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Post by nebsen on Feb 5, 2015 18:02:56 GMT -5
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Post by zarahan on Feb 21, 2015 0:28:44 GMT -5
So what do you make of the "black respectability" meme? Are people being too critical? Why shouldn't "ratchet" be OK? After all, per one commenter, white people get ratchet too, and aren't held to be "representative" of their race. Why should black folk be burdened with that, and why do black people have to keep looking over their shoulders at in concern at what white people think?
On the flip side others say black folk are despised enough at it is, and the blunt reality of racial politics in America means that the "representative" burden is one that will be carried a long time, like it or not. Must we, says this school, give our critics or detractors yet another round of confirmatory stereotypes to use as ammunition, consciously or unconsciously? Must the uncouth "ratchet negro" always be the primary or one of the primary images?
I can see both sides of the debate. From a nationalist standpoint it can go both ways although parts of the nationalist wing from Garvey, to Malcolm with his strait-laced appearance seem to me to weigh in more on the "respectability" side of the scale. Even the other side shares some commonalty, like the strait-laced Rosa Parks who was actually a late-comer to the party. During the Montgomery Bus dispute, another black female was victimized and was ready to go to court over back of the bus discrimination. Instead, the staid, conservative looking Rosa Parks was preferred in her place- as tactically much more palatable and credible.
Or is it even an "either -- or" type of issue?
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Post by anansi on Feb 21, 2015 22:55:09 GMT -5
I haven't got beyond a couple of episodes before I shelved it, just didn't like any of the characters,so i donno maybe I am being biased when added to the fact that I don't particularly care for Lee Daniels or FOX, one is the creator of Precious and FOX,yes that same Murdoch Empire that green lighted that abomination called Exodus Gods and Kings yes FOX media empire that constantly and tear down black folks in their publications in all it's media from papers,to T.V and movies.
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Post by nebsen on Feb 22, 2015 18:54:53 GMT -5
I haven't got beyond a couple of episodes before I shelved it, just didn't like any of the characters,so i donno maybe I am being biased when added to the fact that I don't particularly care for Lee Daniels or FOX, one is the creator of Precious and FOX,yes that same Murdoch Empire that green lighted that abomination called Exodus Gods and Kings yes FOX media empire that constantly and tear down black folks in their publications in all it's media from papers,to T.V and movies. Anansi, I hear you loud & clear about your objections concerning Fox etc. But I have some of the same concerns as your self, except that" Empire" with all it's" flaws & all" is still a somewhat groundbreaking series. I have now read many articles about Empire most from other Black folks, most give it a pass with a minority in the fail section. One indication is the viewership for Empire broke a 20 year record at Fox , & that's the bottom line is viewership which translate too $$$. For one its is dealing with the Hip- Hop generation which has come of age, & Empire is the perfect vehicle for this generation , also the character cookie " played beautifully by Taraji P. Henson a twice nominated for an Oscar, which gives a in your face, unvarnished , portrayal of a self made Black women from the hood , is near perfection, along with her co-star Terrence Howard (a Oscar winner) make for a combustible combo ! Empire is not about the Talented Tenth, but about the" nitty gritty" world of hip -Hop & the dirty music industry. Their is a shift happening between the "sliver screen & the flat screen" & Black stars are at the forefront. This is the first time that you have on network television 3 one hour dramas with Black leads & a gifted writer Shondra Rhims ;they are Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder, & now Empire . That to me is what I'm celebrating, Choice !
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Post by nebsen on Mar 27, 2015 2:09:05 GMT -5
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Post by samuel on Sept 29, 2015 18:36:12 GMT -5
Sometimes it can be a bit much. Such as the Matrix trilogy. It just seemed there were too many black people in that piece. Made it seem like that only black people existed in the future. The part of Neo was actually supposed to be Will Smith. I'm happy that it was Keanu Reeves who is half Asian. They are really under represented in western Media. Also the guy who was the operator in the first Matrix is half black half Asian. The first one was amazing. I've probably seen it a thousand times. No exaggeration. The second and third one were silly though.
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Post by nebsen on Apr 27, 2016 21:41:13 GMT -5
OK Empire is coming on tonight & I will be watching , but after seeing this video by Tony Browder dissecting Empire only the way that Tony Browder can do; I'm watching with somewhat' new eyes" esp. with the added information that he has provided. Now I know some on ESR like Anansi who had some major misgivings & criticisms about Empire will say" I Told You So' LOL ! I knew about Lee Daniels, but not about the brains & director (Danny Strong) behind Empire, which is problematic. Now i will still watch Empire, & have always prided myself as a conscience, aware person ,concerning the programs I view ,like Tony himself says it is a " guilty pleasure" but I will keep my brain engaged !
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Post by anansi on Apr 28, 2016 10:05:50 GMT -5
Well like you said everyone deserved some guilty pleasure but as long as you Know what's up you good.
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