The myth of Hollywood progressiveness

Once in a while, I’ll come across some political talking head or politician (mostly “conservative”) grandstanding and screaming some nonsense about Hollywood progressives. I’m guessing I’m in a different universe or sucking on crazy pills.

My concept of the word “progressive”, in context, would be the embracing of values or principles that are beneficial in the social development of an individual or group. The “good news” is that Hollywood has made good on this in the promotion of gay and women rights. It is somewhat sketchy on religious tolerance since they seemingly have an aversion to all things of a Judeo-Christian nature.

And then there is two-faced treatment of the black community. Yeah, I’m gonna go there.

Sure the use of rap and other “urban” sounds have permeated where the likes of Motley Crue and Van Halen once reigned supreme in the soundtrack division. As from that car commercial, when was the last time did you Crue’s Jumpstart My Heart in an action sequence?  Yeah, I thought so and damn, I miss those days. Yes, even my white sisters have shown that they can hold their own when it comes to dance moves. Wow, seems like a cut and dry case of good ole fashioned progressiveness. Yeah, maybe.

In my posting prior to this one, I was talking about the movie Red Tails. One of the things that came up about the movie of various bits of media was the reluctance of many Hollywood executives tp greenlight or even bankroll the venture. The reason for such hesitation and ponderance: Red Tails, a movie about black airmen in World War II, had to large a (omg!!!) black cast. I kid you not. I truly wish I was making this stuff up. Seriously, Hollywood? Oh sure, it was easy to bankroll 50 Cents so-called biopic “Get Rich of Die Tryin” or that Hustle and Flow crap which … by the way … had (omg!!!) a predominantly black cast, but for some reason a true story about black airmen that helped save the world from sprechen Deutsche and dressing up in leiderhosen (seriously, I suck in leiderhosen) is verboten. I guess some folks in Hollywood don’t want to take the risk of having black folks leaving the theaters feeling … what are the words that I’m looking for …. ah yes, empowered, patriotic, or even (gasp!!!) proud. Hmm, I guess we need to re-examine the definition of progressiveness, here, Hollywood.

We survived another Oscar night, but one can’t help but notice the disproportionate nominees and winners that were black in comparison to their white counterparts. And as so many white actors win Oscars for eloquent roles such as prime ministers, scientists, butlerss, activists and even coaches, when it comes to blacks (aside from Sidney Potier) the titles include corrupt cops, pimps, overweight, sexually molested teens, and sexed-up, widowed, single mothers. Seriously ? When movies like “Something the Lord Made” didn’t (surprise, surprise) make it to the silver screen and performances by the likes of Mos Def who plays the black doctor that pioneered open heart surgery is discounted. Sure, he got an Emmy but not good enough to in the same league of pimp wanting to be a rapper (Hustle and Flow) to earn an Oscar. For anyone that can remember, can you remember the marketing that went into Get Rich or Die Trying in comparison to that of Aqueelah and the Bee. If you have to ask what was Aqueelah and the Bee, then it is far worst than I imagine. Hollywood. Progressive. Really? By what standards?

As a former engineering student you learn to make conclusions based upon where the emperical data leads you. So with that in mind it is safe to assume that there is some subconscious fear in Hollywood in encouraging greatness and better behavior in the black community, and feels more comfortable rewarding the very things that appeal to the lower denominations that keeps the black community marinating in dysfunction. Some may used the age-old argument of “giving the people what they want”. Considering the same argument with recovering drug addicts: if they at some point in time start begging for drugs … will you give it to them? I’m guessing no. Yet as the black community struggles with its dysfunctions and the few minions are begging for that celluloid “fix”, Hollywood “progressives” thinks it is okay to give into the “addictions”. Sad. I guess it sort of keeping us in our place. Literally. So when folks are lamenting about Hollywood’s progressiveness, I do wonder what eyes they peering through. Great if I’m gay, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, or (dare I say) female. Personally, the so-called progressiveness of Hollywood has no space for black community and makes the 1940s sorta look damned near-civilized. I beg to differ and remain unimpressed.

 

Red Tails: It’s about time.

As Black history month crawls to an end, it would be near-sacrilegious if I didn’t write about the movie, Red Tails. Yes, it was a tough choice between Underworld, Contraband, and Red Tails but, more than three weeks ago, the choice became apparent. Now I’m a big fan of epic war movies – especially movies that tell the stories of men (and women) that has served this great nation. I have watched Saving Private Ryan, Flags of Our Fathers, Band of Brothers, Platoon and Hurt Locker more times than I’d like to admit.  After hearing that George Lucas had taken it upon himself to greenlight this project, I was intrigued. Of course, after hearing that no one in Hollywood wanted to bankroll the production because “it had a large black cast”, I found that somewhat troubling and bit insulting. So much for the progressiveness of Hollywood (more on that in a not so distant future). Still knowing that Lucasfilm was at the helm gave (and fulfilled) expectations of great action sequences combined with an amazing true story that’s engraved in history. Red Tails is an amazing story of courage, dignity, and patriotism at its highest form. Not trying to take anything away from my fellow white countrymen that fought valiantly in World War II, but when you are denied certain basic rights, treated like a second class citizen and yet still stand up and say that you’ll defend this country and its people – then that is patriotism of the highest order.  Needless to say, as I scan the various forums out there that discuss this movie, I get the feeling that there are a few that are a bit sour and have missed the point of the movie. Some I suspect have never seen the movie and if they did they may have had some pre-conceived notions about the movie. Or maybe they are just pissed off Hollywood execs. On a few occasions there have been sarcastic and caustic comments that imply that Red Tails was trying to portray the Tuskegee airmen as legendary fighters that won WWII single-handedly. Sounds to me like some badly positioned propaganda. Pretty sad.

