From Michael Vass

For my readers that aren't aware, Blogger (the software that runs this site) is ending service for blogs like this one on May 1st. Don't worry, plans are already in the works to ensure that this site will continue on.

Over the next couple of days there may be some interruptions and/or some of the links may not work. Please bear with us as we try to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Thank you for your support, and do check out World of Vass and Alchemy at World of VASS while we are at work.

Where is Jeff Goldblum and a laptop when you need them?

For decades I have had 1 pet peeve you might not have thought about. While I love sci-fi movies, I just get annoyed sometimes. Inevitably, in almost every movie, the humans wind up doing something miraculous and beat down the aliens that are almost all complete idiots.

It's a pattern that you see in science as well as movies. If you watch Discovery Channel or some of the Science networks you've watched as scientists go on and on about the search for life. Yet all the lifeforms they discuss are microbes or maybe herds similar to cows. Never intelligent life. Never anything smarter than humans.

Between the reality and the fantasy the concept that we might not be the smartest things in the universe is lost. It's fine in a movie, though sometimes it's just over the top. Seriously, Jeff Goldblum figured out an alien language and computer system in a day on his laptop?

If an alien race can travel through space, individually or en masse, do you really think they are less intelligent than people who can't figure out how to balance their checkbook or maintain world peace for 30 days? Obviously there is one scientist that agrees with me. Stephen Hawking.

Stephen Hawking presented his new show - Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking on the Discovery Channel - a discussion of aliens. More than speculation that mere microbes might exist somewhere in the vast universe, Hawking discusses how different life might be out there and plentiful. He also considered the thought that aliens might just be like us, with perhaps thousands if not millions of years of advanced knowledge.

It's a chilling thought. One that makes it clear that E.T. isn't cuddly and that supercomputers won't be enough.

"Such advanced aliens would perhaps become nomads, looking to conquer and colonise whatever planets they can reach. - Stephen Hawking"

I love Star Trek, Farscape, and Independence Day as much as anyone. I'm a huge sci-fi nut in fact. But it's just a peeve to hear scientists ramble on as if we are the best the universe can muster up. I'm glad to hear at least 1 mega-egghead mention the more probable reality.

That said, I'm watching my video tapes of Farscape again. John Crichton rules! Frell Scorpius.

Once in a century goal!

While much of the nation will be talking about the Pittsburgh Pirates, baseball, and the 4th worst loss ever (20 - 0, the worst game for the team in 124 years), there are other things to celebrate in sports.

Given I'm not a big baseball fan. Still I did notice the score. And the stats are horrendous.

The aggregate score of the three-game series was Brewers 36, Pirates 1

Ten Brewers recorded an RBI on Thursday. Pitcher Manny Parra(notes) ended the scoring with a RBI single in the ninth inning.

But I'm lucky. When I do pay attention to baseball I am a Yankees fan. Who grows up in the Bronx and isn't?

So for the fans of the Pirates, those that love world records, and fans of soccer (futbol) that are waiting for the World Cup, I present the first - and likely only ever - tandem bicycle kick goal.



Pele may be the immortal image of a bicycle kick goal, but this is something you just have to watch more than once. I can't even imagine the odds of this. Forget about seeing it happen again.

This is why Argentina is feared in the World Cup. They were the first team to play in the final World Cup round (with Uraguay, who won in 1930). They are the 4th most likely to win the World Cup based on the odds. They stand ranked 8th in the world right now. They have placed in the quarter-finals or better 7 times in the World Cup.

So am I surprised that Argentian scored this once in a century goal? Not really. The real question is if this kind of amazing will to win is what will be on display in South Africa in the 2010 World Cup. I can't wait to find out.

It's been 2 days since the Lane Bryant commercial aired on television. The question is will we see more ads like this, and if they will be treated like other commercials of the same nature.

If you don't know what commercial is being referred to here it is.



Now I realize that ABC found this to be hot stuff. So hot that they would not air it on their channel at 8pm. Kids might be shocked to see a woman that looks more like their mom than a pencil in a commercial.

In polls across the net, like the one at People Magazine (94% approval), the overwhelming majority of Americans realize that this commercial is tame. The women look good, but are hardly going to send kids in to a sex crazed hysteria as you might think considering the ban that was placed on the commercial.

Honestly, we all realize that ads from PETA, and regular television programming - hell even many cartoons, are far more suggestive. Some are even outright more revealing. Case in point, the various ads and television specials of Victoria Secrets. Why ABC, and FOX, don't get it makes no sense.

But back to the question. Will there be more television ads with real women?

I can only hope so. Sticks are fun for dogs, but women shouldn't be a stick. In fact, virtually every woman in the world looks more like the women in the Lane Bryant commercial than the ones in the Victoria Secrets commercials. Marilyn Monroe, Betty Page, Anna Nicole Smith, and a huge selection of all-time famous celebrities all were/are what is now called plus-sized.

Look at almost all the ancient paintings, descriptions in literature, excetera. Real women have been the top of the list, except for about the last 40 years. It says something that the more modern and technological we have become the less real images of women have become.

Call it a personal opinion, but I prefer women that are real. The sticks that are models may have great personalities but none of my friends would ever bother to find out if they were next to a woman with decent curves.

So yes, I think there should be more commercials like this. But I'm a guy and this is my opinion. What do you think?

William Shatner and Lin Yu Chun: Duet

If you haven't seen this you really should. 2 men - William Shatner and Lin Yu Chun, singing a song - Total Eclipse of the Heart - made famous by Bonnie Taylor in the 1980's. It just boggles the mind.

When Bonnie Taylor first made Total Eclipse of the Heart a hit, it was 1983. The song was originally made for Meatloaf, but his record company refused to pay for the song. So Bonnie Taylor got it. If any man might have made it a hit, Meatloaf was the guy.

