Can a Brother Be from Krypton and not Compton?

I was just perusing the Racialicious blog and happened to come across an article that originated from the Toronto Star. The piece centered on the current state of Black and minority representation in the comic book industry. In a nutshell, the more things change the more things stay the same. As expected, we are seeing more heroes of color but not without controversy. The article seemed to focus on what I have dubbed the replacement hero effect as it relates to minority super-heroism. This replacement effect essentially entails a Black or minority character taking on the identity of a hero that was already established and formerly White. Examples of this form of characterization would be (Black) Goliath, Mr. Terrific, Firestorm, Blue Beetle, The Atom and Nick Fury(Ultimate Universe version). In many respects this is a form of laziness on the part of the writer and perhaps a form of liberal racism. Instead of creating a new hero and having his/her race be an incidental factor, putting a Black face in an old costume is simply patronizing in the guise of diversity. Just as in any other industry, only will the development of stand alone minority based companies insure that we get the representation and fairness that people of color desire. Don't expect a fictional(or real) otherworldly White hero to save your imagery-create your own. For more on the state of Black characters in comics check below.

Hero deficit: Comic books in decline

Will the real "Magic Negro" please stand up!

LA Times Take on Obama

I find it quite interesting and somewhat comical that folks outside our community are so comfortable with telling us what we think, who our leaders are, and now.....drum roll please.....who's really Black and who isn't.
Check out the link above to see for yourself...the madness continues.

Mr. Starks

From My Mouth to God's Ears...or Was it CNN who was listening?

I just wanted to dovetail off of Mr. Stark's prior commentary with something that was truly unique in the annals of televison media. I actually found a program that finally reported something that this blog has been propogating since its inception-African-American "dirty laundry" is an open secret. No more than two days has gone by since my call to the Week in Review program, and my entire argument was the premise of tonight's Out in the Open show, hosted by CNN's Paula Zahn. Zahn's show examined the high murder rate among Black males and why it does not seem to garner analysis or at the very least, condemnation from African-American so-called leadership. Just a reminder, this was CNN not Fox. When I posited this contention on Review, it was tantamount to treason.

One can become disheartened, if not delusional when so many folks just do not appear to agree that there is a problem with Black on Black criminality. And further, these self-same naysayers will focus their attention on a White bogeyman to the exclusion of internal Black pathologies that are killing people of color with equal verve. Tonight's program also put forth an interesting statistic-93% of the murders committed by Blacks were also against Blacks. One of the show's commenters even went as far as stating that the preponderance of Black murders is inadvertantly doing the bidding of the KKK-another remark I have heard in private now being made public.

So I will once again, make a call to the Review show, this time making reference to Zahn's piece. That mirage in the desert looks a lot more real all of the sudden. Check out the links below that will surely put more salt on that festering wound. There's even a piece on a Klansman teaching at Kent State and possessing an anti-Black website. I guess he didn't get the text message that minstrel hip hop coupled with the previous murder stats are far more effective.

Klansman teaching History at Kent State

Ghetto mentality no longer color-coded-Stanley Crouch article


Side Note- I just found the transcript of the Zahn piece I alluded to in the above entry. Take a look at an excerpt:

ZAHN: "Out in the Open" tonight, the shocking amount of black- on-black violent crime in the U.S. It is something we rarely hear about. Back to our "Out in the Open" panel now. Amy Holmes, Republican political strategist. CNN contributor Roland Martin. And Air America radio host Rachel Maddow.

As a black man when you hear that 93 percent of black murder victims are killed by other blacks, do you think that blacks are their own worst victims? MARTIN: Yes. and they are doing the work of the Klan. That's exactly what's going on here. And let me deal with this -- with Reverend Sharpton's comment for a second. So let me take the CNN contributor hat off for a moment. I've been the editor of three black newspapers, the editor of a black Web site, commentator for a black cable network, and I've also been the editor of a black magazine.

And I have not covered a single rally where 50,000 African- Americans were protesting on black-on-black crime. See, when you talk about protesting against police brutality, that's an easy one, that's an institutional system there where you have white officers, black victim, let's protest.

African-Americans must stand up and be accountable and on my radio show on WVON, every time somebody black gets killed, we talk about it and I say when is enough enough? They are doing the work of the Klan. And they might as well own up to it. This is worse than what happened with lynching.

ZAHN: Why are you upset with what Sharpton had to say?

MARTIN: Well, because you're shifting the blame. Again, I want to see...

ZAHN: And that is when he placed the focus on police brutality.

MARTIN: Yes. Now he is correct that there are community leaders out there on a small scale who are doing what they're doing. But again, I want to know where are they in terms of calling for those marches, calling for mass mobilization to cut the crime in black neighborhoods.

Stop saying, well, the media doesn't cover it, no, most of them don't do it. If you have 50,000 black folks marching against black- on-black crime, trust me, the media will be there.

ZAHN: Well, why aren't they? Is it the embarrassment, the humiliation?

HOLMES: I think it's a number of factors. And first, I want to tell you, it's so good to hear you talking about this "Out in the Open." And I think there has been a conspiracy of silence around it. There's fear obviously of sort of airing the dirty laundry, Remember when Bill Cosby, you know, gave a very candid speech and he was jumped all over by black leaders saying that you shouldn't be telling white America what's going on in our communities.

It's like a jungle sometimes, it makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under...

I don't think Melle Mel was describing the scene in this clip when he uttered those words from the HipHop classic "The Message". For those that don't know about this story, a high school basketball game took place over the weekend at Madison Square Garden in NYC. Apparantly some students, if we can call them that, in the stands engaged in a massive brawl that spilled out into the streets and resulted in gunfire. Ironically, the same police force which many folks condemn had to come and clean up this mess.
Where's Al Sharpton and company now? Doesn't this kind of behavior from our young people deserve the same kind of outcry from these so called leaders?
Once again, your kids have shown the world that chaos is the order of the day in our communities, schools and homes.
Wake up people, Bill Cosby doesn't look so crazy and out of touch now, does he?

Mr. Starks

Slavery still exists.....in our minds

Remind me to think twice before calling in to NY's 98.7 The Week in Review program. I called in for the late broadcast (which is an addendum to 98.7's Sunday morning Openline show) and quickly found myself in a verbal battle with one of the cohosts, Peter Noel. For those who may be unfamiliar with Noel and local NY media, he was a reporter for the liberal and noteworthy newspaper, The Village Voice. Incidently, Noel left the Voice over reporting differences relating to the covering of Rev. Al Sharpton-the paper (allegedly) wanted to cover fluff pieces as it pertained to the African American community(i.e. Puffy Combs). Anyway, I was compelled to call, as they were discussing the Sean Bell police brutality case-which to date has resulted in the indictment of 3 out of the five officers involved in this tragic incident.

If anyone has read my prior entry or listened to Afronerdradio last week, my feelings on this case are not exactly lock step with many on the progressive/liberal end of the African-American political spectrum. Just the whisper of young Black males conforming to certain thug stereotypes that may raise the suspicion of the police, caused Noel to go into a rage preventing me from initially voicing my opinion. I felt like Kunta Kinte in the above clip. If I didn't hold the same views that are expected of a man of color, Noel was going to verbally whip me into submission. Toby be damned! He even accused me of working in collusion with NYPD. Note to self-If you are a person of color, you can't have an independent spirit among many Black folk who possess a liberal uni-mind ideology.

