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richardmurray

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Everything posted by richardmurray

  1. @Troy I paraphrase you well said. Human beings in modernity, led in large part by how the majority of the populace in the usa treats identity as a very modern thing, have a problem accepting racial change in history. I think said humans like the the ease of ignoring when another people were the majority in the past. And I will even be honest and admit I comprehend why. The reasons why the majority changes in countries is rarely positive or fair, and by ignoring you save the community from the discussion of why things changed so drastically, which rarely has a peaceful way to be.
  2. @Chevdove Well, I hoped my post aided in clarity. I am saddened it didn't. But, you offer a great question. What is the race of cleopatra? now you may ask, didn't I, Richard, answer that. Well no, I didn't. All human beings are part of various races, that are clearly defined with various labels for communication sake. I myself, am male-my gender or sexual physicality at birth/black-my phenotype or appearance/anglo- the language I speak/african- my majority geographic ancestry, note a difference between saying african as opposed to nigerian. and continuing. But what is the point? What is the race of cleopatra? Is it the cultural race she adhered to? Cleopatra didn't call herself Greek or Hellens, she called herself the queen of egypt. Egpyt is the greek word for Kemet. But, South Africa is the white european term for the lands consisting of and between the Namib or Zululand. Yet, Charlize Theron who has no african or black ancestry, not the same thing, calls herself south african. So, Cleopatra called herself Egyptian. Is it her geographic ancestry? Human beings always have mixed ancestry in some form or fashion. A majority of Cleopatra's ancestry is macedonian-hellens/greek, Most Descended of Enslaved from Canada to Argentina have a minority of ancestry from europe, while a majority of ancestry from africa and yet most Descended of Enslaved do not call themselves African or European but Black or NEgra or Noir. So Hawass or others, giving greater attributation to her geographic ancestry is dysfunctionally discarding Cleopatra's life. She had the money or resources to relocate to Greece with money and leave Egypt without a greater fight. Is it her phenotype? My guess is Cleopatra was white. I have no proof cause Cleopatra is one of the most historically manipulated figures. And, what I have seen is unverifiable. But her being white doesn't suggest her complete ancestry or the ancestry she valued or her heritage she valued. This is why I continually say finding one's roots has nothing to do with paper trails because the identity of people in the past can only come from their words. I really think the diary or the speech from one's forebears isn't given their proper value in truly comprehending a person's past and definitely one's ancestry. Supposedly where her palace was https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antirhodos\ Supposedly from the palace in egypt https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bust_of_Cleopatra a bust supposedly made in italy during her trip to rome https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Bust_of_Cleopatra_VII_in_the_Altes_Museum_Berlin So what is the race if Cleopatra ? Is it what she wanted , which no one in modernity knows? Is it what anyone in modernity guesses, even though her life is full of racial complexity? @Pioneer1 your correct, but the question is who are arabs? The problem with the racial term arabs is the same with latinos. In Encanto, the black latinos seem to live absent any friction with white latinos but in reality in most latin american homes, the dark are not treated equally or better than the light, and the powerful in the house are rarely the black while usually the white. In the same context. Arabs is to open ended a racial term. Who are arabs ? those born in the arabian peninsula? those who speak arabic? those who look mulatto in the american continent context but live in North africa or south east europe or westernmost asia arab? If Common the Black American thespian was born in egypt , and all anyone had was a photo, is he black or arab? My point is, when you have a loose racial classification it yields negative biases because the definition allows for too much and restricts to little. the same with American. I don't know how many times I have heard black people utter, you born in the USA your american, which based on descended of enslaved history range from an insult to a crude simplicity. Is anyone Statian , of the usa, because of the legal system's rulings on classification of children based on geography, or some culture or heritage, or the quantity of forebears in the usa ?
  3. @Troy yeah yeah, I got another internet oddity hmm, many people are all talk well, the people in the usa never were atoned, nor are atone now. Moreover, the legal system of the usa or time from english colonies to 2023 or the multiracial community of nonviolent integrationists in the USA are atonements, things that atone , make one. Being one people requires the one thing the USA never had and doesn't have now, a purpose that unifies a people. Germany used to be federated states. Italy was principalities. But it was a unified purpose<to make a country that could stand with pride against their neighbors> that made modern germany, not the law, not a group of people in the country forcing all others<and yes, the German jew wanted a united germany too, and had it, before world war II>, not an individual liberty mantra. Oneness is always possible no matter the inner multiraciality of any group, but it requires something to be one around. IT can not be oneness for oneness sake. if by atonement the hebrew israelites mean repairer, well, the usa has nothing to repair. All the past conditions in the USA or the english colonies preceding it were negative. And, the elements that need repair in the past of the usa are beyond money or technology. Can someone bring back and make as if lived the native american peoples that were slaughtered by whites of europe? can someone bring back and make as if lived the majority of enslaved blacks, as 80% of black enslaved people never made it cross the water, most enslaved black people are in the ocean. Atone, to make one. Repair , to fix. @Pioneer1 well, I have never heard a black person say publicly that they want a white person to kiss their feet either BUT I did hear a black person, james baldwin admit that his father hated whites, while his father never, ever, spit/hurled threats/or acted violently towards whites. what is my point? Black people in the usa have a heritage of not speaking , or moreover not acting, how we feel amongst whites or other blacks. I bet many black people wouldn't mind seeing their feet kissed by whites. I am not suggesting me. No I don't want white people kissing my feet. But I am also certain a whole lot more black people , especially descended of enslaved, who wouldn't mind that, but will never say it. Many Black christian chruch people in the 1960s scoffed at Black panthers for self defense members simply demanding all black people arm themselves against white aggression. Said black church people never trusted white people and lived in fear of whites but publicly scoffed at the notion of black people defending themselves. No, the black community in the usa's public voice is untrustworthy to its true desires.
  4. @Troy well, yes but I want to say, I was up late and all my twitter connections are either sports or writers, with most pundits/athletes et cetera. So i admit this is a rare thing on my feed, which is why it attracted me. Well, my twitter gets quite a few daily bots, connecting to it. And usually the bots are white females, oddly enough, just like on blackplanet. so... The purpose? that is an excellent question. My first thought was I have no idea. But I recently saw Edtv for the first time and I ponder. You suggested this is for dumb people who will think a race war is imminent, but I think it is for the cinema verite audience. I Think many people online are are entertained, but not through the exact act. They are entertained by the presentation. This is presented as news, as informative, they can read comments. I think many people view the online/electronic social experience itself as entertainment and sequentially, posts like this are cradles of said experience. Positive post don't go far, but this stuff, goes far.
  5. Cleopatra and the media https://aalbc.com/tc/profile/6477-richardmurray/?status=2317&type=status
  6. The problem with the film industry in the USA and Kemet

