After President Obama held a celebration dinner/event honoring the Stonewall riots, he addressed a group of strategy members for LGBT rights. Throwing a bone, nice gesture Mr. President, actually it’s a definite step in the right direction and one I’m not surprised to see this President take. Although not the first to honor Gay Pride month, former President Clinton recognized it during his administration, too, just not as flashy, no formal dinner. President Obama is encouraging conversation and action. I believe that is the best place to start. LGBT rights are not invisible, as with the former Bush administration.
Still, I have to wonder about the urgency of so many gay activists whom seem disillusioned with this President’s administration.
Yes, the Justice Department’s brief about Don’t ask don’t tell was [is] deplorable. I can’t believe something so entrenched in closed minded stereotypical thinking came to life. But, activist should vent, and not lose sight of the bigger picture. Could President Obama immediately satisfy the gay communities’ needs? Yes! I believe he possibly could, or at least keep people from losing their jobs in the military, maybe a freeze on the policy.
But, I also believe taking the legislative route at this point is a very pragmatic approach. He wants to make sure every “T” is crossed and all the “I’s” are dotted. And, why would the gay community want anything less?
I think as a community we are too focused in on feel good now politics. Let me explain that description. One thing that I really admire about the civil rights movements in the 60s was its commitment to future generations. Leaders like MLK, Malcolm X, and Thurgood Marshall were all visionaries. They knew that their protest and demonstrations for equal rights and access might take years or decades. Their work was for future generations, so they could succeed. They were willing to suffer if it meant a future granddaughter or grandson wouldn’t have to bear the impact of segregation or discrimination. I guess it’s a more Booker T Washington incremental approach than most activists would like, but it does work. Yes, gains in the civil rights movement did come to a head in 1964, but that was 10 years after the landmark Brown vs. Board decision. So, I think the mindset of the Gay Rights movement has to change. Patience is not always a bad thing; I’ve heard it builds character. It may not bear the fruits of the work done toward equal rights today, but it will for future generations. This isn’t a passive approach; it’s one that places value in a future that will happen. I’m sure those men and women who stood up for their rights 40 years ago did it with the hope that today, future generations could walk with their heads held a little higher, and today; I do.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
One of Pop Culture's True Icons, Michael Jackson embodied so much of what pop music is today. His influence is undeniable,thus his memory will live forever. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
Top 15 Favorite Michael Jackson Songs
- Off the Wall
- Wanna Be Starting Something
- P.Y.T Pretty Young Thing
- Beat it
- Billie Jean
- It's the Falling in Love
- Man in the Mirror
- Smooth Criminal
- Baby Be Mine
- Bad
- Leave Me Alone
- Who's is it
- Remember the Time
- Thriller
- Don't Stop til You get Enough
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Black Eyed Peas, The E.N.D Energy Never Dies*****
On their 4th studio disk they deliver an array of electro-styled or infused Pop and R&B gems. This is the party album of the year. Will-I-am’s production and vocal manipulation on tracks like Rock your Body, Imma Be, and I Gotta Feeling, are a refreshing departure from some of the more overly zealous and produced arrangements dominating radio today. By the way, who are the other two guys? They seem to fly under the radar on this disk, which is fine with me. I’m all about Fergie and this disk is full of the fergalicious one herself. Go and get The E.N.D. or download these, Meet Me Halfway, Out of my Head, and The Showdown.
Ne-Yo Mis-leads Young Women
In a recent boombox.com article, Ne-Yo, the R&B crooner dispenses some not so “real” advice to a young and aspiring female singer. He basically says if you’re a fat, step back. Not in so few words, but that is definitely how this possibly very impressionable young woman and broader audience will ingest it. Of course Ne-Yo is entitled to his informed opinion. He lives and breathes the music industry. Still, when I read these kinds of comments, I am always baffled by the commentator’s lack of empathy.
Now, I did only read a portion of the blog, maybe his comments were taking out of context and if so, I should probably reserve judgment. But, I’ll go the way of Fox News on this one and call it, before I have all the information, which may ultimately undermine my stance, oh well, go with me on this one.