If we are going to stop young Black and Brown men from getting killed by police (and other street phenomena), some degree of self-affacement is required. We must be fair-if the police are expected to change their procedures, conversely some men of color should also make changes to disavow their adherence to criminal fashion and mannerisms. I eventually was allowed to make my points on the show, but never let it be said that Black radio is a democracy-the dearth of alternate viewpoints and music proves my point. Check out the link below for my prior entry on the Sean Bell shooting:

Afronerd's take on NYC Police Shooting

Next up, stay tuned for a commentary by my Afronerdradio cohost and now blog contributor, Mr. Starks. Be afraid....Be very afraid.

In the Immortal Words of Biz Markie.....This is Something for the Radio

Just giving a heads up to the class-check out our weekly live radio show/podcast this Sunday at 2pm. The usual suspects in white collar crime will be in attendance- Mr. Starks and yours truly, so drop us a line (ph#646-915-9620) if you would like to join our conversation. You can also send us an instant message at afronerdradio@yahoo. I believe Sunday's show will be a riff session including part 2 of the Brothers and comics show as well as last week's newsworthy stories. Trust me when I say that it will be a fiery session. FIRE!!

Finally! Time to Talk About Comic Books- "Brothers" and Comics Do They Mix? (Part 2)

I really do read this comic for the story..at least that's what I keep telling myself

I've been meaning to talk about Mario Gully's graphic novel creation, Ant for quite some time. I also wanted to lighten the next couple of entries as I have had socio-political blinders on for the last couple of weeks. I have to admit that I have been collecting Ant for two reasons:

1) The protagonist is a woman of color and,

2) I often fall victim for GGA (Good Girl Art).

Ant essentially is the tale of a young woman endowed with a bug-like exo-skeleton that gives her vast powers, yet she has a sketchy past as well as a loss of memory. Gully's effort is under the Image imprint and appears to be gaining in popularity which definitely discounts the notion that comics with a Black character can not compete in the marketplace. Unfortunately, the writing is not in the same vein as Garth Ennis' Boys or Straczynski's Squadron Supreme but it is definitely a worthy read. Check out Wikipedia's synopsis of Ant's character analysis:

The original Arcana mini-series followed 8-year-old Hannah Washington, a lonely young girl continually tormented and bullied at school. Her father is a suspect in an armed robbery and is taken into custody. To escape the harsh realities of her life, she writes in her diary stories of an alter-ego: an adult version of herself who is a superhero known as Ant.

And here is the present incarnation of the Ant character under the Image
brand:

An adult Hannah Washington wakes up in a mental institution, where she's been told all her memories are the result of a coping mechanism described as a "juvenile power fantasy." But, little by little, her fantasies of her life as Ant become more and more real.

And as a side note, I nominate Leila Arcieri (former paramour of Jamie Foxx and co star of Howard Stern's Son of the Beach) to play the title character if there ever is a movie/television adaptation. For more info on Ant click on the links below:

Wiki's Ant synopsis

Ant Forum-Image Comics

And Now Introducing.........Ms. Amy Winehouse

It seems like I'm always frackin' (shout out to Battlestar fans-I'm just discovering that show as well) late to the party when it comes to new cultural pleasures. Case in point, Ms. Amy Winehouse. I heard her haunting, Shirley Basseyesque voice on the radio here and there, but she has just started to pierce my consciousness as of late. I think she has a refreshing and different voice, but two things quickly come to mind. One, she is yet another White singer doing music that was once commonplace for African-American artists during the bygone 60s soul music era. And two, she proves yet again, that the Brits have excellent taste in music. Sometimes I fall into the trap of making everything about race but that is really not the case. I appreciate and look forward to everyone to produce fullfilling and thought provoking music-I just wish I saw more of it coming from people of color. I'm tired of relying on my old Stevie, Miles and Prince records to satiate my musical hunger. Okay...I never really get tired of "She's Always in My Hair" or "Higher Ground," I just long for newer artistry to blow my mind. Anyway, take a look at Winehouse's video above-perhaps the times they are a-changin.' Or maybe not.

In the Left vs. Right War People of Color are the Losers......

I just so happened to be haunting around the corridors of the Huffington Post when I found the above clip. The entry, entitled Fox Attacks on Black America promulgates the supposition (through clever editing) that Fox News targets the African-American community by pursuing stories that showcase folks of color in a negative light. Despite my conservative leanings, I am not going to be an apologist for some of the things that come out of the Fox news desk. However, the left have their version of employing Black misrepresentation tactics by not being objective or honest about the pathologies that are affecting people of color nationwide. By ascribing a constant victimization stamp on Black people, media on the left are not doing African-Americans any favors. And to be honest, I think in between some of the sound bites that the clip (originally provided by Foxattacks.com) shows, some degree of truth is still being spoken. The more important question that should be asked-when will an equally biting piece named BET Attacks on Black America be produced? I would hold breath in time for it's production but I do want to live to make another entry.

Huffington Post-Fox News Attacks on Black America

Fox Attacks

Putting a Bowtie on Sh%$#t!

It's amazing how Youtube has engendered the ability to make certain things viral. Thanks to my cohost/co-contributor, Mr. Starks for bringing this clip (pardon the expletives) to my attention. It is an interpolation of Dr. Dre's diss record to his one time colleague (and subsequent adversary) Easy E, entitled Bitches Aint Sh#$t. My first honest reaction was.....this is actually creative. But as always I had to dissect the matter. My second reaction (or question) was.....does putting a bowtie on excrement make it a tuxedo? This performance was done by Berkeley students who want you to perceive them as clever. If you remember Byron Hurt's Beyond Hip Hop special, it was noted that the White rap consumer base purchase the music (the commercial minstrel end of it, specifically) to get a sense of what it's like to live a Black life. Or to live vicariously as a person of color. Unfortunately, attempting to convey the fact that there are a number of Black lives and that the exaggerated ghetto lifestyle is not the accurate or authentic end all or be all of Blackness, oftentimes gets lost in translation (or is that transaction). Take a look at the clip and let's hear your thoughts. And besides, we've seen this before-check below:

Kenneth Eng Hates You (and You and You and Maybe Even You)

I'm not really going to pontificate on the above gentleman's skewed racist ideology. The young man in question, Kenneth Eng was recently fired from AsianWeek for an article he wrote entitled, "Why I Hate Blacks." In all fairness, Eng was also the scribe of previous noteworthy literary works such as Why I Hate Whites and Why I Hate Asians. I assume you get the pattern here. What makes this situation even more disturbing is the fact that my Afronerdradio cohost (and future contributor to Afronerd.com) Mr. Starks actually met Eng during a book signing a few months ago.

Eng was promoting his book, Dragons: Lexicon Triumvirate, and Mr. Starks was the lone person that ironically approached him when no one else did. They actually exchanged information and there was no indication of him hating other minority folk. Upon Starks' encounter with Eng I even purchased the Dragons hardcover-now much to my chagrin. Perhaps we will get an interview with this young man, meanwhile take a look at his recent appearance on the Big Story on Fox (above). Eng is definitely delusional and his statements are disjointed but let's see if he spews this wisdom on our show. Perhaps the appropriate response can be best summed up by actress, Kristina Wong's clip below.

Something must be done.....

