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When movies or television programs are filmed in Hollywood (and I know this from personally working on daytime soaps).....up to 2 hours is often spent just Lighting the White or Mixed raced actress. They even get 'airbrushed' with new video techniques now to make them look as perfect as possible. When a Black actress is on the set...NO TIME is spent. She is just given her marker and the cameras roll. (Victoria Rowell of "Young and the Restless" talks frequently about the fact that she had to do her own hair & makeup every morning at 5 a.m. & was not "lit.") I witnessed our own Tanya Boyd at "Days of Our Lives" go through similar disrespect and then be called "evil; angry" when she pointed the unfairness out. Herein lies a great overlooked reality in discussions like this. Kola

"Obama’s biggest advantage is that he is a sitting president and the opposition have not asserted a strong candidate" Well Troy, there it is. When I think of politics and the "working class" (whomever they are?) I believe most of them are woefully ill-informed and consequently are moved emotionally as opposed to relying on their critical thinking skills. Words are very powerful, and those that move us the most, and hit the right receptors, are the ones that leave the most lasting impressions which leads to our actions. To that point I think about those that go to church and hear a great moving message. Regardless of the facts(truth or not) in said message, the person is physically and emotionally moved, which propells them to engraciate the theme of the speaker, and the speaker. Music has the same qualities to attract a person regardless of the lyrics. On a side note, if the deciding factors to Obama's re-election depends of the job issue, a right-minded working class citizen surely wouldn't chose a money grabbing republican to lead the way to the promise land. It's been shown in every state that has republican law-makers and governors, that they care little or nothing about the average middle-class worker and their jobs. Be he a fireman, police officer, school teacher, government employee, etc., Republican are not the ones to run to if jobs are the issue. One leadng republican proposed to eliminate the minimum wage reguirements. That "MIGHT" crate more jobs but for who, and what can the "working class" do with 200 dollars a week? Your assertion that Obama's mouth may not carry him as far as it did to get him elected may have "some" merit, but again, based on the parameters of this election and the cast of characters of his opposition, I still believe he has the best hand. And really, on a light, yet serious note, he is one of the slickest brothas I know. Seriously, he doesn't show his hold card when people are yelling and panicking and acting a damn fool. Oh no, I'm telling you, ol'boy has been playing for the long haul, he knew this was an 8 year battle, so why make his moves too soon? When the time is just right, he will say all the right words. And when it's all said and done, he will break-out on post election night with James Brown's songs "It's The Big Pay Back" ... "Say it loud, I am Black And Proud", how y'all like me now? Then he will not give a damn what the red necks, tea party, racists, republicans, nor black prognosticators have to say.

I hear both sides of the argument, not only in this thread but across the blogspere. Today, I have to agree with Cynique. Now, although I understand Kola’s position , I can only address the issues she used to support here claims. Watching movies is one of my biggest passions, so I have to agree with Cynique in that the roles listed by Kola where over a span of 70 or more years, and I am here to tell you that for every role of a maid, there are at least 50 different roles that black actresses have played on film and in the theater. Also, there remains the argument that black dark skinned actresses are seldom seen and/or projected as “beautiful” on the big screen. And, imo, that’s a valid argument. In short, the most defining factors of what and who we see on the screen is supply and demand. As someone mentioned, and we all know, there are wonderful stories of POC, but if history serve us well, the black viewer is a fickled bunch. Some have defined them a hypocrites. We cry that we want a better “quality”/diversity of television programming and movies, and that we want a “better” representations of “black life”, however, our dollars speak differently. In a broad sense and if we use Hollywood’s standards of success, we don’t support movies that some believe champion the black face in a positive light.

Cynique.... I watch ALL MOVIES from every era ....currently. My statement remains: "I am not supporting anymore Black Maid movies--no matter how good they are." I think MILLIONS of Black Women feel me on this. We're fed up. We want a new image for Black women and we're not supporting this shit anymore. Bottom line.

"Clara's Heart" "Corinna, Corinna" "Backstairs at the White House" (NBC Mini-series about MAID & other black servants) Queen Latifah as the maid in Steve Martin's "House' movie "I'll Fly Away" (t.v. series) Hattie McDaniel in 50 classic movies as "the maid" "That's My Mama" (t.v. series) "Good Times" (t.v. series) ......these are just a few that I can name, Cynique. But for the 'dark brown' actress this remains the most commonly cast role. I have not seen Viola Davis (or women like her) cast as "Queen Nok" or "Nina Simone." Yet White and Mixed Race women are consistently given a broader range of roles and images.

Sorry, Kola, but I need to be filled in about all these movies where black women are featured as maids. I'll agree that there is a paucity of roles for black actresses but with the exception of "the Help", when I do see a black one in a movie it isn't as a maid.The characters they play are feisty, yes; sexy, yes. "normal", frequently. It's not so much about how black women are cast, it's about them not being cast at all because black-oriented movies aren't being made, thanks to black film makers not being able to get financial backing. "Art imitates life", and unless a role is a supporting one with no romantic overtones, a black actress cannot compete with a white one to play opposite a white male romantic idol. Older white actresses are also complaining about there not being any roles for them either. Show biz is about youth and beauty and money. Blacks can come up with the first 2, but not the last. In answer to your question, Troy, as entertainment, "The Help" had a certain amount of broad appeal, but as a social statement, it did co-opt the right for black women to tell their own stories, and produce movies where the heroines are less docile and less attached to the children of white folks.

