Can Whites be discriminated against? Was Judge Sotomayor wrong?
Written by Michael Vass
Since almost the moment that Judge Sotomayor had been named as a Supreme Court nominee, I have been asked my thoughts on the 19 firemen in the “reverse discrimination” case. Now that the Supreme Court has responded, I will further clarify my thoughts.
First, let me explain my thoughts on “reverse discrimination”. It does not exist. There is no such thing as reverse discrimination, it’s a made up term.
Discrimination is defined as
the process by which two stimuli differing in some aspect are responded to differently, and prejudiced or prejudicial outlook, action, or treatment.
Thus the term reverse discrimination cannot exist. Least of all as it is used by the political circles. Discrimination against anyone is just that. It is not limited to nor exclusive for people of color.
So the question becomes, can Whites be discriminated against? The answer is yes, of course.
But the bigger question no one asks is - How can a White person be discriminated against in America? That is much more difficult and likely to inflame many. But I will try to provide a view.
In America, right now, to be White is an absolute advantage. While there have been many strides forward in race relations, the fact is that there is an obvious distinction made to people of color everyday. Most of these acts are subliminal and so ingrained in the populace that we don’t notice it, but that is not the same as its lack of existence.
Look at any television channel, cable or broadcast. I’ve spoken about this often, the fact that consistently throughout my lifetime of 41 years the number of people in front of cameras has never reflected the actual proportion of African Americans or people of color in the nation. Television has always maintained a view of the nation that more reflects the 1940’s or 50’s than the 21st century. In fact looking at all television programs, and movies, we see that all people of color – in front and behind the cameras combined, account for some 5 – 8% of all the people involved. A far cry from the 30% we actually comprise in this nation.
Stepping to the news media, there is a consistent emphasis to sensationalize any crime that is even believed to be committed by a person of color. At the same time crimes by Whites are more often marginalized. Take for example the Duke Rape case where the reported victim was the target of media attacks and the White lacrosse team were envisioned as saintly by comparison. Which ignored their actual activities on Duke campus and the events of the night the now rejected rape took place. And this says nothing about cases completely ignored like the Megan Williams case in West Virginia.
Or look at how police officers acting in a manner more akin to gangs against people of color are reported. We have the case of 15 officers in Philadelphia beating down 3 Black men that were innocent because the police were upset. There is the case of Sean Bell were he and 2 companions were shot over 50 times for no apparent reason beyond the suspicion of an officer. We can look at numerous other cases across the nation, perhaps no more famous than Rodney King. But all these cases have a similar trend. The White officers are presumed innocent and justified while the person of color is framed as being guilty and thus inciting the incidents.
There is the fact that many cases of police violence is completely ignored by the media. Just this year, Oscar Grant’s murder, the shooting of Robbie Tolan, and the murder of Adolph Grimes have all been under-reported. I doubt many have heard of any of these cases unless they have read my blogs, or those of other bloggers, as the national media refuses to discuss them. In fact, in Oakland, the Grant murder sparked riots – which the riots were the only news discussed by the national media and not the cause.
Looking at a different aspect of law, there is the legal system. It is biased system, few with clear thoughts will dispute this. The bias is that those who are poorer will be less likely to win a charge. With higher proportions of people of color being less wealthy, there is that bias. Add to that the fact that a person of color convicted of a crime will receive a penalty that is 2 – 3x as severe as a White person convicted of the same crime brings in another level of discrimination. Like the boy (the name escapes me this second but he was 17 at the time, and is Black) who was convicted to 10 years for having consentual oral sex with a minor (who was 14 at the time, and was White as I recall) that actively and publicly pursued him at a party.
Obvious facts in teen health study
Written by Michael Vass
Do you ever read an article, about some scientific study about this or that, and you just say to yourself – “Scientists are just so stupid. I knew that.”
Of course scientists aren’t stupid. But some of the studies they do have to make you wonder. Like a recent study on 20,000 young kids. The study sought to see how kids feel about surviving. Were they optimistic or not about living to 35, and what choices did they make based on that outlook.
Scientists are shocked that some 15% of those interviewed over 7 years believed they’d never live to 35. I’m shocked they didn’t realize how common a thought that was. I mean I was very sure that I probably wouldn’t make it past 25. And that’s considering I was a far better than average student, not into drugs, ghettofabulous did not exist, I never joined a gang, plus I was working since I was a young teen.
Today I can see even more reasons that a person of color in their late teens might think they won’t make it to 35. Gangs are worse, drugs are rampant across the nation, music videos and rap music directly state they should be violent, addicted, criminals. Fewer kids are getting the educations they deserve, and more sources in society are telling them to give up on higher learning. I mean there is a huge societal influence that says a person of color should only hope to be ghettofabulous. All of that is separate of the fact that if you are a criminal, or just a person of color, there are seriously great odds [comparatively] that a police officer will abuse and/or kill you.
Is there any surprise then that this study came out and “revealed” the obvious thought among people of color that they won’t make it to 35. Personally I think the shock is that White kids are also feeling these same thoughts of impending death, most from the same sources as those for the kids of color.
Back when crack hit the streets in the 80’s, I recall the lack of concern by police and elected officials. No one was bothering to do anything about that drug or the addicts initially. Not until White kids started to get addicted and drop dead. A couple of elected officials kids got hooked, and overnight there was news of the epidemic of crack. Just about 5 years after the fact.
In a similar manner this report is the same thing to me. 20+ years ago I understood that the chances of me dying before 25 was 1 in 4. In fact about 25% of my friends from elementary school didn’t make it to 25. At that time 2 decades ago I understood that the chances of me going to jail were also about 1 in 4. Again, at least that many of the kids I grew up with were in or had been in jail. That was the reality in the Bronx, and a decent neighborhood of the Bronx.
Given the failures of elected officials and the campaigns to keep kids off of drugs – Nancy Regan saying no and a guy making breakfast vs. a criminal rapper on MTV surrounded by women, drugs, and money, guess which makes more of an impact to a teen – the growth of negative influences, and the promotion by the major media and entertainment industry of the “Ghettofabulous” and “Thug life”, I’m surprised the numbers are not worse.
If the scientists doing this study want to move things along, for a mere contribution to my site, I will give them my insight.
These are just a few ideas. But each is effective in its own way. Far more so than a study of the obvious or elected officials polispeak.
Remembering Michael Jackson
Written by Black Entertainment USA
I was speaking with friends yesterday and today about the sudden death of Michael Jackson and we recalled many things. I want to take a moment to share some of those thoughts with you.
I can recall being a very young child and hearing ABC 123 from the Jackson 5. To this day just thinking of the title of that song instantly brings up the memory of that song, hearing MJ’s voice in my mind, and the summer in the 70’s. It’s a good memory.
That’s something that I think most of us can say. Hearing some of our favorite songs by Michael Jackson brings us back to memories of our youth, or even more recent days, that are pleasant and fun. Not every singer can do that, not every song. But he did it many times.
I remember that I bought the Ben album back in the days. It was the second album I ever bought. The first was Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. I recall that album to this day. It was sweet and melodic. It really just touched a cord.
