back in his native Barbados, prior to moving to Cuba and before landing in America. Gooding was named “Cuba” as a result of that pilgrimage. His mother was a follower of charismatic ministers Father Divine and Daddy Grace.
So Gooding has a flair for political rhetoric and activism, though most only know him for his days with the Main Ingredient and songs such as “Everybody Plays the Fool” and “Just Don’t Want to be Lonely” – or through his son, the actor Cuba Gooding Jr.
Hopefully, after his media tour of St. Louis, “Everybody’s Got to Vote” – a catchy tune – will get some air play during the political season.
But it was refreshing to hear that the political “street whoredom” that he described (and I often refer to) can be overcome if we, in his words, simply “exercise the right to vote and not let any attempt at stopping them succeed.”
I’ll try to remember his words and optimism as the cash flows and votes are stolen during the next elections in East Boogie.
“Everybody’s Got to Vote” is available on www.cuba-gooding.com.
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com; Twitter@JamesTIngram.