The above clip has been circulating the net for the last few days and is just one example as to why I changed political affiliations. This occurred a few days ago in the Jamaica Estates section of Queens, NY. The perpetrator, described as an African-American male who pummeled the 101 year old woman in this video has been connected to another attack on an elderly person in the same area. Click on the video (if you dare) and go directly to the Youtube video site where the clip originates-racists are making comments like it's no tomorrow. This is the type of scene that Dr. Cosby is talking about-owning up to the fact that a disproportionate amount of crime is being committed by young Black males. This is not to label all Black males (yours truly included) but it is incumbent of the law abiding and honorable men of color to speak up and take control of our communities. It is also imperative for us to stop making excuses regarding racism as the sole problem afflicting Black folk. We have enemies amongst us that share our complection as well. Take another look at the clip if you're not sure-if it's an elderly White female today, it could be your Black or Brown mother tomorrow. I guess aberrant criminal behavior just doesn't fit in Reverends Sharpton and Jackson's schedule. This madness has to stop.....

Four Links and a Podcast(or the sequal minus Steve Guttenberg)

I just wanted to give you guys some info relating to a few articles that I just happened to come across within the last few days. Due to time constraints...yada yada yada. Please accept my apologies and new entries will be coming up tomorrow-meanwhile, checkout recent stories about Dr. Cosby in Philly, Stanley Crouch and my special Black comic book fan podcast(Part two is slated for next Sunday at 2pm). Enjoy!

He tries to N-d it all in city

For blacks, complacency is a killer

The link below is from a recent televised Crouch appearance on Cspan. Scroll to the link entitled Camille Paglia & Stanley Crouch-fast forward past Paglia's speech(although those familiar with Paglia may enjoy her insights as well) and check out Crouch's take on present day African-American culture.

American Perspectives-Stanley Crouch

More tough-love talk from Cosby

Finally! Time to Talk About Comic Books- "Brothers" and Comics Do They Mix?

Another Special Podcast with Live Caller Function(think GI Joe with the Kung Fu Grip)

Stay tuned for yet another live podcast show this Wed at 7pm from yours truly (and my cohost/partner in white collar crime-Mr. Starks aka Ironman). We want to bring some fire to this show as we will be discussing our gripes with Black Crime Vs. White Crime, Black misrepresentation/stereotyping and ghetto bull%$*t. Stop by with your voice and opinions. All callers are welcome.

Afronerd Radio-Black Crime vs White Crime

If You Weren't Sure of Armageddon......

This news report (next to the Dateline's weekly molestation series) is probably one of the most disturbing stories of the year. If you check out the above clip, it highlights two toddlers smoking blunts at the behest of an uncle and family friend. I'm speechless. This is what happens when you have rampant dysfunctionalism occurring in our culture and communities with out redress. Imagine the news that doesn't get reported. Perhaps Armageddon is coming....where's Bruce Willis when you need him. Speechless.

Next up, today we have our regular Sunday radio/podcast coming up at 2pm-The Hip Hop Analysis show, Part 2. All are welcome and feel free to call in and and join the discussion.

Afronerd Radio-Does Hip Hop Have a Negative Influence, Part 2

You Know......Maybe Reverend Al is On to Something

Scipio Africanus Jones

If you haven't been living under a rock within the last few days, I'm sure you heard that genealogists using Ancestry.com discovered that Reverend Al Sharpton's great-grandfather Coleman Sharpton was a slave owned by Julia Thurmond, a distant relative of the notorious Dixiecrat and segregationist Strom Thurmond. This shocking revelation has led Sharpton to dig deeper to determine if there is a genetic link between himself and the Thurmond family. Isn't it ironic that both men who have gained notoriety from divisive racial politics (albeit on opposite sides of the political spectrum) might share not only a slave lineage but also a genetic one? Time, DNA testing and further research will tell. I have always had a curiosity, not unlike many African-Americans, as to what (or who) would fall out if my family tree was shaken.

Suffice it say, Reverend Al's experience has spurned yours truly to look into my own lineage. I just started asking a few questions (as well as perusing Ancestry.com) and discovered that I am a distant relative of the gentlemen above. It appears that Scipio Jones was a famed attorney from Arkansas, who was best known for his skillful defense of the Elaine 12-twelve African-American sharecroppers sentenced to death for participation in the Elaine Race Riot in 1919. He was also an astute businessman and republican (you know I really appreciated that bit of trivia). Of course, in all fairness, many Black folk belonged to the Republican party during this time period. I have a lot more research to do in this matter but do yourself a favor and shake your family tree....you might be surprised as to what you might discover. For more on Scipio Jones click on the link below:

Scipio Africanus Jones

Stay Tuned for the HipHop Analysis Show.......

Wow....what happened to hip hop's innocence? Just sending out a reminder that we are broadcasting our hip hop analysis show this Wednesday at 7pm. We will be providing a synopsis of Byron Hurt's recent Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes PBS special as well as taking calls. All are welcome!

Does Hip Hop Have a Negative Influence-the radio show

State of the Black DisUnion 2007.......Some thoughts

I finally got around to viewing a rebroadcast of Tavis Smiley's annual State of the Black Union conference which originally took place earlier this month at my alma mater, Hampton University. Perhaps what Smiley is attempting to accomplish is admirable, but I believe his annual political barbecue is misguided and ineffective. Mistake number one, The Union always appears to showcase the usual suspects-Reverend Al Sharpton (before we found out about his Thurmond shocker), his vice president, Reverend Jesse Jackson (Sharpton and Jackson alternate the Black presidential title based on circumstances and need) and Cornel West as well as a cavalcade of other African-American notables.

Over the years, I have grown increasingly weary of these gatherings that are set up as self-aggrandizing/promotional vehicles for the notables in question-with no real solutions for the Black community that they are targeting. What was most noticeably absent at Tavis' Union was a Black conservative perspective. And putting politics aside, people of color are sorely in need of hard constructive plans that can be implemented (and monitored) instead of motivational infomercials. Even the mentioning of Barack Obama at this particular function was met with suspicion as he does not come from the civil rights vanguard. The Civil Rights hierarchy currently posssess a stranglehold on the Black community with past accounts of the glory days and dated precepts. Mind you, I have great admiration and respect for what those of the Civil Rights era have accomplished, but there must be room to adopt new strategies as well as conversing and collaborating with individuals like Mr. Obama that may possses fresh ideas and ideologies. As I jokingly alluded to previously, the time for passing the sweet potatoes at these functions must cease-let's try to pass some ideas around (with rules of implementation)...for a change.

New Podcast available.....

Just keeping you guys in the loop. A new podcast is available with Authentic Blackness being the main topic and cohosted by my friend and colleague, Mr. Starks(aka Ironman). Please accept my apologies regarding the hip hop analysis show which has been rescheduled for the 28th at 7pm. Trust me....we brought the heat on this topic. Next up.....a discussion on the Tavis' State of the Black Union (or Passing the Sweet Potato Pie Convention)....I'm joking...maybe.

What is Black Authenticity

Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes......Continued!

More information for the class. I found additional snippets of a Houston, TX PBS affiliate program that actually had a roundtable discussion regarding The Beats and Rhymes special. Take a look at Part 1 of Hip Hop in Review. Parts 2 through 5 are available below.

