Category Archives: magazine

Yeah, What He Said (About Michelle Obama)

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Okay, although the Playboy interview (which I read in full last night) was a little less substantive than the far-superior Rolling Stone profile (the interviewer was clearly less prepared than Sharlet, or mabye that’s his style), I did like what he said about Michelle Obama:

“Somebody of her brilliance, somebody of her vision, somebody of her courage confined to keeping gardens at the White House, reaching out to military families, highlighting childhood obesity. I think she could be a great force for change if she could only set herself free. She can’t though. Black sister exercising her power, willing to take a stand, would be too much of a threat.”

That had been boiling inside me since Day One of her “makeover.” I’m glad Brother West said that!

And I like the fact that he directly told the interviewer that, yes, he likes the pictures! LOL! 🙂

P.S. And although harsh (as usual), this is more true than false.

“Avengers” Movie News: Marvel Says Hulk Yes, Norton (Hell) No!

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This is Edward Norton as Bruce Banner. But it could be Edward Norton reacting to being completely dissed by Marvel Studios.

But to be honest: it really doesn’t matter who plays Bruce Banner. It matters that the Hulk looks real next to Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Black Widow and Nick Fury. Onward! Can’t wait!

JULY 27th UPDATE:

Wow! This better be good! CAN’T WAIT!!!!

Wonder Woman In Pants?!? Sacrilege! LOL!

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Wonder Woman wearing pants?!?

Well,  it’s not the first time:

When she was a powerless, Diana Rigg-type secret agent in the late 1960s-early 1970s (the less said about this version, and this era, the better 🙂 ), she wore pants allthetime.

Her wardrobe will change back. After all, there are 70 years worth of merchandizing invested in the current costume.

Here’s my proof: remember when Superman looked like this?

No? Yep, just my point; the “next century” lasted for about a year.  🙂 He was back in his original uniform and powers by his 60th anniversary. Wonder Woman’s 70th anniversary is next year, and she’s just as timeless, so…..

JULY 7th UPDATE:

This is the first cover of Ms. magazine, from 1972. In it, founding editor Gloria Steinem complained about how her childhood hero, the only woman as powerful as Superman, got her powers taken from her. (DC  Comics eventually listened, changing her back.)  Here’s what she says about the “new” Wonder Woman of 2010.

30 Years And Counting!

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CONGRATS to Wayne! (A HistoryMaker, indeed!)

Black  Alumni  Network     
108 Terrell Rd            
P.O. Box 6693                       
Newport News, VA 23606

 June 28, 2010

For immediate release                                                

Contact: Dan Holly, 919-448-8221
vav@jerrythomaspr.com

30th anniversary of alumni monthly committed to media diversity

In July, the Black Alumni Network, a society of Columbia University journalism alumni and friends, celebrates its 30th anniversary. For three decades BA Network’s instrument has been its monthly newsletter. In July 1980, graduate Wayne Dawkins initiated publication with a two-page sheet that he mailed to 25 classmates. Over the years, the founders enlisted alumni from future classes and reached back to men and women in previous classes.

Today the newsletter is circulated monthly to 600 media leaders and also is posted online at journalism.columbia.edu for the 10,000 alumni plus friends of America’s premier graduate school of journalism. In addition, the newsletter has been the most consistent chronicler of the rise of black power within the mainstream media. Two authoritative books on the National Association of Black Journalists were informed by reporting from BA Network correspondents.

The newsletter’s rise has corresponded with the rise in power and influence of members within the network. Among the BA Network’s galaxy of stars are James McBride, ’80, [author of “The Color of Water” and “Miracle at St. Anna”]; Jill Nelson, ’80, [author, “Volunteer Slavery” and “Sexual Healing”]; Mira Thomas Lowe, ’88, [editor of Jet, and first woman to lead that magazine]; sports journalists and classmates George Smith, ’88, and Rob Parker, ’88, of ESPN, Suzanne Malveaux, ’91, CNN White House correspondent, and A’Lelia Bundles, ’76, biographer of Madam C.J. Walker, her great-great grandmother. Bundles is a Columbia University trustee.

BA Network’s three-decade mission has been expanding racial diversity of the media. Its founders took note of the existing “old boy network” of the late 1970s. Rather than complain or sulk, they created an independent instrument in order to build a comparable pool of media talent.

The BA Network’s relentless work has earned the respect and cooperation of university administration and media industry leaders. 

A network project is fund raising in order to permanently endow the Black Alumni Network/Phyllis T. Garland scholarship. Since 2006, five scholars have received $5,000 each in order to complete their studies at Columbia J-school.

Editors of the BA Network are available to discuss the state and future of journalism and mass media.

God Bless Rolling Stone!

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Issue 1108 – July 8, 2010

Everyone who knows me will tell you I would marry Rolling Stone if I could.  😉 Ah, yes, The Now World-Famous Feature, which finally came in the mail yesterday.  As usual, “On The Media” did a great job explaining why McCrystal’s aides felt so free. And as usual, “Democracy Now!” did a great job of  illuminating the larger political context.  I’m still confused as to the outbursts by David Brooks and Lara Logan, since, like my hero Matt Taibbi, I was taught in journalism school that you don’t worry about the reaction to/results of the story. (Gordon Parks understood this best: I remember reading that he told the Black Panthers and others he covered to not say or do anything in front of him that they didn’t want in Life magazine.) Clearly Brooks and Logan are too close to power to remember that. Logan, the reporter of the two, should know better.

AUGUST 10th UPDATE: I’m sure Hastings is not surprised by this. And I wasn’t surprised by this.