Spike Lee --Well Said My Brother

The following is an excerpt from AHH.com's editorial section. It's funny that Spike Lee feels this way about Tyler Perry's productions. Like most ignorant people, I'm sure that readers found Spike to be a 'hater' because Tyler Perry 'has more money than he does.' When will the idiocy end? Spike makes a very valid point, and as I've grown and watched more and more Tyler Perry films (most recently this nonsense on TBS) I have been saying the same thing. Read on...



2. Tyler Perry Shows = Coonery and Buffoonery for Spike Lee



Does Spike Lee have something against Tyler Perry? Judging by a recent interview Lee did with Ed Gordon on Our World with Black Enterprise, the answer may be ‘yes’.



The Do the Right Thing filmmaker didn’t hold much back as he noted what he considered to be “troubling” images found in Perry’s hit TV shows Meet the Browns and House of Payne. So much so that he compared the characters on those shows to the ones found in minstrel shows.



“We’ve had this discussion back and forth. When John Singleton [made Boyz in the Hood], people came out to see it. But when he did Rosewood, nobody showed up. So a lot of this is on us!” Lee said. “You vote with your pocketbook, your wallet. You vote with your time sitting in front of the idiot box, and [Tyler Perry] has a huge audience. We shouldn’t think that Tyler Perry is going to make the same film that I am going to make, or that John Singleton or my cousin Malcolm Lee [would make]. As African-Americans, we’re not one monolithic group, so there is room for all of that. But at the same time, for me, the imaging is troubling and it harkens back to ‘Amos n’ Andy.’”



Lee continued to make his point during the show while expressing that efforts can be made toward having better shows on the air despite the popularity of Meet the Browns and House of Payne.



“Each artist should be allowed to pursue their artistic endeavors, but I still think there is a lot of stuff out today that is coonery and buffoonery. I know it’s making a lot of money and breaking records, but we can do better. I am a huge basketball fan, and when I watch the games on TNT, I see these two ads for these two shows (Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns and House of Payne), and I am scratching my head. We got a Black President, and we going back to Mantan Moreland and Sleep ‘n’ Eat?”



As always, Spike never fails to tell it how he sees it. The question is do you agree or disagree?


As i aforementioned, I completely agree with Spike Lee, and this is something I have been saying for a while now. When Madea first emerged onto the big screen, I must admit that I did enjoy her antics; however, I was much younger and less wiser. As I have aged and matured, I find it hard to watch a Madea film, or any other Tyler Perry film for that matter. I find his story lines to be outlandish and somewhat demeaning and stereotypical. These films are supposed to be things that black people can relate too. However; I find that Perry's characters are the furthest thing from your average black person.

The characters fit one of two extremes: either they are extremely poor or extremely rich. I have also noticed that the black male in each film who plays the 'blue collar' or 'struggling' character never has a hair cut. As if nappy hair is a signature look for the sub-par male. Another thing brought to my attention is the fact that these story lines more often than not include some from of drug abuse, sexual abuse, or some other mental/psychological issue. These are issues that I am supposed to relate to as a black woman? None of these things have ever been an issue for me or anyone that I know.

I commend Perry for his efforts, and for the fact that HOPEFULLY his motives are to highlight SOME issues that affect African Americans while showing our strength and willingness to overcome even the worst odds. From my position I have yet to see positive motives, all I see is coonery. I find his characters to be an embarrassment, and far beyond anything stereotypical that our counterparts could every possibly imagine. Mr. Brown shucks and jives in miss-matched clothing, nothing more than a modern day Chicken George. While Madea is a gun-toting foul mouthed senior citizen in a house coat. And I won't mention the fact that Perry emasculates himself, and all other black men for that matter, every time he dresses himself as a woman.

I am happy that the brother has made it, he came a long way from being homeless. I just wish that when our brothers and sisters did finally get on they would portray a more positive image for all of us while remembering where they came from.


Article courtesy of AllHipHop.com. The opinions expressed in this blog are not necessarily the views and opinions of those at AHH.com or Spike Lee.

