Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estevez awarded Laetare Medal - 3.7.2008.1

It’s Friday, raining, and I have a headache from my friend’s birthday party last night. The Dow Jones Index is below 12,000 (as I expected would happen) and the Democratic Presidential candidates are throwing sticks, stones, and names at each other. On such a fun day I decided to look for a positive item to discuss. And I found one.

Like what I have often found, the major media missed discussing this but it is on the net. Martin Sheen was honored with the Laetare Medal for his humanitarian work by Notre Dame this week. The medal is awarded to a Catholic “whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the church and enriched the heritage of humanity."

Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez, Sheen’s real name, is a well known activist. Anti-war, advocate of the homeless and poor, he has stood by his convictions with money and action. Whether or not you agree with his positions, and I don’t on several, his commitment deserves respect. So I’m not surprised at his receiving this award, which in the past was given to President Kennedy among others.

Why has this gotten so little attention? Is it because he is a pacifist, an older actor, or not in the celebrity trash magazines and television programs? Or is it because he is Hispanic and virtually all news of African Americans, Hispanic/Lationos and other minorities are framed and discussed in negative tones by major media?

Either way this deserves to get more attention. Like the fact that Patrick Swayze has pancreatic cancer, and thus more attention is being focused on this disease more attention should be given to the causes that Ramón Estevez stands by. [And I do wish Swayze the best in his fight against this horrible cancer. He faces tough odds, but a strong will is one of the best tools in fighting it.]

I salute Martin Sheen on his award, and his convictions. I hope that this award will help him bring more light to his causes. And I am sure that even without it, he would continue his efforts.

Paris Hilton home free - 6.7.2007.1

I cannot believe the penal system in California. I know that the legal system is flawed, at the least. It’s no question that the poor, African Americans, Latinos and Hispanics, and celebrities or entertainers all receive treatment that is completely different from each other. This has never been more apparent, and insulting, than in the treatment of Ms. Paris Hilton.

African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos are very familiar with the skewed judicial system in America. It starts from interactions with police officers [not all officers but more than a handful are more than willing to use excessive force and assume guilt without provocation] and it just gets worse from there. The Rodney King beating, the Sean Bell murder, the Amidu Diallo incident are all just a few examples of what happens far too frequently on a daily basis throughout the nation.

Then the court system takes its turn. Routinely Black Americans, and many other minorities and the poor to a somewhat similar degree, receive guilty verdicts far in excess of the average for any other group. The comparison of similar charges have shown for decades in multiple studies that Black Americans are convicted far more readily than other racial groups. Statistically this is beyond just chance, the bias is acknowledged on a governmental level. The sentencing of African Americans exceeds those convicted of similar crimes by a decade on average, to my knowledge. [If there is a lawyer or researcher that can provide a more definitive answer, please contact me with that information.]


This is bad enough, but then we often see celebrities and entertainers that get to have the same charges as the average American, but they receive a slap on the wrist. R. Kelly has delayed his trial for sex with a minor for 5 years, Snoop Dogg was not allowed to travel to England because of the fight he had in an airport, multiple rappers, musicians, and actors get to avoid jail, repeatedly, for drug convictions by going to rehab facilities. Various celebrities and entertainers of all types in the entertainment industry have been given the least harsh treatment by the law that we could not. Just think of what happened to R. Kelly, Mr. Sean Penn, Mr. Christian Slater, Mr. Tom Sizemore, Snoop Dogg, DMX, Mr. Bobby Brown and his estranged wife Whitney Houston, Mr. Mel Gibson, Mr. Charlie Sheen, Sir Paul McCartney, Ms. Michelle Rodriguez, and so many others it would be a post of its own.

But then there is Paris Hilton. Given that this silver-spoon trust-fund inept woman only qualifies for this list as she is famous for being clueless and exceedingly rich. Even so, she was convicted and sentenced to 45 days in jail. Maybe the jail sentence wasn’t fair, but I know if I were sentenced to go to jail for 45 days, my family couldn’t get an opportunity to meet the governor to get me pardoned. Political pressure could not be applied in my benefit. Hell would sooner freeze over than I would be released to home confinement. Especially if I only served roughly 3 days of the full sentence.

Continued in part 2 ...

JP Morgan Chase sharholders vote on Slavery apology - 5.15.2007.1

It’s amazing what a couple of years will bring. The public and investors alike are quick to forget so many items in this world of instant news, viral videos, Youtube and 24/7 cable network news. So many items are glanced over, missed, or forgotten in the attempt to get to the next thing that the impact of what’s happening rarely touches us. But some of those items come back and the impact continues to reverberate.