     

    OPENING THOUGHTS

    Historical fact versus Film industry goals. 

     

    A film, with chadwick boseman before the black panther called, Gods of egypt , had only one Black god of egypt. Thoth. But, all the gods of Kemet, which the hellens< the romans called the hellens greeks, the greeks called kemet egypt> took over through the macedonian rule of hellens, are Black, all of them. So all the gods of egypt should had been Black. 

    In parallel, Cleopatra is white. I didn't say she wasn't Egyptian. She spoke the native tongue. In the same way the Mamluks , who are from eastern europe, are not native to Kemet but lived most of their lives in Kemet, they called egypt, while being muslim. So, the problem is the film industry in the USA has a goal with many projects. The goal is simple. Unbind all characters from racial definition, a key to araciality. The problem is, history isn't a false thing, history is fact. Cleopatra was not black, just like the Mamluks. But this doesn't mean most people in Kemet or Egypt are white. 

    But i wanted to do research and find out, who is the lawyer that filed the complaint because as always, the internet story linked to me has no citation. 

    I found the following and I will end with lcosing thoughts

     

    ARTICLES

     

    TITLE
    Egyptians complain over Netflix depiction of Cleopatra as black

     

    CONTENT
    by David Gritten
    BBC News
    A Netflix docudrama series that depicts Queen Cleopatra VII as a black African has sparked controversy in Egypt.

    A lawyer has filed a complaint that accuses African Queens: Queen Cleopatra of violating media laws and aiming to "erase the Egyptian identity".

    A top archaeologist insisted Cleopatra was "light-skinned, not black".

    But the producer said "her heritage is highly debated" and the actress playing her told critics: "If you don't like the casting, don't watch the show."

    Adele James made the comment in a Twitter post featuring screengrabs of abusive comments that included racist slurs.

    Cleopatra was born in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in 69 BC and became the last queen of a Greek-speaking dynasty founded by Alexander the Great's Macedonian general Ptolemy.

    She succeeded her father Ptolemy XII in 51 BC and ruled until her death in 30 BC. Afterwards, Egypt fell under Roman domination.

    The identity of Cleopatra's mother is not known, and historians say it is possible that she, or any other female ancestor, was an indigenous Egyptian or from elsewhere in Africa.

    Netflix's companion website Tudum reported in February that the choice to cast Adele James, a British actress who is of mixed race, as Cleopatra in its new documentary series was "a nod to the centuries-long conversation about the ruler's race".

    Jada Pinkett Smith, the American actress who was executive producer and narrator, was meanwhile quoted as saying: "We don't often get to see or hear stories about black queens, and that was really important for me, as well as for my daughter, and just for my community to be able to know those stories because there are tons of them!"

    But when the trailer was released last week many Egyptians condemned the depiction of Cleopatra.

    Zahi Hawass, a prominent Egyptologist and former antiquities minister, told the al-Masry al-Youm newspaper: "This is completely fake. Cleopatra was Greek, meaning that she was light-skinned, not black."

    Mr Hawass said the only rulers of Egypt known to have been black were the Kushite kings of the 25th Dynasty (747-656 BC).

    "Netflix is trying to provoke confusion by spreading false and deceptive facts that the origin of the Egyptian civilisation is black," he added and called on Egyptians to take a stand against the streaming giant.

    On Sunday, lawyer Mahmoud al-Semary filed a complaint with the public prosecutor demanding that he take "the necessary legal measures" and block access to Netflix's services in Egypt.

    He alleged that the series included visual material and content that violated Egypt's media laws and accused Netflix of trying to "promote the Afrocentric thinking... which includes slogans and writings aimed at distorting and erasing the Egyptian identity".

    Three years ago, plans for a movie about Cleopatra starring the Israeli actress Gal Gadot triggered a heated debate on social media, with some people insisting that the role should instead go to an Arab or African actress.

    Gadot subsequently defended the casting decision, saying: "We were looking for a Macedonian actress that could fit Cleopatra. She wasn't there, and I was very passionate about Cleopatra."
     

    URL

    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-65322821

     

    <Rough translation of the arabic to english from google translate>
    TITLE
    "Falsification of facts and Cleopatra was not black." Zahi Hawass comments on Netflix's latest movie

     

    CONTENT
    Zahi Hawass, former Minister of Antiquities and archaeologist, commented on the film "Cleopatra", which was revealed by Netflix yesterday, and drew criticism from public opinion in Egypt for portraying the "black" Ptolemaic queen, considering it a falsification of history.
    Hawass commented in an exclusive statement to «Al-Masry Al-Youm» on the film, saying: «That is a falsification completely, Cleopatra was Greek, in the sense that she was blonde and not black», and considered that the film «falsification of facts and an attempt to attract illustrious historical names such as Queen Cleopatra, with the aim of promoting that the Egyptian civilization is black».
    Hawass pointed out that there is a trend in the world in recent years led by American blacks and blacks in South America, to claim that the Egyptian civilization is originally black, stressing that «this talk has no basis at all».

