Tag Archives: Black America

We supported ‘Black Panther,’ but what happened to’Birth Of A Nation’??

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It has taken me a while to come back to the laboratory to sit here and come up with something say in regards to the condition of my so-called black people. I’ve tried to wrap myself in African-American literature, taken time off from social media, even developed an unusual yet satisfying habit for wine and cigarettes. Perhaps anyone from the outside looking in could play the “armchair psychiatrist” and diagnose me as suffering from clinical depression, which would have been painful to acknowledge, nevertheless it would have been true. Finally, I’d decided to take it to a higher power although many Negroes will clichingly joke with their faces grimacing ear to ear saying, “Jesus take the wheel!” Although I’m currently in that process, it still seems other so-called black folk are looking for superficial ways to come together as a people through fictional stories and symbolism. This leads me to the Black Panther and like most I was excited to see not just an predominantly black cast (including the director), but to see a black super hero brought to you by Stan Lee by way of Marvel Comics. The need for a critical analyses is not necessary in fact, one can simply type up “My Thoughts on… or Black Panther: Decoded, and How Important was…and you will end up with thousands upon thousands of Negroes giving their Siskel and Ebert thumbing praises on the movie. Did I see the film you ask? Absolutely but I wasn’t about to go to the extreme and rock out some dyshiki’s and kente cloth over Black Panther like I was attending a African Comic-Con (no disrespect to the black nerds who support the artist btw)! Also, let me get this out the way real quick: I am a former artist and former comic/video game head so I understand where a lot of these Negroes are coming from with going to the movies dressed up in their African garb. However, I’ve out grown games and comics but for the sake of this movie, I get it.

sticker,420x460-pad,420x460,f8f8f8Black Panther ended up doing historic numbers opening day weekend at the box office brining in a whopping $370.5 million making it the highest for a debuting franchise. As of February 27, 2018, the film has grossed a worldwide total of $782.2 million; quickly earning a buzz from movie critics and fans alike believing the film will amass well over the billion dollars mark when its all said and done. Speaking of the fans, Negroes have set up posts on social media declaring “Wakanda Week” or if the someone says or does something unsavory in the all seeing eyes of black Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, they are immediately bombarded with taunts and dislikes letting them know they are NOT from Wakanda! As funny as it maybe, black folks have become overzealous about this movie and with it’s not hard to understand why. Fictional as it maybe be, there were not only indelible characters and images that didn’t portray black people in the usual stereotypical norms; but from Black Panther/T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), Erik “KillMonger” Stevens (Michael B. Jordan; to Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o); Okoye (Danai Gurira); and Shuri (Letitia Wright), starred in phenomenal roles which were entertaining and immensely positive. Simply stated, this movie gave our young children something they don’t normally get to see on the big screen from black people: a sense of pride and respect for family and their native country. With that being said, there remains a small grey, ominous cloud that has shattered my once exuberant joy in regards to this motion picture that begs the question: What about Birth Of A Nation?
In early January 2016, Birth Of A Nation much like Black Panther, was an highly anticipated release scheduled for the fall in early October. It was championed at various independent film festivals and even garnered an early Oscar buzz. Those early acclamations sooned turned into disparaging declarations of rape, aimed at the film’s producer, director, and star Nate Parker. Stemming from an incident in 1999 while a student athlete at Penn State, Parker and co-writer Jean McGianni were formally charged with sexual assault but both were acquitted by jury. After starring in several prominent roles prior to B.O.A.N., the media begun to attack Parker including the accuser’s brother who called Parker a “rapist” even insinuating the actor/director for being the reason which lead to the accuser committing suicide in 2012. Despite the actor defending his image and feeling empathy for the accuser in several Facebook posts and interviews, Women Right’s groups-mainly white and black feminists- continued to slander Parker in articles and on television platforms. One feminazi in particular-Amber Phillips- was especially vicious during a live taping on Roland Martin’s “News One Now” program after the film’s October release. Phillips, like many other black female guests, wanted to make B.O.A.N. about sexual assault and felt that was more important than the Nat Turner story itself. The shows host Roland Martin, was later accused of tweeting and insinuating the movie flopped due to the non-support by black women. Needless to say it didn’t help Parker’s situation once black society found out the actor was married to a white woman, something many sister’s despise.In the end, Birth Of A Nation and the story of Nat Turner, was sabotaged.
As I scroll up and down my YouTube page trying to avoid all of the Black Panther mania that has mezmorized Negroes like hair weave and Jordan’s; I think of what could have been with B.OA.N.. It’s like some of us, or maybe many of “us” didn’t see what the liberal media was doing prior to the release of Parker’s movie. Because the movie surrounded a black man fighting back against his white slave master (which represents our modern-day system) and winning, there was no way Hollywood was going to green light this picture. Knowing this he saved up his own money, sided with a few investors and got the film made on a mere eight and a half million dollar budget. Though the movie managed to recoup its budget by grossing over $16 million, however, due to the controversy surrounding the film Foxlight Pictures cancelled the international release. In the words of you super militant, red, black and green Negroes white supremacy two, black America, zero. Now some of you may ask “What do you mean white supremacy TWO?” The “TWO” comes from the original “Birth Of A Nation” produced and directed by D. W. Griffith in 1915 that revitalized the “Second Era” of the Klu Klux Klan and was used as a recruiting tool. Not only was the movie hailed as a landmark achievement, it depicted one of the most racist organizations in American history as heroes; meanwhile the Negroes (who were white actors in blackface) as buffoons, imbecilic, and sexually aggressive towards white women. So do you think it was a coincidence that over a hundred years later “they” ran the same play in real life with Nate Parker who played a rebellious slave? See, they’ll let us have our Black Panther because its fiction and black folks won’t never become someone like a “KillMonger” in real life. I would go on but I think I’ve said enough already and besides I really don’t want that grey cloud to return again. No more wine and cigarettes.
Grace & Peace.