One such case is on subjects that I have discussed often in various posts in my Vass and Black Entertainment USA blogs. Reparations and apologies for slavery in America. The various posts [What Georgia House Speaker Richardson should apologize for - 3.9.2007.1, The surprise about broadcast television - 3.14.2007.2, ect.] reflect my views, and I think the views of many – whether Black Americans, Latino/Hispanic, White or purple for that matter. Many believe that the wounds inflicted to create this nation cannot ever heal if we ignore and hide from the past. Those wounds affect this nation to this day, whether it pops to the surface as the Rodney King riots, the Civil Rights Movement, the murders of Sean Bell and others, or the comments by Mr. Don Imus and other radio DJ’s.

Today the conversation of Reparations and apology took another step forward at JP Morgan Chase. Actually what happened today started in 2005, as a result of actions from 1831 – 1865, so I will recap that information. On January 20, 2005 JP Morgan issued an apology, in compliance with Chicago ordinances requiring the disclosure of slave ownership, for their predecessor banks from the abovementioned time period where slaves were taken as collateral on loans. The predecessor banks, Citizens Bank and Canal Bank in Louisiana, did take ownership of 1250 slaves.

A memo on this was released by ten-Chairman William Harrison and then-President James Dimon,

“We apologize to the American public, and particularly to African-Americans, for the role that Citizens Bank and Canal Bank played during that period," said the company on its website. "Although we cannot change the past, we are committed to learning from and emerging stronger because of it.”

In addition to the apology, JP Morgan created a $5 million scholarship for African Americans in Louisiana.

This commendable act by JP Morgan Chase should be the end of that story. It also should have been the motivation for other companies and states. Sadly this was not the case as lawmakers like Frank Hargrove, and Georgia House Speaker Richardson believe that no such action is either needed or justified. In addition it would seem that a portion of the shareholders at JP Morgan felt the same.

Deneen Borelli led a charge to have the apology, and the scholarship, rescinded in the 2007 Annual Sharholder meeting today. According to Deneen Borelli,

“It's absurd for someone to apologize for the transgressions of others committed hundreds of years ago. Slavery was an abomination and blemish on our Nation's history. JPMorgan Chase's apology for slavery, along with a $5 million donation for a scholarship fund, are the fruits of a shakedown. It is the looting of shareholder assets and sets a terrible precedent.”

Continued in Part 2...

Alec Baldwin voicemail - 4.25.2007.1

Well I mentioned that I would discuss this so hear it is. Most should have heard about Mr. Alec Baldwin’s taped message to his daughter. I have heard a great deal about the reactions various talking heads have had about the tape, but of the ones I’ve heard talking about this I noticed not one was African American and I presume that more than a few believe in the ‘time-out’ and nanny philosophies in raising children. I will admit I have no direct evidence for my beliefs but it is based on my observations of their comments in various items dealing with children, and I may well be wrong.

There is a reason I directly mention the apparent lack of commentators that are African American (on the news programs I have seen). Of the black families I am aware of, spoken to, and was raised in this is not such a big deal. Yes Mr. Baldwin went overboard. He went too far, and significantly less reported was the fact that he recognized this and apologized to his daughter. That apology was before this voice mail was released by ‘someone’ to the public.

But I don’t think it was that big a deal. I have no doubt that similar outbursts have occurred in virtually every family in the world since probably the dawn of time. Many may not have been as harsh, and probably an equal number were worse. Unlike the pundits and talking heads I don’t see this as a “traumatic life altering event.” That is until the entire world was given access to this private matter. Normally I don’t comment on private matters of entertainers and celebrities but this one I will.

Every Black family has had a moment like this, to my knowledge. It happens. It doesn’t ruin the child nor is it abuse. The term abuse is so overused these days as to minimize what is the real damage actual abuse can cause. Perhaps if there were fewer parents that let television raise their kids, fewer time-outs, and fewer nannies raising children there would be fewer Virginia Tech and Columbine events. Being a parent isn’t about being the best friend of your child first, or following some rulebook that was created in the last 30 years, or never looking in your kids room. In the multiple millenniums of parents raising children, it’s only been the last maybe 40 years where books were necessary. Interesting how in that same timeframe the incidence of child violence (like Columbine, and child on child violence in all its forms) has grown; becoming a recurring tragedy now as opposed to a rare atrocity previously.

That is except in poor, non-white, inner city areas. There are no fewer guns today than in the last century probably. Gangs are as prevalent as ever. Drugs are prolific. Yet the overwhelming predominance of mass murderers, serial killers and other vile fiends are not found in inner cities. Shouldn’t someone ask why?

