(Pictured L-R) Me, Chrystal, Justin and Xavier (M)
Category Archives: Just Sayin
The King of Pop, Tributes, Minstrel Shows & The BET Music Awards
I admit that until last night I had never watched any of the previous 8 episodes of the BET music awards. I’ve had no use for BET since they sold the soul of the original premise of the network from being a place where black folk can go for varying forms of entertainment and information, to that of mere entertainment (if you want to call it that) of booty shaking videos. In the past perhaps I saw a clip or two of some performance or controversial moment after the fact, but since the focus of the show was to change in honoring the late Michael Jackson, I decided to tune in.
I appreciated the decision to change the show around and in such short notice it that said about about BET’s management and staff, specifically Janet Rolle the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. She also happens to be a black woman. I thought for the most part the producers and artist did a good job of honoring Michael’s fans and family. Michael’s father Joe, was there from the start and sister Janet gave some heartfelt statements of gratitude in her own words.
Unfortunately, what started as an honorable show hosted by Jamie Foxx couldn’t sustain the necessary class it takes to honor Jackson’s musical legacy and instead went to what I can only describe as utter niggerdom. (By niggerdom I don’t mean color. I mean ignorance) Lil Wayne and Drake got on stage and made mockery of the show with their misogynistic over sexed rants within their so called performance. That ruined the entire show. What made these punks think it was proper to drop so much profanity that their words were blocked out every few seconds is beyond me. And that little reference to Michael Jackson afterwards was weak too. I mean what the hell? I just don’t see Mike figuring that to represent what he stood for musically.
Here are the lyrics to one of the songs.
What is really bothersome to me however; is the fact that the same black woman I mentioned above who was in charge of the performances and okaying the content allowed this to go on. What is even more disturbing than that were the women in the audience who were singing and dancing along as these punks disrespected their very worth as women. And we wonder why a Chris Brown can beat a Rhianna. We participate in our own demise far too often. That is another story. I felt good watching the program all the way up until then. And ever afterwards, there was nothing that could be done to revive what was dead.
I tell you what. I will never and I mean EVER watch the BET Awards again. BET has failed the black community a long time ago. And even after I stopped watching any of the programs almost 15 years ago, it’s clear that I didn’t miss anything at all.
Lil Wayne, Drake, you guys suck and you’re a disgrace. You give minstrel shows. Check your history! In the words of Terrance Howard in crash. “You embarrass me. You embarrass yourself.”
It Was The Heat of the Moment~
I don’t know how it is in your neck of the woods. But here in the Midwest it’s hot as all get out.
I did a double-header baseball game on Sunday for instance. The first game started at 10am. I was the home plate umpire for the first game and it was blazing then. By the time we did the second game, as I patrolled the bases at each half inning I either drank or poured water on my head and body. I soaked my cap in cold water and within a half hour it was dry.
Before the game was over my partner who was behind the plate passed out from the heat and had to be rushed to the hospital by an ambulance. Before the medics arrived he had a puluse but was totally unconcious. His doctor told him he was very close to having a heat stroke. I saw him hydrate a lot too though not quite as radically as I was.
Though I did not pass out myself, I did feel weak and nauseous a couple times. There were also players who told me later that they too felt sickness at some points of the game.
I say that to encourage you all to be careful in this heat. Wear the proper clothing and keep yourself hydrated. Pay attention to signs of heat exaustion or worse. If you know of any loved ones who don’t have air conditioning, check on them and better yet invite them over for some air time relief.
And my GOD please parents don’t leave your kids and pets in the car while you run in the store or wherever to take care of your business. This same tragedy happens every year where kids die while abandoned in their parent’s or someone else’s vehicle and it just doesn’t make any sense for it to continue!
Be smart people and don’t sleep on the heat. It can overtake you quickly.
Saw This Coming…
That bit about hiking “to clear his head” was pretty lame too. Did he actually think that anybody believed that?
I don’t judge or laugh at anyone’s calamity. I’m just saying he must have really been caught up to skip off like that.
