The picture wasn’t in the best of shape. Over time, it suffered cracks and folds, sun and chemicals not meant for old black-and-whites.

You suppose the people in the picture might be relatives; grandparents, maybe, or greats. They appear to be at a carnival, and though it might’ve been summertime, he’s dressed in a suit and she’s wearing a heavy dress with long sleeves.

They’re not smiling.

When your book is optioned for a movie, and when the film receives critical acclaim and Oscar nods, most authors arguably assume that they’ve reached the mountaintop. So when that sequence happened this year with the release of “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire,” the writer used the exposure as a platform to continue a discussion of the dirty secrets that few discuss.

SAPPHIRE

There are some in the Black community who condemn the film’s brutal depiction of urban reality that revolved around an abused illiterate obese incest survivor teen, and claim that the movie panders to stereotype and rekindles the light-skinned vs. dark-skinned chasm that still simmers among some African-Americans.

This week I visited the American Legion Post #5 in East Liberty, Kenny’s Place in the Hill District, Club Illusionz in the Strip District, Tim’s Lounge in the Hill District, The Red Onion in the Hill District, CJ’s in the Strip District, The Shadow Lounge in East Liberty and Club Heat in the Strip District.

My first stop was at the American Legion Post #5 where Karen Lane celebrated her birthday with family and friends. The food was great and the music had everyone on the dance floor.

All the ladies came out to show Club Heat much love in the Strip District.

(NNPA)—Dear Gwendolyn:

I am becoming more and more depressed. This is the problem: About 20+ years ago my mother became terminally ill. She and my father had worked hard and received minimal wages, but did a lot with what they made. Upon her deathbed she asked me to promise her that I would oversee the family home and not let it be lost due to property taxes.