Video: CNN - “Black In America” Part 2
Once again, the story is predominantly about the ills of a black man’s life. There are some who made it. There are uncle toms, and those who don’t give back to the community…but there are those who do strive to make things better, those who are fighting against the streets… And Spike Lee nailed it. He spoke of the unbalanced view of blacks in the media. Irony. That’s exactly what CNN was doing right there. And that crime gets ratings on the news…and we all know that cops have a propensity for minority profiling.
There are lots of black people who are doing well. That end of the story was barely told. What urked me most is that when they did speak of those who’ve had success, they were usually celebs. I got the feeling that the only depiction of blacks was that of what the world saw in the hurricane katrina aftermath.
What was definitely missing? I didn’t see anybody who was mad. Everybody seemed like they just accept the way things are. Except Spike of course. But from the deadbeat grandfather who originally fathered-but-never-raised 10 kids to the young marketing exec who had limited interaction with black people…they all seemed like they’ve just cashed in.
A lot of us seem that way. Where’s the passion? The pride? The anger?
Nobody was ready to spaz out. There are no original stories in that documentary. Just cut ‘n paste.
And hip-hop? Oh man, they butchered hip-hop. That arena shouldn’t even be touched unless they were going to go in depth. I saw The Game & 50 Cent and images of the like about 10 times. But there are a lot of artists who don’t depict that image.
Another thing is something that we’ve all struggled with. Those who look like Queen get preferential treatment over the dok buttz. And that’s not a secret. When Michael Eric Dyson brings up that he’s afforded success due to pigmentation, to Soledad, she affirms that there are darker skinned individuals who are successful as well. Which is true, but that was not depicted in that very documentary. Just seemed the lighter you were, the more success you got. And the less the po-po’s were on ya. And we all know, that shade makes the grade. They do it to us, we do it to ourselves…the definition of insanity.
There was one shocking statistic, and that was, that a black man without a criminal record fairs no better at getting a job against a white guy with a criminal record. So damn one of those myspace chat room lurking losers that Chris Hansen nabs on “To Catch A Predator” has a better chance of getting the same job that I post my credentials on.
I don’t know…they tried. Just came up short. Very short. Like I said in the previous drop. Maybe this should’ve been a five day thing. Next time, HBO should do it. I trust them…they made The Wire. Who’s the quality control mofo in charge. Better not be Roland.
Nicole
Comment on July 25, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I think black people in general are missing guidance. A lot of us have no idea what we could potentially be. Nobody’s teaching us values and morals anymore. I think we are angry we just don’t know what to do with the anger. The anger should be our fuel to want to make a change but instead we let that anger fizzle along with the passion and the drive, which we need as a people if we are ever gonna get anywhere. That’s just my opinion.
karen
Comment on July 25, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Do you and those you know have parents or other family members to teach you morals and values? If not, who do you suggest teach these lessons? I’m black. In my sphere parents,other relatives teachers, ministers,etc. teach morals and values to the children in their lives.
Mallz
Comment on July 25, 2008 at 11:54 pm
I didn’t even watch part 2 because I knew if they dropped the ball on part 1 they wouldnt save it in part 2. Again, I’m glad the discussion is being brought to the light, but if you’re going to do it, do it right. Spike Lee shoulda been in charge.
Black Buddha
Comment on July 26, 2008 at 3:51 am
Crack, crack, crack, poverty, blissful interracial healing, church, old age, sickness, and death.
Ain’t they got nothing good to say about us.
Maybe we all need to go to Harvard.
I took care of business my own way:
http://rainbowdharma.com/festivalscreening/theater1.htm
Sleaze
Comment on July 26, 2008 at 3:40 pm
this joint is so depressing. Me and the Lady Ninja have been chopping and disecting this topic all weak and we keep coming to the same conclusion: it’s not meant for everyone to understand the struggle of blacks in America. No matter how they tell the story they can’t get it right. What they should be doing is talking to whiteys and getting their input to show what we face daily.