Hip Hop In Review-Part 2

Hip Hop In Review-Part 3

Hip Hop In Review-Part 4

Hip Hop In Review-Part 5

New Radio/Podcasts Scheduled

Just letting you guys know that we plan to have weekly radio broadcasts every Sunday at 2pm. This week we also intend to do a special Hip Hop analysis show for this upcoming Saturday at 9pm. The hip hop show will deal with a documentary that aired on PBS yesterday entitled, Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes (snippet above)as well as a CNN/Paula Zahn Out in The Open show that is also taking a look at hip hop's influence on the nation's youth, scheduled for 8pm tonight. Feel free to call in because this is going to be a hot one!

Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes

In My Case......Video Did Not Kill the Radio Star

For those who might have missed my first radio/podcast broadcast, feel free to check it out by clicking on the link below.

Afronerd Radio

In addition, check out Tavis Smiley's 2007 State of the Black Union, which was broadcast last week from my alma mater, Hampton University. Click on the link and then scroll down to parts 1 and 2 of the CNN program. I will give my thoughts on this show momentarily- however I can say that as usual the same cast of characters arrived for Tavis' meet and greet. But again, I will save my thoughts for the next entry.

http://c-span.org

A DVD of Interest.....Before the Music Dies

Thank God for dvd! The above clip is from a PBS documentary entitled, Before The Music Dies that I actually missed viewing-I believe it was originally broadcast during the last quarter of 06'. Before The Music Dies, perfectly encapsulates my frustration with the present music scene-formulaic songs, the lack of originality and diversity as it relates to Black music. This is a must see for any music fan that needs answers as to how we arrived at this point in our music/pop culture consciousness. Joel Rasmussen and Andrew Shapter, the filmmakers/documentarians of this cinematic piece, essentially were fans first, who out of anger and disillusionment decided to travel the country asking music fans(and music/radio executives) their opinions of our flailing music industry. Check out this excerpt from a November Washington Post article pertaining to the film:

The film includes testimonials from Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Erykah Badu, Elvis Costello and Questlove, all of whom bemoan the changing corporate structures that make it harder for new and lesser-known artists to win radio airplay or anything resembling freedom or patience from a recording company. (XM Radio, the Washington-based satellite service, has adopted the movie to highlight its commitment to genres of music that don't find an outlet on terrestrial radio.)

Do yourself a favor and take a look at this important documentary. For more on the Washington Post piece, click on the link below.

'Before the Music Dies' Diagnoses an Ailing Industry

Obama against the World(of Public Opinion)

It looks like there are two campaigns to coincide with Obama's recent announcement that he is running for President-the actual campaign and the campaign to discredit him. Last week his elementary school was called into question as potentially being a terrorist Madrassa. Now his Christianity is being called into question. Thanks to my radio cohost, Mr. Starks for sending this recent transcript from Tucker Carlson's The Situation program. Remember.....this is only the beginning. Check it out.

Tucker Carlson on Obama's church: "[I]t's hard to call that Christianity"
During the "Obameter" segment on the February 7 edition of MSNBC's Tucker, host Tucker Carlson criticized Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), a presumptive candidate for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, for being a member of a church that Carlson claimed "sounds separatist to me" and "contradicts the basic tenets of Christianity," a subject Carlson said he was "actually qualified to discuss." Carlson was referring to the "Black Value System" advocated by the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, of which Obama is a member. A February 6 Chicago Tribune article reported that "conservative critics have seized on Trinity's 12-point Black Value System, especially the portion relating to 'middleclassness,' as evidence that Obama is a divisive candidate who rejects mainstream American values and is primarily focused on the black community." Carlson pointed to the "disavowal of the pursuit of 'middleclassness' " in the church's tenets, calling the church's mission a "racially exclusive theology" and "a theology that ministers to one group of people, based on race." Carlson claimed that Trinity's theology is "racially exclusive" and "wrong," adding that "it's hard to call that Christianity."

For more on the Tucker/Obama story, review the video and in addition, click on the link below:



Tucker Carlson on Obama's Church

Ok.....Finally the Radio Show

Finally! Please check out our radio/podcast program which is scheduled for this Sunday, 2pm. We will be taking calls and taking prisoners (just kidding...maybe). This will be an intro show and of course an extension of the blog. More info below:

Afronerd Radio

More Links of Interest........

I just wanted to hip you guys to some interesting takes on Obama fever as well as a cool Black culture shopping site. Enjoy!

Huffington Post Commentary regarding Barack


Obama's Path Typical Of New Generation Of Black Political Leaders


Black History Hut

A Few Random Thoughts before I retire for the Evening

Was I hallucinating or were the Grammys actually good this year? I was actually entertained and did not see too much fluff this time around. I saw some musicality and talent-perhaps for the first time since the eighties. The Police reunion. The Corinne Bailey Rae (previous performance above), John Legend and John Mayer trivecta. Christina Aguilera's homage to James Brown. Ceelo of Gnarles Barkley channeling the late Sylvester. The redemption of Mary J. Blige. My boy Prince was in the audience. If only this translated into radio diversity. I guess lightning can strike every once in awhile. One more thing(unrelated). I want to give a shout out to the Nat Turner's Revenge blog for highlighting a new book, entitled Ghettonation. It might as well have been the Manifesto of Afronerd. More below:

Ghettofab revealed and reviled?

Ghettonation and Black Power Inc.

Time to be Proactive.........No not like what Diddy & Vanessa Shill

I suspect that some folks may get the impression that I do not believe that police misconduct exists. That would definitely be a false assertion. My problem lies with our reaction to police brutality claims. I also have difficulty with how some in minority communities place a blind eye to civilian misconduct and how our youth have become enamored with thug culture. And imagine trying to differentiate between the innocent and not so inoccent-this is what the police are required to do daily. At some point, people of color must relinquish the constraints of victimhood and try to develop strategies to prevent situations that may result in tragedy. As I have alluded to many times here at Afronerd, too many in the Black and Brown communities are adhering to predetermined stereotypes (i.e. possessing prior criminal records or thuggish posturing) that are being promulgated around the clock in our media. This has to stop. Another simple thing that I plan to purchase when I get my next vehicle is a video surveillance unit. Now....if some of our youth can plunk thousands into stereo systems, high performance equipment and glossy wheels-why not a camera to record when a cop gets out of line. Time to think covertly-click on the link below for the auto surveillance info:

In Car Video Recording Security System

With (Black) Friends Like These......ah you know the rest

I really wanted to discuss the links showcased in the previous entry but I need to expound on this story first. Do you guys remember this chorus?:

Friends
How many of us have them?
Friends
Ones we can depend on
Friends
How many of us have them?
Friends
Before we go any further, lets be
Friends

If you are a true hiphop afficionado, the lyrics are from the song, Friends by the legendary rap group, Whodini. The meaning of the song definitely resonates today as it relates to the above clip. Despite my conservative leanings, I do not have any problems critiquing other folk whose views lean toward the right. Just as I do believe that there is a liberal bias in the media (sometimes resulting in the coddling of Black folk), I am equally vigilant when I see discrepancies with right wing media outlets. Talk about making much to do about nothing. Notice how Biden's comment about Obama has morphed into a referendum on the validity of interracial friendships. Actually I have two clips, featuring Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly confessing that they do not (or can not) have Black friends because of alleged Black sensitivity.