I also recall being pissed at him during the 80’s. I had a girlfriend that was absolutely in love with him. Even more than me at the time. I’m sure other men had a similar competition. One that MJ never knew of, and one that none of us mere men could ever win.
My friends and I noticed something while watching all the news on Michael Jackson’s death. Videos from across his life were being shown split-screen as commentators spoke. And with no delay, with complete agreement, we were able to place every single song the videos were showing. That’s without any sound. No matter how old the video clip or music video.
Imagine the impact he has made that people of multiple generations can sit and see a visual snippet and know the exact song, and generally the year, without ever hearing a word. Something we didn’t even realize we knew until that moment.
Another friend noted that Michael Jackson is the progression of the great singers. There was Elvis, then the Beatles, and now MJ. Looking forward, there is no one yet that comes close to the talent, showmanship, and longevity Jackson had. And I can’t imagine, in a world of throw-away entertainers and American Idol, if anyone like this will come again.
The entire industry of music videos needs to celebrate Michael Jackson. I expect nothing less than a full run of every video and music clip of Jackson singing since his first televised appearance in the Jackson 5 on MTV. They owe him that.
Were it not for the foresight of Jackson, and his commitment to providing fans a complete entertainment experience, music videos of today would not exist. Jackson made mini-movies. He extended the length of time a video could be, he raised the bar on quality, on the production itself. Thriller was not a music video, it was a story. Billie Jean was a story. Remember The Time was a short film.
Before Jackson was making music videos, they were jumbles of catchy imagery that may have had nothing to do with anything. Once he got involved, we got an art form. And MTV was smart enough to break the color barrier they had for every single video he ever did.
Another friend noticed the incredible impact of Michael Jackson. Thinking back through the years of coverage, did you notice that ANYTHING he did was news. If he wore a new piece of clothing it was news. The sparkled socks (which respectfully Donnie Osmond did first – but Jackson did it bigger), the single glove, his hair, the outfits he wore (on stage or off). Hell, MJ just leaving Neverland was good enough to get 30 seconds of news airtime. No one is that big, just him.
When you think of the career of Jackson you have to think big. He started trends in fashion – basically all the clothes of the 80’s. He broke racial barriers world wide – there was no where he could not appear, and people of every description sold-out stadiums to see him. He broke industry standards – almost always having the biggest contracts, Grammy Awards, limits on music video lengths, 750 million records sold, 13 top 100 hits for a single artist, and on and on. He created dance crazes – though he was inspired by James Brown, he had the world trying to imitate his moves and Moonwalk – even to this day.
His music is so ingrained in the world that he is one of the top sampled artists ever. People of all ages have at least one favorite song from throughout his career. Every entertainer since the 80’s has tried to imitate some if not all of his artistry. Every entertainer that is a person of color has dreamed of matching even part of his success, and use his career as a guide path for their own.
All of this came at a high price though. He never grew up, at least not properly. He was reportedly shy. He was reclusive. He was likely a pedophile. He was beyond eccentric (though parts of his tabloid eccentricity may have been his own manipulation to gain greater press coverage). He hated his own face, and possibly race (the multiple cosmetic surgeries and rumored skin bleaching). He was a man with many demons, possibly addictions, and he couldn’t hide for all his trying. I doubt he lived a day without pressure and stress since he was in his teens.
All these things and more are Michael Jackson. He was by definition an icon, a figure too large to be merely like everyone else. He was as gifted as he was troubled. I think he may have been the loneliest person that everyone in the world knew and wanted to be near.
For all his faults and issues, for all the real and imagined deviations and eccentricity, for all the grandeur and splendor he craved and provided to fans, one thing will always be true.
Michael Jackson walked the Earth for 50 years, his footprint has been left on billions of people, and he made the planet overall better in the ways only he could. Such a legacy, such memories, such an inspiration are all things we can be glad of and hope to attain in a small way. I can think of few things better to say of any human being, past or present.
Transformers 2 - controversy or not?
Written by Black Entertainment USA
Transformers 2 is now in theaters, so the question of whether the hype is equal to the film is about to be answered. But setting aside the lack of logic, the overabundance of CGI and explosions, and the failure to have a script worthy of the Saturday morning versions this was created from, there is a big question.
Is having a CGI robot speaking ebonics a take on Black culture and, even in the most innocent of ways, making fun of African Americans?
This is the growing question from the film. Many fans that have seen the movie (which I have not) believe that it does, others do not. But what I have read leads me to believe that this is another instance of Hollywood sticking to what it knows best – stereotypes in bad taste.
So the robots are deep into hip hop. Which could mean anyone, since fans of hip hop reach from Beverly Hills to Japan to the Bronx. But how often have you seen a character in a movie that speaks “rap inspired street slang” that isn’t Black? How many movies can you recall ever having a character with a gold tooth (or teeth) that were anything but African American? Add to this the connection the major media makes between rap and violence (which is a natural conclusion), and African Americans (which is not).
So is this a caricature of African Americans? Sounds like it. In fact some are relating these characters to another CGI major movie character that inflamed millions. Jar Jar Binks. They are being called Jar Jar Bots.
How do some defend these characters?
“They don’t really have any positive effect on the film,” she [Tasha Robinson, associate entertainment editor at The Onion] said. “They only exist to talk in bad ebonics, beat each other up and talk about how stupid each other is.”
Sounds like most rap music videos. And who is the lead minstrels in those music videos?
This disturbs me since any association some might make to African Americans is to 2 cowards, that are illiterate, eternally distracted by the useless, and are worthless. Would you like to be referred to in an association like that? I sure don’t.
“If these characters weren’t animated and instead played by real black actors, “then you might have to admit that it’s racist,” Robinson said. “But stick it into a robot’s mouth, and it’s just a robot, it’s OK.”
Perhaps the best way to consider if this is making fun of African Americans in a negative way is if we substitute what the characters are portraying. Let’s say that instead of rap, they went with country music. Instead of street slang they speak with a Southern drawl. And instead of the gold tooth we have a confederate flag.
So in effect we have two illiterate, cowardly (since they avoid all fights), dumb, Southern brawlers. What might be identified as the Southern inbred hillbilly redneck stereotype – like Ricky Bobby. Still sound like a fun character, something that you and your friends can laugh at? Would you laugh if you were in the deep South? Would you still like it if foreigners heard your accent and compared you to these characters?
Yes it’s a movie. And movies often use a stereotype to convey thoughts that are in the societal mindset. But the negative stereotypes really don’t need to be reinforced. Especially on an international level. And saying that it’s just a movie, is akin to saying a Nazi flag is just a decoration.
You may disagree, but for me it is just one more reason not to see this film.
Will there ever be justice for Oscar Grant?
Written by Black Entertainment USA
Oh my god. Could it actually be that Justice will be served in a case where a police officer shot, and killed, and unarmed young Black male?
