Jason Howard Green
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Do We See Ourselves As Second Class?
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Just Watched Basquiat
First all, let me tell you about Basquiat (just in case you don't know who he is). He was one of the greatest artists of our time. His rise to fame began when he was a graffiti artist tagging buildings around Manhattan. He would eventually become a household name in the art world and become a close, personal friend of Andy Warhol. He was claimed to be the first black artist of importance. He was also bisexual - although this truth about his life was not reflected in the movie.
The cast of the movie is virtual who's who of entertainment. It has David Bowie, Dennis Hopper, Courtney Love, Jeffrey Wright and the list just goes on. I can't believe this movie came out in 1996 and I'm just now getting around to viewing it. But on to my opinion of the movie - I think both Joye and Michelle are correct. The movie is both offensive and fabulous.
As a black man, there are definite offenses in the movie. Basquiat's agent at one point refered to him as "the voice from the gutter." What? Why does he have to be the voice from the gutter. Also, no one seemed able to accept Basquiat as a great artist. He was always referred to as a great black artist. In the movie Basquiat struggles with why his critics repeatedly did this. But this is the case for many great blacks (especially when we break into fields that typically have not be populated by black people). Tiger Woods is a great golfer. Venus and Serena are great tennis players. There race is not (should not) be an issue.
There is a Catch 22 to this. For some reason it's offensive when white people refer to these individuals as a great black whatever. But black people (and I'm guilty of this) love to see other members of our race successful. So when these success stories happen I love to tell their stories and to elevate them as examples of what is possible. Oprah. Barack. Tyler Perry. These individual's stories are more powerful to me because they are black. So I love to tell and revel in the stories of these black people.
Overall the movie is phenomenal for trying to tell the story of a great artist. But many great movies when disected have some truly offensive content. A couple of my all-time favorite movies are guilty of this. The Color Purple and Crash are movies that I LOVE. But if you aren't offended by some of the content in these movies then there is something wrong with you.
I will actually encourage people to see the movie, just to learn a bit more about the life of Jean Michel Basquit. I think everyone (black, white, brown and yello) will walk away with something. It is a good story (even though they did omit the truth about his sexuality).
People Remember E. Lynn Harris
Is Child Obesity Child Abuse?
I know there will be some that say this is an assault on her because she's black. I'm sorry but that would be incorrect. This is assault on her because she's poor. She is doing what is within her resources to do. She was awarded a $30,000 scholarship to take her son to a facility to deals with overweight kids. She took him to the school and was turned away because they said they were not equiped to handle a kid that large. She admitted to having to buy fast food to feed her son. This is the case of many parents. Cost and convenience often times make fast food the only option.
This is an extreme situation. 555 pounds at 14 years old is just unheard of. But bringing felony charges against the mom is also extreme. Imagine the precedent that will be set if she is found guilty. Give the woman some help not a jail sentence.
Friday, July 24, 2009
E. Lynn Harris - Dead at 54
Thursday, July 23, 2009
F*ck the Police - These are New York's Finest
Suspect Held for Seaman's Murder
Pageant Girls Gone Wild
I was just doing my daily reading over at The Advocate to hear this strange, bizarre tale of a pageant gone terribly wrong. The two individuals pictured here have been arrested for what tthe Advocate refers to as a "gay pageant smackdown." According to the article, Leroy Tinch (to the left in the photo) was a contestant in the pageant. When judge Sebastian Latta cast a vote for a rival contestant, Tinch grabbed a trophy and proceeded to violently bash the judge. Even more confusing about the affair, not only was judge Latta attacked by contestant Tinch, but a fellow judge Anthony Johnson (on the right in the photo) also joined in on the attack.
Latta was hospitalized with a shattered jaw and a gashed forehead. Now I'll admit - I've been both contestant and judge for pageants. Yes honey I know - for many this is a serious matter. One girl cornered me outside a bar after reading my comments and learning that I didn't like her shoes. Yes - I was a little scared for my life and that was the last pageant that I ever judged. I will not be killed over some Payless sling-backs. But for real - is this serious enough to risk a man's life and your freedom. For most sane people the answer would be no, but the pageant world is not one with normal people.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
What to do about Jamaica?
It's a Catch 22. Hurting those that cause harm will also hurt those we want to keep from danger. But what do you do when billboards like the one pictured above [this photo was recently taken in Jamaica] encourage violence towards gays and lesbians. In case you're unaware, a battyman is Jamaican slang for a gay man. So this advertisement is for a machete one could use to kill a homosexual. WTF?
Reflection: Pat Parker - Where Will You Be When They Come
Every time we watched
a queer hassled in the
streets and said nothing --
It was an act of perversion.
Everytime we lied about
the boyfriend or girlfriend
at coffee break --
It was an act of perversion.