An Update

It's been awhile since I've posted anything. I guess I've lacked both the time and inspiration to do so. Much has transpired in my young life since my last post. I've grown so much, gained wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. I've become older, an adult...yet still reside in the prime of my youth.

For all interested parties I just made it over "the hill" lol literally. I just graduated from FAMU, the school on the highest of seven hills in Tallahassee. I can now call myself a college graduate, it feels pretty good. I'm not necessarily hype though, only because I knew it was coming and it was a small battle won in the midst of a war. This was merely the tip of the iceberg. I'm moving on to bigger and better things, namely FSU. I'm excited to see what I can conquer on the other side of the tracks.

This was a difficult year for me, I would say the most difficult of my collegiate career. I went through so many struggles both internally and externally, but I wouldn't trade any of it. I learned much about myself and those around me. I finally got some patience, perseverance, and contentment. Unfortunately I had to acquire these things the hard way, but again i wouldn't trade those experiences for anything.

So I'm loving life right now, just sitting back and watching it unfold before my eyes. Watching people and things I thought were great become things of the past, and gaining the wisdom and foresight to understand that life isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. It's just amazing to see how people used to sprint to this self imposed, imaginary finish line and they would kick the dust up in my face as I paced myself behind them. I look at them now out of breath, fatigued, and ready to give up; while I've gotten my second wind. I just love the fact that so many people used to come at me negatively because I stayed positive and tried to do what I think is the right thing while they did every and anything under the sun to get ahead. Sure they were ahead for a moment, but I wonder how they feel now that they are eating my dust?? Who was it that said nice guys finish last??

Enough of the negativity, I like to accentuate the positive. In other news a new artistic spotlight is coming soon, I'm just having a little trouble right now choosing given that no one has really inspired me as of late. I'm actually my own inspiration right now, and hopefully an inspiration to others as well. So I guess its time I shine a little light on myself. I try to stay humble, and I know that it is not by my own means that I have come this far; and I am fully aware that I have miles to go.

But thank you to Jesus, first and foremost through whom all things are possible. I am coming to see that now and I'm working on our relationship and looking forward to the many revelations to come. My family, mom and pop it is because of your sacrifices that I am here at FAMU. Mommy you taught me first hand what it is to be a virtuous woman and wife, I aspire to be half the woman you are. Pop lol, you're a cool cat at times. You showed me what a man is. My big bro whom I practically idolize. Thank you for all of the lectures and advice lol. I always hate it when you lecture me, but in retrospect they always succeed in changing the way I think, thus changing who I am. I don't know what I would do without you. Mesha lol my fashion icon. Thanks for the advice, I don't know what I would do without you either. I'm glad you guys have each other you are a great example of what love is and you guys have given me and many others hope for the institutions of love and marriage. Big sis, thanks for always having my back and being ready to slap a hoe on the dime in my defense lol.

As usual I have succeeded in highlighting others instead of myself lol. But hey, without all of you there is no me. My blog wouldn't be complete without a musical addition so here is a little something that I feel has captured this year through bars, high hats, and baselines.

365 Black--History Making History

It is nice to know that among the ignorance and bafoonery that the hip hop world is currently spreading there are still some positive moments that can contribute to the rich history of the Afro-American.

U.S First Lady Michelle Obama along with Cicely Tyson among others unveiled a bust of Sojourner Truth in Emancipation Hall of the US Capitol today, April 28, 2009. Sojourner Truth was a 19th Century American slave, abolitionist, and activist who is best known for her speech given at the Ohio Woman's Rights Convention of 1851 in Akron, Ohio entitled Ain't I A Woman.

Unfortunately African American accomplishments are not highly publicized, so that's about it for today. For more information on Sojourner Truth and other African American history makers see Google lol.

Ode to Ray....

LoL ok so anyone who knows me knows I love me some Ray Allen! He's only like the BEST two guard/pure shooter of my time. I remember watching him as a kid when he played for UConn, I will never forget the first time I saw him play, I was like floored. This guy was a monster, he could do everything (except play defense but that's ok boo lol), he was all over the place.