John H, I am totally feeling you and agree 100%. I've been saying the same thing (at this site) for several years. My "voice" is different than yours but we are saying the same thing... take a look. Raise your hands in the air if you just don't care. Or, wave the flag for Ms Palin or any old Mr Charlie? Let me cut to the chase. Some blacks should change their names to Mr. & Mrs. BootyForSell. That's right, they should flash a red sign and adorn it with big purple lips - and a big fat booty. You know, them big booty lips that compliment deep ass kissing while they spout half-baked solutions. But wait, dez some smart negros that may not know the errs of their ways. I mean, they have great writing skills that most would die for - but many of them ain't talking about a damn thang except what Obama has "alledgedly" done wrong. Listen, I am a ride or die Obama supporter that.... "HOLD UP CAREY, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO STOP HERO WORSHIPING?" No, you hold up, and you can miss me with that one. I mean, you should define hero worshiping. I know you may believe that's a clever phrase, but it's nothing more than a tired and trite remark that allows you to run from the truth. Get back to me with your definition of a hero worshiper. But first, tell me, who would you rather have in office, Obama or and ol'nondescribt Mr Charlie? Come on now, answer that question. I know most of my wayward friends will have a hard time answering that one. Well, since they claim to be supporting Obama's mission, they can't say, "we love Mr Charlie". On the other hand, if they say Mr Charlie, I'd say "give me his *bleepin* name". Who would be a good replacement? And, since I am referring to smart negros, they wouldn't say anybody except President Obama. I mean, that reply would instantly discredit them. And lord knows what that would do for their egos. That reminds me, I believe much of their whimsical hater-aid "constructive feedback" (conscience of not) is rooted in an ego that's in grave need of constant stroking. What else could justify their negative rants about our presidents? "But Carey, we can't give him a pass just because he's black" Who said anything about a pass you knuckle head? Again, if not Obama than who?! See, some folks wish to run from that question, They will never answer that question. They generally give a ambiguous answer like "it could be someone who has not yet stepped in the race", yeah, right. Really, that's the big elephant in this house "who would my naysay negro friends chose as a replacement". If you can't stop the elephant, then your house will become very raggedy. And, we all heard what Malcolm said: "if your kitchen is dirty and your mind is cluttered, your house is dirty" So, would it be right to invite someone to dinner and feed them Cracker Jacks? Wouldn't that be kind of dirty? Well, inside a box of Cracker Jacks, there's always a surprise. Who exactly is going to jump out of the box? But I am still wondering who my no-no Obama friends would bring to the table. Who?... Any ol'cracker-Jack? Remember, the elephant is still there. He ain't going to disappear because the question is side stepped. Consequently, until the chicken head naysayers can tell me the purpose behind their eloquent dissing of President Obama, I can't help but believe they are unconsciously soothing a soul that needs to sound intelligent. More importantly, they have to know their words are a cheap cloned edition of Mr Charlie's. I wish they would just speak the truth and come out of the closet. I wish they would change their names to STUPID Black Booty For Sale: The place of intelligent BIG BOOTY for your Disposal. "We don't know and have no idea who would replace Obama, but we'll just flip a coin and maybe a "good" republican will appear from the clouds" "But again carey, we can't give Obama a pass because he is black, we have to make him accounting" Okay, one mo gin for all the circle jerks. Do you really think you are making him accountable by mimicking the words of his arch rivals?! I mean, really? Do you think you're making him accountable by sitting with a bunch of people that acquired their political science degrees on-line - or off the 10 o'clock news? I mean, what's accomplished by listening to rants, half-baked solutions, haters and naysayers - huh? Surely that's not making him accountable. That's nothing more than a game of spades or dominoes. Any negro can sit around a table and talk trash. I mean, making him accountable??? Tell me, tell me exactly how you're doing that? I mean, considering the un-focused willy-nilly rhetoric, that's the final product of most political discussions, I find it hard to believe that's a package that would make the president accountable. Having said all of that, in the very least; would your words move people toward Obama or move them away from him? Don't duck now, but the BIG ASS ELEPHANT is still in the house. If not Obama than who? Think about it. Play the story to the end. I know this post will not get me invited to soft music and satin sheets, but as Martin Luther King said, "Many people fear nothing more terrible than to take a position which stands out sharply and clearly from the prevailing opinion. The tendency of most is to adopt a view that is so ambiguous that it will include everything and so popular that it will include everybody" Come on folks, John is laying the results right in front of you. Look at the big picture. Obama vs WHO?! Pick a side. We don't need enemies on our own team.

