The second edition of Black in America, “Black in America 2”, on CNN kicked off with a pre-show called “Moment of Truth,” in which several black figure heads talked about those who were inspirational to them.
This pre-show was probably the best part of Black in America 2.
Continue reading ‘Black in America 2 Doesn’t Even Touch The Real Story’
What in the hell happened to the Arsenio Hall Show? The famed show of the MTV generation was abruptly canceled in 1994 due to low ratings. (Ok, not actually. The show was actually canceled due to a controversial interview with Louis Farrakhan, which led to various corporate complaints, boycotts, and advertising losses, which ultimately led to Paramount’s cancellation of the show. However, that is a story for another day). With the absence of that show, there is no preeminent black talk show during the late night hours, and that is not okay.
Continue reading ‘Where’s the Color in Late Night Television?’
Music is a firm part of black culture. When this nation was founded and built on the backs of black slaves, music was one of the few things that slaves could indulge in despite being mired in poverty. Fast-forward to modern-day music, and music is not so free anymore. You either have to pay for songs on iTunes or buy CDs, and at the very least, listen through endless commercials to hear maybe 1 or 2 of songs you actually want to hear every hour.
For me, a more important issue than the cost of music, is who owns it. Except for Jay-Z (who recently bought the rights to most of his music), most Black music makers don’t own their music anymore. We have sold ourselves to “the man.” It started with big contracts in the 40s, 50s and 60s, and now black creators of music don’t even get those anymore, and now musicians are just relegated to a few pennies on the dollar and some passing fame. Continue reading ‘Keep The Rights to Your Music!’
If you will recall, I critiqued the good and the bad about the new “reality” series, Harlem Heights. In my critique, I mentioned how good it was to see a show about young, black people making their way in the world. I also talked about how foolish it was to put young, black people on television when they seemed so snooty and superficial. Well, it turns out; having the proper mix of those two ingredients makes one hell of a television show. Continue reading ‘Now That’s REAL Television…Sort of’
What in the world has my man Travis Henry gotten himself into?
According to a reports, Travis Henry, former Broncos running back, has 9 children with 9 different mothers.
That’s right. It wasn’t enough for him to produce 9 children before the age of 30, but he had to make each child with a different woman. In the report, Henry says it was the old “I’m on the pill” ruse that made him a victim to the game, but any brotha with half of an education should no better than to that.
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Is black the new flavor of the year?
It’s a question that clearly has been raised as President Barack Obama has ascended to the highest of offices. Immediately following his election, we saw toy-makers trying to dub the Obama girls, we saw in increase in the number of black models, and every major broadcast and cable station is airing black specials like crazy—even more than they typically do in the month of February! Continue reading ‘Is Black the New Flavor of the Year?’
Okay, so I just finished watching Harlem Heights. In case you haven’t heard of it, it’s a new show on BET highlighting the lives of several black individuals living in Harlem. These individuals are described by the show as being a part of the “young black elite” and the reality show chronicles their mid-20’s lifestyles and all of their “trials and tribulations.” Continue reading ‘Harlem Heights: It Wasn’t Too Bad’
We truly do have to start mentoring our youth.
I’m as guilty as the next person though. I don’t donate nearly enough of my time trying to help our youth make headway into the world. As a semi-successful, young, black man, I have a lot to offer a young boy or young girl in pursuit of a better life than that of their parents’.
Many of you are the same way. Chances are, if you are reading a blog, on the internet, in your respectable apartment, on your respectable computer, via your hi-speed, wireless, internet connection, then you are probably at least semi-successful just like me. And just like me, you should start thinking about doing a little more for black youth.
What can we do? Continue reading ‘Start Now: Mentor Our Youth’
Barack Obama may not have the time to create a college football playoff system, but maybe another aspect of sports is worth the attention of the 44th President of the United States. There is a huge aspect of sports that is a big reflection of where we are as a country. You see, even in a nation that is fresh off inaugurating its first black President, it’s amazing that we still find it difficult to let black people coach our collegiate football players. In NCAA Division I-A football, there are only 7 black head coaches out of the 119 teams. That means that slightly less than 6% of head coaches are black, while well over 50% of football athletes are black. What does that add up to? Discrimination! Read more…
Today is a new day. Today starts Barack Obama’s first day on the job as President of the United States. And just as the Presidents who have come before him, President Obama’s legacy is likely to be greatly defined by what he accomplishes in his first 100 days in the Oval Office. The populous as a whole will look to see if he keeps the promises he made during his campaign. However, I think I speak for a lot of black people when I say that his first 100 days will tell us a lot about the promises he didn’t verbalize during his Presidential campaign.
Throughout Obama’s candidacy and transition period, you probably heard a lot of people in the media talk about how Obama’s election was more than just about black people, how all Americans were taking something from his election as President, and how Obama would only speak to issues of the nation and not just the Blackonomy.
Well, that was nice and all, but let’s be real…
Continue reading ‘One Small Step for America, One Giant Leap for the Black America’
