To Ms. Robin Roberts - 7.31.2007.2

I had not heard the news about Ms. Robin Roberts until now. I am saddened to hear the fact that she has been diagnosed with Breast cancer. I sympathize with her and her family on this revelation.

I give my thoughts of strength and wishes of success in beating the disease. I know that this can be a scary time. Recently one of the ladies in my family has gone through a similar discovery and the resultant surgery. I am happy to say that she is doing well and we believe this cancer has been beaten. It was caught early and for that we are all thankful.

Success in defeating cancer is possible. Everyone needs to be reminded of that. One of the biggest factors is early detection. I have spoken about my own health condition, which is thankfully good. I get check-ups every year, with diabetes and prostate cancer some of the factors I particularly check for. I am happy that Ms. Roberts found this cancer early. The survival rate is extremely good when the cancer is found early. That is for all forms of cancer.

In addition another factor that is important is support from family and friends. I reviewed Ms. Roberts book so I have no doubt that her family, friends and faith will all be with her in this journey. That kind of support and strength added to her own will surely help her overcome this crisis.

I have no doubt that Mr. Roberts will be well and prove to be a survivor even beyond the levels that she has been all her life. Even given that, I again send her my best wishes and a speedy recovery.

Movies coming to theaters after the summer - 7.31.2007.4

As the countdown before the highly anticipated Bourne Ultimatum ticks lower I wanted to take a look at some of the films that are a bit farther off in the horizon. Sadly the end of summer this year seems to portend the end of what little originality we have seen. Along with the loss of uniqueness we get only a glance at the glimmer of interesting theatrical movie magic.

Let’s start with the remakes. As most readers know well, I hate the recent trend of ‘revisioning’. I liken it to say revisioning a prime rib done medium-rare (which is just perfect) with a slab of warm tofu. It may keep you alive, but it’s not the same experience. That is how I would equate some of the better recent re-makes. In the worst cases I would say it’s like have my brain grated with a cheese grater while listening to a duet of William Hung and Biz Mark E.

So having said that, joy of joys there is a remake of Halloween coming up. I’m sure it will be no less interesting than the (yawn) Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I’m filled with giddy anticipation as we will most likely get either a scene for scene copy (minus the original interest or intensity), or a gore fest that can’t live up to the scares a bloodless original created. What a thrill ride there.

Also running the remake game is the 3rd version of the Invasion of the Body Snatchers. This time out of the gate the producers and movie execs have decided to cut the name to simply The Invasion so that younger viewers will not notice the connection to any other version. In yet another attempt of Hollywood to assume that the public is as dense as a twinkie, we see them saving money on original ideas to re-tread movies that were done well the first time only. While I doubt this film will have any real interest, I would be willing to bet that this time there will be an even more feminist twist to the storyline than the 2nd version. I’m sure this will work with movie-goers about as well as the re-visioned Hitcher movie did. Can you feel the blood just draining from your brain?

But wait, there is a movie approaching that is almost original. Yes, a movie that is not some new director’s wet-dream of a ticket to everlasting fame having bested a master filmmaker. Before you get too giddy, its another global-warming film. The 11th Hour. Buzzkill I know. But if you feel that the world is ending in a ball of flame and smoke by next Tuesday, you will probably flock to this film. The only thing I can say is I hope they sell broccoli sticks instead of popcorn at the theater. It will leave less of a carbon footprint.

You may ask is there any film that I might be looking forward to in the near term? One so far is, War, which will be starring Mr. Jet Li and Mr. Jason Statham. Both are proven action movie actors. While the storyline might not be the most original, action movies are not really known about plot. I would imagine that this will be a very fast paced movie that will live up to at least one aspect of expectations, a lot of people will get beat up. I can accept that, and considering the moves both men have shown in the past the film should not disappoint on that level.

If there is a fight scene between the 2 men, I’m guessing that Mr. Statham will win or at least that the leading edge. His star is still rising, and Mr. Li is moving away from fighting in his films, or so it has been reported as they violate is buhddist (as I recall) views.

Well there you have it. Enjoy the Bourne Ultimatum, there isn’t much else that seems to be a big draw. If I’m wrong I will let you know. So far, in terms of remakes at least, I don’t recall missing yet.

This is what I think, what do you think?

America debates while the U.N. acts on Darfur - 7.31.2007.1

Repost from Vass

Finally we see the start of some action. Finally leadership has arisen and taken a stand. Sadly it was not the United States that has been the bold leader that our nation can be, and often is. Even so, I am happy to spread this news.

The United Nations has announced that it will be sending 26,000 peacekeeping troops to stop, or at least stem, the mass murder in Darfur that has claimed some 400,000 lives and left 2,500,000 homeless. I have been speaking about Darfur for a little while now, inspired by the words and actions of Mr. Don Cheadle.

Still the resolution has its flaws. Since the troops will be comprised of African Union and U.N. troops it will take months to organize and implement. Additionally there is no sanction component that can cause a dampening effect on the ruling government, slowing its efforts to commit genocide. This sanctioning is a needed component as is food aid for the area. It is an abysmal fact that the major industrialized nations of the world, including America, have sat on their collective asses in this matter.

As I mentioned previously HR 180 IH, has sat in Congress without action all year. In 2005 the members of the G8 summit sought to address the issue, and after few words that hold as much impact as the soundbites politicians use for most every situation these days, did nothing. So I have mixed emotions right now.

There is the start of actions to improve the lives of millions of Africans, a start but that is all. American businesses continue to support and by their inaction fund a genocide that has been on-going since 2003. Politicians have failed to act on resolutions presented to them. The news media has virtually ignored the situation. This is insulting.

I place myself along with the major media, up until recently. We can all do better and more. The stories on the vapid and imbecilic Paris Hilton can wait a bit. The comments on the rantings of Ms. Rosie O’Donnell will still be there later. BET will still provide the second-rate, debateably exploitative programming which can be protested against while they ignore their obligation to provide news and substance to the very target group the cable news channel is named for.

Fox News, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS et al. need to forget that this is happening in Africa and treat this matter like it was in Europe. I strongly feel that were this happening on a separate continent, with people of a different color, more would be done. Well it is happening and they are human beings and we can do more.

And politicians can take the simple amount of time it takes to act on HR 180 IH, Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007, forcing companies to admit if they are supporting the regime that is murdering women and children for no reason beyond the fact they exist. I dare even one politician to provide a reason that is logical that explains why this has not passed yet. To explain why this simple act has yet to be passed after 7 months seems inplausible to me. That only 151 Representaives have backed this is sad. How many lives will it take to move forward and act?

America is a great nation, I believe that without hesitation. We have helped and defended millions across the globe for decades. We stand for freedoms and rights that no other nation can claim to give so completely. Because of these reasons we cannot fail to act when the need is so dire.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Paris Hilton back in orange - 7.30.2007.1

Take a look at the picture above and observe it well. Yes I know it’s Paris Hilton. As sad as this girl is, actually pitiful is more the term I’d use, I have to think the executives at the Fox show The Simple Life are worse. That is because the talent less heiress was made up like the Great Pumpkin, or perhaps for an appearance on The Simpson’s, and that is being described their interpretation of a Black woman.

For some reason, and I am lost as to why, Paris is being changed to look Black. It has something to do with her television program that continues to be shown season after season. But I am insulted that this is what they consider Black on that program.

I don’t know when looking like Farah Fawcett with a really bad fake suntan became the equivalent of being Black. Didn’t any of them get to see the program Black.White. Couldn’t they afford that makeup team? Or did they somehow think that Mr. Gene Wilder’s comedic act of desperation, devised by Mr. Richard Pryor, from Blue Streak was somehow spot on.

I know I often joke with friends that I have the ultimate suntan base, it cost me nothing and I have it year round. Even so, a suntan is nothing like the hue I have gained from my Puerto Rican father and Black mother. Paris does not look like any Black or Hispanic person I have ever seen from anywhere in the world.

I don’t care that a low quality, mind-numbing show is using a gimmick to get viewers. I expect that, since that is the premise of the program. But I do have issue when someone tries to ‘revision’ the Al Jolson blackface just to get a ratings bump. It’s distasteful and insulting. If say Lil Kim was to appear for a show in clown white makeup, pretending to be Caucasian I think some might find that insulting. Same thing here.

If the execs at Fox have no idea of how a Black person looks, here are a couple of hints.

Discussing the Spike TV show Kill Point - 7.29.2007.1

I’m not sure how many people were able to see the new cable television show on Spike TV. I like the programs that Spike has made so far, they have good plots, quality production and a diversity that most any other show on television today seems to ignore. Actually the same can be said of FX as well. But this new show really caught my attention.

The show is called The Kill Point. A drama with a lot of tension. Essentially we get to see both sides of a hostage situation. One point of view is held by Mr. John Leguizamo, leader of the would-be bank robbers and hostage takers. The key negotiator for the police is Mr. Donnie Wahlberg. Much of the tension is the manner in which both of these men are making plans to outwit the other and confront each other. Luckily for the hostages, neither man wants harm them. Yet they are the currency that both are using to get the goals before them.

In the introduction to the program things happen quickly. The bank robbery that starts everything is near perfect in execution. Were it not for the efforts of a zealous FBI agent, there would be no story. But her interruption as the robbers leave the bank quickly brings about a gun battle the equal to that of many war movies or scenes from Baghdad. With little delay we find that the robbers include a medic, are accustomed to working scenarios on the fly, and are determined.

We meet our police officers shortly afterwards and the game of chess begins. The robbers need to keep hostages, especially a computer savvy boy and a daughter of a wealthy businessman, while devising a unique plan that will allow them to escape. The police are battling poor decisions from higher ups, little information and the preservation of as many lives as possible.

In between we get to have a bit of current day politics thrown in. You cannot miss the point, and in one scene it thrown down our throats. Of course this is done by Mr. Wolf to gain sympathy from the public, and not an altruistic end. Not that if he were to have that portion of his demands met, along with freedom for him and his men, he wouldn’t be happy.

While this is not a unique storyline, there are elements that separate this program from the others. The would-be bank robbers are all Marines, from the same unit that saw serious fighting in Iraq. Most have seen multiple tours. All are completely loyal to Mr. Wolf, the man responsible for saving their lives, scarred from multiple battles and dishonorably discharged for not taking his men into a battle that would have killed them all. The men are all played as efficient, capable soldiers, who are morally against hurting the hostages, or the police. Yet each has sworn to die rather than go to jail.

For the police we have a lead negotiator that is obsessed with proper grammar in speech and writing. The man is sharp and his obsession (which borders on OCD) plays well for a job title where the nuances of language are critical. It also adds a nice counter point to the tension while not breaking from the storyline.

There are a few wildcards in the program as well. Several members that were in Iraq as well are banding together to help out their besieged comrades. This is something neither the police nor the trapped robbers are aware of. The introduction of the FBI, and politics in the form of the Mayor’s office are other flags in the wind. Not to mention a possible deal with the business tycoon.

As I mentioned earlier, the show is diversified. Unlike the usual solitary non-white character found in broadcast programming, this show has a wide range of ethnicities. It reflects the variations in the military and our cities. It’s a nice touch and adds to the realism of the program. From the hostages, to the police, to the bank robbers there is a mix that makes sense and goes beyond the typical Latino gangmember, poor Black drug addict, and other such demeaning stereotypes.

The acting is better than average and I think this is one of Mr. Leguizamo’s better performances. I feel he has been underrated for some time. Perhaps this show will be the thing he needs to get the upper tier of opportunities. Equally on point is Mr. Wahlberg.

I’m not sure how many episodes there will be, I can’t see this going on to a second season due to the nature of the premise. Given that, I suggest watching this and taking it all in while you can. Good intelligent and entertaining television is hard to find these days.

Interracial couples, the past is the present Part 2 - 7.27.2007.2

Continued from Interracial couples, the past is the present Part 1...

With all the advances and changes that have occurred since the Civil Rights Movement in the mid-60’s, social change has been the best and worst of things. The youth of today use terms that were used 40 years ago as a rally cry to lynch and beat African Americans. There are more African Americans in the middle class, owning and running businesses. We have seen 2 Secretaries of State, and now a serious contender for the Presidency of the United States that is Black. Yet, for all the mostly younger people that date with no barrier from color of skin, there still is anger and dislike of the concept on both sides.

In 1972 Kitty had to move 7 states away, and was disowned from her family, as was her husband, just to be safe. In 2007 a heralded star of the Fiesta Bowl has to have the same type of fear. Why?

Not only why, but what does it mean? I’m sure that not everyone that is against interracial marriages, or dating, would kill over it. But some obviously still would. Not everyone would disown their family memebrs over this, but some still do. Why is it not enough to be human and in love?

I know some women that I have dated in the past find this to be a terrible sin. They equated it with betraying the race. I have known several Black Men that have said the same. I have known many White men that have directly told me they respect me, would work for me, were clients of mine, would defend me versus others attacking me on the basis of my race, and stated clearly they would never let their sister date me (and yet for some I managed millions of their money with complete discretion and autonomy).

Personally I don’t really care, but perhaps millions of others do. A minority of them feel so strongly as to consider murder. Yet how many of the youth of today feel there is no racism any longer. How many state that all the playing fields are even. Perhaps they just haven’t run into a situation, or did not recognize it because obviously it still exists.

America will continue to be divided and have issues while views and actions over interracial couples exist. That does not mean I think everyone must be integrated, nor segregated in their relationships. I think people need to be themselves and live. Live without the fear of violence, and perhaps death just because of how they are with.

We can never be a nation indivisible until the response to the quote by Morpheus I opened this with can be countered by another quote from The Matrix Revolutions,

“And some things do” – Niobe

Interracial couples, the past is the present - 7.27.2007.1

"There are some things in this world, captain Niobe, that will never change." – Morpheus From the Matrix Reloaded

Back in the early 1970’s I recall meeting a friend of my mother, a woman from the South. I recall her for many reasons, her nickname, her personality, and her husband. At the moment I’ll share a bit about her marriage.

As I mentioned, ‘Kitty’ was a woman from the South that moved to New York City when she got married. Neither she, nor her husband, had family in the City. They didn’t move for a better job or to gain a better education. They left the South because it was the safe thing to do.

Kitty and her husband were an interracial couple (they were married to the day that Kitty died of cancer and a bad hospital – well over 25 years after I first met them). That may not sound like a big deal in 2007, but in 1972 it was. That isn’t very long ago, and since that time things have changed, and then again as Morpheus states some don’t.

Case in point is the Fiesta Bowl. It was a great game and I wrote a bit about it. I recall that it was the first post for 2007. After the very close win, by the undefeated Boise State Broncos, there was a bit of a surprise for all the nation to see. Ian Johnson, the running back responsible for the overtime win, went over to his girlfriend and proposed with ESPN and other national television cameras catching every second. Chrissy Popadics said yes, without hesitation. They are an interracial couple.

