Anodyne/sensational Josephine Baker all but plagiarized the future. Where would we be without her brand of psychic... and all the zealots are watching us rediscover the spaces she already occupies. For instance, what would happen in a duet with her and Beyonce? What is so effortlessly sophisticated/ain't misbehavin' faux innocent about playing into the cumulative fantasy that a black female dancer is a conduit is a heartthrob is a lady is a freak is a matron, fierce, docile and appraised for her body's ability to tease and thrill onlookers, discretely graceful, patiently vulgar, every verb, every inertia... In honor of "Independence Day" I suppose it's time for some Josephine Baker/Judith Jamison/Beyonce/Lil Kim/Dorothy Dandridge...mash ups, soon come. You must believe in spring