To imply this mythological status of the Tuskegee airmen is to insult the brave white servicemen that fought and died in WWII and it is a blatant and covert attack on the honor and dignity of the the Tuskegee airmen who served nobly, bravely and whose actions, discipline HELPED in changing the tide of the war against the Germans. Brilliantly shot, with magnificent dog-fighting sequences, George Lucas brings forth a story about a group of underdogs that courageously stepped up to the plate and willingly risked life and limb to protect this nation and many others from the Nazi menace. I salute these men (as have and will always do to those that serve) for their courage and sacrifice. To Mr. Lucas, I say … thank you very much.

 

It’s a new year, America

Yes, 2012 is here. I know, I’m 11 days late and few dollars short. I can’t help it. I’m busy, but I’ve been compiling these in my mind and they were supposed to make the New Year posting. Oh well, better late than never.

The year 2011 was filled with a lot disappointments, grief, upsets and surprises (some laughable … a certain reality star’s wedding). And as we try to ease the maddening echoes of dysfunction, of the pass year, that populated our minds, here is a recommended “diet” for the year 2012 as per things that we can simply do without or walk away from:

• The Kardashians  …. Next to terrorism, economic woes, and unemployment, nothing cripples the morale of a country like the oversaturation, of various media, about the lifestyles of a narcissistic, self-indulgent, super-extravagant and annoying family who offers so little but is rewarded with so much … too much. Including free PR maintenance from the likes of OK, Lifestyles, Star and People magazines (yeah, quit with the Kris Humphries bashing will ya). At least some folks have the right idea.
• Reality shows that end with the word “wives”. Seriously, this is an insult to world of wives. To the world of women. To the world of grown adults. It is so bad that it makes Gloria Steinem long for the good old 1940s. Sorry people, but you come across like a lot of scheming, preening, overpaid, and spoiled Jezebels who are still trapped in an elementary school sandbox. You offer nothing of redeeming value and I don’t expect your books (that gullible folks spend good, hard-earned money on) to offer even less. Temper tantrums, throwing stuff around, gossiping … geez, I guess some of us never left elementary or high school. And this is why you don’t take trash and give poor money on it. Yeah, I did go there.
• GOP/Tea Pary bullshit. Socialist … really? Is that some sort of proxy insult being used in place of the N word. Seriously it is apparent that some folks don’t like the fact that there is a black president in the white house (and yes, I’m well aware of how many white folks voted for Obama … my guess is you aren’t among them) and choose to hide behind the poor excuse of a word to covertly hide your obvious racist feelings. Sad. Until I hear the president quoting tons of Marx, Mao, tossing in a dos vadanya or two, and the occassional “comrade” …. no, I have my doubts about the socialism claim. So until then, stop with the socialist nonsense. And to the members of the Tea Party (at least the rich ones) you’re not fooling anyone. Sort of like the guy that was on stage in Washington a few years ago talking all this anti-Obama stuff and then walked eight blocks to get into his parked Jaguar. Why so far away? When there other parking spots nearer to the location. And what was I doing at a Tea Party gathering? Long story and I don’t care to share. Seriously, you’re not fooling anyone and you make the KKK and Aryan Nations seem more respectable. And that’s saying a lot.
• Whiny, impossible-to-please liberals and Democrats. So you voted for Obama. A president that has been handed a gigantic turd for an economy and at the same time has to deal with the turds in Congress and the Senate that are trying their darnedest to sabotage his every effort to make him look bad and to bully the American into another Republican presidency. Why? Because the last was so wonderful the country. Yes, he is the president and it is sad that he is not the messiah that you hoped for that could simply wave his hand and all problems would simply cease as we frolic in a land flowing with milk and honey (and yeah, I’m probably calling out Matt Damon). Tough cookies. You had a major stake in the beginning of the administration and you pissed it away with stupid infighting and focusing on your re-election (I  see that really worked out well). So deal with it. The man is trying his to do his best with what he’s got (sort of like the Iraq war in the early stages … no armor, etc.) and sadly, he’s surrounded by dolts. So save the boo-hoos and run over to your nearest Starbucks, charge a five dollar latte to your overused/overextended credit card, and take a sip as you hog customer space using the free Wi-Fi with your impulse-buy Macbook. And chill the hell out.
• The removal of words such as “swagger”, and “baby mother/father” from black vocabulary.  I don’t get what’s the deal with the word “swagger”. What’s so cool about walking around like you crapped in your pants. I really don’t get that. Is that the new black machismo …. walking like I crapped in my pants? Seriously … stop it. Now it’s bad enough that your child is born out of wedlock and is technically branded a “bastard” (feel free to look it up in the dictionary), using words such as “baby mother” or “baby father” does not add an iota of dignity to the situation. You know what does? Taking responsibility to act like actual parents and trying your darnedest to give that child/those children a fighting chance in this unfair world that they’ve been foolishly and carelessly thrusted into. No go forth and sin no more. And stop with the cute words.
• Is it too much to ask black folks to carry themselves with some dignity on the Maury show? Yes, I know what some will say … there are white folks on the show too. Right. But it seems like some black folks think this is a combination of a Hollywood audition and amateur night at the Apollo. And most of time they are the most “memorable” because of their exaggerated melodrama. Now it is bad enough that you have to inadvertently admit to the world that you’re promiscuous and obviously allergic to all forms of contraceptives but the audacity to act like a woman scorned banshee-type scream and other belligerent forms of vocalizations does not do much for your diginity. Sorry that was shot and tossed out the door after the first three guys failed the DNA test and it is obvious to the rest of the thinking world that you have little respect for yourself as woman. Want to be seriously? Take control of you life, do something purposeful that will make you more self-reliant and provide the means to take care of the kid(s). It is going to be tough, but it can be done. So many have already. And for all that is good under God’s blue skies, learn to control the reflex action of your legs every time some “smoove-looking” brotha (real brothers take care of their own) simply says hi to you. So stop with throwing yourself down on Maury’s floor. And to the guys, yes, you are not in the clear on this one. There is a reason for the low respect that is showed towards black manhood in this country. And part of it is due to watching young, black men doing backflips and behaving like they hit jackpot when they’ve pinkslipped from fatherhood via DNA tests. It is a sad commentary that screams of your immaturity and irresponsibility: willing to play but not willing to pay for the consequences. And as hardstrung and embattled as the black community is, it is your ability to create “fatherless children” which is not a measure of your manhood, but perpetual contribution to a seemingly, neverending, vicious cycle: angry, fatherless youth that carry on the dysfunctions throughout newer generations. So stop with the splits, back flips, pounds, and high fives. You are an embarrassment to yourself and a real debit to your race.
• Hey Fox, lets try to be an actual news channel instead of some propaganda mill, shall we? For a highly rated news network, Fox makes TMZ looks like credible (and relevant) journalism. Seriously, their coverage of the Occupy Wall Street movement took textbook propaganda to new heights that had Goebbels from his roost in Hell screaming, “damn that is sick”. I’ve never seen so much plants and staged dysfunction that some of the acting was so horrible. In one instant they were interviewing a “protester” that was spewing stuff about all the drug use and sexual misconduct that was happening there, and even the person face was pixelated … the person’s body type looked sort of like that guy that dressed as a pimp and in messed up ACORN. But maybe it was just me. Or how about the New Years “panel” on Hannity show that was consisted of average folks (and plants). I’m sorry but I don’t buy some Fox intern …er, dude claiming to be an NYU graduate (biggest liberal college in NY … they do good research) and how he’s soooo offended by the protesters who are looking for handouts and not willing pull themselves up by their own straps because that’s the “gutsy American way”. Poor kid, it’s understandable, he has to put on a show for those paying his way. And as to the “fights” that were breaking out the camps that cameras just happened to be around … seriously, I’ve seen kids elementary school that could do a more believable job. Nice try, Fox.

