tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83356736698376161082024-02-06T21:48:59.722-08:00The Mind of MarvinTrying to make sense of the world... One post at a time.Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-17888642815401108982015-06-27T10:52:00.003-07:002015-06-27T10:52:36.125-07:00"... Our Flag Was Still There..."<b>By: Marvin DeBose</b><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPSOpdCMTu7xKGfJhOrxQZqTzTMwnRj4mnxxvgStw7wdtzohhn38ygGeRsEid1pPX5sWo2ytcge0Cgha4nYh5vFxzW4dpbDEW4nucPr2_heqtUih1lae5bq6taUVhKkDvPCT_K4RnBeGc/s1600/252425-4635e43e-1ccc-11e5-bde2-fbb6fcfe2bf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPSOpdCMTu7xKGfJhOrxQZqTzTMwnRj4mnxxvgStw7wdtzohhn38ygGeRsEid1pPX5sWo2ytcge0Cgha4nYh5vFxzW4dpbDEW4nucPr2_heqtUih1lae5bq6taUVhKkDvPCT_K4RnBeGc/s1600/252425-4635e43e-1ccc-11e5-bde2-fbb6fcfe2bf1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span class="caption-text" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6e6e6e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Picture: Twitter @FergusonAction</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6e6e6e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"> </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6e6e6e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Activist Bree Newsome takes down the Confederate Flag from outside of the Statehouse in Columbia, Sc.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So when are people going to decide to stop lying to defend the Confederate flag?<br />
<br />
Over the past week, amidst the controversy surrounding that flag, what I've realized is that there are mainly <b>three types of people</b> who defend the Confederate flag:<br />
<br />
<h3>
1. The person who doesn't know history...</h3>
I know many of these people who have either grown up seeing this flag at grandma's house, or they simply think its just cute flag that represents country/rural pride. They might not mean anything by it. But the issue is that they are oblivious (sometimes, willfully oblivious) to history as well as what that flag symbolizes (I'll elaborate on that in little bit)... But they aren't off the hook either, because ignorant can't always be an excuse.<br />
<br />
It's one thing to be ignorant, but its another to be ignorant on purpose, and willful ignorance to injustice is the worst form of cowardice.<br />
<h3>
2. The person who knows the history behind it and doesn't care.</h3>
<br />
<b>They'll say: "Get over it, its 2015... People are too obsessed with the past."</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Well, seeing how this flag was created in the early 1860s, as a flag for the Confederacy, which lost the war, the fact that people are still passionately defending it shows that the past still matters to a lot of us.<br />
<br />
Do people realize how insensitive is it to tell people that they are "obsessed with the past" when people are proudly waving a flag that was used a symbol of terrorism against them for the past 150 years?<br />
<br />
This is a part of the problem<br />
<br />
<b>They'll say: "People who are angry about this don't know history... Not everything is about race!"</b><br />
<br />
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that they do know their history, that's kind of what this whole controversy is about. If I didn't know history, I'd just think the Confederate flag is just cool-looking flag with an X on it. Obviously, thats not the case. <br />
<br />
And anyone who says that the Confederate flag has nothing to do with race clearly fell asleep through 4th grade Social Studies.<br />
<br />
Of course, its about race, and racism. This country was built on the concept of race. As I once heard, "Racism isn't a chapter in America's history it's in the whole book." Learn your history.<br />
<br />
<h3>
3. The person playing who is clearly <i>playing</i> dumb about what that flag means.</h3>
<br />
<b>They'll say<i>: "It's about Southern Pride"</i></b><br />
<br />
Well when we say "Southern" what "South" are we talking about here?<br />
<br />
Are we talking about South Philly? The South Bronx? South Beach?<br />
<br />
...Oh, we're talking about the good ol' US South. The Deep South, Dixie. The South which was (and in some ways, still is) home to slavery, segregation, the KKK and many other forms of interpersonal and institutional racism.<br />
<br />
... And that's not new information for any of us.<br />
<br />
But, what exactly is this "Southern Pride" that this flag represents? Whose "Southern pride" are we talking about? Are we talking about Black people's Southern pride?<br />
<br />
I wouldn't think so, seeing how when the flag was created slavery was still legal... and many of the people who waved that flag at the time fought to <i><b>defend</b></i> slavery.<br />
<br />
And if that flag is all about Southern pride, how come I've seen so many of them in so many Northern States? I've lived in Pennsylvania my whole life, and I've been to the South many of times. Surprisingly enough, the first time I saw a Confederate flag was in northwestern PA hanging from someone's pickup truck in a small town.<br />
<br />
Now, I'm no geographer, but I'm pretty sure Pennsylvania isn't considered the "South", so why are we so hung up on this "Southern" pride?<br />
<br />
A friend of mine described it that the flag as represents "Ancestral pride".<br />
<br />
"Ancestral", huh?<br />
<br />