What’s Wrong With The GOP? An Abiding and Undying Love of it’s Racist Hearts
How about an unwillingness for Conservatives to rid the party of their racist colleagues.
See this is what I’m talking about. Folks, especially these right wing folks are just so damn selective when it comes to their “moral outrage.”
A guy walks into the Holocaust Museum and kills a security guard, and none of these folks are outraged. The culprit a notorious white supremacist is not being charged as a terrorist. They don’t care about that either.
Oh but Sarah Palin and David Letterman… that’s enough to cause a riot – and yet THIS pic doesn’t even cause a stir…. among these folks who mostly claim Christianity! You shame the name of Christ and everything he stood for.
I’ve always said that if you want black folk to stop talking about racism, police yourselves and check the ignorant pe0ple within your ranks when they bring this crap around. But that ain’t gonna happen is it?
Give me a break!
The College and University Hustle
When I went to school, one of the things that amazed me was the way colleges get over on things like books. I mean I would buy a used text book for $100 sometimes that I was only going to use for 8 weeks. Then when I’d take the book back they’d give me $20 for it. Of course they sell the jenk for $100 again since it’s still in great condition. I would say to myself, “Ya’ll sho nuff some pimps for real!”
I recently got a hold of a brochure for another college hustle. Bed sheets. That’s right. It seems that the beds in some of these colleges are not made like standard beds you buy for your home. Therefore you have to get these special made sheets to fit them. Check out how this brochure reads from the UMKC (University of Missouri Kansas City) Residential Life Business Office:
REGULAR SHEETS WON’T FIT OUR BEDS
THESE SHEETS ARE GUARANTEED TO FIT.
In previous years, some students always showed up with sheets that did not fit the beds on campus. Parents were frustrated, and some students were left literally “short sheeted” and unable to properly make their beds. This is not how we want your student’s first nights at the University of Missouri-Kansas City to be remembered.
To solve this problem, we made a special arrangements last year with a manufacturer to reserve one set of custom-fitted, first quality linens for each student. This ensured that these hard-to-find sheets, comforters and mattress pads met our size and quality requirements. It also allowed us to pass along a good deal to new students.
Over 70% of buyers purchased one of the convenient, discounted Value Paks. Each features significant savings with free bonus items. With a choice of 3 Value Paks in over 20 color combinations, it’s an easy and affordable way to get everything you need all at once. Value Paks are also shipped to your home free.
(BBG’s notes – now check out the next part)
The program was a huge success. On move-in day, students who took advantage of the program were able to make their beds without hassle, and parents thanked us for eliminating a time consuming search. That’s why we are endorsing the program again this year.
**** I could go on with the rest of the form, but I think you get the point by now. These sheets and Value Paks which include towels and pillows for instance start from $125 – $200. This hustle from making the beds an unusual size so that one cannot bring their own sheets. At least that is what it seems to be saying.
Perhaps the beds are the same as any twin or standard college dorm bed. Regardless it’s hilarious to me. The only thing they need in this brochure was a picture of Billy Mays.
If my sheets didn’t “fit” just right that I’d brought from home, I think I would have managed OK with that.
Got To Do Better Than This!
And fools can’t hold us
Every chance we get – we’re hittin up the rollers
Coming up short on the green guys
And I might start slinging bean pies
Or the bootleg t-shirt of the month
With, “you can’t touch this” on the front – Ice Cube
This is a sensitive subject matter for me. I waited to blog about it because I didn’t want anger to ruin my point. After months I am finally at a place where I can discuss this reasonably.
You know, in this world we all have to get our hustle on some kind of way. I don’t care what kind of job it is. You can be a teacher, a preacher, a cook or a CEO. In the basic sense it’s a hustle. In this case the definition of a hustle is simply, ” making a way financially to obtain or sustain.” I don’t mean it has to be anything illegal or immoral. Back in the day, the word hustle indicated aggressiveness and drive. That is my definition in this post in the basic sense, but in no way is this the only meaning.