So there, I’ve said my piece for the new year. Gee, can we still be friends?

 

The real tragedy of the Sean Bell incident

I’ve been meaning to write about this for sometime, and what better time on the anniversary of this tagic incident. There are three sides to this story. The side of the victims. The side of the plainclothes officers. And then there is the side of the Truth. Time will tell.

As a black man, I must say that the shooting of Sean Bell is beyond the term of “bad judgement”. Here it is a young black man, that is defying the stereotype, and trying to do the right thing by marrying his fiancee and be a father to his children is suddenly cut down … hours before his wedding. And all there is out there is a lot of assumptions and allegations. Not good enough. Especially since it cost the life of someone’s son, someone’s fiance and the father of two children. Seriously, there has to be serious repercussions. Wrist slaps no longer apply. To attempt to justify this by bringing up any criminal records (if there are any) of the three victims  is just as bad as blaming a rape victim for wearing tight fitting or revealling clothes. Stop it.

 As a recently employed member of a federal national security agency (and I’m not saying which), I have to say to most that if you are not in it then don’t be quick to judge it. In a high tension situation there is very little room for second guessing. For the most second guessing could simply mean death. It seems as if the lessons from the Amadou Diallo case has not been learned. Thirty-one shots pumped into a man reaching for wallet. And now fifty bullets fired at three unarmed citizens from what was deemed as a possible threat. Nine or twelve bullets is one thing. Fifty is overkill. Even enemy combatants in war are afforded a better death despite the tons of bullets flying through air. I’ll go even further to say that if it took five soldiers to lob fifty rounds at three enemy combatants, then that is what, my firearms instructor, would call ineffective marksmanship. Which also translates to ineffective soldiers. Get what I am saying here?

So who’s to blame? The cops. Or the victims. Time will have to tell on this one. But the blame does not stop with cops or the victims. Surprise. There is a lot more of it to go around. It gets really “controversial” and politically incorrect beyond this point.

Firstly, the criminal elements of the black community. I know, not exactly the most shocking. The Bloods, Crips and all the other shitty groups out there that have nothing to offer but chaos and destruction have, over the years, helped fostered an atmosphere of suspicion and paranoia when it comes to dealing with black males. It was laughable watching the Bloods and Crips coming together to form a protest in support of Sean Bell in 2006. Wait a minute, didn’t these clowns form a “truce” in the 90s with the Rodney King incident? Gee, I wondered what happened. And this is the irony that smacks me in my face and yet begs me to love it. It is all a big pantomime, for if the Crips and Bloods really wanted to show their support there would be no Bloods and Crips in the first place. These are the very folks that run around spreading the notion that the cops that patrol black neighborhoods are like an occupying force. Hate to break the news, but when I was visiting friends in South Jamaica I was more fearful of these so-called “freedom fighters” than the very cops that patrolled the neighborhood. Oh did I mention that some of these “freedom fighters” were actually selling destruction to the very neighborhood that they commanded respect from. Hmm, seemed more like insurgents to me. The Bloods and Crips announcing an alliance in the time of injustice on a black person is an empty gesture. The only time it really matters is if it leads to a disbandment of the gangs or gang members strapping lead weights to themselves and jumping off a cliff into the Marianas Trench. Either it would mean a good start in the right direction for the black community. Any short of those two extremes are not more than a sick appeal for the spot light.