Well "Ancestral" means "ancestors", and if we're talking about "ancestors" in the context of the Confederate Flag... You get where I'm going with this?<br />
<br />
Even William T. Thompson, the <b>designer of the modern-day Confederate flag </b>noted what it stood for:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><b><i>"As a people we are fighting maintain the Heaven-ordained supremacy of the white man over the inferior or colored race; a white flag would thus be emblematical of our cause."</i></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">—</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Tappan_Thompson" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-decoration: none;" title="William Tappan Thompson">William T. Thompson</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> (April 23, 1863), </span><cite style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah_Morning_News" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Savannah Morning News">Daily Morning News</a></cite></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
So let's be honest with ourselves about what this flag means.<br />
<br />
... And don't be fooled when you see those Black people that Fox News finds (or hires) with their Confederate flag hats, t-shirts, bumper stickers and lunchboxes.<br />
<br />
Black people too, can sometimes be ignorant of the racist history which that flag symbolizes and are strategically used as media mascots, shown to mask to the true history behind the flag.<br />
<br />
Do you know why the Confederate flag is still a part of our culture? It's because the concept of white supremacy is still a part of American culture.<br />
<br />
Of course the flag coming down doesn't mean that "racism is over", nor does it mean that the mentality that it was created to represent is gone.<br />
<br />
But it's damn sure a step in the right direction.Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-62373468072478487052015-06-18T11:02:00.004-07:002015-06-18T11:02:46.740-07:00What Charleston Means<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJg77AUbe-KAUVLmL7ZQMIA1ja9Fhx4NDL4aM02PoYgsDN3vBEPWmz21YQ0dPWkBdxpGdBC-5-olvdM69Iu8klsnUuJB_KVEVWyK1WzT1fzyMV19zwFiAUw50cDkCV44zn-SPBMrSFa-Hf/s1600/1b9e8f645e61ba33143d1eec4538cafc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJg77AUbe-KAUVLmL7ZQMIA1ja9Fhx4NDL4aM02PoYgsDN3vBEPWmz21YQ0dPWkBdxpGdBC-5-olvdM69Iu8klsnUuJB_KVEVWyK1WzT1fzyMV19zwFiAUw50cDkCV44zn-SPBMrSFa-Hf/s1600/1b9e8f645e61ba33143d1eec4538cafc.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Photograph by Lissa D'Aquisto, courtesy of City of Charleston</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">(The Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC)</span></div>
</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By now, many of us have heard of the horrendous acts which occurred
in Charleston, SC in which a gunman opened fire in the historic Emanuel African
Methodist Episcopal Church, killing 9 people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Media outlets and pundits have already described this
incident as “incomprehensible” and “unbelievable”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would’ve agreed with them… that’s if I hadn’t already
known what country I was living in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One survivor of the incident recalled the gunman, a white
male saying to the members of the congregation, “You rape our women and you’re
taking over our country — and you have to go.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where does rhetoric like that come from?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'll tell you: It comes from our schools, it comes from our media, and our
politicians. It comes from family members and it comes from our history. This type
of deep-rooted hatred doesn’t come out of nowhere. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was not an isolated incident.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But we live in a world where we seek the easy way out, where
there’s no time for the discussions which force us to look at ourselves as a
society in a critical light.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the days to come, the media will seek to humanize the gunman, and
almost instinctively, people will seek to paint him in a sympathetic light with
comments such as, “he’s still a human being” or “he was a good kid who a bad
decision”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ll see the same empty, surface-level talk about gun
control, mental health and how we all “need to pray together”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People will shout, “Let’s let all of the facts come out” and
“It’s not about race!” And ultimately, the conversation will go back to the
victim-blaming, diversionary rhetoric of “Where’s the outrage about Black-on-Black
crime?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However while when unarmed black men are victims of
state-sanctioned violence, the conversation changes, it becomes more interrogative,
you’ll hear, “Well, he wasn’t an angel” or more commonly, "He was a thug!"<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a society in which a 21-year-old white male can kill
9 people and be captured alive, but a 43-year old black man accused of selling
cigarettes can get choked to death.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a society in which people are vocal to criticize
