Grammy's versus Black History Month - 2.11.2008.1

Why is it that I have seen news on ‘Cookie’ Thornton for a day last week, and then a bit later news on C.J. Turner, but I have yet to hear that 3 of the 6 defendants responsible for the rape, torture and kidnapping of Megan Williams have admitted their guilt? Why is it that I have seen maybe half a dozen missing women reports since the beginning of the year yet none of them have been Black, Hispanic/Latino or Asian. Why is it that major news media followed every aspect of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas case for 2 weeks, but there was barely 5 minutes of coverage on Wesley Snipes being found innocent of Federal charges? [Look at the linlks on the bottom for posts on the above.]

I bet right now there is more news out about who won Grammy's, and what the celebrities and entertainers wore than on Megan Williams, Wesley Snipes, and every Black woman and child that went missing in this nation since the beginning of the year. At the very least you think you would see more about African Americans since this is Black History Month, yet that isn’t the case.

In fact, there is more news about the drugs Heath Ledger took to kill himself (accidental or not), or the coverage of the news about Kayne West and Amy Winehouse winning awards than there was about the 3 villages in Darfur that were bombed on Friday, and the tens of thousands of men, women, and children that are fleeing for their lives.

But what can the major media do? It’s only Black History Month. It’s only realistic and a small portion of it positive non-entertainment related news about African Americans and Blacks in the world. That’s not something important. And besides the quota of positive Black news was filled with the coverage of Senator Obama winning Primaries and Caucuses.

I would say I’m being obtuse and sarcastic, except I don’t see anything on the major media that refutes such a thought. Nothing. In fact I will make a bet with anyone willing to take it. I say there will be more coverage (in minutes of airtime and/or number of related stories) on the Grammy red carpet and what Beyonce, Bai Ling, Soulja Boy Tell'em, Carrie Underwood all wore, than about Megan Williams, Darfur, Wesley Snipes winning his trial, and every other positive news event other than Senator Barack Obama, combined. I’d also bet that the Grammy’s will garner more attention than Senator Obama’s wins this weekend. I won’t even bother comparing it to coverage celebrating the African Americans who made 1000’s of inventions that we use every day or those that have given up their lives so that Obama can be a Senator now.

I think this is the perfect month to ask, why are those White Americans that run the major media so terrified to present positive and real events involving African Americans? Why is it that the only real media focus is on Blacks as entertainers or criminals? Even in the one, shortest month of the year when attention of a positive nature is supposed to be the secondary, or even terciary focus.

The most I’ve noticed are more television commercials with Blacks in them. Like the one from Time Warner Cable. The one with a woman comedian (who looks White – but could be incredibly light skinned) who thanks Richard Pryor (without ever mentioning his name) for letting her be able to joke about events in her life on stage. While that may be a breakthrough, I think the things that Time Warner could promote about Richard Pryor beyond that can fill hours of television time. Yet that’s the best homage they could manage. Not his writing, his work to fight Muscular Dystrophy (MS) or other events.

In fact even in schools there is a failure to recognize African Americans and there contributions to America. There are tens of thousands of things that African Americans have done over centuries to improve lives in America, but don’t think the major media or schools will mention that. From early versions of gas masks that saved lives of miners and firemen 100 years ago, to the Tuskegee Airmen who saved hundreds of lives and helped win WWII, what has been done is barely ever scratched.

I know of schools that have yet to discuss African Americans, though they are discussing the world history. Kids of all races know a lot about the Holocaust, yet few know anything about the causes of the Civil War and where freeing slaves really fell as a priority. And if it were up to major media, not a single child would learn a thing more than Blacks play games well, can sing and shake their asses, and some can make funny movies. That’s the message out there.

The more I think about it the more I get upset and insulted.

If you have kids, nieces or nephews, take a moment and ask them about Black History. See if they can name more than 5 famous names (and what those people did). See if they can name anyone beyond Senator Obama, Dr. Martin Luther King [the DR. part is important – he had a doctorate and it should be included in his memory], Malcolm X, Dr. George Washington Carver, and Booker T. Washington (rappers, sports figures, and other entertainers of general achievement don’t count). Ask them if they know the real reason America had a Civil War (freeing slaves was an afterthought – tying up loose ends). Ask if they have ever heard of the Tuskegee Airmen, or Tuskegee College for that matter. And if you don’t know these things you can learn about it too.

Everyone in America has seen the positives of White America, the positive news of various selfless acts, and the fears that occur when a White child is missing. I just wish the major media could give a little bit of attention to those same things for African Americans, or any people of color, at least during the shortest month of the year.

Since America is set against apologizing for the slavery that built the foundations of this nation, and livid at the mention of reparations fro that slavery, the Jim Crow laws and segregation that followed, a bit of positive images are the least that can be done.

