Spike Lee ignores racial diversity

I love the film work of Spike Lee. I like the fact he takes on controversial topics. But his politics are something else.



I am a Black Republican. I support Republican ideals. You know, things like if you work hard you deserve to keep more of what you earn. Being self-responsible instead of relying on the Government. Having a strong militiary is one part of having a safe nation. And so on.

I disagree with the policies that President Obama and the Democrat-led Congress propose. Thing like letting the Government pick my healthcare for me. Having the Government decide how much money I should have. The Government deciding where my money should go instead of allowing me to expand my business or give to a charity or cause of my choice. Talking to nations and groups that have sworn to their God to kill all of us – and increasing their power by doing so, instead of ensuring they can’t hurt the nation and think twice before doing so. Forcing conservation by jacking up electricity costs and closing power plants. Stuff like that.

Does that make me a White man stuck in the 50's? Does it make Afican Americans like Colin Powell, Ken Blackwell, Condoleezza Rice, Janice Rogers Brown, Erik Rush, Ken Hamblin, Thomas Sowell, Yaphet Kotto, Lynn Swann, Karl Malone, Akindele Akinyemi, T.D Jakes, James Meredith, Vernon Robinson, Stanley Crouch - and I believe Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcom X – among so many others White? Spike Lee seems to think so.

He may not agree with the views of the Republican Party but that does not mean he should insult all Republicans with stereotypical comments. Just as he would be upset if he was stereotyped, or labeled as a liberal, tree-hugging, socialist, racist. I don't think such things can be said about him or most Democrats, but niether should Republicans be blasted.

And most of all I hate the way that Black culture, and American society in general, insists that African Americans must be Democrats. Like we don’t have minds and philosophies of life of our own. Like race is the only issue that we care about.

If Spike Lee makes a new film, I’ll still probaly go see it. But I’m way past tired of being blasted for a choice I make for my own life.

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...