    The archaeologist pointed out that the black civilization has no connection with the Egyptian civilization, pointing out that the black civilization did not rule Egypt except in the twenty-fifth dynasty during the era of the Kingdom of Kush, that is, at the end of civilization. (The number of families of the Egyptian civilization is 30 families).

    Hawass proved that the Egyptian civilization is different from other African civilizations, pointing out that the Egyptian temples have drawings of Egyptian kings, and the Egyptian king is depicted beating his enemies, explaining that the temples depict his enemies either «African, Nubian, Libyan or Asian, and all of them have a different shape».

    Hawass continued that «Netflix is trying to create confusion to spread false and false information that the origin of the Egyptian civilization is black», and called on Hawass to take a stand against the Netflix platform.

    Netflix launched a promotional advertisement for a documentary about Queen Cleopatra, directed by Jada Ninket Smith, wife of the famous American star Will Smith, and will be shown on the platform on May 10, and actress Adele James was chosen to play the role of the Ptolemaic queen.
    Queen Cleopatra, the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, was born in 69 BC and died in 30 BC in Alexandria.
     

    URL

    https://www.almasryalyoum.com/news/details/2864818

     

    <Rough translation of the arabic to english from google translate>
    TITLE
    After the crisis of the movie Cleopater the brunette. Public prosecutor's complaint against Netflix demanding that the platform be banned

     

    CONTENT
    Lawyer Mahmoud Al-Samri submitted a report to the Public Prosecutor to close the Netflix platform, after the announcement of the documentary film Cleopater Al-Samra, and to take all legal measures against those in charge of this work, and against the management of the platform for its participation in this crime, and to investigate them and block its broadcast in Egypt and address all concerned authorities, especially the National Media Authority, to achieve this.
    The complaint filed against Netflix stated: It was recently noted that the Netflix platform broadcasts some visual materials and content that violate the controls of media content, which we are accustomed to in Arab and Eastern societies in all countries of the Arab and Islamic region, as most of what is presented by this platform contradicts Islamic and societal values and principles, especially Egyptian.
    As stated in the communication after the crisis of Cleopater's black film: The platform's management reached them to display advertising and attractive ads seen by millions in the world, and spread on their official pages documented via Facebook, recently, an invitation to watch a documentary film about Queen Cleopatra, who was of Greek origin that she is black and all the pharaohs at the time have black skin, unlike Egyptian history and civilization, to promote the thought of Afrocentric spread widely on social media, which have slogans and writings aimed at distorting and obliterating the Egyptian identity In a crude and worrying way for us as Egyptians we have a historical civilization that nations talk about over time and the issue of these owners of this thought is largely supported by large external parties to falsify the facts of the Egyptians.

    The communication against Netflix continued on the Black Cleopatra Declaration: From the standpoint of preserving the Egyptian national and cultural identity among Egyptians all over the world and taking pride in it, and consolidating the spirit of belonging to the homeland, and accordingly, we ask and request you to take the necessary legal measures against this platform, and to stop displaying every work whose purpose is to obliterate and distort the Egyptian identity, by playing in the minds with attractive advertisements and films aimed at falsifying and distorting history in Egypt, and also accusing those in charge of forgery of this work jointly And assistance from the management of the platform.

    At the end of his communication, Al-Samri called for taking all legal measures against those responsible for this work and against the platform's management for its participation in this crime.

    URL

    https://www.cairo24.com/1783644

     

    CLOSING THOUGHTS

    My first thought in closing is a question. Did Zahi Hawass or  Mohamed-El-Sayed-El-Semary file a lawsuit against gods of Egypt. Because don't tell me that the gods of Egypt were nordic ? How is that not a falsification? 

    And even though, and I quote

     

    ... the world of Gods of Egypt never really existed. It is inspired by Egyptian mythology, but it makes no attempt at historical accuracy because that would be pointless — none of the events in the movie ever really happened. It is about as reality-based as Star Wars — which is not real at all ... Maybe one day if I get to make further chapters I will reveal the context of the when and where of the story. But one thing is for sure — it is not set in Ancient Egypt at all.

    —Director Alex Proyas, December 2015

     

    if Gods of Egypt can be forgiven for that then the African Queens series by Jada Pinkett Smith can be forgiven. These films are meant to make Black women of African descent feel good about themselves. These films are not meant to be documentaries. 

     

    Now Adele James who portrays Cleopatra said, if you don't like the casting don't watch the show.  And to be fair, the lawsuit, though gaining global attention isn't for a global ban, it is for a ban in Kemet itself. Which is not unusual in film. Many governments ban films involving the history. China banned Seven Years In Tibet. This is not uncommon. 

     

    But Hawass and James and Jada Pinkett for me, offer an interesting question about the series and casting and identity. 

    The first thing I thought was, why didn't they chose Nefertiti ? 

    They could had chosen Hatshepsut but she is to dominant. Hatshepsut goes into other arguments about women's role in general and Jada Pinkett probably wanted to step away from that. But Nefertiti is legendary and she has a bust that is preserved. I want you to take a look at the show poster and then Nefertiti bust.

     

    Adele James as Cleopatra

    now01.jpg

     

    The bust of Neferitti

    now02.jpg

     

    Doesn't ADele James look like Nefertiti? 

    Why not Nefertiti?  Why did Jada Pinkett SMith have to use Cleopatra, whom I have said countless times in AALBC is a white woman. I didn't say she wasn't egyptian and I didn't say she didn't have black blood. 

