My list of entertainers and entertainment for 2005

Since this is the time that many of us reflect back on the events of the year, myself included, I have created a list of notable entertainers, movies and individuals/groups that I feel deserve mention. While this list is not all inclusive of those I think have stood out this year, it does highlight many.

In no particular order (as I feel rankings of individuals is useless for the most part):

Mr. Ray Charles - the body of work he created has transcended racial lines, even during the times when America was divided by the Black/White issue.

Mr. Richard Pryor - his ability to make us laugh, and think, at the difficult and often tragic aspects of life, and our actions with and to one another, has been and continues to be unmatched.

Mr. Johnny Depp - a brilliant actor, he has portrayed characters (new and old) in a light that is unique and facinating to behold.

Mr. George Lucas - a storyteller, in a medium that often prefers the rote and lowest common denominator, that has given a unique and blazing vision to several generations of fans (while creating new ones).

Mr. Jaime Foxx - a consumate actor will true talent in many arenas. If you haven't seen Ray or Collateral do so and you will understand why he is Oscar-worthy.

Mr. Samuel L. Jackson - I quote Mr. Roger Ebert who wrote "Like Bill Cosby, Jackson is arguing against the anti-intellectual message that success for young black males is better sought in the worlds of rap and sports than in the classroom." And beyond that is his direct help to victims of Hurricane Katrina [See my post Celebrity donations].

Mr. Morgan Freeman - from the role of Easy Reader (for those of us old enough to recall him in the Electric Company) to his Oscar-winning and -worthy roles, he is a symbol of gravitas. [as he stated during Inside the Actors Studio] His well stated views on history and race are no less important.

Mr. Denzel Washington - an individual that is, to my knowledge, as strong and grounded in his convictions as any character he has portrayed.

Mr. George Clooney - a man of convictions and purpose, who has daringly reminded the nation that vigelence and action are all that seperate our nation from dark paths.

Mr. Terrence Howard - Emerging into the mainstream as an actor with a strong presence, which some notice as early as 2000. [I loved the guitar playing over the shoulder and wonder if that was actually him doing that]

Ice Cube - rising from mediocrity to present a glimpse at another life, and what difference a permanent tan makes in this country.

Mr. Muhammad Ali - the Greatest continues to show why such a monicker is earned and deserved.

Mr. Mel Brooks - an inventive comedic man that has helped us laugh (from one medium to another) since 1950. His creation of The Producers just confirms that quality never dies.

Mr.Cristian Bale - giving us an insight to the motivations of "the worlds' greatest detective." [Yes I'm an old comic book collector/fan and Batman is one of the greats]

This list is by no means complete. I invite you, my readers, to add or discuss anyone on or not on this list.

For me this list of entertainers contains individuals of strong character, incredible performances and visionary creation. Whether they have made statements with which that I agree or disagree, in part or in whole, is not an issue. Nor is it important that they are not all Black African American/Hispanic people.

Other notable individuals [in my mind at least] include: Mr. John Leguizamo, Ms. Anjelina Jolie, Mr. Tommy Lee Jones and many others.

Lastly I want to note that our troops serving this nation around the world, both in active fighting and those not, deserve if not demand our thoughts [and prayers for those who are religious]. Without them, and those before and after them, we would not, could not have the ability to create or see or speak about any entertainment other than that given to us. The freedom to dream, the ability to entertain is meaningless without a venue for expressing them. For the ability to express my thoughts I note and thank our troops.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Rappers, Clemency, and Interactive Videogaming Entertainment

It's Christmas time (I don't care what religion you are, its the name that most attribute to this time of year) so it seems entertainers and celebrities and some others are being good, hoping Santa and the rest of us will forget anything they've done that was bad this year. That is with the exception of rapper Foxy Brown whom seems to treat her judge in the same manner as she is alledged to have treated workers in a nail salon.

Of course everyone is celebrating various parties, and it wouldn't be a real rap record-release album party without something happening to bring the police. In this case the rapper in question, deceased notorious-b.i.g., wasn't even there for the festivities.

On the more nice side of the the list is Mr. Ethan Hawke who has added his name to the list of celebrities asking govenors to grant clemency to a convicted killer. This clemency request though is backed by the state Office of the Public Defender.

Overall there was nothing of any real importance, or that I wanted to discuss, this week - beyond my thoughts on Reparations to Black African Americans. Then a judge goes and bans a new state law.

