Cynique

Are we to infer from this that you reserve the right to be the only one who can talk about "black coonery", Xeon?

Just havin a little fun with ya, babe.

You deny being an "Obamanite", Xeon, but in your passionate defense of him you proceed to engage in the very hyperbole you accuse his critics of using. Sounds like the rant of an "Obamanite" to me.

BTW, many voices in the growing chorus of Obama detractors are black Democrats. And in your attempt to cast him as a political martyr, you overlook how millions of people, like you, still support him.

Well since I prefer to think of my interest in the lives of the rich and famous as "curiosity" rather than "pathelogical" a term Xeon plays fast and loose with, I will ignore his patting himself on the back for wearing blinders.

Considering how Withers' long marriage to his present wife was mentioned in this documentary, the door was open to examining his personal life, and the fact that his first marriage to Denise Nicholas is ignored is not only dishonest, but bad journalism.

Certain things come with the territory of being a star. Everything unfavorable that the public knows about celebrities has been revealed in documentaries and bios but there are apparently those who take pride in sticking their heads in the sand when it comes to the truth, preferring to think of themselves as purists who only care about art. Puleeze. Any broad-minded person knows that having talent is not synonymous with being angelic, and people like myself can handle the duality of genius. Others prefer to sweep the truth under the rug. So be it.

Man! Talk about beating a dead dog to death! Deconstructing the word "alleged" became the focal point of a discussion replete with a field day for superlative adjectives. Whether or not Bill committed the common act of whippin Denise's ass becomes a "phenomenon". The toe-tappin little ditties composed by Bill became "wondrous". Sheeze!

All I gotta say further is that whether he was an abusive husband or not, it's a fact that Bill Withers is in denial about having been married to Denise Nicholas!

In the first place, if you write a column for a newspaper, Carey, then why would you have trouble finding an editor for your memoirs??

In the second place, you should've figured out that all you need is a proof-reader. If you are planning to shop your manuscript around to a publisher, if it is purchased, the company will take care of the editing.

If you are planning to self-publish, then you have total control over the project and since it's your life story, you can exercise your own judgment in regard to editing. Also, since you are aware of how important "voice" is, then the battle is half won. All you have to do is read your writing out loud, and see how it "sounds".

You seem to be creating a problem that doesn't exist.

But who, better than Chrishayden, can assist you in the undertaking of "tellin it like it is" from a subjective POV.

Well, today is Valentine day, and February is Black history month so I am inspired.

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I was never naive enough to think that Obama was a savior who was going to work miracles by turning hell into heaven. My beefs with him always have to do with his stupid little missteps, many of which are down right sophomoric. His foot has taken up permanent residence in his mouth, something which is a clue to his lack of the wisdom I like my presidents to at least project the image of having.

Yes, old girl that I am, I prefer the POTUS to be a little more statesman-like and tactful instead of someone who wants to be one of the guys, somebody who suggests having a beer with his adversaries or who welcomes the NBA champions to the traditional visit to the white house by trash-talking about MJ's Chicago Bulls being a better team than the Lakers.

Obama is, of course, no worse than his predecessor George Bush. But I hardly find this a recommendation.

I understand your dilemma, Troy. And you just have to consider how hard it is to teach an old dog new tricks.

I guess my problem has to do with when I post a reply, it's like it disappears into the nether world and I have to go looking for what I said and where I said it. But, since nobody else but the other old dog is complaining, I will just have to go along with the program. BTW, how do you delete posts?

I clicked on to the link you provided and I guess I was looking at what you said it was. I think it was something I had discovered myself through trial and error... Oh well.

I'm lovin the smiley emoticons, anyway.

Surprised nobody corrected me when I made reference to Denise "Williams" instead of Denise "Nicholas". I made the correction, myself. Names always vex me.

Once again, I agree with you, Chrishayden.

I guess it's a sign of the times that this site has been transformed into an Index which provides data. It is no longer an open forum because carrying on a discussion is like navigating an obstacle course. Gone is the spontaneity and intimacy.

Well, look who finally showed up. Welcome aboard, Chrishayden. You finally took the plunge into this mire which used to be a discussion board.

I have to agree with you about Obama. He does seem oblivious to how oblivious he is. He doesn't seem to be the least bit aware of how unaware he is. With a serious expression on his face, he gave his first year in office a "A-". Like I continue to complain, it's the little things that reduce him to inadequacy. It would've been so easy and diplomatic for him to give himself an "incomplete" when grading his first year. But, no, he has to make himself look deluded.

In the world of entertainment, it does make sense that an industry controlled by white moguls doesn't hesitate to exploit race. A lot of politics is involved in the "bestowing-of-awards" process. It's not always about good performances but about whose turn it is.

