TJJS - Best of JJ - Ep 44 TJJS - Interview Flashback Show featuring R&B legend Monica and Civil Rights Exhibit at the High Museum in Atlanta

I get a lot of folks asking me to share interviews that I've done in the past.  Well, this show is one of them.  Join me as I talk to R&B legend Monica and a conversation about an important Civil Rights Exhibit at the High Museum in Atlanta.

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Transcript

Ep 44 - Monica/High Museum

[00:00:00] JJ: [00:00:00] It's the Jeff Johnson show brought to you by OTE @ofthisearthglobal.com of this earth.global.com clothing connection, OTE.

[00:00:27] Greetings, or as we say it right here in the South hey y'all Hey, you know what time it is? It's time for another edition of the Jeff Johnson show a real, genuine, authentic podcast where I get to reconnect with the people and places and events of my hometown area. Charlotte, North Carolina. All right, everybody let's get this week show started off first off, I just want to 

[00:00:51] say thank you to all the folks that have sent me, emails and texts and different things like that. Concerning my battle with this COVID [00:01:00] thing. I'm doing great. Try my best to get better. And I hope each and every one of you out there is safe as well. You're doing the things that you're supposed to wearing your mask, keeping social distance, washing your hands and sharing that information with each other.

[00:01:17] I truly thank you all for caring about me because I care about each and every one of you as well. This show is going to be kind of crazy. Actually very different. I've had a lot of people say, man, you know, when you left and you went to Atlanta, you know, you got to meet a lot of people and talk to a lot of people and we'd love to hear some of those interviews.

[00:01:37] Well, guess what? I've got those interviews coming up for you. today on this show, one of them is with R and B legend. Monica. I'll tell you it was so nice. Nice meeting her and getting to talk to her. And we talked about an upcoming album and stuff and you'll see, it's going to be really cool. And we're also talking with the folks at the high museum concerning an exhibit [00:02:00] that they had, that I interviewed them on concerning the civil rights era.

[00:02:04] It's really neat. So sit back, relax and get ready for some really good interviews. It's kind of like the best of Jeff Johnson interviews on the Jeff Johnson show. Stick around. We'll be right back. Cool. Hey everybody. This is Jeff Johnson with an important message from the CDC about the coronavirus, you know, with the Corona virus, still spreading people at higher risk, they got to take extra precautions.

[00:02:35] You are at higher risk. If you're over 65 or if you have any serious underlying medical conditions like chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, or if you're going through cancer treatment, if you're at higher risk, it is essential that you take extra care to protect yourself. Stay six feet away from other people.

[00:02:55] I know it can be tough sometimes better yet. Why don't you just stay at home? [00:03:00] You can read, you can listen. You know, it's very important that you take this situation seriously. Visit Corona virus.gov for the latest information from the CDC that's Corona virus.gov. For the latest information that Jeff Johnson show cares about.

[00:03:19] You

[00:03:29] welcome back to the show, everybody. Join me right now, as I interview Atlanta's own Monica, one of the strongest female voices in R and B and a really, really nice person, Monica on the Jeff Johnson show.

[00:03:47] Last time we saw each other while I was sweating out there at screen on the green. That's 

[00:03:50] Monica: [00:03:50] right. That's right. But we had a good time. They got a chance to view big momma's house and hang out and tell them about the show 

[00:03:56] JJ: [00:03:56] they had the best time. When you came up on stage [00:04:00] and Monica, that's something I want to just jump right into.

[00:04:03] Why are people attracted  to you? It was amazing to me when they played your music, people started dancing. And when you came out, they went ballistic. What is it about Monica? That makes people feel good. 

[00:04:14] Monica: [00:04:14] They know that I'm just like them. I have everyday trials and tribulations. There's going to be good with the bad it's a part of life.

[00:04:21] But I think that my inner peace is something that I try to share with the most, because they know about the things that have happened in my life. But now I tell them about how I made it through and how. I live now by choice. And I tell them how, who you used to be, has to be no reflection of who you can be or who you are at this point.

[00:04:39] So they just, we connect my audience and I just connect on a totally different level. And I'm very open and yeah, 

[00:04:44] JJ: [00:04:44] there's no doubt about that. When did you find out. When did you realize that this is what you wanted to do? You 

[00:04:51] Monica: [00:04:51] know, I'm still realizing it's hard. It's a challenge. Every single day. I have two children.

