What do you know about cane sugar? Any takers? Anyone have memories, like my own,  from the South of grandparents buying sugar cane then coming home and cutting you off a piece of the bamboo looking stalk that tasted like 100% sugar water? It was amazing that this candy-like pleasure grew out of the ground. As a child I loved it and today,  — I’m digging on that scripted family in NC that make up the series QUEEN SUGAR. It’s unusually sweet in its beginning as I DVR’d the run. The series is only 3 episodes in for season 1 and dare I say the start up is sticky?

The FAM:

You’ve got to meet Ralph, Charley and Nova, they are the kids of Mr. and Mrs. Bordelon. Season 1 started out with Dad in tow, the patriarch of the family, (portrayed by COOLIE HIGH‘S character, Preacher – who in reality is portrayed by the awesome Glynn Thurman!

     I remember meeting the talents of Glynn at my adolescent introduction of the iconic film COOLIE HIGH. He played Preacher, the smart consistency of the teen friends pack — who had to make sense of it all in the end. If you haven’t seen Coolie High – DO.  Anwho, Glynn is the Bordelon patriarch and he owns the cane fields that were likely passed down to him from the generation before.

L-R; Ralph Angel, Charley and Nova Bordelon

3 episodes into Queen Sugar and pops is tops with stress
It’s diagnosed ‘a stroke’ and he’s in the hospital – bed rest.

During said episode 3
the patriarchs condition ‘robs his speech.’

REAL STUFF. Stress produces strokes.
The cane fields don’t pay the bills – still a familial yoke.

Dad didn’t recover. He gave up the ghost.
Now Ralph Angel, Nova and Charley don’t have him no ‘mo.

With 2 more episodes loaded in the chamber for the month of September
I implore you early, to consume QUEEN SUGAR. Please do remember.

It broadcast on OWN and I’m pretty excited
Natalie Baszile is credited with the #WriteIt.

Directed by the film visionary Ava DuVernay —
this brand new OWN series is already another #Slay!

This outbreak of cultural knock-out film scripts and television series alike
confirms my own reasons for ever deciding to write.

My family was missing in American familial view.
So I began to craft DR. SEUSS pieces about ‘brown people’ too.

I figured Dr. Seuss just hadn’t met us,
then I waited for time to pass and opportunity to connect us.

The connection is clear. The connection is new.
Queen Sugar is before me and it’s about me and you.

Nova has intense melanin like me and Charley’s tone looks like mothers.
Ralph Angel has a different angle, he’s the loving and protective brother.

With perfect chocolate skin like no other… THANK YOU OWN.
I enjoy watching Kofi on screen. My eyes of candy are blown! 🙂

Obviously I’m excited and Queen Sugar’s writing connects on every line,
I’m Qui
Excited for “WE” – Queen Sugar has arrived and in perfect time!

Tune in every Wednesday night  [Pacific] 10/ [Central] 9.
OWN it.