The end of the preliminary trial for ex-BART officer Johannes Mehserle has ended in Oakland, still without the media coverage that such a case deserves to have. This is especially true given the fact that video evidence exists for this case from multiple sources. Add to that the blatant and extreme nature of a police cover-up. Then finally include an astounding revelation from one of the key officers involved with the murder of Oscar Grant
The facts of this case are so blatant that the Judge presiding over the prelim made the following statement after ruling to allow this case to go forward to trial
Yes, it’s so obvious that a Judge was willing to say that publicly. Of course this will likely cause the trial to be moved. And I’m willing to bet that the new location for the trial will be the equivalent of Simi Valley. And we all know how impartial that kind of jury pool can be.
Since I first learned of this case in January 2009, days after the murder of Grant, I have seen no reason to doubt the guilt of Mehserle. I have followed this case while the major news media has actively ignored it at every turn. I have questioned what has been done to cover-up the situation, and speculate about the cause of news media disintrest.
So far we have learned that ex-officer Mehserle initially excused his murder of Grant with a claim of an unseen, non-existent gun. Later, after time with a new lawyer and the quick cover story speculated by the Oakland Police Chief, the story became the accidental use of deadly force.
We have learned that every officer involved has (in my opinion) perjured themselves with lies of chaos and impending doom. Accusations of angry mobs rushing forward, attacks against officers, and resisting arrest have all been soundly debunked by witnesses and multiple videos of the event.
How this case has not been subject to a quick plea bargain leads me to one thought. Mehserle believes he can get off scot free.
This is even more likely if the venue is moved. It is backed up by precedence of officers across the nation being absolved of the murders of, and/or violence against, unarmed, innocent, young Black males. It is supported by a news media that has tried to actively maintain doubt, in the most of the few times the case has ever been mentioned. It is reinforced with the persistence of criminals covering their crimes with accusation of imaginary Black assailants that are readily accepted as fact by the media and most of the nation (most recently by a Pennsylvanian woman who was in Disney at the time).
That is gut-wrenching sickening. That a defendant can be guilty as sin, with more than ample proof, and the odds of gaining justice or even a semblance of punishment are maybe 60 - 40 against is unacceptable in the least. And I still get people advocating the innocence of Mehserle. I still have people that wonder and debate why African Americans across the nation fear and shun police officers. I still hear people deny the imbalance of the legal system and misrepresentation of Justice in America.
In my opinion, Mehserle is guilty of murder. Yet I still cannot be assured that he will be convicted of this obvious and insanely vicious crime. Because in the end, it was just another young innocent defenseless Black male. And in America that is the same as a deadly weapon in the hands of Osama Bin Laden. Lady Justice is weeping.
DMX should love Arizona
Written by Black Entertainment USA
Did You hear about the slap in the face of Justice? I’m not talking about the defense’s claims in the Merserhle case (he killed Oscar Grant on January 1st this year), but DMX in Arizona.
Yes, DMX – otherwise known as Earl Simmons or by his inmate number - has skated away from the repercussions of his actions yet again. The reason he has escapes me completely. I imagine that the Judge and Prosecutor must be enormous fans of his rap music.
To bring you up to speed, DMX (Simmons) had been arrested for drugs, weapon possession, animal cruelty (dog fighting pitbulls of course), evading arrest, theft, and potentially fraud. For the sum of these charges, plus speeding, he served all of 80 days in jail. Again that is eighty days. You would think the Court was his love slave to get off so lightly.
But there’s more. While serving the mockery of time, DMX assaulted an officer. That offense, from an inmate known for repeat violations of the law and in a penal institution, normally would have severe consequences. But this is one of the more popular jesters of the music industry these days. He has even expanded his minstrel act to include farces that some call movies, really bringing in money for the executives that I imagine are bankrolling vacations for the Court in lieu of his sentences.
What might such a lucky and obviously stupid [he keeps committing crimes and getting caught – I call that stupid] criminal entertainer have to say about all this?
Yes the powers that be are tainting his view of Arizona. It has nothing to do with his multiple violations of laws in that state. It has nothing to do with the Court sticking its figurative head up its own ass to help out Simmons. Blame the system even in the face of the obvious. Brilliant.
Perhaps the view DMX has is tainted because he is spoiled. He is being treated like he has made some act of importance for mankind. That will warp anyone’s viewpoint, especially a mere petty criminal and rapper.
To really help DMX get some perspective, and at the same time providing for the safety of Arizona, I suggest that the next time he gets arrested and convicted of a crime he gets treated like a regular criminal. Not a Black criminal – that would be overly harsh – but like any other joe bloe doing these things. And to make sure that the 3rd strike really sunk in, I’d charge him the cost that the State would normally pay to imprison him. If the time doesn’t make him straighten out his act, the fine might.
Either way there would be some semblance of Justice. And all the kids that follow his career thinking he is someone to emulate; they might just be even a slight bit more civil and law abiding. Which is reason enough for me.
Judge Sonia Sotomayor - the wrong woman for the Supreme Court
Written by Michael Vass
Without doubt, I know that this will piss off many fellow Hispanics and Latinos, but it has to be said. Judge Sonia Sotomayor should not become a Supreme Court Justice.
It’s really simple. The reason is blatant and hated by most liberals and Democrats. But we are speaking about the Law, and the ultimate judicial court. Sometimes the simple things are the most important.
Judge Sotomayor stated, as has been quoted often,
That was in 2001, and part of a 4000 word comment. But it is these 32 words that are vital. Because if a Conservative, a Republican, a White male, or god forbid, all of the above made this same statement any hope of remaining a judge would evaporate – to say nothing of losing the Supreme Court.
That is the honest truth. ‘A wise White Man, with the richness of his experiences, would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a Latina Woman who hasn’t lived that life’, is enough of a statement to inflame every Liberal, Democrat, and Hispanic/Latino in the nation. The person uttering that essentially same statement would be called a racist, a bigot, and a disgrace to the legal profession. Every newspaper with even the least liberal bent would be citing this on the front page of the newspaper. Pundits would have nothing else to speak about for a week or more.
So why is it any different for a Latina woman? Especially when we are talking about the Law which is not based on inference but empirical standards. Why is it different when the basis of acceptance is supposed to be the same for every member of the highest court in the nation?
I do not agree with discrimination, in either direction. I do not agree with preferential treatment for anyone. I do not question the abilities of Sotomayor, her upbringing, or her qualifications. There are judges with better resumes, and others with worse. Some made it to the Supreme Court, most have not.
But there is not a single Supreme Court Justice I am aware of that has ever uttered even close to this kind of statement. Because the standard of acceptance will not allow it. Thus Judge Sotomayor should not break that standard.
There are many judges that are qualified, Latino/a, and have never made such a statement. Some might even be female. Why not select them? Because having a Justice that implies racial bias of any degree, further destroys the already broken legal system. And that could be a break beyond repair.
A Supreme Court Justice should be beyond reproach, or as close to it as is possible. There should never be the hint of racial or any other bias. Judge Sotomayor does not pass this hurdle.
Liberals will scream, as if that will nullify the truth of what I have said. Some will curse my name. Others will hate that I am blocking a first for the Court. But I stand by this simple reasoning. Which is no different than what I said about President Obama during the election.
“It’s not enough for a President to be Black. It must be the right man for the position, and if they happen to be Black as well, then it’s a bonus. Because the Office is more important than a historical record.”