Secondly, our so-called leaders. I remember the year this incident occurred, I saw this black guy on NY1 decrying so-called leaders such as Sharpton as mere frauds. It is good to know that I’m not the only one that’s been awake and paying attention. For the most folks like Sharpton, Barron and Jackson have spent their influence coddling dysfunctions of the black community and passing them off as political prisoners. Nelson Mandela was a political prisoner. Drug dealers and thugs that just happened to be mistreated by overzealous (and possibly racist) police officers are not. Get the definitions right. What is the worth of a black life? According to the actions of folks like Sharpton and Jackson, it is dependent on the skin color of the person that takes it. On an annual basis, many blacks lose their lives at the hands of other blacks, and its business as usual. However, if the perpetrator is white (whether it is a civilian or law enforcement), suddenly the esteemed “reverend” realizes how valuable the life of a black person is. Still unclear? Let me up the ante. Which is worst? The hundreds of bullets that are fired by many blacks that claim the lives of other blacks annually or, fifty rounds fired by five undercover officers at three black victims? The answer to that question is simple: they both are. But it seems as if our wonderful “leaders” only care about this if its “newsworthy” and adds to their numerous moments in the spotlight. How lovely. And the sad news is, many of us still hold these clowns to high esteem as they ride on the coat tails of the civil rights movement. Much like a plane flying on fuel fumes.

Thirdly, ourselves. That includes me. We’ve sat by and let the idiots run the show. We’ve paid good money to support the urban garbage that is spewed from Hollywood which only stigmatizes us further. We sit and let hip-hop idiots disgrace our community, and instead of decrying it, we accept it because we want to prove that we’re hip to our kids. Bullshit. If you know better, teach your children better or at least have them associate with those that know better. A kid wearing a “No Snitch” or snowman T-shirt isn’t developing an interest in politics. They’re supporting the very people that create this atmosphere of suspicion about black citizens especially black males. In case you don’t know, the “No Snitch” campaign was started by drug dealer. You might not buy his drugs, but you’re buying his T-shirts. Get what I’m saying? Same applies to those Snowman T-shirts. Get a clue folks. This is no longer “cute”. The thug swagger, according to Summner Redstone, that is marktetable is no longer “cute”. The Yo Momma jokes are no longer “cute”. And those damned red, black and yellow bandannas are no longer “cute”. We know better. Wake up. Wake the hell up. Please. Damn it. What will it take?

Standing and screaming about “no justice, no peace” is great, but without appropriate action it is EMPTY. In short, it is time to clean house. Anything less will result in more Bells, Diallos and Kings. And that would be the real tragedy.

 

The interesting (yet sad) Herman Cain spectacle

Let it be known that this is not a post bashing Republicans nor well-spoken, intelligent and successful blacks that are Republicans. I personally find it a bit ridiculous when folks get twisted up at someone daring to confess that they are Republicans or (heaven forbid) have Republican leanings. Regardless of what is said, I still hold the likes of Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell, Larry Elder and J.C. Watts to high esteem. It will be foolish to diminish their accomplishments due to mere political affiliations. Seriously folks, there are worst things in the world. Get over it.

When Mr. Cain, former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, threw his hat into the ring as a contender, in the race for president, not only did it raise my eyebrows but it put a smile on my face. Finally, things in the GOP debate are about to get interesting. And interesting they did become. With Mr. Cain flying in the forefront, practically the toast of the town and, seemingly, the Republicans great black hope … out of nowhere comes the emergence of past sexual misconduct on Mr. Cain’s part. Such shocking behavior. True to script, Mr. Cain wasted no time in crying about smear campaigns and blamed it on what is called the “Democrat Machine” (where the hell do folks get this crap from). So there I was, almost half a week ago watching the Fox News Network (another shocking revelation) and I was watching a dialog between Sean Hannity and Dick “The Dick” Morris as they “defended” Herman Cain. On face value, it seemed noble, touching, and enough to make you want break out the tissues, but on closer inspection all that was revealled was nothing more than a nice piece of theater and political pantomime. Mr. Hannity seemed more under strain and duress as Dick giggled and mentioned something about Bialek getting a spread in Playboy. Such classy company over there at Fox. Yet this told so much about what the Herman Cain campaign was all about. The good news is that Herman Cain looks like a GOP golden child. The bad news is that this all smoke and mirrors and Machiavellian politics at its finest. To put it simply (and bluntly): a nice wa for the GOP to use Herman Cain to tout their “tolerance” and “promotion” of black candidates and at the same time doing a slight of hand in order to blame the “mainstream media”, namely any news network that has “left” leanings, for destroying his campaign. But wait a minute, Fox has been doing quite well in the ratings … which in some way would make it … well … mainstream. Hmmm. My grandmother always had a saying: whenever you point an accusing finger at others look at how many are pointing back at you. Think about it.

Here’s the harsh reality (that I suspect): Herman Cain will NEVER get the official endorsement nod for the main event. Forget all the “forerunner” hype and the anti-Obama claims. Smoke and mirrors. And just another way of getting people to see that “yes, we have a highly supported black candidate on the GOP side … dreams do come true”. Que the Disneyworld song. Nice, but will he get the nod for the MAIN EVENT. I doubt it and here’s why ….

