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I can’t help but wonder if CNN is flexing its Media Muscle right now. A lot of African American oriented blogs and radio talk shows are discussing the motives and validity of the network’s ambitious adventure to provide the world insight into our culture. The general consensus seems to be that this was truly a missed opportunity to provide a substantive cultural look at Blacks in America, although other people feel that indeed some purpose is served because somewhere the light bulb is going off in someone’s head.

Not only is this presentation being heavily covered in almost every aspect of the African American society, mainstream media has also given great attention to the topic. A frenzy has been created that has encouraged everyone to watch (Hey, American Idol’s over right?) and prepare themselves for the next day’s water cooler conversation. I can’t turn my head or radio station without some mention of “Black In America”. So now that CNN has our attention, what is the real purpose behind this documentary? I feel that they truly missed the mark on the goal they purported to fulfill, but what I’m not sure of is whether or not this was done with an underlying mission in mind. Yeah, it’s time for the conspiracy theory talk… just feel me out for a moment.

Just shy of about two months ago CNN was dubbed the “Clinton News Network” because many people asserted that it’s presentation of Democratic Primary related events were unfairly biased towards the Clintons. For whatever reason there seemed to be a very sincere loyalty to the Clinton campaign, and CNN’s unbridled media flex muscle, strong enough to shape the opinions of its faithful demographic and others, was working to tilt the election scale undeniably towards the Clintons. From this premise, can we assume that the network’s news was not fair and unbalanced, and this loyalty that was so strong would last even beyond a candidate selection by the Democratic Party? If so, then a special such as “Black In America” would be very timely.

It is very well possible that the Nation may have it’s first African American president, but media slip ups continue to plague honest campaign efforts. Is it any coincidence that even though Obama professes to be a Christian, the media continues to sew the ideas of a connection between him and fundamental Islamic extremists? Is it by chance that The New Yorker created a “satirical” cover reinforcing these stereotypes when I’m sure those guys are more than smart enough to understand that there are many people that will simply believe what they see with no absolutely no personal interpretation? I won’t even get into that Jeremiah Wright fiasco that the media birthed. With all of this preceding “Black in America”, why can’t one believe that as Obama gains momentum against McCain, a major network would market and present the world a contemporary view into life in America as a Black person and merely reinforce stereotypes and negative statistics that would otherwise been seen nightly on one of their news broadcasts? Great amounts of money were spent to create the attention this series has gotten. Was this to subconsciously cause a connection between the ills of Black America and the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee? This could have a lot of social dis-associative power.

Many will read this and point out that it had been stated that this was done 18-22 months in advance and was done to acknowledge the 40th year anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Can we consider that yes, this footage could have taken close to two years to shoot, but we’re dealing with a network that runs a 24 / 7 news machine that edits on the fly to keep up with a fast paced world. It could be that commentary for the show was recorded a few different ways so that they could adapt this documentary to the message that was to be sent in the social climate of the time it aired. I’m just speculating.

Forty years later and Blacks in America have made significant positive strides, but this show doesn’t accurately reflect so. Obama is currently making unprecedented advances in his current trip to Europe, The UK and The Middle East, trying to repair and strengthen relationships with the leaders of this world. He is very peaceful and respectful in his approach and has been very warmly received. What better way to commemorate the 40th year of King’s assassination than to fairly present the potential of the ultimate dream come true. Why continue to focus on the negative? Unless there are some ulterior motives…

What do you think?

President George W. Bush :  Wall street “got drunk and now it’s got a hangover… The question is, How long will it (take to) sober up and not try to do all these fancy financial instruments?”

So Part 1 of the much over-hyped CNN series “Black In America” is complete and honestly, I can’t say that it had any purpose.  I really think that I would have more enjoyed watching Comfort escape the snares of being in the bottom again on “So You Think You Can Dance”.  To me, she’s more of a metaphor of being Black in America, she’s really good at hip hop, but she struggles to fit in, find herself and stand out in the other dance genres.  It just seemed that the CNN documentary did nothing to provide insight into what it is to be Black in America nor did it do a just job of portraying life in America through the eyes of Blacks.  Many of the points made were accompanied by statistics skewed to present a negative image of Blacks, but in actuality many of those same points were relative to all races in America.  Poverty, crime, unemployment and disparaging educational systems affect us all.  Society assigns different values to these issues based on race, but it honestly hurts us all in some way or another.  In the same manner, if afforded the same opportunities, different decisions cause differences in people and the subsequent life paths they follow.  So where’s the value in a documentary such as this?

The hoopla surrounding this series was so intense that I almost felt like I had to watch it.  This was not because I was compelled to, but because my community would look at me negatively for not watching it.  I even feel like if anyone of any race criticizes the value of this work then most black people view it as being unacceptable.  “Black in America” could have been so much better if it discussed nature of African Americans and how the thread of our culture is woven into American society.  Don’t just continue report inflated statistics that support tainted premises.  Let’s create an educational documentary that creates a dialog with all of America that works towards acceptance of all cultures, using Blacks as a starting point.  I forget, this is one of America’s founding principles, correct?

So picture this, Spike Lee producing a three part series on “Being Black in America”, narrated by Laurence Fishburn with commentary by Chris Rock (very intelligent comedian!) with features on:

•  A current drug dealer
• A gang leader
• A convicted felon
• An HBCU graduate
• A Self Employed musician
• A Single mother
• A single father
• A male and female corporate executive
• A rapper
• A producer
• A mathematician
• A professor
• A mechanic
• A community activist
• A minister
• A journalist
• Paul Mooney (dude is funny!)
• A nurse / doctor
• A family with both parents in the home
• The cashier from your local grocery store
• A small business owner

Show both the good and bad of what they do, and ask them why they are where they are.  Show how we think, show how we act, show why we do what we do.  Show what it is to be Black in America.
I know I’m rambling.  Like Jay Z said… “Just my thoughts man!”

The one thing about hip hop that keeps it alive is the creativity. It’s really some “out of the box” people in the industry and you have to love it when they work together. Check out the video below. It features Fonzworth Bentley, Andre 3000 and Mr. West. I know Fonzworth’s rap is the worst, but you gotta love the song concept and the video. This is a video where the subjects aren’t in over sized white t’s showing off the latest and greatest in material goods and promoting DAS - Debt Acquisition Syndrome - throughout Black America. Check it out and tell me what you think.

New Nas video. I’m feeling it. It’s about the current state of media, especially Fox News. Check it out and tell me what you think.

One thing I’ve learned in life is to know when you’re taking it too far. Obviously he doesn’t. What an idiot.

This vid is hilarious. Check it out and visit the website: bekanyenow.com. Enjoy!

Scarface is one of the South’s most respected artists… well he used to be - back when hip hop was all good. Check out this video clip. What the hell is he talking about??