I think it’s because African American, Latino/Hispanic, and other minority families believe in the child having fear and respect for their parents, friendship is reserved for after the child being a grown adult. Notice that fear is the first part of the combination. That does not mean I condone terrorizing, or abusing a child. It does mean that a rod should not be spared, and over the top reactions to minor actions should cease.

Continued in part 2...

What you don't see on television - 3.14.2007.3

I have spoken in dozens of posts about the ability of many actors, and entertainers of all races and nationalities. There are those that are good, avereage and the very few that excel. That is not dependant on race, or religion, or any limiting factor beyond the ability they honed and were born with. To say that 70% of the American population is incapable of recognizing this fact, and unwilling, is at once both ignorant and racist. Ms. Andreeva could have stated in her article all the points I have, but did not. Ms. Andreeva could have posed the questions I have, and chose not to. Perhaps there was more and it was edited out. If so I am sorry that better content was not allowed. Perhaps this was the only way that the article could have been published, as a tone more like my own is too harsh for the seemingly fragile nature of some executives in dealing with reality. If so I would have chosen to not have it published. Maybe this is why the growth of my blogs (while exceptional) is less than some of my peers. If that is the case then I am glad for the niche I am building. But I will not sit back and read what sounds like an apology for trying to promote African American, Latino/Hispanic and other minorities on broadcast television.

Nor will I quietly accept the latest trend of including a mandatory single Black American, Latino/Hispanic, and at least one woman (often combining two of these in one person) in a supportive or ensemble role, as some fulfillment of an implied quota proving that television has broken down the unspeakable iron grip on a vision of America that existed at least half a century ago. 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.

Perhaps in an America that segregated it’s schools, and denied the rights of millions of its citizens such a view was acceptable. Thankfully that time has long passed. In a world where Secretaries of State, Heads of the Joint Chiefs, Congressmen and women, and potentially the President of the United States are African American, Latino/Hispanic and every minority found in America, to say that 70% of the popularion is incapable of accepting a leading actor not exactly the same color as themselves is both unacceptable and in my eyes a blatant lie.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Repost of original letter to Mr. John Edwards - 1.17.2007.3

This is an excact copy of my original letter to Mr. John Edwards, posted at Vass.

January 5, 2007
Mr. John Edwards,

I recently heard of your decision to run for President of the United States. I am owner and author of multiple blogs, one of which deals primarily with political issues and individuals. This letter is both based on my personal interest and that of my readers. [My sites include www.mvass.com and www.blackentertainmentblog.com]

I am a native American citizen, with my heritage coming from African Americans and Latino Americans. I was born and raised in the Northeast, though I have traveled and lived across the country and am a former Marine. The focus of the blogs are presenting news and events from the perspective of an African Latino American view; which I feel is under-represented in the media.

Given these facts, and that I am largely unfamiliar with your past, I have several questions for you. I have already asked several questions of Senator Clinton and am awaiting her response. I intend to ask similar questions of all (or at least most) individuals that intend to run for the office of the President. I look forward to your responses.

I understand that you have pursued initiatives in healthcare, education, social security and medicare throughout your time in the Senate, and previous to that to a degree in your work as a lawyer. In regard to your work in the Senate, what laws did you initiate, that were passed, that directly improved these issues for Americans in general, and Black and/or Latino Americans specifically? What exactly do you propose to improve the education system in America, specifically for those students in the inner city?

In regard to your desire to create a universal healthcare system in the United States, how do you expect that system to be paid for? In addition what do you believe will be a motivation for professionals and medical industries to work to current standards or to create new advances without the benefit of profit?

What exact plan do you have that will allow Social Security to continue to exist or to be modified for future generations as the baby boomer generation continue to age and existing funds continue to fail to meet the need?

In the 2006 mid-term elections, the democratic party won several seats in both the House and Senate with the cry of changing the current policy in Iraq. What is your exact position on Iraq? I feel that it is not possible to support the troops and question the mission that we have sent them on. I further feel that to remove the funding of the troops, while still engaged in the mission, is neither a show of support nor a plan to win. Do you agree or disagree with this? If you were to be Commander and Chief of our troops what would you have them do to complete our mission in Iraq? Do you feel that the fact that you have never served in the military is a benefit or detriment to the country?

Your party, as I have understood, has no stated plan to change the events and status for the war in Iraq or against terrorism, beyond the statement that change is needed. What exact plan do you wish to implement if you were to be elected that could prevent future attacks by terrorists against this nation?

