Rolling out could not pass on the opportunity to pick the brain of a true soul survivor, Smokey Robinson. Through an exclusive deal with Cracker Barrel, Robinson is releasing his new CD, Now and Then, which finds him digging through the past to compile six live classic cuts and songs from his 2009 CD, Time Flies When You’re Having Fun. We did some digging with Robinson too and had him address topics such as black leaders, the media, urban style and the state of the black family to see where we were then and where we are headed now.
There are people who are disappointed with the black leaders of today compared with those of the civil rights era. What are you thoughts on now and then?
Of course it’s better now because the president is black. We made a world of progress along those lines thanks to people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Reverend Abernathy who fought and died for civil rights.
Do you think the media is more invasive now compared to back in the day?
I think media has in some instances gotten way out of hand. It can use some overhauling.
The way that young people dress has been a major issue over the years, especially with baggy pants than hang off people’s behinds. Do you think urban style has lost some value?
Fashion is a big circle and evolvement. It goes round and round and every generation has its own fashion points. If you look at suits they wore the same ones in 1930 so it goes in circles. The newest additions to fashion would be baggy pants and hoodies but they have been around forever but weren’t as popular as they are now.
Bill Cosby has been very outspoken about the state of the black family and the rising numbers of single-parent households. Do you think the family structure has weakened over the decades?
That’s a 50/50 question for families period because the divorce rate is higher than ever but we have more people than we’ve ever had. This topic transcends race and it’s not just black families. What goes on in the black community has gone on everywhere in other communities.
So do you agree with Robinson’s opinions on today’s hot topics? Let us know in our comments section below. –souleo
