Hidden Treasure #5 - Danny Glover

Danny Glover, originally uploaded by jdlasica.

One of the best black actors in Hollywood is Danny Glover. It wasn't just his portrayal of the abusive, misogynist 'Mister' in "The Color Purple" or Detective Murtagh in the Lethal Weapon movies that won me over, but his political and social activism. He has managed to have a successful acting career while being socially conscious.

Glover bypassed the red carpet and the Academy Awards ceremony last Sunday to attend the Panafrican Film & Televison Festival in the West African nation of Burkina Faso even though "Dreamgirls" was nominated for several awards. Not many celebrities would think of missing the Academy Awards but Glover did. He premiered his new film "Bamako" which he co-produced and filmed in Mali.

Glover has long been an activist and humanitarian with an interest in Africa. He received the Amnesty International USA Lifetime Achievement award for his involvement in the Namibian civil rights movement. He currently serves as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador traveling the world publicizing the fight against AIDS.

Stateside Glover has been involved in protests and rallies opposing the death penalty, the war in Iraq and the genocide in Darfur. I admire him because of activism. He's a celebrity but he isn't afraid to get involved which is a rarity especially among black entertainers. He isn't always acknowledged for his social consciousness but the fact that he has one is commendable.

Obama Speaks to Monolithic Myth

This morning on NPR's Morning Edition, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was interviewed by Steve Inskeep. Obama along with Hillary Clinton will be in Selma, Alabama this weekend to commemorate the anniversary of Bloody Sunday when peaceful civil rights marchers were beaten bloody by the police in 1965.

Unfortunately, Obama and Clinton are the only two presidential candidates attending this ceremony and they both happen to be Democrats. Where are Bill Richardson, John Edwards, Joe Biden and the other Democratic hopefuls? As far as I know, none of the Republican candidates plan on attending not even Rudy Guiliani, the alleged front runner. I have a problem with this.

Forget the myth that the African American community is monolithic, it never has been and never will be. Journalists and politicians often take it upon themselves to assume the ridiculous when it comes to the black vote. I bet Inskeep would never ask Hillary Clinton, Rudy Guiliani or John Edwards the same questions he asked Obama:

• Do you try to talk in the same way to a black audience as a white audience?

• Do you feel that you have to prove yourself to black leaders or civil rights leaders?

• Will you need to dominate [the black] vote in order to win?

• Do you think that your life and your experience as an African American would cause you as president to pursue any particular policy differently than if you'd been white? Would you be a different president in some way?

Obama handled these silly questions with as much tact as possible but made the following statement which other journalists and politicians should recognize:

I will be speaking to themes that are important to that community, but I don't expect to get monolithic African American vote... I think we have some strong candidates in the field and it would be presumptuous of me to assume that people would vote for me simply because of my race.

This says it all.

Asian Columnist Hates Everyone

Kenneth Eng, a columnist with Asian Week in San Francisico, wrote a column entitled "Why I Hate Asians." In the column, he denounces other Asians for the following:

• Sucking up to white people and siding with them against other Asians
  
• British accents because they are trying to sound sophisticated
• Using Negro slang in an attempt to sound like black slum-dwellers
  

This commentary sounds eerily familiar. African Americans often criticize other blacks for the exact same things.

In our case, sucking up is the same as "selling out". Determining an African American's degree of blackness is an arbitrary and random process. Some blacks would characterize Colin Powell, Barack Obama and Condoleeza Rice as not being "black enough" based on some ridiculous criteria like being Republican, well-spoken, well-educated, middle-class or bi-racial. Conversely, no one would question the blackness of Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton or even Jay-Z. All men are wealthy, well-spoken and possibly Democrats but no one ever questions their black credentials.

As an Asian, Eng should have limited his criticism to Asians but he kept it going. Another column entitled "Why I Hate Black People" was printed in the paper and later pulled. According to CNN, Eng and the newspaper have been condemned by the Asian American community for the column. A petition is circulating among Asian groups denouncing the column as "irresponsible journalism, blatantly racist, replete with stereotypes, and deeply hurtful to African Americans."