To be fair, I do think that many people of color can be overly sensitive regarding certain issues, but this is not an absolute supposition. It seems that these two gentlemen, just do not associate or run in the same circles as people of color (allegedly), and now have found a reason that justifies it-in case they come under public scrutiny. It appears that Beck and O'Reilly literally believe that the entire Black populace is some sort of team that just doesn't understand them. Last time I checked, people of color are not like the Yankees. And don't these guys speak for a living? Does becoming relaxed amongst friends mean that one is likely to slip up and say something racist? Well, maybe for Mel Gibson (or heck, Isaiah Washington).

The bottom line is...friendship is a tenuous experience to begin with-as long as you don't make gross generalizations and see folks as individuals, having friends cross-racially or intraracially should be no big deal. I guess Beck and O’Reilly never received that memo. Take a gander at the O’Reilly clip in question-and then sigh. With friends like these.....




We’re ‘Afraid’ To Have ‘A Lot Of African-American Friends’

A couple of Miscellaneous Thoughts(and links)

Due to time contraints, I can't elaborate on some new sites, issues and links but I at least wanted to share them with the class. More discussion tomorrow-meanwhile here's a preview:

Forgotten Genius

Racial Profilng In Chocolate City

What's behind stop & frisks?

The Other "N" word

And of course stay tuned for Afronerd Radio-coming Soon! Check the radio link/banner to your right or Afronerdradio.com-shows are slated to start this Sunday. Again More tomorrow.

Tyra Banks Stars in Entitlement of Mediocrity

I want to let you in on a secret. My all-time favorite talk show was the Phil Donahue Show hosted by the King of all liberals, Mr. Marlo Thomas a.k.a. Phil Donahue. In my estimation, Donahue represented the last bastion of liberalism when it actually made sense to be on the left. And in all fairness to Mr. Donahue, he was (and is) an extremely engaging and talented interviewer. Unfortunately, the Oprah juggernaut arrived and the Donahue show was its first casualty.

Fast forward two decades-now the archetypal talk show format which addressed hard-edged serious issues, has now been replaced with shows that cater exclusively to the public’s prurient interests. God forbid if the talk show medium actually educates its audience. Call it the Oprahfication (or Springerization) of the modern talk show. Enter the Tyra Banks Show-the Oprah Show for Generation X and Y. If you haven’t heard, Tyra wants you to kiss her fat ass. This proclamation arises as a response to her recent weight gain that garnered media scrutiny probably because of her model/celebrity status-go figure. Her stance is endemic in our culture, which I have dubbed the entitlement of mediocrity. Tyra wants you to accept her weight gain, which translates into complacency. Is it disingenuous for an ex-model that has amassed a fortune based on the premise of aesthetics to now complain about gaining weight? But then again we have individuals that want to smoke, drink and eat into oblivion and then list grievances when the ramifications of their behavior rise to the surface.

High-fiving weight gain is not the answer when our nation leads the world in excess and obesity. In addition, the latest stats show African-American females as comprising the largest segment of the US population for obesity-Latin women coming in a close second. This is just unacceptable. It has also been reported that this may be the first generation due to bad habits, not to reach the same life expectancy as their predecessors. And giving credence to bulimia/anorexia or binge dieting to uphold model thinness should not be acceptable either. What should be promoted is the owning up to our frailties by overcoming such obstacles through hard work (i.e. diet and exercise) and discipline. We are an obese nation-let’s face it unabashedly. That’s when someone can kiss your (healthy) ass. Check out Tyra’s tantrum for your enjoyment.

Another Great Moment in Black History......Oh You Know I'm Joking

First order of business for President Obama, take away BET's broadcasting license. Trust me, that's something that I would actually applaud. If the KKK ever decided to get their own station, I suspect they would do a better job at representing Black folks' interests. My comrades at Blackprof.com begrudgingly found Throw Some D's infectious while acknowledging the cooning factor-I'm sorry folks, you lost me on that one.

Throw Some D's

And it get's worse, the clip below has been circulating the web for many months but it definitely makes me wonder if the space time continuum has been breached and I'm mistakenly living in 1924. One thing I do know, I have even more empathy for the Native American actor who always shed a tear during those anti-pollution ads from the 70s. WOW!



And just one more...check out the latest send-up by a relative of Al Jolson. When will this minstrel show end?

Someone should Biden their tongue......ok that was a bad pun

I'm pretty sure many of you are vaguely aware of recent comments made by Senator Joseph Biden that essentially were meant to compliment Barack Obama but instead went into the inevitable racial territory that seems to be quite fashionable these days. In an interview with the NY Observer, Biden made observational remarks about several Democratic presidential hopefuls, but when it came to Obama, he came down with a case of footinmouth disease. Ol' Joe stated, "You got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy... I mean, that's a storybook, man." My, isn't he special?-If I were Dana Carvey's Church Lady, I couldn't say it any better. As we go deeper into the 21st century, it amazes me the lack of sophistication that our citizens (civil servants included) continue to demonstrate. But as the official vendor for Bill Cosby's Truth Serum for the Masses, I could care less about the Joe Bidens of the world. I'm more concerned about combating the 24 hour media minstrel show that coexists with my beloved bourgeoisie fraternal(and sorority) order. It's the aesthetic of underclass Black tomfoolery and ineptness (with a good dose of fresh baked racism) that can impede Mr. Obama's presidential plans. The more complacent people of color are, regarding media perceptions, the easier it is for Biden (and others) to casually contend that the Obamas of the world are rare museum artifacts. Click on the links below for more on the Biden faux pas:

Some Day, Hipsters Will Wear "Biden '08" T-Shirts as an Ironic Statement


Biden Explains, Apologizes for Controversial Remarks


Joe Biden's Obama drama

Somebody Please Please Please Bury the Godfather

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As I span the globe...a few links of interest.

Check out a few sites, sounds and articles I came across in my many travels in cyberspace. Stanley Crouch on Herman Badillo's new book. Again Mr. Crouch rarely fails me with his insight. I also came across blackprof.com-definitely another sorely needed Black conservative site. And lastly, take a look at a highlight reel of sorts regarding the race issues of 2006. Enjoy!

Badillo is taking naysayers to school


Blackprof.com


The biggest race and pop culture trends of 2006

It's Hard playing a Broken Record....Especially when it's the same ol' Tune

I have a hard time accepting the fact that I have been beating the same drum (or playing the same record) as it relates to the dearth of Black multi-faceted imagery in the public landscape for what seems like a lifetime. I have to give many thanks to Mr. Starks (my co-host for the upcoming Afronerd Radio project) for bringing to my attention a recent NY Times piece that showcases the new blipster subculture that is allegedly all the rage. If you haven't guessed, a blipster is a portmanteau of "black" and "hipster"-how ironic. A blipster is that rare person of color that debunks the commonly held b-boy stereotype by dressing in close fitting attire and listening to rock music. What's next, discovering an articulate Black person that reads comic books? In some ways the article is insulting but it does present a dilemma-how does one highlight cultural genres without defining them? Or at the very least labeling the genre in question. I guess my main concern is how can this revelation translate into the public consciousness. I have written to Sirius radio imploring them to consider a Black alternative rock channel (conventional terrestrial radio is a joke) to no avail. We just can not escape the box that hip hop and ghetto culture has been positioned to put Black culture (in its entirety) in. And you just thought that the "black box" was for airplanes. Don't worry though.....I will not be deterred, as I will continue to fight for an expansive view for people of color-so speaks Afronerd. Check out the above interview of James Spooner, director for Afropunk (also mentioned in the Times article) a documentary about Blacks and punk culture. Also click on the links below for more on blipster culture.