    Take a look at the following image of an actor named Ty Burrell. A white man.

    now03.jpg

     

    Said actor, Ty Burrell has an ancestor, as Black as the night. And, in his own words <you search the "finding your roots" episode, he admitted that people in his community growing up stated that in whispers about his clan>

    So Cleopatra being white doesn't mean she doesn't have Black ancestors. It doesn't mean she can't claim Kemet. Charlize Theron says she is south african. She isn't XHosa or Zulu. 

    The point is Cleopatra is a white woman. But being in the phenotypical ranges commonly labeled white or black doesn't define one's background or how one defines themselves. Look at the following of Fredi Washington, who played the first Peola in the first film version of Imitation of Life 

    now04.jpg

    She look more like Betty Davis than Lena Horne and Lena Horne is extremely Yella. And Fredi Washington never called herself anything but Black. Hawass would call Fredi Washington light skinned. 

    So I see three points, in any order. 

     

    Phenotype in modern USA based media, film in particular but even outside ala Hamilton the play with all the white or blanco historical figures being played by negros/mullatoes/mestizoes, likes to suggest an araciality to historical figures. Anyone can play anybody is the message, in my mind at least. So, The Dagda of the Tuatha de danaan  can be played by a male or female person, kid or elder, with blue black skin and a large black afro. While... Ogun of the Yoruba Orishas can be played by a male or female person, kid or elder, with long blonde hair and snow white skin. Now the question is why? well, the USA has a problem. It's population is the most multiracial or multicultural or multiheritaged in modern humanity and is only growing more multi every day. But, alot of negativity or hatred or dislike is between the parts of the people. The USA populace doesn't have enough love  in its populace to become a family, a set of loving ones. But maybe it can be engineered to be a clan <ala the country of immigrants claim which is false to the native american or partial to enslaved black people as they were unwilling>, perhaps even better a creed<ala the shared belief in individual rights, government of elected officilals through voting, a set of laws that need to be abided and respected absent the use of arms>. Various individuals or groups of people in the USA across all racial spectrums are trying to make the USA into a clan or creed and in the arts, this has led to hamilton or this film of Cleopatra. I see two goals, the first is to deracialize historical figures to support the idea that one can be a racial stranger in a community, the usa, and be part of it instantaneously if they abide by the rules of the clan or creed. The second is to support the idea that one can idolize, be proud of, adopt someone who isn't of their race as part of their essence.   Do I artistically like this? no. I prefer historical truth. But that is only a matter of taste, it doesn't warrant a large multilog for me. Any artist knows, no work makes everybody happy, and it shouldn't. 

     

    Phenotype outside the USA, race, is simpler but when applied to the USA media's portrayals of race, become very complicated. I have been to africa. I can tell you, many women <not most> of North Africa, today, are white women. Now, they are african. They are muslim. And they are not nordic in appearance. Many Northern African women do share the mediterranean look with Southern European women, ala why in Europe, many northern europeans would call southern europeans dark. But they are white women. But they don't see themselves as Europeans. and this is the problem with race outside the usa in comparison to in the USA. In the USA race in general is usually reduced, made simpler, rightly or wrongly. But in BRasil you have Pardo, you have the brown skinned. In African there is no one drop rule, being black doesn't equate to african in africa.  In India, people who look like my mother's father, will argue they are not black because in asia, black equates to african. In asia, the word dark is used for people who in the usa will be deemed black. So outside the USA phenotype, appearance, has other rules and when you apply the goals , the phenotypical goals,  in USA media to places outside the USA it is dysfunctional. But, part of the dysfunction doesn't merely stem from the combination of two unequals or the attempting to find a multiracial center in the USA end, but also the old rigidities of race in many places outside the USA. I live in New York City and anyone who knows latin americans knows that in their homes, the dark or black or negra members of the familia are not treated like in the disney film encanto. Rosie Perez said it best herself, that in the latin community a colorism exist deeply. So when latin americans talk about latin unity, I scoff at that because I know fully well that in their homes, in their community that unity dissolves into a rulership by whites or light skins or alveno's or blancos over everybody else, negra, zambo, indios, et cetera. And it is the same in an India or in Egypt or other North African governments. The communities under said governments have rigid inequal racial categories that are accepted as part of their essential identity. Thus El Semary talks about national Identity even though most people in Egypt if they were in Mississippi in the 1960s would be called nigger on a daily basis. while most of the wealthy in Egypt if in the same Mississippi would be deemed the White elite. Which in Egypt is how the whites treat the blacks, as an elite. 

     

    The importance of media. Hawass is correct. Video media in modernity are the books of yore. The video is how many or most learn, rightly or wrongly. Sequentially, any historical lies in video will be treated as truth or history by many. The question is, it is dangerous. I argue it isn't. But I will explain why. Growing up as a kid my parents provided me with nonfiction or fiction by black people that allowed my perceptions of black people to exist without need of white people. I didn't need public school. I didn't need colleges or universities. I didn't need the television or some video media. Sadly , many people in modernity need an external because their parents are ignorant, they don't know. In the black community in the USA, many black people like to say that the black community doesn't know enough about itself, but the truth is, that is all communities in humanity. The reason why is simple, most communities in humanity are recovering from being completely dominated by another community in humanity and that recovery tends to be a crude or complicated thing. Rarely as smooth as in the fiction books, Sequentially, media serves a huge role, like the images on the early european christian church walls to the illiterate in europe. It doesn't convey the truth, but it conveys a message easier. 