Fast forward to today, and it’s being reported that death threats are part of the negative comments being hurled at the soon-to-be newlyweds. So vicious and troubling are the threats, security is required for the wedding.


This is hardly a unique case. I know of other interracial couples that are also running into difficulty like this today as well. Not to mention that back over a year ago I wrote a post about Ms. Sanaa Lathan in the film Something New. Since that time I have noted the continuous views of that post, though only 1 woman has bothered to comment. I have seen that every month, interracial dating is on of the topics my blog is found under ever month. To be exact, the terms being searched are accusatory and negative towards interracial dating.

Continued in Part 2...

Comment on article by Victoria Tang at The Daily Californian Part 2 - 7.26.2007.4

Continued from Comment on article by Victoria Tang at The Daily Californian Part 1...


Ms. Tang also implies that the fact that there was an uproar against the show, based on it’s title alone, was a matter of PC. That all the bloggers involved were seeking to restrict the things being said about African Americans. Perhaps that was true of some bloggers, but speaking for myself that is not true. This was about the dissemination of context to the world. Context of the program, and therefore the quality of the program was the issue not words.

Virtually any program can be put on television, or in a blog. I may not agree, but I respect the right neo-nazi’s have to speak what they wish. I support statements, that do not evoke harm or inflict undue pain, being made by anyone. BET had every right to make a show called Hot Ghetto Mess, and given the context and quality of the program I’d have not even noticed. But when looked at in a total view, which it appears Ms. Tang has not done, what the program suggested did in fact seem to inflict harm and evoke pain.

I submit to Ms. Tang that if a program was announced to appear on say ABC Disney that was titled ‘Hitler Rules’ it would catch attention. IF ABC had on it’s website a desrition of the program that stated it would feature KKK rallies, neo-nazi marches, church burnings and equated this to a plane crash you can’t stop watching. Lastly if the logo of the company was an image of a burning cross inscribed in a no symbol. It is well within the First Amendment to state these things. And without context I would imagine many would be outraged.

If Disney, which owns ABC, then refused to comment on the show other than to say it’s not what the outraged public was stating would you be satisfied? If television critics requested a preview of the program and were denied, would you be concerned that perhaps this was not a positive program?

If such a program description and image evokes emotion from you or other readers, is that PC? Is demanding an explaination and/or the removal of the program infringing on the First Amendmant? Or is it a statement of the thoughts of people using their First Amendment rights to ensure that no harm or pain is inflicted on the nation and world.

The fact that the program showed video clips of people being arrested for these actions, or derided, or the resulting pain inflicted on people by these actions does not change the lack of context made prior. The fact that questions asked of the public about Aschwitz, the Holocoust, slavery, ethnic cleansings, genocide, prejudice, and other events – then providing facts on each – would not change the implied meaning that was lent to the program prior.

PC is a useless and dangerous trend, I believe, and I think Ms. Tang does as well. But there are too many people that seek to claim serious questions are merely stifling of the First Amendment. There is a difference between moral outrage and civic duty vs mere discomfort of terminology used.

This is not

“targeting the hip hop industry seems to be a favorite pastime of political correctness junkies”

To say that

“But the content of the series isn’t going to change”

is too simplistic a comment, and highly likely incorrect, as I stated above.

I believe that Ms. Tang only caught the last bit of what the anger of most bloggers on this issue was about. I suggest that she go back to the beginning of this issue and see what it really was about. Regardless of what was finally presented to the public, the outrage and protest of bloggers was necessary and hardly PC. To claim otherwise is minimizing and disrespectful of the actual issue.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Comment on article by Victoria Tang at The Daily Californian - 7.26.2007.3

I want to reply to an opinion piece by Victoria Tang at The Daily Californian. Ms. Tang is commenting on the nature of the First Amendment and how the virus of political correctness (PC) has affected it. As many long-term readers of this site are aware, I am a strong supporter of the 1st Amendment. But the reason I wish to reply is that Ms. Tang is addressing the concerns I and many bloggers had on the We Got To Do Better (formerly Hot Ghetto Mess) program.

I, among others, strongly criticized Black Entertainment Television for the program prior to it’s airing on cable television. We were lead to believe, through the choice of logo, title, BET’s description, and lack of critical review or corporate reply to requests or previews that the program would not adhere to a standard worth of broadcasting. The program aired on cable television last night, and I subsequently replied about it, happily proven wrong in my criticism.

That is not to say that the attention placed on BET and Viacom was misplaced. Anyone who thinks that the program merely changed its title and logo does not understand the nature of film or television production. Many changes were occurring behind the scenes prior to the debut. The much heralded self-description of the program (since pulled of the BET website) was offensive, that was proven by the departure of 2 advertisers – State Farm and Home Depot. The focus of the program was stated to feature “booty-shakin” and “pimped-out high schoolers.” They were described as a “car wreck.” The actual program featured none of these in its video clips or show.

While few, even within BET, knew what the program was supposed to look like it is hardly difficult to understand that the make up of the program was changed. Why else would BET deny critics a chance to preview the program and dispel the bloggers that assailed the company? Why else were advertisers not shown the program to assuage their concerns?

And I will correct something that Ms. Tang stated.

“After a public relations squabble last Tuesday, Black Entertainment Television decided to scrap the original name “Hot Ghetto Mess” for a show depicting mostly young African Americans displaying what is deemed to be unpleasant behavior (mainly related to hip hop culture) less than 48 hours before its debut. What’s the new name? It’s called “We Got to Do Better.” Even gumdrops are less sugarcoated than that.”

The “public relations squabble” was started on July 4th for me and a day or so earlier at What About Our Daughters. This was not a sudden fly-by-night issue that caught on among bloggers, but a serious debate over concerns on how African Americans were being portrayed.

The title of the show is not so much “sugarcoated” as an accurate social commentary that is often stated in the Black community. Young or old, this has been said for a long time and it’s implication is far deeper than the words themselves. Ms. Tang is not African American so I can understand that she may not see the impact that this title means, but to call it sugarcoated is to belittle it’s meaning too much.

Continued in Part 2...

I was wrong about We Got To Do Better Part 3 - 7.26.2007.2

Concluded from I was wrong about We Got To Do Better Part 2...

Obviously there were changes made in the program before it aired in this form. Some we can see directly. The change in the logo graphic was a very obvious example that the program was revamped after the negative attention. The changes in content are unknown, but it is worth noting that the promised booty-shakin, and pimped-out high schoolers were not shown.

I will say to Jam Donaldson, you did better than I had expected. Your vision as it was presented does prove my suspicions wrong. Next time talk about it.

To Mr. Reginald Hudlin I state, while you have provided a good first program you could have done better of the show. Speaking to the media, as you have with all your other programs, helps you not hurts. I still believe you re-worked the program massively. That’s something I will never know.

But you should know that your commentary could have helped the show. Perhaps the negative publicity was intended to pump up rating, but it really cost you in advertisers. Out of 13 spots for commercials, you only had 3 advertisers. The main was for Whose Your Caddy? appearing 3 times, once per break. The other 2 were the American Red Cross and a local spot for Resort & Residence. You lost out horribly. Perhaps if you had provided advertisers and critics with an advanced view there would have been more and you wouldn’t have the need to plug your own programming 8 times.

Then again, perhaps if I and other, predominately Black, bloggers didn’t press you we would not have the final version we have.

I was wrong about We Got To Do Better Part 2 - 7.26.2007.1

Continued from I was wrong about We Got To Do Better Part 1...

I was glad to see most knew who Senator Barack Obama was, and terribly saddened to listen to one person declare that he is out of the race. There was no connection for her to the fact that Senator Obama is not only still in the running, but a viable candidate for the Presidency.

It was shocking to see how many did not know if there were any Supreme Court Justices that are Black on the Court now. Several thought there was more than one, several mentioned the honorable Justice Thurgood Marshall, who has been dead for some time. This is information I though was taught in high school, and I know is mentioned on televised news and on the internet constantly.

I cannot understand how out of 11 people, only 2 could state a guess that unemployment among African Americans was low. The other nine had guesses ranging from 20-80%. 80%?! This I blame on the news media, television, and movies with their constant portrayal of Blacks as constantly out of work. The driving theme of gangsta rap is no help with dissuading this concept either. The fact that African Americans are some the hardest working groups in America needs to be stated more, for the benefit of everyone.

I am insulted to see that only 1 person out of 8 could state what the NAACP stand for. Something is very wrong with that. [it stands for National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and I have provided the link to their site]. Not a single person out of 9 could name the year that slavery ended. White or Black. 2 did name the year that the 13th Amendment was created (which isn’t terrible) and 2 mentioned that slavery is still ongoing citing the prison system and economic inequality. Still, an event so groundbreaking and not one got it right.

Perhaps the parts of the program that struck me hardest was the video – Bid ‘Em In - , kind of a cartoon, directed by Mr. Neal Sopata that detailed the sale of an African American woman back in the days of slavery. I dare opponents of reparations to view that and deny the need for America to both apologize for slavery [Georgia House Speaker Richardson] and provide reparations, as they have for Native American Indians and Japanese-Americans, and their families, from WWII.

The other item that made a strong impact were the closing words of Mr. Charlie Murphy. The suggestion that more African Americans read, instead of the usual mindless sitting in front of a television. Stimulating the mind of Blacks is perhaps the best thing that the show could present.

Continued in Part 3...

I was wrong about We Got To Do Better - 7.25.2007.3

I stand corrected. I am man enough to admit when I am wrong. I am pleasantly surprised. Very pleasantly surprised.

I have harshly criticized Black Entertainment Television about what this program could be about. The lack of commentary by BET or it’s parent Viacom, coupled with the nature of the original name of the show and the logo for it led me to a very negative conclusion. Based on those facts, and the history of the programming found on BET, I and others sought to have the program removed.

I stand by my posts I have written since July 4th on this subject. Every attempt I made to investigate this issue was rebuffed. In a vacuum conclusions stand firm.

But I have always stated I hoped I would be wrong. In effect I am. As publicly and strongly as I commented on what I was lead to believe about this program, I will stand here and state that I had my wishes fulfilled.

I mentioned that there was no similarity between the message of the stated description of We Got To Do Better (formerly Hot Ghetto Mess) and the efforts of Dr. Bill Cosby. That is not entirely true. I also questioned the ability of Mr. Charlie Murphy to convey a more intellectual message than a comedic one. Mr. Murphy was critical in getting the correct message across and did so strongly at several points in the program.

The introduction was a solid description of how the program is meant to be social commentary AGAINST the images that were to be shown. Mr. Murphy made direct comments on improvement within the community such as his comment after the first set of video clips. I paraphrase

‘These people look like the ones that didn’t make it past the American Idol audition. And a good thing to. People, there are other professions out there besides being a singer or entertainer. Remember that, we got to do better.'

Well stated.

It was the commentary by Mr. Murphy that made the difference in the program. As I have commented previously, the context of this program was absolutely critical. Missed by even a little it fails to do what it was intended to do. Mr. Murphy did not miss a beat.

Further, I found the ‘Man on the Street’ portion of the show most telling and important. The questions asked of random people on the street were intelligent and critical to everyday life of African Americans.

I stand amazed at the number of people that thought Mr. Bill Gates was poorer than Jay-Z. Even scarier is that several of them felt that both men were so close as that if Jay-Z had one more successful albulm he could surpass Mr. Gates. The fact is that while Jay-Z is successful, he is merely a multi-millionaire. Mr. Gates is a multi-billioniare, larger than Jay-Z by a factor of roughly 10.

Continued in Part 2...

What happens when you mix a video game and OJ Simpson - 7.25.2007.2

Call me naive, but I just had no idea how much obsession is tied to OJ Simpson. Yes there can’t be a murder (involving a Black male) that makes the news and not have a reference to OJ. Yes there isn’t a murder of wives that goes by without a comment involving him. I don’t expect better form the media.

But I would never have guessed that a video game would jump on that band wagon. Obviously I am wrong. Larry Brown Sports has found a connection and it’s in a football video game. The game is All-Pro Football 2K8, featuring several greats of the game from yesteryear. OJ Simpson is one of the players featured.



The key is the Grim Reaper figure with a knife, and the knife featured on the team screen for OJ. Isn’t that cute?

It’s official, OJ has surpassed Lizzie Borden and become the Jack the Ripper of modern America.

Moral commentary in a video game. Who knew.

Of course I’m just waiting for the Scott Peterson Poker tournament, the Son of Sam FPS, and L.A. police department action game (a la Rodney King).

It just upsets me that OJ did what hundreds if not thousands have done for decades. Used his money to win a case. If it was a White guy who killed a White or Black woman in the same manner, and got off from a high-priced defense team, you wouldn’t hear about it 10 years later. It doesn’t happen. But the OJ case never goes away.

The crime was wrong, but something is seriously disturbed in America that this one case is so prevalent in the minds of so many Americans and all forms of media.

Where are the straight answers on Darfur? - 7.25.2007.1

Excerpt from Vass, on Darfur. I will be following this subject from time to time on both blogs.

Some may recall that I recently raised the question of what is happening with HR 180 IH. You may not recall the name it has in the House of Representatives, but it’s also known as Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007. This is one item of several that are sitting in Congress waiting for some action to be taken by the nation. Not everyoe is aware of this but at least one person had his YouTube question presented to the Democratic candidates in their recent debate.

Only 4 of the Democratic hopefuls were given the chance to respond. They were Governor Richardson, Senator Biden, Senator Clinton, and Former Senator Gravel. In my opinion none were satisfactory answers, though they were decent soundbites….

As for Senator Clinton, she got a bit of all the best answers and combined them, mostly. She agreed on the need for sanctions. She agreed on a no-fly zone. But she would not agree to place ANY troops on the ground.

Senators Dodd and Obama (as well as Biden and Clinton) co-sponsored Senate Resolution 559 (introduced on Sept. 7, 2006), which encouraged President Bush to work with NATO and the UN in establishing a no-fly zone.

Ok, first off a no-fly zone just does not work. Not in England (Germans during WWII), Viet-Nam, Bosnia, Iraq nor Darfur. … Stopping a plane flying overhead does not stop AK-47 and machete wielding troops from killing people.

Economic and political pressure is one option, but like a no-fly zone it does not stop anything. Cuba, North Korea, and Iraq have all had (or have) sanctions for years if not decades. Yet North Korea has nuclear weapons, Cuba still is a Communist dictatorship and we attacked Iraq. …

Face it, it takes troops. Just like it did in Bosnia. …

Full post found on www.mvass.com

Does a name change make BET and Viacom good guys? Part 3 - 7.24.2007.3

Conclusion from Does a name change make BET and Viacom good guys? Part 2...