What's up y'all. Troy, watching movies is one of my grestest passions, so by a natural extension of “storytelling” books and your site fell out of my mouth when I was in a heated debate concerning The Help. First, one of the arguments centered around white folks telling “our” stories. But eventually the arguments moved to the core of a bigger complaint... maids, and their life and times, and how they are depicted on the screen. For the most part, I believe many blacks- on this one particular site with a huge fan base - , simply used the discussion and the movie as a way to vent on white people. So, to see if that was true, I introduced the “maid” books by Barbara Neely. Oh boy, many had not heard of her and when I said her books were written by a black women, about a black maid, and from the viewpoint of the maid, many were left with the mouths hanging open because now, they couldn’t throw stones at a white person and the author of The Help. But see, I pointed out that those who thought The Help was a glamorized or sugar coated version of a maids life, might also have similar complaints with Neely’s books. In short, my personal beliefs concerning this movie and all the uproar, is the image of a maid, and how each individuals likes and dislikes, history, visions, concepts or whatever, moves each individual. I mean, I don’t go to movies as a source of learning. Sure, there are subtle messages in every movie, but I don’t think the goal of this movie was to promote the white savior slant, nor to relieve whites of their guilt. To me it’s simply a chick-flick-date-flick, told by a white woman for it’s entertainment value. Additionally, many of the arguments centered on what many believed are limited stories written by us and about “us” and why that was. So again, I took it upon myself to suggest that there was this wonderful book site AALBC that has thousands of stories written by and about black folk. I linked your page on authors and their profiles. I told them they would find nearly one thousand black authors on that page alone. That reminds me, today they posted a question asking which books, written by black authors, should and/or chould be made into movies. I beleive the question also asked which movie, adapted from a book... did the best job? So Troy, after I posted the link (which got me back here) I came back to see if Cynique or anyone else was discussing the movie. And sure enough, Cynique had voiced her opinion. The blog site in mention was rated as one of the top 30 black websites by Ebony/Jet and The Root, so you owe me *LOL* And yeah, I agree, facebook, twitter and the like has wiped out mediums such as this. On a side note, I also got a chance to champion your site when a discussion involved the trend of “ black” movies moving away from great storytelling and “quality” movies to... lets say, more popular movies, or at least the ones that are in the most demand and making the most money. Well, as you know, we’ve been having that discussion over here for some time, long before Tyler Perry blew up.. We’ve witnessed the hardship of some authors to continue to make a living writing the types of books that always paid the bills. So I got a chance to talk about your web-site because books and movies go hand n hand. Hey, go over there and toot your own horn. Screenwriters, movie producers, filmmakers and actors do it all the time. Hey, come to think of it, you might be perfect for one of their live podcast. I was a co-host on one of their shows. Yep, you would be perfect to talk about everything involved the black storytelling world. Their last guest was the owner of Melee productions. They are the production company behind the Friday Movies and "You got Served". Now they are doing a movie starring Isiah Washington, called The Undershepard... I believe that's the name. Anyway, I got a chance to talk to the director (on this same site) of the movie Russ Par, and he said he can't wait to see my review. But let me tell you something, based on a 50 second clip that he posted, I said the movie was lacking in so many ways. Well, that's when he said what he said. I am trying to get other sneak peeks from him but he is yet to hit me back. I gues I wasn't very... ahh... easy on his movie *smile*

Classic yet toned down Kola. This statement is so true; "Filmed and projected images almost always socialize the eyes beholding the images. Whether they be movies, magazines or music videos; the repetition of these visual images socially condition the watching eye as to what that particular society considers good and bad; what is to be loved and valued; what is to be valued as beautiful and impressive; what is to be coveted—and; and—gazed at from the tower of one’s own status in America—what is to be pitied and felt sorry for; no matter how noble and courageously it is presented on screen." Kola, I was also intrigued by one of the comments a purportedly Igbo sister made you said, there were pure Igbo Nigreians (not mixed with Europeans) that were very light skinned. I found this surprising.

Carey I'm not against you going to see it. But I don't want to see anymore "Black maid" movies. Ever! And if you read my commentary you'll understand why.

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PATTY JACKSON'S 4-1-1 WEEK ENDING: May 27th 2011 After 14 years, Singer Faith Evans and her husband Todd Russaw are calling it quits. In court papers, they listed their separation year as 2005, but they had a child together in 2007. The couple is saying their split was a mutual decision. Evans is in talks to do a reality show with KeKe Wyatt, Kelly Price and Angie Stone. Motown Founder Berry Gordy says it’s time to set the record straight. He is putting together a Motown musical said to be costing $100 million. The music will detail his life and how he stared the famed label. Will he tell the truth? Will he talk about the love affair and secret love child with Diana Ross or his famous feuds with Motown stars including his ex-brother in law Marvin Gaye? Speaking of Gordy’s family, his ex-son in law Jermaine Jackson is no longer a deadbeat dad. Jermaine has paid his ex, Alejandra Jackson, $80,000 in back support for their two children. Alejandra also had two kids with Jermaine’s brother Randy. Jermaine now gets his passport and driver’s license back. Jermaine held out for a long time. He had the money because he has a rich Arabian girlfriend. But, he was so spiteful to Alejandra, he made her wait and suffer for the money. Vivica A. Fox says it’s going to be a fall wedding when she ties the knot with her young party promoter boyfriend Omar “Slimm” White. Fox looks great and she appears very happy. Congrats to Singer Keyshia Cole. She married her baby daddy, Basketball Player Daniel “Boobie” Gibson, over the weekend. Boxer Oscar De La Hoya is battling substance abuse problems. The boxer is overcoming a cocaine addiction, and he says he hopes rehab will make him stronger and healthier. The family of Wesley Snipes is suffering as he serves his jail time. Snipes has five children, and his family is facing financial challenges. Snipes won’t be released from prison until 2013 as he serves time for tax evasion. Snipes is currently trying to secure future movie deals so that his family will have money. Shemar Moore has just signed a contract extension to continue on the CBS show Criminal Minds. He’s also getting more money. Moore got his start playing “Malcolm” on The Young And The Restless. Check out our Artist of the week Adele. Adele's new album 21 is absolutely amazing. It is based on a recently shipwrecked relationship. Check out her newly released single of the album. You can also see her live at the Greek Theatre on June 6th or at the Hollywood Palladium on June 9th. Brandy, Tatyana Ali and Tempest Bledsoe will be taking off their clothes for a good cause. The three former child stars are spreading the word about skin cancer and the need for sunscreen in a new ad campaign. Brandy starred on Moesha, Tatyana on The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air and Tempest on The Cosby Show. Another Cosby Show alum will show off her weight loss. Raven Symone is preparing for her return to TV in the ABC Family show The State Of Georgia. With the success of Jumping The Broom, Bishop T.D. Jakes is ready to do more movies. He’s in talks with Sony to produce more movies and a TV show. Jumping The Broom is a T.D. Jakes/Tracey Edmonds production, and has grossed over $31 million at the box office. Is Jennifer Williams of VH1’s Basketball Wives dating Al Reynolds, the ex-husband of Star Jones? We will see soon because the new season of Basketball Wives kicks off May 30th on VH1. Mike Tyson got a little pay raise for his cameo in the movie Hangover 2. He got $200,000 for this movie. In the first installment, he got $100,000. The stars of the movie including, Bradley Cooper, got $5 million. Jill Scott, Kem, Kirk Franklin and Kevin Hart will be joining Steve Harvey in Las Vegas for The Hoodie Awards, August 11-14th. Actress Kerry Washington will be staring in the new Shonda Rhimes TV drama Scandal. Rhimes is known for her TV smashes Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. Scandal debuts this fall on ABC. Will NeNe Leakes be looking for love when The Real Housewives Of Atlanta returns? Sources say she was dating NFL Player Charles Grant, but he dumped her to marry another woman. Yes, NeNe is still married! Queen Latifah is teaming up with the Home Shopping Network. Latifah is introducing a clothing line as well as accessories. Sizes are 2-24. The Queen Collection will also have handbags and debuts on HSN in August. Singer Lenny Kravitz will be starring in the movie Hunger Games and his new album, Black And White America, comes out August 30th.

