It's been said already that reality television has a special place in it's heart for Black people. With all that positive imagery for our kids to feed on like Flavor of Love, Housewives of Atlanta, Hip Hop Love and Basketball Wives we should see a new generation of strong, intelligent and self-confident Black youth poised to take on this big competitive world.
But really, has anyone noticed that the stakes have gotten even higher lately. I mean VH1 has almost solely turned into the reality show network for black people to humiliate themselves for money. No matter how much they already have. I've heard that they're producing shows for the brother from Georgia, Antoine Dodson, who stopped intruders from raping his sister and the sassy ex-husband of actress Jackee, Elgin Charles, who's a famous Hollywood hairdresser. Say what you may, but VH1 keeps it colorful.
But then I see the Celebrity Apprentice comes out with a record cast of 5 black people that include: Dionne Warwick, Latoya Jackson, NeNe Leakes, Star Jones and Lil' John. This is a record cast because Trump's show really never casts more than one or two black celebrities, and they usually cast one or two crazies or jerks to add the spice and keep you watching. But this looks like a recipe for Black women to show out. Which is of course what they want. And then there's Lil John, the sole black man on the show. This negro has never been known to even articulate a coherent sentence. I know he'll just scream out "YEAHHHH!!!" at any inappropriate business moment.
Now to the Animal Planet of all networks. They're coming out with a show called "Taking on Tyson". I'm like, are they serious? How in the F**k does Mike Tyson end up on the Animal Planet. He is not an animal. Then he's making silly-ass music video parodies with Bobby Brown and Wayne Brady. Seems they waited long enough to re-invent their worst nightmare into a laughable figure with his appearance in "The Hangover" to this fiasco. Remember when they were seriously scared of Mike Tyson. Now he's Mr. Comedy. How sad.
I'm convinced reality tv is the popular tool to convince society, and black people themselves, that no matter how far Black people go or what you achieve, this society will never respect them. Of all the "Housewives" franchises, the Atlanta women aren't really rich. Most of them do OK by the other franchise standards, but most aren't well-off or even actual housewives. Then, on all the other black reality shows where the women are bonafide wealthy, they still act a damn fool. Perpetuating the idea that no matter how much they have, they're still undignified, unfocused and ignorant.
So what's a conscious, progressive black man or woman to do? Stop watching that dumb shit.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Who The Hell Is George Galloway?
For those of us who remember Mr. Galloway and his testimony on the Iraqi War before the US Senate back in 2005 we already know how powerful a speaker, writer and activist he is. But for the rest of us, I'll state a little about what I know and why we need to listen carefully to this Brit.
Born in Scotland and former Member of Parliament for the Labour Party and the Respect Party, he is a fierce critic of US foreign policy, particulary in the Israeli-Palenstinian struggle over land rights. He is adept, unflinching and fierce with any opponent without falling back on ad-hominum attacks and comedy.
It feels like the left in this country is so damnnnn weak. I mean really weak. We allow Glen Beck and the rest on Fox and "mainstream" media to talk so much shit and set the agenda for politics in this nation. Not just in terms of media, but our elected Democrats don't do a strong job of setting shit straight and unifying with a clear strong message. I need to emphasize the word strong. Here, I'll highlight and italicize: STRONG. They (the left) let the right and the middle (really the right) take the healthcare debate hostage, and anyone who differed in opinion was "Un-American". Then across the pond is a liberal who's not afraid to give a strong voice to important political matters. Mr. Galloway has that British "in your face" political approach, but I like it and wish we had more of it in American politics. A quick, smart, aggressive politician with a clear opinion that doesn't waiver based on the polls is sorely needed on this side of the Atlantic.
Has anyone ever noticed that the stronger voices from the "left" that are on national television are from comedians, albeit smart people, but still comedians like Jeaneanne Garofalo, John Stewart and Bill Maher. So is anyone taking what they say seriously in a real political sense? What happens to their point when it's wrapped in witticisms and jokes. Now they are comedians so that's what they do. But my question is: why are their voices the loudest "left" voices in the public sphere?
But back to George. I practically wish we could clone him to step up the game here in the U.S. He's unapologetic and doesn't allow his detractors to flip shit and change the discussion. He asks questions of the questions and deconstructs our assumptions. His opinions and unwaivering support for Palestinians in their fight for land could probably never survive on a national level in the media in this country. He, afterall, calls out Islamophobia for what it really is, racism by another name. And as an outspoken critic of Israel's policies in The Gaza his views would run counter to our nation's foreign policy in this region, as our country is the largest benefactor of foreign aid to Israel. Which is more the reason that people need to hear what he has to say. Not necessarily agree or believe him, but just listen. In general, alternative views on the Mid-East aren't highly tolerated and tend to get shut down immediately. So who the hell is George Galloway? Someone we need to hear and form our own opinions about. But luckily he's on every Wednesday on WBAI in NYC from 9am to 10am. For anyone out of town you can stream live on http://www.wbai.org/ or check him out here in NYC at 99.5 FM.