     

    Preproduction in the arts, is an underrated thing. What I know on the outer rim boundaries of the entertainment industry in the usa is how often arts are produced absent a lot of quality preproduction. I am not suggesting a system exist to evade negative criticism. But, I wonder about Jada Pinkett's series. Why go from Nzinga to Cleopatra. In my mind, Jada Pinkett wanted to show being African is not equal to being african. While that is the truth I would had advised her to use another.  I can see why Nefertiti was not used based on the phenotypical range. Nefertiti is black, looks black, regardless to people like Hawass saying otherwise. But, I think the one of the Kandake's, like Shanakdakhete or Amanirenas<one of my personal favorites>, or other queens of Nubia or Kush and its descendants to Sudan or Aksum, like Gudit<who I learned of doing research for this post>,  and its descendants to modern ethiopia. Hawass is correct. Cleopatra is not black. But he is incorrect in one key way. The problem with Kemet and Egypt is that the Upper Nile, the south of the land because in the nilotic world the north is where the Nile flows from which is south if you base north on the pole nearest Europe which is what most in modern humanity do, has always been in a cohabitation with the peoples south of it, whether Nubia or Kush or Aksum. In the same token, the Lower Nile, which is the one that border the modern day mediterranean, has always been in connection to Hellens/the larger Europe or Asia. So, when Hawass talks about the non Blackness of Egypt I argue the Kandake's are to the upper nile what cleopatra is to the lower nile. Female rulers representing the external communities to either half of kemet. And that kind of interpretation is needed in preproduction. It doesn't mean it will happen. But in preproduction it is rarer than people think. 

     

    The power of negative media. The first season involved Nzinga of congo and the second involved Cleopatra. Now considering the slap from her husband to chris rock happened nearly a month after the first season with Nzinga started, it proves the power of negative media. The show from Jada Pinkett wasn't mentioned alongside the slap. The slap was mentioned as the central issue of Jada Pinkett, Will Smith, plus Chris Rock. Her series was barely mentioned if at all. The movie, Emancipation, starring Will SMith was prejudged through people's view to the actor, and Chris Rock's standup was expected and eventually did rotate around this issue, one negative moment dominated all three of their recent time. 

     

    I conclude with a simple point. All EL Semary wants is the show banned in egypt itself. Not an issue. And neither is the depiction of Cleopatra. I already spoke of Hamilton. None of the key points advertised in the media are important.

     

    The location of Mohamed El Sayed El Semary 

    https://yellowpages.com.eg/en/profile/Mohamed-El-Sayed-El-Semary/315467

     

    IN AMENDMENT

    I finally found evidence to answer my question about gods of egypt in the post above, I didn't find a page and quit on it as I have other things to do but after @Troy asked the same question. I tried again, and read the following

     

    https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3847128833/weekend/


    Mar 2-6    -    $39,360    -    1    -    $39,360    $39,360    1
    Mar 9-13    -    $14,958    -62%    1    -    $14,958    $60,950    2
    Mar 16-20    -    $13,675    -8.6%    1    -    $13,675    $77,216    3

     

    So, Gods of Egypt wasn't banned, wasn't called to be banned in Egypt. People saw it in egypt. So, this invalidates the desire of the few in Egypt to pan the cleopatra film by Jada Pinkett Smith. And what does it prove. It proves that, the issue here isn't  that the Cleopatra film in question isn't phenotypically or other racially correct, it is that, it is produced by Jada Pinkett SMith, a Black woman of the USA in the NEtflix zone, which is going to be mostly seen online in streaming. This is the true issue. Black produced and mostly on streaming not in theaters. Hawass and  EL Semary realize that most of the young in egypt, like most poor people in the usa , get film through streaming, not theaters, they are afraid of said Cleopatra's visions being displayed amongst the youth, which will get some youth to question the Europhilic-whitephilic aspects of egyptian culture that have been peddled or enforced by those in power in egypt.

     

    REFERRING COMMENT

    https://aalbc.com/tc/topic/10236-the-problem-with-the-film-industry-in-the-usa-and-kemet/?do=findComment&comment=60302

     

  7. I want it known. It was a white connection, not a black one that placed this on my wall. Now I admit, I am up late doing some emanagement and so at this hour means my usual feed's soccer based content can be quiet. So a lesson for me on many levels. But, the best comment I read was from a guy who said, no one mentioned the rick james boots, which I think is funny. But, beyond that. I tried to find out if someone had talked to any of these whites who have done this. I saw a few white couples, or white males or females individually. But, if any of you know some media outlet that actually talked with one of these whites who did that, please share to me. Staging these events isn't new or odd but I will like to know.
  8.  

     

    2023 Channel Goals/ New Year's Book Tag

     

    The work I planned to create in 2023 that I decided to do in december 2022 is: two translated works- I write in english and others translate- they will be my first ever translated works, a poetry book with my calligraphy, and making at least one game for the black gaming group. And doing this while I submit to as many writing or drawing contest as possible. I have started in the world of 3d modeling:) Time wise the only thing that I worry about is the game and having too little time for craft again, this year, but we shall see:) The key is the works to be translated+ poetry. If I can finish my part by the end of june, then all I will have is the game and in half a year that can give me time at least.

     

    What about you? 

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  9. Kobo Plus US/UK Expansion: an AMA featuring the KWL Team

    VIDEO STREAM

     

    The following are selected series or works. If you join Kobo Plus you can read them for free. Read them all and tell me what you think.

     

     

    The Kobo Writing Life team is excited to announce our next Live Q&A on April 20th, from 12:00 PM-1:00 PM EST. KWL Director Tara, author engagement manager Laura, and promotions specialist Rachel will be answering YOUR questions about this exciting Kobo Plus expansion, as well as any questions about Kobo Plus you may have had leading up to this announcement. Bring all your Kobo Plus questions forward to this informative discussion and Q&A session.

    Hi authors!  

    Huge news! Kobo Plus is now available in more countries than ever before with this latest expansion. Now, Kobo Plus can be accessed by readers living in the USA and the UK.

    During this live event, KWL director Tara, author engagement manager Laura and promotions specialist Rachel will be answering your questions about this latest Kobo Plus expansion, how opting in to Kobo Plus (including bulk opt in options), how Kobo Plus can increase your revenue, what Kobo is doing to advertise this service, how it all works, and much more.