Video games, or interactive videogaming entertainment, may not be black (though a huge number of games that involve drugs and violence do have black african americans as pro-/antagonists) oriented, it is entertainment, and as a pround 37 yr old gamer it is of interest to me. So this news item caught my attention. A judge temporarily blocked a California state law, signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger, banning the sale of violent video games to minors. This law has its roots in the Grand Theft Auto "Hot Coffee" uproar from earlier this year.

The law prevents sale of games such as Resident Evil 4, Ninja Gaiden Black, Battlefield 2, God of War and The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay to minors. It does allow the sale of games such as Burnout, Need for Speed, WWE Smackdown, Silent Hunter and others. [This of course assumes that any ratings from the Entertainment Software Association or ESRB are ignored] The reason I am mentioning these games is because while not directly involving humanoids the games on the approved list do provide "...killing, maiming, and dismembering...". In addition the games, notably to me WWE Smackdown and its ilk, "...as a whole, to lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors." Any wrestling game out now definitely in my opinion "enables the player to virtually inflict serious injury upon images of human beings or characters with substantially human characteristics in a manner which is especially heinous, cruel, or depraved..." By definition of the law many games should be banned. And if the law were more than political soundbites [which I hate and see this as] it would be more clear in what it intends.

Of course, much like Sen. Hilary Clinton, Gov. Schwarzenegger is just making a political stand. What politicians and former entertainers-turned-politicians, in my humble opinion, should do is allow parents to determine what is appropriate for their children. If a parent gets of their duff and pays attention to what their child(ren) is doing they will know what the games are about and if it is appropriate.

Even further why I dislike this law is that it uses the same argument posed by those who used rap to excuse acts of violence. The "the music made me do it" crowd. By that I mean the two police officers and a dispatcher killed by a Grand Theft Auto-playing teenager case. A killer is still liable, and a killer, whether they listen to Betheoveen, Tupac, a dog (Son-of-Sam reference for the younger readers) or a track of music while playing GTA.

Entertainers (black, white, purple, or corporations for all it matters) have the freedom in this nation to present what they call entertainment [or interactive videogaming entertainment as the case may be]. The masses are free to agree or not. You don't have to like it, but you can't ban it nor should you try to get political soundbites and brownie points from it.

A bit more political than usual, but the freedoms we have should never be allowed to slip away just because its a slow week, a holiday is near, or its not exactly on topic. Nor should we allow any politician or entertainer the chance to play the soundbite game with us, politically motivated or otherwise.

This is what I think, what do you think? And let Santa know that my blog is a great gift to the naughty and nice, if you see him before I do.

Commercials without entertainment, but with liquor

Has anyone noticed the latest rum television commercials out lately? In particular I mean the Malibu and Parrot Bay television commercials. They are horrible on many levels. Let me describe the commercials and then you may see what I mean.

In the Malibu rum, there is an old beat-up gray bus that looks like the yellow school buses seen in many cities and movies. It drives down a dirt road, with a dingy looking shackish looking town in the background. There is no confusing the town with a prosperous city of any sort. A middle-aged heavier set black woman (west indian decent - jamacian at a guess, if you know anyone from there or are familiar with the island) is waiting for the bus. When the bus stops to pick her up, she begins to berrate the driver for being 30 seconds late. The driver, a middle-aged large-ish build black man in rumpled clothes, looks at a cheap watch and states by his time he is not late. We then get to see the interior of the bus, not in anything near pristine condition, filled with black people in clothes that are simple, loose-fitting and worn (all also middle aged). Another plump woman joins in berrating the driver for being 1 minute late, to which he states again, not by his watch. We then get a close up of a man holding a fish (could be a mackeral for all I know - suffice to say it is a large fish, in both of his hands, dry with no tank or bag of water to be seen) stating that they need to go because his fish is sick. We snap back to a scene of the driver as a man, who was riding on top of the bus with the various boxes and bags, pops his head down to admonish the driver for stalling as he is late for a meeting. the view changes to outside the bus, where we can see the various people arguing and the man hanging down into the window of the bus as a voice tells us, 'if we were like the rest of the world we would never have been able to make the wonderful, blah blah, Malibu rum.' We then get a cut scene of a black man in shorts on an old scooter, behind the bus. He states in fustration 'oh great, gridlock!', looking around the side of the bus and back at his cheap watch.