Regardless of the spin, this sexual harrassment accusation is not going away without some collateral damage to Mr. Cain’s campaign. Personally, I’m sure it’s already been done. Now I know we don’t like to talk race since racism no longer exists and Arizona has developed some magnificent beachfront property. Oh yeah, the Brooklyn Bridge is also on Ebay. But upon close examination of the language and posturing being used towards the our first black president, over the past two plus years, one can simply see there remains an underlying contempt and animosity towards confident, well-accomplished black men. From the persistent birther nonsense to the constant socialist labeling (which I suspect is just another thinly  veiled disguise of the N-word), this more than just mere criticism. It is covert hate. Now consider this how some in the GOP (and I’m sure a good dose of Dems also) towards the president. And now comes another (forgive the choice) cock-sure, well-spoken, intelligent and accomplished black man that is (dear heavens) being accused of sexual misconduct by a REPUBLICAN WHITE woman. Yes, you can just hear the murmurings through the rank and file GOP and maybe that explains the strained look on Hannity’s face.

Secondly, during a recent debate, moderator Cooper Anderson had asked Mr. Cain if he still stood by the negative veiws he held towards the Occupy Wall Street movement despite its growing popularity. Mr. Cain, puffed chest and all, boldly boomed from the pulpit that he stood by his words. Admirable. And it drew much applause from the GOP crowd who seemingly love a John Wayne swagger here and there. All and good, but beyond the applause, in the final countdown, many will review this as a liability and arrogance. The kind of arrogance that could threaten to drive away swayed voters and GOP sympathizers. That’s a risk the GOP is not willing to take.

Thirdly, and this will be short … and downright politically incorrect. There some folks on BOTH sides of the aisle that feel that … well … the White House should simply remain … how can I put this delicately … um, white. And four years is enough. Sorry Mr. Cain.

The sad thing is that Herman Cain stands around blaming the “Democrat Machine” whilst not even acknowledging that maybe, maybe, all this static he’s getting may be from his fellow Republicans. There’s a saying an older gentleman once thought me: “not everyone that pats you on the back is your friend, some might just be feeling for the soft spot to put the knife in”. Someone on a news forum once mentioned how “funny” it was that these allegations were surfacing when he (Cain) became the forerunner in the debates. Funny and coincidence, I think not, but it is rather interesting. Hmm, a bunch of folks in a race and being outshined by one guy but since politics is filled with noble behavior they’ll probably take the high ground and not seek sleazy ways to gain an upper hand. Oh no, we’ll leave that news networks who has got nothing better to do but right Kim Kardashian and … yeah dig up stuff on the lead guy. Seriously, folks? And for the record the only debates occuring is between GOP candidates. Yet knowing the Machiavellian nature of GOP politics I find it interesting that many people, including Cain, are simply willing to cling to that old war cry of “left-wing mainstream media attacks”. Or maybe it is just Cain sticking to the script, not wanting to rock the boat, in hope of getting the not for the main event. And despite all the John Wayne-esque swagger, puffed chest, self-depreciating minstrelsy and a sweet golden “forerunner” status, it all seems nothing more that just a ploy. A carrot on the stick ploy. A game of smoke and mirrors. A sad scheme of things for a candidate that is being used as means to end but deserves a bit more dignity than this.

 