protests and riots based on racial violence, but are quiet about racism itself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We live in a society in which you are more demonized for talking about racism, than you are for practicing it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>This</i> is a part of
the problem. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
A culture of racism <i>creates</i> racial terrorism… And until we can be honest with ourselves about that, we’re just
talking in circles.<o:p></o:p></div>
Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-24499385333472167422015-06-17T16:28:00.000-07:002015-06-17T16:28:00.653-07:00Seinfeld & The Culture of Political Correctness<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGrX3uuefJd7n60n8ruxsPNsAzNzuapLRQhNEn2dOP5c-tyLMNjaI-LqV_uNVoopXZaot_TXoGwZtyIaZPFlI1fV5mO2EdNng7tF5iEIIkq5ogRfdzYmPzzSEBhe5d4KvkOqNp2AUehfQ/s1600/seinfeld-600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGrX3uuefJd7n60n8ruxsPNsAzNzuapLRQhNEn2dOP5c-tyLMNjaI-LqV_uNVoopXZaot_TXoGwZtyIaZPFlI1fV5mO2EdNng7tF5iEIIkq5ogRfdzYmPzzSEBhe5d4KvkOqNp2AUehfQ/s1600/seinfeld-600x450.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #727272; font-family: brandon-grotesque, sans-serif; font-size: 9px; text-align: start; text-transform: uppercase;">PHoto CREDIT: ROBIN MARCHANT/GETTY</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
By: Marvin DeBose<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
“So what's the deal with all this <i>political correctness</i>?”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
That's a question that actor/comedian Jerry Seinfeld may have been asking
after a recent interview in which he discussed the difficulty of performing as
a comedian on college campuses due to what he believes to be a culture of political
correctness.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
In an interview with ESPN radio, Seinfeld stated, "I don't play
colleges, but I hear a lot of people tell me, 'Don't go near colleges. They're
so [politically correct].'... They just want to use these words: '<i>That’s
racist</i>'; '<i>That’s sexis</i>t'; '<i>That’s prejudice</i>.' They don’t know
what they’re talking about.”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
This statement was interesting to me for numerous reasons, for one, I’m a
big fan of Jerry Seinfeld. Seinfeld's sharp, observational humor and ability to
find the absurdity within our everyday lives is a talent which few comics have
been able to pull off successfully, and for so long. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
But an even bigger reason that these comments stood out to me was because
Seinfeld typically steers clear of controversial issues in his comedy. That’s
when I asked myself, "How well does Seinfeld really know what's 'racist'
or 'sexist'?" <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white; color: #111111; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Then I thought back to his response last year
when an interviewer pointed out the fact that most of the comics which appeared
on his web series, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, were white males: <br />
</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
“This <i>really</i> pisses me off... Who cares? Funny is the world that I live
in. You’re funny, I’m interested. You’re not funny, I’m not interested. I have
no interest in gender or race or anything like that... It’s more about PC
nonsense.”</blockquote>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Seinfeld seems to mean well... but the issue is that he fails to realize is
that his perception and worldview is largely based on his experience, which
happens to be the experience of <b>privilege</b>. <o:p></o:p><br />
Now when I say "privilege", I don't necessarily mean
"rich" or "wealthy". I’m talking about the institutional,
systemic advantages which come from being a member of the group which has power
in our society. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
More specifically, Seinfeld is a 61-year-old white guy who grew up in
the suburbs, and privilege as it pertains to being a white male in America is
more complex than people think.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
For example, one of the potential benefits of privilege which Seinfeld grew
up with based on being white was the luxury of not having to think too deeply
into racial representation in the media. When you grow up in a world where you
are surrounded by people who look like you, you don’t really pay too much
attention when other groups of people aren’t present because, in your mind,
that’s the norm.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
This is especially true for Seinfeld, who grew up in the 1950s and 60s in
Massapequa, NY, a town in Long Island, which is still one of the most racially segregated
regions in the country. Even Seinfeld himself recently noted on his web series
that he hadn't even met a black person until college.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Ultimately, Jerry Seinfeld’s privilege as a white male in America can be
summed in two words which he said: “Who cares?” <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
When institutional racism is not your experience, you have the option to not
care about race. As a male, you have the option to not care about sexism,
because sexism is not your experience.<o:p></o:p><br />
However, if you're a woman, <i>you live with the effects sexism</i>...