Before I say anything else, the Parrot Bay television commercial basically has a party similar to Mardi Gras taking place. It seems to be in the islands as virtually all the people except as I recall 2, are black (not sure if african americans, west indians or what). Most are dressed up for carnivale (if you've been to a festival you know the outfits - if not plan a trip one day, its worth the time) and there is a popular song to be heard in the background. We cut to a woman berrating her husband (both are older and neither has been in a gym getting ready for a body building competition in some time) who is playing dominoes with an unseen player. The wife is demanding he that he get up from the game and hurry or they will miss the bus that everyone in the Mardi Gras/Carnivale is entering (another old shool bus style bus, though this one is painted on the sides with bright colors). He mentions he's getting there, and the bus pulls away and the music fades. The wife, annoyed, turns to her husband and says 'I never get to go on the bus' and storms off. A voice states something along the lines of 'Parrot Bay, where the party is. Drink responsibly, blah blah.'

As a comparison, here is the Smirnoff Ice version of an ethnic television commercial. A white man, with a sort of bad slavic accent (it doesn't sound russian to me, and I lived in Moscow for a time), young and possibly fit is dressed in a shapka and dublinka (russian style fur hat and coat) thick pants and boots in his house. He welcomes you to his well-lit bright home, it contains various modern appliances, but is not lavish by any means. He walks you quickly through 2 rooms to his kitchen where a set of 6'-ish tall stainless steel doors stand out sharply. This is his pride and joy he mentions as he opens the doors. He steps into the 'frige' and is actually outside. Snow is mid-calf deep, and a friend of his (also young and white and dressed in similar attire) is sitting in a lounge chair to whom he walks to as he states that this is his friend. He sits in a chair next to his friend, telling us how he loves to have his Smirnoff Ice outside and that the great thing about his home is the quiet. The view has panned to behind the seated men looking out on to an untouched expanse of snow, that ends into trees and mountains in the distance. Very serene. The man then leans over and turns on a 'boom box' radio and it blasts (I forget what type) music, he touches bottles with his friend and begins to relax.

Do we see differences? In both rum commercials we are told that blacks live poorly in all countries (aren't you glad you are a poor Black African American and live better than this?) with bad clothes and cheap adornements [no offense meant to anyone]. The Malibu commercial makes a point of telling us that Black people (especially those from the west indies it seems) are too foolish or ignorant, to know that a pet fish should be in water. Either that or that crazy people run around the island with dead fish. Not one person is young, we would assume since everyone on the bus is older and obviously stating they are going to work that the younger black adults are without jobs. By the way, the west indies are roughly in the same time zone and latitude as roughly florida, so the sun is WAY to high to be just going to work as I feel the tv commercial was implying with its gridlock statements, then again it could also mean that they are too lazy to get up and work when we do.

The 'we' or 'rest of the world' they mention is not targeted at me or other black/african americans. The implication is for the opposite of what is being shown, thus 'we' or 'rest of the world' means White Americans, with better than menial jobs, that don't need dilapidated public transportation, with well-fitting tailored (name brand) clothing. I don't think there is one thing that isn't racist in the Malibu or Parrot Bay commercials. The futher implications are that these lazy (remember this commercial is a dramatization of what they would be like if they were like 'us') alcoholics had nothing better to do than make some moonshine which was perfected as Malibu rum.

Imagine if every person in that television commercial was Irish. Would it still be cute? How about french wine country? Utah? Would whites in worn clothing and run down houses give you the same feeling? And for those that don't know there are many white and chinese Jamacians. Slavery ring a bell why? English empire-building come back to memory from elementary school history class? And I don't think I am reaching to make these conclusions. This is what the television commercial portrays, and on the surface says its only a joke. I'm not laughing. A commercial always makes bigger statements than just what is on the surface. If they didn't you wouldn't remember the product.

The Smirnoff television commercial, also targeted to white America, has a mid sized house (implying a decent income), bright colors, modern appliances and electricity (just like 'your' home). The spacious land implies wealth as does the lack of neighbors. The stinless steel doors don't go cheap either. Fur is expensive even in Russia, and he wasn't wearing dog. The food items in the 'frdge shelves? All U.S. domestic (imports are expensive everywhere). Does that compare to the closed in, poor feel of the rum commercials? Even the color suggests that life is better for the Russian. The Smirnoff televisin commercial is inviting you to enjoy the good life, and while you don't have his wealth you can have the same drink as him.