Hustle and Flow and the pimping of the black community

Last weekend I was in the local library picking up a few books and wandered over into the DVD section to check out a few movies. I got several current titles to catch up on (yes, it has been a while since I went to the movies … college studies have that effect on you). Of the many that I borrowed (in Queens you can borrow up to 10 DVDs) was the movie, Hustle and Flow. Yes, I have never seen Hustle and Flow. I guess at the time when it came out I felt that my money could have been better spent on other things like … maybe a new Jim Varney (RIP) movie like Ernest Goes To Mars or something of the sort. So out of really, really, really morbid curiousity I decided to check out Hustle and Flow.
There are two reactions any level-head black man can take when a the word “MTV Productions” appear at the opening of any movie followed by listing of Ludicris and Anthony Anderson in the credits. First reaction: activate mental dampeners and brace yourself for an assault on your intelligence. Second reaction: rip the DVD player out of the wall and toss it out the window. Against my best judgement, I chose the first reaction. And being the mental masochist … I watched through the end. Don’t worry a quick 3-hour bout of Black Ops on the 360 wiped away all the pathetic dialogue.
This is Hustle in a nutshell. Meet DJay (played by Terrence Howard). He’s in his 40s. He is a pimp (seriously). He decides that his mark on the world is to be a rap superstar. Let me spell it out again for those not feeling the “flow”. A pimp decides to make his life mean something by becoming a rap star. Not a writer. Or an artist. A rap star. Only from the mind of MTV. DJay hears some rap superstar is coming to town played by (no surprise) Ludicris. And decides this is his chance to get someone to notice his “talent”. He meets with a neighborhood friend that is a producer. And the journey begins. This is the straw that broke the camel’s back. There was scene where the producer’s middle class black wife was in protest of his dealings with the pimp, but after some mental massaging she comes full circle. So much to the point that she packs sandwiches for a production meet that takes place in the pimp’s house with his whores. Ummm … question. Which level-headed BLACK woman would ever prepare a lunch kit for a husband’s gig involving a seedy character and prostitutes? Are you kidding. But then again we’re dealing with MTV.
I’ll admit it. I’ve got an itch to scratch with MTV. I’m not going to hide it. But I’m going to be blunt. Unless you’re completely blind, mentally retarded and living under a rock it is clear to see that MTV’s interest in Hip-Hop has very little to do with uplifting the black community and more to do with marketing and capitalism. If MTV truly cared about uplifting the black community, half of the crap that passes for music and “reality” would not be adorning the television screens. Actually, they would be showing some DAMN videos. After all isn’t that MTV is supposed to be all about. Sure, they put out little band aids like Coach Carter so as to show people how “responsible” they are AND to have their minions scream at people like me and say “you’re a hater … MTV does so much for the black community … see, they made Coach Carter”. Yeah, a band aid for bullet wound. The thing about is disturbing about folks like MTV is that they seem too eager to peddle this “street cred” nonsense to an already socially embattled community. How can you tell the average black kid about going to college and getting an education, when outlets like MTV peddle the “street cred” mentality in a nice celluloid package and then they back it up with the inflated and exaggerated instances of success without traditional academia? What … did you think they were showing us those houses on MTV Cribs to prepare black teens for a career in interior design or architecture or even automotive mechanics? No, you’ve been wrongfully mistaken. When I travel on the MTA buses and listen to teens talk, I don’t hear teen saying “Damn did you see that house one MTV Cribs, I’ve really got to get into the field of interior design or architecture”. It is usually, “damn that car/house was fly … I got to get me one of those”. And of course, one could only guess how they’re going to strive to get one of “those”. Athletics, dancing or rapping. It is bad enough that the main character in Hustle and Flow, is living his life as pimp. It is an even sadder note where the ONLY way he seeks to make his life mean something is to become a rap superstar.
Several years ago, I stopped into a bodega to pick a few items and overheard a conversation between some old black guy and a bunch of impressionable kids. His comments was somewhere along the range of “book knowledge isn’t worth jack, the street’s is where it is at”. At this time I wanted say, “some good it did you” but stuff like that can easily make you statistic. So I walked on. I was, recently, looking at some photos of my mother in her younger days. Yes, she was one of those dashiki-wearing, Afro-donning black power types with my father in better days. They divorced when I was 13, but my father still remains active in my life. One of the thingsmy parents did was buy a lot of books. We’ve got books on just about every play by Shakespeare. Black writers like Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou. Stories by Stephen King (yes, my father liked the scary stuff). Most of them were torn and used. As I got older she introduced me to the concept of a “library card”. The thing about reading books and being with a family that seem to embrace education is that your mind gets opened to possibilities. I was able to see beyond the rap star, dance star, athlete mentality. When ever I said I wanted be something and someone (and there was always that one person) saying “oh black folks could never do that”. I would always counter with “well, I’ll be the first”. Sadly, I don’t hear too many kids saying so. I wonder why.
As long as folks are willing to embrace the twisted realities that pass for “black culture” by outlets like MTV, BET and their offerings on the celluloid screen. Many of us will find our battle to be an uphill struggle. As long the black mind is sublminally tainted into believing that success can be achieved in the bowels of vileness and debauchery, our community will only find itself slipping on the rungs on humanity’s ladder. Our community is being Hustled as its true potential Flows down the sewage drain. I guess I just figured out why they called it Hustle and Flow. And brother, it doesn’t look good.

 

Signs that you are ghetto … and a waste of my time

This might just make you hate me or love me. Or it’ll give you a laugh. Or at most think and re-evalute your behavior. These are the signs that you are just plain “ghetto”, a waste of time, and all that is wrong within the black community.

• You have cell phone, a blackberry, that hot pair of sneakers, a cool Sean John or Rocawear outfit but you hold up the commute (and working folks) because you don’t have money to pay bus fare. So much for priority.
• The volume of your voice on a crowded MTA bus, as measured on sound meter, exceeds your IQ level.
• You think being pregnant is a “rite of passage” or a badge of honor.
• You’ve got kids. You have to get a babysitter not because you have a job interview, or some emergency but because you want to go clubbing with the “girls”.
• You’ve got the Sean John shades. You’re “bling-blinging” with the platinum, and the rocks. You’ve got the cool clothing and shoes. Yet for some reason you can’t seem to conjugate a proper sentence, and your “English” is intelligible.
• You are a member of the Blood or the Crips or some other shitty gang organization and you tell yourself that you are part of something great. To bad mommy didn’t use her right to “choose”, and now the rest of the world have to put up with your crap.
• You own a Scarface T-shirt or DVD/VHS, and you think that Tony Montana was soooo great. First of all, Tony Montana was fictional character. Secondly, with all the money and power that he had, that didn’t stop him from dying a cheap, violent death. Great role model, stupid.
• You actually believe that you’ll be the next best thing on the rap scene, the NBA or the dance hall. It has been done before. And as Duncan Macleod of the Highlander said … “there can only be one ….(50 cent, Eminem, etc.)”. Get a book and put something in your head.
• You and your idiot friends use the public library as another hangout joint. Hey junior, it is place where folks go to read and learn something. You might need to look into that, and it just might ease you from blaming you future woes on the “white man”.
• You’ve actually asked another fellow black person, that dressed and talked differently than you, if they were a “cop” or a “fed”. Of course, you wouldn’t need to know this bit of information if you were actually a LAW-ABIDDING citizen. And yet you wonder why other folks don’t trust us.
• For some reason, you feel the need to smash glass bottles on perfectly clean streets.
• You’re only nice and courteous to your “brothas” or “sistas” when you want to hit them up for some money. Yeah, what’s it this time: you just came out of jail, your baby needs formula, you need a meal, or you couldn’t catch cash checking in time? Funny how all those seem to equate to a can of malt liquor. Whatever, “brother”.
• You refer to your self and other as “niggas”. Yes, that’s right … I’m sure that’s what Martin Luther King, Medgar Evers and Malcom X put their lives on the line for. So that we can “sanitize” the word “nigger”. Not that it has anything to do with record sales and overpriced designer clothing.
• You can sing scores of lyrics of some of the most pathetic excuses for music. Yet you can’t memorize or balance one chemical equation that fit in ONE line. How pathetic is that.
• You think it is “cute” to spout profanity-laced lyrics of your favorite “rap” within earshot of unsuspecting decent folks. Here’s a memo point: you’re not going to make it in the rap industry, but get acquainted with the phrase “Fries with that, sir”. And enunciate with a smile.
• You actually believe that becoming an intellectual or educated is “being white”. As if “being black” is marinating in ignorance and being a stress on society. What kind of wasted sperm came up with this notion?
• You’ve got the 50″ HD flatscreen TV, you drive around in modified Novas with rims that cost more than the car itself, you have the newest style of overpriced, overhyped footwear,you have the last portable electronic gadgets yet you live in “low income” housing and can’t find $200 to buy a phoenics DVD or CD for your kids. Like I said, some priority.
• You call yourself a “playa” and talk about the “game”, when in fact it is basically the same old same old. Yeah, don’t hate the player, hate the game. What game is this, o fervent jackass?
• You talk about the next level and yet you seem to be in the gutters. Lovely.
• You’re on Maury asking a ton of men “who’s my baby father” and then when you find that the baby’s not yours, you (the guys) leap as if you won the lottery. Just a note: your eagerness to escape the responsibilities of fatherhood despite the fact that you were quite willing to do the deed says a lot about you and it is a sad commentary on your life. My pity goes out to the women that are foolish enough to be with you. And ladies, let’s face it we’re not in the 1940s or living under a rock. Get with the program.