For instance, for some people a hustle may be standing on the corner soliciting donations. Some have signs that say they want food or employment. The game plan is that they want drivers to give them money as their cars pause at a traffic light. I’ve challenged some this way. There have been people that asked me for money on the street in order to “get something to eat.” And I’ll say something like, “Sure man. What do you want? There is a Wendy’s right around the corner. Let’s go.”
There have been times that the person was grateful and indeed honestly wanted a meal. It blessed me to be able to provide one. Other times they just wanted the money instead of the food. I’m intelligent enough to guess why, but I won’t go there. I don’t judge cause Lord knows I understand I am just a circumstance or tragic event away from being on the street.
That being said: One thing that just gets under my skin and burns me up is when I see little kids on the corner begging for money for their “fill in the blank sports teams”.
For those who don’t know already, I live in St. Louis and in this town there are busy intersections where often people stand waiting for a large group of cars to gather at a stop light so they can hit them up. Some are for churches or ministries. They approach the car and say something to the effect of, “Would you like to donate to the homeless ministry.” A person holds out a bucket and if you give them something they give you a Tootsie Roll or something in return. Some have printed information about their organization.
If you were to travel to Kingshighway and Natural Bridge on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, you may see cats from The Nation of Islam selling their Final Call newspapers or bean pies. The above picture was taken on West Florissant and Dunn Rd., an intersection with a large daily flow of traffic stops.
These little dudes were approaching cars asking people to give them money for their basketball teams. Not pictured was an adult male standing at a safe distance as the little ones did his whoring. The hope is that the citizens will see these cute little kids and have empathy to come out of their pockets.
Now there are two reasons why this is whack – Flat out despicable!
1) It’s dangerous! There are too many cars doting for position in these crowded intersections. The children are small and are in danger of getting injured or worse.
2) It’s begging when begging is not necessary. The example set by the adults who put these kids up to this is beyond reprehensible. The children want to play basketball. Great. The finances are low and there is a need. Understandable. Instead of having them stand on the corner begging, put them to work. It doesn’t take much to sell candy, or hold a fundraiser by having public car wash. Find a place where you can get buckets, soap and towels and provide a service. Teach them how to earn money and you may create an entrepreneur. Show these young people with their God given abilities and potential that if they provide a service, he/she can earn money by providing that service. Raising money with a producer’s mentality as opposed to a beggars can revolutionize a person’s outlook on life.
Look! I can go to Los Angeles right now. And some of my Mexican brothers will be on the corner selling flowers. At the next block you can buy an NBA Finals Lakers T-shirt. It may be authentic. It may be a knockoff. There are hundreds of streets and boulevards where this scenario is going on. The buyer decides the value. Everything is negotiable. You can’t negotiate begging. If anything people tend to resent beggars and people who stand on corners asking for something but offering nothing in return. We don’t know where that money is going. I hate to see the few black men in St. Louis sending these youth the wrong message. I don’t give them a dime. I refuse to support this shameful venture.
Shake yourself you lazy and unimaginable adult! Teach your youth to fish, not to beg for fishes!
Caught Up on “The Wire!”
Thanks Jason Whitlock! No I really mean it.
I was minding my own business till you insisted on the radio over and over again that “The Wire,” a show that used to be on HBO was by far the best drama series in the history of television – network of pay.
I had seen bits and pieces of David Simon’s production. I had heard about the stories and some of the characters as well. I never got hold of the series because I didn’t have HBO during any of it’s 5 seasons. I caught an episode years ago while stay in a hotel that carried the network, but since I was not familiar with the show or it’s characters, I was not able to follow what was going on. The Wire is one of those programs that picks up it’s plots from the previous week and so on. So my interest for trying to pursue it any further dissolved quickly.