regardless of if you “care about it” or not. If you're black, it doesn't matter
if you <i>care</i> about racism, <i>you live it</i>.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Of course, this isn’t a problem with Jerry Seinfeld specifically; the real
issue lies in the fact that often, complaints about “political correctness” come
from a place of privilege, and are dismissive and used as a means to criticize
people for <i>being offended</i>, rather than examining <i>why</i> they are
offended. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Some people may point to the fact that black comics like<span style="background: white; color: #111111; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> Chris Rock spoke about political correctness
as well:</span> <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“<span style="background: white; color: #111111; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I stopped playing colleges… they’re way too
conservative… Not in their political views… but in their social views and their
willingness not to offend anybody. Kids raised on a culture of “We’re not going
to keep score in the game because we don’t want anybody to lose.” Or just
ignoring race to a fault… You can’t even be offensive on your way to being
inoffensive.”<o:p></o:p></span></blockquote>
<span style="background: white; color: #111111; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The difference here is that Rock’s critique of
political correctness is rooted in what he sees as America’s fear of discussing
taboo topics such as race, gender, class and sexuality. Seinfeld’s critique is
more about America bringing up those topics too much—Big difference. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #111111; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span>
But the question remains is there a culture of political correctness in our
society?<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Yes and no. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
I see more of a growing culture of <i>sensitivity</i>
rather than political correctness, but I believe that is just because we a
counteracting a deep rooted societal culture of <b><i>extreme insensitivity</i></b>.
We are fighting against <b>CENTURIES</b> of insensitivity toward people for
their race, gender, nationality, religion, sexuality or economic status. Our
political correctness is only a byproduct our society’s history of social
irresponsibility. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
So of course such sensitivity comes as a shock to us… Our society
was insensitive since its inception! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
However, from the perspective of a comedy fan, I believe that we have to pay
attention to the <i>context</i> of what someone says. Words are powerful, but
it’s the context behind them which give them power. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Of course we have the right to be offended by a joke, but I think it’s more important
to analyze <i>why</i> comics say certain jokes, what experience is behind them, and
what makes certain people laugh at them and other not laugh.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
As the great comedian Lenny Bruce once said, “The only honest art form is
laughter, comedy. You can't fake it.”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-66596599272560234582015-06-08T21:49:00.004-07:002015-06-09T07:44:40.010-07:00McKinney, USA<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
By: Marvin DeBose</div>
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It looked like a scene out of the 90s TV show Walker Texas Ranger; a cop running toward the camera at full speed.</div>
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But it wasn't a TV show it was a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4VayHJzaJU&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">viral video showing a police officer in a suburban community responding to a reported disturbance in the area</a>. Within the first few seconds of the video, Corporal Eric Caseboldt, a 40-year-old Navy veteran, who had been with McKinney police for 10 years, is seen on the video running at top speed down chasing an unseen perpetrator.</div>
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At first glance, it almost seems as if he might be chasing a suspect who is armed. </div>
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Then the camera pans right, and the officer returns back in view of the camera, and reality sets in, the officer has a hold of the suspects.</div>
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Those "suspects” whom Caseboldt was chasing are swimsuit-clad teen African American boys, most of them appearing to be no older than 15.</div>
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“Don’t make me fucking run around here with 30 pounds of goddamn gear on in the sun ‘cause you want to screw around out here,” he yells to the young boys, while pushing them onto the ground, forcing them to sit.</div>
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In the background, a group of teenage girls are heard yelling, inquiring about why these young boys are being accosted by the police. Caseboldt responds by telling the girls to leave.</div>
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As the girls begin to back away from the scene, Caseboldt grabs one 15-year-old girl by the arm and slams her on the ground, pinning her down with a knee in her back and her arms behind her. Two other young teen boys in the area rush over to the girl’s aid, as the officer is becoming increasingly rough with her, and in response, the officer pulls his gun on the boys, and consequently, they back up.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cpl. Eric Caseboldt grabbing a 15-year-old girl</td></tr>