So now you know. Don’t waste my time … and my tax dollars. And yes, I do work and pay taxes.

 

Apparently you might be a cop or a fed if ….

One of things about living in crappy neighborhood like South Jamaica and being a commuter, means that on occassion, you’ll be subjected blatant jests of “street” psychology and philosophies.
Last Saturday night, I got off the Q60 bus and was making my way home (briskly) past this bodega. A young (fellow)black man asked me the time. So maintaining a safe distance, I made a quick glance at the watch and absent-mindedly muttered “20:08″. Upon which he repeated, “20:08″ in a sort of startled way. Then he proceeded to say, “you must be a fed”. Great merciful crap. And then he proceeded further to tell me that the only people that use that time systems are federal agencies. Of course, I knew where this was headed … “can you spare me some change, brother”. Ah yes, first accuse of working for the “man” and then try to get me to curry favor with you by giving up some change. Of course, he could easily believe that I was a fed trying to get into good graces with him by giving him some change. Alas, you can’t win with some folks. So I told him to kiss my black behind (subtlely, of course).
For all the years I’ve been living in this neighborhood, the street knuckleheads have come up with their brand of “profiling” in figuring out the difference between law enforcement official and civilian. And being that I’ve been subjected to their “litmus” tests even though I’ve lived in the neighborhood for YEARS, I will gladly present you with some of their “psychological operations”. Maybe you’ve encountered some of these street “Freuds”. Here goes:

if you dress and look like most normal folks (no dreads, no duo-rags, no sagging pants, no oversized t-shirts, etc.) you might be cop/fed
if you use proper diction and pronouciation in the way you speak and use the English language, you just might be a cop/fed
if one Sunday, you decided to wear jeans with your jacket, shirt and tie … you just might be a cop/fed.
if you decide to think out the box and put your watch on military just because (a) you can do that on your watch and (b) it is a neat idea … you just might be a cop/fed
if you come home at strange hours during the day due to your work and school schedule … look out (!!) you just might be a cop/fed
failure in hanging out or trying to be “down” with neighborhood riffraff … could only mean that you’re a cop/fed and has very little to do with the fact that you don’t want to get caught in idiots’ gunplay and such.

The funniest part is with all their street “knowledge” and “wits” I still see many of them being hauled off in the back of police cars.

And the bad news is that I have to live among and refer to these folks as “my people”. The crosses we have to bear … for most of our lives.

 

BP plus Halliburton: things that make you go ..

I’m betting this not going to be on Glenn Beck’s conspiratorial blackboard.