NY Times-Truly Indie Fans


This Just In: NYT Discovers Black People Like Music Other Than Hip Hop

Analyzing Mr. Prelutsky's article....

I wanted to allow a few days to appropriately digest Burt Prelutsky's (of Townhall.com) Black Racism piece. Essentially, Prelutsky posits that it's high time for Whites to dispel fear of reprisal (a.k.a. being labeled a racist) and address Black underclass pathology. He further states that in general Whites are not racist but they are caught in the Niggas vs Black people paradox that Chris Rock referred to in his infamous Bring The Pain standup routine. I suspect that Prelutsky wants the ability to speak as candidly about the Black condition as Bill Cosby or Juan Williams has done in the last few years. My problem with his article (and of course the accompanying Townhall comments) is the generalities relating to people of color that often arise out of such a diatribe.

In all fairness, I agree with some of the points that Prelutsky made, however specificity pertaining to which Blacks appears to be obfuscated. Black culture is the culprit, according Prelutsky and his readers. Last time I checked, Black culture was not a finite one-dimensional entity. Black Racism in some respects, acts as an artifice for Prelutsky to abdicate America's social and corporate complicity in defining Black culture as being synonymous with ghetto culture. No one confuses Southern "cracker" culture as being the essence of White culture-so why should Blacks carry a similar burden? Check out this excerpt from Black Racism:

There is such a thing as white prejudice. No doubt about it. But it has nothing to do with race, and everything to do with character, culture and values. What blacks refuse to acknowledge is that whites are intolerant of crime and the creeps who commit it, be they black thugs or white trash. The latter are those lowlifes who form Aryan gangs; tattoo themselves with skulls and swastikas; and produce, distribute and use methamphetamines. I don’t know a single white person who isn’t ashamed to be of the same race as these vicious cretins.

One thing I try to refrain from doing when I write, theorize or proselytize is speak in absolutes. Nothing is absolute. I also think it is important to use quantifiers such as "many," "some" or "a number." Here are examples-Many Blacks have had negative experiences with the US judicial system or Some Whites are racist. Again, speaking in generalities leads to inaccuracy. How does Prelutsky know that Blacks are not as discerning about crime as Whites? I will make one proclamatory statement, however. I do not believe society racializes Whites to any degree close to a person of color. I do not perceive a White person having to answer for another person that shares his same pigment.

When a high profile Black person is caught in a negative situation (or even a low profile person of color for that matter) trust me when I say that many Black people feel compelled to discuss it from a community perspective. Jeffrey Dahmer is not reflective of Whites and conversely neither is OJ to Blacks. Unfortunately, what has happened in recent years as the Prelutsky article (and the Family Guy vid in my prior entry)demonstrates, some Whites are becoming comfortable in commenting on Black culture as if it existed in vacuum. This is what happens when ghetto culture is marketed as Black culture without a counterbalance. If the media allowed for more Black varied imagery, then he would know that many people of color agree with Bill Cosby just as many do not agree with Reverend Sharpton's politics. The media determines Black representation not Black folk themselves. Perhaps Mr. Prelutsky needs to interact with Black people of various social strata-some of us are actually as articulate as Mr. Obama. Another suggestion-cut your television off and have a discussion like the clip above.

Should This Man Lose His Job?

Yes! I'm keeping this short. This melodrama should be called Mr. Washington Goes to Hollywood. Simply put, Washington probably makes more money in one episode than the average person makes in a year. Enough with the stereotypical Black male implosions-collect your check and sit in a corner. If you can't conduct yourself with grace and elegance? Zip it! Remain silent on nonsensical issues. Try it, Mr. Washington-millions of us do this routine daily. That's all folks!

What Do a cartoon and a Townhall Column have in Common

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Add to My Profile | More Videos

First check out the above Family Guy clip (look out for the "Black man" comment towards the end) and then take a look at the Townhall.com column (below) entitled Black Racism , written by Burt Prelutsky. Now talk amongst yourselves...comments coming up.

Black Racism

Uno Dos Tres....Obama! or The I Told You So Entry

I really hate to run the Obama story into the ground especially at the genesis of the campaign season-but I detest when I am critiqued as if I am just speculating on certain topics. As you have undoubtedly noticed from the last entry, I was criticized for pointing out the Obama nomenclature fiasco. Next up, Fox News (sometimes referred to as Faux News by liberals-in this case, appropriately named) reported that Obama has a Muslim past and that this information was drudged up by Hillary Clinton's camp. Please view the above clip and make sure you wear goggles as to block out the mud that has just been thrown. Despite my conservative leanings, I still appreciate accuracy over political polarization. And trust me, this occurs on both sides of the political fence. Since the initial airing of the Fox broadcast and the smoke has cleared, we find out that:

a) Obama did briefly attend an Indonesian Madrassa during his formative years, but it was a public school and had no affiliation with any sort of fundamentalist teachings.

b) Obama is in actuality, Christian.


c) There is very little evidence to support the contention that Mrs. Clinton had knowledge or leaked this dose of misinformation, and


d) Obama's early Muslim education was self acknowledged in both his recent best sellers.


I repeat, let's all hope that the Illinois senator's star shines bright but remember this is just the beginning and already his image is par for the course. Good Luck Barry(hey that's what his High School friends called him).

You Know.......Most of the Time I Know What I'm Talking About

Let me state emphatically, that I wish harm to no one-especially Barack Obama. My dear friends at the Booker Rising blog, I believe misunderstood my last blurb/entry. Heck..we conservatives of color must stick together but hey sometimes thoughts get lost in the machine. No doubt, Mr. Obama has made a great first impression ever since he came into the national spotlight during the 2004 Democratic convention. He has all of the trappings of someone who could be president-polished, elegant, youthful and well-educated. And as I alluded to in my previous entry, Obama is a classic moderate-not the social progressive that liberals wish him to be.

Perhaps successfully (or unsuccessfully) conservatives made the term "liberal" a perjorative many moons ago and it would be extremely difficult to get elected under the auspices of conventional liberalism. One could make a strong argument that a liberal in today's lexicon is closer to a Barry Goldwater conservative from yesteryear-if winning an election is the objective. Hopefully the presidential exploratory committee that Obama is forming, gives him the thumbs up to seek the democratic nomination. But as the above video demonstrates-he will have problems, his name notwithstanding. There was already a televised faux pas, confusing Obama with Osama-ewww, that's gotta hurt. So..let's wait to see what ideas, policies and political perspectives Mr. Obama has in store for us. And let's hope that the American public can show that they truly are an enlightened bunch. I'm just not so sure that after the media smoke clears Americans will do what polling indicates.....perchance to dream. Obama entry part three is coming up...hey if Rocky Balboa can do it so can Afronerd.

Obama Fever Doesn't Mean America Has Political Jungle Fever (at least not in the Daytime)

I must discuss the media fascination with Senator Barack Obama's possible presidential bid. Is it more fantasy than reality? Truth be told, Obama is not the liberal that Democrats wish him to be-he is a liberal only in moderation. Stay tuned for my next entry regarding Barack Hussein Obama. And for the record, I hope fantasies do come true...but you saw what happened to the last person named Hussein-not sure, check my entry on January 10th.

