Back in December of 2005 I mentioned a number, 27, that is huge. The fact that 27 percent of the United States population is either Black African American or Hispanic is very important. This percentage affects various government programs, and presents the continuing diversity that has helped forge this nation. It is also the benchmark used to compare the current make-up of diversity on television, movies and other media/entertainment, which sadly is nowhere near what is seen.
Recently I came across another number that is startling to me. The number of Black-owned and operated network channels. Out of roughly 500 available today the total sum of channels is 1. That is .2% of all channels available. If you aren’t appalled you should be. If you believe that BET should be counted you may have missed the fact that the Black Entertainment Television was acquired Nov. 3, 2000 by Viacom Inc. The only channel left is TV ONE, lead by the CEO Mr. Johnathan Rodgers. Mr. Rodgers is very qualified, but there seems to be a land-slide of pressure against the existence of the channel. When I say there is pressure against a Black-owned network, the fact that only one exists and the only other that had existed was bought brings me to this conclusion. To my knowledge there are significantly more Hispanic- and Asian-owned stations.
I have to wonder that, if more minorities owned networks and channels, would the thankfully short-lived existence of the UPN have ever been? Would I have ever been subjected to Homeboys in Space? I mean if there was a channel that actually understood the needs and expectations of Black African Americans, would some of the commercials and programs I have mentioned previously ever reached the air? There is a saying that you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink, but what if the water is tainted and is in the middle of a desert? I feel like that is the situation currently, no matter how the government and the entertainment industry say HDTV and the expanded channel line-up will improve the viewing options.
It comes to mind, in thinking about this, that there is an inequity in all entertainment beyond just television. Ownership by Black African American and Hispanics in sports, music and virtually every form of entertainment is horrendous. I have to ask why this is the situation. There are many affluent individuals of color in this nation. Why is it that there is no real ownership of the properties that American culture seems to steer minorities towards. Think about it, how many opportunities for the youth of today involve anything that is NOT entertainment related. Of those, if any, that you can name how many are promoted beyond word of mouth? In the Bronx, where I grew up, I can’t count how many wanna-be rappers exist. Or the next Mr. Michael Jordan, and Mr. Terrell Owens. What I can count are how many believe they can be the next Mr. Colin Powell, Ms. Condelleza Rice, or Mr. Thurgood Marshall.
I cannot blame the black culture or community completely for this. Lack of role models, or even images of successful ‘minority’ figures in any endeavor beyond entertainment is scarce and virtually non-existent on 499 channels out of 500. I call that far from encouraging for the youth who will become the decision makers of tomorrow.
This is what I think, what do you think.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Computer sex and Carnival
There are a few things I’ve meant to speak about and post here on Black Entertainment USA that work and just 24 hours in a day haven’t allowed. I’ll try to catch up a bit now, so some of the items may be a bit old. One thing that had caught me is how the internet has changed some things that most would assume were basic. In this case I mean sex.
I’m referring to a poll of 2500 Canadian college students and safe sex. The sex in this case is as safe as it gets as its via webcam, IM and phones. How prevalent is this form of sex? 87% stated that they are engaging in it. Now I don’t think that this was what was mean by the 4th definition found in The American Heritage Dictionary - 2nd Edition. I also don’t think this is why there have been 23 Adult Video News Awards nor the 3.7 billion dollars made in 2005. Much like my thoughts on movies premiering on pay-per-view, this contactless sex is very dehumanizing and I feel it is not a good sign for the future. The more detached and separated we become, in a world that is drawn closer by the various media, and entertainment forums, the more we lose. Especially in America, as we cut back or lose arts programs in schools.
Personal preferences on sex has many expressions of course. The internet is just another way for anyone to share their kink or fetish with another in safety and somewhat varying degrees of anonymity. But I am a bit old fashioned and prefer to be in person. Of course one place that I would love to be in person, and filled with kinks and fetishes to fulfill anyone’s - I think - voyeuristic or exhibitionist desires, is Carnival in Brazil. Whether it’s being in drag, or dressed in costumes, scantily clad or just enjoying the wanton revelry there seems to be something for everyone. It seems like an experience that should not be missed, unless you are of a puritanical religious sect.
One thing I’ve never understood though, what is the deal with the heels? I never understood the foot fetishes, and while a woman in heels is never a bad thing (for me) I just don’t get it. But many samba dancers it seems do get it and wear heels that hit 6.6 inches. Now watching a woman dance a samba in those kind of heels would be interesting to see. The whole experience is definitely entertainment, and I don’t think the college students mentioned above have nearly as much fun.
No matter how fast or interconnected the world becomes experiences that include others always are the greatest ones, in my opinion. Often as technology gives us the next great gadget people forget the value of just being around others. It takes on especially scary connotations, to me, when entertainment (such as movies, music concerts, etc.) and procreation become individual, solitary acts.
This is what I think, what do you think?
I’m referring to a poll of 2500 Canadian college students and safe sex. The sex in this case is as safe as it gets as its via webcam, IM and phones. How prevalent is this form of sex? 87% stated that they are engaging in it. Now I don’t think that this was what was mean by the 4th definition found in The American Heritage Dictionary - 2nd Edition. I also don’t think this is why there have been 23 Adult Video News Awards nor the 3.7 billion dollars made in 2005. Much like my thoughts on movies premiering on pay-per-view, this contactless sex is very dehumanizing and I feel it is not a good sign for the future. The more detached and separated we become, in a world that is drawn closer by the various media, and entertainment forums, the more we lose. Especially in America, as we cut back or lose arts programs in schools.
