August 19, 2011

Martin Luther King Monument Washington, D. C. Gala Celebration

MLK...Take a Seat at the Table?

Once again I have been given the opportunity to view a cultural issue based on a diverse cultural lens.  I think it is a true testament to  Martin Luther King's life and work to have Dr. King’s message of brotherhood which was grounded in racial, economic and social justice, to be memorialized and celebrated through the creation of the Martin Luther King Monument in Washington, D. C.  I stumbled over an article by L. Arthalia Cravin and although she  voiced her excitement regarding the MLK project, her observation of the television commercial advertising the monument's gala dedication was profound in my humble opinion.

  Ms. Cravin eloquently described her initial thoughts and warned   "we should be very careful that Dr. King’s true message of brotherhood is not glossed over in favor of pomp and circumstance".                                                                                                            
The reason for this warning, was upon Ms. Cravin's initial viewing of the commercial advertising the gala celebration. Ms. Cravin noticed a long table as she listened to the words of Dr. King as he spoke of his dream of the “former sons of slaves and the former sons of slave owners” sitting together at the "table of brotherhood” and...
                                        empty plates?

Ms. Cravin speaks about the growing economic disparities and social conditions for Black America. How can different people from different walks of life sit at the same table if the portions of food are so vastly different, how does this signify true brotherhood?
You can read Ms. Cravin's message in it's entirety at http://northamarillonow.co/wp2/?p=6348

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

“And the Winner is … ”

My 18 year old son somehow convinced me to watch the move “Predators” the other night. Although I found this science fiction movie to be action packed with some decent special effects, for my taste, there was way too much testosterone gone bad!  In any event, as Joseph and I continued to watch the story unfold, my son said to me “I bet you anything Mom that the African American dude gets killed first”   “No Way” I replied. I was astounded by this assumption because I think that Mahershalalhashbaz Ali as Mombasa, is not only awesome for the part, but he is damn good lookin’ to boot! Well I was right, it was an American Mexican who was killed first, Dan Trejo... so there!

Whoops, not more than a few minutes latter BAM, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali was skewed like a shish-kabob!

So here I thought I was the only one who found out about this hidden little movie industry secret. As soon as I went to work I tracked down an African American friend/mentor, (I’ll call her MW) whom I admire. I anxiously told her of my new found revelation...well, Joseph's revelation!  "New…hmmm, I don’t think so" as she chuckled. She told me that the Black actors who are not box office wonders, usually get killed first or soon there after.  Well thanks MW, there goes my new found theory! But in all seriousness, I am glad that I learned just one more fact that validates how racism is so embedded in our societal culture. It has become second nature in refuting the possibility that this level of exclusion still occurs, and is a constant reminder of how much more work we need to actually do!!

If you are a Black actor but you are not a big headliner like Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Laurence Fishburne, Morgan Freeman, and Samuel L. Jackson to name a few, there are three elementary questions one should asked themselves before watching a movie, during and up until the movie credits.                                                                      

1. Does the Black actor die first?

2. If not, how soon does he/she die?

3. Can a Black person ever make it to the credits?

Oh yeah, I would like butter on my popcorn too please!

“

Why Isn't the U.S. Supporting The United Nations International Year for People of African Descent

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Why Isn't the U.S. Supporting The United Nations  International Year for People of African Descent

Why must I always access Australia's news media to find out what is going on here in my own country, The United States of America? I stumbled on to the fact that in January 2011 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the year beginning January 1st, 2011 as the International Year for People of African Descent. Where was I when the memo came out! 

In short this year was dedicated to the People of African Descent in promoting and protecting their Human Rights as well as their ability to participate in the full enjoyment of economic, cultural, social, civil and political rights. What I found to be absolutely ludicrous is the fact that Australia was not directly involved as America was, in the forceful removal of people from Africa in the Trans - Atlantic slave trade. However because Australia has welcomed the people of African descent to make Australia their home, the Australian government has taken their responsibility to their countrymen seriously, they have joined the United Nations in protecting the rights and in the promotion of a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage of the People of African descent!

Has the United States joined the United Nations in this effort....I am afraid NOT! House Bill H.RES.41 was introduced on Jan. 19, 2011 coincidentally Martin Luther King’s Birthday and the last time there was any activity on the bill was in March 1, 2011 when the bill was  referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights. We as a country are suppose to be a leader around the world?

 We cannot even "Do the Right Thing" here, at home, for our own people. What a sad commentary that is for the supposed UNITED States of America.