Since I haven't read the column myself, I can't get upset about it. In usual fashion, we can expect a half-hearted but meaningless apology from the same people at Asian Week newspaper who thought publishing this column was a good idea in the first place. Whether Eng apologizes remains to be seen, if he does I wouldn't take him seriously. Racists and "Asian supremacists" like Eng do not change over night.

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Foxy Takes It to Church

Agentur73 - 10 Jahre ** FOXY BROWN **, originally uploaded by force73.

“The only crime I'm guilty of is being a young black woman.”

Foxy Brown

Note to Foxy: Remind yourself that the world is "not out to get you," you're just experiencing some of the rough spots of daily life without a hit song and a record deal. Do this each time you feel anger getting the best of you, and it'll help you get a more balanced perspective and possibly keep you from serving time in jail.

Earth to Laura

First Lady Laura Bush's appearance on Larry King Live was another attempt by the Bush administration to paint a rosy but untrue picture of Iraq. According to her, many parts of Iraq are stable and it's the "one bombing a day that discourages everybody". I think the 580 Iraqis that were killed last week would beg to differ.

Iraq is not a stable country. Random violence like car bombs, suicide bombers and indiscriminate sniper attacks are common daily occurrences for a country in the midst of a civil war. As long as our soldiers continue to be injured, maimed and carried out in body bags, news from Iraq will always be discouraging.

Hot Link of the Day: American Taíno

One of my favorite blogs, American Taino has an interesting take on the Hillary Clinton campaign that's worth reading and has an even better link about the Clintons:

American Taíno: Bob Herbert: The Clintons as 'The Connivers'

Cheney Goes to Pakistan

Dick Cheney Pumpkin 1, originally uploaded by P5ychoP3nguin.

It's not Halloween but we should be afraid, very afraid. Vice President Dick Cheney is out and about in Air Force Two visiting allies and making threats. Today, Cheney surprised the former Taliban ally turned US ally Pervez Musharref with a visit.

Let's not forget that Pakistan under Musharref was one of the few countries to have diplomatic relations with the Taliban when they ruled Afghanistan. While Cheney has touted the fledgling democracy in Iraq, he has been silent about the dictatorship in Pakistan. Musharref, who came to power by coup in 1999, has promised a more democratic, grassroots government but is not ready to relinquish power.

In the last presidential election held in 2002, Musharref was the only candidate and banned rivals like former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto from participating. Although he claims Pakistan is on the road to democracy, his behavior proves otherwise. Just last year, political rival Ahktar Mengal and fifteen of his associates from the mineral-rich Balochistan area were arrested and jailed for criticizing Musharref's government. Mengal was jailed and denied access to a lawyer and medical treatment.

Musharref intends to stay dictator in Pakistan for as long as possible even if he has to torture, murder or disappear his opponents. He is an unwilling ally in the 'war on terror' and does just enough to appease Bush and Cheney. If anything, Musharref is an opportunist who pretends to be our ally while sympathizing with and possibly supporting the Taliban. I bet if Cheney were to ask, Musharref would tell him exactly where to find Osama bin-Laden.

Jennifer Hudson Nailed It

Jennifer Hudson & Beyonce Knowles, originally uploaded by leeeeeeleeeeee.

I love it when the underdog wins. In this case, the underdog was Jennifer Hudson. Hudson's portrayal of Effie White in the film "Dreamgirls" earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. In spite of the fact that Beyonce's performance in the film was overly hyped (magazine covers, articles, interviews ad nauseum), the critics and audiences preferred Jennifer Hudson's performance. This former American Idol reject and cruise ship singer surprised everyone with her performance and was the Oscar favorite even before her nomination was announced.

While promoting "Dreamgirls", Beyonce never forgot to tell us how she fasted to lose weight for her role as Deena; this great bit of personal sacrifice still did not get her nominated for an Academy Award. The people over at the Golden Globes were polite and nominated her for Best Actress even though Meryl Streep, a classically trained actress, had that category "on lock". If Beyonce wants to be taken seriously as an actress, she should step up her acting game.

Big blonde weaves and convulsion dances aside, the only character Beyonce can play is herself. Whether she shed tears of joy or tears of sorrow, she should just go away for awhile. It is Jennifer Hudson's time to shine.