[00:04:58] I have so many different things that are [00:05:00] taking place throughout the day. And sometimes you say, well, maybe, and then. You know, God had just tapped me on the shoulders and say, yes, ma'am follow these steps. I've already ordered it because I enjoy singing very much, but there's a whole, let's add to it too.

[00:05:13] JJ: [00:05:13] Now your musical career has gone in a lot of different directions. What path is it on now? 

[00:05:21] Monica: [00:05:21] You know, I redirected it purposely last album. I put out a song first, the label put out a song first and I was telling them to actually go with something different. And it was a great learning experience. Nothing that I'm bitter about by any means, because it taught me to really follow my heart.

[00:05:37] And, you know, I was telling you when I saw you that day as well, that. I feel if you trust your gut instinct is what your viewer, your listener will actually be in agreeance with. Anytime you step outside of what the true emotions are telling you to do, you usually make the wrong move. So we redirected things, and this is more like a soul record.

[00:05:58] Like the one that I put out in [00:06:00] 95 and his thing was the very first one. So this is more like, 

[00:06:03] JJ: [00:06:03] it seems like to me, that. Things that happen in your life, tend to come out through your music. Is that true? 

[00:06:10] Monica: [00:06:10] Absolutely. Why if you choose to share it, it's a conscious effort on my part. I think that. You can relate to the music.

[00:06:17] If it's real, if it's not real, then there may be a lot of disconnects. You can dance, but there's no emotion. I want to always keep the emotion there. 

[00:06:26] JJ: [00:06:26] Oh, it's it's there. I mean, and again, I go back to, whenever you find somebody, regardless of where they are, who they are that can evoke emotion, can invoke a feeling from people that they've never met before.

[00:06:38] Right then you've got something very special. And you obviously have that. Let's talk a little bit about the single Monica set to air on Peachtree TV on August 5th. What's that like working? you know, here's your life here? I am. Well here. 

[00:06:52] Monica: [00:06:52] That was a very different experience. You know, this is something else that I didn't think about as well.

[00:06:58] People ask me, the single, [00:07:00] what does that mean? I mean, the single for the album, there has to be a first single, so that's what it's about. And, you get to see my children, my family, what I do in the process of making an album and how difficult it is to really find a single that will represent you well after you, after you've actually had.

[00:07:19] 13 or 14 singles, five albums. It becomes hard to find records that say what you want them to say, but don't sound exactly what you've already done. So the process is hard, right? And there are some moments where your frustrations reached the max. You know, there are some moments where you have to just come back in.

[00:07:37]apologize because things just come out in different ways and we work with some great producers, Brian Cox, star gate, Missy is didn't actually get to make the show, but we worked, you know, so there's so many things that it takes to make it happen. I wanted the viewers to see what it really takes.

[00:07:52] I didn't see how hard it really is. 

[00:07:53] JJ: [00:07:53] You get a lot of. Of people that say, you know, I can sing like she does, or I want to be like that. I want to do that. What [00:08:00] advice would you give to the young artists out there today that are trying to follow in your footsteps? 

[00:08:04] Monica: [00:08:04] You know, I would tell them to choose their own path.

[00:08:07] This industry is almost like being in the ocean. You have on a life vest, but it's not strapped. It could come up. 

[00:08:16] JJ: [00:08:16] Welcome back to the show. And now my interview with my friend, Ken catchy on the Jeff Johnson show. 

[00:08:25] Monica: [00:08:25] To the path of, you know, drugs drinking or different. And I don't say that in a way to put down anybody who has, I say that to say, if you've chosen your path first, then you don't let anybody pull you off of that course.

[00:08:37] And this industry is one that is full of people, pulling others off of their course. And that's even with your talent, if you like rock music, but RNB is popular. Don't deviate from what it is you love. If you sing Christian, do that. If you do so, just do the best you. You know, do the best be the best you that you can be.

[00:08:56] JJ: [00:08:56] Where, where do you see yourself in 10 years? 

[00:08:58] Monica: [00:08:58] You know, [00:09:00] that's a hard one. I try not to do a lot of predictions, but 10 years I would hope that I've, I've actually helped people to understand me as an artist, but also us as a youth. We, we, we go through a lot. Yeah. Every single day I'll be 28 this year, but I remember 18.