This game was one of the best games Ray played while at UConn. I remember watching this one, and I remember the hype surrounding those two guys (Allen and Iverson)was crazy. Ray and A.I have been rivals since college, and me being the die hard Ray Allen fan that I am made this guy my arch foe lol.


Another great moment was when Ray was drafted into the NBA in the '96-'97 draft. LoL I was like 11 but I remember these moments like they happened yesterday. I never missed a game when he played for Milwaukee. LoL and he was so nasty then, man he used to kill lol.



I believe it was 2002 when Ray lead the Bucks to the Eastern Conference finals but they were cheated out of a chance to play in the championship when Eric Snow's punk ass deliberately banged Ray's knee sending him to the locker room early in the fourth quarter. But being the man that he is Ray returned, only it was too late...the Sixers went on to defeat the Bucks and to ultimately be defeated by the Lakers in a 4 game sweep.


The next season Ray went on to play with Seattle where he KILLED for like 3 years. He averaged like 27 points those three years, and lead the league in FG percentage, Free-throw percentage, and three-point percentage. His list of accomplishments is too numerous to continue..but you guys get my drift.



One of the happiest, pause that, THE happiest day of my life was when Ray won the NBA Championship with Boston last year. It was historic, if I hadn't been around mad people I probably would've cried lol. This next clip is one of the many buzzer beaters Ray has hit...



That was one of the few times Paul Pierce's low percentage shooting, hating ass actually gave up the ball instead of trying to be the hero knowing that he FAILS every time.

So yea, clearly I love Ray Allen, he's the sole reason I love ball in the first place. I dread the day when he retires from the league, and I honestly don't believe I'll continue to watch basketball.

For all of my Ray Allen haters out there (yes YOU!) In case all of the previous clips didn't do it, here's a little something extra for that ass...




Footage courtesy of NBA.com and Ray Allen.

Artistic Expression #2--Ryan Leslie

This is the second of many posts I'll be doing on artistic people that I find interesting or that move me in some fashion. The first post was a poem by Shihan...I think he is so dope, I seriously wish he would cut an album with straight poetry, no beats necessary.

This next one is Ryan Leslie. I hadn't heard of him until he put out Diamond Girl, and I've liked him since. This one is a clip of him producing his song "Just Right." I was browsing youtube this morning and I found this clip. What he does here puts me at a loss for words. To me its almost like watching a birth, he is essentially giving life to music. Its amazing....




Now was that dope or was that DOPE?? He is so talented. If Dilla (R.I.P) didn't already have the top spot in my heart as greatest producer ever R. Les would definitely take it. I'll give him Top 5 Dead or Alive tho.

Doesn't he look seriously dorky tho? LoL you can definitely tell he was a nerd as a child and just recently became "cool." The dorkiness still shows, but I actually dig it. For some reason I have a thing for artists...Cassie I must say you are an idiot.

Hopefully I'm not in any violation of any copyright infringement laws for posting this lol. I just wanted to show the guy some love.


This is another studio session I found to be amazing was R. Les making this beat "Sometimes". The full song is dope, although I think Cassie lacks the vocal abilities to do the beat justice.





Again his dorkiness shows lol. He has to be the biggest cornball in music history, but it works for him. The thing that stands out the most about him other than his superb artistic ability is his passion for the art form, which is what the music industry needs most. He has such a passion for what he does, it shows, and its contagious. For some reason he reminds me a lot of Prince and anyone who knows me knows how I feel about Prince (Purple Rain did it for me) lol.

This next vid is in heavy rotation for me right now. I'm really feeling this track, and the story behind how the song came about is what makes it so dope to me. I find it fascinating that someone can actually create a whole song that was initially a solution for a communication problem between Les and the leading lady of his video for "Diamond Girl" who was a Russian supermodel.





That brings my tribute to R. Les to an end. I find that guy to be quite fascinating and very talented. More talented artists coming soon.

Shihan----This Type of Love

Still waiting on this one...