Roxanne's Revenge Indeed

My heart is so full of pride right now I can barely write. How about a hand for my girl Dr. Roxanne Shante (nee Lolita Gooden).



Hers is not a new story if you know anything about the recording industry. However the outcome of her story is unique in its triumph and inspiration.

Read the link above for the full story, but in a nutshell Ms. Gooden's contract with Warner Bros. had a clause that stated in lieu of royalties Warner Bros. would pay her education costs--for life. After lackluster sales of her second and third albums Ms. Gooden decided to pursue a PhD. Well, as labels do Warner Bros. denied Ms. Gooden her just do. Thanks to a dean who believed in her and good attorneys Ms. Gooden's is now Dr. Roxanne Shante--I mean Dr. Lolita Gooden.

I hope Prince sends her a bottle of champagne.

Fight the Power....

Can It Be That It Was All So Simple Then?

The 90's feel more like a two hundred years ago than a mere twenty.

In the 90's hip hop made you wanna shake your booty and pick up a book.

In the 90's Black Gen Xers began fulfilling the promise made by those that marched for us.


One promise fulfilled was the portrayal Black folks in film as multi-dimensional beings. I have the utmost respect for Bill Robinson, Hattie McDaniel and Ethel Waters. It’s heartbreaking to see talent such as theirs reduced to "yasssm" on screen. In the 90's filmmakers introduced audiences to multi-faceted characters thereby ushering in the second golden era of Black Cinema.

During the previous decade the highest paid movie star not only made money for various studios; he put Black folks on screen and behind the camera. In the previous decade our most prolific Black director not only opened our minds, he opened doors for younger Black directors. In the aughts, there seems to be no interest in reaching back and bringing others along.

Now the top earning actor in Hollywood (who happens to be Black) isn't even interested in pushing for a Black love interest in his films so I guess I shouldn't expect him to help green light the next Love Jones or Eve's Bayou? And while Tyler Perry has a very inspiring personal story and writes/directs very entertaining films; his is not the only perspective. Does he go to festivals? Has he not seen anyone else's work that's worthy of wide distribution?

The irony is Hollywood, like the music industry, continues to bemoan audience disinterest yet doesn't have enough awareness to examine what made them successful in years past. The head of Lionsgate knows the demographic for Diary of a Mad Black Woman. More importantly he knows $50MM domestic gross is pretty good on a $5.5MM production budget. Studio heads stick with a proven formula (see Judd Apatow) which is why it’s important for those with power and influence to promote talented newcomers. It's important. It's their responsibility. It's fulfilling a promise.

I don't expect studios to crank out Daughters of the Dust every quarter. I do however expect at least one Love and Basketball or Malcolm X for every Madea Goes to Jail.

Fight the power...

Judging Books By Their Covers

Right, so it's usually a bad idea to judge a book by its cover or a movie by its first five minutes, but guess what your favorite impulsive, cynic did? You got it walked out maybe two minutes into this. If you know me you'll just chuckle, shake your head and wonder exactly what it is I want from the world.


Hold tight I'm going to share.

Adam Sandler is not a must see actor for me but I gained respect for his abilities after pretty good performances in Spanglish and Big Daddy. Judd Apatow, however, has written/produced the same movie over and over again from "The 40 Year Old Virgin" to "Knocked Up" to "Pineapple Express".

Don't get me wrong, I get why you don't change a money making formula, but seriously I've got better stuff going on in my imagination than this crap. Furthermore, I always get pissed off when white writers/directors attribute their words, thoughts and feelings to Black characters. Now you may say that's the essence of acting and in some instances you would be correct--not this one. Writers craft dialogue to be spoken by characters that good actors convincingly convey. However, bad writers craft dialogue that pulls the curtain back on their own insecurities and prejudices. Had anybody even considered whether white men could or couldn't jump before that movie? Right.

I'm not going to talk about a movie entitled "Funny People" and the glaring absence of any Black comedians or mention of Richard Pryor. What I do want to discuss is the first five minutes of the movie in which RZA and Seth Rogen are having a conversation about what's funny. Seth Rogen says that his ambition is to be like Seinfeld. RZA states that he'll never be that funny. "Seinfeld is funny...and Kramer, Kramer gets a pass from me cuz Kramer is my nigger."