I hope, sincerely, to find that this entire post is moot. That the program does live up to the statements of Ms. Jam Donaldson and Mr. Reginald Hudlin. Improvement in the Black community is more than worthwhile, and my shoulders via this blog are wide enough to carry being wrong. But in my decades of life and many years in the stock market, I have learned to value something my father told me back when I was about 10.

“Believe half of what you see and nothing you hear.”

Those are sage words. So until I see We Got To Do Better, I will tend to remain fixed in my views gained by the run-a-round BET and Viacom lead me in on a 2 day attempt to gain a comment. I will brace myself, because the history of programming at BET includes Uncut and College Hill. I will trust my understanding of what BET, and Viacom, thought were acceptable statements and images to lure me into viewing their programming.

And I stand ready with a stick of my own, just in case my fears, BET’s history, the vacuous words and deafening silence are all justified, and African Americans are shown in a lite that a colleague and friend of mine mentioned today,

“A show like that, in the eyes of some people, justifies every negative thing said about Black people. I would never let a show like that be made about me. It’s bad and the world gets the wrong image.”

Mr. Dauman, Mr. Redstone, shareholders of Viacom, be alert. Bloggers pay attention to details, and people pay attention to us. We won’t drink sand because you give it to us, we can affect your profits. You want us to accept your services, and we want proper service. The scale must balance or there is hell to pay if they don’t.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Does a name change make BET and Viacom good guys? Part 2 - 7.24.2007.2

Continued from Does a name change make BET and Viacom good guys? Part 1...

While many believe the victory has been won, many more are still cautious and I count myself in that group. My misgivings were not based on the name of the program but it’s content. The description that I found troubling remains. Without the ability to review the program, just as all critics have been denied, I cannot say anything has changed. Almost.

Viacom knows one thing clearly. Black bloggers, and by extension all bloggers don’t play. There were plans for protests of every advertiser of the program, and regardless of the name, there still could be. Several blogs, including my own, featured information concerning the real decision makers at Black Entertainment Television, Viacom. Several detailed questions for the President of Viacom Mr. Philippe Dauman and majority shareholder Mr. Sumner Redstone, and addressed the means by which the rest of the shareholders of the public corporation could be called to task for the programming. The other hand of protests, addressing the shareholders and their profits, came to bear such that Viacom could not ignore the probable outcome.

They should keep that in mind. It can still happen.

I am unconvinced by the platitudes that have come from the corporate public relations machine of Viacom. This has not assuaged my fears. Changing 3 words to 5 does not change the meaning of the content, nor does it provide a new context for that content to be understood internationally. That takes real change, not a new coat of paint. I hope, as I always have, that such change has occurred. But I am leery.

The press release seeks to deflect attention from the real issues. Like the rare comment from Mr. Reginald Hudlin who sought to, in my opinion, poorly compare the stated description of this program to the efforts of Dr. Bill Cosby and others. While that sounds nice, examination of what was presented about this program failed to hold up such a comparison. For Viacom to imply that there were misconceptions on behalf of bloggers and myself is to blame a wall for being flat. You cannot fault a conclusion that is based on information you (VIACOM and BET) have provided the public, and denied all sources further details. When a snake rattles it’s tail you don’t assume it’s not poisonous because you can’t see the venom.

The further attempt by BET to show their open palm while hiding their closed fist are the statements made in the press release about the future programming BET states they will have. A carrot to the stick that Hot Ghetto Mess, or We Got To Do Better if you prefer, is does not change how it may strike you. Public relations statements are great tools of obfuscation at times, but for those skilled at reading them they are not as powerful.

Comncluded in Part 3...

Does a name change make BET and Viacom good guys? - 7.24.2007.1

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
--From Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

Of course a mess might smell the same too. The news is out that Black Entertainment Television, and its Parent company Viacom, have reacted to the massive and growing negative attention that has come from, predominantly black, bloggers. The groundswell had grown to include several news media sources, each wondering why Viacom via BET would not reveal any information on the proposed Hot Ghetto Mess. As I had posted previously, even executives within the company had not seen the show, it was a dirty little secret, or so everyone was left to conclude.

But, like a thief in the night, BET changed things in a last minute attempt to salvage a quickly deteriorating situation. The title of the program has been changed to We Got To Do Better, and BET release the following information:

“This week, BET will be launching a new series called WE GOT TO DO BETTER, a half-hour video clip show that, at its core, is pure social commentary.

The show’s original title was HOT GHETTO MESS: WE GOT TO DO BETTER. We’ve decided to change the name because we want to highlight the show’s real intent, which is to offer social commentary in a context that sparks dialogue, debate, and most importantly, change.

Additionally, the early misperceptions about the show and its title were diverting attention from the overall original programming strategy we’ve begun implementing at BET Networks – which is to deliver smart, creative shows that explore the full range of the Black experience. Our 2007 slate is the most ambitious and diverse aggregation of Black programming in television history, and it features a wide range of genres – from inspirational shows like EXALTED!, to animated comedy shows like BUFU, to family entertainment like SUNDAY BEST. As we move into the fall season and 2008, you’ll continue to see the increase in the quality, quantity and breadth of shows that we have to offer at BET.”

If you look on the BET website, you won’t find any of the links to the show. Gone is the blackface character, and the page highlighting the new program. Looking at the schedule of BET, you will see that tomorrow at 10:30 the newly titled program is mentioned. The description of the program has not changed though. Other than replacing the title it remains the same.

So the question remains. Has BET been working furiously behind the scenes to revamp and change the nature of this program or is it still the same content with a new name and no conection to the insulting blackface. In about 24 hours, we will know.

Continued in Part 2...

Curtis James Jackson has a problem - 7.23.2007.2

Snoop Dogg (Calvin Broadus Jr.) – accused of rape and murder (not convicted), self-acknowledged gang member and pimp. Ja Rule (Jeff Atkins) – arrested for speeding and gun possession. Lil Wayne (Dwayne Carter) – arrested for drug possession and gun possession. 50 Cent [an insanely stupid name in an industry of dumb names] (Curtis James Jackson) – self-acknowledged crack dealer, convicted felon, survivor of a murder attempt and star of the video game bulletproof.

What might all these ‘upstanding’ African American entertainers have in common? Hip hop/gangsta rap, guns, and violence. Each of them thrives and derives their livelihoods from promoting those 3 items to varying degrees, and violence has followed each. Not that violence, drugs, and other base negative elements of life are an unusual event for the hip-hop rap community.

But of these individuals only one is apparently thin skinned. Funny enough it’s the one that survived being shot multiple times. You see, 50 cent is suing a company that he claims is using his image in another video game. Of course the purpose of the game is to shoot his image. I can’t see him being upset about that part. As a drug-dealing criminal I have no doubt he’s been shot at more than the one time he actually got hit. Yet Curtis Jackson is asking for $1 million in compensation and the end of this game. I would bet that it’s because his character is being shot, and not shooting. Basically they hurt his feelings. Boo Hoo.

I obviously have no pity. I hope he loses the case and the game takes off. Symbolically it sounds like (I have not seen or played the game) getting rid of gangsta rap. I’m sure that is not the intent, which is troubling in it’s own right, but that’s the image I want to have right now.


Something else I want to mention. I feel the name 50 cent is ignorant. I don’t like it. I realize that the gangsta rap sub-genre is filled with ill-spelled, self-aggrandizing, near English terms. The kind of names you might expect a 4 year old to write (which may be the inspiration of some of these names, who knows). That’s given, but this one just grates my nerves.

Why? It’s the meaning of the name. While I understand Curtis Jackson took the name from a robber from Brooklyn because

“I'm the same kind of person 50 Cent was. I provide for myself by any means.”

If by same the meaning is criminal, I can agree.

But what it means is something more. It is obvious that it instantly states that there is a lack of knowledge of the English language, since the s is missing. It infers a value (since it references money) of less than a whole. It signifies incompleteness. Half a dollar is not worth a whole dollar. A half dollar buy nothing thses days and is virtually worthless.

It could ber further understood to imply being half as worthy of manhood, or being half a man. If you take cent and substitute sense (similar in sound and depending on the vocalization, accent, and intelligence of the speaker similar in pronounciation) if can be infered to mean half a mind, or half intelligent.

I have no doubt that Curtis Jackson has no idea that any of this can be concluded from his stage name. I’m sure his thought began and ended with the fact he was copying the name of a tough criminal he was aware of. Perhaps most fans don’t realize this either. But words have meanings, and we learn and retain the meanings for life. So even on a subliminal level we all know that all the above is there in that name.

I have no love of gansta rap nor it’s performers. The lyrics are base, it’s music videos crass, and it’s dependance on drugs and violence sickening. Even so, I cannot stand by and fail to mention that of the ill-formed names available, there must be something better for Curtis Jackson to call himself. Traveling the world, more importantly his image and music do so, thus promoting an image of Black men as so ignorant as to not be able to speak their own native tounge better than the ability of a 4 yr old upsets me.

But those are my thoughts, what are yours?

More ads per minute than ever before - 7.23.2007.1

Ok, there goes the virtual neighborhood. A colleague of mine send me a link to Educational Games Blog, and a particular post. My position on ads in-game is pretty well stated I think. Well this just confirms why the ads are not only not going away, but how much they will increase.

Yes, increase. If you are annoyed by the number of ads so far, you haven’t seen anything yet. The reason is simple.

“…the researchers discovered that two thirds of gamers looked at in-game ads at least once each minute, and over 80 percent look at ads at least once every two minutes.”

There isn’t an advertiser in the world that will pass that up. If the average game takes let’s say 12 hours to finish (if you are a bit older like me, it’s probably closer to 20) that means an advertiser can get their image in front of you potentially between 288 to 576 times at least. And that’s assuming one advertiser!

Yes I can see it. Meeting with some friends online, you go to a village and learn about a dragon nearby, and thus you are on the quest to retrieve its treasure and the fabled Nike sword (the sneaker company, not the Greek goddess). Perhaps you’ll be be in a FPS (first person shooter) and you will need to find your Coca-Cola energy boost to get to the next level [wait aren’t they doing that already?] How many ads can you see on a particular race track? More than you see now. And all this will be coming to a game near you soon.

Don’t you feel happy?

Comment about Jam Donaldson's Note to Editor - 7.22.2007.2

This is written to Ms. Jam Donaldson in response to her Note from the Editor found on her site.

I find your words quite interesting. Sadly I do not share you vision on how to air the laundry, nor to improve the situation. The television show being prepared to be shown on Black Entertainment Television (BET) is hardly an uplifting or critical view of African Americans. That may have been your intention, but I think a lot was lost in the translation.

You are correct, I feel, that as the efforts of the Civil Rights Movement become less directly connected to each new generation, the standards are falling in our communities. The glorification of drugs, overall lack of strong fathers, dependence on “keeping up with the jones,” and lack of self-discipline have ravaged our community. We have collectively reinforced our negatives while mocking our positives. The result is the current state of things.

Addressing these issues is important, and needs to be discussed openly. We can no longer ignore the facts of what is happening every day. Ignoring the issues will not make them go away, and failing to educate ourselves on the solutions provides further downfalls.

That said, to promote a program that features the worst actions in our community can be a tool for change. But such a program must be carefully made and its tone extremely precise. The room for error is almost non-existent, as missing the mark only creates an impression (internationally and domestically) of foolishness, stupidity and mindlessness. In the worst cases, it can even lead to promoting the worst qualities as some would seek out the 5 minutes of fame this might provide, or take such a program as vindication of their actions.

Even more delicate is the issue of comedy to express these elements. Comedy is subjective at best, and when taken out of context completely lost. Comedy based on a specific community is a context that often eludes anyone outside of that community. It’s a narrow brush that cannot hope to cover a canvas.

It is for these reasons that I find issue with Hot Ghetto Mess, the television program. The description by BET, on their website, states clearly that something seems to have been lost in your translation. Every indication given leads to the conclusion that this program is exploitive and not in the best interest of the community. It’s emphasis on displaying “shaking booties, thug life, baby-mama drama and pimped-out high schoolers”, and being “like the traffic accident you can’t look away from” appears gratuitous at best.

The fact that BET, and it’s parent company Viacom, refuse to comment on the program and that they have denied all requests to review the program by critics and news organizations seems to suggest that exploitive and gratuitous may indeed be what the program is. The further fact that even mid- to high-level executives at BET have not seen the program (at least as of a week ago) implies that the program is less than beneficial. This feeling is further compounded by the programing BET has provided in the past (like College Hill and Uncut) and has removed (such as the news programming).

“Just because you are poor doesn’t mean you don’t have to support your children, respect women, live in a pig sty or you can have 5 kids by different fathers.”

This is true. It is also true that just because you have an opportunity to gain wealth, success, and fame it should be taken. Some things have a price that is too high. A controversial program that is hidden from critical review, on a subject matter that is sensitive and has potentially wide ramifications, that presents itself as exploitive in nature is too high a cost for me.

A program that features the quote I have included, in a comical and contextless manner, does not further the efforts of individuals like Dr. Bill Cosby. A program of that nature is validation of actions, much like we have seen recorded fights being shown on YouTube have validated and promoted such action in some uneducated minds.

“All we got is us people. We can’t afford to live like we’re living. From school, to clothing to music, to our children—where have our standards gone?”

Where are the standards indeed. Not only in the places you mentioned but also movies and television, and now the internet. In the mirror you are holding up, take a long look. Our community has problems, but in the manner it has been proposed and hidden to date, Hot Ghetto Mess appears to add to those problems and not detract from them.

Sincerely,

Michael Vass
President – M V Consulting, Inc.
Author – Black Entertainment USA
www.blackentertainmentblog.com

David Beckham's first game at L.A. Galaxy vs. Chelsea - 7.22.2007.1

So we finally got to see Mr. David Beckham play. Sort of. After a lot of hype, the likes of which virtually no performance could have lived up to, the actual exhibition game with Chelsea was a let down.


Given that this was an exhibition, so neither team was pushing hard. Still The L.A. Galaxy looked bad. Chelsea was being quite nice during the first half. Not too physical and playing rather loose. The Galaxy had a decent chance to score a couple of times especially the header attempt in the 38th minute. Yet there was nothing impressive overall. And Mr. Beckham just sat on the bench, watching.

The first half was so uneventful that there were 3 interviews with celebrities in attendance at the game. Ms. Jennifer Love Hewitt was just filler, and had nothing really to say other than she was there to see Mr. Beckham and had never been to a game before. Governor Schwarzenegger on the other hand gave a nice plug to the sport, recounting his childhood playing the game (no mention of what position), and the fact that the entire world plays this sport intently, and his children are involved as well. But perhaps the biggest boost for future Galaxy fans is Mr. Drew Carey. Mr. Carey is a major fan, and was paying more attention to the game than the interview. He was also sitting back with the rest of the fans, not in a special box like the other interviewees. As he spoke you got his passion for the game.