That said, William Shatner is not unknown for his musical efforts. His Transformed Man albulm from 1968 is an underground classic. It's spoken word format is truly something that must be heard to be explained. But it's hardly the only performance that Shatner has done.

He has performed with Elton John, Ben Folds, Henry Rollins, Joe Jackson, and others. Many were on his second album, Has Been - released in 2004.

As for Lin Yu Chun, well he is a phenom. Though I have not heard him sing a male performers song his ability to sing is unquestioned. The fact they are songs not in his native tougne is astonishing. He like many other entertainers found on foreign versions of American Idol makes the American counterparts look as talented as they really are.

So combining these disparate parts seems daunting. Almost chilling. Yet they came together in a unique way.



As has been said before, Lin Yu Chun is going to have a meteoric career. Success in America and the international scene is almost assured. But this is no one trick pony.

Still it would not be suggested to sing with Captain Kirk anymore.

The other Things Fall Apart

I recall back in 1985 and 86 reading Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. It was part of an English class I had at City College in New York. The purpose was to see some of the great writing from people of color that the standard public school education never even hinted existed.

Things Fall Apart is the story of an African man, back during the early colonial days of the English invading Africa, and how he copes with the forced introduction of European democracy and Chrisitianity. It is quite a book. While I personally did not enjoy it, much to the surprise of my Professor, I did feel the power and statement of the book. If you have never heard of it, I do recommend it.

So you can imagine my surprise that a film called Things Fall Apart is in production now. Hollywood making a film starring and featuring a Black cast, with a less than positive view of Europe, colonization of Africa, and the purposive destruction of tradition and lives of people rich in culture and tradition. I'd have bet money that it would NEVER happen.

And I would win that bet.

Things Fall Apart, the film, is not a take on Chinua Achebe's acclaimed 1958 book. The closest the film gets to any aspect of the book is the fact that African Americans are in the movie. Once you find out who is in the movie and what it's about, you might cry since it shares the name of such a great work.

The film is about "a star football running back, played by Jackson, who faces a personal tragedy as well as his own mortality while in his senior year in college." The Jackson mentioned is Curtis Jackson, best known as the grammatically challenging name 50 Cent.

Talk about a let down. This is another quickie low-budget film, featuring a minor D-list actor (really a glorified rapper, which is the same thing) in a role likely to do nothing but glorify violence and reinforce the misguided idea that the only chance of success for African Americans lies in sports or entertainment.

The film originally was titled Love Me, Love Me Not. I think they should have stayed with that title rather than piggy-backing on the title of a far superior work of art.

Of course I could be wrong. Curtis Jackson might have taken MANY needed acting lessons. The film could be a breakout role, showing Jackson displaying depth and pathos. And Hollywood might actually adapt Chinua Achebe's book. In fact Iran might give up on creating nukes and the Health Care Reform might not cost us extra money. It's all mathematically probable, which is another way of saying realistically impossible.

Look at it like this. The movie will cost around $20 to see when you add in all the costs. The DVD will likely be the same. You could buy the hardcover edition of Chinua Achebe's book for $11. You will save $9 and have a far better time for your money. Plus if you are into the "we have to support Blacks in entertainment even if it's crap" mindset, Achebe is African, so you are still supporting - just quality in the case of the book.

**Please check out Alchemy at World of VASS and our sponors. Your support helps keep this blog alive and we appreciate it.**

50 Cent sells his skin for money

You might have heard that 50 Cent is making a change. It seems that the bullet magnet is dropping one of his more notable marketing points in his effort to become less 'ghettofabulous'. What might this be? His tattoos.

Now most people of my age or older got tattoos because there was a meaning for them. Each of my 4 tattoos is a symbol of an event or moment in my life. But the meanings of tattoos changed over the years and now are just a common fad, with the majority of people getting them just because it's a popular thing to do. Curtis Jackson (50 Cent) is among that latter group.

50 Cent is removing his tattoos with laser removal to improve his chances of getting film roles. Which says 2 things clearly. The first is that the tattoos have little true meaning, which begs the question why place such a demonstrative and ideally permanent image on his body in the first place? The second is that Jackson (50 Cent) believes that the tattoos somehow interfere with his ability to act.

Personally I believe that a tattoo is a statement for life. No one should ever place something on their body that has no meaning to them. Unlike a hairstyle or clothing, a tattoo is not something that can be changed on a whim. Tattoos are not fashion but a declaration of a person in a manner that announces itself to the world - if it can be easily seen. Given that now such importance is not given to tattoos, sadly.

But as for the conflict with the acting ability of Jackson... well that is another matter. 50 Cent has stated that sleep is more important to him than the tattoos. That the time in make-up to hide the tattoos is detrimental to his film career. Likely there is also the thought that his marketability among Hollywood is higher when tattoos are not prominent.

Generally I find this to mean that 50 Cent is even more of a sell-out than ever before. If the tattoos were more than a statement of his desire to just be popular and follow a trend, then he would keep them. So it implies that he is weak willed in that respect.

His removal of the tattoos in an effort to receive monetaty gain implies his willingness to conform for a price. he is willing to enact extremes just to get a dollar. Which is not too suprising for a person willing to sell drugs for a living. Such an individual is little more than a whore for money, in my opinion, and obviously a sell-out given the chance.

But the thought I really find amusing is the thought that the tattoos in any way might influence his acting ability. One must have talent first, to have anything affect it. Thus far there is no hint of his ability to act, execpt if you include his minstrel act as acting. Therefore tattoos or not, he is rightly relegated to the standard D-class of acting that virtually all rappers-turned-actors deserve.

How good is 50 Cent acting? Well there is the upcoming film Twelve, where he has to stretch his abilities and reach to play a murdering drug dealer. Who knows if he can get into that role. Not that he has life experience there.