Kaepernick’s ‘Unpatriotic’ Conviction

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“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color…” “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

(http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000691077/article/colin-kaepernick-explains-why-he-sat-during-national-anthem)

As the dog days of the national sports world comes to a close, many networks are looking for virtually anything newsworthy to chew on until college and pro football lines up for the opening snap. That includes socio-political issues that have become immersed in sports talk much to the chagrin to the common man’s sports junkie pleasure. Which brings me to the story of Colin Kaepernick, who, for all intended purposes, might not even keep a roster spot by years end. The story of Kaepernick’s political protest has created lighting rod in sports talk because it has more to do with what’s critical and eye opening instead of what’s popular. It transcends the sports world and makes typical Americans focus on a matter that’s often swept under the rug. No, we’re not talking about the usual “black on black crime” that usually circulates the media circuit and puts the emphasis on black folks to get it together. Kaepernick’s statements shines a light on law enforcement which is to the American masses is a slap in the face, followed by an indignant middle finger to everything deemed “white American.” By Kaepernick refusing to stand and acknowledge the national anthem, he has become in many people’s eyes an “anti-American” who is ungrateful for what our military has done—past or present—so he can have the opportunity to enjoy life as a citizen of the alleged free world. How dare Colin commit the sin of patriotic blasphemy, or did he?

None of Kaepernick’s detractors will stick to what he actually said, nor will they point to the reason why he said it. They are quick to point out our service men but will not address our local so-called service men that have gotten away with killing black people with impunity. For instance, you have law enforcement that has been captured on camera murdering African-Americans in cold blood, yet these same officers have as Kaepernick has stated, “getting paid leave for getting away with murder.” So how does such a pivotal statement get misconstrued? Simple because Colin has as Stephen A. Smith articulated, made Americans choose sides; like it or not. If one was to look at social media this past weekend, you can clearly see how the American populous took to Colin’s conviction which was mostly met with venomous ire.