But, while catching up on the podcast archives of the Jim Rome show where Whitlock frequently substitutes for the host, he spent well over an hour detailing once again why the show was the best. He had done this before in a previous show. But this time he even went as far as interviewing Simon the mastermind of the program. David Simon has a story of his own that is very well worth reading – so I won’t insult him by giving some brief synopsis not worthy of his research and work. I will say instead that Whitlock’s passion for the show finally got to me and I decided to start from the beginning via Netflix. I watched the first three episodes of season 1 over this past weekend.
Right from the jump I was introduced to the Baltimore police department, political and judicial figures, some crackheads and a drug cartel who’s main characters have as much depth as any real life characters ever seen on television. “Ahhhh so this is what you were talking about when you described the contrast between crime boss Avon Barksdale and his lower level nephew D’Angelo. This is how it really is when a police department is cash strapped and care more about their image than doing good police work. Wow!” I make it sound simple. But the depth and detail of the character development I’m trying to describe is beyond anything I’ve seen before.
What is really authentic about “The Wire” is that much of the story that Simon told during 5 season was based on his own personal research of the Baltimore Police Department, the drug trade, the politics, the reporting via the major local newspaper, and how it all effected the lives of the citizens of inner city Baltimore in particular.
The storylines are genuine, and the acting surreal. After a mere three episodes I find myself fully invested into the characters and I look forward to seeing all 5 seasons in successon as soon as I possibly can.
Congratulations Mr. Whitlock! You hooked me!
Conflicts of Interest! I Don’t Want to Meet The Browns!
I admit it! I have never watched a single episode of “Meet The Brown’s.” But since I watch a lot of TNT when the NBA telecast are on, I am constantly bombarded with the stations advertisers who tell me the show is “very funny.”
But I just can’t seem to bring myself to be interested in this show. Every time I see highlights, all I see is Mr. Brown shuffling and clowning like Stepin Fetchit. He looks like a joke who buffoons on the screen singing and dancing like Mantan Moreland and Sleep n’ Eat on Spike Lee’s movie “Bamboozled.”
“Bamboozled” was meant to make a point about the images in African-American media, and how many of the same issues of yesteryear when all black people were allowed to do on movies and television was to clown and belittle themselves are still relevant today. History shows that African-Americans shows are mostly always comedies with very little if any dramas. Since the show City of Angels there have been no dramas on television with a mainly African-American cast. In many ways Bamboozled seemed to make this point among others by being over the top in it’s parodies. Or does it? Tyler Perry’s play – turned movie – turned sitcom looks like a minstrel show just from the previews. And it’s sickening to me.
I wonder as well why black folk have not had anything critical to say about it. Perhaps it’s because we are proud of the success Tyler Perry has amassed in the industry. I think most of us are proud of what he has been able to accomplish, but it seems to me like the motivation for money and acclaim is allowing him to do just about anything with this show. And it’s like a dirty little secret that we allow it without protest. This proves that Bamboozled is relevant though many of us critiziced it.
I already touched on the Mudear thing. I was fine with the original premise of the plays and I thought it made for good entertainment. I am not mad about the movies either because it employed black people and allowed a black man to tell stories about black people. My thing was that it’s just gotten out of hand.
Other directors like David Simon who did “The Wire”, talked about how after he told the complete story in five seasons on HBO, he didn’t want to do a “Wire” movie or continue the series for the sake of making money. He didn’t want to sell out his contributions or cheapen the significance of his product.
Perhaps it’s not a fair comparison because the two shows are different. But I am so not impressed. If anything I am totally disgusted with the way this show is presented. I can only imagine the horrors of having to sit through hours of it on TV. Often the network runs hours of the 30 minute show in marathon fashion on certain nights.
I like to laugh as much as anybody. I can certainly laugh at myself and African-American stereotypes as well. Stereotypical comedy done artfully is hilarious. Stereotypical for the sake of feeding steretypes and getting paid is treason!
As black folk we should hold Perry accountable. But unfortunately, the popularity of the program shows we may be participating in the demise of our own images. And then we wonder why we are not taken seriously. For all of our success, this show takes us backwards!