Cosby Knows Best?

2pac-tupac-amaru-shakur-06, originally uploaded by 2Smoove.

More criticism from Bill Cosby. This time Cosby was a panelist at the 'Save Our Children' forum held last week in Philadelphia. A multi-millionaire in his 60s, he is baffled by the fact that there is so much love for the late Tupac Shakur among black youth. He blasted the late rapper for using drug money to buy his mother a house.

Cosby's attack on Tupac and his mother is delusional. He knows nothing about Tupac Shakur or his mother, Afeni Shakur. He obviously did not know that Tupac is one of the best selling rappers of all time and that earnings from his music and acting career allowed him to buy his mother's house not drugs.

For someone who has been accused of groping, fondling and drugging women, Cosby should "lean back" on lambasting anyone about drugs because he is not in a position to do so. If Afeni Shakur must adorn the walls in her home "with the pictures of users who died due to drug use" then Cosby must adorn the walls in his mansion with the pictures of the women who have accused him of sexual assault.

Having millions of dollars doesn't make Cosby an authority on Tupac, black youth or poor people. He is so far removed from the lives of the people he criticizes that it is hard to take anything he says seriously. Cosby is like the old senile uncle at dinner table, always talking about something that only he understands.

John Edwards Out Front on Health Care

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards has a plan to revamp our existing health care system. With all of the happenings in Iraq and Afghanistan, we often forget that there are pressing domestic issues that should be addressed like affordable health care. --John Edwards' Universal Health Care Plan

Mugabe Responds to Critics

Zimbabwe's president-for-life, Robert Mugabe is as feisty as anyone can be at age 83. Today at his birthday celebration, he responds to his critics. - Reuters Africa

Hillary Clinton's Campaign Strategies Revealed

Clinton's strategy for dealing with detractors is very simple, she attacks them.

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Lieberman Threatens to Switch

Being a sore loser isn't enough for Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman. According to World Net Daily, Lieberman may switch his party affiliation to Republican if the Democrats oppose funding for Iraq:

"I have no desire to change parties. If that ever happens, it is because I feel the majority of Democrats have gone in a direction that I don't feel comfortable with."

The majority of Democrats have never gone in a direction Lieberman feels comfortable with. I say he's wanted to switch all along and is just using Iraq as a reason. Lieberman has voted with the Republicans for years so why not join them?

Next week the Democrats will unveil a plan for Iraq that will restrict the military's role and offer a timetable for withdrawal of combat troops. Isn't it about time? Lieberman and those of his ilk want us to be in Iraq indefinitely. They ignore the polls that say 63% of the American people oppose sending more troops to Iraq. With more than 40% of our tax dollars going toward military spending, isn't it about time we devoted a portion of this money to more worthwhile causes here at home?

Foxy, Interrupted

originally uploaded by bme.

When you haven't recorded a rap CD since 2001 and want some attention, just go to a nail salon or a beauty supply store and act a fool. This has been Foxy Brown's recipe for publicity lately. In the most recent incident, she was accused of throwing hair glue and spitting on an employee at a Florida beauty supply store. Maybe one of those tracks in that atrocious weave fell out. Note to Foxy: Don't be mad at the beauty supply store, be mad at person who told you that ridiculous weave was attractive.

As for those anger management classes ordered by the judge in her October 2006 assault conviction, they aren't working. Foxy is doing a great job at perpetuating the angry black woman stereotype. Spitting, slapping and throwing things at people is never rational behavior. She must be under the illusion that she's more important than she really is. Deaf or not. Her CD has been coming out for the longest time but there's still no release date or record company.

Maybe she's frustrated with her career but then she could just be keeping it gangsta' so no one will think she's soft. Let's hope she doesn't start carrying a gun in her expensive designer handbag and shooting people. Whatever the case, her ridiculous behavior has managed to overshadow what's left of her rap career. Someone get Foxy some help, she needs it.

McCain Makes Nice to Cheney

John McCain, originally uploaded by 4President.