    Please bring your Kobo Plus-related questions to this event!

    Join us on YouTube or Facebook on April 20th at 12PM EST.

    ARTICLE LINK

    https://kobowritinglife.com/2023/04/06/kwl-live-qa-kobo-plus-us-uk-expansion-an-ama-with-the-kwl-team/

     

    Rakuten Kobo expands digital reading offering in the US and UK with Kobo Plus, the all-you-can-read and listen subscription

     

    TORONTO  April 5, 2023 – Leading digital reading retailer and publisher Rakuten Kobo announces the US and UK launches of Kobo Plus, the all-you-can-enjoy subscription offering booklovers unlimited access to over 1.3 million eBooks and over 100,000 audiobooks for a low monthly fee.

    “At Kobo, we’re always working to make the reading experience better and more accessible. Our goal is to be delighting readers – with our best-in-class eReaders, top-rated Kobo app, unmatched digital catalogue or curated book recommendations – but there’s nothing as gratifying as saying ‘read as much as you want for a set monthly fee,’ which is exactly what our Kobo Plus subscription offers,” said Bart Robers, Director, Audiobooks and Global Subscriptions, Rakuten Kobo.

    “Kobo Plus has become one of our most popular offerings in the Netherlands, Canada, Portugal, Australia, Italy and France, and it’s our pleasure and privilege to be expanding the subscription service in the US and UK, so that readers can enjoy reading and listening without boundaries.”

    US and UK booklovers can access Kobo Plus via the Kobo Books App for iOS or Android and directly on Kobo eReaders to begin discovering new authors and genres. The Kobo Plus eBook and audiobook collection features a breadth of stories, including:

    • Contemporary fiction by beloved authors including Ian McEwan, Elena Ferrante and Alice Hoffman
    • Renowned literary works from Philip Roth, Jim Harrison, V.S. Naipaul, Aldous Huxley and William S. Burroughs
    • Contemporary sci-fi and fantasy by Anne McCaffrey, Cory Doctorow, and Jeff VanderMeer
    • Classic mysteries from M.C. Beaton, Patricia Highsmith, and Elizabeth Peters
    • Romance by Barbara Freethy and Beverly Lewis

    The Kobo Plus catalogue is ever-growing, with more titles being added to the collection each month. The service has three budget-friendly subscription plan offers:

    • Kobo Plus Read: Unlimited eBooks for $7.99 USD or €9,99 GBP per month
    • Kobo Plus Listen: Unlimited audiobooks for $7.99 USD or €9,99 GBP per month
    • Kobo Plus Read and Listen: Unlimited eBooks and audiobooks for $9.99 USD or €12,99 GBP per month

    The Kobo Plus subscription is an ideal way to approach a bucket list of literary classics, an entire author's catalogue, or to dive into a new field of interest. With unlimited reading for one low monthly fee, the subscription lets readers sample a few pages from a genre or author they have never read, and move on to another book guilt-free if it's not to their taste. It’s an ideal option for avid booklovers who can tear through several books a month, and for those who prefer to read a few chapters before committing. There’s never been a better time to discover new authors and series on a Kobo eReader or with the free Kobo reading app.

    ARTICLE LINK

    https://www.kobo.com/news/rakuten-kobo-expands-digital-reading-offering-in-the-us-and-uk-with-kobo-plus-the-all-you-can-read-and-listen-subscription

     

    Kobo Plus FAQ

    How do authors get paid for Kobo Plus?

    Why do Kobo Plus reads get paid per minute instead of by pages read?

    We have updated our eBooks subscription service to be more fair and balanced for authors across the board. Now, authors will be paid for every minute read, including re-reads, and even if a reader reads less than 10% of the book.  

    How does the free trial for Kobo Plus work?

    Gaining new audiences for our self-published authors is a key goal for us, and offering free trials of our Kobo Plus subscription is a great way to showcase our offering, including your books, to new and existing booklovers. We liken this to offering a first in series free, or other types of promotions for your titles, and these terms are the same for both traditional publishers and self-published authors. Our goal is to continue building excitement for the service in order to gain reading momentum for your books, while concurrently gaining new audiences.

    We truly believe that this exposure will benefit you, however it is always your choice, and if you are uncomfortable with the free trial period, we have made it easy for you to opt out of whichever territory you choose.  

    Will Kobo Plus affect my a la carte sales?

    For authors with books opted into Kobo Plus, their a la carte sales have remained steady (and for some, have increased); what’s more Kobo Plus reads have generated additional income on top of those strong a la carte sales. We see Kobo Plus reads complementing a la carte sales, not replacing them.

    The second trend we have noticed is that Kobo Plus tends to give backlist titles a boost. When we look at sales of books published before 2016, we see a significant increase in income generated by Kobo Plus reads for books opted into the catalogue. 

    We will be closely watching sales patterns, and are confident that we will see a similar increase in overall sales. 

    What if I want to opt out of Kobo Plus?

    We want you to feel good about what you create and how you are compensated. These are your books and your business, and it’s important that you have autonomy over how you sell your intellectual property. If subscription models aren’t for you, it is easy to opt out of Kobo Plus, or out of specific territories in which Kobo Plus operates. Opting out will in no way impede readers from buying your books a la carte. The idea behind our eBook subscription is to reach new audiences, not to take away from your existing readership--in the end, it is whatever you choose and think is best for your content.

    We decided to offer this option based on customer feedback asking for an all-you-can-read eBook service; this is in line with much of today’s  digital content consumption, which gravitates toward subscription models. Our experience in other markets shows we are able to attract new readers to digital reading who had never bought eBooks before, which is the case for Kobo Plus subscribers in the Netherlands. We’re aiming to grow the total earnings for authors and publishers, and our data shows that Kobo Plus can help achieve this goal.