Then you have your Victor Cruz’s and now Jerry Rice’s of the world coming forth trying to diffuse Colin’s stance at the appeasement or out of their own opinion, which coincidentally sides with the prevailing popular opinion—of white folks. I wonder though if these Negro athletes are familiar with the person who wrote the national anthem in the first place? None other than American honored Francis Scott Key, who was a lawyer by day and a slaveholder by all means necessary to benefit the capitalistic so-called patriot. Even if one was to dive in the annals of the Smithsonianmag.com, there lies an article which begs to question “Where’s the Debate on Francis Scott Key’s Slave-Holding Legacy?” Here’s an excerpt for those who just don’t know:

In 1814, Key was a slaveholding lawyer from an old Maryland plantation family, who thanks to a system of human bondage had grown rich and powerful.

When he wrote the poem that would, in 1931, become the national anthem and proclaim our nation “the land of the free,” like Jefferson, Key not only profited from slaves, he harbored racist conceptions of American citizenship and human potential. Africans in America, he said, were: “a distinct and inferior race of people, which all experience proves to be the greatest evil that afflicts a community.” (http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/wheres-debate-francis-scott-keys-slave-holding-legacy-180959550/?no-ist)

If one was to read further in the article, you would discover that Key’s racist views were parallel to President Thomas Jefferson and many others; for even he too thought the Negro was a inferior being. With that being said, how can anyone justify their scrutiny towards Kaepernick for not standing for a country whose original sin continues to haunt them at every angle? Whether it be through the media or our government, the fact is the so-called American Negro hasn’t received its well-deserved justice and those who think otherwise are living in a color blind society.  America has made it common practice for the Negro to forget what has happen to his ancestors while having no problem propping up so-called Jews and the travesty of their Holocaust. This is the minimization of black culture which gives rise to the affluent blacks who have quote, “made it” but share the same ideology that is pro bono for white folks.

In the end, what Colin Kaepernick has done is open that same can of worms that too often gets fed to self-righteous journalists, pundits, and typical American skeptics who would rather hear about if Colin will make it to his or hers fantasy league. Given his limited platform, Kaepernick has decided to break the sports code for Negroes by not only refusing to acknowledge the national anthem, but telling you why he does by directly pointing to an institutional problem with law enforcement. I wonder, would Kaepernick’s stance be considered this “newsworthy” if it was something other than black lives? Kaepernick’s stance should leave the normal American downtrodden NOT because you agree or disagree with Colin, but for the simple fact that when you express your beliefs according to our Bill of Rights, you get vilified. The hatred especially gets intensified when you speak on black issues. This is a no-no in America or you’ll get labeled as being a “victim” or some KKK affiliate (for what reason I don’t know) when black folks DO NOT have a history of oppressing folks. But it is what it is…peace and love y’all!

In a Climate of Racial Tension, Is Carmelo Anthony Willing to Risk It All To Make A Difference?

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The 21st century Negro athlete has been all but censored when it comes to social political issues within the African American community. It is looked as the big “no-no” in the eyes of advertisers, endorsements, public relations and the NBA/NFL itself. Gone are the days of Jim Brown, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and the boisterous Muhammed Ali. These were men of principle, character, and weren’t afraid to embrace who they were and where they came from. They understood being socially aware could cost them everything they worked for, but they knew black brotherhood was not only an iconic symbol to engraved in the minds of black America, but a warning to white America that we as a people shall not be moved. Insert the modern day athlete: when unless it’s the current social movements of the day (aka everything non-black), the athlete is obligated to appear in commercials and functions for foolish and insulting causes like Sheryl Sandberg’s gynocentric inspired, Lean In. I don’t even need to mention how the LGBT agenda continues to have a burgeoning presence in the league with every team being garnered pride shirts; hosting LGBT game nights; and WNBA player’s broaching the question for pay inequality compared to the NBA professionals. You have breast cancer awareness month which seems abundant and repetitive throughout the year having the players wear pink on it on multiple occasions. Yet, when it comes to men’s health, they have an utter blatant disregard like heart disease and prostate cancer doesn’t affect us? Give me a break!