Personal preferences on sex has many expressions of course. The internet is just another way for anyone to share their kink or fetish with another in safety and somewhat varying degrees of anonymity. But I am a bit old fashioned and prefer to be in person. Of course one place that I would love to be in person, and filled with kinks and fetishes to fulfill anyone’s - I think - voyeuristic or exhibitionist desires, is Carnival in Brazil. Whether it’s being in drag, or dressed in costumes, scantily clad or just enjoying the wanton revelry there seems to be something for everyone. It seems like an experience that should not be missed, unless you are of a puritanical religious sect.
One thing I’ve never understood though, what is the deal with the heels? I never understood the foot fetishes, and while a woman in heels is never a bad thing (for me) I just don’t get it. But many samba dancers it seems do get it and wear heels that hit 6.6 inches. Now watching a woman dance a samba in those kind of heels would be interesting to see. The whole experience is definitely entertainment, and I don’t think the college students mentioned above have nearly as much fun.
No matter how fast or interconnected the world becomes experiences that include others always are the greatest ones, in my opinion. Often as technology gives us the next great gadget people forget the value of just being around others. It takes on especially scary connotations, to me, when entertainment (such as movies, music concerts, etc.) and procreation become individual, solitary acts.
This is what I think, what do you think?
Friday, March 03, 2006
The Learning Channel, Lion Television nyc and Michael Vass
Here is something interesting I want to share with everyone. I’m sure many of you are familiar with The Learning Channel, a network found on cable. The Channel provides programs including Miami Ink, Untold stories of the E.R., Trading Spaces, and Sports Disasters. In general I find that the channel has an interesting assortment of programs with some being quite informative.
What stands out about this channel is that I was contacted by Mr. Don Peavy, a Casting Associate for Lion Televison nyc. Mr. Peavy found Black Entertainment USA via the link from BlackRefer.com, who can also be found in my reference section. I was informed that a new program for the Learning Channel was being planned. A description of the proposed program as explained in an email from Mr. Peavy as follows:
“My current focus is on the Black community, as we are casting a show about families that took road trips during the 70's/80's, but most of our respondents are caucasian and we are trying to represent a more diverse America.”
In speaking with Mr. Peavy I came to understand that the program is seeking pictures, any type of moving image, which includes video, Super 8, 8mm, and Film reels from the trips taken during this time period. More importantly the program is seeking to learn the insights and experiences that were had by the children and families at that time. The goal of the program, as I understand it, is to hear the impressions and experiences that may not have been able to be expressed due to youth. The target age for this program is 25 years and older. I am especially glad to hear that the program is actively seeking to show perspectives from individuals from various races to give a balanced view from those times.
Sadly, my family could not take trips during that time, and most of my experiences in traveling and living in various places around the world have occurred in my late teens and on. Given this I am not eligible for the program, but perhaps some of you are. Mr. Don Peavy is willing to take calls from my readers, particularly those that are of Black African American, Hispanic and other minority descent. Mr. Peavy can be reached for further discussion at 917-606-3879.
I hope that at least some of you, my readers, do qualify for the program and can be included in it. I am always happy to be of help in advancing any televised program that promotes and includes the experiences of Black African Americans, Hispanics and others in America. I think the timeframe that this show will document is a very important one, as it covers the responses to the Civil Rights Act, Disco, the birth of Rap, the creation and expansion of Zulu Nation, Archie Bunker, The Jeffersons, roller blading, Blaxplotation films and other events in movies, television, and general life at the time. I’m interested in seeing the show once it airs.
This is what I think, what do you think.
What stands out about this channel is that I was contacted by Mr. Don Peavy, a Casting Associate for Lion Televison nyc. Mr. Peavy found Black Entertainment USA via the link from BlackRefer.com, who can also be found in my reference section. I was informed that a new program for the Learning Channel was being planned. A description of the proposed program as explained in an email from Mr. Peavy as follows:
“My current focus is on the Black community, as we are casting a show about families that took road trips during the 70's/80's, but most of our respondents are caucasian and we are trying to represent a more diverse America.”
In speaking with Mr. Peavy I came to understand that the program is seeking pictures, any type of moving image, which includes video, Super 8, 8mm, and Film reels from the trips taken during this time period. More importantly the program is seeking to learn the insights and experiences that were had by the children and families at that time. The goal of the program, as I understand it, is to hear the impressions and experiences that may not have been able to be expressed due to youth. The target age for this program is 25 years and older. I am especially glad to hear that the program is actively seeking to show perspectives from individuals from various races to give a balanced view from those times.
Sadly, my family could not take trips during that time, and most of my experiences in traveling and living in various places around the world have occurred in my late teens and on. Given this I am not eligible for the program, but perhaps some of you are. Mr. Don Peavy is willing to take calls from my readers, particularly those that are of Black African American, Hispanic and other minority descent. Mr. Peavy can be reached for further discussion at 917-606-3879.
I hope that at least some of you, my readers, do qualify for the program and can be included in it. I am always happy to be of help in advancing any televised program that promotes and includes the experiences of Black African Americans, Hispanics and others in America. I think the timeframe that this show will document is a very important one, as it covers the responses to the Civil Rights Act, Disco, the birth of Rap, the creation and expansion of Zulu Nation, Archie Bunker, The Jeffersons, roller blading, Blaxplotation films and other events in movies, television, and general life at the time. I’m interested in seeing the show once it airs.
This is what I think, what do you think.
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