As I've said before in my discussion of the Burger King ad, "My ultimate test when viewing commercials I think are badly portraying ANY minority is to view them as being white and everything happening exactly the same. Would that commercial ever be run? Would that commercial have the same meaning? If not, what is that commercial actually saying?"

I'm insulted that these television commercials not only exist but seem to be a trend that is growing. Perhaps when they start portraying others besides blacks (African Americans or otherwise) and other 'minorities' as stupid, crazed, alcoholics and poor there will be a change. I just wish they would be stopped long before then.

This is what I see and think of this attempt at entertainment. What do you see?

Muhammad Ali and Peace

It was announced saturday that Mr. Muhammad Ali will be receiving the Otto Hahn peace medal. This made me stop a moment and think about the man known world-wide as 'The Greatest'. Like everyone on the planet that is over the age of at least 30, Mr. Muhammad Ali is known to me for his 61 fights (56 wins, 5 losses, 37 knockouts and 3 times Heavyweight Champion of the World). I can recall clearly watching the TV, as Mr. Muhammad Ali fought and beat Leonard Spinks for the title, along with my mother and family. I think everyone who had a TV was watching that fight that night. I have seen many of his fights, including one where he split a mans face from temple to jawline when he was known as Mr. Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.

Like many I am familiar with his Olympic medals won in 1960 in Rome, and somewhat so of his career as an amatuer (108 wins, 8 losses). I can recall many quotes of Mr. Ali, such as "I am the greatest. Not only do I knock em out, I pick the round!" or "I'll be floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee" or "When you are as great as I am it is hard to be humble." And I was not shocked in the least when Sports Illustrated gave the title of Sportsman of the Century to Mr. Muhammad Ali, I would have been shocked by anything else.

But there is so much more to this man than just a few catchy phrases, memorable statistics, a cartoon series, and several major motion films. Mr. Ali is know for is religious conviction, converting to Islam with the Nation of Islam and in later years converting to Sunni Islam. Those convictions alone cost him dearly, and his refusal to fight in Viet Nam due to religious reasons made him an enemy to many in white America of the time. Those same convictions though are seen in his efforts to create peace and humanitarian aide. In 1978 Mr. Muhammad Ali addressed the UN Special Committee against Apartheid. In '85 he was asked to go to Lebanon to negotiate for hostages. In '91 Mr. Ali met with Saddam Hussein to negotiate the release of American hostages in Baghdad. In '02 he appealed for the release of Daniel Pearl [I do not agree with the author of the above reference, but I felt that the actions of Mr. Muhammad Ali and the father's statements about them should be seen]. Mr. Ali was appointed UN Messenger of Peace in 1998 (one of only 4 in Oct 2000).

Mr. Ali has also raised money for Inner City Games Foundation and the Muhammad Ali Center. For these reasons, in addition to his ability, dedication and uplifting of the sport of boxing, rooms stop on a dime and all attention turns towards Mr. Ali when he enters. For these reasons Mr. Ali in Nov. 2005 recieved the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the highest awards a civilian can receive - given to only 5 presidents and 3 vice-presidents as well as Edward R. Murrow, Thurgood Marshall, Alan Greenspan, David Rockefeller, Walt Disney and Neil Armstrong to name some of the noted few.

I have said all of this, and referenced the information because it needs to be done. The youth of today do not have the inspiration that I recieved growing up. There are few notable entertainers that strive for anything more than a paycheck. Even fewer are the number that go after the money without incident (drug scandals, violence against fans and other entertainers, infidelity, ect). These supposed superstars are held in a place where everyone can see their action. Kids are drawn to them, as they were to their heroes in their youth. The riduculous cop-out that they aren't rolemodels is just an excuse to relieve them of the need to act responsibly. They know it and so do we.

I don't expect every entertainer to strive to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, though it would be nice if a few more did try. Not everyone should be an Ambassador to the U.N., it would lose its meaning if everyone jumped on board because it was trendy, but more could stand for their convictions. It isn't alot to ask, for those that we make into multi-millionares for occasionally entertaining us, to show more substance than a safe deposit box. Part of my thoughts on this can be seen in my post NBA code, but the essence is that we should expect and recieve more.

This is what I think, What do you think?

HUNG - Black entertainment with a twist

It's taken me a little while to sort through what I want to say about a new book HUNG by Scott Poulson-Bryant. Now I have to say that as of this moment I have not yet bought the book, but I plan to shortly. Why am I discussing it then? Well partly because Mr. Paulson-Bryant delves into the question of "The color was its size. The size was its color" [James Baldwin], and because he delves into the deeper statements of what else that can also mean.

