The more "BLACK" dialogue becomes, the more Black celebrities show their A$$...

     For us Blacks enthralled with the entertainment industry it is nearly heart breaking but 100% (third) Eye opening when someone who looks like us, someone who represents us in the industry, says something ignorant pertaining to racism in America; especially as of late (#BlackLivesMatter). Recently rap superstar Kendrick Lamar was quoted in saying that Blacks need to respect ourselves before others can respect us. Which is problematic because a life is a life, and racism is racism. Today I bring you Mr. Anthony Mackie. Early this week Tupac from "Notorious" was interviewed by The Grio about this year's Oscar award noms and one of his upcoming roles.

You can watch the full interview HERE.

        This fool basically hit us with the "you see US as Black people have to ...." translation: if we comply to the oppressor's standards, they won't kill us for being Black. He uses the example of his nephew wanting to loc his hair and him in response presenting his nephew with images of criminals who are men with their hair loc'd. I do not know how old Mackie's nephew is but I am assuming that he is impressionable. He basically told this young man that if he was to loc his hair he will be setting himself up for racial profiling as if his brown skin doesn't do that enough. Mackie sounds as if he is saying that men with loc's look like criminals and prepositioning to his nephew if he wants loc's that means he wants to looks like a criminal. As if haircuts like Mackie's own will end racism. When racism is the very force that has him speaking this way.

     Personally I was not looking for any Messiah in Anthony Mackie, he is not my refuge or savior, or even my favorite actor. However, I am disappointed in, yet not surprised by, his ignorance.

You Hear Chocolate !

     My classmate, Tarik Smith and I followed three beautifully talented ladies who call themselves Audible Chocolate(for our Documentary Production 101 final project). On the subway, on the stage, and soon enough in the studio; they sound as good as chocolate tastes, maybe even better. This short is a peep into their street performer life on an NYC subway train.

You Hear Chocolate from Kearah Armonie on Vimeo.

   Shooting this intimate account of only one realm these girls thrive in was an enjoyable experience to see in person what I usually just see them post about on Facebook. In this short we meet lead vocalist Cheeki Pow Pow, Vocalist and guitarist Lo Anderson, and Violist Iymaani Abdul Hamid; They are audible chocolate. At this time the ladies are growing and expanding as a group, soon to release original music. You can keep up with the chocolates at their social media link below to find out more about their future endeavors and how you can support and indulge.

https://www.facebook.com/youhearchocolate

http://youhearchocolate.tumblr.com/

https://twitter.com/uhearchocolate

Usually when it comes to SNL skits...

    Usually when it comes to SNL skits that go viral, I am in tears, dying of laughter, completely amused. Especially when they take a satirical honest approach to social justice issues which I experience on the daily basis. Last weekend Kevin Hart was the guest on SNL and took a stab at gentrification in Brooklyn along side Kenan Thompson and Jay Pharoah.



    Unfortunately, I guess, I wasn't too amused. One thing I appreciate in film/TV, especially in comedy, are the reveals. The constant reveals of the effects of gentrification, times when viewers would probably be expecting something else are what hold this skit together. Except, at the same time, they are predictable and don't really have that shock value. Even the ending is predictable, knowing that this is still a skit about Brooklyn.

   Being someone who grew up in Brooklyn, just a few train stops away from Bushwick to be exact, someone who is seeing gentrification first hand and seeing the negative effects of it, I couldn't necessarily laugh at this. This skit just brought up the feeling that my people, are not so much aware of the harm done by gentrification but instead are accepting it. Not only in terms of gentrification, but  other issues; there are women who don't believe in feminism; students who don't believe that the school system should have their best interest at heart; etc. This was not really funny. But script wise, film wise, comedy wise, it was well done and the three brothers in this skit are hilarious.

Let's not forget the issue at hand

#BlackLivesMatter

    This fight is not over with protests all of the country and social justice organizations and movements growing from grief and concrete, this is not just a hashtag. Simultaneous the act of "sharing" is also growing, via facebook that is. The "share" option underneath Facebook posts has been available for a while but seems to be used now more than ever. Users share status updates, photos, links, videos, often for either humor or in the name of social just and activism. Sharing has become a norm for the tech savvy now-a-days , just as reblogging on tumblr and retweeting on Twitter. Users, such as myself,  are more proactive and conscious in there sharing.

   Below is a video, I shared on Facebook, of Franchesca "Chescaleigh" Ramsey and Latoya Peterson as interviewed by Katie Couric. In this video they discuss victim blaming in cases of police brutality against POC, ultimately posing the question "What are we supposed to do?"