The film Get Rich or Die Tryin' was so impressive Samuel Jackson stated he did not want to lend credence to what he believed was an inexperienced and unproven actor. It also promted the quote from film critic Roger Ebert,

"Like Bill Cosby, Jackson is arguing against the anti-intellectual message that success for young black males is better sought in the worlds of rap and sports than in the classroom".

It also was a film that demanded immense acting skill, with 50 Cent playing a drug dealer that hoped to be a rapper.

All in all, lack of tattoos will not improve his lot in gaining roles. He is regarded as he should be, a drug dealer that got popular for being a minstrel. Hollywood has yet to have a reason to treat him better.

**Please check out Alchemy at World of VASS amd World of Vass. Your support keeps this blog alive. Thank you for supporting us.**

Michael Vass discusses Hollywood & the Race Lift By Darren at The Movie Blog

Today the Movie Blog cited on of my posts (Tropic Thunder draws questions of racism) in a discussion of The Last Airbender and moreso the issue of race in movies. It's a topic I have long discussed.

Now I will start off thanking Movie Blog for citing my work. It's always pleasant to see my work valued by peers. But I believe that Darren, who wrote the post, missed my point.

Darren and I both agree that Hollywood is notorious for race lifting movies. Airbender features a cast of nearly all Whites (except for the villian). The failed Dragonball movie race lifted nearly every character to Whites. The tradition of doing this goes back decades. Even the well done Magnificent 7 is a race lift, and revisioning, of The 7 Samurai (as was A Fist Full Of Dollars to Yojimbo).

I agree that

"Seriously, when was the last time a film maker like Tyler Perry secured a budget equivalent to an equally successful director who works with Caucasian casts? Bad Boys (and yes, Bad Boys II) is the only major blockbuster I can think headline by two non-white actors."

It's well overdue that people of color got proper attention on the big screen and small. I particularly enjoyed that Darren pointed out the little known fact that

"Before about 1970, it was common for TV stations in the US South to edit shows featuring non-stereotypical black characters to remove their scenes. In cases where the character couldn’t be edited out, the episode or the entire show wouldn’t be aired. Producers therefore had an incentive to choose an all-white cast even if the original characters were intended to be minorities. (One of the first shows to attempt to break this barrier was Hogans Heroes, which made Kinchloe the second-in-command and the camp genius so he couldn’t be edited out.)

But I feel Darren didn't get what I was saying when he stated

"Of course, the fact that Kirk Lazarus was a satire himself was apparently taken far too seriously by some people, who completely missed the point and took the movie as a straight example of Hollywood screwing an African American actor out of a part."

The italicized section links directly to my post noted above.

My post, one of 2 on the movie Tropic Thunder, was not intended to address the sacrasm of Robert Downey's character. I was discussing the hype around the issue of whether or not blackface should be used in movies today. It was also to address, less so, the issue that actors of different races supplant actors that are intended to be of a specific race. Like how Airbender and Dragonball have been.

I have long been an opponent of the standard in Hollywood that prevents people of color from taking roles, directing movies, writing, or otherwise being involved with entertainment. There is less than 10% of all positions in movies and television held by people of color. That's in front of and behind the scenes. Based on my own attempts at random study, roughly 2% of all characters on television - on any given day, at any given hour, with all channels considered - are the combination of all people of color (which includes background characters). It's insane if we look at the world, or even just America, in comparison.

Darren in his article also points to the potential of a Black Captain America. Why not he states in so many words. Why not indeed. Just as I asked not long ago, why not a Black Dr. Who? Or any other role for that matter.

But if an actor were to play say the Black Panther, which is in various stages of development for years now, in blackface... well that is another thing indeed. Or a Black actor playing Captain America in whiteface for that matter. Which again was the point I was addressing in the post Darren was addressing.

Overall, I think that anyone can agree that Hollywood - for all the posturing and Liberal idealism that it pontificates - is the bastion of the Ole White Boys Club. An American movie and/or television show seems nearly impossible to be made without White leading characters, and generally one person of color in a minor role. If the film happens to be sci-fi or horror, you can bet on that character getting killed first (generally in the first 15 to 30 minutes of the film).

Airbender like Dragonball before it, and untold movies to come or in the past, support a subliminal racism that is accepted en masse in America - influencing how people of color are often depicted in other nations. Sadly success of these movie and television race lifts guarantees it's continuation in the eyes of Hollywood execs. The failure of these films is generally seen as just a film that had a limited audience. When people of color are given the rare chance to shine, it is considered a fluke (Will Smith and Denzel Washington are considered the extreme and not a norm) or denigrated to just a "successful minority film" (basically any success of Spike Lee and others).

Will The Last Airbender be a success? Possibly. But the fact that the cast has been transposed to all Whites is not part of that reason. It is an example of Hollywood screwing people of color out of work; and an insult to Americans in assuming we can't enjoy quality entertainment without White dominated casts. This too I think that Darren and I agree on.

The Star Wars comedy show

If you haven't heard about it yet, you will. Star Wars will be made into a comedy series. But if that isn't odd enough, it will be animated. Still need more? Seth Green will be one of the key minds behind the project.

If you are suddenly thinking of the Robot Chicken episodes dedicated to Star Wars, you are on the right path. Seth Green is one of the executive produicers of Robot Chicken. And George Lucas has been impressed enough with the specials that he is going to on a path touched on once, during the rarely spoken about Christmas special.

The concept is 'what do the characters in the Star Wars universe do when not saving the universe or fighting dark forces'? The proposal is some form of hijinks, in animated colors sure to amuse any 5 year old (or more than a few smokers, in college or not).

I understand why Lucas and Green are doing this. It will make tons of money. The merchandising could be incredibly lucrative. For Seth Green it gives him a chance to be part of one of the greatest media sucesses of perhaps all time.