I thought this would be interesting to revisit on a Black Book site since I wasn't here when the fall out occurred. **SOME** huge GAY fans of Kola Boof were greatly offended by something I did & it became a big article on WomanistMusings.Com. For my reading at the National Black Theater last year, I invited some of the so called "Drag Queens" who impersonate me (I think I'm the first author to have impersonators--which is why I'm supposedly a Diva according to my friend Dream Hampton). Anyway, the behavior of the "girls" and our comedy routine drew a huge and resounding criticism. Photo of the REAL KOLA BOOF posing with Tamarrah, my good friend and Kola Boof impersonator backstage at my event. This is one of the letters of complaint (from Darren Carruthers) I received: “Dear Kola Boof…as an openly gay Black man and a long time fan of your books I was appalled to see your show in New York open with an image that degrades the gay, lesbian and transgendered community. I’m referring to the big drag queen that came out and announced he was you, then went on to berate the audience about who is and is not Black. I suppose you thought this was cute, but what I saw was a garish caricature poorly misrepresenting the only gay image of the night. As a gay person, I felt I was seeing a Minstrel show. It was a slap in the face. Black face anyone? Who are you (Kola Boof) to have your gay fans dressing up and impersonating you? For that matter, who is Cher, Tina Turner, Madonna and Diana Ross to be impersonated either? Why can’t Drag Queens be respected for their talent and presented as them selves? In your books, no other straight writer presents such loving and realistic portrayals of gay, lesbian and transgendered people. That is why I’ve always supported you and will continue to do so. But I would like to know why a brilliant progressive cultural thinker like your self is supporting this Minstrelsy?”---Darren Carruthers My Response: Darren raised a fabulous question for this new decade—why can’t so called Drag Queens with talent be respected as entertainers in their own right; without the “acceptance-marker” of having to impersonate iconic female images? And more personally, why would I—who just got finished lambasting “White Women” for not being sensitive to Black Women’s issues—turn around and feature a gay or lesbian person in my show in a “Minstrel” connotation. First of all, on a personal note, I can only say that I am ignorant, female privileged and didn’t even think about it from the perspective “Minstrelsy.” Justice Reign (aka Tamarrah Fox), a bisexual cross-dressing male in Seattle wrote to me as a “Kola fan” (we have now become good friends). Justice wanted to honor me by appearing in my show to represent the substantial number of gay-lesbian and transgendered people who seem to have become smitten with my work over the years. During that actual show—I talked about the support I receive from the gay community; how much they mean to me as human beings; and specifically, how much Justice Reign (Tamarrah Fox) means to me. I do not see Justice as a “Drag Queen” or even as a “sexual label” period.” I see him as a very kind human being and someone that I greatly love. As I said from the stage of my show—“He’s like a child that I wish I had given birth to. I love him; he’s my baby.” It’s Justice’s choice to be a Cross-dresser, but that state of action is not the total sum of what he is to me. To me, he’s my heart; a human being. Before I get into the second part of the question, I need to be clear. I do understand that there is a huge difference between people who are Inter-Sex (humans born with both sexes); trans people (individuals who sometimes require sex reassignment to live happily in their true gender) and cross-dressers (people who may or may not be straight, but dress up like the other sex for myriad reasons). I know quite a bit about what they are and I have no malice whatsoever for people who find themselves in those realities. Please notice that I’ve added Inter-Sex human beings, as I think it’s long overdue for humanity to recognize this group’s existence as yet another “Socio-Biological Reality.” One that is just as old as Amoeba and Y chromosomes. It is never my intention to ignore anyone’s presence or lampoon anyone’s identity. For the next part of the question, one that I’m not fully capable of answering—I would like to quote two close friends of mine. The first one is openly transgendered and well known Blogger Monica Roberts. Monica says: “Kola…the gay men making this complaint are either ignorant of their history or haven't been paying attention. People such as Charles Busch and Sir Lady Java have been recognized for their talent for decades. Sir Lady Java was a well known Los Angeles based African-American impersonator from New Orleans covered in JET magazine during the late sixties and seventies. Java was billed as the 'Prettiest Man on Earth'. Java's act consisted of live singing, impersonations and exotic dancing and was enhanced by her 38-24-38 curves she claimed were not surgically enhanced. Frank Marino used to lead the Las Vegas FI revue called 'A Evening At La Cage' that played the Riviera Hotel for 23 years before closing down. And that's before I even tap into trans history and mention people such as Coccinelle, who performed in a some movies and turned down an offer to perform with Bob Hope. Britain's April Ashley performed in those same Paris trans reviews with Coccinelle before becoming a model. The popularity of drag in the United States seems like it waxes and wanes according to whether we are in a conservative or liberal political cycle. Whether we're being run by conservative or liberal progressive administrations, talented people will always be recognized.” The bestselling openly gay author and Princeton graduate Timothy T.J. Williams saw things from a different perspective—one that I’ve heard some feminists complain about. He says: “If drag queens really are paying homage to famous women then they are doing so in an extremely peculiar fashion. Since I have so many transgendered and female impersonating friends (sometimes there’s overlap but there is a difference) I've seen many shows. The impersonation always goes straight toward the negative. Whitney is always on crack, Cher is always monotone, and Barbara has a fake Rudolph like nose. While I still enjoy the shows there is an element of satire that sometimes goes too far. I don't think this is meant to chop these iconic women (who could care less) down to size so much as it is to highlight the absurdity of the gay male audiences obsession with these women.” I can certainly see what Timothy is getting at—the fact that this cross dressing as famous women might be a signal about Self hatred. Something that is always present in minority groups, and in my opinion, is greatly under-discussed and rampant in the Gay/Lesbian/Transgendered communities. Either way, I am very sorry that I might have taken part in presenting a Minstrel image of gay/transgendered people. I have been writing a book about trans people for some time. The idea began to flood my mind after I was accused of being one (in a very serious way) a while back. I lost an important job in television because someone falsely invented said information to smear me (and it is a smear in most of America’s power sectors) so that the other person could get the job. By the time I found out what had happened, it was too late. But I did later become acquainted with a trans person in Los Angeles and found her so fascinating that I decided to write a collection of short stories that exclusively feature and explore the lives of men and women who’ve undergone sex changes (or want to and can’t afford it). Earlier, as a teen, I wrote a similar one about Inter Sex people, but tucked it away in a drawer. Who knows—maybe God, the Universe will change the world so that these sexual differences can be discussed seriously and not as comic relief; not as flamboyant freak parades for straight cisgendered people—not as scientific or academic fodder—but from a grass roots human living level. As a literary artist and Womanist, I would like to be a part of making that happen. So If and when my stories about trans people are ever published, I’m certain it will be a renegade breakthrough tome—mainly because the narrative is being driven by actual trans people and not just my poetic writer’s hand. That will be my small gift and gesture of love.