The other day, John McCain, Republican Senator from Arizona, made one of the most truthful assessments of Donald Rumsfeld, the former Secretary of Defense, that I've ever heard. McCain was right, Rumsfeld will go down in history as one of the worse secretaries of defense. The problem is McCain used to be a maverick in the Republican party, the "go to" guy, the one you'd talk to when you wanted it straight. He was the one who avoided all of the bible-thumping and moral superiority when the Republican party was overrun by the Christian right a few years ago.

Over the past year or so, McCain has begun to align himself with President Bush, hoping to win favor with the big money Republican donors. He's already said he wants Roe v. Wade overturned, a signal to potential supporters and he supports the President's troop increase. By criticizing Donald Rumsfeld, he obviously had some kind of flashback. Although he has yet to announce, it's clear he will run for president in 2008. This apology says it all for me:

"John said some nasty things about me the other day, and then next time he saw me, ran over to me and apologized," Cheney said. "Maybe he'll apologize to Rumsfeld."

Dick Cheney in today's Washington Post

He will not only make nice to Cheney but he will make nice to all the others whom he's criticized in the past. He needs them, he's running for president.

Making A Living, Zimbabwe Style

Yesterday, President Robert Mugabe's 83rd birthday was celebrated as the nation's bakeries ran out of bread. They decided they were better off closing their bakeries than selling their bread at loss. With the inflation rate at 1,600%, Zimbabwe has the world's highest rate of inflation. Here's some math to help you put this in perspective:

• Cost of Mugabe's birthday celebration: $300 billion Zimbabwe = $1.2 million US

• Cost of monthly basics for Zimbabwean family of 5: $566,000 Zimbabwe = $123 US

Rather than take responsibility for his country's economic decline, Mugabe blamed his cabinet members. Zimbabweans were feted yesterday with a sixteen page tribute in their government run newspaper and a rambling television interview. Mugabe affirmed once again that he has no plans to step down and warned his politically ambitious cabinet that he has no plans to pick a successor either.

Reach Out and Touch Hillary Style

Anti-War Protests in Washington DC - III, originally uploaded by martin_fuchs.

The folks over at TPM Cafe are saying that 2008 Democratic presidential hopeful, Hillary Clinton is secretly reaching out to anti-war members of Congress to strengthen her position and garner support from Democrat donors:

"It's about getting people in Congress to say, She's a leader [against the war] now, she's with them, she's on the same page," the source says, adding that Congress people who might not be able to bring themselves to okay her previous vote are being encouraged to "at least praise her for her current position."

If this is true, she is pathetic. Sounds like she'd rather die than admit she was wrong for voting for the 2002 invasion of Iraq. Her response to potential supporters:

"If the most important thing to any of you is choosing someone who did not cast that vote or said his vote was a mistake, then there are others to choose from. But for me, the most important thing now is trying to end this war."

Rather than earn an anti-war credential by actually walking the walk, Hillary seems to be buying her way into it. This is not a good look for her. She's starting to exhibit some "W-esque" qualities I'd rather not see in a presidential candidate: arrogance and the inability to admit she was wrong. What's the big deal about admitting it? That plays a whole lot better for people than actually buying the support of well-known anti-war colleagues. Tick-tick-tick.

Obama vs. Clinton, Round 1

Myspace Graphics

This campaign is about the hopes and dreams of people like you. And the cost of the continued occupation of Iraq stands in the way of meeting the many challenges we face.

We can't change America until we change direction in Iraq.

-Barack Obama, Senator from Illinois & Democratic Presidential hopeful

For now, Barack Obama has my attention in the crowded field of Democratic candidates for president in 2008. It's not because high-profile celebrities like David Geffen, Steven Spielberg and George Clooney have anointed him but because he's jumped out ahead on Iraq by introducing the Iraq War De-Escalation Act. Unlike his hand-wringing counterparts in the Democratic party, Obama isn't afraid to separate himself from the pack.

Funny thing is, Hillary Clinton believes she has Hollywood "on lock" but judging by the money Obama's campaign took in last night, that definitely isn't the case. She's probably extra pissy because David Geffen's fundraiser for Obama and raised $1.3 million. Geffen, who used to be her biggest supporter, has called her "overly ambitious". Funny stuff.

