An iconic figure from my favorite era, the American-French singer, dancer, actress, spy and activist Josephine Baker is definitely a lady you should know and respect.
Known here and there as the 'Black Pearl', 'Bronze Venus' and the 'Creole Goddess', ol Jo was the first ever African- American woman to star in a major motion picture (called ZouZou) and to become a world wide famous entertainer. Impressive, right?
Flickering tirelessly between exotic and erotic glamor girl to playful and clever comedienne, Jo took the world into her own hands, contributing to the Civil rights movement, assisting the French Resistance in world war 2 and receiving the French military honor: the Croix De Guerre.
Baker lived an interesting life- dropping out of school, slumming it on the streets of St Louis, dancing on street corners, eventually becoming discovered (as it always goes), traveling to Paris, dancing the Charleston, working as a spy, writing articles on segregation, speaking at the side of Martin Luther King Jr at the March on Washington, marrying four times, adopting many children (whom she referred to as the 'Rainbow Tribe'), living in a castle... have I missed something out? I wouldn't be surprised. She was a very accomplished woman!
One thing I adore about Jo is her childish energy and fearlessness. She did not deny her principles to stay safe despite countless threats from grumpy racists and she just kept on dancing.
She was sexy and sassy and fun with that surprising flair of intelligence that I like to see in anybody.
I believe that controversial figures are the best role models.
Check out her kinky bananna dance down here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmw5eGh888Y
And have a listen to some of her music! Its catchy and just as fun as her dancing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnmUQoB46VA
x
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