Hey everybody!!! Yes, I fell off with doing the #31WriteNow challenge and I am sorry for that but I am going to try to finish out the month strong.
One of my fav past times is watching HuffPost Live. It is Huffington Post in live news segments. Along with their segments, they have panels where anybody can join. They recently had a panel about the new Netflix series, Orange is the New Black. They discussed the fact that a white woman had to be at the center of the show for the show to even get past the producer's desk. In the show, not only do we get the main character's story but we get subplots from the other prisoners. Some folks (black woman that writes for the Daily Beast) were mad that the black prisoners were just subplots and the fact that minorities have to be a part of the series for a prison show to be believable.
As I was watching this segment, it was apparent that homegirl was reaching for racism. And this seems to be a recurring theme: find the racism. Now if you have ever seen Orange is the New Black you will know that it has a more diverse cast than most shows and all characters are treated with respect. So if you find racism in this show then that is because you are looking for it. But why have we become the type of society that is always looking for racism? To be honest, it is exhausting. Racism is bad and takes you through a lot of emotions. Who has the time and energy to look for racism everyday?
By always looking for racism in every situation that does something dangerous: desensitize others to race issues. I was reading an article called "Is Food A Race Issue?". In the article, the author tries to make a correlation between the Trayvon Martin case and a lack of healthy foods in minority neighborhoods (side notes: there are a lack of grocery stores in poorer neighborhoods regardless of race. They are called food deserts.). Two problems with that: 1.We do not know if there were not grocery stores nearby Trayvon's neighborhood. 2. He was just wanting snacks to watch the game, not needing to go on a full grocery store trip. The author was really reaching to make this connection. In the comment section, a lot of people were fixated on the poor connection between Trayvon and lack of grocery stores instead of the issue of the article and thus started to mock the article. The readers of this articles just see this as another case of "the boy (or girl) that cried racism".
Yep, I have coined the term, "the boy (or girl) that cried racism". This is the direction we are going if we do not start picking our race battles. There is no reason for a March on Washington every time a show has a black character we do not like. There is no reason for a public apology every time we do not like a Youtube video. Racially insensitive people are amongst us. We can't change all of them. I don't know about you but the world is depressing enough. Some battles aren't even worth the time.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Friday, August 16, 2013
#SlaveryAintFunny
Hey everybody!!! If you have not heard, Russell Simmons had to issue an apology for a video that was uploaded to his new Youtube channel, All Def Digital. Considering the vast variety of videos that are on Youtube, you are probably wondering what is the problem with this video. The title alone might cause outrage: Harriet Tubman Sex Tape. This is a sketch where Harriet plans to blackmail her master by making a sex tape with him.
In a society where we can make a scene where a baby is punched in the face (The Campaign), a comedy sketch about Harriet Tubman is crossing the line. Tweeters made the argument that Harriet Tubman is too sacred to make her into a spoof. When making a video like this, we are making ourselves desensitize to this horrible time in history. But my question is, should we be that offended by a Youtube video that was made to be funny?
Comedy is just that, comedy. Comedy is used to make fun of the real world. Comedy is used to show the absurdity of a bad situation. Comedy is used to help people get through difficult times. I am not saying that certain comedies cannot offend but I believe we are becoming too sensitive when we start asking people to take videos down and give public apologies. There has been times I have been watching something that was consider "funny" but I found it offensive. Let's take multiple episodes of Family Guy, for example. For awhile, I stopped watching the show. There was a joke about child molestation and that was just too much. So I stopped watching it. As simple as that, I turn the channel and watched something else. I did not need Seth MacFarlane to write me an apology for the episode nor am I going to change.org to start a petition to get the episode banned from television.
At some point, we became a hyper-sensitive society, especially when it came to race. To a degree I can understand. The entertainment industry has a history of taking cheap shots at minorities. Even in 2013, black actresses have to fight to get roles besideds stereotypical roles in movies and TV shows. In the 21st century, black women are still cast as the sassy sidekick and every couple of decades, Viola Davis and Halle Berry will get a shot to play something other wise. So yea, I get it, this video most definitely is not helping the movement for good roles for black actresses. But do we have the right to demand apologies every time we are collectively offended?