Word Judd Apatow?

RZA at some point you'll do an interview and explain why you didn't push back on that line. Mr. Apatow, there is videotape of Michael Richards rant and there's no room for interpretation. Michael Richards is on a time out. PERIOD.

Larry David is having a Seinfeld reunion of sorts on Curb Your Enthusiasm. The brass at HBO knows a PR disaster in the making and has wisely hidden Mr. Richards during all the promos.

If I were Michael Richards' friend I might feel sorry for him and wish I could revive his career too. But I'm not his friend and have no sympathy for him. There was venom in those words. He wasn't kidding and it wasn't part of his act. That said, Mr. Apatow keep your bullshit prejudices to yourself.

I look forward to Spike Lee's next movie "Mel Gibson--What a Great Guy".

Peace & Blessings

Fight the Power...

Redemption

YESSSSS!

Hypocrisy and Irony

One of my guilty TV pleasures is the Real Housewives of Atlanta. I often visit fan sites where viewers comment on the show as well as the real lives of the Housewives. What's struck me about this season is all the noise about Kandi Burress' fiancé having six children by four different women. I'm not going to comment on whether he's an irresponsible guy or a good match for her because that's not my call. What intrigues me are the folks that are screaming long and loud about the situation. Are these folks the same people who don't want sex education in schools? Are they Right to Life supporters?

Without adequate sex education how is a young man, most likely from a single-parent, female headed home, learn how to put a condom on? It's not rocket science, but it’s not easy for someone just getting to know their body. Additionally, how does a teenage boy find out that birth control methods of urban legend don't work? Furthermore, given the role of religion in African American households especially, how does this same young man approach his mother to tell her he's supporting his girlfriend in getting an abortion?

Roe v. Wade, while the law of the land, has been codified and limited to virtual non-existence in 38 of the 50 states. Beyond that, what teenage girl can handle facing angry protesters when approaching her local clinic for information let alone an abortion? Right to Life advocates not only fight against abortion and birth control--these same zealots usually serve as the morality police--disparaging young men and women for being teenage, single parents.

If young people were taught how to prevent the unwanted consequences of their actions perhaps we'd lessen the incidences of men and women having multiple children with multiple partners. Granted there are some irresponsible mofos in the world but I just don't think you can paint everyone with the same brush.

My mother says life lessons come from the oddest places sometimes.

What I learned from the Real Housewives of ATL... judge not lest ye be judged.

Peace & Blessings

Are 15 Minutes of Fame Worth Your Dignity?

When I was little I desperately wanted to be on the show Fame. As an adult I treasure my privacy and want nothing to do with a spotlight of any sort except here spouting my views on politics, politics of the media and the crappy music corporate radio forces us to listen to.

Did Katy Abram (pictured left) think about what she'd be giving up for the 15 minutes of fame she'd gain by making inane statements at Arlen Specter's town hall?

She said:
"I don’t believe this is just about health care. It’s not about TARP, it’s not about Left and Right. This is about the systematic dismantling of this country. "


And this:
"I am only 35-years-old, I have never been interested in politics. You have awakened a sleeping giant. We are tired of this! This is why everybody in this room is so ticked off. I don’t want this country turning into Russia, turning into a socialized country. My question for you is what are you going to do to restore this country back to what our founders created according to the Constitution?"


Mrs. Abram was on Hardball today to discuss her statements. Substitute host Lawrence O'Donnell asked Mrs. Abram if she thought Medicare should be repealed given her statement that "this country should return to what the founders created according to the constitution" Medicare being Socialism and all. She floundered for a long time before he mercifully posed the question anecdotally. He asked whether she'd encourage her parents to refuse Medicare coverage when they reached 65. Mrs. Abram giggled nervously, replying that she didn't discuss politics with her parents. Fair enough I don't discuss politics with my parents either.


He then asked why she hadn't felt compelled to become politically active after 9/11 or when the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq began. Mrs. Abram said that the last war she'd paid attention to was the Gulf War and it seemed to her we were always at war with someone so she hadn't really paid attention. [Sigh]


So let me get this straight, you are a mother and it didn't seem important to pay attention to your country getting into two wars. The most horrific event in modern history occurs and you don't think you should pay attention to how the government will respond and protect us going forward? On September 11th 2001 I thought insurgents were going to kick in my front door! You have children Mrs. Abram and you weren't paying attention?