But as a fan of Star Wars, and mostly of the original 3 films, I'm not as enthused by the idea. I see it as more of a trend to make a profit. Kind of like how Jar-Jar was meant to draw in children, though most anyone older only wanted to see the character get killed from the moment it was introduced.

Could Star Wars make a good comedy? Will watching Boba Fett do pratfalls week after week be endearing? Could the animated Yoda become Jerry Lewis to an Animated Jedi Mater Windoo? Will we ever see Emperor Palpatine get a pie in his face? Or will it just be characters we never heard of doing things that don't matter in a hopefully funny way?

No matter which direction is taken, I just can't get excited. Maybe I grew up with the best part of the story (the middle 3 chapters), or I've read too many of the novels continuing the story. Maybe I like the characters as they were, or fear even more Jar-Jar-esque characters. But if I feel like that, and my age range is the true support of the bulk what is the Star Wars franchise, what success does this new idea have?

Do you want to see an animated Star Wars comedy? Do you think it's a good or bad idea?

Quotes of Cindy Sheehan - comedy or tragedy?

When you stop to listen to some activists and individuals of dubious celebrity, you often hear things that just make you want to laugh or cringe. Often I have wondered why anyone would follow such a person. All of this came together when I covered Cindy Sheehan at her book signing in Binghamton New York recently.

Some of the things she said was comically absurd, other parts contradicted her own statements seconds earlier, and yet other statements were tragically wrong. I want to share that with you, and the nature of the following celebrity political video is not quite right for my political blog.



Now when you consider all that I would like you to consider the question that was asked of me by George McAnaname at the Sheehan event.

"Who do you think embodies the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King more, President Obama or Cindy Sheehan?"

**Note, given time considerations of the video, every effort was made to keep the comments of Cindy Sheehan in context. The clips are in chronological order. No alteration was made to statements of Sheehan or any other person speeking.**

P.O.W./M.I.A. Remembrance Service

This is not about entertainment, but I feel very strongly about this. Please take a moment to read the following (originally posted at P.O.W./M.I.A. Remembrance Service in Binghamton NY at Wall That Heals


Though it was a cold, overcast, misty evening dozens of veterans and their families came together at Columbus Park in Binghamton, New York. The reason for the gathering was in part the Wall That Heals, one of the Moving Walls that are travelling 1/2 sized versions of the Viet Nam Memorial found in Washington D.C. The other part was the Remembrance Service held at 6:30.

The Remembrance Service is in honor of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, but have yet been unable to come home. It is for those that were captured and tortured in lands where there is no debate allowed about how anyone is treated. It is for members of every service, those that served in Korea, Viet Nam, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, and every other conflict that America has ever had or will ever have.

Thus with deep respect, and in honor of those brave and dedicated souls, I present the P.O.W./M.I.A. Remembrance Service so that every American, young or old, never forgets them.



**If you know a veteran or anyone that would appreciate this, please pass it on.**

Time for a music interlude

Just working a lot lately on the Wall That Heals Viet Nam Memorial in Binghamton and the Cindy Sheehan book signing, so I needed a break for a bit. Of course that means the following music videos might not be what you would expect.












OK, not really!







Ok, that's more than enough. Back to work.

What would you ask anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan?

Cindy Sheehan is likely best known for the media circus around her protests of President Bush over the Iraq war. Less known, or at least reported, is her continued protests of Iraq and Afghanistan wars against President Obama.

Given that background, and having the chance to directly ask 2 questions of Ms. Sheehan, what might you say? Well the following video clip is of Michael Vass, president of M V Consulting and author of this blog, asking his 2 questions. What might be of most interest to some is her answer to the second question starting at 4:33 in the video.



How do you think she answered the question?

**For the full article on Cindy Sheehan in Binghamton New York, check out Is Cindy Sheehan a racist? **

American Idol outdone again, from Taiwan

In yet another example of how little true talent is on American Idol, there is Lin Yu Chun. Don't know who he is? Well there is little doubt that many will know his name soon.

You have heard of Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You. How could you not and be in America over the past 20 years (the song is originally Dolly Parton's song, written in 1973). Now think of that song, and click on the video clip... But Don't Watch the Video!



Incredible huh?

The GUY who sang this near perfect copy is Lin Yu Chun. He's Taiwanese. So not only can he sing the song as well as Whitney Houston, it's not his native language.

I dare any of the insta-pop stars on American Idol to try to sing near as well in another language. Even in Spanish, one of the most common languages on the planet. Anyone willing to take odds they can't do it?

Just another example that American Idol isn't about talent, it's about fitting a marketing mold.

VH1 and Viacom are turning a new leaf - unlikely

I admit that I am surprised with the latest news coming out of Viacom's VH1. My shock is that the former music video channel has suddenly realized that African Americans might just be more than whimsical minstrels. This is a massive departure from Viacom's steady and degrading fare of television programing.

Viacom is the owner of Black Entertainment Television (not connected to this site or company), VH1, MTV, and Comedy Central. Of these cable networks only Comedy Central has been known to present African Americans in any format beyond buffons, especially when it comes to the "reality" television core of most of those channels. It was BET that featured it's new line up with Hot Ghetto Mess - a collection of minstrel degrading video clips and commentary from Charlie Murphy (who looked like he was there only for the paycheck).

Add to that the consistent line up of VH1. Flava of Love, I Love New York, Rock of Love, and a host of other "reality" programs that seemed dedicated to ensuring future generations would never be bereft of stereotypes of people of color. To say that Viacom, under Sumner Redstone, has been the real life version of Bamboozled is an understatement.

So when I learned that VH1 has decided to change that format, I had to wonder if Sumner Redstone was still alive. Considering that he is approaching 87, my guess would be that he is trying to, partially, get some credit in with heaven.