That brings me to another issue. I have a huge problem with public apologies. I have just never seen one done right and they never come off genuine. It is understood that the accused celebrity is only apologizing because their publicist advised them to do so. When Rick Ross apologized for his infamous rape lyrics, I think I was more offended by his apology than by the lyric. I gave better apologies before I was about to get a whooping than this correctional officer turned gangsta rapper. Russell Simmons' apology was definitely forced by a publicist.
Was the video funny? Not at all. Not only because of the subject matter but the video was just not funny, like how The Other Guys was not funny. Do I feel it should have been taken down? No. We as a people need to learn to do what I do when I don't like something: Turn the channel.
In a society where we can make a scene where a baby is punched in the face (The Campaign), a comedy sketch about Harriet Tubman is crossing the line. Tweeters made the argument that Harriet Tubman is too sacred to make her into a spoof. When making a video like this, we are making ourselves desensitize to this horrible time in history. But my question is, should we be that offended by a Youtube video that was made to be funny?
Comedy is just that, comedy. Comedy is used to make fun of the real world. Comedy is used to show the absurdity of a bad situation. Comedy is used to help people get through difficult times. I am not saying that certain comedies cannot offend but I believe we are becoming too sensitive when we start asking people to take videos down and give public apologies. There has been times I have been watching something that was consider "funny" but I found it offensive. Let's take multiple episodes of Family Guy, for example. For awhile, I stopped watching the show. There was a joke about child molestation and that was just too much. So I stopped watching it. As simple as that, I turn the channel and watched something else. I did not need Seth MacFarlane to write me an apology for the episode nor am I going to change.org to start a petition to get the episode banned from television.
At some point, we became a hyper-sensitive society, especially when it came to race. To a degree I can understand. The entertainment industry has a history of taking cheap shots at minorities. Even in 2013, black actresses have to fight to get roles besideds stereotypical roles in movies and TV shows. In the 21st century, black women are still cast as the sassy sidekick and every couple of decades, Viola Davis and Halle Berry will get a shot to play something other wise. So yea, I get it, this video most definitely is not helping the movement for good roles for black actresses. But do we have the right to demand apologies every time we are collectively offended?
That brings me to another issue. I have a huge problem with public apologies. I have just never seen one done right and they never come off genuine. It is understood that the accused celebrity is only apologizing because their publicist advised them to do so. When Rick Ross apologized for his infamous rape lyrics, I think I was more offended by his apology than by the lyric. I gave better apologies before I was about to get a whooping than this correctional officer turned gangsta rapper. Russell Simmons' apology was definitely forced by a publicist.
Was the video funny? Not at all. Not only because of the subject matter but the video was just not funny, like how The Other Guys was not funny. Do I feel it should have been taken down? No. We as a people need to learn to do what I do when I don't like something: Turn the channel.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
#ChangeTheName
Hey everybody!!! Today I am singing "Change the name, change the name" to the tune of Destiny's Child, Say My Name. I am singing this because apparently the government can make you change your child's name. When in a Tennessee court parents were going back and forth about their child's last name, the judge decided that she had a problem with the child's first name, Messiah. She said that that name only belonged to one human being and that is Jesus. She ruled that the mother had to change the name. The mother is appealing the decision.
I do not completely agree with the judge on her decision, but I wonder should the government at times step in when parents insist on giving their child a crazy name. Some might say that when the government gets involved with child naming that they are imposing on our freedoms. But it made me wonder should the government get involved when a parent really does give their child an off-the-wall name. I remember some time ago reading about a woman whose name is Marijuana Pepsi. That was her first and middle name. She has to go throughout her life named Marijuana Pepsi. Can you imagine the look on the teacher's face on the first day of school? Can you imagine the look on the employer's face when they see her application? If a judge had ordered her parents to change her name, would her life been any different? Well, she is a college counselor so I guess she is doing okay.