     

    ARTICLE LINK

    https://kobowritinglife.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360058975632-Kobo-Plus-FAQ

     

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  10. I remember in the year two thousand and twenty three when media in NYC emphasized hate towards asians of any phenotype + white jews. But what I found most informative was that the percentage of hate crimes towards asians was under fifteen percent while hate towards black people of any language or religion or gender was second only to white jews. And the question relates to what Olayemi states brilliantly. Where is the outrage? where is the call for crime in the white community to be checked or handled? Moreover, I want to know their faces , their names. the odd thing about crimes against Black people by non whites is how little paperwork or technology is used or available or accessible. When a white jew is attacked , a video, a facial photo, a name, speeches from various organizations is presented as a package. But when a Black is attacked, no video, no facial photo, no name, no speeches from various organizations. It's so imbalanced an approach it is not merely a negative bias towards black people but it makes clowns of the black people who clamor on about the black communities criminal record in the usa when it is clear that the judicial system, from law enforcers to prisons , produces false information concerning the record of crime in the USA. IN AMENDMENT In this very forum, ecommunity, many black people have ranted about black criminal activity in the USA and it is clear that their rant is the conclusion to a simple algorithm. What are the elements of the algorithm: In the USA, Black people are oppressed by whites who control the judicial system in said government. The application of the judicial system to blacks in the usa by whites is designed to make blacks statistically greater than all others. Black people like all humans commit criminal or illegal acts, a crime is injuring another, an illegality is acting outside the laws allowance. Black people in the USA who want individual rights while nonviolent resistance to whites don't have any tools to stop white oppression to blacks. When you add the three elements together the only answer is for Black people to delete the illegal + criminal activity in their community . But how can illegal + criminal activity be deleted absent massive fiscal wealth, which the black community doesn't have. The answer is condemn black illegality or criminality. Whenever a Black person acts illegally or criminally, members of the Black community emphasize an unreal danger because their goal is to get the larger black community to provide no instance of illegality or criminality for the white community to take advantage of. Its a dysfunctional thing. But I have accepted that many Black people see that as the answer. I oppose the strategy but I comprehend it. When a white banker for goldman sachs, legally acts criminally stealing millions from various people, mostly white, in the USA with falsely valued financial schemes. The same Black people that will accept the actions of the white banker as playing the system, the same old same old, fiscal capitalism, will speak of a black man making peanuts trying to feed himself on the street with some illegal act, a sin, a bad characters, a useless activity, a bad example for children. To said black folk, like Mayor eric adams and most of the other black people in the NYC government, it isn't that blacks commit more crimes or illegalities, or more negative resulting crimes or illegalities, it is that Black people still commit crimes or illegalities. To rephrase, Eric Adams, many in this very forum, have a goal. The goal is to eradicate black illegal or criminal activity in the USA by emphasizing it. Not because Black crime or illegality is higher in quantity or worse , but because it exists and in their philosophy, Black people support nonviolence plus integration most by acting toward an unrealistic ideal that the same black judgers don't apply to the non black. I quote Al SHarpton: the thing about a nonviolent movement is that it can not merely call on others to stop acting violently towards a group but has to be nonviolent itself.
  11. I will try to find a photo of the eclipse but it will not be visible in north america i think
  12. @Delano I see , you mean another movie besides creed3? what will you like that movie to be?
  13. @Troy yeah Nike in the review is the same way. Modern Athletic fictional films, which is what the first Rocky film started, are an acquired taste. If you are not interested in the work out montage or the competitive montage or the personal issues inlet scenes, it isn't a genre for you:) No Creed is from Los Angeles like Apollo Creed, his father. And no Los Angeles... at the moment, isn't building a statue of Creed @Delano he has been wise, don't pidgeon hole yourself, do as many various roles as you can if you can. When you say perhaps they will do a movie together with PEele or coogler? Majors and who?
  14. for letting me be myself again:) beat me to it @Pioneer1 @Troy in defense, and I know this post is positive, and not meant to go where my comment will, but the Black community in the USA from the Club Women's crusade against the heritage of enslavement which includes the dialects of english black people spoke before 1865, to Zora Neale Hurston being a near lone crusader against her black artistic peers to utilizing said dialects, to the added dialects of english from black communities in the caribbean or africa coming into the usa after the immigration act and being advertised proudly in artistic mediums in specificity rap , the relationship of Black people in the usa to english and how "we spek e" is a complex issue that shows itself to all black people in the usa as it has with you in this one instance.
  15. @Pioneer1 you got me, well , I will never forget james baldwin saying that because so few black people viewed heavily ever admit blacks don't like whites as a community with a nonviolent posture. In the UA non violence equals civilization, equals integration, equals acceptance, but James Baldwin used his personal connections to display the falsehood in that narrative. And I think many Black people in the USA are in denial about said truth. I will never forget a black man i used to see on a daily route who looked so miserable , clearly working a well paying job but clearly miserable. Being peacefully hateful isn't positive even if it is nonviolent. When you said : this is not elijah muhammed but an actor:) classic. Fair enough, the black community in NEw York State's goal <defined as what most black people are engaged in functionally>, since the USA was founded was peaceful integration side whites. And I argue the black community in new york state, led by new york city has reached closer to that. Every single organization in the government of NEw York has black people who have potent roles or positions. The financial sector of NY has black people in it throughout. The goal is near. At this point the question for the black community in New York State is not about integration but potency. The fact that in New York State the marijuana licenses are actually going out to some blacks who were incarcerated while white pharmaceutical firms brought lawsuit against the state of new york for that action shows you where the black community in new york state is in relations to new york state, notice I have not said the usa. Now New York has some unique characteristics. One more black people live in new york than any other state. two the internal multiraciality of the black community in new york state is higher than anywhere else which has brought challenges but also has some advantages when it comes to outreach