"If you watch it, I suspect it will put things into perspective for you and help you understand why Obama is really part of the problem" Excuse me, help "me" put things into perspective. If you're implying that I don't know what time it is, you're woefully mistaken. Listen, the structure of america and it's political system has always been about power and money. As far back as the evolution of the polical parties, it's always been about control, power and money. There's nothing new here. Democrates were not always called Democrats, and the Republican party has gone through several name changes , But s the most prevalent issue have always been the same, ie, money, power and control. The grand Civil War was not about freedom for the black man. At it's root was the issue of MONEY! So Troy, you're not telling me anything new and you certainly are not changing my perspective. Anyway, since we all agree that there's a established power structure, it stands to reason that any Tom, Dick or Harry could be plugged into the solution (president) and little will change. Now, let me see if I can change your perspective. "Folks like Tavis, Dyson, West, Farakhan are trying to point out these problems".... "we have a "Wall Street government". "folks like us with no power or money squabble over while the folks with real control "stack mad paper". Troy, now it's time we all say AMEN! Now, if we believe the following is true, then i'll move to my basic point of contention. look.... "Any benefit that we accrue as a result of an Obama (any man's presidency) is purely incidental" Troy, I know you know where I am going so I won't belabor the point, I'll just ask a few simple questions. First, my usual..... if not Obama than who? Second, considering all the things we've mentioned, do you believe all the race centered scorn and ridicule, directed at President Obama is justified and/or necessary? Really, what part of the solutions calls for calling him a mulatto, or any of the other disrespectful names used to assasinate his character? More importantly, how productive is it to call those that do not wish to engage in that form of vile conversation.... hero worshippers, or any of the other names that have been used to imply we are simply following a man with a God like hold on our brains.? Slavish devotees?! WTF? Look, in short, pointing out problems is great, but the ways and mean of doing such (re: Obama), frequently has missed the mark. Although we've agreed that many matters are out of Obama's control, many use any nondescript problem (out of Obama's control) as a vehicle to vilify him. You have to agree that it's not always "contructive criticism". That's MY perspective. And Troy, comments like the following should be addressed and cannot be supported. It's nothing more than foolish banter... You said, "We have blinded ourselves with slavish devotion to Obama". First, who in the hell are "we" and please explain "slavish devotion"? See Troy, it's statements like that, that I believe should be called to the floor. Troy, it's terribly presumptious of you and possibly snooty of you to make such statements. Surely you can see (as I pointed out) that using Obama to voice all your concerns does not play to everyone's ear. Frequently it's heard as negros talking shit and moving their own selfish agenda.