In terms of the economy, what exactly do you propose that will help those below the middle class to improve their standard of living? It is often held that the democratic party believes that taxes, particularly for the upper incomes, should be increased to provide funds for programs that benefit those of lower income, do you agree with this position? As a business owner and member of the middle class I would like to know what are your economic plans for the country?

Considering events such as the shooting of Mr. Sean Bell, the Duke rape case, the Rodney King riots and other similar events have highlighted the racial tensions that continue to exist in the nation, what would you do to help improve race relations.

Perhaps one of my biggest questions is that America has apologized and made reparations to Native American Indians and Japanese Americans for atrocities and crimes made in the past. Given this fact, how do you justify that America has never made an apology or considered reparations for slavery, jim crow, and segregation. Would you as the President finally provide an apology for these acts? Would you make reparations, and if so what might those reparations entail?

I must mention that I intend to post this to the abovementioned blog. In addition to posting this I will post your response, unaltered, on the blog as well.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Michael Vass
President – M V Consulting, Inc.
Author – Black Entertainment USA and Vass

Repost of my letter to Mitt Romney - 1.17.2007.2

This was originally posted at my political blog Vass. This is an unaltered repost of the letter.

January 10, 2007
Mr. Romney,

I am aware of your recent declaration to enter the race for the Presidency of the United States. I maintain several blogs (www.mvass.com is most relevant) as well as being a citizen, a former member of the military, and a small business owner. For these reasons I wish to ask you some questions about why you believe you should be President. It is my intention to also post this letter, and any response from you, verbatim on at least one of my blog sites. I have previously sent a similar letter to Senator Clinton and Mr. John Edwards. I plan on sending a similar letter to several candidates for President, as time and their declarations allow.

I am not familiar with your positions or your actions as Governor of Massachusetts. Given this lack of knowledge can you tell me what you have done for your former constituents, especially those of Latino/Hispanic and African American heritage, that has improved their lives.

In regard to your position on healthcare, I have read that you believe in universal care – at least on a state level. Given this I would like to know, how would you fund a federal universal healthcare plan? What would you do to motivate innovation and the quality of care that currently exists in the current profit motivated system? If the healthcare is universal, does it also mean that illegal aliens are entitled and if so where would the funds for those individuals come from?

In regard to education, I see that in 2002 you were in favor of school vouchers and the reform of underperforming institutions, how effective have you been in MA? Considering that nation-wide there has been a huge increase in African American dropout rates, what would you do to improve those numbers? Based on your reported desire to abolish the Department of Education (2002), what would you have to replace it and how would it function?

It appears in what I have read, that you have a very strong stance on punishment for convicted criminals. I would like to know, do you agree with the death penalty? Since you believe in mandatory sentences, and increasing sentencing, how would you correct the imbalance that exists in the justice system currently? To clarify my point, African Americans, and to a slightly lesser degree Latino/Hispanics, are routinely given stiffer penalties and sentences than White Americans for the same crimes. This is even more evident in sentences that are for life or the death penalty. What initiatives would you take to ensure a more even-handed approach?

In recent weeks a great deal has been made of Representative Ellison’s informal swearing in using the Quran. As an individual of the Mormon faith, if you were to be elected President, would you use The Book Of Mormon to be sworn in on? (Please excuse my ignorance about your faith but I believe that is your religious text) Do you feel that your religious background would have any affect on your performance if elected President? Would it have any affect in dealing with dignitaries and governments that hold a different religion, and if so what? What place do you feel religion has for any elected official, if any?

For some time now politicians have said that they are for ‘family values’. I have heard this stated by politicians and candidates of every party. How do you exactly define family values? How do you plan to promote those values, if you were elected? And what recourse or alternative would be available to those Americans who have values separate of yours?

It appears that your views on abortion and gay rights have changed over the years. What has prompted your change of view? What is your exact position on these issues today?

Consider that America has taken on a war against the ideal of terrorism, and terrorists, in addition to being engaged in an active war in Iraq and maintaining troops in Afghanistan. Given this do you feel that your lack in being a member of the Armed Forces is a benefit, detractor, or of no concern? How do you come to this conclusion? What are your plans to protect America, as Commander-and-Chief?

Currently there have been many soundbites used by politicians of every party in discussing every platform and idea. In each question I have asked I hope for full and complete answers. I would rather an extremely long and complex answer that details exactly your plans and goals, rather than a short answer that details and explains nothing. I feel strongly about the use of snippets of information to almost convey an actual position. I feel that the recent win by democrats in the mid-term elections were due to this use of soundbites. How do you feel about this?

I thank your for your time to review this letter. I, and my readers, look forward your responses.

Sincerely,

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

Minorities, Television and 27 percent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is what I think, what about you?