During the Hardball interview Mrs. Abram also said that she "guessed" she trusted the government more back then-- subsequent to 9/11. [Sigh] I'm not going to go into torture, abuses of power, warrantless wiretapping, Mission Accomplished, heckuva job Brownie and the rest of the nonsense from the previous administration. I will say that having been on the set of commercials, movies and music videos I know how exciting and enticing that world is. However you should not trade in your dignity for bright lights. Mrs. Abram whatever your reasons for going on Hardball today I hope you watch the videotape and realize how much catching up to need to do.


I hope Mrs. Abram broadens her reading material and the places in which she consumes news.


If she and people like her don't--we are all in a lot of trouble.

Do Not Piss Her Off

Before the South Carolina primary I seriously wanted Hillary Clinton for president. She's tough, smart and a brilliant attorney. Most of all she takes no shit. As a chick who takes no shit I appreciate her.

Before anyone goes on a jag about her forgiving Bubba keep in mind you have no idea what goes on behind closed doors. After watching this display can't you hear her saying "You better get an intern to suck your d*ck." Actually if that's how it went down that would be awesome.

We all know by now that the question was misstated by the translator. The student was asking for President Obama's opinion not President Clinton. However the Hillary apologists are blaming her reaction on the heat and a sore elbow.

Hmmm...so if Hillary were 44 would we already be at war with Iran? It's pretty hot there too.

Just sayin...

Oh when you read that link try to keep your head from exploding as Tina Brown claims Obama "stole her exceptionalism" and played the Ace of being African American to her Queen of Clubs.

What does that even mean?

UPDATE: Okay so the student really did want Bill Clinton's opinion, but that's no excuse for behaving like you have no home training.

Am I Being Punked?

An armed man can attend a town hall meeting with the POTUS, yet an angry old man mouths off to a cop and ends up cooling his heels in lock up. Oh and let us not forget that the cop who arrested said angry old man and falsified the police report actually got the opportunity to have a beer with the POTUS. *sigh* Am I being punked?

I do understand how a concealed weapon permit works. I am aware that technically this guy wasn't breaking the law but that doesn't assuage my anger.

What really are these folks at the town hall meetings protesting against? Medicare has been around since the 60's and Social Security since the 30's and the government seems to be doing an okay job running those. The VA offers probably the best healthcare in the world. Why would the government be unable to administer a system for the rest of us? If the uninsured continue to use emergency rooms at public hospitals your taxes will go up anyway. Additionally, when all those fat hillbillies in Kentucky and Mississippi have to go on Medicare for their insulin your taxes will go up as well. By disqualifying people with pre-existing conditions like asthma and acid reflux aren't the insurance companies "rationing" care?

I'll be here all day to respond to anymore irrational fear....jackasses.

I think the answers to my questions really lie in the following comments found here:

"Not only am I against nationalized health care because it represents an inexorable path towards socialism, but also because the expanding ranks of bureaucrats will be filled with inept blacks, who simply lack the administrative and cognitive skills to process the mounds of paperwork resulting from such an imposing bureaucracy. Anyone who has spent a few years in the Army can tell you how the administrative, personnel and financial systems are screwed up. And the reason--incompetent blacks. This link demonstrates the incredibly frightening extent in which blacks are overrepresented in the federal work force. "

and this:

"This, in addition to America's history and character as a country of liberty in comparison with statist Europe, is the major reason why America must not, and I believe will not, opt for national health. First, it's often been pointed out that unlike in Europe, which (even today) has greater white homogeneity, in America the vastly greater use of health care by misbehaving, violent, fast-food eating, obese, sickly blacks and Hispanics will very quickly bankrupt the system, with whites paying for it. But the comments here bring out a further reason why America's particular type of racial diversity makes any kind of socialized or quasi-sociaized medicine suicidal. We have a combined black and Hispanic population of 70 million, with a combined average IQ of 88. (I'm roughly averaging the 85 black IQ with the 90 HIspanic IQ.) And these sub-competent and often anti-white people will largely be running the huge government bureacracy."


I hope you visit the site so you can read what the rest of the intellectual giants who post there have to say.

I want my country back!!!!!

Oh wait this isn't really my country.

Peace & Blessings