This leads me to the New York Knick’s star forward Carmelo Anthony. Anthony is recognized league wide as a top ten performer when healthy, and become the face of one of the NBA’s most historic and influential franchises. Anthony sharing the memorable photo of black brotherhood on his Twitter and Instagram a few days ago, may have just entered enemy territory playing for the NBA’s largest market. Melo is calling for his professional contemporaries to challenge their local and state governments and address real social political issues. Showing up with an “I Can’t Breathe” t-shirt and wearing your jerseys inside out during a playoff game, will no longer cut it. As you can remember, the former Clippers owner Donald Sterling was recorded making incendiary remarks about African Americans which led him to sell the team to Microsoft guru Steve Ballmer in 2014. The reason why I bring this up because is both teams who were scheduled to play that day (Clippers vs. Warriors) could have exude their power as players by putting an fiscal stranglehold on the NBA and its advertisers by simply refusing to play. There lies the problem. Melo is not only dealing with the threat of losing endorsements for standing for black people and causes, he will have to deal with the emasculated, coddled, and socially docile black male athlete. Hopefully, with the recent killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by what some would identify as “race soldiers,” maybe some these athletes will grow a pair after all.

A perfect example of how much power black athletes have in their sports programs is the incident which took place at the University of Missouri late last year. Lead by allegations from micro-aggressive students of racial discrimination, 32 black football players refused to participate in all football related activities until the universities’ President, Tim Wolfe, had resigned. Maybe this could be the example Anthony and others who respond to his clarion call can galvanize; in extreme circumstances of course. In a post which appears on his Instagram and website ThisIsMelo.com, the Knick’s forward passionately expressed the need for change and how even he—by any means–would lead the charge:

“Look I’ll even lead the charge, By Any Means Necessary. We have to be smart about what we are doing though. We need to steer our anger in the right direction. The system is Broken. Point blank period. It has been this way forever. Martin Luther King marched. Malcolm X rebelled. Muhammad Ali literally fought for US. Our anger should be towards the system. If the system doesn’t change we will continue to turn on the TVs and see the same thing. We have to put the pressure on the people in charge in order to get this thing we call JUSTICE right…”

Depending how far Melo is willing to stick his neck out there for social change only time will tell. But I personally salute Mr. Anthony for being brave enough for even challenging his contemporaries in a time where racial tension continues to swell nationally. It’s time out for soft shoe protests which judging by what’s going on in Baton Rouge has become a late season version of Marde Gras. See what the corporations are afraid of and absolutely distain is black athletes involving themselves in black political causes. Not to mention if THEY were to gentrify our inner cities (instead of greedy corporations) plus create neighborhood businesses that will establish an economic base. Because while I understand going to our local politicians and assembly men demanding change; however, we all know that this change we long for will only remain daydream without having monetary clout.  I’m sure Carmelo is aware of this as he looks to amend a system that even he admits has been perpetually “broken”. Peace and love y’all.

To see the rest of Carmelo’s post on “It’s Time to Step up and Take Charge”, click here

mizzouplayers

After a Slaying In Baton Rouge; Should Jesse Williams Be Fired Now?

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After delivering such a riveting message during last week’s BET Awards, Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams went from a thunderous ovation from a crowd of his peers, to a week of receiving malicious criticism from Conservative cowards; who set up a spiteful petition to have him fired from ABC. See, Mr. Williams’ words wasn’t about his blackness, playing the victim card, or him being some spoiled overpaid actor using his platform to bash cops. Not even close. His words were about what took place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana last night when a young man identified as Alton Sterling, 37, was gunned down by some bloodthirsty cops.  Eerie; however, but prophetic.

In an updated story from the Advocate: “Alton Sterling, a 37-year old man who sold CDs, was shot and killed by a Baton Rouge police officer Tuesday morning outside a convenience store on North Foster Drive after “some type of altercation” with two officers, officials said.

Baton Rouge police did not provide much information about what escalated the incident between the officers and Sterling or what prompted an officer to fire his weapon. A witness, however, described police as “aggressive” and said Sterling was armed but was not holding his gun or touching his pockets during the incident. Police later retrieved a gun from the man’s pocket, said the witness, shop owner Abdullah Muflahi.