I do believe there is something destructive about those remarks, possibly my feminist leanings or something. I guess what Ne-Yo is really saying to these girls is prepare yourselves. The music industry today is primarily style over substance. Of course, when both talent and looks lie in one person, then she’s a package deal. But, really his comments speak to the pervasive beauty myth in our culture about women’s bodies. For him to suggest that artist, such as Jill Scott or Jennifer Hudson’s success isn’t comparable to Beyonce’s simply doesn't follow. Success is subjective, and these women have all reached a pinnacle of success that is laudable.
Beyonce mostly sells sex and fantasy in her music. The latter two don’t. Or not to the degree that Beyonce does. Maybe Ne-Yo should revise his comments, if you want to be a sex symbol, in the music industry, then you’ll need to lose weight, assuming you’re an overweight aspiring singer. Of course, the parameters for weight, acceptable or commercially viable weight constantly change. To see a “big” woman dance like Beyonce often becomes parody in our culture, it’s not sexy ( think Mo’nique at the Bet Awards three years ago). As Issac Mizahi says on The Fashion Show, “Sorry honey we’re just not buying it.” And so, so the public generally has a very one-dimensional view of female sexuality. Ne-Yo, when you make such an ill-conceived generalization you suggests to young women that their success is dependent on their weight. You then minimize the success of artists like Jill Scott, Jennifer Hudson, Adele, Kelly Clarkson, and Jordan Sparks because these women do not fit the culturally accepted script for “sexiness” is frankly complicit sexism.
Sad, but true are the realities of the industry, but there are just as many skinny or physically fit girls who have not reached the success of Beyonce. So, his advice and argument is basically ad hominem thinking. Here’s my advice, focus on your talent first, if you’ve got the goods, you’ll at least get your foot in the door. If you want mainstream success, of course you’ll have to be marketable, but don’t let that fact deter or defer your dreams.
Perez Hilton & The “F” word
Earlier this week all the blogs were ablaze reporting the out-spoken and controversial blogger Perez’s Hilton's confrontation at a popular West coast night club with the Black Eye Peas manager. First, it goes with saying, but I’ll say it anyway, no matter what Hilton said, he didn’t deserve to get punched. And from what it looks like, he got the _ _ _ _ knocked out of him. Everyone condemned Chris Brown for his brutal attack, so the same should apply to the B.E.P’s manager. But, I think public attention is more focused on the gay slur Hilton hurled at the B.E.P’s manager. So, it seems a case of clear violent behavior is now overshadowed by Hilton’s speech.
I don’t like Hilton. He does post some funny, crazy, ridiculous celebrity gossip on his blog. But, he just seems very annoying and fake. Like most 15 minute fame pseudo celebs he thinks he’s actually important.
Still, I do question why Hilton felt no other word in the English language could express his feelings. Of course, I’m guilty of saying things like, “oh you’re so gay, or that’s so gay, or even you fag.” But, and a pretty big one I might add. It’s all about context and intent. And, given the context of Hilton’s confrontation, and his own admission, he was using the word in the most hurtful way.
And, some gay activist would charge that in the heat of the moment he became like all those small minded and bigoted people who throw that slur at gay men daily. Hilton writes, "Words can hurt. I know that very well, from both sides of the fence. The other night in Toronto, after feeling physically threatened by a verbally abusive will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, I chose the most hurtful word I know to hurl at him. I was in an out-of-the ordinary situation and used a word that I would not utter under normal circumstances." While I disagree with his word choice, he wasn’t exercising clear judgment, as is common among politicians these days, he “mis-spoke.” I’m all for political correctness, but sometimes emotions get the best of people, hell, most of the time. So, I think it’s a little premature to argue that Hilton’s comment was anything other than an angry and upset person exercising poor judgment. Yes, as a gay man himself, he shouldn’t have called the B.E.P’s manager a faggot. But, I think it’s slightly disingenuous to suggest that his use of the word is somehow analogous to say Isaiah Washington’s rant.
I don’t like Hilton. He does post some funny, crazy, ridiculous celebrity gossip on his blog. But, he just seems very annoying and fake. Like most 15 minute fame pseudo celebs he thinks he’s actually important.
Still, I do question why Hilton felt no other word in the English language could express his feelings. Of course, I’m guilty of saying things like, “oh you’re so gay, or that’s so gay, or even you fag.” But, and a pretty big one I might add. It’s all about context and intent. And, given the context of Hilton’s confrontation, and his own admission, he was using the word in the most hurtful way.