and the identity of being black in new york is less specific. yes, white power is still the rule in new york state, but the black community in new york isn't trying to topple whites but integrate side whites. That is an important point. The goal isn't for the black community in New York to be dominant over all others. In comparison, the black community in louisiana can't have the same goal as the black community in new york. the white community in louisiana is more pure. Meaning the white community in new york state also is highly multiracial internally. As well as the latino or asian, so that explains why the racial walls are looser. So, I think in some states the black community does have a goal. But the black community in each place can't have the same goal. In some places, like south africa, integration isn't working and black people need more power. In other places, like a germany, black people need a minority goal, they are too small in quantity to go for integration. Each place has it's own answer. so functionally you want black people to return to the geographic distribution we had before jim crow in the usa? Internally many black people still don't like the southern/midwestern states. Do you live in the south or midwest? You know what they are doing, they are reaching their goals. And this goes back to my simple point. But I will use an example. When Obama was president he said he wasn't the president of black people and many have talked about that line but most have miscomprehended its true value. All those mayors or police commissioners you showed are no different than the black mayors or police commissioners in NYC or Newark in the north. Their goals are not to help the black community get stronger over all others, their goal is to prove blacks and whites can exist integrated in these systems whites started. And they are achieving that. The problem is in NY that is satisfactory as the goal of being an aracial people is in the potential future. but in louisiana that isn't the case. Blacks don't like whites and whites don't like blacks in majority, so while black or white people in Louisiana , like the former mayor of new orleans landrieu, may see themselves as serving all of louisiana that isn't a good goal for the situation. It is clear that Louisiana's populace on the ground is a different creature and that isn't a problem. The USA is a federation for a reason. The white slavers that started this government knew that no people under any government in human history are every truly one, always a minority or another exist and they need space to be. The problem is those people don't have a goal that involves the betterment of the black community. tHeir goal is already succeeded, they are black continuing the status quo of whites. That is how a person in one community shows they can lead many in another by not empowering their own:) And while that goal seems to be good enough for the black community in New York, I don't think it is good enough for the black community in louisiana?
  16. @Pioneer1 I know you know the history of the Black community in the english colonies or new france or the USA or the Louisiana Purchase. I know you know the majority of Black people in said places have never been in happy in those time periods I mentioned. Not all, but the overwhelming majority of Black people in the english colonies, new france, the usa or the louisiana purchase. And, you know most Black ancestors in the history of said places cursed white people every day of their lives without taking up arms. They lived hating whites. I quote james baldwin: his father hated whites. and I amend what baldwin didn't say, his father acted nonviolently his entire life. his father never made any violent moves towards whites while hating them every day. Pioneer you know everything I just said, you know. So, the following question is not insult but is mandatory. Can you name one reason for the Black community in Louisiana, not black people anywhere else in the USA, have for digging in? And, what is the goal for the Black community in Louisiana by digging in, cause I don't see a goal for them, not for black people across the usa or new york, just louisiana? Fair point. But you didn't say where. You would advise the black people in california to leave but you didn't say where ... where ? Are you suggesting the black people in california need to go to lousiiana? You are speaking about the black community in the USA as one. I live in New York city in New York state. New York city has black billionaires. No disrespect to Black people who live in NYC which includes myself, but our scenario has no value in my view for black people in louisiana. The law talk, non violence talk, justice talk, all that is cute in New York but Lousiana... I wish you could provide a reason that emphasizes black people in louisiana. I may be wrong but it seems your suggesting the black people in louisiana need to dig in for black people who live in other states. That is a great idea , but the black community in Louisiana doesn't have the means to make that happen. it is that simple. Whites have too much power and it is that simple. Power matters. It's beyond the law. Are black people the fiscal wealthiest in louisiana? no, so we don't have members in our community who can just pay elected officials to do what they want, which is how most laws are made in the usa historically. Are black people the overwhelming majority populace in louisiana ? no so block voting isn't enough. What your saying can work in south africa. No black people are not the fiscal richest but they have the numbers to dictate law with a movement. No state in the usa has a black populace that can win 80% of the elected positions in the state based on the black vote alone. No state in the usa fiscal wealthiest are black.
  17. MY COMMENT the article title is false, the article contest say this is going to happen not may. in all earnest, I wonder about the black community in louisiana, who leads them, what is their plan. I ask cause, louisiana has been this way since the louisiana purchase. I wonder what the black leadership , and that means elected officials, plan is for the future of the black community in louisiana. Does anyone know? I will be blunt now, if black elected officials, black christian church leaders, the black financial elite in louisiana have no plan but integration under the constitution, I don't think that is a functional plan for the Black people of Louisiana. IN AMENDMENT I will throw out a plan. The black people of louisiana need to have an exodus of that state. Now I already know the rebuttals. Black people helped build the USA. The federal law says this or that. But, in NYC as I compose this, people are leaving countries of their kin cause opportunity is lax. Well, Black people of Louisiana need to leave Louisiana cause they are oppressed by whites of lousiana and opportunity is lax. Why can't Black people of Louisiana come to NYC the same way the various central american and northern south american peoples do? I just think that at some point, black people in louisiana have to stop the plan of waiting for whites to love us or the law to protect and mold louisiana into a peaceful or positive interracial community. That plan hasn't worked for over one hundred and fifty years. What are black people in Louisiana, saps? How long do you continue down a path before you quit? and beyond, what are the black leaders of the black community in louisiana planning? I am not suggesting what I threw out has to be the plan for Black people of Louisiana but the nature of my plan has to be the plan. The nature of my plan is to not be what the Black community of Louisiana has been doing for over one hundred and fifty years.
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