[00:09:19] I remember 15, I remember 12. I remember all the peer pressures. I remember all the hardships or just feeling like I wanted to give up and to get past that space. I'm hoping that people can see me and use me as an example, instead of judging or condemning me, look at the things that have happened to me and take it.

[00:09:35] The good in that the, the, the side of me coming out of that, take that part and learn from it instead of using it to be so judgmental and be so hard because as artists, that's something that happens. But if you look at the story within what's actually taking place, you may be, can find ways to avoid some of the same pitfalls.

[00:09:53] I'm not perfect. I'm a human being. 

[00:09:55] JJ: [00:09:55] You are a wonderful human being. We've run out of time, but it's always good to see you. [00:10:00] And we cannot wait to see you on the show. 

[00:10:03] Monica: [00:10:03] August 

[00:10:04] JJ: [00:10:04] Monica, the single on Peachtree TV. Thank you. Thank you. What a great interview with Monica most we're going to be right back with more.

[00:10:12] The Jeff Johnson show don't you dare go anywhere. Hey folks, this is Jeff Johnson from the Jeff Johnson show. Look, check me out on Facebook. Twitter Instagram, check out my website at www dot. Get JJ now tune into my podcast. Subscribe to my podcast. Thanks for being a part of the Jeff Johnson show family now.

[00:10:38] Let's get to our next interview. I did this interview with the high museum of art in Atlanta, when they were focusing on civil rights with two new exhibits that included 200 photographs and they were fantastic. The exhibit was called road to freedom and they discussed important facts that happened during that time.

[00:10:57] Join me as I interview [00:11:00] photographer, Doris Derby and the exhibits curator, Jeffrey Gray on the Jeff Johnson show. Welcome back everybody. The high museum of art is focusing on the civil rights era in two new exhibits that include over 200 photographs. Many of which have never been on public display road to freedom focuses on events in the time period of 1956 to 1968.

[00:11:24] And after 1968 features works from 10 contemporary artists that examined the legacy of the civil rights movement. To discuss this important exhibit is curator of modern and contemporary art at the high museum, Jeffrey Grove and photographer and educator currently at Georgia state university. Dr. Doris Derby.

[00:11:42] Thank you both for being here. Thank you. Excited about this exhibit and all the things that it represents, but Jeffrey, let's start with you and tell us a little bit about history remixed. The the, the history remixed exhibitions at the high museum of art. 

[00:11:57] Jeffrey Grove: [00:11:57] Well, history remixed is the term that we've given the two [00:12:00] exhibitions together because they were about a relationship of the historical documents in road to freedom.

[00:12:05] It encompasses 12 years. And then the commissions that we organized by younger emerging artists who were born after 1968. So it's about this intergenerational dialogue. 

[00:12:15] JJ: [00:12:15] So, so this time period that, that it covers. Why is this so important to get back out to people? Why is it so important to show them what happened?

[00:12:24] Jeffrey Grove: [00:12:24] Because we think that that history is being quickly erased and the many people should be aware of it. And aren't as aware as they should be. And Atlanta, of course, being one of the cradles of the civil rights movement. So many of the important figure is still living here. We thought it was very important for our museum to document that.

[00:12:38] JJ: [00:12:38] Right. Okay. Now you organize the companion exhibit. after 1968, correct. How was that? What was that like putting that together? 

[00:12:46] Jeffrey Grove: [00:12:46] Wild. I was working with 10 young artists and we didn't know what they were going to do. We just invested in their vision. We trusted them. They've created amazing projects that interpret not only those materials, but different types of ideas.

[00:12:58] Surrounding the civil rights [00:13:00] movement and really how it's shaped their lives. As people young people born after 1968 and enjoying a different kind of freedom than their parents did. 

[00:13:07] JJ: [00:13:07] I'm telling you, I, it is, it is truly powerful. All the, the, the, the photography and the concepts and the ideas. When you walk through there, you can see the people that are watching them.

[00:13:17] You see their minds just expanding while they watch this. And dr. Derby, I'm going to talk to you a little bit about. The, the, the pictures themselves, the, the photographs first off though, give us a little bit of background. Give our viewers some background on who you are and where you came from. 

[00:13:31] Doris Derby: [00:13:31] Well, I came from New York city to Mississippi Jackson, Mississippi to work in the civil rights movement as a teacher, an educator, Teaching adult literacy project.