Be that as it may, the new line-up at Viacom's VH1 will include well-adjusted rich and famous Black Americans. Specifically Rozonda Thomas — better known as Chilli of TLC, Ray J and Brandy Norwood, and Shaunie O'Neal and other women involved with basketball players.

It's a radical change from the usual fare of deficating on floors, spitting, catfights, and other 'entertaining' items in the "big fun romantic comedies" - what VH1 executive vice president Jeff Olde calls the usual reality television programs - that are the normal formula at VH1.

But fear not, Viacom has not lost it's mind. They are hardly giving up the bread-and-butter of displaying minstrels and buffoons.

"Critics point to the continued inclusion of such black stereotypes as the gold-digging woman, the hypersexual and irresponsible man, and cast members prone to raging behavior and violence as a way to gratify viewers' voyeuristic desires."

Of course to keep that in with shows that feature, in the case of Chilli a grown woman with her own money and success plus a 12 year old son, producers will be doing a lot of editing. "Reality" television is only 'real' after producers single out the most ignorant and pedantic of material, especially when it comes to the formula that VH1 has had great success with. So as classy and wealthy as any of the 3 new shows might be in theory, they will definitely have their moments of trash. Given the tastes of Sumner Redstone and Viacom, I would expect a lot of them.

24 hour sale!

April 6th is the birthday of Michael Vass, president of M V Consulting, Inc. In honor of that, M V Consulting will be providing a rebate for items purchased from its Alchemy at World of VASS online store.

Starting at 2:41am on April 6, 2010 for 24 hours items purchsed will earn a cash rebate.

For any item or combination of items, over $20 up to $50, a rebate of 4% of the total (not including shipping) will be given back to customers.

For item(s) purchased equal to $51 up to $150, a rebate of 6% will be given back to customers.

For any purchase of $151 or more, an 8% rebate of the item(s) total will be given back to customers.

The more you buy, the more you will get back.

As an added bonus, a purchase of item(s) totaling $241 exactly, will get a 12% rebate.

Check out Alchemy at World of VASS and get everything you've been looking forward to owning. There are items imported directly from England for Men, Women, Goths, Emo, Business owners, everyone!












































Plus lots more! Just check it out and see for yourself.

Your support keeps us going strong, and we appreciate it.

What is it to be a Black woman?

I wrote this poem, and originally was torn as to switch certain words with the words following it in the (). But after comments from several women that I know, I will present the poem as is. I hope you enjoy it.


What is it to be a Black woman?

Am I just the embodiment of sweets come to life
the toffee, chocolate, and caramel in walking form?
Are my ample curves just objects of ridicule, envy, and fantasy?

Oh I am all of that and more

I can be strong without muscle
enough to bring a man to his knees with a look or word
enough to raise a child to an adult
enough to defy corporate edicts of anorexia

I can be soft
so gentle as to cry to a love song
so humble as to follow my mates lead
so warm as to heat the coldest of hearts

But I am a tigress, fighting to claim a land that is not mine
I am a soldier fighting injustice and -isms in all forms
I seduce as no other mother could, and care like no mistress ever will (can comprehend)

A Black woman cannot be bound -
not by chains or laws or seats on a bus
not by pay scales and job titles and masculinity

I am a whirlwind of passion and love
shielding those I cherish
crushing those that oppose me

Yet I am weary of the 24/7 fight
scenery in a movie, commodity in history, isolated in pop culture, rebuffed by sisters of the moon

Still I move forward undeterred in my quest
my man has broken chains and defied masses
my child has beaten the odds and circumstances
my mind balances economy, diplomacy, and strategy in a glance (flash)

My inventions win no patents
yet fill bellies and provide shelter and imbue strength

All of this... yet I am more
I am the lioness to my lion, the council to my leader, the accountant to my bank
and when I chose so I am all of it by myself

What is it to be a Black woman?
It is to be a sun that some bathe in and others flee
It is to be the roar of a mouse and the raindrops of thunder (lightning)

I am Pharaoh and Temptress and Mother and Vixen
I am what others must purchase to compare

Yet most of all... I am Eve and Lillith and Life


**Please check out our imported fashions at Alchemy at World of VASS and our designer clothing lines at World of Vass. Your support keeps this blog alive, and we appreciate that support.**

Television Show Review: Ugly Americans

What can I say about the animated television show Ugly Americans on Comedy Central? That it makes Archer look classy, Futurama look like genius, and compares to pure anime like Bleach or Ghost in the Shell about the same way that you might compare Green Acres to The Matrix.

There is just about nothing I can say that I like about this television program. The writing is boring, the art is lazy, the concept is a wasted and half-thought out refuse. Perhaps the only audience that this show can be successful with is the college students wasted on liquor or other items demographic. And that is still iffy.

There is a reason why Viacom will not let Youtube show a single video clip of the show. Because once you get beyond the highly edited and mixed commercials, what you are left with is truly the bottom of the barrel.

I'm not saying this because I watched just one episode. I've seen several, trying to make sure that it wasn't just a bad day or the animators, writers, voice actors, and directors were all still trying to find their mark.

Maybe I'm just too old to get it. And if that is the case I'm very happy to be my age. Because this television show is one of the worst programs I have seen since Homeboys in Outer Space (which was worse, marginally). Still I don't think age is the factor. Viacom just wanted to throw something at a wall that might be able to compete with Adult Swim and Archer. This isn't it.

Usually there is something worthwhile in every television show. Almost anything has a positive that can be noticed even casually. Even with that, the race to the lowest common denominator occassionally dredges up the reason why the bottom is just that. Ugly Americans is that reminder.

Do yourself a favor and avaoid it.

Kal Penn picks marijuana over politics

Working in the White House under President Obama must be quite interesting. Possibly only slightly more interesting than the public tour since so many appointees seem to leave after short periods of time, in the middle of the night, over holiday weekends. Just ask Kalpen Suresh Modi - or Kal Penn as most would recognize.