Hillary can be mad at Obama all she wants but she will not be the Democratic presidential candidate in 2008. She's not electable, people don't like her and sadly, she believes her own hype.

Birds of a Feather

Robert Mugabe, originally uploaded by Samuel Adanu.

Here are a few stories worth checking out:

Guinea's President Lansana Conte still refuses to step down. The Nigerians have sent a delegation to try to talk some sense into him. For all the good it will do, they could have stayed in Lagos and done a conference call. - Human Rights Watch

Keeping the same "I'll have to die before I leave office" vibe, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe affirms that he has no plans to leave office before his term is over. Got the strange feeling, he will be mummified and stuffed after death to stay in office. - BBC News Africa

Website seeks to save America from Clinton's radical ideas

Feeling some hate for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton? Then StopHerNow.com is your website. According to the website's author, her husband Bill, disgraced and degraded the Presidency and has now given Hillary permission to spread those dangerous ultra-liberal, left-wing ideas to the American people. Bill gave Hillary permission? I'll let that one slide.

Okay, so she has sold her soul (assuming she has one) to those divisive, radical and ultra-liberal special interest groups who see everyone as "victims" but she certainly isn't the only politician to do so. Some of her Republican and Democrat counterparts have sold their souls (assuming they have one) to divisive, conservative and ultra-religious special interest groups who see themselves as victims of the "vast left-wing" media.

Let's not forget that by definition, politics is both an art and science concerned with guiding and influencing governmental policy. A quick look at Merriam-Webster's website defines a politician as a person primarily interested in political office for selfish or other narrow usually short-sighted reasons. This definition doesn't make a distinction between a Republican or Democrat.

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Hillary, You're In Trouble Girl

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, originally uploaded by NOLSW.

Since the news media has already anointed Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as the Democratic front-runner to win the party's nomination for President in 2008, it's only a matter of time before all of those wacky Clinton conspiracy theorists come out of the woodwork to attack her. According to the LA Times, GOP activists and others are already gearing up to derail her presidential hopes.

I wouldn't call her the Democratic party's front runner at all. It's too early and so much can happen between now and the convention. Although she's the most well-known of the candidates, she's got some major obstacles facing her: she's a woman, she's married to Bill Clinton and she voted for the invasion of Iraq.

She's not going to have the luxury of coasting through to the Democratic primaries, she's going to be scrutinized on everything. There's something emasculating about a powerful woman and Hillary is no exception. I'm wondering if all the hate is really about her or is because she is a woman?

With anti-Hillary websites, books and an upcoming documentary, she'll be busy defending herself against things like her husband's affair with Monica Lewinsky, Whitewater, the death of that White House attorney and other asinine topics as well as some freshly minted dirt about who-knows-what. Since she's claimed she knows how her enemies think and act and how to defeat them, it ought to be interesting to see how far she gets.

Condi & Nouri in Wonderland

Last Saturday during her surprise visit to Baghdad, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice boasted that the increase in troops was bringing "new hope and a new optimism" to the besieged city.
During that same visit, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said the new security plan enacted early last week had already achieved brilliant success.

In a desperate attempt to change public opinion about the troop increase, Rice's visit to Baghdad was a tad bit premature. She and al-Maliki should've waited more than three days to brag about the new security plan. No sooner than Rice and al-Maliki had patted themselves on the back, more than 60 people were killed in two separate car bomb attacks in Baghdad and Sadr City. It's already gone from bad to worse. No matter how rosy a picture Rice and al-Maliki paint, I'm not buying anything they say, neither should any discerning citizen.

It's time we come up with a new approach for dealing with Iraq. Sending more troops will only escalate the violence and put more troops in harm's way. I believe the two biggest obstacles to peace in Iraq are the perception that the "democratically" elected Iraqi president is a puppet of the US government and the other is the continued US occupation of the country.

New Hope, New Optimism -- Not

In yesterday's Senate vote, Republicans were able to fend off the Democrat's symbolic effort to reject Bush's troop increase.

"Congress and the American people will continue to support and protect the members of the United States Armed Forces who are serving or who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq," the resolution states. And it adds, "Congress disapproves of the decision of President George W. Bush announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq."