Throughout the one thing was very clear. ESPN still does not know how to present a soccer (futbol) match. The American announcers were flat and about as invigorating as tap water. References to other sports just don’t work in trying to describe the game. Basketball terminology has about as much relevance as wet noodles on a pizza.

With the second half we got a bit more excitement. The quick goal by Chelsea told you that the pace was going to be decidedly different. In discussing the second half with a couple of people at a local bar I mentioned my thoughts about the probable score. 3-1 win for Chelsea. The start seemed right in line with that thought. Especially when one of the driving forces on the Galaxy, Mr. Cobi Jones came out in the 56th minute. Once he was off the field, the Galaxy just got sloppy and sluggish. It was a real surprise that Chelsea didn’t score more, not that they didn’t get chances.

A great example of the sloppy play was when Pavon collided with another Galaxy player. Pavon was challenging his own teammate, for no reason. All he needed to do was wait for the ball. It looked like high school players on the pitch.

Up until Mr. Beckham entered the game, after a 7 minute warm-up (which ESPN just had to watch instead of the play on the field) and a jog around the stadium, the Galaxy looked bad. And it was interesting that of the many, many shots of number 23 on the bench none showed him speaking to a single teammate. Even when Cobi Jones came out of the game and sat right next to number 23, not a word was said. Not even a glance at his teammate. Seemed quite rude. Perhaps this means there is a little tension in the air. Maybe it’s because the Galaxy season was altered for their new star player, or that so much attention was being placed just on him and not the team. Who knows, but I’m sure if it doesn’t change the story will be out fast. At the latest, any bad blood may be revealed after Kobe retires at the end of this season.

But Mr. Beckham finally got into the game with about 13 minutes to play. Considering that the score was still 1-0 it might have been enough to tie the game, if he was up to speed and match ready. But we all know his left ankle was not tip-top. And he played with minor interest.

Yet the Galaxy responded quickly once he was on the field. They got aggressive and started to do something. Xavier, who seemed to be involved in several critical plays, lit up. The game got a bit more lively and the crescendo was about the 91st minute when Beckham decided to actually play the ball and got a tough tackle, Chelsea reminding him who was in charge of this game.

So overall how do I rate Mr. Beckham’s first U.S. appearance? Lackluster at best. He’s a far better player than what we’ve seen. Injury aside, he could have done more. He should have been in the game far sooner. The 18 minutes he played were mostly ineffective, but the fire he gave the team was needed back in the 58th minute.

Will the Galaxy be a better team with Mr. Beckham? Almost definitely. Will soccer in America get a boost, absolutely. The Galaxy stadium was sold-out. ESPN made a point of broadcasting a Saturday night exhibition game. The attention is noticed. Now we just need performance.

A quick question about my video clip - 7.19.2007.4

On a side note I want to mention something. As you have all noticed by now, I have a short video clip on the site. I am developing a couple of commercials and a special item and need your help.

What do you like, or dislike, about the video clip? Good music choice? Too short? Too fast? Tell me your thoughts.

I have a few ideas, but there is nothing better than your feedback. You tell me what you think and I will work on the best/most frequent comment.

Oh, if you don’t want one of the over 200 items I have available for the store but you want to still contribute to the blog sites, you can always donate whatever you wish. Dollars add up, though $20’s are faster. But honestly it’s your choice.

I’m listening intently.

Even Bill O'Reilly hates Hot Ghetto Mess - 7.19.2007.3

I don’t know how many saw this yesterday, but at 8:51pm Mr. Bill O’Reilly took time on his show to highlight the BET Hot Ghetto Mess situation. While there was a guest (I forget her name but believe it was Mary Katherine Ham) that was trying to explain the position BET has taken, even Mr. O’Reilly realized that this was sensationalism and exploitation for the benefit of gaining money.

Even he was able to note that a television show of this nature was an “inner city freak show” on display. I’m sure some are too liberal to accept anything Mr. O’Reilly states, but I am not. And even if that is how you may feel, it has to make an extreme point when he sees what this show is.

The executives at Viacom should take note. Even conservative White Americans disagree with this proposed program. They can see the exploitive and greedy nature of this program. African Americans have seen this nature in the programming at BET for years.

It is a matter that will cost Viacom profit and shareholders. If nothing else will get their attention, not dozens of bloggers, huge amounts of negative internet attention, the loss of at least 2 advertisers (BET is keeping the name of the advertisers for this program quiet), and now a respected (mostly) television pundit with international reach, then it will have to be the shareholders. Loss of revenues from advertisers that WILL be protested will hit the bottom line in the next earnings release, and the one after that. A reduced earnings to price ratio drops a stock haeavily. Missing earnings forecasts will kill a stock.

Viacom executives be warned, this isn’t going away. This will affect more than just one division of your company. It will affect your stock and the shareholders. The best thing that can be done is to remove the program. There is no corner of America that I am aware of that agrees with you on this. That’s why no one, including television critics and advertisers, have been able to see the program. You know what will happen. Just be proactive and stop now.

Comments on Sandra Rose discussing Michael Vick Part 2 - 7.19.2007.2

Continued from Comments on Sandra Rose discussing Michael Vick Part 1...

It can be argued that the media is unbalanced in discussing African Americans, with or without fame and money, that they shine a spotlight at. Guilty or not bias exists. I’ve discussed it often on several cases including Jessie Davis and the Duke Rape case".

This is not that. The fact that Mr. Vick has money has nothing to do with dogfighting that occurred at one of his homes. The fact he is black has nothing to do with the accusation that he may have suggested, or helped to, electrocute a dog for fighting badly.

The government did not make Mr. Vick run, or allow to be run, dogfighting on his property. The Feds did not incite Mr. Vick to allegedly bet on the outcome of fights. The local, state, or federal law officials did not promote the drowning, electrocution or other tortures inflicted on these dogs – some of which Mr. Vick has been accused of doing. This is not a witch-hunt.

Would this have gotten the same media attention if this were a White male that was poor? No. Would the same charges exist? Yes. Would there still be an indictment based on the same accusations? Definitely. Is it still a display of a lack of humanity and compassion? In my opinion, yes.

With all the issues of racism and prejudice in this nation today we don’t need to create false issues. Emotional connection to an athlete on your favorite team, or the success of a Black man, is not reasons to excuse poor potentially criminal behavior. That same argument is the one used to excuse gangsta rappers for the language they use and the violence that often accompanies them.

I disagree with Ms. Rose, respectfully. Mr. Vick is culpable at the least. Dogfighting is reprehensible. Comparing one abuse of animals to another is, in my view, silly. To claim racism in an issue that does not involve it weakens the justifiable arguments where it does apply.

I will say it again, as a Black Puerto Rican man of nearly 40, I am familiar with racism. This isn’t that. The fact that Mr. Vick is Black, rich and famous make this a big media brouhaha, but still valid. No amount of wishing, nor accusations of prejudice change that.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Comments on Sandra Rose discussing Michael Vick - 7.19.2007.1

I can’t believe that anyone would stand up for Mr. Michael Vick, or dogfighting. While I understand that ALL are innocent before the law, and Mr. Vick has not convicted of anything; yet I cannot believe that he has no culpability in this situation, and that if the charges as made are correct he deserves to be punished harshly. I’ve already commented on this once.

Yet it seems that at least Ms. Sandra Rose will take the opposite position to mine. It seems that Ms. Rose thinks that the charges against Mr. Vick are related to his stature as an athlete, his salary, and his race. Ms. Rose even nullifies the cause of the indictment, dogfighting, stating that

“Why is dog fighting a felony in Virginia when bestiality or Zoophilia is perfectly legal in the same state?”

Let me take a stab at answering the question she has posed. Perhaps bestiality has not been rampant in Virginia, thus requiring no law. Perhaps the good people of Virginia have no need for a law of this nature as it does not occur. Perhaps if this is a major concern, a law covering this can be made. I honestly can say that I have never wondered if my state, or any, has laws against bestiality as I would hope that it is not something that is occurring. [Let me correct this a bit. I understand, but have not confirmed, that bestiality is a felony in Virginia. Enough said to that.]

That said, cruelty to animals, particularly dogfighting is against the law. The public has agreed that this is not

“… something dogs do naturally anyway”

The breed of Pit Bulls was created just for the ability to fight. They are tortured in their training, killed (and in this case viciously with the intent of inflicting pain) for lack of performance, and in general abused. That is not natural. Arranged fights and provoking trained animals to fight is not natural. Anyone who lacks the compassion to treat a pet kindly, to kill without mercy, to inflict pain for greed (there is massive betting in this genre – and Mr. Vick has been accused of betting upwards of $40,000 on various dogs) and pleasure is a dangerous person that might do the same to a human being. It’s not a far stretch.

Beyond that, this is not a Black thing. Like many African Americans I am aware of bias in the law. I have encountered situations where the law, or officers enforcing it, has been abused or ignored to my detriment. I like many have lived with the various forms of racism that occurs in this nation. This isn’t one of them.

It can be argued that the current charges against Mr. Wesley Snipes are racially motivated, on top of the fact of his income and entertainment stature. It can be argued that the media has created an unfair atmosphere about his case.

Continued in Part 2...

E Entertainment joins in the negative portrayal of Blacks - 7.18.2007.3

Some might have missed this huge news, but I want to help those gangsta rap fans out there keep up to date with one of the ‘stars’ of that genre. E! Entertainment has confirmed that they will be doing an as-yet-unnamed reality television show. The joy must be overflowing.

My sheer enthusiasm is only outpaced by my desire to bludgeon myself with a hammer to my head.

I’ll tell you why. As long-time readers are aware, I think reality programming is the ultimate form of crack delivered of television. Reality television programs, all of them, take the now traditional role of shutting down brain cells and elevates it to the point of leaving viewers on the same level of a catatonic individual. Seriously, watch one of those shows and ask someone to question you on what you are watching during the commercial. I would bet that 95% of people couldn’t give an answer. [I will note that like all things in nature there is one exception. That was the Black.White. program that was created by Ice Cube. It was a rare gem in a sea of sewage.]

Beyond the loss of grey matter induced by reality tv, there is the added insult of Snoop Dogg, Calvin C. Broadus Jr. I mean this is a great example of African Americans and a music entertainer. Mr. Broadus came to fame in 1993, just as music executives decided that rap music was no longer a fad and that gangsta rap was the only format that needed to be on airwaves. The combination has made Mr. Broadus millions, and record industry companies billions.

Snoop Dogg is slightly more than just a lucky find in gangsta rap, depending on how you define more. He was a member of the Crips gang, know for its drive-by shootings and drug sales. Snoop was arrested on drug dealing charges during his high school years and spent 3 years in prison. Inspiring isn’t it. Also at the time of his rise to fame, he was charged with murder – which the great Mr. Johnny Cochrane was able to get him acquitted from. Since that time Snoop Dogg, Calvin Broadus Jr., has been accused of or charged with rape, violent disorderly conduct (fighting at an airport with police involved), 2 drug and firearm possession charges, a concealed weapons charge and has been banned from entering 2 countries. All before he has reached 36.

It gets better. Snoop is an entrepreneur. Not satisfied with just being a rapper he has produced 2 X-rated films and admitted to being a pimp (from 2003-2004) though he was married at the time to his wife for at least 3 years.

By the way, Snoop in 2002 swore off of drugs and women. So he has failed to live up to his word [A man’s word being the defining characteristic of how the world views a person – at least that is how I was raised] on both counts multiple times. And that says nothing to his deeply intellectual definition of who is and is not a ‘ho’.

I say all of this because we need to have a reality tv show featuring Snoop Dogg so he can represent the daily life of African Americans to the world. [That was sarcasm by the way.] Have no doubt, across the globe people base their opinion of American Blacks on the media we export. From Japanese commercials that include calling blacks the N-words, to Russia where African Americans are considered ignorant, violent criminals, the media we have is what the world assumes is true. Rap music, music videos, Flava Flav, BET, Hot Ghetto Mess, and now the daily life of a criminal, lying, porn producing, philandering, one time allegded rapist/murderer, chulo (or alfons if you prefer), dad and youth football founder will be seen. Aren’t you proud?

This is what I think, what do you think?

Has a celebrity or entertainer endorsement changed your mind? - 7.18.2007.2

I was just writing about Ms. Oprah Winfrey, and her up-coming fund-raiser for Senator Obama on my political blog, and I asked a question. Does the endorsement of a celebrity or entertainer make a difference in voting preference?

Seems a simple question. I mean if Snoop Dogg, or Akon, or Mr. Denzel Washington endorsed Senator McCain, Senator Clinton, or Mr. John Edwards or Mr. Rudy Giuliani, would that change your opinion of the candidate? Why?

Also let me ask this. Have there been any endorsements by a celebrity or entertainer that changed and/or confirmed your choice of candidate?

Let me hear your voice.

Michael Vick of Atlanta Falcons indicted - 7.18.2007.1

What can be said about Mr. Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons? After a 3 month investigation, Mr. Vick has been indicted on charges related to dogfighting. Mr. Vick has denied all the charges.

This is another blow to the NFL, and seems to be a part of the recent mass of athletes that have violated various laws. While I presume Mr. Vick is innocent, and unlike some in the media I actually believe that, this is a bad situation. The fact that a dogfighting ring was found at a house owned by Mr. Vick is troubling. Even if it was run by family members and he had no knowledge of what was happening, he is culpable. He needed to know what was going on in his property.

Dog fighting, and the people that run it are sick individuals. To breed and train animals to fight to the death for the sheer pleasure of those watching is barbaric. This is an event that has its roots in the old South, and the reason that the Pit Bull was created. Twisted desires creating an animal equally as perverted.

Allegations have arisen that claim Mr. Vick was actively involved in the training and death of several dogs. If that is proven in fact, then the NFL must immediately eject him from professional football. Like drugs this is a zero tolerance issue. I’m no PETA advocate, but I also disagree with animal cruelty, especially in a form like this. I can only hope that further investigation finds that Mr. Vick’s claims are correct.

I don’t care if the NFL season is affected. I don’t care if Atlanta wins or loses. This is a crime, and no preference should be given, if he is guilty. IF he is innocent, then he deserves an apology, and a public explanation as his livelihood has been detrimentally affected. The news media should remember that.

Already there is a surge occurring in the media to proactively convict Mr. Vick. Today I have seen Mrs. E.D. Hill of Fox News equate Mr. Vick to Pacman Jones and essentially claim both are thugs. (She directly called Pacman a thug, the implication to Mr. Vick was not a direct statement by understood by her commentary). That was at 11:30 this morning. What will happen by 7pm?

And the media is not limiting itself to sports athletes. Mrs. Hill also attacked the colleges that the athletes attended. Without naming which colleges (which I feel was a copout) Mrs. Hill claimed they were responsible for placing thugs into sports. I for one am unaware of a college that is actively recruiting thugs to improve their sports programs. Obviously the fact that as younger, less educated players enter sports the lack of discipline shines through their ability to play a game.