The news has been confirmed that Kal Penn, best known as the marijuana craving Kumar of the Harold & Kumar movies, is leaving the White House after just 9 months. Kal Penn took the job in July 2009, leaving his high profile role in the hit series House. At the time Penn stated

"They [White House Office of Public Engagement] do outreach with the American public and with different organizations," Penn continued. "They're basically the front door of the White House. They take out all of the red tape that falls between the general public and the White House. It's similar to what I was doing on the campaign."

Obviously the job was not what it was cracked up to be. Or Penn couldn't hack it. Either way, the departure is not unexpected. I heard the rumor of Harold & Kumar 3 in Decomber 2009

"A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas- How is this possible since Kal Penn is now an Obama flunky in D.C.? I guess President Obama decided to finally shrink the Government by 1 job - Penn's."

Still I do wonder if it could it be that Kal Penn was on the verge of being revealed as the source of yet another scandal in the White House? His departure is so reminiscent of Van Jones and Anita Dunn.

Or are we to take it that the White House is so unpleasant a place to work that he couldn't handle it anymore (was Rahm mean to him)? Could it be that the manner in which the Health Care Reform was passed was too corrupt, or too weak, for his political beliefs? Has the Obama Administration ignored, broken, or amended too many campaign promises for Penn to stomach? Or did the failure of 50 speeches and Congress hiding from voters over Health Care Reform reflect badly on the Public Engagement office?

There is no way to know as the White House, and so far Penn, have nothing to say.

Thus Kal Penn is free to get back to the basics. He can continue with his one horse movie career(yes I know he was in other movies), making strides (with John Cho) in becoming this generations Cheech & Chong. Which means that Penn is most likely the Chong of that comparison. Not a great career move, especially since Cho at least has 1 more Star Trek revision in his future.

It does kind of go along with my original thought that

"So the Obama Administration is trying to gather more support and attention within Americans that recognize Penn primarily as a pot-smoking, junk food nay-do-well. This is the face of the Obama Administration that is being used to gain political attention."

Ultimately I will say this. I deeply respect Kal Penn for taking time, as short as it was, to stop his career and take on public service. He could have made far more money and helped his career by staying on House.

But he believed in what President Obama promised on the campaign trail. He believed that he could help improve America. I have no doubt that he tried to ensure that his time and efforts were in the best interest of the nation. To that end he is not unlike the host of actors and actresses that served this nation in WWI, WWII, Korea, and to a lesser extent Viet Nam.

I honestly wish that more of the actors, actresses, and entertainers of today cared half as much as Penn. Actually, most do only care half as much, since they talk alot but do little to actually be involved.

So if reward for his service to this country ultimately is to be merely this generations Cheech & Chong, I hope he is lauded for it.

Respect the tortoise!

When you think of a tortoise an image comes to mind. It's the same as a turtle for most people. Slow and small, the huge shell. A creature that most imagine as a passive and calm creature.

That's not exactly correct though. A fact that a boxer puppy and his owners came to realize in this video



Score one for the tortoise.

And if you were wondering, it seems that this guy has been practicing his dog chasig skills for a while.



Ok, not the same tortoise. Still it's cute.

Movie Preview: The Good The Bad The Weird

So let's admit it. When Asia gets ahold of American cinematic cultural icons they usually do a pretty good job of ripping it off. Often they come up with variants on the theme that are superior to many American films in the same exact genre. Credit goes to where it is deserved.

In this case the genre is REALLY American. It's the Wild West and cowboys and gunfights. We're talking about John Wayne and Clint Eastwood (when he was young) territory. So they have to get it right.

The Good the Bad and the Weird, is an obvious revisioning of The Good The Bad and The Ugly by Sergio Leone. It's one of the classic westerns and the godfather of all spaghetti westerns (though it was made in Spain with an Italian director). Many have tried to feed off of this classic, and most failed miserably.

But just watching this movie trailer and you realize quickly that the essence of what made Sergio Leone's film great feels like it's in this film.



Now I should mention something that is kind of important. This isn't exactly a preview. The film came out in 2008 in South Korea. It ran through theaters in the U.K. in 2009. Now in April it's America's turn.

That being said, and yes there are sub-titles, the film looks great. It has a flair and excitement about it that modern westerns seem to have completely forgotten about. In America we are getting all the grit and realistic weariness of westerns lately, which may well be why the genre has performed so poorly in recent years (the 3:10 to Yuma remake was just not worth it).

This film gets your blood pumping. It's faster paced, action filled, with gunslingers that are the archtypes we created and loved in the first place. Plus there is better cameras, special effects, and editing than back in Leone's day so it really gets to sizzle.

Now do yourself a favor and don't look up the plot on google or wikipedia. Save the stotyline for seeing the film. Enjoy it. Have fun at the movies for a change.

Here, I'll show you a tease of what I mean



And you thought the sub-titles would be a problem.

Jung Woo-sung, the Good, looks excellent as the Clint Eastwood-esque tainted hero. Lee Byung-hun, the Bad, reminds me of the Danny Chan look of bad guy but even meaner and far more cool as you might expect for the Lee Van Cleef inspired villian. Song Kang-ho, the Weird, rounds out the trio with a funny and desperate twist to the surprisingly emotive and yet viscious and pathetic Eli Wallach character (yes in case you didn't know he is Jewish not Hispanic).

Hopefully this will hold you until Kung Fu Hustle 2 comes out later this year.

**Check out Alchemy at World of VASS and World of Vass to help support the site. Your support keeps us alive, and we appreciate it.**

9-ball on a Diamond Pro-Am Table

It's been a while since I had a 9-ball pool video up, so I decided to display my most recent match. I am in the APA pool league for 9-ball, and was playing at Guys & Dolls in Endicott New York on Wednesday.