With American casualties over 3,100 and more than 23,000 wounded, it's time to say enough is enough. Our invasion of Iraq was wrong from day one. If we're serious about supporting and protecting our troops, we need to get them out of Iraq.

It Really Isn't a Black Thing

Barack Obama, originally uploaded by Stephen Voss.

It's too bad we haven't quite gotten over this black thing. I don't know who owns the yardstick that determines one's blackness but I think it's time we find something else to dwell on. Any black person who is well-educated, middle class and articulate is always suspect. As a group black people are just as diverse as any other group of people: rich, poor, Republican, Democrat, gay, straight, etc. I would figure by now, the news media would have gotten beyond this but it continues to be an issue.

I don't care if Barack Obama is black but I do care about where he stands on the major issues facing this country like Iraq, our dependency on foreign oil, the widening gap between rich and poor, etc. It's time we stopped focusing so much on race. Obama is not the first black person to run for President, he definitely won't be the last.

Gay in the NBA

Honesty, originally uploaded by Eric + Cheese!!.

As I predicted in a previous post, it was only a matter of time before an NBA player came forward with some homophobic nonsense since retired Houston Rocket John Amaechi is out of the closet. When asked how he would handle a gay teammate, retired Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway responded:

"First of all, I wouldn't want him on my team. And second of all, if he was on my team, I would, you know, really distance myself from him because, uh, I don't think that is right. I don't think he should be in the locker room while we are in the locker room."

Hardaway elaborates further:

"You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people," he said while a guest on Sports Talk 790 The Ticket. "I'm homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."

Faster than you could say "David Stern", Hardaway was banned from participating in the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities in Las Vegas. He has since apologized for his remarks.

Just for fun, substitute the word "black" for "gay", "racist" with "homophobic" and change a few pronouns. Read aloud.

Another African Leader Gone Amok

Looks like Zimbabwe isn't the only African nation with a President-for-Life. Zimbabwe has Robert Mugabe, Guinea has Lansana Conte. A former strongman who seized power in a 1984 coup, Conte has been the target of general strikes and political unrest aimed at removing him from office. Although ailing, Conte has maintained his grip on power with the help of the army. Named the most corrupt country in Africa last year by Transparency International, an organization devoted to ending world corruption, Guinea has the world largest supply of the mineral bauxite which is used to make aluminum.

In true dictator fashion, President Conte has amassed a large personal fortune that allows him multiple wives and access to health care in Switzerland. The average Guinean lives on less than $1 a day and are some of the poorest people on the continent. Since the strikes began in late January 2007, 100 protesters have been shot and killed. Darn shame.

Guinea has been wracked by a general strike this week. President Lansana Conte claims that he will cede some power to a prime minister., originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos.

Not Another Anna Nicole Smith Story

Although her death was sad and untimely, the media circus surrounding Anna Nicole Smith has gotten way out of hand. Not one television network or gossip blog has left this story unreported. With three maybe four possible baby's daddies, a pending multi-billion dollar law suit and a nasty custody battle on the horizon, it's hard to concentrate on anything else.

Amid this media circus, I wondered how different things would be if we devoted as much time and energy to our soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sure the paparazzi can be dangerous, but what these soldiers face in places like Baghdad, Falluja and Kandahar is beyond comparison.

Sure we know the names of all the men who claim to be the father of Anna Nicole's daughter, Danielynn but very few of us know the names of the soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, let alone the total number of casualties since the invasion began. If those 24 hour news outlets and investigative shows spent as much time digging up dirt and reporting news about Iraq as they have on Anna Nicole Smith, we never would have invaded Iraq. No troops would have been sent there and George Bush never would've gotten a pass on that flimsy pre-war intelligence about WMDs (weapons of mass destruction).

The Iraq war isn't about our freedom, it's about money and about oil. May God bless and protect our brave soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Let's get them home!

Iraq 7
Originally uploaded by dmacks_87.

Buried Treasure #4 - Dwele

Lloyd, Dwele and Marcus
Originally uploaded by tynie626.