And, some gay activist would charge that in the heat of the moment he became like all those small minded and bigoted people who throw that slur at gay men daily. Hilton writes, "Words can hurt. I know that very well, from both sides of the fence. The other night in Toronto, after feeling physically threatened by a verbally abusive will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, I chose the most hurtful word I know to hurl at him. I was in an out-of-the ordinary situation and used a word that I would not utter under normal circumstances." While I disagree with his word choice, he wasn’t exercising clear judgment, as is common among politicians these days, he “mis-spoke.” I’m all for political correctness, but sometimes emotions get the best of people, hell, most of the time. So, I think it’s a little premature to argue that Hilton’s comment was anything other than an angry and upset person exercising poor judgment. Yes, as a gay man himself, he shouldn’t have called the B.E.P’s manager a faggot. But, I think it’s slightly disingenuous to suggest that his use of the word is somehow analogous to say Isaiah Washington’s rant.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Black Princess=Black Prince,hmm...Really?
How appropriate that in the same year America (USA), gets its first African-American (bi-racial) president that Disney is about to release, in December 2009, its first African-American princess. YAY! Cheers, applause, shouts, and what ever else excited people do. A step in the right direction, black representation, pandering to a specific audience, does Disney see the dollar signs; I'm sure there are an endless list of possibilities for this black princess's sudden arrival. But, who cares? I don't. I'll tell you what I do care about. I think it is important and significant that in a highly visual culture that the diversity of the landscape is represented on television and in film. I am firm believer that our sometimes mindless forms of entertainment do have a way of influencing our thinking. That is why the stereotype often becomes reality. It's the signs of life in our culture and how we oftentimes come to learn about things or people that may seem somewhat removed from our social circles.
A bit of history, and feel free to skip this, but it's history, please read it. In the years proceeding the landmark Brown vs. Board of education case in 1959, the case outlawing segregation in public schools, attorney Thurgood Marshall had to present evidence which proved segregation, the separate and very unequal status of African-American schooling, had harmful effects on the self-concept, esteem, etc... of African-American students. He cited the studies of psychologist Kenneth Clark, which I think was reffered to as footnote 13. At the time Clark's worked centered around the deleterious effects of segregation on black children in public schools. In one of his many experiments, he conducted a doll favorably test so to speak, on a random number of black girls in which they were given dolls of all colors to play. When asked which doll they preferred, most, if not all, favored the white dolls.
This is a sweeping generalization of his research and the experiment. But, my point here is to suggest that entertainment media images have a lot of power to reinforce and send oftentimes both subtle and blunt messages to their audience, sometimes positive, and sometimes negative. Thus, today, still the African American female presence is lacking on television and in films. Name at least 2 African American actress in a major network series right now. Oh I'm sure you can, but they are sparse to say the least. Now, Disney has a black princess and she doesn't have the black prince. I say SO WHAT? The fact that finally we see an African American princess is a thing of beauty. Change happens, albeit sometimes too slow....but when progress is made it's made.
O' Janet, where art thou?
If you know anything about me, which most of you reading this blog do, then you know I'm a huge, not literally of course, Janet Jackson fan, pushing fanatical limits. No! I'm really not a crazy Janet fan, it's not like I want to crawl up inside her and live for awhile. Gross, right? But, I bet you get my point. I like me some JANET. But, I'm feeling a little disappointed with the way her career has progressed since the now infamous wardrobe malfunction incident in 2004. Funny, before that I didn't realize one's wardrobe could malfunction. But, hey if you can have a bad hair day, surely you can have a bad wardrobe day. Nonetheless, Janet's subsequent albums since have failed to really reach the success of her previous efforts, excluding the first two Janet 1982 & Dream Street1984. Both held mediocre success. Unfortunately, DaMita Jo 2004, 20Y.O. 2006, and Discipline 2008 all suffered from any real creative ingenuity. Don't get me wrong, I love all three. But, I have to wonder would they've still performed poorly even if the Superbowl incident hadn't occurred. Who knows? I do believe Janet will reign supreme again in pop music, I suppose only time will tell. FYI, listen to "The Best things in Life are Free," "He Doesn't Know I'm alive," and "Island Life," those songs really capture Janet's angelic soprano pretty nicely.
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