NYC almost does something important - 3.8.2007.1

Another moment to take a stand and shine has come and passed, with little fanfare. With laws against booing [in the state of Washington] keeping the masses occupied New York City dabbled with an issue that affects roughly 15% of the nation. Take a moment and think if you have any idea what that might have been.

What came to your mind? Something on immigration? Maybe a thought on politics? Well you would be completely off the mark. I’m speaking about the use of the N-word. It’s an issue that deeply affects me, and millions of others of many races. As I’ve stated before that word is the single most offensive word in the English language, untranslatable and unchanged in the centuries of it’s use.

But the City Council of NYC had the chance to make a statement. They considered making a ban of the N-word, setting the stage for reforms across the country and providing an excuse for entertainers and celebrities (not to mention teachers and parents) a forum to discuss or investigate why the term is so wide-spread in its use today. Knowledge is the key to everything in life and this was a chance to educate the ignorance held by so many today.

I know, there are those readers and others out in the world that think I’m over reacting. The word is not a bad thing anymore. Its power has been taken back, changed and made something else now. The last 2 decades have given rise to new meanings and that is what has gone around the world. I say to that, “Take the wool off your eyes.” If any comment is more foolish than this I cannot imagine it, perhaps with the exception of the Native American Indians saying, ‘Hey, who are those guys? Maybe they need help and will be our friends?’ or perhaps, “What’s that big brown thing rushing towards me? I think I will call it ground. Maybe it will be my friend.” [Yes it’s not an exact quote but Mr. Douglas Adams would forgive me I think]

Obviously the City Council of NYC agrees with the view held by me, as does Mr. Michael Richards [doesn’t that prove the point right there?]. Their ban on this word was passed, and you may wonder why less time was spent reporting this than Ms. Rosie O’Donnell’s depression. Because it was a bunch of hot air. The usefulness of the ban rates on par with releasing known illegal immigrant child molesters on bail and expecting them to show up to court (as happened in Vermont not long ago).

The ban has no power. No fines, tickets, jail time, nothing. It’s useless. And the City Council of New York City wants to go to the Recording Academy to get the Grammy’s to ban nominating artists that use this word an the basis of the power contained in this fluff. Can you guess what the response will be?

Forgetting the naïveté of the youth of today, there is no question of the power of the word and its meaning. Considering that why make a pointless ban that serves no purpose than to give a small group of local politicians a talking point for their re-elections? As you can tell this situation has annoyed me.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Valentine's sweat, Bilk, Grammy - winners? 2.13.2007.1

Well here is something that may help out some guys tomorrow (Valentine’s Day). Not sure if you have the right gift for your lady? Not sure how to get the right response? Well you can try this, get sweaty. Yes, researchers now say that the scent given off by sweat is an aphrodisiac causing arousal and boosting mood for women. Shocking isn’t it.

No surprise that pheromones have always played a factor in attracting a mate, but now sweat seems just as important. Of course how much sweat is another question. Science finally figured out what male strippers, and any guy just back from the gym or hard work have known for quite some time. Still, if you missed getting the right gift from my online store (you can still get something to make up for getting it wrong), this could help make things right. We’ll see.

On a different note for those without a Valentine, you may be at the local bar drowning your sorrow. If you are adventurous there is something out there that may catch your attention. If you aren’t lactose intolerant and like milk why not try Bilk. That’s beer made from milk. Yes, someone has made beer that is milk based. Now guess where this idea came from? Japan of course.

Personally I think the Germans have it down pat when it comes to beer. Milk is not my cup of tea when it comes to fermented drinks. But in a land of technological innovation and unique styles it may be the next big thing. I would love to hear from anyone who has tried it to describe the taste. I just can’t imagine it. But it’s a new take on ‘milk does a body good’.

In other silly news, the Dixie Chicks won some Grammys over the weekend. Good for them I suppose. The funny thing is that they don’t get played on country music stations and the album they won for didn’t make the top 20 last year. But this seems to go well with the extended time that they were given during the Grammy Awards show to spout their comments. It also raises the question on whether the music industry was trying to push a political agenda or actually recognizing the best album. It’s a legitimate question considering the renowned position the Dixie Chicks took in 2003.

I personally am still upset about it. They can have any view they wish, they could have had a bit better tact about making those views public. But to each their own. And country music stations still have no interest in playing the Grammy winning song, album or artists. Makes you wonder if the Grammys are as far out of touch as the Oscar Awards are.

More soon. I’m still backlogged, and there is a bunch I want to discuss on the political side with the potential candidates, in particular Senator Obama.

This is what I think, what do you think?