Around 12:35 a.m., Baton Rouge police responded to the Triple S Food Mart at 2112 N. Foster Drive after an anonymous caller indicated that a man in a red shirt who was selling CDs outside the store pointed a gun at someone, telling them to leave the property, Baton Rouge Police Department spokesman Cpl. L’Jean McKneely said.

East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner William “Beau” Clark said the initial results of an autopsy performed Tuesday show Sterling died due to a homicide and suffered multiple — meaning more than two — gunshot wounds to the chest and back.” (http://theadvocate.com/news/16311988-77/report-one-baton-rouge-police-officer-involved-in-fatal-shooting-of-suspect-on-north-foster-drive)

**Warning video contains graphic footage**

Then there was this…

In a petition started by Erin Smith on Change.Org, Smith accused Williams of a “racist, hate speech against law enforcement and white people at the BET Awards.” She also wasn’t fond of the show’s creator, Shondra Rhymes, accusing her of “condoning” his actions and even calling Ms. Rhymes a “hypocrite.” Here’s a small excerpt of what Smith wrote:

“Upon receiving a humanitarian award at the BET awards, Jesse Williams released a cascade of inappropriate, unprofessional and racist commentary against police officers and Caucasians. Had any one of his offensive words been said by any other race other than an African American, they would’ve been publicly shamed, fired from whatever job they had, lost endorsements, advertisers, etc…”

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Smith’s petition–a disgusting one to say the least–has over 18, 000 supporters, needing 25,000 signatures to achieve its ridiculous goal. People like Erin and TheBlaze Tomi Lahren, really don’t want to hear about any socio-political issues involving the Negro in this country. We should instead, not focus on race because if you do, I will pull out my conservative bias talking points and remind you who was the people who freed you from slavery. According to them, the subject of race can only be addressed when they control the narrative; which always reminds us what we’re not doing, should be doing, or what ‘they’ have done to help us.

RT.com has just released the names of the officers involved in the death of Alton Sterling: Blane Salamoni, 4-year veteran, and Howie Lake II, 3-year veteran. It has also been noted that one of the officers, Lake II, was involved in a prior police killing in December 2014, RT.com reports.

Prior to today, I must admit I was not a proponent of the Black Lives Matter movement; even after today, I will hold fast to my convictions about the movement. The only movement we as black people should only be a part of, are the ones which are not funded by white handlers. History teaches us from the Civil Rights Movement, when it was completely funded and controlled by white handlers, black folks as a collective received nothing from that movement. Unless you want to count retired or deceased Negro leaders, whose legacy left us singing spirituals, the DNC party, and no economy because we were satisfied with the white man liking us. However, even in the aftermath of this police execution, locals from the Baton Rouge area have flooded the streets in protest (which they should) being assisted by community leaders and organizers—while black America holds its breath waiting to breathe for justice.

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“What we’ve been doing is looking at the data and we know police somehow manage to deescalate, disarm, and not kill white people every day”--Jesse Williams

While I may not agree with Mr. Williams’ Black Lives Matter Movement or some of the sentiments he made during his compelling speech; however, we both agree our lives matter and we shouldn’t have to include “all lives” when historically and concurrently, all lives still aren’t created equal. Peace and love y’all.

“Hillary Clinton, #BlacklivesMatter, & Why We Still Don’t Get It”

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imagesI must inform you that as a black man, African, Igbo, Negro, whatever! I do not support the #blacklivesmatter movement. It’s not because I don’t care about the plight of African-Americans in this country or our overall well-being. Perish the thought. I just believe that we cannot say black lives matter until black lives actually matter to black people. I often envy my Mother’s childhood whenever she would have one of those, “I remember way back when,” conversations with me usually around the holidays or when I would volunteer doing some yardwork relaxing on the porch swing once we’d finished. “You know, we never had to worry about locking our doors; not the car door, the front door, nothing–even at night.” I used to cut in during these moments of dreaminess I perceived she was having just for laughs; however, since it brought such blissfulness to her soul just to tell me her childhood during the late 60’s and early 70’s; I just listened only to envision a time she said black America was “still good.” Now this is the point when the melody from that Ahmad record has just stopped. **record scratched** Enter (among many others) the social media warriors known as the #blacklivesmatter movement. A group who was outed several months ago for being funded by “the single most destructive leftist demagogue in the country;” according to Human Events, billionaire financier George Soros. Soros’ borderline extremist group has been very busy making headlines (though they may think its headways) the past few weeks starting in Seattle where they shutdown (?) Democratic Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders; and somehow has managed to get up close in personal with Democratic front-runner, Hillary Clinton. Unlike the platform hijacking, rambunctious, Negro women who may have thought their valiant efforts mirrored that of the late Fannie Lou Hamer; this encounter with Clinton was much more genteel, respectable, and much more mannerly.