Obama takes first big step in two-year race for the White House


Is Obama the Front-runner?


Obama Starts '08 Bid, Reshaping Democratic Field

The Day the Earth Stood Still......or When America Stops Caring About What Celebrities Think

Check out this latest shocker....Jamie Foxx, Mr. Ray himself recently made some disturbing remarks regarding his right to being a nigga. Ok..maybe not so shocking but it's time for America to start the decelebfrication process. This essentially entails the need for our citizens to wean themselves from giving notables like Foxx any platforms signifying political, social or cultural importance. According to today's Daily News gossip section, Jamie (the artist formerly known as Eric Bishop) while performing his stand-up act in Atlantic City Sunday night stated, "I'm an Oscar winner, but I'm a nigga, too." Foxx wants you to know that Whites should not be allowed to use this word and that Blacks own it's usage and nigga (sans the "er") is absolutely necessary to his existence. And least you forget, this exchange occurred on the eve of the Dr. King holiday.

Again...as I have repeated incessantly in this blog, it is crucial for cogent and diverse voices amongst people of color to be heard so that the world doesn't think that Mr. Foxx carries the pulse of a community. He should and does speak for himself...solely. But to be fair, I'm sure there are quite a few folks that share Foxx's belief system. The problem with being part of a minority group is that a high profile person with a voice and a platform and access to the media oftentimes ends up being a representative of sorts. Whites in my estimation (discounting White ethnics) are not racialized like this, as there is no sole White representative that identifiably (no..not even the KKK) speaks for the Whites. Conversely, it's time for Black folk to have this option. According to the media, one would have difficulty quantifying a Black conservative movement-but trust me there is one. One would also believe that many Blacks are poor and uneducated despite an ever growing middle class. And don't let me discuss hip hop since we ALL love the gangsta....really. Perhaps I'm repeating myself with my proselytizing but the truth must be told....maybe Jamie will get that memo one day. I might even hold my breath on this one. For more on the Jamie Foxx story click the link below:

Foxx: Ugly insult's only for 'N' crowd

Now about Oprah's Gift......

To be honest, I do not know what to think about Oprah's generosity regarding her newly minted Leadership Academy for Girls located in South Africa. There are a myriad of opinions pertaining to her gift-most are positive but none without criticism. For the record, anyone who decides to put their money where their mouth is, as it relates to education should surely be applauded. And I have been a supporter of Ms. Winfrey (not that she needs my help, but you never know) of late regarding certain factions from the hip hop community (as the above video can attest to) who feel that she doesn't rep the ghetto or refuses to show love for minstrel music-who is she to have a problem with half-naked, gyrating women in videos?.....go figure.

My only qualm with Oprah is not her gift but the statement(s) she made regarding her decision to bestow the gift to South African children as opposed to kids in the U.S. To paraphrase Winfrey, she felt that kids in America valued ipods over education and that not only are South African girls in greater need but they would also be more grateful. No doubt that there is a kernel of truth to Oprah's sentiments but there is the adage of "charity begins at home." And I'm sure that there are some inner city youths that would be appreciative of a similar endowment that Winfrey may not be aware of. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Gates do not seem to have this same problem as they have recently committed their considerable resources to improving education in the States.

But on the other side of the equation-if African-Americans did not have such a disconnect from the continent of their origin, perhaps this matter would be moot. Another angle to note, is the fact that this academy ignores little Black boys that are equally in need of educational resources however I do hear that a co-ed school is forthcoming. All in all, I must commend Oprah for her efforts-let's see if Fitty builds a school....I just won't hold my breath. Check out the links below for more criticism pertaining to Oprah's South African gift and info on Oprah's academy:

Freedom Rider: Oprah and Bad Samaritans

Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy

Tomorrow Never Dies......unless you're sick (or the last week of the year)

Happy Belated New Year Folks.....due to time constraints and a small bout with the flu I have missed some key entry points...tomorrow I will commence the thrashing. Next up will be an analysis of Oprah's humanitarian effort regarding her South African school-as a teaser, check out the above clip. Enjoy!

P.S.
And for the one or two people who failed to check out Saddam's execution, see it below for confirmation. What a way to end the year-the deaths of James Brown, Gerald Ford (perhaps the last of the great moderate conservatives) and Saddam Hussein (unfortunately not the last of a line monstrous world dictators). Again more commentary is forthcoming.

Conservative Politics coming up......but for now more Geek fun

Check out the latest trailers for the upcoming year. Transformers (the live action version) finally reaches theaters for a July 4th, 2007 release and stay tuned for Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, also slated for a summer debut. Next year promises to be a nerd/geek fest of catastrophic proportions. Enjoy!

Hey a Samurai can wear a natural.....Can't He?

I hate it when I'm late on the scene regarding the next big thing. In the past I've been known to have blinders on when it came to certain aspects of pop culture. At one time I collected exclusively DC and Marvel graphic novels while feigning disinterest in books from independent companies. I actually missed out on the Milestone Comics era (a now defunct Black/minority based comic company during the 90s comic boom) because of this single-mindedness. It's akin to the 1980s phenomenon of wearing only acceptable sneakers and not skips (unknown brand athletic shoes). Nowadays, of course, it's one big free for all within the popular culture game-no rules apply. So, although I'm slowly breaking out of this funk for missing certain trends, I was however, a Johnny Come Lately regarding Sam Jackson's latest effort, Afro-Samurai. Samurai, originally started out as a Japanese manga story created by Okazaki Takashi, a graphic designer who funded the comic out of his own pocket. Here is Wikipedia's synopsis of the Afro Samurai storyline:

The TV anime series will be set in a "futuristic, yet feudal Japan," and star a black samurai named Afro. The story will follow Afro as he tries to avenge his father's murder. On the dark path of the swordsman, it is said that the one who becomes No.1 will rule the world. But the only rule in this world is that only the No. 2 is allowed to fight the No. 1. The No. 2, the Afro Samurai, travels the road looking for revenge on those who murdered his father in front of him when he was just a boy. The focus of his attentions is No. 1, a three-armed gunman who is the lord of the dark swordsman's road. Silent assassins lurk in the shadows, trying to get rid of No. 2, the only man allowed to fight No. 1. Can No. 2 achieve his aim?

Suffice it to say, I am definitely going to be looking for Mr. Jackson's latest celluloid effort-it's scheduled to air on cable's Spike TV on December 31st. Check your local listing. Click the links below for more information:

Afro Samurai Comic Takes Hollywood by Storm

Spike TV-Afro Samurai

Official Afro Samurai site

Graphic Novel Watch.....

An interesting trend has developed in the last five or so years, where the comic book a.k.a graphic novel, has become the last bastion for Hollywood originality-a place which has been bereft of a good idea for decades. Case in point, I just so happened to take a look at the latest issue of of the comic book catalog, Previews, and low and behold, I came across a fascinating new comic (from Boom Studios) scheduled for a March 07' release, entitled Hunter's Moon. Moon, which was written by Ray screenwriter, James L. White, appears to incorporate elements of Deliverance, Ransom and Lost except it has an African-American protagonist. Here is the novel's premise acccording to Previews:

The story is of a man who finds out that his black heritage may work against him in a small mostly white logging community. There doesn’t seem to be any outpouring of volunteers who want to help him get his son back from kidnappers who communicate only through cell phone. Lincoln "Linc" Greer is about to learn new meaning from the expression, “You ain’t from around here, are ya?”