Every parent thinks their child is unique and trys to portray that in their name. And I do not have a problem with that. But, parents, do not get crazy. Remember that this child has to be around other children. True enough kids are cruel and will find a reason to tease, but do not make your child an easy target. Don't name your child something absurd to make yourself feel edgy. And it really irks my nerves when celebrities do it. Kanye and Kim are the recent culprits of this by naming their child North West. I'm not feeling it. one. bit. I feel celebrities just do it for the headlines.
I'm not sure if I have a problem with Messiah, but I do have a problem with Devious (yes, some parent named their child this). These kids have to get jobs one day. Don't mess up their ability to take care of themselves in the future.
What do you guys think about the judge interfering with the naming of the child?
I do not completely agree with the judge on her decision, but I wonder should the government at times step in when parents insist on giving their child a crazy name. Some might say that when the government gets involved with child naming that they are imposing on our freedoms. But it made me wonder should the government get involved when a parent really does give their child an off-the-wall name. I remember some time ago reading about a woman whose name is Marijuana Pepsi. That was her first and middle name. She has to go throughout her life named Marijuana Pepsi. Can you imagine the look on the teacher's face on the first day of school? Can you imagine the look on the employer's face when they see her application? If a judge had ordered her parents to change her name, would her life been any different? Well, she is a college counselor so I guess she is doing okay.
Every parent thinks their child is unique and trys to portray that in their name. And I do not have a problem with that. But, parents, do not get crazy. Remember that this child has to be around other children. True enough kids are cruel and will find a reason to tease, but do not make your child an easy target. Don't name your child something absurd to make yourself feel edgy. And it really irks my nerves when celebrities do it. Kanye and Kim are the recent culprits of this by naming their child North West. I'm not feeling it. one. bit. I feel celebrities just do it for the headlines.
I'm not sure if I have a problem with Messiah, but I do have a problem with Devious (yes, some parent named their child this). These kids have to get jobs one day. Don't mess up their ability to take care of themselves in the future.
What do you guys think about the judge interfering with the naming of the child?
Monday, August 12, 2013
#IAdmirePaul
Hey everybody!!! When you think of figures in the Bible that inspire most people, some go-to's are Jesus, Noah, or Job. Now don't get me wrong, these guys are awesome. But an apostle that inspires me to reevaluate my whole life is the Apostle Paul.
Paul (formerly Saul) was not somebody you wanted to be friends with when we first meet him in the Bible. Because of misdirected zeal, homeboy was persecuting Christians left and right, even women and children. He wasn't even remorseful about it because he thought this is what God wanted him to do. Yep, he thought God wanted him to kill these nonviolent people that weren't a threat to a flea. Well, Jesus was not having it and blinded Paul. When Paul started to pray and believe the truth, his sight was restored. He then went on to preach the good news and make disciples.
One thing I admire about him is his humility. At 1 Corinthians 15:9, 10, Paul admits that he did not deserve to be called an apostle. He understood that what he had done in the past was bad...really bad. He wasn't the reason that the disciple-making work was being done but because of God's undeserved kindness. He was only doing what God wanted him to do. Paul's ability to endure hard times puts your worst day to shame. While on missionary trips, Paul was shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, had sleepless nights, went hungry, and was probably going blind (2 Corinthians 11:23-28 and Acts 23:1-5). Yet, he never stopped preaching. When I'm in traffic too long, I'm ready to roundhouse kick every car on the highway. There is a lot I could learn from the Apostle Paul.
People nowadays use being imperfect as an excuse to mess up. But Paul, too, was imperfect and made note of that. But he tried to work on improving his flaws. And even though he was a leader in the congregation, he wasn't puffed with power. Instead, he led with love and compassion. People become the shift manager at Burger King and the power goes straight to their head.
Paul was awesome! When I'm ready to throw in the towel, I think of Paul and his perseverance. I meditate on what Paul had to overcome and I realize that I can go another day. Not every day is going to be easy but like Paul we can depend on Jehovah's strength to get us through any trail or tribulation.