Everytime we heard,
"I don't mind gays
but why must they
be blatent?" and said nothing --
It was an act of perversion.
Everytime we let a lesbian mother
lose her child and did not fill
the courtroom --
It was an act of perversion.
Everytime we let straights
make out in our bars while
we couldn't touch because
of laws --
It was an act of perversion.
Everytime we put on the proper
clothes to go to a family
wedding and left our lovers
at home --
It was an act of perversion.
Everytime we heard
"Who I go to bed with
is my personal choice --
It's personal not political"
and said nothing --
It was an act of perversion.
Everytime we let straight relatives
bury our dead and push our
lovers away --
It was an act of perversion.
And they will come.
They will come for
the perverts.
They will come
They will come
to the cities
and to the land
to your front rooms
and in *your* closets.
They will come for
the perverts
and where will
you be?
10th Annual White Affair - DC Doing the Most
His visit to DC for the 10th White Affair holds true to his mission - keeping the kids in the know. His latest post gives us a peek inside the White Affair. The event was presented by Al-Sura and it was HOT! The White Affair is a social networking evening that promotes HIV care and prevention. If you know anything about HIV and the African-American community - then you know that DC has one of the highest infect rates for black folks in the country. The White Affair had it all. Models. Singers. Authors. The entire event was top notch and I wish I could have been there.
Please check out Lonnell's video below:
Smooth Criminal - I'll Turn Myself In When My Breasts Heal
Black folks - we have got to do better. We have a brother in the White House. Forbes magazine just listed the most powerful people in entertainment and three of the top five were black. A black woman just took over as the new CEO of Xerox. I know we've come along way but still - stories like this way just make me want to hang my head in shame. Now I admit, I don't know her situation but really . . . Gain!. If you're gonna steal detergent, at least let it be Tide. Go to jail for the good stuff.
Mold Me LIke Clay
The Wedding is Off, But I'm Not GAY
Now, since his decision that there will be no wedding nuptials the gay rumors have started to fly off the chain again (much like the rumors against Kenny Chesney skyrocketed when Renee Zellweiger ended their four month marriage because of" fraud"). Now I don't know if the man is gay or not. Considering the fact that he is a star in the NBA, if he were gay I'm sure he feels it is in his best interest to claim that he isn't. An NBA locker room is not the place for coming out.
I won't pass judgement. I hope that Jefferson's tenure in the NBA is filled with success. And if he is gay, I hope that one day he fill get to a place where is comfortable sharing his truth with others. But the only person that has the right to out Richard Jefferson is Richard Jefferson. But if some scandalous pictures somehow leak believe me I'll be one of the first to tell you.
Damn Damn Damn for Mississippi Damned
Dr. Lamont Hill says No Mo "No Homo"
Henry Louis Gates Arrested?
Here's how the story went down. Gates was returning home from China where he was filming yet another documentary. Upon reaching his home he had difficulty opening the door. Even his cab driver helped with prying the door open. A neighor witnessing the forceful entry into the house called the cops because she suspected this was a burglary. The officer that arrived to the house accused Gates of not being cooperative and arrested him. This is after Gates proved that he was indeed owner of the home.
Gates was cuffed and taken to the police department where he was held for approximately four hours. Fortunately he was released on $40 bond and the charges were dropped by the city of Cambridge. Unfortunately, this is an event that should have never happened in the first place. I'm sorry, once the officer learned that Gates was at home he should have turned and left. There is no reason at all for this to have happened. As long as Gates didn't threaten or attack the officer the officer had no reason to resolve to this.
But Gates is a brilliant man and he knows exactly why this happened. He's a black man. Cambriade mayor E. Denise Simmons (who by the way is the only African-American lesbian ever to hold the title of mayor) made this statement, "The incident did illustrate that Cambridge must continue finding ways to address matters of race and class in a frank, honest, and productive manner." She also went on to say she was "very pleased" that the charges were dropped.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Double Trouble: Twin Brother Bandits Doing Time
I was under the impression that porn paid well. It's sad that men as beautiful as these two had to resort to this. And it's sadder that they will be behind bars for the next few years. I understand that if you do the crime you must do the time. It's just that being behind bars takes them off the market so I can't get my hands on them, because they look yummy. But I'm sure they will make somebody at their correctional facility very happy.
Why I Love our Attorney General
Friday, July 10, 2009
Famous LGBT African American
Are We Done Yet? Black Versus Gay Continues
Apparently the president of the Los Angeles chapter of the SCLC is a bit too progressive for the group. Rev. Eric Lee has been a friend of the LGBT community for years. However, some of his more recent advocacy has placed him on the radar of other SCLC leadership. Rev. Lee was one of those individuals that worked hard to prevent the passage of Prop 8 in California. Because of this he has received notice from the national board of directors of the SCLC. They have threatened suspension or removal to this ally of our community.
