Page 89 - Esquire - USA (Winter 2020)
P. 89
Hearing of his night made me think of matter which cop stopped his car?), there is
old Hollywood. still much, much work to be done. Jordan is
Josephine Baker, Paul Robeson, Harry proving to be one of a new generation of ac-
A RESTAURANT IN NEW YORK, Belafonte, Dick Gregory, Sidney Poitier, tors committed to continuing the necessary
FOR LUNCH Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee... There’s a long and work. And the more powerful he becomes,
We met on a sunny midday in midtown. MBJ storied history of black actors who’ve also the more change he can catalyze.
was casual in a T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. A been champions of civil rights, which is to say As I see it, there are essentials for becom-
chipper host escorted us to a table in the back justice. While one could argue Hollywood— ing, in addition to an A-list actor, an elite
corner of the restaurant. Jordan ordered a salad and America—has made strides (imagine, Hollywood power broker capable of driving
and a tea with honey, lemon, and cayenne pep- in 1964, when Sidney Poitier won his Best change, not the least of which is having a plan.
per. As it turns out, Piaget had hosted a party for Actor Oscar, he still couldn’t buy a burger MBJ told me his plan includes having thriv-
him the night before, during which he smoked where he damn well pleased in a place like ing production and brand-consulting compa-
one too many cigars with Jamie Foxx et al., and Mobile, Alabama; riddle me the state where, nies and, for the next four or five years, “be-
that afternoon his voice was paying the ransom. tomorrow, MBJ’s safety would be assured no ing in work mode” (continued on page 118)
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