I believe that. I said it often through the election cycle. I believe and say it now about the Supreme Court. If the next Justice must be Hispanic, if they must be a woman, then they had better be the right Hispanic woman. Because the wrong one is too much of a danger to be allowed to have the position.
BART officers protect the Blue Wall, insult justice, at Mehserle hearing
Written by Michael Vass
The hearing for ex-officer Mehserle continued today with more of the expected. Police officers are holding up the Blue Wall, and the major news media is backing them up to an extent. Justice continues to look far away.
In the latest insult, officer Marysol Domenici under cross-examination by Deputy District Attorney David Stein, described a scene of
However, surveillance video of the platform shows only 2-3 people coming off train as Dominici runs to assist her partner.”
And that’s just from the single video being used by the DA. There are several other videos of that night that further confirm that at most 3 people were off the train, and each of them had a cellphone videotaping the event. Something the police did not like and tried to prevent.
But the pile of manure only grew larger as officers on the scene heaped more lies onto the situation with exaggerations of the chaos and rioting the night Oscar Grant was killed. Yet the video used by the DA starkly contrasts with such a description. There is no subjective maybe this or that, it’s blatant.
But the officers are holding their ground in the face of contradicting visual evidence. Just like every person of color in America expected and feared.
The thing that really annoys me is the fact that the DA and the San Franscico Chronicle (the only major news media I am aware of that is reporting on this) continue to insist that only one video of the event exists. They continue to be oblivious to the multiple copies and separate angles from video taken by witnesses at the BART station that night, which is readily available on Youtube since the day after Oscar Grant was shot. I was able to find 3 separate additional videos in 7 seconds back in January, but the DA and the news media seem incapable of doing a Youtube search.
This is important because the surveillance video they are using
“The surveillance video doesn’t show the area where Grant was shot, only the train and nearby platform.”
But I have seen Grant being shot. Clearly. Thus the lie of Mehserle seems to be getting set-up by the media and DA. They are giving every indication that they are willing to accept his claim that he was reaching for his stun gun (located nowhere near his service weapon) and accidentally shot Grant. Though there is visual evidence to the contrary.
This means that a jury, going on the evidence that is supplied by the DA has every opportunity to absolve Mehserle of his guilt, and let him walk. It is a travesty of justice on a scale I just can’t explain.
Why is this happening? Because a White cop killed another unarmed, non-resisting, defenseless young Black father. It’s no different than the shooting of Robbie Tolan, the murder of Adolph Grimes or
I wish I could do more than write my outrage here. I wish that I could reach the nation like the cable news networks. But that will come in time, maybe. Until then we must all focus on what we can do.
I continue to follow this case. I hope you will too.
ex-officer Mehserle on trial for Oscar Grant murder - justice undone
Written by Black Entertainment USA
And so it begins. Almost 6 months ago to the day, the year 2009 rang to life. At almost the same time Oscar Grant’s life came to a close with a sharp bang. That bang was a gunshot through his back and into his lung. Oscar Grant was lying on the ground, possibly handcuffed, with one police officer kneeling on his neck with another standing and having shot him.
This was the cause of riots in Oakland, California. This was the start of yet another cry for justice from the Black community across the nation (a cry the major news media ignored). And it was the target, along with another murder and shooting – all by police, of multiple posts and videos by me. And I’m not done yet.
On the 26th of May, the defense for former officer Mehserle has claimed that the officers at a BART station on January 1st feared for their lives and were receiving resistance from at least Oscar Grant among 4 men detained that night. One officer has stated that Grant was grabbing her arm shortly before being shot in the back. It was stated that Grant had to be forcibly made to sit down by officers, and that he was being restrained when he was shot in the back.
Oh, and the major point that everyone has waited for the defense to say: Ex-officer Mehserle thought he had his stun gun out when he shot Oscar Grant in the back while he lay on the ground, defenseless.
This is bullshit. Not unexpected but crap from start to end.
While I cannot comment on the actions of Grant or the other men that night from before video was available, I can comment on the video before and during the time he was shot. The video that the earliest news reports denied existed. Video that was available to the world, and I featured in my posts of the event.
Here are the facts as I saw on the video. Grant was not resisting officers. Grant was on the ground, restrained and under control of an officer who was on his neck. None of the other men being detained moved. There were some 5 or 6 officers on the scene. Not one officer made a move for their guns or stun guns. None were reaching for or had out their mace/pepper spray. While the situation was loud, not one officer was moved against with aggression from the crowd on the scene. Officers did try to confiscate videos being taken of the event.
Most important is officer Mehserle. After he stands, he is alone from all other groups and officers. He takes out his gun, which is not near his stun gun, just because of this supposed occurrence. He aims for about 2 or 3 seconds, then fires.
So the actual visual record, from at least 3 video recordings of this event, all show the same thing. The officers did not have to fear for their lives. They may have been uncomfortable, but they were in no apparent danger. They were outnumbered, but they also were in force and not mobbed by a crowd. None felt the situation to be so precarious as to arm themselves.
Mehserle is the only officer to become armed. He took his time, and acted with purpose. He was seemingly in full control and was unencumbered nor rushed. He is not a rookie, and was supposedly well trained.
Grant was lying on the ground. His hands are behind his back, likely restrained. Which means this was cold-blooded murder.
The news media will likely not cover this story, just as it did not cover the initial event. There will probably be no mention of this on the national cable networks. The few stations that do cover this trial will likely take the stance that the police offered immediately after the shooting. That it was a tragic accident. The actual videos of what happened will likely not be mentioned. And the likes of Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson will remain absolutely silent.
In fact, other than a quote from the family of Grant, the existence of a video was barely mentioned in the news report by the San Fransisco Chronicle
So the average American, who probably never heard of this murder, and don’t know that video evidence of the actual shooting exists, will think that an officer in fear of his life accidentally shot a kid that was resisting arrest. Which is a lie.
And I’ll even say more on that. It’s a lie because officer Mehserle would not have quit the police force rather than go thru an internal investigation of the shooting if it was an accident. Mehserle would not have left the state prior to charges being placed against him (well over a month after the fact). News organizations would not have omitted the existence of multiple videos of the event, nor would the police have denied all but one source of video (which conveniently had the worst view of the shooting). This is a set-up. It is the means by which a former cop is being protected from the truth of his actions.
Again I tell you that I have covered this story in detail. You can see all my posts at http://blogsearch.google.com/?bl_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blackentertainmentblog.com%2F&ui=blg&as_q=grant
True justice demands that Mehserle gets the death penalty. Justice would be his imprisonment for life, and the awarding of all his possessions and funds to the Grant family (in particular to Grant’s daughter that will never see him again). But this is America. Mehserle was a police officer who killed a young Black man. Odds are that Mehserle will walk away from this with barely community service.
And people wonder why African Americans are so angry at the police and the legal system. Just imagine the press coverage, and speed this would be happening at – not to mention the ultimate outcome – if this was a Black cop that killed a young White father while he was lying on the ground defenseless. If you can imagine that, you cannot compare it to this mockery. That’s why we are angry.
But I will continue to follow this, even as the major media avoids it like the televised plague.