Taking this a step further, white Hollywood always seizes an opportunity to pat itself on the back, and nominating pictures about Blacks for Oscars will placate those who might accuse the industry of being racist. Blacks who point out that the pictures and roles singled out for recognition are always ones about the down side of black life, have a point. Aestheticism is Tinseltown is always tainted by cynicism.

Yes, the end is near. The world is in a state of utter turmoil. First the Haiti disaster, then Jay and Oprah and Dave and now, in the midst of one of its worst blizzards in years, during the wee small hours of the night, the great prairie state of Illinois experienced an EARTHQUAKE that registered a scary 4.8!

Reports have been pouring in from pet owners who claim their unusually restless animals sensed what was about to happen and I, myself, must confess that at about 4:AM last night I had an urge to howl. Egads! It's time for me to get the hell outta here. Stop the world I wanna get off!

I saw Sade's guest appearances both on the "Today Show", and David Letterman. My girl is as cool as ever. The years have been good to her. In performing "Soldier of Love" a surefire hit, she didn't miss a beat. Welcome back, girlfriend, what a great alterative your luscious husky voice is to the histrionics of Mary J. and the squealing of Mariah.

I don't know if any of you are familiar with one of the greatest lyricist to ever inhabit the realm of the "American song book". His name was Johnny Mercer, a good ol boy from Savannah, Georgia, who penned the words to hundreds of songs most of which were popular during the 1940s and 50s, and which continue to dominate the ranks of old standards today. I can't think of any of my favorite love ballads which, when I check, didn't have it words written by Johnny Mercer. Ray Charles recorded quite a few of his songs, as did Ella and Sarah Vaughn and other jazz vocalists.

Anyhow, Johnny Mercer's 100th birthday was recently celebrated by music historians, and his life story was chronicled in a documentary on the TCM cable channel. This was a very in-depth look at his life and times, and included in its details was the affair that this married man carried on with Judy Garland for years. This was something I never knew. It also mentioned that Mercer was what was known as a "mean drunk", a guy who although was very affable when sober, was rude and insulting when intoxicated. Something else I never suspected.

So, documentaries have been known to spare no details when showcasing the life of a celebrity. Skeletons in the closet are regularly unearthed.

Incidentally, Bill Withers and Denise Nicholas' marriage only lasted a little over a year. She didn't waste any time extricating herself from what was rumored to have been a very violent relationship.

Well, I don't know about Google, Troy, but you sure have some impressive digs! Boat parties that include Zane on the guest list...hob-nobbing with the likes of Cornel West and Bill Withers...leisure trips to Nigeria! Must be nice to be an affluent man of the world!

Seriously, Google certainly sets the stage for a "Big Brother is watching you" society of the future.

I don't think current complaints about "Precious" have to do with the castration of black men, per se. What many people are disturbed about is how the motion picture establishment always chooses to reward films and roles that depict the most depraved aspects of black life, as exemplified by the performances Halle Berry and Denzel Washington were recognized for.

Sandra Bullock, for instance, is up for an Oscar for her portrayal of a magnanimous white woman, and Meryl Streep for her impersonation of an iconic gormet chef. The other white female nominees include actresses who played sympathetic and supportive mates to their woegotten men. Contrast this with Monique and Gaby's characters.

I don't agree that the flak over "Precious" is a matter of certain Blacks whining. It's just a case of them shaking their heads about a familiar pattern.

Seems to me that this film should've been specific as to whether it was a look at "Bill Withers, - the man and his music", or "Bill Withers - a life examined". The latter should certainly be a portrait the included "warts" and all. To call attention to the fact that Withers was a stutterer has nothing to do with his music but could've been linked to an inner turmoil that not only showed up in his speech but later in his relationships, taking the form of violence.

A total assessment of Bill Withers has to include his personal life and it is possible to mention his tumultuous relationship with another celebrity without making him a villain, but rather a troubled men. His inner demons may indeed, have been what contributed to his soulful compositions. IMO.

Too often people don't want their heroes to have feet of clay, but nobody is perfect and a man's body of work can be separated from his character flaws. The truth may hurt but it shouldn't be suppressed.

Having one's indiscretions exposed comes with the territory of being famous. Just ask Bill Cosby. Frank Sinatra is never discussed without making mention of his volatile marriage to Ava Garner and Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's fights were legendary. I could go on and on but - your pop culture vulture is signing off for now.

