One of the more hallowed tenets within African American culture is that of oral tradition. From the drum-line to the grapevine, black folks have kept each other abreast of current, family and world affairs since the advent of language. It is not fool proof communiqué, I remember all too fondly when it was reported amongst every black community in the country that the “little black boy” who moonwalked with Michael Jackson in those Pepsi commercials back in the 80’s had done a back flip and broke his neck, but for every false report of an Alfonso-Ribeiro-disco-death, there is an accurate report of, “we don’t know exactly what she’s on but Whitney’s on SOMETHING” or “Uncle Bay-Bay done come into some money” or “Look at them white folks on them boats over there, let’s go tell everybody it’s a cruise and make some money.”