41 years and counting for Dr. Martin Luther King
Written by Black Entertainment USA
It’s been 41 years so far since the death of Dr. Martin Luther King. In that time, my lifetime as I was born 2 days after his death, many things have changed but some have not. One of the more surprising things is the fact that this celebrated Civil Rights champion has never made it to the silver screen.
Well let me correct that. There was a documentary about Dr. King, shown once on March 24th 1970. That’s it. Every other time he has been shown has been on television. And that is usually just documentaries about his actions and/or death, shown almost exclusively during February (Black History Month).
But it seems that Dreamworks has decided to change that chasm of history. Finally Dr. King will have a film, noting more than just his marches and tragic death. Giving everyone in the nation a bit more than just his speeches. But how much do you want to bet it opens in Febrary?
The thing I hope for in this film, that has no date for production to begin or when it might appear in theaters (bet on it being in either 2010 or more likely 2012), is that it does for Dr. King what Malcolm X did for Malik El Shabazz. That is give the public more than a few quotes, or a static visage of the man.
In allowing us to see Dr. King as the man he was we will get to understand and appreciate what he did and what he sacrificed. Because right now, Dr. King is just “I have a Dream” and not the passion and desperation that fueled that dream. People forget that Dr. King was not some political tool, but a force with goals and issues that were societal in the foremost.
Dr. King these days is seen as a holiday. The aspirations he hoped for African Americans have mostly failed to happen. America is little better off today than in 1960 in many ways. We are improving, but so slowly as to seem as if all forward motion has stopped.
I say this because I don’t know how many people believed that President Obama was the incarnation of Dr, King’s dream. Which is a falicy, promoted by the commercialization of his efforts. Dr. King did not want one man to succeed, he wanted everyone to improve their lives.
Yes, President Obama did a grand thing. But how could Dr. Martin Luther King be happy about that when over 50% of teenage pregnancies are Blacks. How can he be rejoicing the election while over 50% of African Americans are dropping outr of school. Why would he cheer when television still shuns people of color in front of and behind the camera, or when African Americans are highlighted we are stereotyped and objectified?
Dr. King’s dream’s, efforts, and life were dedicated to preventing these very things. While I think he would be impressed with the success of President Obama (which is not the same as approval of his political policies) he would not hold that above the failures that are rampant in the Black community. The success of one is not the success of us all in some cases.
So I hope that seeing Dr. King as the man he was, standing for the things he believed in, advocating changes we still need to see implemented can help to really improve America. Because it’s not happening now. It likely won’t happen even if President Obama is re-elected on the political endeavours he currently proposes. Because that is not what the dream is about.
Hip Hop and Washington DC – going back to the beginning
Written by Black Entertainment USA
Rap and Hip Hop today has taken a huge leap backwards, which is actually a great thing to happen. When I say backwards I mean to the beginning of the entire genre of music. Back before there was the current mainstream of gangsta rap there were the diversified and influential styles of rap music.
From Grand Master Flash introducing the first serious rap song in 1982, The Message, there was a growth in the music that spoke to serious issues. This culminated in perhaps the strongest voice for political involvement and criticism from the rap hip-hop industry ever: Public Enemy.
They might not have been the most loved rap group among White America, or even people of color, but they were vocal. They took the entrenched political status quo and shouted for them to be accountable. They looked at African Americans and demanded we do better. That we become involved rather than be directed. And they had an effect.
In fact Public Enemy, along with serveral other rappers and groups, became such a force for change that the music industry stood up and paid attention. Their reaction has been denied for decades, excused and deflected. They found, pushed, and manipulated gangsta rap.
In the over a decade since 1992, gangsta rap has become the standard rather than a sub-genre it started as. It has almost entirely avoided any serious involvement in politics or political action. It has promoted violence, drug use, abuse of women, and crime. It has distracted the masses with illusions of wealth and giggling of female anatomy. The music executives did their job so well that even when leaders in the rap and hip hop industry tried to get serious about politics (2004) no one listened. And they were undercut from within with actions like that of Kanye West during the Hurricane Katrina Fund Raising efforts.
But then came President Obama. And the rap and hip hop industry rallied. Because President Obama is relatively young, a Democrat, full of promises, and most importantly (if we are honest) he is Black. And they jumped in with both feet, in an election more defined by a national breaking of the ultimate glass ceiling than most anything else.
Now I do not fault rappers or hip hop for this. I in fact am happy to see they have finally gone back to their roots and suddenly realized the power that was thrown away (or bought off) 17 years ago. The latest attempt to regain the past impact on politics is the Hip Hop Caucus.
The Hip Hop Caucus is a lobby group made up of rap artists, guided by the Congressional Black Caucus and supported in some issues by members of Congress. As of this moment they are seeking to have a bill introduced, with the support of Sen. Barbara Boxer and Rep. Ed Markey. Their goals – green reform, education, re-entry legislation for prisoners, lessons on the Constitution in schools and funding for voter registration.
These are all good ideas (to varying degrees). The big question though is if Hip Hop is capable of making the transition back to where it started. Especially as the music genre continues on its path of glorification of violence, drugs, and abuse of women. Can it make money for music executives focused squarely on distraction of the masses, while encouraging the youth to become involved in the politics that shapes their lives?
I think not. To me only one master can be served at a time. Which means either Rap cleans up, potentially causing another backlash from the music industry, or the Hip Hop Caucus and other such groups fail.
The quote is a true statement. But as long as we affect the next generations with thoughts and images of exclusion from the mainstream of America, of living in a manner that is counterproductive to society in this nation, then all of the speaking out will be little more than static in the air.
Movie Preview: The Princess and the Frog
Written by Michael Vass
Ok, so call me late to the party. I don’t follow kid’s films much, nor do I follow Disney. So I missed a bunch of the controversy that is The Princess and the Frog. Perhaps you missed it as well.
The film will be released in December of this year. Here is a trailer.
If you think I might have problems with this film, you should hear what friends of mine mentioned when they heard about this film. The more we thought about the film the more issues came up.
The story originally went like this:
A prince from a fictional African nation comes to New Orleans to listen to jazz. While here he meets a spoiled brat rich White girl, and her Black maid. Both girls find him attractive. Somehow he comes afoul of a bad Voodoo priest that turns him into a frog. He gets the Black girl to kiss him, turning her into a frog. They both go to a good Voodoo Priestess and get changed back to humans, fall in love somewhere along the way, and live happily ever after.
Thus Disney gets to cash in on the influx of positive Black films, the popularity of President Obama, and make a claim at being racially sensitive.
Except there are problems. First the name of the Black girl has changed from Maddy to Princess Tiana. This is odd since America has no royalty. And why would royalty work as a maid?
Second, this is billed as the first Black Disney princess. Hello, did anyone watch Aladdin? The entire movie is filled with Black people. Princess Jasmine was the first Black princess, it’s just that everyone seemed to skip over the permanent suntan she and every character had. But as a friend mentioned, this will be the first American Black princess, which goes back to what I said above.
