Jesse Jackson has revealed a little bit of who he really is when he thinks the mics and the cameras are off. Unfortunately, it is something which should disqualify him from having the title of reverend. But what is interesting about this comment and whom he is referring to is that it reveals what I believe to be the culture war over the black man. On one side, you have Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton who seem to want the government to give out as many hand-outs as possible with little to no responsibility thus creating a culture of government dependence and irresponsibility within the culture that is directed at African-American males. On the other hand you have the voices of Bill Cosby and Barak Obama calling out for black men to take responsibility for their choices and to become husbands, fathers and community members that stand for character and integrity. It is amazing to see the backlash of those who are appalled that guys like Bill Cosby and Barak Obama would dare to say things like integrity and character about black men. In fact, a rational discussion goes right out the window and Cosby is castigated as an angry old man and Barak is threatened with castration. This is simply unbelievable. I don't get why people like Jackson are even a voice for the African-American community. How is it that he is even taken seriously? I just don't get it when you have such amazing people like Oprah Winfrey, Colin Powell, Condolezza Rice, and many, many others. But there seems to be two competing philosophies that are fighting for the attention of the African-American community in America. The Jacksonian philosophy is the one that has been around the longest but it is the Cosbian / Obamian philosophy that is emerging and challenging the status quo. In fact, Cosby and Obama are not just the spokesmen for this new philosophy, but they are also living examples of what they are preaching: black men who did not settle for the status quo of irresponsibility and government dependency but rose above all of that and emerged as men who have worked hard, demonstrating not only an amazing work ethic, but also, integrity and morality to become who they are. Apparently Jesse hasn't been preaching much of anything at all these days or else his tongue would have snapped off for saying something against his fellow man that so viciously goes against the law of love from the Bible. Shame on you Jesse. This type of vile and disgusting language is in line with another self-proclaimed pastor: Fred Phelps. It is time we take you about as seriously as we do with Fred and his language of hate. I would much rather be inspired by the challenges that Cosby and Barak level at the men in the African-American community because I also know that it is a message that realistically all men need to hear from their leaders over and over again. Work hard, love your family, love your community and love your God!
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
The Culture War over the Black Man
Jesse Jackson has revealed a little bit of who he really is when he thinks the mics and the cameras are off. Unfortunately, it is something which should disqualify him from having the title of reverend. But what is interesting about this comment and whom he is referring to is that it reveals what I believe to be the culture war over the black man. On one side, you have Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton who seem to want the government to give out as many hand-outs as possible with little to no responsibility thus creating a culture of government dependence and irresponsibility within the culture that is directed at African-American males. On the other hand you have the voices of Bill Cosby and Barak Obama calling out for black men to take responsibility for their choices and to become husbands, fathers and community members that stand for character and integrity. It is amazing to see the backlash of those who are appalled that guys like Bill Cosby and Barak Obama would dare to say things like integrity and character about black men. In fact, a rational discussion goes right out the window and Cosby is castigated as an angry old man and Barak is threatened with castration. This is simply unbelievable. I don't get why people like Jackson are even a voice for the African-American community. How is it that he is even taken seriously? I just don't get it when you have such amazing people like Oprah Winfrey, Colin Powell, Condolezza Rice, and many, many others. But there seems to be two competing philosophies that are fighting for the attention of the African-American community in America. The Jacksonian philosophy is the one that has been around the longest but it is the Cosbian / Obamian philosophy that is emerging and challenging the status quo. In fact, Cosby and Obama are not just the spokesmen for this new philosophy, but they are also living examples of what they are preaching: black men who did not settle for the status quo of irresponsibility and government dependency but rose above all of that and emerged as men who have worked hard, demonstrating not only an amazing work ethic, but also, integrity and morality to become who they are. Apparently Jesse hasn't been preaching much of anything at all these days or else his tongue would have snapped off for saying something against his fellow man that so viciously goes against the law of love from the Bible. Shame on you Jesse. This type of vile and disgusting language is in line with another self-proclaimed pastor: Fred Phelps. It is time we take you about as seriously as we do with Fred and his language of hate. I would much rather be inspired by the challenges that Cosby and Barak level at the men in the African-American community because I also know that it is a message that realistically all men need to hear from their leaders over and over again. Work hard, love your family, love your community and love your God!
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
All About Bella
If you have not seen this movie yet, I can not recommend it enough. It is simply an amazing movie. Excellent cinematography, acting, character development, directing, plot, and story-telling. It is just a phenomenal movie in its entirety. It is a beautiful film dealing with issues of pain, suffering, grief, and the need for relationships, redemption, forgiveness and love. Very few movies reach this kind of depth and quality. It simply delivers on every level. The main characters are developed in such a way that you enter into this film completely engaged in their story. They come across as the real deal, not some polished, picture-perfect Hollywood types. The authenticity of how this movie was shot in New York City made you connect with the urban cultural surrounding enveloping these characters. I really don't want to say anything about the story itself because it is one of those movies you just need to see for yourself without knowing anything about it. But trust me on this one, don't rent it! Buy it because you will want to keep this movie and watch it again and again. I am very excited to watch how this new director's career develops over the years. If this is one of his first feature films then I can't wait to see what other stories he has to tell! Keep your eyes open for Alejandro Gomez Monteverde!
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