Paul (formerly Saul) was not somebody you wanted to be friends with when we first meet him in the Bible. Because of misdirected zeal, homeboy was persecuting Christians left and right, even women and children. He wasn't even remorseful about it because he thought this is what God wanted him to do. Yep, he thought God wanted him to kill these nonviolent people that weren't a threat to a flea. Well, Jesus was not having it and blinded Paul. When Paul started to pray and believe the truth, his sight was restored. He then went on to preach the good news and make disciples.
One thing I admire about him is his humility. At 1 Corinthians 15:9, 10, Paul admits that he did not deserve to be called an apostle. He understood that what he had done in the past was bad...really bad. He wasn't the reason that the disciple-making work was being done but because of God's undeserved kindness. He was only doing what God wanted him to do. Paul's ability to endure hard times puts your worst day to shame. While on missionary trips, Paul was shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, had sleepless nights, went hungry, and was probably going blind (2 Corinthians 11:23-28 and Acts 23:1-5). Yet, he never stopped preaching. When I'm in traffic too long, I'm ready to roundhouse kick every car on the highway. There is a lot I could learn from the Apostle Paul.
People nowadays use being imperfect as an excuse to mess up. But Paul, too, was imperfect and made note of that. But he tried to work on improving his flaws. And even though he was a leader in the congregation, he wasn't puffed with power. Instead, he led with love and compassion. People become the shift manager at Burger King and the power goes straight to their head.
Paul was awesome! When I'm ready to throw in the towel, I think of Paul and his perseverance. I meditate on what Paul had to overcome and I realize that I can go another day. Not every day is going to be easy but like Paul we can depend on Jehovah's strength to get us through any trail or tribulation.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
#BestWantedSignEver
Hey everybody!!! One day while browsing Huffington Post, I came across this funny story. Some guy had his Amazon purchase stolen from his porch. To find the culprit, he posted this wanted sign around his neighborhood(Sorry you cannot read the sign clearly. To get a better view go here):
The first thing that made me cackle at this picture was his description of the criminal. He says that "this is a woman or the bounty hunter has let himself go." I died and was resurrected after that line alone. This man started off his wanted sign with no mercy. I also loved how he referenced Antione Dodson in his description: Hide your kids, hide your wife, and hide your internet purchases because they robbing everybody out here. But the laughs do not stop there. When giving the details of the perp he says that her eyes are lacking a soul, her nationality is Un-American, sex is female-ish, and hair is cheesy blonde dye job. Homeboy has the best sense of humor.
Unfortunately, we live in a sad world. Instead of working, some people rather snatch your internet purchases off your porch. This man showed us that to endure injustices sometimes you have to have a sense of humor. I do not know if the woman was caught or not, but I hope that she saw this sign and was shame. If not for stealing, at least be shame for that dye job.
What do you think of this man's wanted sign?
Friday, August 9, 2013
#10QuestionsIWantToAskQuestlove
Hey everybody!!! Sorry for missing day 8 but it was just not a good day for me. But I was not ready to throw in the towel on the #31WriteNow challenge. So I am back to give you another amusing post.
I know that in my last few posts I have mentioned Questlove and even wrote a post about how I have a crush on him. But as I am finishing his book I have come up with questions that I want to ask if I ever get to meet him. The following are ten questions I would ask the musical genius Questlove:
I know that in my last few posts I have mentioned Questlove and even wrote a post about how I have a crush on him. But as I am finishing his book I have come up with questions that I want to ask if I ever get to meet him. The following are ten questions I would ask the musical genius Questlove:
- How did you make up for the time you choked when you met Prince? (When he first met Prince he was very much so star strucked but he would meet him again and would even be invited to a roller skate party hosted by Prince. I want to know how that second meeting went down.)
- How did you overcome the awkwardness between you, Erykah Badu, Q-Tip, and Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) after the infamous Vibe interview? (I'm not sure if the interview was infamous but it sounded like it was infamous by the situation that followed.)