[00:13:43] And, I went for one year and I ended up staying for nine. And during that time I did many different, activities and programs, initiating and being a part of the civil rights movement that was taking place in Mississippi primarily. [00:14:00] And then sometimes also in Georgia and Alabama, It was, a wonderful time of, productive activity.

[00:14:10] Even though there were many bad things that happened. And, and, but it was a group that came together to try or wrong, right. The wrongs that had been carrying in our country for so long. So, There were so many young people, that were working in the civil rights movement, the old, the young, the, the rural, the urban, We were working to change things in terms of the segregation, right?

[00:14:39]the, excuse me, lack of voting, privileges, for the black, black community, the, the housing, the poor housing, the segregated schools, the segregated bus stops, bus stations, et cetera, all of that. 

[00:14:56] JJ: [00:14:56] I mean, it's truly amazing when I see some of the photos that [00:15:00] you took and some of the other folks that have made all this, this work.

[00:15:03] Can you describe a few pieces of the work that you've done that might be interesting to our viewers? 

[00:15:09] Doris Derby: [00:15:09] Well, many of the pieces that I did in terms of photo, photo, journalism, We're related to the roles of women in the civil rights movement. Excuse me. a lot of times you don't see women depicted in so many of the roles that we played in the civil rights movement, the man that are upfront.

[00:15:27] Yeah. And I have pictures of the men too. However, I needed to see that women were participating in empowerment, seventies and, it was okay. Political activities. They were, The organizes of cooperatives, handcraft, cooperatives, vegetable cooperatives, and these areas that I worked in and, The two photographs that I have in the exhibit, do reflect women.

[00:15:52] And, one is a photograph of, a nurse and, her role is being depicted. And another [00:16:00] one, with vegetable co-op. 

[00:16:03] JJ: [00:16:03] Well, this is an awesome exhibit Jeffrey. What's the running dates of the exhibit. 

[00:16:07]Jeffrey Grove: [00:16:07] the show runs through October 5th, so there'll be plenty of time for the school. To be in session and visitors to come as families as well.

[00:16:14] JJ: [00:16:14] You know, that's the one thing that I saw when I was over there taking a look at this, a lot of kids is that important for you guys to get kids out there to be a part of this. 

[00:16:21] Jeffrey Grove: [00:16:21] It's extremely important. We have a lot of programs to bring children in and it's a great exhibition for families to see together.

[00:16:27] JJ: [00:16:27] Let's give our views. It was a website that they can go to. I can get more information. Please do that. Right? 

[00:16:33] Jeffrey Grove: [00:16:33] www.hi.org. 

[00:16:36] JJ: [00:16:36] And that's it. That's it. That's all you need when you come in there. Yeah. What would you advise? People don't come in with any preconceived notions? Just what. 

[00:16:44] Jeffrey Grove: [00:16:44] I would say plenty of time.

[00:16:46] Doris Derby: [00:16:46] I think I'm be prepared with comfortable shoes to walk around for about two or three hours, because I mean, there are so many different photographs depicting all aspects of the civil rights movement. There's the [00:17:00] violence, there's the Martin Luther King and the SCLC and the students and all the activities.

[00:17:07] There are even mugshots. I'm the freedom writers. 

[00:17:11] JJ: [00:17:11] Oh, that's an amazing thing. I saw that and it hits you right where it needs to hit you. And I think it really does the trick. You guys have succeeded in your efforts. So thank you both for being here today, to talk about this, we do appreciate it. You know, I really enjoy interviewing folks and that was a very enjoyable interview for me.

[00:17:29] And now folks, here's something to think about.

[00:17:38] The biggest obstacles standing between you and anything you want is your lack of belief that you can have it, the biggest obstacle standing between you and anything you want is your lack of belief that you can have it once you truly believe it is possible. Once you can see yourself doing it or being it or [00:18:00] having it, the rest is just details.

[00:18:03] With belief, plus the commitment to follow through and do whatever it takes. Anything can be yours. Everything you need to get there is available to you right now. Nothing can hold you back. Once you have belief and commitment, you will find a way. And I know you can do it. Folks. I'm Jeff Johnson. Thank you so much for being a part of the show this week.

[00:18:27] We've got a great show coming up next week. So make sure you join me for another edition of the Jeff Johnson show. A real genuine, authentic podcast. Have a great day.

[00:18:44] It's the Jeff Johnson show brought to you by ote@avisearthglobal.com of this earth. global.com clothing connection O T E.