Another buried treasure in what now passes as R&B music, multi-dimensional, multi-talented Dwele doesn't get to shine as much as his chest-baring, creatively challenged peers. You know them, they brag about being pimps, over advertise what they can deliver and think taking off their shirt is sexy. Dwele's music is well beyond his 26 years. On his my space page, he compares himself to Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway and Marvin Gaye.

Comparisons aside, he doesn't really have a contemporary because the music he's doing is unlike anything out right now. No Usher-Omarion-Marques Huston foolishness, Dwele is creatively heads and shoulders above these guys and could even school R. Kelly and Raheim on a few things. I stumbled across him on iTunes, I copped the free download of "Pimp's Dream" and eventually ended up buying the "Some Kinda" CD. If you like the smooth groves of Maxwell, the sensuality of Eric Benet and the neo-soul of Van Hunt, Dwele is definitely worth listening to. He's one reason why R&B is not dead.

Katrina Kids, Out of Sight but Not Forgotten

Uploaded by Apollo & Aradia on 5 Sep '05, 12.33am PDT.

The victims and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina have been all but forgotten. No longer news, the victims have had to rebuild their lives on their own while dealing with ineffective government agencies, insurance companies that deny claims and the stigma of being a Katrina victim from New Orleans. Forgotten, these people and their plight are so far off the radar that President Bush didn't even mention New Orleans or Hurricane Katrina in his last State of the Union speech.

Never mind that, Spike Lee has given eleven New Orleans high school students video cameras to document their experiences after Katrina. These videos will no doubt show us that everything in New Orleans is not okay and that much work still needs to be done there. The videos will be aired once a month on the CNN Series, "Children of the Storm" hosted by Soledad O'Brien.

I applaud Spike Lee for his efforts and am grateful that CNN is giving these kids the opportunity to share their stories.

Jennifer Hudson Rocks!

(Image taken from Frillr)

The award-winning Jennifer Hudson will be featured in the March 2007 issue of Vogue. She will not only be the cover model, but an interview will be in the issue as well. I am so glad to see her blow up in a big way. This Vogue cover is momentous, can't remember them ever having a normal sized model on the cover let alone a black one. I think she looks stunning and although I am not a Vogue fan, I will buy it because Jennifer is on the cover. She looks flawless and exudes self-confidence. Bravo Jennifer!

Mugabe Rules With Help of Friends

Presidents Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire Photo File.

What's black history month if I can't talk about the motherland. Zimbabwe is on my mind now because of Mugabe's birthday foolishness. How the man can even spend $1.3 million on a birthday celebration while his people are suffering? He'll be 83, perhaps he is senile and being lead along by some overly ambitious staff member. He hasn't picked a successor yet so maybe this person told him this birthday party was a good idea.

Last month when the African Union met at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Amnesty International made the following recommendations regarding Zimbabwe:

Amnesty International believes that the silence of African leaders and their failure to insist on the respect of human rights by the government of Zimbabwe has contributed to a culture of impunity resulting in increased violations as evidenced by the destruction of the homes and livelihoods of over 700 000 people in 2005 and the reported torture of leaders of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions while in police custody on 13 September 2006.

The hope is that Zimbabwe as well as other member states of the African Union will promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Africa. This is an ambitious task given the history of colonialism, ethnic strife, the AIDS epidemic and environmental challenges.

Mugabe Parties, Zimbabwe Suffers

Robert Mugabe
Originally uploaded by Samuel Adanu.

In what continues to be a tradition in post-colonialist Africa, Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's President-for-Life, is throwing himself a lavish $1.3 million birthday party while his country is facing economic ruin. Rather than use his own money to pay for this celebration, he is expecting the already impoverished people of Zimbabwe to foot the bill.

Mugabe has already plundered and mismanaged Zimbabwe into one of the poorest countries on the African continent. According to BBC News, the country's inflation rate is a mind-boggling 1,593%! Once one of the largest agricultural producers on the continent, Mugabe's land reforms have rendered the once prosperous farms barren. The country hasn't been able to feed its own people, pay government salaries or provide basic needs for its citizens.