This five part series appears to be the comic to watch out for the first quarter of the new year. Could a movie be far behind? For more info check the links below:

Ray Celebrity Comes To Comics

Hunter's Moon#1

Next entry...Sam Jackson's highly anticipated anime effort, Afro Samurai, sure to be a cool discussion.

More on the loss of Soul Brother No.1.....

First off, talking about James Brown's death is a very difficult thing. I was always most proud of the fact that Mr. Brown was a former resident of my hometown of Saint Albans, Queens. The Godfather's house (which still stands today) was the only one that actually possessed a moat. I believe those who are real music aficionados know that on many levels, there is an assumption that our music heroes will always remain alive for our immediate enjoyment. And as expected, no more than 24 hours after the legend's death, I remain disheartened, angry and disappointed. Some of the local NY radio stations(those of course geared toward the older R&B/Soul demographic) are playing Mr. Brown's classics, but the hip hop stations appear to be aloof in this regard thus far. Why wouldn't a hip hop station take a break from the programmed routine, and play Brown's music out of respect and reverence-music that was so instrumental in the very development of the genre?



And so it begins....the contempt, ignorance and disrespect of a legend. Inarguably, hip hop may not have reached the height of popular culture without James Brown's influence. I remember friends and colleagues jokingly (but truthfully) commenting during hip hop's infancy, how crucial it was for a hip hop song to require a James Brown break beat in order for it to be considered a true hit. If one were to listen closely, James Brown's presence can be heard and felt from hip hop's inception to the present. I would also submit that modern pop music, crossing a litany of genres, permeates with Jamesisms. Prince (who has to take the mantle at this point), Michael Jackson and any number of rock & rollers have emulated, if not out right stolen, James Brown's gift of showmanship as well as his unique brand of audience participation. Again, we have lost yet another bedrock in our musical tradition with very few heirs and musical future that is extremely bleak. We have already lost Luther, Lou(Rawls), Ray, Ruth Brown, Barry(White) and now James Brown- leaving the public with talentless refuse. I have never stopped playing Mr. Brown's music as my tastes are varied and ecclectic. You will be missed Mr. Brown-I'm betting heaven just got a little bit funkier. Do yourself a favor and click on the link below, it's a December 05' James Brown concert available for download via NPR's website.

James Brown in Concert

The Godfather dies on Christmas Day

Damn...I was hit with news that hit me like a kick to the gut. James Brown dies of pneumonia at the age of 73. I will elaborate more on one my musical idols in the next few hours.

Wiki's take on James Brown

God rest his soul: James Brown tunes out at 73

Happy Holidays from Afronerd!

Let it never be said that I hate hip hop....again, I remember what it was before the Minstrel Age. Take a look at the seminal rap group, The Funky Four (Plus One More) as they perform "It's the Joint," on Saturday Night Live. This 1981 appearance has been widely considered the first TV performance made by a rap group. Enjoy your eggnog as I shed a tear for a bygone era. Cheers!



P.S. Damn....this is an update. In the immortal words of James Brown, "hit me... two times." Here is another video that is yet another walk through memory lane. Although Grandmaster Flash's "The Message," is heavily lauded as being one of the first hip hop songs to use social commentary as its main text, The Fearless Four's, "Problems of the World Today," should be worthy of the number two position. What happened to rap's innocence? Mind you, this song was made during the height of the crack wars in New York City, and yet no minstrelsy....Things that make you go Hmmm.

Ok It's Not on the level of Area 51 but still.........

Usually I'm not a conspiratorial thinker but I may have to rethink matters as it relates to the recent Miss USA controversy. Heck, I might implement a lobbying effort to have Rosie and The Donald's latest rap battle to be featured on BET's Beef series. My first reaction to the Miss USA rout was that it was a whole lot about nothing-another tumultuous post adolescent White female implosion (a la Lindsay, Britney, Paris or last year's runaway bride-pick one) for public consumption. One would have deduced that an alleged heavy dose of drinking, lesbianism and cocaine ingestion would have had Tara Conner (the Miss USA in question) dethroned and sent packing for her next vocation-playboy centerfold. Wrong, my dear Watson!

As our culture spirals ever downward, Trump who owns the rights to the Miss Universe/Miss USA pageants, decided to give our young Tara a second chance. Now, of course I heard many critics of color state that 1984's first Miss America of color, Vanessa Williams, (who was famously dethroned for nude photos taken before she was a contestant) was not given her mea culpa and was less than surreptitiously ousted. Although the Williams counterpoint may have some validity, I discounted comparisons because it was a different era and a different pageant. But now I may have to think differently regarding this issue.

Despite my conservative leanings, I have never been naive when it comes to passive racism and money being longtime bedfellows. One would be foolish to think that the Trumpster, allowed Conner to keep her title for explicitly altruistic reasons. More media scandal plus more future Miss USA viewership equals more money...plain and simple. But what I didn't know was that the runner-up, was the equally beauteous Tamiko Nash. Nash, who is African-American, appears to have gotten short changed in this scenario. Perhaps anyone who was the runner-up in this drama would have been royally screwed but my eyebrow raised nonetheless. What is the purpose of even having a runner-up if outlandish behavior and a breach of contract can be easily excused. Maybe fate will rest it's hand on Miss Nash and like fellow pageant queen, Williams, she might ultimately become successful and remembered. More on this story below:

Tara Conner Dethroned, Tamiko Nash Becomes Miss USA (Not)

Trump Gives Miss USA Tara Conner Second Chance

When Lyrics Go Beyond Fantasy......

It looks like this is a moment when I have to quote the Michael Corleone character from the third installment of The Godfather franchise-"Just when I thought that I was out they pull me back in." If you take a gander at the above snippet, it's from the MTV2 hip hop program, Fight Club. Instead of this contest being one where the contestants' verbal dexterity and alliterative ingenuity are tested, it has regressed into some updated and twisted form of the dozens. If anyone is familiar with the African-American mainstay known as the dozens, it is essentially an informal forum developed to trade barbs with an adversary. How these "snapping" (another term for the dozens) contests rarely ended up in fights defies the imagination-if one were to make comparisons with today's climate of dysfunctionalism. But in actuality, I decided to use this clip as segue tool for a far less innocuous and tragic story pertaining to the "lyrics versus violence" debate.

A Staten Island jury recently arrived at a guilty verdict against Ronell Wilson, 24, a reputed gang leader for the execution style killing of two undercover police officers. This is an inverted version of the Sean Bell shooting incident that fails to garner the attention of those that attend the Reverend Sharpton's School of Racial Polarization (no relation to Ice-T's Rap School). What makes this tale even more disturbed is that when Mr. Wilson was initially arrested, police found self-scribed and grammatically decimated rap lyrics detailing how he killed these officers. It is high time for the other side of these street tragedies to be told, if not analyzed. How long will it take for our clergy, politicians, educators and PARENTS to start to put "two and two" together regarding gangsta music propaganda and what it is clearly doing to our youth. Let's hope that Wilson isn't offered a record deal before he gets a lethal injection (sentencing is next month)-anything is possible in this dystopic melodrama. Oh and least I forget, Happy Holidays. For more on this story check the links below:

Prosecutors use rap lyrics to boost case

Guilty in Killing of 2 detectives