I think that most black african american men will agree that they are expected to have a big one. I've never know a black african american man to admit or think otherwise, including myself. And that belief, at one time in America was all that was needed to get me killed. That belief has also had a cost that can be seen even today. Mr. Poulson-Bryant touches on part of that cost as he discusses "...this acknowledged agreement between the races that white men have the brains and Black men have the brawn, the strength—physically and sexually. There’s a certain power that comes along with that, but what kind of power is it truly?..." That in itself is a question that every rapper-to-be, sport-mega-star-hopeful, movie-actor-waiting-tables or other entertainer-in-the works, should look at. What have we given up to gain the myth and have we actually gained anything at all?

These are real questions, and deserve attention. I cannot say that this book will give you all the facts you need. Some critics find it too reliant on individual experiences and not enough on facts. Some enjoy it as it is. As I stated earlier I have not read it yet. But I do know as a Black Puerto Rican man, in America, I am constantly confronted with assumptions, as are many entertainers of all types and millions of other men, based solely on a glance at my skin. This is one assumption that I have self-promoted at times, and seen on display on television and other media constantly, and only unconciously though of. Perhaps its time that it becomes more of a concious thought.

This is what I think, what about you?

Mr. Richard Pryor = Black Entertainment

For those of my readers that are too young to be familiar with the work of Mr. Richard Pryor, I suggest going out and buying some history. It will be money well spent, but don't just go looking for his movies. Mr. Pryor was part of a rare class of entertainers, Black or otherwise, that made everyone laugh. He was more than just a great comedian, better than just a comedy actor.

Mr. Pryor was one of the few people that could combine being Black in America, having a... difficult, to say the least, childhood and problems with drugs and women in a manner that could touch all people with laughter. He did these things without the advantages of cable television, major studio media blitz, the internet, stunning looks, flagrant displays of wealth or blatant abuse of the culture. Mr. Pryor was an innovator in the manner of Mr. Lenny Bruce, Mr. George Carlin and few others and yet he went further than them all in my opinion. Perhaps that is why Mr. Damon Wayans has said "Any comic who ain't stole from Richard ain't funny." Because the profound statements he made that not only kept everyone laughing, but thinking as well.

The 5 time Grammy ('74-'76, '81, '82), Emmy award winner started life quite humbly. The son of a prostitute, and molested, Mr. Pryor left school at 14. He was jailed during his time in the Army, and was a long time abuser of cocaine. To say Mr. Pryor was flawed would be true, but it would also be a shallow portrayal of the man. Mr. Pryor used these and other facets of his life and experiences in his comedy, something that a lesser man could never have done.

To my knowledge, Mr. Pryor was the first to make a movie of his comedy routine. Today a comedy specials on a cable network or a movie of several comedians on stage may be common, but Mr. Pryor was the first and needed no one else to keep people going back to the theater to see him again. Mr. Bill Cosby has said "Had Richard really been allowed a level playing field in the movie industry … that is, a place where Richard's ideas, his character development were worked on and developed the way they do things with ‘ordinary people’ – then there would be – think about it – great movies, stories with rich, refreshing characters, much like those in John Steinbeck's wonderful works. But what was available to Richard was the stage, where he played all of the characters by himself.” And by himself, on stage or on records (before there were MP3, CD, and tape cassettes there was vinyl) he caputure the attention and admiration of the nation.

Like any great innovator Mr. Pryor inspired and blazed the trail for generations of comedians including Mr. Chris Rock, Mr. Robin Williams, Ms. Whoppi Goldberg, Mr. Damon Wayans, Mr. Eddie Murphy and many more. Like only a few, he has affected culture and race relations in this nation for decades. Many of those affected, like artists of today may not even realize the breakthroughs made by Mr. Pryor that enable them to do what they do.

Some of the things that stand out in my mind about Mr.Pryor is his appearance on Saturday Nite Live, to which Mr. Chevy Chase said "When I wrote the now-infamous Job Interview sketch for SNL, I remember asking Richard for as many slang words for white people as he could come up with. He hesitated and then realized that there were many more for African-Americans than he could think of for ‘whities.’ I think this reflected on the sketch, and it was reflective of the lack of bigotry in the man.” His movies, Silver Streak and Bustin' Loose with Mr. Gene Wilder, Blazin' Saddles (which he co-wrote) and unforgettable to me his performance in Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip are all movies I have seen several times and look forward to seeing several more.