In true dictator fashion, Mugabe rules with an iron boot. He is brutal, intolerant of opposition and blames the West for his country's malaise. All I can do is shake my head because people there are clearly suffering under his rule. Imagine what would happen if he actually used that money to feed and improve the lives of his country's poor?

Some Cream for Today's Coffee

Desmond Tutu
Originally uploaded by smoothdude.

"The war on terror will never be won “as long as there are conditions in the world that make people desperate”, like dehumanising poverty, disease and ignorance."

-Nobel laureate and former Archbishop Desmond Tutu
(Taken from The Voice)

Buried Treasure #3 - Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle
Originally uploaded by B de Bastione.

Don Cheadle first came to my attention in 1995. He starred along with Denzel Washington in the movie "Devil in a Blue Dress". Come hell or hurricane, I wasn't going to miss this movie. I had read every book in Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlins series and the fact that Denzel played Easy Rawlins was icing on the cake but "Devil in a Blue Dress" was Don Cheadle's movie. Cheadle was cast as Mouse, Easy's blazing but deadly sidekick. As one of the most intense, multi-layered fictional characters ever created, Cheadle brought Mouse to life.

Since "Devil in a Blue Dress," I've had the opportunity to check him out in other films, most recently "Crash". The brother tears it up every time. It doesn't matter what movie he's in or what role he's playing, he always manages to steal the scene.

Out of the Locker Room

John Amaechi, sportsman
Originally uploaded by Sibad.

"If you're gay and you're not admitting that you are, you're not trustworthy."

-LeBron James

In advance of his upcoming book, former NBA player John Amaechi has announced he's gay. He retired from the Utah Jazz in 1994 and has led a somewhat quiet existence in London. I applaud his bravery in making such an announcement, but who cares? As an NBA player, Amaechi wasn't even on the radar and was an average player at best. His announcement makes him the first player in the NBA to admit being gay. I'm certain there are plenty of guys in the league that are either gay or on the downlow, we just haven't heard about it.

It's only a matter of time before this issue will have to be addressed by the NBA. Just let one of the closeted players slip up and anger one of the straight players and before you know it, the word "faggot" will be used, the player will be outed and the offender will be off to rehab a la Isaiah Washington to mend his homophobic ways. NBA Commissioner David Stern and the player's union will be forced to hammer out an NBA policy on gay players but not before the straight players demand a separate locker room fearing they will be turned gay by association. It's only a matter of time before the NBA addresses the gay issue. Amaechi was brave enough to step out of the closet but I don't expect to see any active NBA players doing the same.

Note to Hollywood: Men in Drag STILL Isn't Funny

Eddie Murphy's Norbit
Originally uploaded by The Cocoa Lounge.

Over the past week or so I've seen trailers to Eddie Murphy's new movie, "Norbit." To me it looked awfully familiar, Eddie in a fat suit and heavy make-up playing a stereotypical overweight black woman. Where have I seen this before? Of course, "The Nutty Professor" was a huge hit movie for Murphy because he played multiple characters and it was a remake of the Jerry Lewis classic. Martin Lawrence experienced similar success as a cross dresser in "Big Momma's House." I know men in drag is tested and proven formula in Hollywood but I still don't find it funny.

Eddie certainly doesn't have to prove his acting chops or versatility as an entertainer, he's done that already in "Dreamgirls". I can't help but wonder what his motivation was for "Norbit". I'm certain some creatively bankrupt Hollywood execs thought this was the perfect vehicle for him. The same formula worked for "The Nutty Professor" but this time let's change a few of the characters and give Charlie (Murphy) a role and we'll have another hit on our hands. Leave it to Hollywood to keep churning out uninspired remakes and the same plot over and over again. The only people who think men dressing up like women is funny are teenage boys aged 12 - 16.

Granted Eddie's personal life has been tumultuous lately. He may or may not be the father of Mel B's baby, he's dating Babyface's ex, Tracey Edmonds and the rumors about him and Johnny Gill never seem to die down. But "Norbit", what was he thinking? I think I'll pass on this one because after all, there are only so many jokes you can do about men in drag. I'm sure I've seen them all. Must a black man dress up like a woman to make some loot in Hollywood?