Third the film is situated after the Civil War and the 13th Amendment. But it is a period piece around the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. This means that Jim Crow and segregation were in full effect. Meaning that the prince would never have seen or spoken to Tiana, and if he did she likely would have been hung for her boldness. That was how the South was those days.
And of course this says nothing of the fact that a prince would never speak with a commoner in those days. Even now it is highly unlikely, and generally occurs due to other circumstances like Prince Edward fighting in Iraq.
Lastly, a White Southern woman of that time period would never be seen after a Black man, at least in public. Even if he was a prince. Her family would have disowned her, and likely killed or given extreme suggestions to leave to the prince.
What is effectively happening is that the South is being romanticized yet again. Facts are being thrown out the window so Disney can make money. And our youth are losing a piece of the truth and history of the nation yet again.
Add to this the fact that the animators at Disney seem to be very lazy of late. Princess Tiana looks remarkably like several other Disney princesses, just with a tan. She is hardly distinct, or drawn with any relative connection to any racial group.
But the film has a huge list of top names. Oprah Winfrey, Terrance Howard, John Goodman, and Keith David head the leading voices in the movie. Tiana will be voiced by Anika Noni Rose, who seems to be a singer (never heard her sing) and actress (she has been in several plays as well as the movie Dreamgirls). I really can’t recall her in anything, but I’ll blame that on being older.
Expect to see lots of hype about this movie. It goes with the trend right now to show a lot of Black people in things. Like the background of ads, or as additional characters in television shows. It’s the Obama effect. A limited effect where you get to see more people of color without them gaining any real importance or positions of leadership in anything.
Because if Disney really cared about being racially sensitive, or even aware, they could have added Black characters into movies for decades. They even could have promoted Aladdin as such. But instead they played down the thought of leading, or secondary characters, as anything but White. Up until now. [Though I should note that Lilo and Stitch did have a full cast of people of color – and were intended to be seen as people of color.]
Honestly, I don’t find the fact that this is a film focused on a Black character from Disney as a positive. It’s not like they never knew the color black was in their coloring inks. It just emphasizes that with the Civil Rights Movement, and decades of laws and action, it has taken nearly half a century for Disney to acknowledge African Americans. It just reminds me that taking all the people of color in front of and behind the cameras all add up to less than 10% of the people in Hollywood.
Perhaps I’m too sensitive, but that is my nature. At least I’m honest about what bugs me. At least I try to look at America’s past with open eyes to the good and the bad. At least I’m not trying to profit on the back of President Obama, like this is one big marketing experiment.
Disney is doing a film about a Black woman. It’s about time. Now let’s hope it’s good.
Reply to John T. Simpson of Big Hollywood
Written by Michael Vass
This post is a response to John T Simpson, who cited my post on reparations on his blog. Please review his blog post at Big Hollywood to see what I am addressing.
John T. Simpson,
First I would like to thank you John for citing my blog and one of numerous posts I have made on the subject of reparations. This is a subject that I take very seriously and feel needs to be address for the health and future of the nation.
I will assume that you have read all or most of my blog posts on reparations and thus are familiar with my position. For visitors that are not familiar with the subject or my position I suggest they check here and here. Also searching at either of my blogs for Slavery will bring up other pertinent information.
So before I further discuss your position I will first summarize a few facts. First of which is the fact that millions of Africans did not emigrate to America as you suggest in your post. They were forcibly taken, with an estimate of at least 1 - 3 million dying during the transit from Africa to America.
Another point of fact is that these human beings were shipped in conditions that cargo was not treated to. I’m talking about inanimate objects as well as livestock received better care. The levels of inhumanity are unheard of. Which is important as we are speaking about a punitive judgement, which takes into account facts beyond just hours worked. Once these African slaves were on land they entered a life of 24/7 365 subservience, while regarded about the same as furniture or tools.
The average slave that was born into slavery and lived to be 40 would have worked some 233,600 hours by that time. That is without proper medical care, time off, proper living conditions and questionable food among other issues. If the average slave were to have been only paid .05 an hour, and there were some 4 million slaves from 1619 to 1865, they deserved to receive some $934 billion dollars NOT adjusting for inflation or real 2009 dollars according to my quick math right now.
This is the weakest estimate of what is due. And were it not for these Africans, America would not exist. The foundations of the nation LITERALLY was built upon the backs of these people. Which says nothing of the wars that they fought in. Another fact often overlooked, African Americans have fought in every battle America has fought. Also, there are well over 1000 inventions that African Americans created that allow modern America to exist. That includes stoplights and gas masks used by firefighters, as just 2 examples.
So when people argue reparations they are in fact arguing about America. How it was made, sustained, and improved since BEFORE its inception. We are arguing about the place in history, respect, and inheritance due. Reparations is not merely dollars and cents.
Also, let us remember that America has already set a precedence for reparations, TWICE. To American Indians and to Japanese Americans. In both cases these reparations took place long after the actual damage was done. So far, the American Government - my Government - has never apologized for slavery. In fact the best the nation has been able to do since 1619 is a feeble voice vote in the House of Representatives saying that they were remorseful. The House was not even willing to have their names recorded as being against Slavery.
This leads me to another point that is important. The argument that White Americans neither created or benefited from slavery. Which is only a half-truth.
Every American alive today benefits from the work of the slaves. Whether it is the buildings we work in, the roads we travel upon, the food we eat, or the goods we use. Every item in America can be traced back to the foundations and actions of the slaves. Because without their work, most every city would be without many of its oldest buildings. Without their work the agricultural nation that America was would never have existed and thus could never have survived. The roads would never have been separated from trees, fields never plowed, and on and on.
In addition, it is a fact that after slavery ended, segregation and Jim Crow laws took hold. These are de facto acts of slavery. African Americans were routinely denied schooling, proper pay, the Right to vote, the ability to move freely, and just about every other Right you can name up until at least 1965. Which says nothing of the persecution under the law, for real and imagined violations of law.
I say 1965 because the mere fact that the Civil Rights Movement needed to exist meant that every law and enforcement of those laws were biased prior to that time, at least. Thus Americans alive today did in fact benefit from the active persecution and prejudice against African Americans. Many either actively or passively allowed this to happen, making them culpable too. Which says nothing of the lessons of inequality and prejudice that were passed on to their children. Meaning that at least a residual effect of this instructional prejudice and bias was passed on to Americans that today are as young as 35, perhaps even those being born now.
And what is the effect of these generational actions? Well sub-standard education means that African Americans were denied the opportunity to get jobs. Restricted areas of living means that happiness and quality of life were affected. And the persecution in the law meant that the very Rights we all hold dear were denied. How much are those things worth today? How many billions are we spending on the military, education, and healthcare alone? How many of these things were the reason we created this nation in the first place?
Let me clarify something else. Rep. Conyers did not just start to try to pass a Reparations bill after President Obama was elected. He has been entering this legislation EVERY year for over 2 decades now. It has been ignored by Every President and Every Congress since he first brought it up.
Also, during the election cycle none of the Presidential candidates, except Kucinich, would even discuss Reparations. That’s in either Party. Because this subject is considered taboo, and more dangerous politically than Social Security. No elected official who wants to remain elected discusses this on national television.