Why? I think it can be best said by a joke Mr. Pryor made in Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip (which is after his receiving 3rd degree burns on half his body due to fire which was well publicized) that went [please forgive me if I screw this up] like this:

Mr. Pryor on stage thanks everyone for the cards and expressions of well wishes he recieved after his being set on fire. But he says he also heard the jokes too.
Mr. Pryor lights a match and bobbles it from right to left. He says 'What's this? It's Richard Pryor running down the street.'

It was funny then, and it still is now. Too few can make us laugh at pain that should make us cry. Mr. Pryor will be sorely missed as America has lost a true and great treasure.

Commending Ice Cube on Racial Cultures Program

Well I must commend Ice Cube on his latest venture. Ice Cube, and R.J. Cutler, will have broadcast on the FX cable network something that I find unique and hopefully inspiring. In March '06 "Black. White" will show what happens to 2 families that undergo a radical transformation. They live as a different race. I, as many others also, believe that it is imposible for anyone to understand what it is to be a Black/African American or for that matter to be White. Not only will these families be able to gain some understanding, the public will also get the same chance.

Some might say (as has already happened) that I am too sensitive on a subject like this. Statements like that are exactly why a program such as this is needed. For that alone I must congradulate Ice Cube. I'm sure it was a hard sell to the network, and I hope it pays off well. More importantly I hope it gets advertised properly so that the wide audience it needs to reach find out about it. On both sides of the racial divide there are to many assumptions and ingrained stereotypes. To little is known. And I think many need to understand why when Mr. Chris Rock makes the joke in one of his comedy specials (as I recall it) 'A one-armed poor white guy doesn't want to be me, and I'm rich,' why it is both funny and yet to the black audience also rings as very true.

Part of why I have this blog is to identify to others in the U.S. and around the world, that the differences are both real and omni-present living in the U.S. and abroad (in my experience). I will also seek to address the issue that Black/African American culture is deeper and more robust than simply just Hip-Hop or any other caricature often protrayed by the media. The fact that the internet has allowed me to reach people in Sweden, Italy, Germany, Mexico as well as across the U.S. is great. One day I hope to have significant amounts of readers, but until then I will never feel that this blog is effective in attaining my goal. Perhaps the efforts of Ice Cube, et al., will do what I cannot at this moment - reaching millions and showing them how different the world really is based on the outward look of skin.

Something else worth mentioning is that after all the efforts of the Civil Rights movement the world has changed so little. If things had truely changed there would be no need for Affirmative Action [as applied to education and higher learning it is still needed as high concentrations of minorities are in inner city schools which, when I went to high school I had books 3 years older than me to study/learn from, and has not improved in decades], no Rodney King beatings and riots after the acquittal. Were the country more fairly balanced there may be more than 2 (as I recall Maytag and one other but this may be out of date, please let me know) Black CEO's of major public institutions. Television would never have to defend itself for the diversity of characters on its shows, nor would anyone need to check on them.

This country, which I love dearly [and like my father had voulunteered to defend], has major problems when it comes to race. Many problems are self-inficted, ie. Mr. Stanley 'Tookie' Williams or certain words, but as least as many are promoted and not-so-subliminally inferred.

The courage and willingness to delve into these issues, and provide national if not international attention, should not go unannounced. Ice Cube has gained more respect from me by this one action than anything else he has done previously combined. FX again stands out as a leader and innovator of programming. I am sure that the program will live up to the praise.

This is what I think, what do you have to say?

Latin music, celebrity donations

Well I really haven't thought of much to seriously speak about lately, so I'll stick with a few light thoughts.


I noticed that Mr. Marc Anthony and wife will be doing a somewhat biographical film due out next year. This should be quite interesting, as I like Mr. Anthony's music and acting. And he is a Nuyorican... like me. So that is a big bonus to me. His choice in a wife, as expressed by his current, is another matter but he is happy so what does my opinion matter?

One thing that does matter is the amazement that constantly surounds the music industry in the U.S. when any form of music that isn't in english does well. Given that there are several ethnic populations within the U.S. it shouldn't be surprising. Considering 'Hispanics' (I don't like that term) are the 2nd largest group in the nation and that spanish is the 2nd most popular in the world, it really shouldn't be a surprise. And the 'Latin Explosion' or whatever the exact term was back a few years ago was silly. You would think there was never a popular 'Hispanic' musical artist selling well in the U.S. before (Santana, Julio Isglesia, Gloria Estefan, Ruben Blades, Jose Feliciano and many more).