Look mom, up in the sky, it's a bird... it's a plane.... no, it's the black creature from the black lagoon of days gone by. She's risen from her deep slumber to support a negro gone wild, Rudy "Rufus" Lewis. Although she berates those that pull back the smoke and mirrors of the uncover snakes, she feeds on those and champions those who talk with fork tongues. However, many don't take her seriously because she's an old school fool, and thus, has paid her dues to bite on the wrong ass. But she will continue to try to influence others by her evil ways of twisting and turning the words of others, because that's what the oldest of old people do. They will never admit that they're being bamboozled. Yep, there are many shade of blackness, and some are called wanna-be something that they are not, Cynique. Move out of your own way and you might learn something. They say a mind is a terrible thang to waste and it's never too late to learn. Go for it.

(FinalCall.com | 03-11-2011) - Minister Farrakhan blasted Pres. Obama and Secy. Clinton for their arrogance in meddling in another sovereign nation's affairs and publicly recommending regime change. He then instructed Americans to look beneath the surface to see who stands to benefit from the unrest and warned Pres. Obama to be careful of the words coming from advisors lobbying him to move in with military forces to depose Libya leader, Col. Gadhafi.

What, no new names? Don't tell me we're stuck on #138 "Old Fart"? Anyway, I can use 50 bucks and i started to take a shot, but by the time I read the post, it was a done deal. But no way am I letting you off the hook because you "said" you would vote Democratic. And since Troy didn't speak up, I know he has his Dixie flag under his pillow. But Cynique, I don't understand why you would vote Democratic when over the last 3 years you've trashed everything associated with this administration? The records will show that you have not said one nice thing about Obama. See, now you're really starting to show the signs of a diehard hater. I mean, you hate the person and everything associated with him, but tomorrow you're going to love his dirty underwear? That makes no sense at all. And see, I'm not going to tell you to stfu, but lets talk about this dense thang, and who's really missing the part. You said whoever is president will always be subject to criticism by the loyal opposition who elected him. Now wait one minute Ms Loyal opposition. Yeah, "loyal opposition"??? Lets take a deeper look into your crazy mind game. .. "always be subject to criticism". Uuuummm, first, I've always (and will continue to) questioned your use of the word "criticism", but I'm going to let that slide today. But check this, over the last few years, you've yet to tell me the purpose behind you're style of criticism. Really, sure, it's easy to hide behind the trite - free pass - that everybody does it. But what's to gain by doing "it"? Seriously, just because everyone is doing it, does not make it right. And I've said this before, since you implied that you want President Obama to stay in office for a second term, do you believe your "criticism", barks and bites, will move people toward him or away from him? Really, I believe it's safe to say a few people might read your criticism. In short, what propels you to stomp on our president every chance you get? Can't be the shoes?

All kidding aside, on the day after April Fools, I confess that this ol country church song struck a note in me when I first heard it in "O Brother Where Art Thou?" one of my favorite movies, a whimsical little film that took place during the era in which I grew up. Life was so much simpler back then...

Ha! Ha! Ha! That’s funny. Bro Troy, you really don’t want to know what I think of the name Shaniqua. But since you asked, it’s interesting that yesterday and earlier today, two friends of mine (one is a medical doctor and the other works for the country court system) had a conversation about this very tragic subject. Needless to say, they were not very sympathetic nor supportive of this post 1970 self immolating coonery. You and I have butted heads over this very subject before and to be honest, I was really taken back by your defense of it. So, this time, I don’t see the need to go down this tormented path again. We can be civil and agree to disagree. If I have to argue or debate this particular subject, I’m going to do what my best friend suggested –don’t! He said, before you engage in these things, there should be a minimum level of intelligence or credibility to the topic. If not, you are wasting your time. Debating the validity and consequences of doofy made up childish names like Chanwquela, DeViessa, LaQuetta, Montraisha, Na’Shundra, Zakahra, etc…(yes, those are actual names Negroes gave their children), is pointless. As I said, the best I can do is say we will agree to disagree and move on. I’m sure there are many other topics and issues that we can agree with….

Names like Bob, Meredith, Constance, Clifford, Alice and James only sound "normal" because you speak English. You live in...and are informed from the day of birth by a combination of White tribal affiliations be they Germanic, Greek, Victorian or Polish and Italian. This is the dominant White culture and all of us living here bask in "their acculturation." Though Shaniqua and ShaQuonda are not African names--they would sound far more organic and fitting to an African immigrant than "Jennifer." That's because the African (the natural Black person) speaks African languages. In Africa today, it's exotic to have Western names (Good Luck Jonathan, Jerry, Facebook and Exxon). But since the late 1950's, there has been a virulent continental revolution to depose all "Colonial" names and return to African tribal/clan names. In my case---as with many BLACK North Africans---I refuse to publicly use my Arabic birth name (Naima Bint Harith); though it's considered much prettier to many people than my more West African-sounding pen name. Many years ago, I wrote a 2 word poem "Kola Boof" and decided to take that poem as my professional name. The poem represented being "been-to" (an African who has lived outside Africa long enough to be acculturated by foreigners and returned home). Kola = (a)the most beloved snack by African children ( the supreme good-will Boof = The specific sound of drums made with elephant ear tops--BOOF! Comes the drums/Or in Nigeria the highest 'medallion' presented to warriors after war is the 'Boof.' Kola Boof = The poem is reminiscent of my childhood silent movie idols Clara Bow and Betty Boop; as silent movies became my only friends upon first arriving in America, because I couldn't speak English. NOTICE---if you take the words separately they are AFRICAN; but if you join the two words together (Kola Boof); they become WESTERN (in my mind like Betty Boop is Western). I have what is called a "Been-to" name and I write "Been-to" poetry as opposed to Haiku. But few African-American writer/scholars are able to appreciate or even notice these small but profound intricacies. ___________________________ (NOTE: There is a pediatrician at Cedar Sinai Hospital named Dr. Shaniqua and there's also a Dr. Kianna and a Nurse Tameko. All have tended my sons.) ___________________________ MY POINT: When we Blacks find ourselves disgusted by the name "Shaniqa" but not the Japanese name "Yoko Shimada" ---it is because #1--we compulsively reject 'perceived' overt blackness and #2--our dominant language is English. Our reaction is indeed (95% of the time), like Troy said, a form of self-hatred.