My match wound up being against a player ranked as a 3. So he had 25 balls to make vs my 38.

Now there is one new thing to add to this. There are 2 new half-tables (or bar sized table - 3 1/2' x 7') at Guys & Dolls. They are Diamond Pro-Am Billiard Tables, with 3 slates each 1" thick, Simonis 860 Official Tournament cloth, Tour specified K-55 profile cushions, Dymondwood rails and skirt, with 22 seperate spots to ensure a level table. If you know pool this is a sweet table. The key though is the rails.

The rails around the pockets are tight. Unlike most tables they are not angled to allow for "cheating the pocket". They are straight cut. Which may not sound like much, but when you are making a bank shot or are off on a cut shot by a touch, you will miss the pocket completely. Thus accuracy is vital.

Given this higher degree of difficulty, the match proceeded roughly like this.



My opponent did a bit better in the following racks. The end of the match was a 14 - 6 win for me. But those pockets made all the difference. Next weeks game should be fun though.

**Check out Alchemy at World of VASS and World of Vass for some great deals and coll items. Your support keeps this blog alive, and we appreciate it.**

Kevin Broadus and Binghamton University - food for thought

Recently I spoke about the racial discrimination lawsuit brought by Binghamton Men's Basketball Coach Kevin Broadus against Binghamton University. The suit alleges discriminatory action by Binghamton University against Coach Broadus, who is the only African American Head Coach at the University, in regard to a secondary NCAA violation.

I further sought to contact Coach Broadus for an interview, to discuss this case and his views on race relations, coverage by the major media, the disparity of Black head coaches in colleges and professional sports , and what it is like to be a head coach. I received a response from Linda Kenney Baden, Esq. who is representing Coach Kevin Broadus in this legal matter, which states that he is declining to do any interviews at this time.

"Coach (Kevin Broadus) had wished to personally respond to you, if only to say he enjoyed your courageousness in dealing directly with some of the issues your article touched upon."

But the statement from Ms. Baden on behalf of Coach Kevin Broadus does give some insight, I believe, on the views of Coach Broadus.

"...he (Kevin Broadus) expresses the importance of availability of opportunity for young people, including those with sports abilities. Coach does not believe that we should assume, for whatever reason that a young person, won’t be able benefit from education access, while allowing a person with athletic talents to reach for his or her own personal dream. Some dream to become leaders in academia. Others wish to become accomplished sports figures. As so clearly demonstrated in the recent hit movie about Michael Oher, “The Blind Side”; had some of the coaches, schools, and public taken the position they have regarding rigid “standards” that have been espoused in this case, that gifted young man would have been a casualty of society rather than the person he is with the accomplishments he has achieved."

In regard to the issue of how Binghamton University has handled the matter of the NCAA violation - that Kevin Broadus self-reported - Baden states

"Yesterday, a local newspaper printed, as a result of their FOIL demand, the first public admission that BU has 19 coaches that have committed secondary violations. They have not indicated what year these numbers are from or what position or coach committed them. Nor does it appear, as far as I can tell from the article(s), have the total number of the violations been revealed or the context of any of them. However, the spokesperson confirmed, according to media reports, exactly what Coach has maintained: that no other coach has ever been 'suspended’ because of secondary violations."

Further lawyer Baden finishes the letter with

"As to Coach (Kevin Broadus), he does not seek to avoid responsibility for the inadvertent secondary violations that he both self-reported and apologized for committing. But he does seek fairness and equal treatment. You only need to GOOGLE the words NCAA+secondary+violations and more than 50 pages of articles will reveal how such coaches are normally treated by both the NCAA and schools. While the NCAA does not publish an annual compilation of same, there are some locations that contain overall numbers gleaned from occasional interviews. For example, there is one news article that has printed the following statement admission attributable to the Director of Public and Media Relations for the NCAA that secondary violations ‘are commonplace’ and further, for instance in one snapshot year alone the

“…NCAA received self-­reports of 2,972 secondary violations from 331 Division I schools in 2008. That’s about nine per school. Some schools report dozens of violations.”

[Note - I was later informed by Ms. Baden that the above quoted secondary violations pertain to NCAA football and not basketball. Given that there are no reports on this from the NCAA in regard to other sports, the quote does give some perspective on the matter.]

I checked the statement of Ms. Baden about the google search for NCAA secondary violations and found 129,000 responses for a total of 68 pages of items.

Reflecting on all of this, I have to wonder what effect this action (as is alleged) by Binghamton University is having on other aspects of the college. Nothing happens in a vacuum, especially at a college campus. If any administrator, teacher, and/or coach can be singled out and ostracized - based on race or any other factor independent of their character and actions - how does this affect their ability to interact with the students? How does this come out in what is being taught? Could this in some way be stifling independent thought or limiting what students might learn? What example is being stated clearly and in no uncertain terms if the allegations are correct?

It's been a long time since I was a student at college, but I imagine that observing a college treat a head coach in a disrespectful manner potentially for the mere fact of his skin color would lead me to have serious reservations about what the world outside the cushy confines of academia is like. Thus it seems to be a disservice to both the faculty and students. One that seems to demand resolution and open discourse - which apparently is not happening.

I agree with Coach Kevin Broadus that students deserve the opportunity to learn. I agree that a rigid view that appears based in bias only serves to hurt and not help all involved as well as those tangentially involved.

I believe that the world, and America, is difficult enough that students - while not treated with kid gloves - deserve a respite and to be given the knowledge that racially based bias (or any bias for that matter) is unacceptable; rather than not only being tolerated but enforced.

If the allegations are correct, then Binghamton University has done a greater disservice than just to Coach Kevin Broadus. If true they have given a future generation of Americans a mindset more akin to the early 20th century than the 21st, which is obviously not the purpose of the institution.