On another front is the news of Mr. Denzel Washington making the largest donation ever to Winter Assistance for Rocky Mount program. I enjoy seeing when movie actors and other celebrities give to worthy causes that they believe in. Too few do so. Or make charitable acts. Like when Mr. Samuel Jackson was on The Daily Show, and spoke about how he helped the Hurricane Katrina victims he encountered personally. He also mentioned how (as I recall) he helped Mr. Tommy Lee Jones feed hundreds at a cookout. [Mr. Jackson mentioned in the same interview that he feels direct help is better as donations get spent everywhere first leaving little to actually help people with - ie the 'guy who buys stamps']

Many artists of various types and fields of focus, often do events in honor of ____, with proceeds going to that cause. I hate them. While We Are the World, Live Aid (the first) and maybe the first Farm Aid were are helpful, and unique the rest are much less so. Much like the money wasted on providing some New Orleans victims residence in luxury cruise ships (at 3x the cost of a seven day cruise), funds from these events is wasted on every hand involved. Paying for television time, cameramen, organizers, security, lights, grip work, commercial sponsors, ect. All that must be paid for... Oh, and the entertainers too, as most do not forgo their fee to support the event.

Why can't Artists just donate their time or money or both to a cause they believe in? The excuse of 'everyone will line up for a donation' just doesn't work. These are famous and well-paid movie actors, sports stars and other celebrities we are speaking about. They already get people lining up for handouts. You think Ohpra doesn't get solicitations every day from some group or another? Or Puffy Combs? Donating to a truly needy cause or helping them directly (and at no cost) just helps people, it doesn't hurt the celebrity. As a bonus that most don't talk about, donations are tax deductible. And before anyone says, but they do it annonymously... most can't. Why, because its easier to go to Mr. Shaquille O'Neal and say Mr. Michael Jordan just gave X, can't you at least afford to match it. Once you tell one person a secret it stops being one. So most of the time if you don't see a donation from an artist, but you do see a big event with part of the proceeds donated, then you can conclude they haven't given anything but they did recieve.

But as for Mr. Washinton, again I say it's nice to see a celebrity make a donation to a worthy cause they believe in.

All of this are my thoughts, what are yours?

Minorities, Television and 27 percent

27. That number is a huge statement. It represents the percentage of the population of this nation that is Black/African American and Hispanic combined. That is a large number. Many of the people this number represents are concentrated in metropolitan areas throughout the nation. Those population centers, such as NYC, L.A., Washington D.C., Gary Indiana, and others are huge hubs for broadcasting and help determine what gets on television.

Yet it is interesting that broadcast television, and the cable networks overall, seem to believe that portraying the nation as virtually all white is more accurate. This is only slightly better than the portrayal found in movies in general. Why?

Not only is the lack of diversity to be found on the screens but behind them as well. As noted by the Multi-Ethnic Media Coalition, changes have been made but it could be much better. Minority writers, directors and other support for the shows pale in comparison to the national figures. In 2003 the NAACP reported that only 41.8 million dollars was spent on minority provided services and goods by the reporting broadcasters (the next announcement by the NAACP is in Juanuary and the only data I could find was from '03). That number is for 3 major broadcasters who spend over a million dollars per episode for strongly rated shows, or significantly more depending on how much each lead actor recieves (ie. each member of Friends, Seinfeld, and as I recall the lead of Fraiser recieving 1 million per show). Why?

All of these figures and data fail to include the impact of television commercials in this data. Part of my views on television commercials targeted to minorities can be seen in my comments on Burger King. The virtual absense of hispanics and asians is absurd. The way that I feel, Black/African Americans are given second class status in commercials and it is maddening.

The facts taken in total make a profound statement, that is seen and felt not only in the US but also throughout the world. Broadcasters appear, in my opinion, to state that any non-white is relatively unimportant. That no attempt at providing quality programming targeted to these groups is required or of practical use. Perhaps it could be summarized as 'the less seen the better'? That offends me.

The characters portrayed on television are more than just mindless figures. They are, in the best of shows, figures of inspiration and mirror feelings we have ourselves. How many young girls are inspired by seeing Ms. Geena Davis as the president of the United States? How many 'geeky' or 'nerdy' kids are motivated by the actions of Mr. William L. Petersen's Gil Grissom? And what motivation or inspiration is being given to non-white children/adults?