My Amish Ways, or the Last of the Technikans
I admit it. I am always one of the last of the converts when it comes to technology.
When CDs first came out, I remember my friends raving about how great they sounded. Or how one can skip from one song to the next without waiting on the cassette to go forward or backward to the next song. But oh no. I didn’t want to give up my cassettes. For one thing, as a notorious music lover and collector of tunes I had a serious amount of tapes I had amassed over the years. I even had my own mixes that I put together and gave to buddies of mine who wanted to, ummm let’s just say have something romantic to listen to with their girlfriends or wives. If I switch to CDs, what would I do with all of these tapes? And damn I can get Ice Cube’s new tape for $11.99 but the CD is like $18.99! When CDs first came out, that was what they were costing off the top. Puuleeeese!
Then I bought my first CD player. It was a single Sony model that I hooked up next to my double cassette high fi model. It was a whole new world. After hearing the sound that was the most crisp I had ever experienced, I went to the music store and bought almost $300 worth of music. The first order was to buy music I heard growing up, and then get the ones to match the best of what I had on tape. I now have thousands of CDs from Miles Davis to Boney James, from Stevie Wonder to Dan Fogelberg, Pat Benatar and everything in between. I had it made right?
Nope! Then they came out with MP3 players. It took quite a while but eventually someone gave me an Ipod and between pod-casting the Jim Rome show and downloading much of my personal music collection, along with music from the library that I didn’t have to buy, I have over 12,000 songs at the touch of my fingers. This must be heaven!
One would think I would learn my lesson and get with the times quicker. Most of my adult life has been spent working in areas where technology was the way we got the job done. And new system upgrades were the norm. But I’m still slow to personal technology change.
I won’t even get into DVDs. I have plenty of them but only after I amassed hundreds of VHS tapes full of old basketball games, movies and PBS documentaries.
When I really think about it though, I’ve learned that there are two reasons for my slow progression in embracing these helpful and often better tools. First, I am just a person who is slow to change. I can get set in my ways and set in the comfort of my habits. Once I learn a thing and can operate it well, I don’t like changing it. The second reason is that I am afraid of the technology. I don’t feel confident that I can pick it up quickly.
I am reminded of how people created these myspace pages years ago. I heard about them over and over but just refused to mess with it. I was afraid that I could not navigate through it proficiently. By the time I got around to it, it was all but outdated. My boy Rich for instance was already doing a blog. I recall leaving a comment on one of his blogger friends blog, and I left my myspace page link. She commented back to me, “Man, your still on myspace? You need to get a blog.”
Sigh… dang! I must be 5 years behind on everything!
Rich tried to show me the blogging ropes. But you know how that is. Richard is very technologically savvy. He has a natural talent for it. So he ran through it as if I were in college rather than the Sesame Street level of teaching that I really needed. Eventually I stood up and faced the learning curve necessary to start this one.
This morning I decided to go ahead with the next step in my personal technology growth. The GPS!
Yes indeed for years I thought I was the man with my Yahoo and Google map directions. Too often however they are difficult to read especially in rual areas, or when I’m in another city. Sometimes the directions are the long way to get somewhere or flat out wrong. Of course driving and looking at directions isn’t the safest thing to do either. It’s stressful trying to figure these directions when they name a street that doesn’t have a street sign on it when you approach it. Or when you have a street that is also named a number. One major artery in St. Louis for instance is called Lindbergh Blvd. But it’s also called Hwy 67. (Though it’s not a highway.) If someone told me to go to Hwy 67 I would know where to go. If I were not from here, I would be like, “Dammit! I don’t see no 67, I see Lindbergh!”
Sports officiating has really brought me down to my directional knees as I go to these schools and ball fields in places I have never been to in my natural life. So once again as Usher would say, “Here I Stand.” Today I will make the step, pay the financial cost, and learn the ways of technology that will help my life run smoother. I just hope the salesperson is not a jerk and will explain the basics to me without being condescending.
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