“So what do you want me to do about it?” Imagine if this would have been the former FLOTUS snarky response after the young man’s insightful spiel. He confronted the former Senator about her [Clinton] acknowledging the fact that mass incarcerations from a long history of government practices; has become an unfortunate consequence affecting African-Americans. He continues his colloquy by mentioning “anti-blackness” being a founding problem, America’s first drug was free black labor, and ‘in no uncertain way’ held Clinton partially responsible for those unfortunate government practices (mostly mass incarcerations). Now before I go on, I must state a few things. First of all, this young man is correct when talking about the mass incarceration issue that has exclusively targeted African-American men disproportionately in this country. As the video shows, it was Hillary Clinton who lobbied for lawmakers to back the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act—which her husband signed into law in 1994. It was the largest crime bill in history which provided $9.7 billion in prison funding; again the video shows this. Now I’m no Democrat nor do I have any political affiliations whatsoever; however, if this guy is going to point the blame at Hillary and her husband’s administration, my question for him is who voted for him? I mean, if he’s so moved about these unfortunate consequences of these lengthy “government practices,” well who’s been voting primarily Democrat since Lyndon B. Johnson? Also, since we’re talking about those “practices” aka government policies, whatt about those welfare policies that kicked the man out of the home? If black lives really mattered then wouldn’t we start at wanting to fix its greatest crisis—not police brutality—but the black family? Just like he asked Hillary, I would ask him has his heart changed towards not only these practices, but voting for the same political party that has done nothing for us? Oh how the liberals have taught them so well!

Clinton finally responds to these black lives characters by schooling them about how the political process is actually done. She stated that although the young man’s analysis was fair historically, psychologically and economically; however, they need to come together as a group and have a plan of action. As Mrs. Clinton states:

“Because you can get lip service from as many white people you can pack em’ into Yankee Stadium and a million more like it; who are going to say, ‘we get it, we get it,’ we’re going to be nicer.” “That’s not enough, at least in my book…”

In so many ways she told them instead of making white Americans feel guilty by insinuating them as “sinner’s” by using reverse racism (how ridiculous) you need to have some common grounds to make ‘everyone’ feel better. In other words, neither she nor the Democratic Party wants to address your “anti-black” problem. Maybe this is why the #blacklivesmatter movement is led predominantly by black women who, although may use police brutality in regards to the Mike Brown’s and Eric Garner’s of the world; but in reality it’s nothing less than a front because they’re real intentions are more aligned with the current gender specific issues which affect them directly; so oddly enough they can compare their struggle with the Women’s Liberation and Civil Rights movement of the past.

So in closing, FLOTUS in so many words told not only #blacklivesmatter but black people as a whole that she doesn’t nor has her husband Bill, has ever had a plan of action when dealing with Negroes; except for keeping us where many of us are at as a people—a permanent underclass. Even though (in my opinion) I strongly believe even if we were to enable the funds necessary to control some of these politicians in one way or another; I believe our issues as African-Americans still wouldn’t be addressed in its totality or entirety it deserves. So instead of asking social-political corporate heads like Hillary Clinton about how she feels about what her and her husband’s administration and its effects on black people of the past; why don’t you at least take her advice and do what the gays, the women, and proponents of the so-called Civil Rights movement has done?  But wait a minute, you can’t; because you’re being influenced, brainwashed, and manipulated by the same leftist party who continues to use black folk like guinea pigs. Just glad this isn’t biology class. Let me know what you think.

Peace and love y’all.