Abbey Lincoln
Looking at the Life of Abbey Lincoln - Mother, Goddess of Love

Looking at the Life of Abbey Lincoln - Mother, Goddess of Love

By Dee Dee McNeil

When I first met Abbey Lincoln I was participating in a Harry Dolan historical theater Production. It was a play at the Watts Writers Workshop in Watts, California. Sammy Davis Jr. was one of our main benefactors and acted as Executive Producer. Ted Lange, who would later become famous for his role in the hit television series, "Love Boat", was the Director. I was writing poetry and songs when I arrived on the Watts Writers Workshop doorstep from Detroit, Michigan. My ability to write songs and poetry opened the doors for me upon my arrival in Southern California.

It was 1970, just after the Watts riots, and there was a wonderful rejuvenation of the arts in the Black community where the riots had raged. Several notable celebrities, writers, musicians, actors and actresses made their presence felt. For Watts, it was a time of progress and growth, with the accent on developing talent and pride within that community. Abbey Lincoln was one of several internationally respected artists who came to Mafundi Institute and the Watts Writers Workshop. Both were located on 103rd Street, just down the road from the famous Watts Towers. The stars came to inspire the troubled community and they did just that!

An abundance of Black entertainers encouraged people to reach inside for their talent and artistic abilities. The goal was to turn their turmoil, frustration and rage into poetry, song, dance and theater. The photo above is a press photo from the William Morris Agency that Abbey Lincoln autographed to me in the early 1970's. She knew I was a writer, so she signed it "Write On!" I was thrilled, because Abbey Lincoln was one of my idols and inspirations. During those days of the 1970's, African-Americans were shaking loose from the words "Colored People" and embracing their rich African Heritage. Back in those days, we were learning to be 'Black and Proud'. Abbey Lincoln was one of the first actresses that sported an Afro hair style, or as we called it back then, "A natural". She was also a forerunner in wearing the traditional African braids. She did both before it was popular and we, in the community, all sat up and took notice. We felt so proud because of her unspoken, but vividly obvious political statement. She was natural as an African sunrise and just as beautiful. So it was neither surprising nor unacceptable when Abbey Lincoln went searching for her roots in the Mother-land and came back with a new look and a brand new name. This is an historical look at that time in her life and ours, taken from excerpts of an interview I had with Ms. Lincoln in 1976 and a subsequent article that was published in the Soul & Jazz Record Magazine - Vol. 3, No. 3.

 
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