When Logan's Run becomes a reality.....

First let me state that I may have to contribute several entries based along a common theme....aging. American culture treats age as if it's a disease as opposed to a part of the cycle of life. More specifically, I must address how many African-Americans approach age. If anyone is familiar with Logan's Run, a 1976 sci-fi film my parents took yours truly to see as a child, it essentially told the story of a Utopian society in which its citizens were not allowed to live beyond thirty years of age. America appears to be mimicking Logan's premise with expert precision. The photograph of R & B LEGENDS Keith Sweat and Guy frontman, Aaron Hall serves as a perfect example of my case study. Anyone who is familiar with Purple Rain should also be no stranger to the group who are funk incarnate....The Time.

Now you are probably asking where am I going with this. Well...when can we stop with joking about the inevitable? Tupac and Biggie wished they could have seen 30. Age and wisdom can usually help a person with such a wish. The photo of Keith and Aaron was from a gossip blog that basically joked about how these two have become "the old men in the club." What overlord makes the decision that something or someone is officially old or outdated? In some African-American circles a song that was released in 2002 can be considered "old school." Heck if you don't believe me, check out BET's 106 and Park for confirmation. I have an idea...let's change our language. Maybe the Time is a legendary act instead of old school one. I think the Stones have achieved that level of respect in the White world. Get this...I think the Stones actually have fifteen-year-old fans. Perhaps in my version of Utopia, Slim Thug might live long enough to have a career as relevant as Mr. Sweat's. One can only dream.

Did this guy remain in character after Bamboozled?

Like many Americans I must read the newspaper (excluding our President) every morning during breakfast. Included in this ritual I usually take a quick look at Stanley Crouch's column in the Daily News. The brother never ceases to amaze me with his dead-on, straight in your face approach to issues that in a normal world should be a "no-brainer." Please take a gander at this and pray to whatever god you believe in that the idiocy plague(wasn't it called the Black plague in an earlier incarnation, but I digress)will be over in our lifetime:

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/395181p-334913c.html

This fool (Damon) has actually spent the last year and half attempting to copyright the word nigga (not the "er" version, but you never know what the future may hold for that one...hush) in hopes of establishing a clothing line! God forbid that this multi-millionaire with several shows in syndication invest in a school, a hospice or a minority-owned film distribution company. Hey why not invest in breathing niggas? Whoever came up with that "only sticks and stones can hurt you" crap never met Mr. Wayans.

Is it me or does the Bachelor smell like Jim Crow?

Let me first state emphatically that I am not THE man of color that sees racism the same way Haley Osment saw dead people in the Six Sense. I just do not like to racialize everything. It is my estimation that many Black folk do see "racist people" (he says in Haley's voice). BUT....what do you say has this got do with ABC's The Bachelor ? (Heck we can also include the equally vapid Bachelorette) I believe these shows have miraculously stayed on for about 4 or 5 seasons and no Black or minority has been a featured bachelor nor has a woman of color been chosen to be the ultimate spouse. Oh sure, things look fair based on certain appearances but it amazes me that: a)this show is STILL on the air and b) Black folk still participate believing that they have a better than average chance at getting chosen. Let it also be stated that I have nothing against interracial dating and or marriage. Hell, in the 21st century the term interracial is really a misnomer when human folk decide to procreate. Maybe it's due to my Star Trek mindset or maybe I just don't believe in race as a concept. No this Negro is not crazy! But until the 34th century arrives (will it be that quick?) RACE does exist as a construct and so does racism. So until we see a successful, non-athletic, non-rapping Black male displayed with his choice of a bevy of beauties I guess the Flavor of Love will do. Where can a brother get some valium?

Perhaps I'm a bit late...but what the hey

This is my first log entry and although I may be late in highlighting Mr. Graham's Our Kind of People never let it be said that I'm not on time! The general purpose of this blog is to set the tone for alternative Black interests and information. Despite what the American media may lead one to believe, not every aspect of Black life and culture is centered on the alleged hip hop community. Perhaps the greatest tragedy to befall Black folk in the latter part of the 20th century is the commercialization of the Black image. CORRECTION. ONE Black image. An image that usually embodies a ghettocentric paradigm. Our Kind of People, written by Harvard trained attorney, Lawrence Otis Graham is an important book of note because it simply provides sorely needed information for Blacks in the specific and the majority culture in the general. In essence, Our Kind gives a detailed glimpse into the history and present day existence of the Black middle and upper middle class. Our Kind essentially denotes Negroes and their families possessing wealth outside of the sports and entertainment fields. The book also showcases the author's personal fascination and desire to be included in this exclusive monied class of Black folk. However, Our Kind cannot be completely lauded. The book also alludes to intra racial preference and prejudice, including the reprehensible brown paper bag tests which excluded darker skinned Black folk from certain fraternities and social clubs. Nevertheless, would it hurt for people of color to be exposed to the fact that we owned insurance companies, banks, law firms, businesses in the vein of Madame C.J. Walker? Hey it may even make 50 Cent proud.