Born in Scotland and former Member of Parliament for the Labour Party and the Respect Party, he is a fierce critic of US foreign policy, particulary in the Israeli-Palenstinian struggle over land rights. He is adept, unflinching and fierce with any opponent without falling back on ad-hominum attacks and comedy.
It feels like the left in this country is so damnnnn weak. I mean really weak. We allow Glen Beck and the rest on Fox and "mainstream" media to talk so much shit and set the agenda for politics in this nation. Not just in terms of media, but our elected Democrats don't do a strong job of setting shit straight and unifying with a clear strong message. I need to emphasize the word strong. Here, I'll highlight and italicize: STRONG. They (the left) let the right and the middle (really the right) take the healthcare debate hostage, and anyone who differed in opinion was "Un-American". Then across the pond is a liberal who's not afraid to give a strong voice to important political matters. Mr. Galloway has that British "in your face" political approach, but I like it and wish we had more of it in American politics. A quick, smart, aggressive politician with a clear opinion that doesn't waiver based on the polls is sorely needed on this side of the Atlantic.
Has anyone ever noticed that the stronger voices from the "left" that are on national television are from comedians, albeit smart people, but still comedians like Jeaneanne Garofalo, John Stewart and Bill Maher. So is anyone taking what they say seriously in a real political sense? What happens to their point when it's wrapped in witticisms and jokes. Now they are comedians so that's what they do. But my question is: why are their voices the loudest "left" voices in the public sphere?
But back to George. I practically wish we could clone him to step up the game here in the U.S. He's unapologetic and doesn't allow his detractors to flip shit and change the discussion. He asks questions of the questions and deconstructs our assumptions. His opinions and unwaivering support for Palestinians in their fight for land could probably never survive on a national level in the media in this country. He, afterall, calls out Islamophobia for what it really is, racism by another name. And as an outspoken critic of Israel's policies in The Gaza his views would run counter to our nation's foreign policy in this region, as our country is the largest benefactor of foreign aid to Israel. Which is more the reason that people need to hear what he has to say. Not necessarily agree or believe him, but just listen. In general, alternative views on the Mid-East aren't highly tolerated and tend to get shut down immediately. So who the hell is George Galloway? Someone we need to hear and form our own opinions about. But luckily he's on every Wednesday on WBAI in NYC from 9am to 10am. For anyone out of town you can stream live on http://www.wbai.org/ or check him out here in NYC at 99.5 FM.
Friday, March 18, 2011
The Browning of Black Men
Just a footnote to my last post: have some famous black men been bleaching their skin and its gone by unnoticed? I couldn't help but notice that Eddie Murphy looks significantly lighter than he did back in his Beverly Hills Cop days. I mean Rick James called him and his brother, Charlie "darkness" Murphy, the 2 blackest people in Hollywood back in the 80's. He looks brown to damn near light skin in recent magazine pictures.
Then Chris Rock looks substantially lighter today than back in the 80's. Remember him as "Pookie" in New Jack City and his cameo in "Coming to America". I mean he looks a hell of a lot lighter right about now. I hope this isn't a trend that will become the norm since it hasn't seemed to get any public questioning. We've been accustomed to the Jacksons and their love for hydroquinone and cosmetic surgery but that seemed to be a separate issue for a talented but strange bunch. And let's face it, they're really no longer relevant, at least entertainment wise. But the two aforementioned cats are still active entertainers whose image is still very public. It's pretty sad that while society has placed many brothers on a pedestal for their stong prominent "African" features, the "mandingo" thing, there are still many who have internalized white racism and want to genetically assimilate. Goes to prove that there are no substitutes for true authentic self-esteem regardless to what media winds blow about your God-given beauty. Who knows, maybe I'm wrong about Eddie and Chris but no matter what, money and fame don't protect black people from a weak self-concept and low self-image.
Then Chris Rock looks substantially lighter today than back in the 80's. Remember him as "Pookie" in New Jack City and his cameo in "Coming to America". I mean he looks a hell of a lot lighter right about now. I hope this isn't a trend that will become the norm since it hasn't seemed to get any public questioning. We've been accustomed to the Jacksons and their love for hydroquinone and cosmetic surgery but that seemed to be a separate issue for a talented but strange bunch. And let's face it, they're really no longer relevant, at least entertainment wise. But the two aforementioned cats are still active entertainers whose image is still very public. It's pretty sad that while society has placed many brothers on a pedestal for their stong prominent "African" features, the "mandingo" thing, there are still many who have internalized white racism and want to genetically assimilate. Goes to prove that there are no substitutes for true authentic self-esteem regardless to what media winds blow about your God-given beauty. Who knows, maybe I'm wrong about Eddie and Chris but no matter what, money and fame don't protect black people from a weak self-concept and low self-image.
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