Although the number of Black women aging alone is small, their attitudes and experiences make an enormously powerful statement about structural gendered racism and embrace all avenues of their agency for thriving instead of simply surviving. I interviewed 15 Black Solo Agers as they acknowledge structural gendered racism but still thrive despite having limited options to control their destiny.
Ebony wood comes from several species in the Diospyros genus and is used for small items like chess pieces and East Midlands-style lace-making bobbins.
Symbolism
Ebony has a passion for lifelong learning and making an impactful difference in those she encounters. She specializes in marketing and PR strategies, crisis communications issues, cybersecurity, STEM education, and diversity matters, among other fields, advocating on their behalf for underrepresented communities as a champion and committed lifelong learner.
Susan is also a highly sought-after speaker, having given talks ranging from virtual reality to password information security. Committed to social change, Susan is actively involved with organizations such as the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists, Cyversity, Growing Resilient Communities Advisory Committee, and Synapse Florida, where she can speak on emerging technology for marketing and PR strategies as well as share knowledge regarding STEM initiatives.
“Ebony and Ivory” by Paul McCartney serves as a symbolic representation of racial harmony. The lyrics suggest that people from diverse backgrounds should live together peacefully. One line offers this idea by suggesting “side by side like the black and white keys on my piano keyboard,” meaning how different races should work harmoniously together. The song became a hit in both countries during apartheid-era South Africa; its second-highest-selling single was even featured on the New Zealand charts as one of their top-five hits that year!
Origins
Ebony wood comes from various species in the Diospyros genus and features a rugged and lustrous surface, producing an impeccable gloss when polished. At ICA’s exhibition space – an old white cube converted into an immersive night garden for this show featuring three-dimensional mixed media works by Patterson, as well as walls covered with dark purple paint or moody photographic wallpaper – were lit with dramatic lighting effects for an immersive viewing experience.
Because of its beauty and strength, ebony has long been used in decorative items, crucifixes, and musical instruments. Carved into various forms for use as piano keys, violin fingerboards, cello bows, and bridges, as well as different guitar parts (bridges/tuning pegs), its black hue has also inspired myths and legends about its use to repel evil spirits in ancient times.
Ebony takes its name from the color of wood and its symbolic representation of black people as a group. Additionally, Ebony was a widely read magazine that explored black culture and history; it aimed to present all aspects of African-American identity that may otherwise remain hidden or dismissed outright in today’s society. Each photograph in Ebony had a life experience behind it that gave its picture historical or cultural value; its roster of photographers provided innovative social commentary and artistic reflection.
Meanings
Ebony magazine, for decades, served as an iconographic legacy of twentieth-century African American life and achievement, its photographers creating groundbreaking photojournalism pieces that communicated cultural symbols that defined community life and self-esteem; at the same time, they chronicled black tragedies with each photograph being tied back to personal experiences that gave each image its historical and private meaning for its audience.
McCartney’s song celebrates humanity’s diversity and beauty while simultaneously serving as a reminder that people from diverse backgrounds must work together in order to survive and flourish. Just as ivory and ebony come together harmoniously in creating music, so too must all races learn to coexist peacefully side-by-side in harmony.
Styles
Ebony Solos can be performed in various styles. Some may focus on rhythm, while others emphasize melody or expression. Only experienced guitarists are capable of combining all these elements into a single solo; that is what sets apart great musicians from everyone else.
Ebony Lamb has long been an icon in New Zealand’s alt-country scene with her previous band, Eb & Sparrow; now, as an independent musician in Wellington, she is exploring her creative possibilities further with a contemplative, tender, confessional audio project reflecting upon our changing world both big and small.
Pink Floyd’s classic rock tune, “Time,” features an easy but impressive descending arpeggio-based riff that will impress anyone you play it to. While not technically an entire solo in terms of chorus or bridge sections, this piece serves to demonstrate how to blend in with a backing track while adding your mark – also making this piece genuinely iconic is Gilmour’s masterful use of rhythmic awareness, playing triplets, sextuplets, and 16th notes all within one phrase!