I thank Kevin Broadus for reading my original post on this subject, and in providing a response to my request for an interview via his attorney. He had no obligation to do either.

I do hope that when Coach Broadus is ready to do interviews again, on this subject or the Binghamton Men's Basketball team or any other topic, that I will have the chance to interview him then and provide that to you my readers.

Janelle Monae in Tightrope

Since I'm on the subject of music videos of late, I thought I might discuss Janell Monae. She has just released her latest video, Tightrope, which is quite interesting.



It's a catchy song, with a great backbeat. It kind of takes you back to the old glory days of Big Bands, swing, and James Brown soul. Which part of the video is meant to be a tribute to - ala a modified Footloose.

Comparisons of Janelle Monae to James Brown are sure to be made. Unlike many entertainers today Monae moves, she provides showmanship along with her melodious voice. The difference is so stark and obvious that even in the video Big Boi looks out of place not only in his attire, but in his lack of presentation. So in a sense it's akin to James Brown on stage with just about anyone except Michael Jackson doing James Brown.

Still Janelle Monae is not Brown. She has some moves, but they just don't inspire the style and impressiveness of Brown. Though she does stand far taller over her peers than her 5' would seem to allow.

This video is impressive, and if the rest of the albulm, soon to be released, is as good she will be taking the charts. In a way I see her potentially like Alicia Keys, an artist and entertainer. Someone who is more of a throwback to the days where there was substance to an entertainer; as opposed to the majority today (in virtually every music genre) that are throwaways, with far too much flash and nothing to back it up with besides a massive marketing campaign.

If nothing else, Janelle Monae continues to impress and cement her status as class and substance that is as much of a pleasure to see as to hear.

**Please take a moment to review Alchemy at World of VASS. Maybe even purchase something. It's through your support that this blog stays alive, and your support is appreciated.**

Crackers by Chris Rock

It's taken 6 years for this music video to get out. If the title doesn't give you a clue why it's taken so long to get out, everything from 27 seconds on will.



Oh it's a parody of Outkast's Hey Ya music video alright. And it's dripping with sarcasm. I couldn't stop laughing the first time I saw it. In fact I'm surprised that Chris Rock made it. Bold is not the word.

The best thing about this video is what is being said. More than the insult that's the catch-phrase of the video. It's going to the heart of serveral issues.

But let's look at the catch-phrase for a second. Some Whites will be offended by being called a cracker. Which I can understand as it is offensive. But how is that different than calling a Black person the N-word? Isn't Rock "re-inventing" the meaning, just as Whites (and ignorant African Americans who likewise have no clue of the meaning and power of the term) claim when they use the term freely as if it were meaningless? If some Whites are offended, how in the hell do these same people not expect at least some African Americans to be offended?

The video goes deeper though. There is history in this. Lot's of it. They may not cover lynchings and rapes of African Americans for centuries of American history in school, but this video reminds us that it happened. Some of it far less than a century ago (the last attempted lynching on record was in 2005, and one of the more recent travesties of White on Black violence was the Megan Williams case in West Virginia - which the major media convienently avoided).

Oh this video cuts to the bone. It's not to kind to those that would adorn themselves with the N-word either.

There is just too much symbolism and truth to this music video parody. But is it racist, which it is sure to be called? I don't think so.

Slave rape, police brutality in regard to people of color, lynchings (as recent as 1981), popularization of demeaning terminology, commoditization of Black culture, insane degrees of disparity in economic and social status, and the willful disregard for inclusion of people of color in the entertainment industry are just a few facts this video hits on. If you covered all these topics in a speech, a lecture, or as I have from time to time on this blog, it's not racist. The fact it's all in 4 minutes of a music video, with more than a touch of humor and a slashing sarcasm makes it no more racist.

Chris Rock should take a bow. This music video parody is brilliant.

Robin Williams vs. Australia - Williams is right

Australia seems to have less love for Robin Williams of late. The feeling might well be shared in reverse.

Robin Williams actually started all the fuss. He was on the David Letterman Show, and at 4:01 on the video he talks about Australia. It only takes a couple of seconds before he hits the nail on the head.



This goes on for a bit (4 minutes roughly back and forth). He denotes the redneck nature of the people (probably not all of them), the potential for some to drink their own piss, and decribes Australian Rules Footabll as a scene more likely to be found in Caligula than a sports arena. Then he plugs his film Happy Feet 2 (yes the kids will get more animated penguins soon). Then he gets in a dig on Prime Minister Rudd.

Well the Prime Minister of Australia didn't take kindly to the description of his country.

"I think Robin Williams should go and spend a bit of time in Alabama before he frames comments about anyone being particularly redneck." - Prime Minister Rudd

You know, Alabama isn't the greatest place in America when it come to historical (or likely current) events. But I think Prime Minister Rudd thinks Australia's shit doesn't stink.

They are the nation that turned the image of Snow White into a slut. They embarrassed Harry Connick Jr. with their rip-off version of the Gong Show (Hey Hey It's Saturday), which featured a beloved (among Australian Whites only) group called the "Jackson Jive" - 5 White Australians in blackface (interesting how this video got removed from Youtube after it got thousands of hits).

They promoted anorexia with their Australian Miss Universe choice - Stephanie Naumoska. Plus it's the nation where their movie execs (at least one publicly) felt the need to insult Oscar Award winner Forest Whitaker, first on his looks and then on his ability to act and be accepted by audiences.

But let's not forget, most of all, that Australia is a nation renown for their abuse and racial intolerance to the indigenous people of Australia, the Aborigines. In fact they are so well known for it that more than a few of the music entertainers from the nation (that are internationally known) BECAME popular for songs denouncing the racist attitudes in the nation.



Does Alabama still have problems? Sure does. But Prime Minister Rudd, if you don't want Australians called rednecks I can easily come up with a few more salty and far more accurate names to use instead.