- Do you still believe people find it weird that you at times like regular hip-hop? (With being considered an artsy hip-hop artist and all)
- What ratchet songs do you hate to admit that you like? (I like Gutta Chick by Trai'D, myself)
- As a child, did you ever wish that you were like the other children when it came to your music taste? (I use to wish I liked more hip-hop instead of old school doo-wop)
- What is one band as a teenager that you would not dare admit to your peers that you liked? (There is no way I would have admitted to my peers that I liked the Mamas and Papas)
- If you had to pick one to do for the rest of your life, which one would you do: DJ or play drums?
- Who are some artists that you felt were adding to the "death" of hip hop but then had a change of heart? What made you have a change of hear about that artist? (I know I am cheating by asking 2 questions. Think of it as a part A and a part B)
- What artists have you worked with that surprised you with how much you both thought alike musically?
- When you change direction in your music are you scared of losing your fan base?
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
#FakeItToYouMakeIt
Hey everybody!!! And welcome to day 7 of the #31WriteNow challenge. It's only day 7 and I already feel like I am running out of topics. But I will continue to press on and come up with something for the remaining 24 days.
You have probably heard the title of this post before, "Fake it to you make it." This saying has never been more true than in the story I read this week. A rap group from the Bronx, Da YoungFellaz, has spent $130,000 in marketing loans on weed and 1st class tickets to music festivals where they were not even scheduled to perform. Even crazier, they spent $25,000 in 3 months and have only promoted one song! To get the details on this story, click here.
What is this madness? Is this what we have to look forward to for the future of hip-hop? You got people rapping about having millions but they are basically living off loans. That sounds like some people that live in my neck of the woods. This is a perfect example of people that want the lifestyle but do not want to work for it. They want the fame, cars, clothes, 1st class flights, but they do not want to get in the studio and work for it or hit the pavement and promote it.
Can I blame them entirely? Well, I will put 95% of the blame on them. The other 5% goes to those who on a basis highlight the lives of these celebrities. Believe it or not, there was a time when every moment of a celebrity's life was not splashed on the cover of every magazine. People knew celebrities were rich but it was not something that everyone was trying to attain. When magazines are plastered with photos of celebrities private vacation and Forbes comes out with a "Who is the richest celebrity in the world?" list every week, it has made people want to try to get this life also. The media has glamorized a celebrity's lifestyle. Now you got everybody wanting to fly on a private jet.
Now if you have private jet money cool, but if you have Greyhound Bus money at best, you most definitely need not to use other people's money trying to pose. Not cool. What happen to work hard, play hard? Now, it's work somewhat, play harder. I cannot support this new attitude.
Do you think the sensationalism of the rich and famous has added to people wanting to act like celebrities?
You have probably heard the title of this post before, "Fake it to you make it." This saying has never been more true than in the story I read this week. A rap group from the Bronx, Da YoungFellaz, has spent $130,000 in marketing loans on weed and 1st class tickets to music festivals where they were not even scheduled to perform. Even crazier, they spent $25,000 in 3 months and have only promoted one song! To get the details on this story, click here.
What is this madness? Is this what we have to look forward to for the future of hip-hop? You got people rapping about having millions but they are basically living off loans. That sounds like some people that live in my neck of the woods. This is a perfect example of people that want the lifestyle but do not want to work for it. They want the fame, cars, clothes, 1st class flights, but they do not want to get in the studio and work for it or hit the pavement and promote it.
Can I blame them entirely? Well, I will put 95% of the blame on them. The other 5% goes to those who on a basis highlight the lives of these celebrities. Believe it or not, there was a time when every moment of a celebrity's life was not splashed on the cover of every magazine. People knew celebrities were rich but it was not something that everyone was trying to attain. When magazines are plastered with photos of celebrities private vacation and Forbes comes out with a "Who is the richest celebrity in the world?" list every week, it has made people want to try to get this life also. The media has glamorized a celebrity's lifestyle. Now you got everybody wanting to fly on a private jet.
Now if you have private jet money cool, but if you have Greyhound Bus money at best, you most definitely need not to use other people's money trying to pose. Not cool. What happen to work hard, play hard? Now, it's work somewhat, play harder. I cannot support this new attitude.
Do you think the sensationalism of the rich and famous has added to people wanting to act like celebrities?
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