I awoke to the news, this morning, that Halliburton may have “contributed” to the BP mishap last summer. Not only did they know MONTHS ahead of time that their “cement” wouldn’t work but they still went ahead in this pantomime trying to kid the American citizenry that they’re actually doing something. I wonder what else they knew and pretty much kept at bay as America wondered what was going to happen to their southern coastline and of course, Obama got a tongue lashing for not “doing enough”. Then I do recall that a certain former ex-Vice President sat on the board of Halliburton for many years. I’ll give you a hint: he’s had more jumpstarts than a rusted, delapidated ’69 VW Bug. Oh, yes for about a year or so he’s been talking a lot of smack about the current president who’s been … well … trying to fix the complete, colossal, clusterfunk that he and an esteemed Texan pretty sunk this country into. Then I remembered the name Halliburton … ah yeah, the very same the gained a crapload of multimillion dollar contracts on a rushed war that was started on faulty and BS intelligence. Now I know what some of you are going to say: “I’m trying to defend a president that’s sagging in the ratings”, or my favorite, “I’m defending him because he’s black and this is just another case of blacks sticking up for their own”. Really now. I find it very hard to believe that the solution that BP came up with to finally plug this leak could not have been implemented earlier and the best that they could come up with was a failed method that they were well aware of … MONTHS prior to this mess. Sounds to me like somebody wanted to create a situation make the president look really bad … or more precisely … to put that lofty Negro in his place. Now some may say that I’m mad enough to believe that some “patriot” would encourage a situation that would damage Americans just to make the president look bad. And sure, stuff like that don’t ever happen. Well the truth is I’ve seen good, valiant men and women sacrificed on BS intelligence whilst the stock and earnings rose on certain company that was positioned to gain from this fracas. I’ve heard certain pundits wish that certain newspaper firms be given the Tim McVeigh treatment. And these are American firms that employ Americans. And I’m sure when those planes crashed in the towers on 9/11 the only people rejoicing weren’t carpet kneelers but others that felt that because this was an inner city (liberals and all) … this was deserved. So please save me the patriotic chest thumping … because I’ve seen that people are willing to sacrifice so MUCH more for the sake of power and the advancement of their political agenda. And scary part is that they wear American flag pins and call themselves patriots. So you tell me: a BP mess with Halliburton’s fingerprints … doesn’t that sound like one of those things that make you say … hmmmm.

 

BP, Katrina and misguided criticism of President Obama

It has been a while. I’ve been carrying a heavy courseload for the last year or so in order to graduate early and I will … next spring. But enough with the niceties.

Someone once said that as a black man, you have to work twice as hard for half the rewards or praise and heaven forbid if you mess up you’ll get twice the criticism and rebuke. Sadly, being the president of th United States apparently does not exempt you from this rule.
As the BP soap opera continues to rear its ugly head like a Medusa on meth with a bad period, I couldn’t help but notice how folks like Bobby Jindal and other GOP tools are using this opportunity to trash the Obama administration. Now I know what some of you are going to say. Typical, another black man trying to defend the black president. Sorry, contrary to the crap being spread by pied pipers like Palin and Limbaugh, a lot of us aren’t giving Obama a free pass simply because “he’s one of us”. There are some things I still disagree with and is a bit disappointed about: the treatment of Israel, bailing out snakes that have no loyalty to this country, and playing nice with the Iranian knucklehead.
So as the GOP tools bitch and groan, I couldn’t help but notice that some seem rather eager to give the former Prez a free pass by comparing the current BP handling to the bungled Katrina fiasco. Yeah, nice try. Unfortunately some of us Afros actually pick up a newspaper or two and read it on a daily basis. So let’s get the facts straight, shall we?

In the case of Katrina, the writing was on the wall. There was some concerns about the constrution and integrity of the levees (actually very grave concerns), and every meteorologists from here to Timbuktu knew that a clustermuck of a storm was on its way. And despite all of this, the evacuation strategy remains questionable to this day despite the tons of Foxheads that came lamenting about how some folks simply refused to leave (what !!!). And to be generous, if even some things could not have been avoided the other sad part was there wasn’t even no serious disaster recovery plans on hand, and we know this because it took TWO WEEKS before anything started happening. In simple words, the past administration KNEW what to expect and if there was even post-event plan, they basically sat on this plans with their thumbs up their asses. But boy they could sure pass the blame. Fast forward several years later. The BP incident was an unpredictable incident. It is not like we can turn on our television sets and listen to the oil pipeline forecasts around the world. Oil flow will be normal in the North Sea with no oil spillages in sight, however, if you look to the Gulf of Mexico we can see the oil pipelines acting up ,we’re predicting 45% possibility of oil spillage. Seriously, no … no such thing. So when Bobby Jindal is out there crying about how the Obama administration isn’t doing enough, one has to keep in mind that Mr. Jindal is merely playing a role as he tries to appease his constituency and his GOP handlers. The truth is the burden of this mess rests squarely on the shoulders of BP. If Obama were to take resources and taxpayer dollars to try to fix this mess he would play into another set of GOP bitchery and would be easily accused of using taxpayers’ dolllars and resources to bail out an oil company and its mess.

It seems that collective amnesia or selective memory runs rampant in the GOP. That’s worrisome and they should check in with the doctor. However, during the last eight years under Bush, oil companies had a field day with the American public – all the profits and little or no regulation. The very lack of regulation that has led to this mess (among others). Yeah, its funny how we’re not hearing more of that “drill, baby, drill” crap because we’re stuck with that “spill, baby, spill” muck. And in all fairness, all this de-regulation started during the Clinton years (yes, I said it), but one would think that George W. “I Love America This Much” Bush who had very little resistance in steamrolling the Constitution to enact the PATRIOT Act, would have found it a cakewalk to whip (at most) a semi-decent regulation bill of sorts. And yet nothing. Oh right, how silly of me, I’m forgetting his oil connections. And where exactly was the Jindals and the Teabaggers … ah yes, silent and without a peep. About as useful as a busted condom in an HIV infected brothel. Yes, something should be done and done fast, but that urgency belongs to the very folks that caused the mess, not the President. It is sad that with the billions that these folks make they can’t even design proper failsafe mechanisms. And the only reason they’re probably dragging their feet is that they’re hoping to be bailed out again … at the American taxpayers expense. Talk about having your cake and eating it. And it seems that the vary people that talk all this smack about putting America interests first, seem to prodding Obama to do every thing that is contrary to what they are always bitching about. And that’s the reality folks, if the President really decides DO something it is coming out of our pockets. And if you think BP is going to pay it back … yeah, and I have some pristine beach front property in Arizona to sell you.