Red cards, shades of color onscreens, and inscribed original products
Yes I am still upset about the red card given to the American soccer player in the Italy v. USA match. FIFA may stand by the referee, as they must during a match or have all calls questioned, but there is no question that other games have had similar fouls without such harsh and instantaneous responses. For those following the World Cup matches, today there was a foul by Iran vs. Angola in the 36th minute that was worse than Mr. Pope’s and it resulted in a yellow card. Or the foul in the 43rd minute by Angola against the Iranian goalkeeper, again no red card. Or the first yellow card, at the 23rd minute in the Ukraine vs. Saudi Arabia match. All these fouls were equal or lesser than the USA fouls, yet there were no red cards nor immediate ejections of the players. So if anyone doubts that there is a reason to be upset, explain that to me first.
In other thoughts, I do realize that there is a world outside the World Cup, I recently came to wonder something I hadn’t though of before. Or at least it wasn’t something that was apparent in my mind consciously. The Rock, Mr. Dwayne Johnson, is a Black African American. At least to my knowledge he is, but I don’t know much about him or wrestling. He is of mixed race as I recall. I say this because Disney is now reworking an entire movie around him.
Disney is renown in the industry as being similar to Scrooge. To put it in other terms they are cheap where ever possible, or so my information has made me aware. To delay or re-work a script due to an actor, of any stature, is rare. So in hearing that they are in such a situation on Daddy’s Girl was a surprise to me. But then I started to think.
I find it interesting that the hype and attention provided to light-skinned, mixed race Black African American actors is disproportionate to their darker-skinned peers. Ability and paychecks aside this feels inconsistent. Mr. Denzel Washington is not given the same homage in the press media as The Rock. Mr. Samuel Jackson is not regarded the same, in my opinion by the media, as Mr. Vin Diesel, who did his best to obfuscate his heritage for as long as possible. Why is that?
I am not saying that any of these actors are bad, actually I enjoy each of them in the genres and movies I have seen them in. I think each is quite capable and enjoyable. But there is a difference in the way the media, and it seems the movie studios, portray them. There seems to be a more subtle push for the darker Black African American actors in a leading movie role than those of lighter skin. Even Mr. Terrence Howard is treated differently.
And this difference is apparent mostly in movies where a Black African American actor is the lead or a support. Or if the role is more of a violent, stereotypical nature than one that is atypical. Mr. Terrence Howard as an example was lauded for his work in Hustler and Flow (a pimp with a dream in essence) but received far less attention for his work in The Best Man, which I thought was a standout performance. Another example would be Mr. Denzel Washington in Training Day as opposed to several other films, especially his role of Mr. Malcolm X in the movie of the same name. If he deserved an Oscar for Training Day, Mr. Washington deserved 2 for Malcolm X.
So why is there a seeming discrepancy? Or am I just missing something? Am I being hypersensitive or am I on to something? Do you objectively see what I see?
Lastly, if you have not noticed, there are several changes to the catalogue of products I provide. I will be adding designs based on my original concepts, as modified by several artists, over the next month or 2. I’m always open to new interpretations and designs that augment my work. I will be giving credit and recognition to those artists who’s designs appear. I hope to expand the line, and provide real world models (real Black African American, Hispanic, White, Asian and other minority people) with my goods soon. Don’t be surprised if you see me, Michael Vass, in one or 2 model shots as well. Please take a look at the items and provide support. Buy something if you like it or let me know where I can make improvements.
This is what I think, what do you think?
In other thoughts, I do realize that there is a world outside the World Cup, I recently came to wonder something I hadn’t though of before. Or at least it wasn’t something that was apparent in my mind consciously. The Rock, Mr. Dwayne Johnson, is a Black African American. At least to my knowledge he is, but I don’t know much about him or wrestling. He is of mixed race as I recall. I say this because Disney is now reworking an entire movie around him.
Disney is renown in the industry as being similar to Scrooge. To put it in other terms they are cheap where ever possible, or so my information has made me aware. To delay or re-work a script due to an actor, of any stature, is rare. So in hearing that they are in such a situation on Daddy’s Girl was a surprise to me. But then I started to think.
I find it interesting that the hype and attention provided to light-skinned, mixed race Black African American actors is disproportionate to their darker-skinned peers. Ability and paychecks aside this feels inconsistent. Mr. Denzel Washington is not given the same homage in the press media as The Rock. Mr. Samuel Jackson is not regarded the same, in my opinion by the media, as Mr. Vin Diesel, who did his best to obfuscate his heritage for as long as possible. Why is that?
I am not saying that any of these actors are bad, actually I enjoy each of them in the genres and movies I have seen them in. I think each is quite capable and enjoyable. But there is a difference in the way the media, and it seems the movie studios, portray them. There seems to be a more subtle push for the darker Black African American actors in a leading movie role than those of lighter skin. Even Mr. Terrence Howard is treated differently.
And this difference is apparent mostly in movies where a Black African American actor is the lead or a support. Or if the role is more of a violent, stereotypical nature than one that is atypical. Mr. Terrence Howard as an example was lauded for his work in Hustler and Flow (a pimp with a dream in essence) but received far less attention for his work in The Best Man, which I thought was a standout performance. Another example would be Mr. Denzel Washington in Training Day as opposed to several other films, especially his role of Mr. Malcolm X in the movie of the same name. If he deserved an Oscar for Training Day, Mr. Washington deserved 2 for Malcolm X.
So why is there a seeming discrepancy? Or am I just missing something? Am I being hypersensitive or am I on to something? Do you objectively see what I see?
Lastly, if you have not noticed, there are several changes to the catalogue of products I provide. I will be adding designs based on my original concepts, as modified by several artists, over the next month or 2. I’m always open to new interpretations and designs that augment my work. I will be giving credit and recognition to those artists who’s designs appear. I hope to expand the line, and provide real world models (real Black African American, Hispanic, White, Asian and other minority people) with my goods soon. Don’t be surprised if you see me, Michael Vass, in one or 2 model shots as well. Please take a look at the items and provide support. Buy something if you like it or let me know where I can make improvements.
This is what I think, what do you think?
posted by M. Vass | 3:32 AM
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