Beyond that lets take another look at the list you presented. It is a list of massive wealth there is no question. Indeed only in America are such changes in economic and political status possible. But what happens once you take out all the people in your list that are entertainers? It goes almost to zero.
Why is that? Because over the CENTURIES, entertainment has been considered a low profession. It was rarely ever considered a profession to bring sustained wealth. In fact up until the last half century it was a profession of relative minor success. But even with this look at how long it took for African Americans to be given roles that were not complete caricatures. Even in recent years we have writers that balk at African Americans portraying their characters (Shawshank Redemption).
Beyond that we also see the result of CENTURIES of denial and repression. Right now I believe that only 3 Forbes 100 companies are lead by an African American. Right now I believe that less than 3% of all the companies in the nation have African American senior management. Right now there is less than 7% of all characters on television in any recurring or major role, in movies, and the people behind the cameras that are all people of color, COMBINED.
So am I happy that a literal handful of entertainers have done well. Of course. But how many people of color have been denied opportunities because they were never given a chance to learn. How many people have lived lives of strife because they were given sub-standard educations. How many never had the chance to provide more for their families because they could only advance to the ceiling and not thru it.
Am I glad that President Obama got elected? Sure, it’s a proud statement. But let’s not confuse the facts with emotion. A huge number of people (of all races) voted for President Obama solely because he was Black. And no, Dr. King would not have been glad that President Obama was elected - not on the basis of his political beliefs. Neither would Malcolm X or most any political leader of the 50’s and 60’s. Because their reported political views at the time were more closely aligned with Republicans today than Democrats.
Yet again, the success of 1 or 2 people does not negate or supplant the difficulties of millions. Nor does it evaporate hundreds of years of persecution, reprimand, violence, and pain.
Will reparations heal all these wounds instantly? No. Will it end all the cycles of mistrust, bias, and inequality? No.
But there can be no remedy, no resolution, until we first admit our wrongs and take penitence for them. That is the basis of our legal system. And right now we are denying justice by not even addressing reparations.
And to address your thought that this will bankrupt America, that is a misconception. There are many proposals out there that provide reparations and BENEFIT America. I have even proposed a means by which jobs are CREATED, and the wealth returned to the nation in the form of GDP increases and technology advances.
If done properly reparations BENEFITS all Americans. But the subject has to be addressed to be possible.
Now I am sure some will feel this is long. But in fact this is a very short summary on why reparations are needed, and in fact are a fact of law. I have written on this subject for years, and I have a passion. It is not some new fad, or some wild idea. There are many who have addressed this, going as far back as the 1880’s. I think that 120+ years is more than enough time to finally address this.
John, I could go on. But instead I suggest you review my various writting on the subject and then provide me whatever questions or thoughts you have on the subject. While I am passionate I am open to discussion. And only through reasoned passionate debate can we get to an answer that has eluded the nation for centuries.
Jamie Foxx vs. Miley Cyrus - Foxx is a loser
Written by Michael Vass
“It takes a lifetime of work to create a reputation, and mere moments to destroy one.”
I think we all have heard some variation of the above quote. Everyone except Jamie Foxx it would seem. Honestly, I know his grandmother taught him better than that.
Yes I am speaking about the attack that Jamie Foxx made against Miley Cyrus. Carried on Sirius Satellite Radio, it contains massive profanity and horrendous comments.
**Warning, the following has language not suitable for young visitors.**
Now I am no fan of Hanna Montana or Miley Cyrus. In fact I have never heard or seen a thing she has done. But she is a young child. She does not deserve this. No child does.
When this starts off, I was not instantly offended. Celebrities and entertainers all learn to have thick skins quickly as they are all critiqued and subjects of comments both fair and foul. While it’s in poor taste to take on a child about their looks, as a celebrity it’s not much different than when an entertainer walks the red carpet and hoards of bloggers and the media harshly comment about the clothes worn.
But the fact that someone would call the child a B**** just because of something they overheard about her is harsh. Even worse is that anyone would say that about a child because they don’t like the child’s choice. Such action is low, and speaks poorly of the person who does so. Even if they are in the Hollywood industry.
It’s when Jamie Foxx starts into his tirade, calling for Cyrus to
“..make a sex tape and grow up. Get like Britney Spears and do some heroin… Do like Lindsey Lohan and [garbled] lesbian and get some crack in your pipe… Catch Chlamydia on a bicycle seat; That’s what I want.”
I just lost all respect for the man.
He is goading the child to do drugs. To ruin her life - professionally and personally. To become physically ill. What real man says these things to a child?
I somehow doubt that comments like this were the reason for Foxx’s success. But such arrogance and insensitivity could likely be a cause for his failure. No matter how good he has proven himself to be, such behavior is unconscionable.
The difference between these comments and those of Don Imus are minor. While Cyrus is a celebrity and thus open to public comment, she is still a child and deserves respect and a modicum of decency. And the only real saving grace for Foxx is that he is on private radio. People made the choice to pay for this service and to hear such language and commentary, drivel really. Thankfully this is not something available on public airwaves. Had it been so, I would demand his being fired and a boycott, just as I did with Imus.
But while Foxx may save his work for now, his image is tarnished forever I believe. And he can only blame himself for this. His ego has written a check that his ass is going to cover to his detriment.
The thing that I don’t get is that listening to Foxx speak about the lessons he was taught by his grandmother would seem to be diametrically opposed to the behavior he has displayed on the radio. I don’t think its Cyrus that has something to fear but Jamie Foxx. He sounds like a man falling into the trap of quick fame that has claimed the lives and careers of countless Hollywood stars and entertainers.
That Oscar will not make fans, nor drive people to see his movies. That chip on his shoulder will not encourage people to see his portrayals in theaters. The audacious and blatant disrespect for a minor will definitely light a fire in families and kill ticket and DVD sales for a long time to come. And he deserves every bit of such retribution and displeasure.
If a man said such things about Jamie Foxx’s sister, or grandmother, I bet he would be in a rage and want to kick their ass. How are his words any different? If a White man said such things about a Black woman, there would be an outrage among liberals across the nation. This there should be. But that same righteous indignation deserves to be directed at Jamie Foxx now.
“Stupid is as stupid does”
Living proof of that can be found in the words of Jamie Foxx and his cohorts on the radio. This isn’t a Black/White thing. It’s a dumbass thing.
Jamie Foxx needs to get on national television and apologize sincerely to Miley Cyrus. Because he should at least be man enough to do that. I’m sure his grandmother raised him well enough to know that.
Phil Specter is convicted and America yawns
Written by Michael Vass
Phil Specter was convicted of murder today. And basically no one cares.
Think about it, an entertainer from decades ago, with an odd lifestyle, brutally murdered his girlfriend, and was engaged in a long-running court battle with high paid lawyers pulling every trick they could manage. Does this sound familiar?
It should since these are the very things that were used to describe the OJ Simpson trial. A trial that kept the nation on its tiptoes. A trial that created the largest outburst of rage since Jack Johnson won the Heavyweight title.
But Phil Specter is guilty, and no one cares. In fact few television stations or cable networks covered the story on a regular basis. And everyone should ask why.