Not withstanding the attacks on colleges, or the growing lack of discipline of sports athletes, the NFL and the Atlanta Falcons cannot stand by and do nothing. Already ESPN has reported an informant that claims Mr. Vick was an active bettor at these dog fights. The reported information states he would bet upwards of $30,000 at a time.

To take life, for nothing more than the sheer please to do so, and to place a price on that life makes my stomach turn. An educated, disciplined, successful, entertainer should know better. But Mr. Vick did not finish college, his discipline on the field is questionable and off the field even moreso. I hope these charges are incorrect, but if that is not the case he needs to have a harsh penalty that is equal to what he is alleged to have done.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Mr. Reginald Hudlin of Black Entertainment Television speaks Part 2 - 7.17.2007.2

Continued from Mr. Reginald Hudlin of Black Entertainment Television speaks Part 1...

I submit that his television shows have been a constant statement on self-improvement and the rewards of education. In 1965 he was the FIRST Black actor to star in a dramatic series. His Cosby Show television program, that started in 1984 and lasted 8 years, was massively positive, well received, and a direct statement of success for Black families. Obviously the cartoon series Fat Albert has made a huge impact on generations of Americans, and children around the world. Non-violence, morality and humor featuring an All-Black cast that has lasted decades and was in first run production for roughly 15 years.

Mr. Hudlin would compare what BET describes as,

“…like the traffic accident you can’t look away from.”

I have never heard any television show or public speaking event that Mr. Cosby has appeared at given a similar description. I do not know Mr. Charlie Murphy, but I am not aware of his collegiate degrees, positive public comments on the Black community (outside of comedy). Neither am I aware of Mr. Murphy receiving a Presidential Medal. I am not putting down Mr. Murphy, just stating that there is little similarity between him and Mr. Cosby.

For Mr. Hudlin to compare the program to the social commentary of Mr. Bill Cosby there must be similarities. They don’t appear to be in the host, a basis in education, or breaking ground in television history.

The comparison of Mr. Cosby’s social commentary – stating don’t shake your booty for a camera, or be a pimped-out high schooler – seems diametrically opposed to videoclips of exactly that. Mr. Cosby’s comments to seek out education seem to not be conveyed, as I am befuddled how a car accident is educational. So I ask Mr. Reginald Hudlin, where is the connection?

Mr. Hudlin appears to be a good corporate leader. His comments are rare, brief and sound great as a soundbite. Sadly they have no substance. These are the kinds of comments that as a stockbroker listening to earnings reports for a decade, caused me to drop a stock – and caused financial institutions to lower ratings. The comments don’t hold up to review.

I pose the same questions I asked Mr. Sumner Redstone and Mr. Phillippe Dauman to Mr. Hudlin. Perhaps, if BET is as independent as is claimed, he can answer the questions that his bosses will not. I again invite Mr. Hudlin to explain why my conclusions based on his comments, and those on the BET website are “an erroneous presumption” or how they can be considered based on “absolutely zero information.”

I have not seen the show, but I can only hope that it will not be what has been promoted. But if it is, there will be a reaction and I guarantee I will hold Mr. Hudlin, Mr. Dauman, and Mr. Redstone accountable.

To these men, and you my readers, I state – even if the major news media refuses to comment or acknowledge this subject, the blogosphere is. We are more powerful than traditional media believe. We are a voice of the people, and our influence (via you our readers) is immense. To ignore us is to dabble with peril.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Mr. Reginald Hudlin of Black Entertainment Television speaks - 7.17.2007.1

As the largest event that no major national news media will bother to cover continues to mount steam as the proposed launch of Black Entertainment Television’s Hot Ghetto Mess approaches, Mr. Reginald Hudlin has finally commented.
Mr. Hudlin didn’t comment to me, though I have described the efforts I have made to contact BET’s legal and public relations departments. [For that matter it seems that Mr. Sumner Redstone and Mr. Phillippe Dauman are without comment on the matter as well.] Rather he was besieged at the Television Critics Association Press Tour on Sunday.

I think most in the blogosphere are familiar at this point with the ongoing commentary on the proposed program Hot Ghetto Mess. To sum up for those less familiar, BET has a new show that features

“…shaking booties, thug life, baby-mama drama and pimped-out high schoolers…”

They also use a logo which features a blackface character. The public, and the blogosphere has reacted with outrage, and already State Farms and Home Depot have backed away from advertising on this program. Yet, the response to date from those at BET and Viacom (the company that owns BET) has either been no comment or surprise. Mr. Hudlin states,

“It's unfortunate that people are making an erroneous presumption based on absolutely zero information.”

Nice corporate response, except it’s not exactly true. While there is a presumption being made (as BET has not aired the show yet, nor have they allowed anyone outside the company – and many within the company – to review the program yet) it is based on information they have provided. The question not asked, or not answered to my knowledge, is how a video clip showing a Black woman shaking her bootie – hopefully at a club – would help anyone improve their lives? How would doing a segment featuring a “pimped-out high schooler[s]’ will do anything to prevent more of that, in an age of YouTube arranged fighting (not by YouTube, but the youth having fights just to present them on YouTube to gain attention).

Mr. Hudlin furthers his seemingly fallacious logic with this comment,

“The intent of the show is no different than what Bill Cosby is doing as he's going across the country and lecturing as he talks about the problems of the (black) community that we need to address.”

I must take this to task. Mr. Cosby hold a Masters in Education, at least 5 Honorary Doctorates, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, served in the Navy and has been constant over decades in his efforts to promote the best for African American children and the community. Mr. Cosby has not suddenly started to highlight his belief that the Black culture needs to be improved, he has just recently changed the manner and attention he receives on it.

Continued in Part 2...

Do we need to see Who's Your Caddy? - 7.16.2007.1

I was in the movies recently (seeing Harry Potter) and I noticed a couple of movies coming up. One of them I had to double check and see other trailers. That movie was Who’s Your Caddy? The title makes you think golf, and perhaps a comedy. I’m sure that was what whoever wrote and directed this was intending. Sadly, they seemed to have missed the mark.

The fact is that Who’s Your Caddy? is apparently a cheap remake of Caddyshack. The fact that it’s a remake doesn’t mean that it’s bad. The storyline, as featured by the trailers says it is. All the elements are there, rich guy wants to play golf because he loves the game. Another rich guy that has an obnoxious attitude and is anal-retentive refuses to let him join. The first guy strives to join the exclusive membership and a golf match is setup to determine which of the 2 stay. That’s Caddyshack. The changes are that the protagonist is black, the humor has devolved to include large helpings of body humor, and there are gratuitous scenes of women gyrating. Oh, and a love story that sounds weak, and a hidden talent at playing golf. Help me.

Could they remake Caddyshack with African Americans and have it be a good movie? Sure they can, if they spent some money on the writing. They didn’t. Could it still be worth watching with a less than great script? Sure, if they had good directing. Seems like they missed on that too.

I have no problem that the film is based on a rapper that has done very well for himself. He has money, cool. He has an entourage that seems to be less than bright, not so cool. The one guy is so dumb that when someone asks to get Johnny Cochrane involved (which in itself was stupid) and they are told he is dead (Newsflash!) the black guy thinks that one of them killed him. Please. In another part we see that there is a music video, and the women of course are music video girls, and have to be in tops that are skimpy and clothes that are too tight. What could be the motivation for having Mr. Faizon Love fart like a foghorn? You must be kidding right? Oh, don’t forget the required ghettoized golf cart.

It’s a collection of juvenile jokes. That could still be good but they could have made it so much more. Yet I have to imagine that the executives involved in greenlighting this movie figured a couple of things. First, they have a rapper/entertainer in the movie (Big Boi of Outkast). That will attract the hip hop and rap music fans. It’s a pro-black, large African American cast which will ensure that a good percentage of Blacks will see it no matter what. Third the cost of the film is really low so there is no real risk.

It’s basically the same formula used in Soul Plane. Cheap film (about $5 million) featuring African Americans, with a low quality script, makes about $35 million in the movies even after the massive number of bootleg DVDs made on it. Then it gets to an official DVD and On Demand on cable. Maybe another $5 million there. The execs could care less how ghettofabulous or silly the African American culture is portrayed. They got their money and they are satisfied.

This movie looks to be beneath everyone involved from the look of it. I’d like to think I’m wrong, but considering trailers tend to be the best 30 seconds or so of a movie the outlook is bleak.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Review of Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix - 7.13.2007.1

Switching gears to something less serious than my more recent posts, there is the new Harry Potter movie. It’s a good film. Very enjoyable, and I don’t understand why so many mention how dark the film is.

This film in the series is more action based, and unlike the other films there are more questions than answers. The time at Hogwart’s passes very quickly, going from fall to winter with stunning speed. We jump time a lot in this film, and it leaves you with a feeling at times that something was rushed past. Even with those occasional moments you still can enjoy the film (just don’t have a couple of young teens behind you).

But with the return of most old favorites, we get to see less of all of them. The series has so many characters, that most of the supporting characters are given just bites of time on screen. At several points you wish that they could explain one more sentence, or do one more thing. It’s not that the roles are played badly, in fact all maintain the nature of their characters well. It’s that, for me, the film created far more questions than answers.

Once you leave the film you might be left with questions regarding several of the background characters. Chen, Ron’s sister (took me half the film to figure out who she was – the girl has grown), Ron & Hermione. That’s just off the top. The most questions are with Harry of course. Beyond the questions that are obviously there because the story is still ongoing, I was left with several others.

**Spoiler Alert – This is directly stating something from the movie that may take away from scenes in the film – You have been warned.**

Harry is a strong wizard. We know because he has done several spell well above not only his level but several adults. We see how he can learn a powerful spell quickly, mastering it enough to take on a major character in the film. But in seeing him actually fight I was so disappointed. The entire movie implies he is much stronger and capable than what we him actually do. It was a bit of a let down in his one-on-one fight. The other odd thing is how do you fly on an invisible creature?

So overall I enjoyed the film. I love the fact that this is perhaps one of the most racially, and ethnically diverse films ever. I liked the wizard battles. It was great to see almost all the old characters back But there were a lot of things that left me with questions, beyond those with Harry. And the actually ending just seemed to abrupt.

Is it worth seeing in a theater? Yes, much like Live Free or Die Hard, this film is worth the money to see on a big screen first. Is it worth seeing 2x? Maybe, the wizard battle definitely though.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Contact with Viacom and Black Entertainment Television Part 2 - 7.11.2007.2

Continued from Contact with Viacom and Black Entertainment Television Part 1...

• 4. Why do several divisions of the company promote programs that display little or no positive benefit in the portrayal of African Americans? I submit as examples VH1 – Flava of Love and all it’s spin-offs, BET – the abovementioned Hot Ghetto Mess, Uncut.
  
• 5. Given that African Americans, directly or indirectly have contributed to the positive earnings of Viacom, which in the Media networks division (of which BET is a part) was an increase of 10% to $1.73 billion, why has Viacom not used it huge network of resources to provide original or re-run programming the equivalent of other divisions of the company?
  
• 6. Considering that 1/3 of the movies released in the first quarter of 2007 seem to directly target African Americans (Norbit and Black Snake Moan), and that these same movies contributed to the 62% increase in revenues vs. 2006, without including the positive contribution of other movies release prior to 2007 (Dreamgirls), it can be surmised that African Americans are a strong source of a portion of the revenues for Viacom. Why then would this revenue source be seemingly neglected in a division that directly targets African Americans? I site the strong dependence of the programming on music videos, discussion of music videos, and B or less quality movies (ie. Soul Plane, Leprechaun: in the Hood) on BET.
  
• 7. Why is a division that seeks to target a seemingly lucrative consumer segment of the company, dedicated to programming that is and may be considered insulting to that audience. I cite the large number of African Americans that have crusaded (for over a decade) against the violence, misogyny, and promotion of drugs that music videos (particularly hip hop and gangsta rap) focus on. In addition I site the over a dozen blog sites and articles written denouncing the proposed Hot Ghetto Mess program, its logo, its stated content, the description of that content, and the loss of advertisers to the BET website page promoting this program.
  
• 8. I ask Mr. Redstone, Mr. Dauman, and all other executives responsible for programming at BET and the other divisions of Viacom, why there is such a vast difference in programming when comparing BET to any other divisions. I state that there is no comparable program to the Blade series, as an example, on BET.
  

I hope we can get a response to these questions from BET and Viacom. I feel we have been neglected and used for the monetary gain of Viacom. I believe that Viacom can provide quality programs that do not infer or actively promote insult to African Americans. I further accept that they chose not to do so with the one division of the company that solely targets us.

Whether that is due to the inefficient nature of the corporate structure of the company, as observed by my attempts to get comment from BET and/or Viacom, or because of the seemingly laissez faire attitude of executives responsible for programming (those executives ultimately being Mr. Redstone and Mr. Dauman) I do not know. But I do know that it can be changed. I submit that if shareholders of Viacom are holding onto a stock that is losing profits because of protests against the actions of the company, change will be swift. Protests may happen, especially if Hot Ghetto Mess is the insult that is inferred by the description provided on BET’s website and the logo chosen to symbolize the program.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Contact with Viacom and Black Entertainment Television - 7.11.2007.1

I tried to be fair. I tried to hear both sides. But there is a limit to what can be done. I am referring to my attempts to contact Black Entertainment Television for a comment on the massive and growing displeasure with [to say the least], and potential boycott of sponsors for, Hot Ghetto Mess.

Let me be clear. On Monday the 9th I started the process. I called Viacom and was directed to CBS. CBS stated that they no longer have anything to do with BET and then forwarded me to individuals at BET that could not comment due to company policy. I respect that they could not comment on the record. I was then directed to speak with the public relations department for BET. It turns out that it was for CBS. I was then directed to another person, who was also for CBS. Then I finally get BET to give me a number for their legal/corporate communications department. That’s in DC as opposed to NYC where their offices are. When I called that number I waited 4 minutes to get a human operator on the phone. I never got a human being to pick up. The call to DC was today, the second day in my efforts. I think I have been more than fair.


So let me state that I feel Mr. Sumner M. Redstone, who has controlling voting interest in Viacom according to the most recent 10Q, needs to fix his company. To be clear, while Mr. Phillippe P. Dauman is the CEO of Viacom (which owns BET) the voting rights and thus ultimate control lay with Mr. Sumner Redstone via his NAI company.

The fun part of this is I was a stockbroker and can read a 10Q. For those less familiar, essentially that is a document that public companies (ie. traded on the stock market) must file every 3 months, is available to the public, and states how much money was made, from where, how it was spent, and who is in charge. So when I stated previously that Viacom was ultimately responsible for Hot Ghetto Mess, and the general state of BET, I was incorrect. Ultimately it would be NAI and Mr. Redstone.