But it's not the article itself that makes me weak. In reality, most people have not been aware of the SCLCs existence since the 70s. It's just not a group we pay much attention to nowadays. So although I am concerned about there homophobic stance, I don't think they have enough clout to be relevent today.
What makes me livid are the many comments I read regarding the article. It's not the homophobia of the black community thats raising my blood pressure. It's the racism of th LGBT community that's pissing me off. I have to share some of the comments.
Eric Hollander of L.A. writes:
YOU KNOW SOMETHING......I FOUGHT IN VIETNAM SO BLACK SOB'S LIKE YOU WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT AND FREEDOM TO SAY AND DO WHAT YOU LIKE. ME AND MY BUDDIES PAID A HELL OF A PRICE SO YOU CAN OPEN YOUR BIG BLACK MOUTH AND SAY WHAT YOU WANT WITHOUT FEAR OF RETRIBUTION. IF YOU CAN'T ACCEPT ALL PEOPLE ON AN EQUAL BASIS........I SAY BRING BACK THE KKK.......THEY WILL TEACH YOU WHAT EQUALITY IS.
Mike of Cincinnati writes:
Blacks are anti-gay. They always have been.
John from San Francisco write:
where do black people get off discriminating against anyone? do they have short term memory loss?
Okay, let me get this straight. This is an article about a black man that was an advocate for the LGBT community. He worked to stop the passage of Prop 8. But black people hate gays. He is being threated to be ousted by other leadership within the SCLC. But let's keep it real - the SCLC was founded by Bayard Rustin (a gay Black man) and Rev. Martin Luther King (a man that stood as an advocate for all oppressed people). Dr. King AND his wife Coretta would put a stop to this action of the SCLC if they were here today.
I'm getting tired of hearing that all black people hate gays. Is membership to the gay community excluded from Black people? I guess so because all black people hate gays. Have we not forgotten that there are many black leaders (and that is straight black leaders) that have been vocal about their alliance in our race for equality. Julian Bond has committed the entire NAACP to the cause of justice for gays and lesbians. But all black people hate gays. Of all 50 governors in this country, only two have been supporters of same-sex marriage since they took office. That would be the nations' two African-American governors. But all black people hate gays. Some of the greatest leaders we've seen in the gay community have been black. Historic leaders like James Baldwin and Barbara Jordan and contemporary leaders like Keith Boykin and Angela Davis have worked tremendously to advance our cause. But all black people hate gays.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Kicked Out of the Closet
Terrell Carter's claim to fame has been the Madea movies. He has starred in stage productions of Tyler Perry's Madea's Class Reunion and Meet the Browns. He also appeared in the film adaptation of Diary of a Mad Black Woman. Now I'm sorry but the kids have always known that Tyler Perry was casting all of his productions with fine ass gay bruthas. There was a certain reoccuring theme in all his men - HOTNESS. I don't know if there was a casting couch involved with finding these men but if I asked my magic 8 ball it would say "all signs point to yes." I'm not surprised that Terrell is gay. I assumed so. I am surprised by turn of events surrounding his outing. A former lover with photos to back up his story is putting Terrell on blast all over the internet. He has posted pics of the two of them in bed together, kissing each other, and attending gay pride in Brazil.
Dorian Standberry of BET's College Hill was the other celebrity with some recent unfortunate luck. It seems someone hacked into his private email and Twitter account and gained access to celebrity phone numbers and nude photos of the star. These pics were also blasted all over the internet. Now I must admit - if someone is going to post nude pics of you without your knowledge or your permission, it can't hurt to be endowed as well as Dorian. I'm reminded of the old time spiritual - BETTER THAN BLESSED. You can see what I'm talking about by clicking here (please don't open at work).
I actually feel kinda sorry for these two men. Unfortunately the entertainment industry is one that is very harsh for black men period. Straight or gay, it's hard out there for bruthas. I was so pleased when Forbes made there list of the 100 most powerful people in entertainment. Three of the top five were black - Beyonce, Oprah and Tiger Woods. But while black men may be doing okay in sports but were still struggling in TV and film. Black GAY men generally have to hide to sexuality in order to be successful in Hollywood. I don't hate the players, I hate the game. These men were both rising stars but being pushed out of the closet will surely do some career damage.
HERO HIV Panel Discussion
Monday, July 6, 2009
I just created this video to post to Facebook. It has friends from my past (high school and college), friends from today, and family. My life has spanned through several different chapters so hopefully this will give people a brief peak into the bizarre kalidescope that this is my life. I've lost several people really important to me through the years. My little brother (Mark) to cancer. My best friend's death is still a mystery to me (Victor). My frat brother and friend Dwayne Owes. College friend Tommy. My father (Eugene) and my maternal grandmother (Ulee). These are all individuals near and dear that are captured in this video. Hope you enjoy.