Why is it that the brutal murder of a woman should be so unimportant? Why is there such a difference in the coverage one celebrity trial received as opposed to another? Why is there no cries of national joy with this conviction?
Because Phil Specter is not Black. It’s just that obvious and blatant. And I am disgusted by it.
I’m not defending either crime, nor whomever did it. I’m just sickened by the reaction of the nation. Because a Black man accused of a crime must be guilty. And if he escapes justice, the nation must find a way to make him pay. For the rest of his life. I mean that has been the reaction at least among the majority of White America for over a decade with OJ.
And I can only come to this conclusion by the facts at hand. No 24/7 coverage of the Specter trial. No analysis on cable news networks of the judge, the lawyers, and every piece of evidence. No national outrage as the first trial ended in a mistrial. Yes, that’s right, there have been 2 trials for this same murder. How many knew that before reading this?
Americans should be disgusted with themselves right now. Our legal system, or more accurately our manipulation of the legal system via the media, is beyond fractured and racially biased. It’s so bad that there is no way to hide it. Instead the media just ignores it, and people assume that it must be right since that’s what TV says.
There isn’t one good reason that the Phil Specter case did not get 1/10 the coverage of the OJ Simpson case, beyond race. And it’s hardly the only one. The Robert Blake case has come and gone as well, without a whisper. As have other high profile cases.
The difference is abundantly clear when you think about it. Virtually every Black entertainer and celebrity that has had a problem with the law has been lambasted by the media, and those that are White have been forgiven.
Lindsey Lohan is apparently a drunk drug addict, but she needs help. Paris Hilton is a forgetful kid going thru a phase to figure out who she is. Britney Spears is under enormous pressure and needs our support. Blake wasn’t discussed.
Yet Lil Wayne needs to be locked up. TI is going to jail where he will pay for his crimes. And so on. It’s not about the crimes, but the legal system and the media – and the bias they have.
That’s what the legal system says every day. Ex-Officer Mehserle kills an unarmed, defenseless, co-operating Oscar Grant, and he is without charges for a month (even evading investigation when he resigned from the police). Were it not for the video tape and riots, and more than just a few bloggers spreading the story, Oakland authorities likely would never have pursued the case.
But the media bent backwards to highlight only some video that made the case questionable. In fact they tried to deny the existence of evidence of the cold-blooded murder, other extended raw video, even though it was simultaneously available on Youtube.
So is the legal system biased? Oh Yeah. And is the media a willful and decisive tool in ensuring that racial bias is embedded in potential juror’s minds long before any trial? Every day.
The examples are numerous. I could keep going and going. But just go back to where I started. Phil Specter. And try to recall any detail of the case covered over the past couple of years (yep it’s been going on that long) by the media. Then compare that to your memory of the OJ trial (actually any trial of OJ will do as they all got massive media coverage).
If you don’t see the bias, I have to believe you don’t want to. Perhaps that’s the only thing worse.
Jack Johnson: From 1913 to 2009 still fighting for justice
Written by Michael Vass
Some things that you learn make you wonder what is most upsetting. I just learned of the conviction of 1908 heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson. He was the first Black boxing champion and was convicted of transporting a woman across state lines for immoral purposes (the Mann Act which still exists today). That woman happened to be his wife, and the devil is really in the details, she was White.
The whole thing stems from the fact that Johnson won the heavyweight championship in 1908. I was unable to be beaten, even by the retired greats of the time. The fact that he won the title, and beat the then ‘great White hope’ Jim Jeffries, created riots. Imagine that. Then again this was just a few years prior to the massacre and destruction of the thriving Black town Rosewood.
Johnson had to flee the nation after a kangaroo trial of false witnesses and a judge who blatantly wanted to “send a message” to African Americans. Isn’t it amazing what you can learn about American history that was never once touched upon by the education system in 12 years that we all go through. Eventually Johnson made a deal to return to the U.S. where he had to spend 10 months in prison. For a crime that did not exist, except in the minds of the racially biased public of the time. When he was released, Johnson was effectively barred from boxing, never regaining his title.
I believe that Jack Johnson was also the cause of the term ‘great White hope”. This term has been used several times in my life, always in boxing and always referring to a White boxer trying to defeat a Black champion. The last time I recall was back in the 80’s with Holmes vs. Cooney. (It was also partially the basis of a movie and play by the same name) Amazing how some things change and yet under the surface they really haven’t.
Why am I bringing this up? Because efforts are underway to give Jack Johnson a posthumous pardon. I should say that the efforts to get this are continuing again.
It took 96 years before a cry came up to pardon Jack Johnson, that I am aware of. This was lead by Ken Burns the filmmaker responsible for Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson and the creator of the Committee to Pardon Jack Johnson. Burns is joined in this effort this year with Sen. John McCain and Rep. Peter King - both former boxers of some degree.
In 2004, Burns filed documents with the Department of Justice to correct this travesty of justice and blight on the American legal system. The DOJ did nothing. A resolution was presented to Congress in 2004 and 2008, to resolve this as well, and Congress (both with Republicans and Democrats at the helm) failed to get this passed.
Now think about this. The DOJ refused to touch this. Congress has ignored it. And no President has provided this pardon to date. Yet President Clinton had no problem pardoning Marc Rich, or Lt. Henry O. Flipper. President Bush had no problem pardoning Charles Winters. Yet neither President would touch this obvious and resentful act of segregation.
I really don’t know what I am most upset over this issue. The fact that as an educated man I have never heard of this act of legal corruption (or that Congress eventually passed an act banning the interstate transport of fight films for fear that the images of Johnson beating his white opponents would provoke further unrest), the fact that it took 96 years before anyone sought to correct it, that Congress found it either too unpleasant or unimportant to act upon, that the DOJ refused to so much as look at the case, or that it was deemed unworthy of action by every President since Woodrow Wilson.
And just as a more personal note of disgust, I note that the Democrat Party - which claims the title of the Party of people of color - neither took up this issue nor helped it in any manner. Ever.
Yes America has moved forward in many ways over the last century. Yet it is apparent for anyone that even looks superficially at our past and present, that we really haven’t moved forward that much. We just have hidden the past far better.
Death Penalty: Is it worth having?
Written by Michael Vass
**Since I am redesigning VASS due to technical difficulties, I have not been able to present recent thoughts that would appear on that blog. I hope you will bear with me as I present posts that belong on that blog on this one. This is a temporary situation.**
I received an interesting notice from the NAACP today in reference to Gov. Bill Richardson and New Mexico. I had not heard about this before, but it seems that tonight Gov. Richardson will either repeal or allow the death penalty for his State. The NAACP is against the death penalty.
This is an interesting question. Is the death penalty worth having?
Well the first question for me is one that the NAACP emphasizes in its hope to repeal the law. It is disproportionately used against African Americans and Hispanics across the nation. Some 43% of those sentenced to the death penalty are people of color. That is virtually double the percentage of people of color in America.
When you consider, as I discussed in the post and comments of The most Dangerous people in America, that the single largest group of violent criminals in America are White males 18 – 25 years of age, you would expect the death penalty