I would like to thank everyone for their responses to my post yesterday. But the real issue here is there is a really big problem in America with our black men. I appreciate all of the writing tips. The focus was supposed to be on Relationships and helping out our young black men. Thanks Troy for noticing that! I was married for 7 years and in that relationship had a beautiful daughter. I have been divorced for 6 years now. I have interviewed single and married men and women on the topic of relationships. The feedback I have received was very informative and mind boggling as well. Along with people watching as I traveled to certain cities I noticed that there was a really big problem that did not just exist in my community but in other inner city communities as well. The problems are sagging pants worn by men and women, disrespect towards each other, violence, lack of positive communication along with other things that lead to relationship disaster. I saw a problem and decided I needed to do something to help rectify the situation. I never claimed to be an relationship expert, but I do claim to be someone who cares about people. People tend to get caught up in their professional titles and forget what they are really here to do. The ultimate goal is to help each other. If we can start helping more and start critiqing less we will excel and move forward as a people. And this goes for all people in all communities. I do hope everyone takes the time to read my book and then I believe you will understand what it is that I'am trying to do. It is a guide, a blueprint for men young and old. A guide showing men how to pursue, develop and maintain healthy relationships. Again thanks! Troy, I will do as you suggested. Thanks everyone.

You're kidding, right? Is that you, BigBuck? Luring curious Blacks into a trap by offering a snake oil cure for a disease that turns your skin white? I can just imagine your idiotic sales pitch. "If you don't want your skin to turn white, taking a daily dose of this chittlin juice preparation will prevent you ignorant black apes from attempting to move up the evolutionary ladder by turning white."

http://www.parade.com/celebrity/celebrity-parade/2010/1222-oprah-winfrey-extras.html I thought she was going to retire and move to Mars?