So I ask Mr. Redstone and Mr. Dauman a couple of questions. [Feel free to copy this post in part or whole and send it to Viacom, Mr. Redstone and/or Mr. Dauman]

• 1. Why is it that Black Entertainment Television (BET) is not allowed to comment except through its corporate communications which there seems no way to contact directly or with ease? Is there a reason that out of several people I have spoken with in 3 companies over 2 days no one can give me a number or name that can comment?
  
• 2. Why is it that Viacom owns MTV, VH1, Nick at Nite, Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks, among other properties and working relationships yet programming at BET fails to consistently provide diversity, quality, and/or positive content?
  
• 3. Why is it that divisions of the company are able to provide quality programs/content and BET promotes what I and other believe are caricatures of African Americans? I submit these examples: Spike TV – The original program The Blade Series, Comedy Central – The Dave Chappelle Show, Dreamworks – Hustle&Flow, Paramount Pictures – Dreamgirls.
  

Continued in Part 2...

Interview with Mo Taylor, Radio DJ and more - 7.10.2007.2

Today I want to take the opportunity to introduce Mr. Mo "Reese" Taylor, Assistant Program Director of AM Stations at Citadel Binghamton. Mr. Taylor is an individual I have interviewed in my attempt to present not only entertainers, but those individuals that don’t make the headlines at TMZ.com or CNN. It is these people that make modern entertainment possible. Not only essential parts of entertainment, but I feel that these are individuals that have interesting and important insights that don’t get to be heard often enough.


Some may recall my interview with a veteran of the Iraq war, and Mr. RM Johnson. I will continue to seek out unique individuals, some famous others not, that have something to say. I hope you enjoy this interview and look forward to future interviews. If there is a person of note that you believe would be an interesting interviewee, please contact me at info@vassconsult.com .

Mo, if you can say, where is it that you work and what is your title?

Mo Taylor: Well, It’s funny that you ask that because I actually have a few places of employment. My main job is Assistant Program Director of AM Stations at Citadel Binghamton. I am also the Music Director for the Binghamton Senators Professional Hockey team, Pep Band Director at Binghamton University. In addition to that I work for a Mobile DJing company as well as having my own Mobile DJing company, finally yet foremost I am a freelance musician. All of my other jobs are what I do. Being a musician is who I am.

How did you get into working on radio?

Mo Taylor: It was kind of a natural progression from being a musician to wanting to entertain and play music. Aside from that, it was passed down from my older brothers (I am the youngest of 6 kids, 3 brothers 2 sisters).

In my neighborhood, my brothers were the only ones with a true DJ system (2 turntables, a tape player, microphone and mixer), so they were always asked to DJ parties for people. With that said, my brother (that is next to me in age, 5 years older) would have his setup in his bedroom and I would sneak in and goof around with it making tapes, just learning how to mix. He would get pissed at me and tell mom. I really think my mom saw something there that the rest of the family didn’t because, as much of a disciplinarian as she was, she always let my music flourish and grow. Sorry to make a short story long, throughout Junior High School and High School I became one of the most sought after party DJ’s in Binghamton [in New York State]. When I was a senior, a friend of mine told me that there was a community ran radio station was opening and that I should try out for it and then, after being my normal long winded self, as they say, the rest is history!

How long have you worked in broadcast radio?

Mo Taylor: I have been a radio DJ for 22 years, a professional musician for 23 years, and a mobile DJ for 28 years.

What would you say is the nature of your work? Could you describe some of it for those who are unfamiliar with this work?

Mo Taylor: I produce a talk show every morning. After the talk show, I basically assist in the day to day running of the station. It doesn’t sound like much, however there is so much that can go wrong with 2 talk stations. When you are dealing with hundreds of computers & satellites that must work together in different locations, a lot can happen. Basically I am a firefighter for the 2 AM stations.

LOL…Assistant Fire Chief “Mo”...LOLOLOL

What is the most constant comment that you hear from listeners?

Mo Taylor: In the talk radio format, the conversations (comments) deal with life in general. It deals with every aspect of your life. Your government, your home, how are you going to afford to fill up the gas tank in your car. How are you going to send your children to college? How are you going to just live life as a whole! That is what talk radio can do for you, regardless of what your political affiliation may be.

One of the biggest problems of my job, is to explain to the average listener how a music station is formatted. This has led to some heated discussions with some Black listeners. Most people can’t understand if they hear the latest song by Beyonce on a particular station, why can’t they hear the latest Jay Z or 50 Cent. Most don’t understand formatting and advertising or trying to understand and go after a particular demographic.

Since you work in radio, do you think that DJ's have a responsibility for the content they put on the air?

Mo Taylor: Well, first and foremost, DJ’s have to be true to themselves. With that said, yes, they do have a direct responsibility for their content. The funny thing about this business is when a broadcaster calls another person some kind of derogatory term, then the broadcaster acts surprised, then becomes defiant when they are called on the carpet about it.

What works for me is if my mother would get offended don’t say it!! Now, here’s the rub in that comment. My mother is not the old fashioned June Cleaver type mother. She is pretty progressive and has a great sense of humor. So that gauge in my DJing works for me!!

So Mo did you notice a change in the industry or your work since the Don Imus and Opie & Anthony events?

Mo Taylor: Yes I have Mike! The funny (peculiar) thing about Imus is that he and his producer Bernie have been doing this type of humor for many years and sometimes they tipped over edge between humor, good taste, and plain and simply offending someone or a group of people. The problem is that the women from Rutgers didn’t deserve to be the brunt of a joke a day after their championship game. When they had their press conference to talk about the Imus situation, they handled themselves with grace, eloquence and class. It made me proud to be Black.

This whole Imus and Opie & Anthony situation made the radio industry take notice just like when Janet had her ‘wardrobe malfunction’. It made it far too easy for people that want to shut people [in radio] up permanently, to do their bidding. I am not one that wants to censor anybody. However, personalities have to realize that people DO listen to what you say and that some might not agree with what you say or more importantly HOW you say it.

Also with that, advertisers also have the right to let their voice be heard. And it seems more and more these days, when the advertisers talk, they have the loudest voice in radio. For better or worse.

Have you noticed if record companies have any influence on what gets played?

Mo Taylor: Well not as much as they used to. Record companies used to be able to really wine and dine radio Station Managers to play their music. However, now there are federal laws in place that prohibit record companies from anything over just calling to promo their artists and songs. Also there are heavy fines that can be levied on broadcasters that take favors from record companies.


Mo, now that we know a bit about your work let’s find out about you. How much has your education affected your career?

Mo Taylor: Education unfortunately has been my only regret in life. I barely got out of high school. I have one year of college under my belt. I hated college and didn’t have the discipline or foresight to stick it out. What that has meant is that I couldn’t follow my true dream and be a music teacher. Radio and being a musician were my fall back plan and have been my career.

Have you had the chance to meet any personalities of note?

Mo Taylor: My family used to own a Karate School. I was an instructor in the school. I am also a certified security guard. In the summer, the radio station that I work for does a summer festival and I do the security for it. I have looked after Hulk Hogan and his daughter Brooke, Kimberly Locke, Constantine, the classic rock group Kansas, Lou Graham (from the group Foreigner), and Rupert (from the TV show “Survivor”) among others.

So do you have any funny/important stories you could share with us?

Mo Taylor: Funny…Yeah, a couple of years ago Aaron Carter was at a festival. Aaron was actually a security person’s nightmare. One minute he would be sitting down chilling, the next he would be in a full sprint to meet some fans. Yes, it was a security person’s nightmare, but it was refreshing to see someone that welcomed meeting and greeting his fans. Throughout the day he had been playing, punching and kicking at me [not seriously]. However, I just maintained my professional attitude.

Finally, I had enough! I squared off with him and got into a fighting position. He took a kick at me, I blocked the kick and charged him. (OK at this point, I will explain that I am 400+ pounds.) Aaron didn’t expect for someone my size to be that close, that quick. He turned around and started running in a full sprint. When he stopped he looked back and said “Holy S*&T you can move.”

As for an important story, a number of years ago Joe Frazier was training a boxer that had a bout in Binghamton. My brother and I did his security. Just to be around such greatness was a true honor!

So what kind of music did you grow up with?

Mo Taylor: OH MAN! I am so fortunate to my family for giving me access to ALL types of music. From Led Zepplin to Aretha Franklin my family had it. When I started off learning to play music, I got my appreciation for Show Tunes & Classical music. (I started off playing drums in 5th grade then I switched to trombone in 7th grade). However, R&B, Soul and Jazz was the main music around my house as I was growing up.

What then is your favorite music genre?

Mo Taylor: Classic Soul, Smooth R&B, Smooth Jazz, Jazz

What do you think of rap music?

Mo Taylor: Along with any style of music, there is some real good stuff out there along with some real crap.

How about gangsta rap? I make the distinction as it was originally a sub-genre of rap music.

Well, some of the music and beats are cool (the musician side of me shines through!). However, the message is not for me! Also, I am not one of those that thinks that it should be shut down and swept under the carpet. I think there should be a way to have a rating system to keep this music out of our youth’s hands and ears. But there will always be a problem with this because of the internet and people being able to burn songs and CD’s. This is where parents come in. The parents really need to guide their children as my mom and family did. They never once said to not listen to any style of music. But they would tell me that the message is wrong, and there are better, legal ways to achieve your goals in life. Also, they stressed that I would be a better person for achieving my goals the “Right” way!

What do you see as the biggest challenges for the next President?

Mo Taylor: As Americans in this day and age, we are more separated then ever. We are separated by race, financial class and by political affiliation. The next President has to find a way to get us back to how America’s attitude was after WWII or even after 9/11. Those 2 periods of time were when people looked after each other like they were family. As for the 9/11 period, look how many flags you saw on peoples cars. Fast forward to now, look how many of the same flags you have now. We as Americans have a problem of taking up a good cause then letting it go when it is not the “fad” or the “cause of choice”. So I think the biggest challenge for the next American President is to find a way to bond Americans.

What about the Nation?

Mo Taylor: Obviously the nations dependency on oil is one challenge. Primary public education is another. Health care and sky rocketing health insurance is another HUGE problem.

I think we (The US) are vulnerable to be attacked again. Not because of any security lapse or anything like that. We are vulnerable because our politicians and government can’t agree to disagree.

Also Mike, it is very tough for people (let alone politicians) to look at another person and say, “OK….this is how I feel about my life and politics. And I don’t agree with your political views. But I respect the choices that you make for your life and for your family.” People these days seem to think, well if you are not making a certain amount of money and you don’t have this amount of education, that you are useless as a person in our society.

And Black Americans?

Mo Taylor: Hmmm…I think that we need to get the Black family unit back to square one, with God being at the head of the family. I was raised in a single parent home. However, between my 3 brothers and very strong women (my Mother and 2 sisters) I still had a very strong family unit. I truly get tired when the media and/or society as a whole, says that unless the Black family has a mother and a father that you can’t succeed in life. Don’t get me wrong, I think the traditional family aspect is a beautiful thing. But don’t lump all kids with a single parent into some imaginary category labeled “Doomed From The Get-Go”!

How about entertainers? Do you think entertainers have a role model responsibility?

Mo Taylor: Absolutely! Sports figures and entertainers have more power and status than ever before. Like Charles Barkley said “I am not a role model.” However, you do have a responsibly to be a positive contributing member of society.

Growing up, did your family emphasize education?

Mo Taylor: Yes they did! I have a brother that is a pilot. He was an Academic All-American that also went to the Air Force Academy. I have another brother that has a Business Degree from Niagara University. So yes, they did stress and emphasize it.

But all I wanted to do was be a musician (from 5th grade on). So I didn’t hit the books as hard as I should have. Listen, I wouldn’t advise taking the same path that I did. Get that piece of paper at ALL COST! It puts you in a far better position to achieve your goals in life! My one brother used to call me “The Good Hustler” because I always needed to hustle to make a buck. But it was always on the up and up and 9 times out of 10 it had to deal with music. For instance, I once made a soundtrack for a body builder. After that I got calls from other body builders that wanted me to hook up their music.

What is more important for a good life in your opinion - economics or image?

Mo Taylor: That depends on what you mean by a good life. Image is something that you have obtained from your surroundings and upbringing. If your image is straight, your economics should follow!

How would you suggest someone get into work in radio?

Mo Taylor: Try to intern at any station. If you are around when something happens with the station and they need someone to fill in quickly, you might get your shot! Otherwise, listen to your favorite station or any station, really listen to the DJ! Listen how he (or she) introduces the music. Even more importantly, listen to how the broadcaster talks in and out of commercials. Always remember, people always remember the first thing and the last thing you say.

Have you ever seen/had race affect your career or life?

Mo Taylor: Truthfully I have never experienced racism in the format that I work in (talk radio). Because my bosses look at the bottom line. How am I doing my job? With that said, being a very large person I think that situations have passed me and some of my big friends, because of people in charge have narrow minds about people that are big. Discrimination of fat people is far worse and far out numbers racism.

Do you think the youth of today will experience racism?

Mo Taylor: Yes, there will always be people that will look at you differently because of your creed, color, religion or size as I stated above.

If so would you think it to be more or less than you experienced or are aware of?

Mo Taylor: It seems these days the racism gauntlet is laid squarely on what you are wearing (the baggy pants, .loud music, ect.) also that people don’t communicate anymore. So the answer to your question is about the same. The difference is that we don’t have the firehose or the dogs attacking us as they did just a generation ago. The racism is stealthy now than it was “back in the day”. But once again, education & communication are the keys to combat racism.

Do you feel that African Americans are held back today?

Mo Taylor: Yes, Somewhat.

What do you think it is holding them back?

Mo Taylor: Well, there have been advances made from a generation ago. However, until there are more minorities at top positions either in government or private sector, the playing field will not be level for us.

Do you think the media fairly portrays African Americans?

Mo Taylor: No. 9 out of 10 times that you see or hear a story about African Americans it is negative. For instance, on your blog page, you did the story about 23 year old Barrington Irving and his record setting flight around the world. There was very little media coverage on this. Ask yourself this, how come anytime a non-black guy in a balloon or a person in a yacht tries this feat you get minute by minute updates about it? You always are hearing about Blacks doing a murder or drug bust. Don’t get me wrong. Yes, these are news items that need to be covered. But there are positive things that Blacks are doing everyday. Let’s hear about those also!

What about how the media portrays minorities in general?

Mo Taylor: Yes, they are getting the same negative versus positives that Blacks are getting.

Mo, how important is education for children in your opinion?

Mo Taylor: Mike, education is the single most important issue that faces our children. I was very lucky to have made some good decisions in my life. However, one of the bad decisions that I made was to not continue my education. Being a Black man, if I would have obtained my degree I could have written my ticket to teach music.