Who are the women, and the show, of Desperate Housewives trying to connect with? I mean that as a fantasy what are men to think? And how are women to feel? That only white slender women can be sexy? (Sex and the City also comes to mind on this point) I haven't seen the show {I only watch the original CSI, Law and Order, and the West Wing} but this is what I get just from television commercials and news releases.

Movies are even worse. Only white males can be leads in complex, quality, widely distributed movies. While Mr. Terrence Howard proves this wrong, take a moment and count the total number of major studio films {and probably independant films can be included} released this year. Take out the number of movies with black leads. I doubt the comparision will be anything close to 27% or even 12.9% (percentage of Black/African Americans). So what is Hollywood also saying to the world, that will see an even more narrowly targeted group of these movies. This is interesting when it can be estimated that Whites [defined as Non-African, non-middle eastern individuals that are catagoriezed as Caucasian, and includes Spain] are not the world majority, nor close to it.

Basically I am annoyed. Annoyed that broadcasters and movie studios continue to ignore and shun "minorities" in all aspects. That television commercials treat non-whites as immaterial, and yet expect us to purchase their goods. That the attempt to reach for more in life is not an idea to promote to non-whites. And most of all, too few even notice that this is happening and say nothing when its told to them.

This is what I think, what about you?

DMX, Murder Inc. and others in the news

Elvis wiggled on Ed Sullivan, Jerry Lee Lewis married his 14 yr old cousin, the Beatles smoked pot and protested Viet Nam, Ozzy Ozbourne bit the head off a bat. What does this have to do with anything? Well in reading some news I ran across a bit on DMX and this on Murder Inc.

Now in my posts Rating Rappers in Movies, Thought from previous days and More old thoughts I have addressed various points that I disagree with pertaining to Hip Hop culture and Rap (including the entertainers themselves). So my predisposition is noted, and I do not intend for Black Entertainment Blog to be a anti-rap site. I do enjoy pre-'91 rap music, mostly. I think that Tupac had potential to really say something. I find some of the lyrics by Emminem to have strong meaning. But I cannot sit by as the majority of Black culture is warped by what I can only refer to as criminals-waiting-to-be-arrested.

I mentioned some other entertainers at the start of this post and this is why. At the times that the above acts were done they created outrage. Scores of parents wrote letters or phoned in objections to the above actions. Demands to have these individuals dropped from their contracts were lodged, and in some cases arrests and civil penalties were enforced. This group I mentioned are a mere drop in the bucket, but I feel represent the nature of the actions of their respective times and genre. None were destructive blatant criminal acts (well perhaps the Ozzy incident).

Rap and its performers are another thing. Besides the rampant adoration of drugs, gun violence and degradation of women that is directly stated in every video and song, we have the performers actively engaging in criminal acts to help boost their careers. DMX getting a 104 mph speeding ticket is not a big deal, compared to smashing into a gate and impersonating a federal authority at Kennedy Airport. You try that and see how long you get locked up for, not a fine and probation. Even with such forgiveness he continues to blatantly break the law and the fact that he can easily afford someone to drive him while his liscence is suspended makes it worse.

Murder Inc. is slightly different. Comparisions to Suge Knight do come to mind, but as the article mentions knowing a criminal, and/or doing legal business with one, is not a crime. Yet I must disagree with Mr. Russell Simmons when he states "Poverty and ignorance is more of problem in our community than convicting our poets", when the poets commit and then glorify their crimes. I feel little sympath for individuals such as 50 cent, Suge Knight, Lil Kim and (sadly) many others. It seems to me that the poets are perpetuating and reinforcing the ignorance that can be found in the Black community for the end of gaining wealth. While ignorance is the lack of knowledge, these individuals and their ilk are obtuse in my opinion.

Black entertainers are no different than any other. The fact that many have had difficult lives and many challenges does not infuse them with the right to do as they please. Moreso having abandoned the street/thug/ghetto in their personal lives (many living lives closer to the suburban or upper income, especially in regards to their childrens' upbringing), it seems almost deceptive that they continue to propagate images of the virtues of a lifestyle that never gave them any of the success they enjoy. Responsibility, discipline and punishment for criminal actions should be applied to them as they do anyone else.

This is what I think, what do you think?