Category Archives: magazine

Blackface Is Back…..Again

Posted on by drumsintheglobalvillage

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First, some history.

Now, moving on to film:

Remember the 1980s comedy “Soul Man,” where the lead character colors himself Black—as in, actor C. Thomas Howell performing in Blackface?

Well, here’s something fun to do in 2008: find Robert Downey Jr. in this promotional photo for the new comedy film, “Tropic Thunder”:

Downey Jr. In Blackface

I don’t even know what to say. 🙂 Here, read an EW article on whatever’s going on there. This one might help as well. (APRIL 4th UPDATE: Here’s another.)

Since Downey has “gone there,” I hope he’s at least as good as Billy Crystal’s Sammy Davis Jr.

Is This The Way To Win?

Posted on by drumsintheglobalvillage

Is it time to stop singing yet and start……? Two different views from The Root as to what Obama should do.

The Gandhian in me wants to go here (my huge crush on Melissa Harris-Lacewell pushed to the side 🙂 ), but I don’t want Obama to metaphorically end up like Fannie Lou Hamer getting her ass beaten in jail or James Zwerg—*and* lose! Doesn’t make that much sense. I mean, is the purpose of this “movement” to win (the second Root view I saw) or to make a point?

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No wonder Samantha Power was so upset. She knew she was in a street fight, so she did more than block the blows. Maybe when Obama figures out how to negotiate the reality he’s in, next time he won’t be so quick to throw a valued intellect overboard.

And here’s a not-too-unrelated thought: If Obama’s not strong enough to have Power’s back, how will he summon the courage to defend or promote any of our interests, especially after the support (Black)progressives have (blindly?) given him?

Two Networks, A New Comicbook…….

Posted on by drumsintheglobalvillage

Can anything stop “Doctor Who” and its spinoffs “Torchwood” and “The Sarah Jane Adventures” other than them being worn out?🙂

Here’s the link to the new “Doctor Who” comicbook. And if you like cartoons, here.

P.S. If you liked the Peter Davison take on the character, you’ll like this. Then you can watch this—until it’s gone. 🙂

The New American Dream?

Posted on by drumsintheglobalvillage

All year I’ve been amused by the journalistically fostered idea that white Americans, the (voting) majority of this country, are ready to actually go into small booths in November 2008 and, privately and deliberately, elect a Black male as POTUS. Before he gets assassinated.

Late last night, I was in bed with the great passion of my life—Rolling Stone.  🙂 It documented the overdose of optimism that is part of Obamaland. I read this article days after watching an interview Bill Moyers did with esteemed political scientist Ron Walters. Our brother seemed, well, cautiously optimistic about Barack Obama, too.

I just have a hard time believing it. I know I’m not the only one. Yes, this is the America of Condi and Oprah and Will Smith, but it’s also the America of Jena 6 and Megan Williams and institutional, if not blatant, racism in every aspect of American life—especially politics. Remember the McCain “slur” in South Carolina? Or “Harold at the Playboy party?”

Yes, the Oprah thing LOOKED impressive. But in America, it’s those angry “Washington Journal” (white) callers who actually vote. Ask Karl Rove about this.  🙂

If Walters hadn’t said what he did on Tee Vee about Obama’s chances, I’d just dismiss all of this as media hype generated by the yearning for the End of White Guilt. Let’s see what Iowa, New Hampshire and especially South Carolina will yield.

When The Sky Isn't Blue

Posted on by drumsintheglobalvillage

See the above? Well, it isn’t torture—at least, not according to America’s elite mainstream media. Well, at least not yet. See, they haven’t made up their minds.

Whenever I think “Democracy Now!” sounds too strident, all I have to do is hear the MSM’s hand-wringing over the obvious to again be reminded why we need national, professional advocacy journalism based in the United States.