Minorities are desperately needed in our education [system]. As I am still very active in our community schools, it seems that a lot of our non-minority teachers are a bit out of touch with the minority youth of today. With that said, I feel that some of our youth forget that school is not a fashion show, or a just a hangout to meet with your friends. If you put your time in school you will get your return back ten-fold on the other side. I see this now and wish that I could turn back time and get that college piece of paper.

Let me ask you a different question. Would you let children see music videos?

Mo Taylor: Well, some videos, like some music on radio are now what are called dayparted. What that means is, that some music or videos that are either too violent or overtly sexual they play later at night. So with that said they would be able to watch during the day. Though I would still keep and eye on the content. However, to watch videos at anytime? No, not until they are 14-16 depending on their maturity.

Jumping to another though, if you could change one thing in America today, what would it be?

Mo Taylor: As stated earlier, America is separated more then ever. I would like to find a way for people to get along!


And finally Mo, what message do you think kids need to hear more?

Mo Taylor: To quote Ossie Davis in the Spike Lee movie of the same name “Always Do The Right Thing!!”

I want to thank Mr. Taylor for this interview and his time. I hope that this will be a positive motivation for those considering working in broadcast radio, or other forms of entertainment. I equally wish that everyone was capable of enjoying and drawing some inspiration from these questions and comments.

Answering Keith Burgess-Jackson - 7.10.2007.1

I ran across something today and I had to pause. It was a short blog post. Actually it was 3 sentences.

“BET” stands for Black Entertainment Television. Why is there not White Entertainment Television? Just askin’.”

There already is on sarcastic response to this on his site. I had thought of adding another on my first impulse. Then I stopped to think about the question and a serious answer. It’s the kind of question I have heard before. ‘Why does there need to be a Black XX or YY?’ Why does there need to be Affirmative Action in the 21st Century? And so on.

Let me answer the first thing first. Mr. Keith Burgess-Jackson, the answer is that roughly 93% of all programs on television, movies, other forms of entertainment media stars, features on, and involves Whites. It’s not an attack nor an insult. That is just a fact.

I have discussed this in several posts. In front of the camera and behind it, nearly every person involved in media in America is a non-minority. Look at the people in any episode of Seinfeld. Not the stars, the people in the background. Do the same for Friends, Frasier, Cheers, Home Improvement, and Roseanne. Look at the people in movies like SpiderMan 3, X-Men, License to Wed, Nancy Drew, Blades of Glory, The Godfather, Gone With The Wind, James Bond movies (other than the ones in Jamaica), The Pink Panther, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Silence of the Lambs, A Clockwork Orange, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Reservoir Dogs, The Great Escape, shall I go on?

“As I have stated in previous posts, by my calculations there are about 2% of all characters in a co-lead or support role that are a minority in broadcast television. That is abysmal when the reality walking out the door is that of 27% or 1 in 4.”

So to answer the question, White Entertainment Television is a redundant statement.

Going beyond just the initial question the bigger question of why is a Black television channel, or an Asian television channel, or Hispanic and so on needed? Why is there a need to separate anything?

Because when the mainstream fails to aknowledge the existence of others you seek out something you can relate to. When it doesn’t exist, you create it. I think I made the point of the mainstream media and entetrtainment companies virtual dismissal of non-whites. So when specialty channels appear there shouldn’t be a question, but there is.

Imagine that you were in a country where 1 in 4 people looked like you or close to it. Imagine that the news anchors on tv didn’t look like you, nor anyone on the shows. Read a magazine and you see 3 people like you in the whole thing. Same with billboards. Then you get home and you notice a new channel where everyone looks like you. How do you feel? How much more do you notice how ignored you are by the mainstream media. Minimalized.

You can either accept what the mainstream is stating, ignore it, or go crazy. Or you can watch and support the channels and media that reflects you. Even though the quality may be far less than average, you support it hoping that the money eventually comes to improve the quality of what you have. Except when the money does come, the quality goes even worse. That is BET today in many eyes.

Until there is the ability to be featured, and work, on equal par this cycle basically repeats. It has been for the nearly 4 decades of my life. Is entertainment better today than when I was 10 back in the 70’s? Yes. Is that something to cheer about? NO.

I would guess that Black entertainers have doubled in number, maybe tripled, in the last 30 years. That only gets you to where we are today, and my example above proves that’s pretty sad. Imagine the lives of my parents and others before them. They had to build up to the levels of the 70’s.

So to answer why there needs to be specialized, minority specific entertainment, because the mainstream makes it necessary. And that’s why there doesn’t need to be a White Entertainment Channel.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Why didn't you hear about the Black and Male in America conference? - 7.9.2007.2

Do you recall the Black and Male in America conference? Did you hear about it? Know anyone that went to it? If your answer is no to each of those questions, you are not alone. But the question must then be, why?

For 3 days in June, African Americans from across the nation of all ages and backgrounds came together to discuss the state of affairs today. I recall no media coverage at all. Not a single blurb at the time. I recall that the leading posts I had at the time were Videoholics, the new addiction du jour, What shopping at Olum's is like, Is TMZ right about Robin Thicke and the BET Awards?, and Some spin about the Presidential candidates.

Had I heard about this conference I probably would have written about it. I might have even gone to the conference to see what was going on. I mean it’s not as if the subject matter was not something I understood intimately. Yet nothing hit the media airwaves nor alerts on the net. Maybe I didn’t look hard enough, but then again I didn’t know there was anything to look for.

But I would think that news about African American men, coming together to improve the quality of life for them, their families, and the community would be something that would get some attention. Such a presumption is wrong of course. But there was no limit on stories across the nation of Black men that were accused of violent crimes and dealing drugs. Why is that? Why does the news media seem to have plenty of time to accuse and discuss Black men in trouble, but they can’t spare 5 minutes to mention that there was a group of men seeking to find an answer to why the dropout rate among Black men is at 70%, or why Black on Black crime is so high. That some want an answer, a plan, to resolve the issue of why up to 60% of non-college African American women are single mothers, with no fathers in sight.

Making America a safer, stronger, better place for everyone here isn’t worth 5 minutes in the major news media. Even though we are all connected in this nation. We work together, live as neighbors, and looking back in history most of us share similar bloodlines for perhaps centuries. It doesn’t make sense.

Well I didn’t comment then, but I can do something now. I’m not sure what was the outcome of the event, but Mr. Kevin Powell will be making that information available at www.blackandmaleinamerica.org. In addition the Black Male Handbook will be available in November.

I don’t claim that these will hold the answers to the issues before us. I don’t know if the content is worthwhile. I do know that it is an attempt to improve the situation. And that in itself is worthy of a post. Maybe the major news media will agree at some point. We will see.

This is what I think, what do you think?

BET Programming - 7.9.2007.1

Audrey B. is a contributing author. for Black Entertainment USA, and writes posts from time to time. In addition she is working on a book that will be published soon


I have been disappointed to say the least over BET programming not just recently but over the past few years. It started with the cancellation or removal of the news from its regular programming. What’s the assumption- that African- Americans do not have a need to be informed of current events? In addition the shows that are aired do not provide a balance. The majority of programs either portrays African –Americans in a stereotypical manner or shows those who fit the stereotype. Why are there so many shows that portray our girls and women as “houchie mamas and ghetto queens?” Even the video’s frequently show females in inappropriate attire and places the emphasis on their physical attributes and not their mental capabilities.

Out ancestors endured too much and struggled too long to give us the freedom we have today. With that comes the responsibility of up-holding and not degrading our people. It hurts to see our young ladies portrayed in such a degrading manner. BET should refuse to play these videos. And I know that we are in an era of reality show mania, but must we continually be exposed to the drama- girls cursing each other out and fighting over a man?

BET is in a position to be a powerful medium to reach the world. With much power, comes great responsibility. I hope that the executives and decision-makers take that responsibility more seriously. This would, in my opinion, be demonstrated by providing a balance in programming. The news should become a daily program. If you want to use reality shows, highlight the problems that our people deal with on a daily basis, unemployment, homelessness, lack of access to healthcare, health disparities, the need to adopt children of color, etc. I’m not suggesting that all reality shows should be doom and gloom, but a balance would be a good thing. I have not given up hope on BET. I think if enough people keep talking about it, maybe someone will hear. BET executives, you can make a change and make a difference.

The power of Black bloggers Part 2 - 7.6.2007.2

Continued from The power of Black bloggers Part 1...

In virtually no time after that commentary about this cable network program, and BET, appeared at Too Sense, Jack and Jill Politics, Intelligentaindigena Novajoservo , and lastly today at Three Brothers and a Sister.

No matter what was exactly said, or who said it, or where it happened first, the fact is that the executives at Viacom need to wake up. If each of these blogs only reaches 50,000 readers (which I know for a fact some reach far more) then that means at least 400,000 people across the world are aware of the potential negatives of this show and BET. If we guess that 70% of those reading are in, from, or know people in the United States then that means 280,000 people (not counting Canada or Mexico) in the Viacom run channels viewership. According to simple laws of numbers if each reader knows and tells just 5 people, who then tell 5… well let’s just say that right now somewhere between 1.4 and 35 million people are aware of the negative sentiment about this cable television program.

That’s damn impressive. Just 8 blogs and we have probably reached 41% of BET’s audience. And that’s in just 4 days. I have no doubt that each blog I mentioned can reach at least the 70 countries I do. Considering that, what advertiser would ever consider backing this show and engendering the negative opinion among that many consumers across the world?

The word is out. The attention is growing and it’s not good. Let’s follow it up with something special. I suggest that if this program airs, and it is exactly what we think it will be (which I have no doubt of) we remind the sponsors and Viacom the power of the Black community in America.

They want our money. They seem to want to laugh at us while they take our money. How about we send a letter to each and every sponsor of the program letting them know that is they continue to support this kind of show, they can count on us not purchasing their products or services.

African Americans spend billions every year. We drive industries with our purchases. I think it’s time we let them know not to take us for granted, or to insult us in one hand and take our money in the other.

This is what I think, what do you think?

The power of Black bloggers - 7.6.2007.1

I am amazed at the response that has been pouring out across the blogosphere, particularly among many of the prominent and not so prominent African American blogs. There is a rally cry going on and I can’t imagine that BET, and its owner Viacom, can’t hear it. I am so glad to see this occurring and I hope other television networks, on cable and broadcast, stand up and take note. It wouldn’t hurt if the Presidential candidates take some notice too.

What has happened is that on Monday, July 2nd, C21media.net mentioned that BET (Black Entertainment Television) will be coming out with a new line of programming for the touted 84 million households it claims to have. Now the news might have been out prior, but that was when I got my first chance to read about this. In reading the description of Hot Ghetto Mess, I had no clue what was really happening. I just thought the title of the show was horrible, but so was most of the programming on BET. Thus I don’t watch the channel.

The next day I noticed that What About Our Daughters had run a campaign to force advertisers away from the above mentioned show. Their protest seemed to be a complete success. That got me wondering. I had to see why they were upset.

Obviously I understood it and had to write on the subject as well. I had a lot to say, and my anger was not just limited to the program, but extended to Black Entertainment Television and the executives that program the channel at Viacom. To me that is the true source of the problem with BET. As I’ve stated before,

“Am I angry? HELL YES. BET is apparently using the guise of comedy to insult us and profit from that insult. It’s exactly what has happened with the promotion of gangsta rap over any other form of the music genre. It’s finding a way to get someone to call me the N-word, which they can’t do without an issue, and get paid for it. And the meaning is exactly the same one that has been used in this nation for 400 years. Doesn’t that get you upset?”

Now I may not be the largest blog yet, but there is no question that both of the blogs just mentioned, and African American Opinion where we both post excerpts to, get attention in large numbers. The word was out and Race Wire was next to speak on this.

Continued in Part 2...

BET and it's new program line-up Part 4 - 7.4.2007.4

Continued from BET and it's new program line-up Part 3...

Am I angry? HELL YES. BET is apparently using the guise of comedy to insult us and profit from that insult. It’s exactly what has happened with the promotion of gangsta rap over any other form of the music genre. It’s finding a way to get someone to call me the N-word, which they can’t do without an issue, and get paid for it. And the meaning is exactly the same one that has been used in this nation for 400 years. Doesn’t that get you upset?

Now I could be wrong. This may be a serious program, addressing the issue in a serious manner. Of course I don’t know why they couldn’t get a Dr. Cornelius West or other noted figure to host a serious program discussing the issues affecting African Americans. Then again to say this is serious kind of flies in the face of their own description of

“…like the traffic accident you can’t look away from. Viewers will laugh.”

I could be wrong, it might be funny. I’m sure someone will find the booty shaking they promise to provide to be funny. Very likely those that like the music videos made by rappers. Then again it’s been stated often that for rap music today 4 out of 5 buyers of rap are reportedly white suburban males. So the question might be who is Viacom trying to entertain?

So as I sit and think about this whole post I have to wonder something. Who watches BET. I don’t, and I’m unaware of anyone that does. Well that’s not true, I am aware of 3 people. Each of them are ultra-African Americans. I know this will piss some off, but here me out.

When I say Ultra-Balck I’m speaking about the caricature that you can see in Mr. Chris Rocks film CB-4. The character that sings the song, I’m Blacker Than Black. I am refering to those peole that want to prove they are so African American that anything that relates to Black culture is a must. They will see every film starring a African American entertainer 3x, no matter if it is bad or not. They will support anything that has to do with Africa and African Americans, even if they have no idea what it is. They criticize anyone who speaks without slang, who doesn’t own and can recite every recent rap song, who wears anything but FUBU as a sell-out. I mean people who are so polar opposites of sell-outs that they are so Black a blackhole in space looks like a shining star against their ass.

That doesn’t mean everyone who watches BET is like that. This is the experience I have had. It’s not universal. Neither is being Black, or a Black Puerto Rican. African Americans run the gamut from one extreme to the other with everything inbetween.

But I can’t escape the seeming fact that Viacom doesn’t recognize that diversity. That they believe there is only one type of African American consumer, and that they need to feed the lowest forms of entertainment down our throats. Viacom, especially with this new program – HOT GHETTO MESS (do you think they were making a play on hot ‘ghettoness’ and figured it was close enough? Black enough?), seems to believe that people will drink sand if you don’t offer them a choice.

I disagree. I’d rather buy a DVD of Passenger 57, or play a CD of Mr. Lenny Kravitz, or read Ms. Robin Roberts book From the Heart. There is no starvation for good entertainment. There is no reason to bolster a corporation that wants to say they want to improve the community and culture, yet profits from it’s deterioration.

Maybe I’m not black enough. But when I wake up every morning, that Black Puerto Rican man looks back at me. When I go out and deal with society, I’m as Black as anyone else. When a cop or anyone else calls me the N-word, I’m definitely Black. But I’m not African American enough to accept the sand Viacom is offering. I’ll find water instead.

