What is going on in America these days? Actually I should say for some time now. I mean the presumption that Black men, and Black culture, are defined in a specific manner. Far too many believe that ALL African American men live the ‘thug’ life, or wish to be nothing more than rappers and basketball players. That is those who don’t chose to be drug dealers, pimps or addicts.
For those that doubt this take a look at what happened recently in Tempe, Arizona. A police officer recently pulled over a car with 2 Black men in it. He had pulled them over to give them a littering ticket, but gave them the option to not get the ticket if they would perform a rap for him. They did so and the whole thing was captured on tape and played on the cable channel show Tempe StreetBeat.
Now some may disagree, but I find that insulting and infuriating. Why is it that the assumption is that I MUST be into rap just because of my skin color? What gives anyone the right to act on that assumption, especially to my detriment, and assume as this officer and whoever Ok’d the program did that this was normal behavior? It’s not just this one incident, because the culture gave precedent to the act. Still I would expect common sense to say this was not right. Obviously that was not the case.
But in other news there are some interesting things going on. The upcoming movie Dreamgirls, an adaptation of the Broadway play, is soon to hit the screens. The play was phenomenal and eye-opening. If you don’t feel for Effie then you must be emotionally stunted, I think. I’m not very emotional or expressive and it got me. I have no doubt the movie will be just as good considering that Mr. Jamie Foxx, Mr. Eddie Murphy, Ms. Beyonce Knowles and Ms. Jennifer Hudson are all in it.
While Ms. Knowles may be the weak link, having almost the least experience, it’s the least experienced that is getting Oscar buzz. Ms. Hudson is getting noticed for the portrayal and singing in her role of Effie White. It’s a great thing that this character and actress are being noticed as that’s exactly what is not happening in the story line. It’s about time that women of talent, that don’t match the ‘twiggy’ ‘wanna-be-anorexic’ blonde theme are recognized for their abilities. Talent is never limited to a transitory societal image of beauty; whether that image is confined to color, size, ethnic or other variables. And that is one of the themes of the how thing.
Just a few things to think about.
This is what I think, what do you think?
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