Game. After watching the sequel to Wall Street, “Money Never Sleeps”, director Oliver Stone did a wonderful job to shoot the film with the focus on what these traders did on a regular basis. The story tells itself, but he focused on the nooks and crannies, which he is a master at. He captured the mannerisms and little details, such as a broker guzzling down a 5 hour energy drink, which gives the viewer insight to the job and what it takes to perform it. Trading stock, analyzing it and managing it requires high brain activity, linear thinking and some ad-libbing when things get hot in the kitchen. Most of us will not participate in such a high-risk, high-reward outfit to make our fortunes in this world, because it takes a certain kind of individual to be able to stay cool and calm under pressure and make sound financial decision with other people’s money, in an effort to make them even more of it. So, that not only will they secure that person or firm’s security, but possibly future generations that share in those estates and often end up inheriting the whole ‘Kit and Caboodle.’ Now this is why I chose to write about the game in general. There was a shot in the movie where the young upstart questions his long-time mentor about his firm possibly being in trouble or even worse, the mentor looks at the young man with anxiety a world over and tells him to marry his girlfriend and have kids, not to wait. In other words, not to waste time in the business chasing the next buck, wasting half your life and waking up many years later with little to show for it, besides material wealth that you earn from that industry if you’re good at it. I won't give away what happens to his mentor when his firm is bought out and essentially dismantled, but in that game you swallow, compete or get swallowed by the fishes all in the same sea. Everyone in life doesn't have a focus on career and fortune, they would rather focus on faith after so many decades of seeing how the game impacts them and others in general. So pick a religion and start praying. I began to think about that and then the very next shot shows young children blowing bubbles in New York’s Central Park, many years away from being in situations that those adults were discussing over a few feet away. I believe in God, but I live in a world where I still have to earn a living as best I can and serve God at the same time. The focus is not on the money I earn, but what I do with that money. To provide for my family as best I can, to afford them a life and have opportunities to take care of themselves beyond my care, so that one day maybe they can return the favor and take care of me, when I’m old or if I contract cancer possibly. Nobody knows how their game will play out and what will happen beyond the present day and night. Fortunes get made and lost all the time. People rise and fall in the same manner. If you aren’t aware of that, you should be. I thought about how children view the adults around them in those situations. They know that seeing them in suits and ties symbolizes that what they do for a living is rather important. They don’t know what they do and what is involved in that racket, but they are able to enjoy life in a certain way because of their parents who provide that for them due to the work that they do and whatever risks have to be coped with and handled to continue to play that game within the bigger game of life survival. Even wives who are removed from what their husbands do and spend many hours behind a desk seem to not fully understand it in its entirety if they are simply homemakers. Now, if they are professionals themselves in a similar industry, then they sort of see the circumstance through the same eye. It helps them relate to the lack of time that they may spend together with intimate encounters and their relationship overall. It would be the same way for athletes, entertainers or politicians obviously. I don’t know how many people will see the sequel of original, or even care about the lives of investors or their offspring, but I wanted to point all of this out to relay the sentiment that this is a game within a game. Whatever you have chosen to do with your life, your position, the way you approach your life is one and the same. Think of how Jordan approached even practice. Some think it doesn’t matter what you do in practice, because it’s simulation and doesn’t count toward what a team does in a real game or season. When you are in your early twenties, life seems to be all in front of you. You seem to have plenty to time to piss away days and decline to pay credit card balances off, default on minor loans, etc. But, in the grand scheme of the game, it eventually always catches up to you. Those things become habit for some, which become very difficult to break and ends up hurting individuals, families and business or banks that allow opportunity after opportunity to this person and this person. We saw how the economy tanked and how fast it did. We’ve struggled to recover, because those things take time and a lot of financial maneuvering by either the government or executives at banks and businesses to resume a healthy economy and not even a stimulus will completely resolve. The people who spend the money that they earn from whatever game they play, whether it’s in the hundreds, thousands or millions, the system we live under only works when we spend and spend and…spend. Everyone may not be aware of that, but a recession makes it painfully obvious. Why do we seem to only move when it gets to that point? Because we are humans. The doctor told Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano if you don’t lose the weight, we have to take out the knee. So, a very heavy coach becomes a new and improved svelte one when the motivation is deemed essential to his survival as a person. It wouldn’t be fun to coach on one knee. Movement is essential to him functioning well in his line of work. We don’t mess with the donuts. We need those donuts to buy plasma TVs and take vacations to St. Barts in the offseason. But, if your team doesn’t win games, you won’t be around long anyway. How many mistakes do you make in your game? How bad do they hurt you or the ones around you? Do you know what you’re doing in your game? I have this big thing with people where I always tell them, “know you’re fucking job.” “Know it. Live it. Breathe it. Sleep with it until you’re good at it.” Whatever that job is. A fan may not know the difference between a 4 or 5 hole to pick up 2 yards with the defense bearing down, all they care about is the running back picking up the first down or scoring a touchdown. But, it’s that back’s job to know. It’s no difference between that and a broker knowing his game and what stocks are moving, which are dogs (bad or worthless stock), when you have clients that give a damn about where their money is being put. The object of that game is capital gain and long-term equity, bottom line. Not for everybody overall, but for most of us who are earning our fortunes in whatever game we play, it is. Clients don’t care what you’re resume says or where you went to school. A Harvard MBA is impressive, no doubt about it. But, if I’m not happy with my portfolio earnings every quarter, I’m looking elsewhere to invest, point blank. I worked too hard in my game, for you to be inept in yours, when I’m paying you a commission to be a champion. The reputation of your firm and all of Wall Street rests on your ability to beat the game every trader, each day plays to dominate in the same way. Talk about pressure. The children that greet you every day at your high rise don’t know that. Nor, do they care; you’re just dad to them. The guy with the briefcase that we see sometimes and videotapes us at our recital with mommy. Nobody lives life to be a failure. To embarrass themselves in the overall game (life) or the game within the bigger one (construction foreman). How you choose to live it and what you do with the compensation is up to you and nobody’s business but your own. Either you’re able to live comfortable and take care of yourself and others or not. You decide what game you will play in high school and some even before that point in their lives. Some are naturals in their game such as Lakers captain Kobe Bryant. Some groom themselves in theirs such as actor Ethan Hawke. The referees are all around you. Bosses and police officers and the government. The spectators watch your every move. We all want to win at our games and the game overall. Some have an opportunity to play both games; some can only play the game of life and wait for a game to give them a chance, if qualified. Who is qualified and who isn’t is in the hands of the gatekeepers of what position in question. I would be interested in what others would have to say toward this observation. Turner.

Cynique, thanks for that "deep thinking" fine analysis. You've saved me an hour of time and money. I can call my shrink and tell him I won't be coming in this week. But now I'm thinking... ummmm...... "When you argue with him [Carey], he sets the tone because he can never just advance his point without prefacing it with the personal attacks that he apparently think bolster his position" Now if I am not mistaken, this is coming from the grand dame of insults. When last we checked, the count of slanderous name - directed at ol'Carey - it over 150. So who is fooling who. Please, the "white girl cry" may be working on some, but you can miss me with that one. "He admittedly feeds on the ideas and phrases of others for the purpose of co-opting them since he's not an original thinke Well well well, it appears the self professed "critical thinker" has again made her move too soon. What human - on this earth - did not gain knowledge from reading something or someone that has gone before them? It makes absolutely no sense to imply that someone - ANYONE - learned their speaking and writing skills from sitting in a cave, or through some weird form of "writing osmosis". It's been said in many ways and many times, that if a person desires to be a better writer or communicater, they should read anything and everything they can, to advice their position. So, feeds & co-opts IS the natural and proven path. Only a self obsorb ego-manic would think differently. They would fool themselves into believing all their knowledge was obtained at birth, and therefore, everything they read, they already knew. Please baby baby please, you gotta come better than this. If not, you're losing props and your sympathy card will expire. And lastly, "And then there's carey. From day one, we've never hit it off" AGAIN... yet again, that's not true. When you went by the other name (don't quite remember the name of that moniker ) back when you WERE NOT this Cynique, things were cool. But with the name change and more and more people challenging your - ahh - opinions, calling you out, you began to harden. You became more cynical and argumentative. You have to admit that you've had more tussles/battles/fights and deep disagreements on this board than everyone combined. The number of your victims and challengers would fill a very large scrap book. fifty are more would be a good guess. Yet today, you're playing the part of nice compassionate, grandmotherly victim. Cynique, every closed eye is not sleep. You may fool some of the people some of the time, but.... And be rest assured, if you keep coming my way... this is what I do. There are no rules in love and war, and nobody sets the rules of engagement.