This is what I think, what do you think?

**To be fair I will be contacting BET to find out their thoughts and justification for this program. I will be writting back shortly on this matter.

BET and it's new program line-up Part 3 - 7.4.2007.3

Continued from BET and it's new program line-up Part 2...

There are 2 types of humor, they type that makes fun of situations and generalities and the type that attacks people. Of all the comedians I am aware of only Mr. Don Rickles comes to mind as someone who could repeatedly attack individuals and make crowds laugh, including the people attacked. If Mr. Charlie Murphy has half the talent of his famous brother I still do not believe he could pull that off consistently, and there is questions as to whether he is half as good.

As I said before I have to wonder if there is a single Black executive that is involved with BET over at Viacom. I cannot imagine the individual that would find the proposed garbage this show portends to be, laughing because of the humor. I can imagine many executives laughing because of what they have gotten away with, and how much money it generates for them.

A great example of this is the logo for the show. I will give Mr. Murphy the benefit of doubt that he had no idea what image would be used for this program. How ANYONE could find the image of a ‘Mammie blackface’ as a positive, regardless of other imagery used with it, is hard to imagine. Given the context that BET has stated the show will have, the image is even more disturbing.

For those that are unfamiliar with the image, it goes back to early film cartoons, like the original Mickey Mouse clips, that portray African Americans and the performance of Mr. Al Jolson. To give Mr. Jolson his credit, at that time (the early 20th century) blackface was not considered an insult. Then again neither was calling an African American the N-word. (And there is no positive context in that meaning)

The blackface image today only evokes the anger of the hardships and insults, and lynching that routinely occurred to African Americans for horrifying acts such as looking at a white person, walking on the wrong side of the street, living in the wrong part of town, or taking pride in themselves. There are reported cases where Black Americans were killed just because they were successful, or were there – which was the cause of the destruction of Rosewood. I find no humor in blackface, I wonder who could?

But there is no other option I suppose for African Americans to watch a channel that focuses on the culture and interests specific to the community. Unless you count TV ONE.

But BET is the one plastering the airwaves and getting the attention in the media. They are out there sponsoring town hall meetings to address the language and message of gangsta rap. And they should know what it is since they have roughly 20% of their line-up focused on presenting that daily. Because this is what African Americans want. Or so their executives, in collaboration with the executives that run music entertainment companies and movie studios say we want.

I know McDonald’s agrees. You can tell a McD’s commercial targeting minorities, especially Blacks in the first 3 seconds. The music, clothing, words and backgrounds are so different that a blind man could tell the difference. Maybe they will be one of the sponsors of HOT GHETTO MESS.

Continued in Part 4...

BET and it's new program line-up Part 2 - 7.4.2007.2

Continued from BET and it's new program line-up Part 1...

*Note: Ghetto – usually meaning low class, bottom of the barrel. Equivalent to White trash. EXCEPT when used as ‘ghettofabulous’. When used as an oxymoron it is implied to be something desirable.

If you think ANYTHING is ghettofabulous and mean it as a positive, why are you still reading my blog? You obviously will not agree with what I have to say.*

As I was saying, the title is supposed to be enticing or of interest. I find it insulting. But that is just icing, the cake is what the program will be about.

“Utilizing comedy, man-on-the-street interviews, video clips, pictures and music, “Hot Ghetto Mess” aims to shine a spotlight on prevalent images in pop culture and examine what role they play in American lifestyle. “Hot Ghetto Mess” goes where most shows fear to tread.

As host Charlie Murphy guides viewers through shaking booties, thug life, baby-mama drama and pimped-out high schoolers, “Hot Ghetto Mess” will explore what these images really mean to all of us.

Cutting edge, original, relevant and irreverent, “Hot Ghetto Mess” is like the traffic accident you can’t look away from. Viewers will laugh. They'll cry. They'll think. They'll learn, and hopefully they'll recognize they've GOT to do better."

I honestly thought more of Mr. Charlie Murphy.

Now you may think, what’s wrong with this. It’s Candid Camera for Black people. No I think not. The title states its intention. This is Punk’d meets Candid Camera without the class of either.

Shaking booties? Beyond the fact that this seems to be a staple that Viacom insists that African Americans must desire to see, what does that have to do with Black culture in America? How does seeing a booty, which will likely be more exposed than not, promote an intelligent debate about getting young Black men to stay in school?

Thug life? You mean the same lifestyle that got Tupac Shakur and Biggie shot dead. A lifestyle that has killed so many African Americans that every Black person in America today knows at least one person who has died from it, regardless of their age or location.

I won’t even bother trying to delve into the minds of the people who thought that baby-mama drama and pimped-out high schoolers could be irreverent or funny. The fact that they tout this program as an accident is both accurate and tragic.

Continued in Part 3...

BET and it's new program line-up - 7.4.2007.1

I was speaking about the 2 faces of Black Entertainment Television (BET) the other day, and I mentioned that I wanted to go over their new television line up. This seems like a good time to discuss it.

BET is known for its late night music videos. I don’t mean the ones on MTV or VH1. No we are talking about serious booty shaking, barely clothed, derogatory images that even the MTV network won’t touch. This is kind of funny since I recall that MTV and VH1 are owned by the same company that owns BET.

Isn’t it odd that a channel that is supposed to provide programming to African Americans that targets the needs and desires of this community also leads the cable television industry in proliferating content that espouses violence, drug addition, misogyny or in other words the self-destruction of the people it ‘serves’. That’s something you just can’t get on any other channel. And people have to pay to get it. Nice trick.

But to say that is all the channel provides would be a lie. Of the wealth of information available on the internet, DVD’s, and the vaults of entertainment companies, Viacom believes that a steady diet of Soul Plane (possibly a step below the Toxic Avenger series of movies), the Wayans Brothers (that never worked for me), 106 and Park (discussing rap and hip hop predominantly), The Jamie Foxx Show, In Livin Color, interviews with rappers and hip hop entertainers (like 50 cent – the admitted drug dealer that was shot several times, nice role model), and gospel. That is essentially the best that can be provided for African Americans. Bunches of UPN reject shows and one of the worst films ever.

It’s not like there were ever shows staring black entertainers before UPN, you know like Fresh Prince of Bel Aire, A Different World, Cosby, Sanford & Son, The Jefferson’s, or I Spy. Not even any where an intelligent, important supporting character was on every week, like Mission Impossible. Nor any with women like say Star Trek.

Not like anyone at Viacom could go to Blockbuster or Amazon.com and get a DVD of a movie staring African American actors above the D-list. You know, if there were movies like Blade, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Tyler Perry’s Madea, or Malcolm X. Since this is the line up for the Fourth of July I wish there was a movie starring black actors that had to do with something heroic in American history, maybe like Glory, or The Tuskegee Airmen. Hell I’d even settle for a movie about African Americans in the military, like A Soldier’s Story or Platoon.

But Viacom knows there aren’t things like that available. Does it sound like there are no Black executives at Viacom?

Well if you were wondering, here is one of the highlights of the NEW line-up coming to BET this month. HOT GHETTO MESS. Doesn’t that title sound black? Just makes you want to get a 40 and watch the network with your stolen cable.

Continued in Part 2...

Video games, a good buy or good bye America? - 7.3.2007.2

It’s interesting how video games are acknowledged as one of the fastest growing forms of entertainment and yet slapped down as being the leading cause of the downfall of civilization. The AMA wanted to say it causes addiction, various politicians have jumped on bandwagons from time to time to say games are too violent. Meanwhile Hollywood finds it to be a source of quality movie fodder and Wall Street has rewarded shrewd investors that have seen the potential.

It’s like one hand can’t see what the other is doing. I don’t understand how Wall Street analysts can say that companies like Electronic Arts deserve an overweight rating, and then also says

While we believe the current video-game cycle is likely to see accelerating industry growth over the next 24-months, we view the risk-reward for the sector as neutral in the near-term and look instead toward 2008 as the key inflection year for the industry.

I mean, it’s the summer. Of courser the near term is weak. The Christmas holiday season is the big push for virtually all software companies. Yet the outlook matches estimates that interactive gaming will out perform all music sales and will approach movie ticket sales soon.

But for an industry that makes so many, so much money it’s downplayed as something for kids. They ignore any of us who have grown up with video games and play them now in our 40’s. The games are constantly assaulted, but a movie based on the game is fine. The movies target the 21-35 year olds, contain violence on par with a Terminator meets Leatherface scale, and no one blinks an eye.

Where are the protests about Bloodrayne, or Hitman (movie will be out this fall - looks good too), or Resident Evil (the final story, Apocalypse, will ber out towards the end of this summer. Alice kicks butt.). Actually I’m glad there aren’t (well except for Bloodrayne which was pretty bad). But the point is I’m tired of being told, as a grown consumer of video games, that I can’t play XYZ because it is too violent to be made. I’m tired of being told that the government needs to stick their hands into what can and cannot be made. [Like anyone can name one thing the government regulates well] All the while Wall Street and politicians make money while being the monkey on my back.

Maybe it’s just me. But some need to back up, plug in, and blast a few zombies. I’m sure they will feel better. Thanks for listening to me rant. Now I’m off to find a few orcs to crush.

Latest results of of the Presidential race poll - 7.3.2007.1

Just a little housekeeping on a few items I forgot to mention earlier in the month. I wanted to let you know the current status of the Presidential poll that can be found on this and my other sites.

There has been increasing interest as we approach the primaries, and more attention is focused on the Presidential candidates of both parties. While some of the candidates have fallen to the wayside one or two are yet to decide if they will enter the fray. Given that, here are the leaders out of the 11 candidates found on the poll.

Senator Obama leads with 43% of all votes. Senator Clinton trails in second with 21%, followed in third by Senator McCain at 13%. Mr. Rudy Giuliani is the only other candidate with double digit results, 11%, and is in fourth place.

It’s not surprising to see this kind of result considering the leadership position Senator Obama has taken in raising funds in the latest quarter. What is surprising is that Senator McCain still leads all other Republican candidates though pundits are currently claiming he is all but out of the race.

Perhaps the pundits should take a look at these results before making some of the claims they have made. Still I have to ask, what is the motivation for such a huge lead? Is it the 52% woman turnout so far? Does it have to do with the 60% turnout of those over the age of 35? Or are there more solid complete answers about issues affecting the nation coming from Senator Obama than any other candidate? We shall see.

Whatever the reason, once the primaries are done, I will be announcing the Presidential candidate that M V Consulting and all of my sites will be supporting. Feel free to make your arguments for whichever candidate you prefer from now til then. And keep voting, your voice counts!

Comments on Stanley Crouch's Opinion Part 2 - 7.2.2007.2

Continued from Comments on Stanley Crouch's Opinion Part 1...

And we must recognize that this is not just something that is limited to rap. Far beyond the music entertainment industry, there is video and television and movies. They have all promoted and molded the culture to be a commodity that is sold daily. I recall Mr. Chris Rock saying in one of his stand-up shows, ‘Not one of you white people out there want to tade places with me. You could be a one-legger dishwasher, and you won’t change places with me. And I’m rich!’ I believe it went just like that. But that same person that wouldn’t change places with Mr. Rock, and definitely not with somone of more moderate means like yourself or I, is happy to purchase a piece of our lifestyle by owning some FUBU or Rockawear, listening to Snoop Dogg and watching a music video on BET. That’s not an example of a person selling out, it’s a culture as a commodity.

And I want to focus on BET for a second. A television network that is known for it’s singular targeting of African Americans. What does the Viacom corporation think we are interested in? Well loking at today’s line-up, music videos, the Wayan’s brothers show, In Livin Color and gospel. Oh I forgot the 3rd rate blaxploitation film, Leprauchan: Back 2 Tha Hood. Of all the movies, television programs and media that could be provided by Viacom, that’s the best we get.

BET has promoted the rapper image, and music video exploitation of women, more than any other cable channel. Under the guise of giving the community what it wants. Of course several of the shows by Mr. Bill Cosby (beyond the last 2 most are familiar with), Mr Will Smith and those with notable African American leads didn’t make the cut. Not even the original Mission Impossiblwe series, which was one of the first to have a permanent Black supporting character that had a purpose and intelligence. Thanks BET.

I have no comment on the Real World rip-off College Hill. I find the concept unfathomable. S.O.B. is a Candid Camera rip-off that seeks to add in a touch of Punk’d, just enough racial tension to get a laugh I suppose. And Hot Ghetto Mess I will have to dedicate an entire post to seperately.

BET may have sponsored the town hall meeting, but it has promoted and been a part of the problem as much as rappers themselves.

Mr. Crouch has a great point. The town hall meeting is a good step. The growing awareness is fantastic. But we cannot forget what has contributed to the state of the community today and the hurdles that need to be surmounted tomorrow.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Comments on Stanley Crouch's Opinion - 7.2.2007.1

In today’s opinion in the New York Daily News, there is a piece by Mr. Stanley Crouch. It deals with the recent town hall meeting sponsored by Black Entertainment Television (BET), and the matter at hand was hip-hop/gangsta rap. This is a subject I have followed and discussed for over a decade. Since the corporate decision to promote, mold and profit off of the gangsta rap sub-genre I have felt it is too important to ignore.

It seems that the members of the panel have that feeling as well. From the claims of Nelly stating that he does more good than bad, to the realization of Master P that, as Mr. Crouch states he said

“It is time to lead the younger generation with all of the knowledge beyond crime and hustling that rappers like himself have gained since their early popularity.”

Yes it is well past that time. No matter what the proponents of the current gangsta rap mainstream may say, the fact that 4 out of 5 buyers of rap are reportedly white suburban males seems to confirm how derogatory this genre is. But to say this is a surprise would be a lie.

As early rap stars have gained wealth, had families, moved from the lower income areas that was the home of their youth, and gained maturity their has also come an understanding of what they have promoted and the damage it has done to the community and culture. Black culture today is a commodity. On sale at a discount so low it sells like crack. And with about as many virtues as that drug.

Not everyone will agree with me. But to those that don’t I ask why no one, including the abovenamed entertainers, could question the description provided about rappers

“too many of them are high on drugs, suffer sexual confusion, do what they are told and are plagued by enormous insecurities.”

While this introspection is gaining in popularity, and those of us who have made these comments, among friends and in public forums such as blogs and newspaper articles, are no longer looked upon as ‘haters’ we have far to go. Part of that process is to recognize that the current trends are not positive. Another is to recognize that the cause of this proliferation are executives at media companies that have litterally flooded us with this one image that they wished to exploit for their immense profit. Yet another is the fact that we have bought that image and fed into it. Be honest, if we did not buy the records initially, if we did not emulate the clothing styles, and incorporate the demeanor and lack of language gansta rap would still just be a sub-genre.

Continued in part 2...