Don’t Touch My Tomatoes

“Surely the day will come when color means nothing more than the skin tone, when religion is seen uniquely as a way to speak one’s soul; when birth places have the weight of a throw of the dice and all men are born free, when understanding breeds love and brotherhood.” – Josephine Baker

Dear La Baker,

You’ve served as an inspiration to the birth, growth and development of Patrique, and I credit you with imbuing in me my performing qualities. One of the reasons I love going to Paris is to have the opportunity to commune with your spiritual essence; promenading down the Champs Elysees in hopes you’ll whisper into my ear. Touch me this and touch me that; touch me everything I’ve got.

And long before I adored Angelina and her brood of children (I feel she divines a bit of you, have you crowned her your successor?) I thought to myself, I would love nothing more than to own a french chateau and adopt children from all over the world.

Ms. Baker. The first African American to star in a major motion picture. To integrate an American concert hall. You lived your life unapologetically, cavorting with princes and princesses (My Scorpio patron, Princess Grace Kelly, financed your last show). You knew of Hemingway, and captivated him with your daring, swinging hips. He is reported to have said, “the most beautiful woman there is, there ever was, or ever will be.” You were a muse to Picasso. Yes, you who cavorted with princes, writers, artists, politicians, and geniuses. Tempting with bananas and tomatoes. I believe strongly in your beauty, and agree that you were not naked. You simply didn’t have on any clothes. I too sometimes lack clothing, as my close friends know.

There is an unmistakable beauty in madness and eccentricity. To live life unapologetically. While others ballyhoo your supposed promiscuity, I think I know the secret that lies in your heart. Lovers, suitors and paramours will come and go. Enjoy them for the short time one has with them.  They say they do not wish to change you, but to give yourself to them is to change the essence of who you are. Such is the life of a performer; living not only for oneself but for the others to whom you bring inspiration. Yes, the secret that laid in your heart, perhaps, is the same secret that lies in mine. We do not belong to ourselves, but sacrifice ourselves on the altar of art. Every step, every diamond necklace, every glance of the eye is done with intent. We belong to the Muses and Genii.

The things we truly love stay with us always, locked in our hearts as long as life remains.

- Josephine Baker

While you gave your energy and dedication to the cause of your time, the Civil Rights, we’ve upon us a new fight to be fought. The Era of Neo-Civil Rights. There are many parallels to be drawn between the fights you fought and the fight facing society today. Already the cause is sweeping the globe. In more progressive countries, such as Canada, France and the UK, the right to wed has been won. State by state, this country must fight for similar rights, and perhaps the current generation is unaccustomed to fighting.

I know what drew you to Paris was the fact that the color of your skin was celebrated, while in the country supposedly called home you were considered a second class citizen. I believe you fought for your own rights, not by demanding people respect you but giving them a reason. The essence of noblesse oblige. I, too, feel a second class citizen within my own country. But I’ve hope that , if I clad my feet in stilettos, entertain and cavort with geniuses, writers and future politicians, then hopefully I can have my own chateau and vineyard in the west of France where my future children can marry whomever they choose.

Someday, I will pay homage to you by walking a jaguar down the Champs Elysees. I know you used Chiquita, your cheetah, in your walks, but I must put a different spin on it. Here’s to dancing as though no one is watching, and living the life of an eccentric.

The Muse: Josephine Baker