"Precious" is certainly tailor-made for Whites who like nothing better than to seize an opportunity to feel good about themselves by sympathizing with authentic down-and-out black characters. What better way for them to reinforce their feelings of superiority than to see Blacks portrayed as the victims of their own immorality,

This relates to why white celebs are all out there raising money for Haitians who are doomed by the misfortune that seems to be their lot in life - why white do-gooders flocked to this hell hole, playing healers to the sick and saviors to orphans. After all, God has ordained them to cure the ills of the world because people like Haitians are incapable of helping themselves! Charity is, of course, a commendable pursuit, but the other side of this coin is condescention. Yes, I know, these people are sincere and caring. They never met a cause they weren't ready, at the drop of a hat, to lavish their caring sincerity on.

As for "Precious", it's not like this movie will enlighten white audiences. What it does is confirm what they already suspect. While black folks exude a "so what else is new" attitude after seeing this film, white people upon viewing it want it to be rewarded for its true grit. Oprah praises it and so should everybody else.

But the joke is on them, and it takes the form of Gaby's TV interviews, as there she sits, chirping away in full "valley girl" mode, in effect, mocking her patronizers. In the meantime, her sidekick Monique does the best acting job of her career by humoring the Hollywood powers-that-be into thinking that what she was doing on screen was acting.

New York Times

Fade to White

By ISHMAEL REED

Published: February 4, 2010

The blacks who are enraged by “Precious” have probably figured out that this film wasn’t meant for them. It was the enthusiastic response from white audiences and critics that culminated in the film being nominated for six Oscars by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, an outfit whose 43 governors are all white and whose membership in terms of diversity is about 40 years behind Mississippi. In fact, the director, Lee Daniels,said that the honor would bring even more “middle-class white Americans” to his film.

Ishmael Reed on AALBC.com

http://aalbc.com/authors/ishmael.htm

Move over Angelina and Brad. Beyonce and Jay-Z are the new #1 power couple of the entertainment industry. And Beyonce did it without adopting a trio of mutants from another planet. She married one instead.

And Bey might've won the most awards at the Grammy telecast, but that "drill" she didn't "put a ring on" couldn't compare with Pink's near-nude acrobatic "circus act" which stole the show.

And where was Kanye West when we needed him? Taylor Swift has to be the most overrated talent around. She's as boring as Lady GaGa is bizarre.

Heidi Klum and her spouse looked like the Little Mermaid and her pet Seal. Nicole Kidman and her hubby looked like a blond Snow White and one of her dwarfs.

Jennifer Hudson needs a new hair stylist, and Rihanna needs a personality transplant. Who was the kid she lugged to the mike with her. A love child she's been keeping a secret?

Wonder if that "big fat black girl" dancing on the stage with the Rappers is a sign that all of the "Preciouses" of the world are going to get their day in the sun ala, Biggy Smalls. Justice is served - along with chicken and bisquits and mashed potatoes.

Michael Jacksons' kids are already showing signs of loving the spotlight. Too bad they can't speak without stumbling over their words. They were almost as bad as Wicliffe Jean.

I thought Lil Wayne was in jail but there he was running around the stage like he had "warrants", all the while having his lyrics bleeped.

And who was Jamie Foxx spoofing in his Napoleon outfit? To his credit, he did appear to have had too much Ak-ak-ak-ak-akohol. Thank goodness, "Slash" and his guitar showed up.

OK, this is your pop culture vulture signing off for now...

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I can't believe I'm writing this, but the rationale for the lament I am about to make is that you miss a toothache when it's gone and I miss my "frienemy" Chrishayden!

He really did contribute a lot to this board with the strident opinions he laced with ridicule and wit. But who could really hate a fella who hated negroes who hated other negroes especially when the other negroes happened to be negroes he liked. Watta guy!

I can't believe Crissy didn't cross over. Maybe he's still trying to access the old board, totally confused as to what happened. He was a very knowledgeable dude but - well, you know, sometimes what was obvious didn't register with him or maybe, like me, he doesn't dig the change. Could it be that our boy is aimlessly strolling around the mean streets of St. Louis, dodging muggers, stepping over drunks, and winking at hookers, wistfully reminiscing about the Internet soap box he has abandoned.

COME BACK, CHRISHAYDEN. ALL IS FORGIVEN!

Well, Thumper, I am of the opinion that there is no such thing as useless knowledge. Knowledge is, indeed, power. I don't think a reader can ever go wrong by broadening his/her outlook, rather than limiting it.

So, in response to your question, I would say, yes, black people should diversify their reading habits. A good book is always a learning experience, and the universal themes that characterize good books are made even more compelling and enlightening when they are filtered through a culture other than one with which a reader is familiar.

One of your and my favorites, "Gone With The Wind", was such a successful paragon because of a universal story line that was not only about love but about survival. In the process of reading this book, the culture of the old South was brought to life, which was something black people needed to know about no matter how galling it was. Bottom line is that one of the main things that this historical novel had going for it was that it was very interesting!