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The sensible person might ask: What type of crime elicits such a brutal response for unarmed civilians – children in swimsuits at that?</div>
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Well, that's a question for us all to ask ourselves.</div>
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As much as people will try to attribute this incident to “one bad apple” or “the ways of the South”, this problem is much bigger than just this one incident, and much more deep-rooted than Eric Caseboldt, police brutality and even Texas.</div>
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This is connected to issues that are deeply embedded in this nation's history and culture of exclusion and racialized fears.</div>
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McKinney is a predominately White small town north of the Dallas area and has been growing in the past 30 years, gaining an influx of more Latino and African American families. But these demographic changes aren't necessarily accepted by everyone. </div>
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Texas has a reputation for what are known as <i><b>sundown towns</b></i>, which are purposely all-white communities, usually suburbs outside of a metropolitan area, that have been openly hostile to the presence of non-White ethnic groups in their towns throughout history, especially at night.</div>
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These areas practiced housing discrimination, passed laws aimed to reduce the presence of “outsiders”, and oftentimes, these towns would commit acts of violence against various ethnic groups within the area. </div>
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Such towns were known have signs near them on major roads with ominous messages to non-White travelers warning them, "Don’t let the sun set on you in this town.” </div>
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How does this tie into McKinney, TX? Well, McKinney is a part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in North Texas, which is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the US.</div>
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Interestingly enough, North Texas is a region home to many notorious Sundown Towns as well</div>
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There is Irving, a town west of Dallas, in which oral histories note that blacks were to be out of the area by nightfall. There is also Sunnyvale, a town 45 minutes south of McKinney, whose residents fought vehemently to prevent “low income housing” from being placed in their town by passing zoning ordinances and a 1971 town council resolution banning apartments from the town.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such signs were seen on billboards, in newspapers and in many other strategic places as late as the 1980s</td></tr>
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There’s also Highland Park, a suburb only a half hour away from McKinney, which, after Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, preferred to send its few black students to school in Dallas rather than allow them to attend school in Highland Park. Highland Park is still known for its strict exclusionary rules for "outsiders". </div>
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Although McKinney itself doesn’t have an explicit written history of being a sundown town, the culture of xenophobia and racial exclusionary tactics which contribute to sundown towns are still prevalent there.</div>
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In fact, in 2008 the City of McKinney was sued by a housing nonprofit organization for standing in the way of the development of public housing for mostly Black and Latino low-income families on McKinney’s predominately White west side, which is where the pool party incident occurred.</div>
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And what sparked this whole pool party incident? It was an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPVx94Es6WQ" target="_blank">altercation</a> that occurred when a white female resident of the area reportedly made racial slurs toward some black teens in the pool area and told them to “go back to their Section 8 housing".</div>
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What we have to understand is that issues like this don’t happen as mere isolated incidents, they aren’t simply a result of “a need for police reform”, they aren’t deviations from the norm, because in America, systemic racism is the norm.</div>
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The police officer, Eric Caseboldt, knew exactly what he was doing when he chased after those boys and forced that young girl to the ground, he was making an example out of them. Why? <span style="line-height: 21.2999992370605px;">Because, to him, they represent a threat. </span></div>
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And what response did he get from members of the West McKinney community after the incident? <span style="line-height: 21.2999992370605px;">He and the police department received a poster saying, "Thank you, for keeping us safe."</span></div>
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"....Keeping us safe?" From teenage kids at a pool party? <span style="line-height: 21.2999992370605px;">What does such as response that say about that community? What does that say about us as a society?</span></div>
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These children may have not have been arrested or charged with any crimes, but they have been sentenced to a life of coping with the traumatic experience of being treated like criminals when their <span style="line-height: 21.2999992370605px;">only crime was being in a town that never wanted them there in the first place.</span></div>
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Their only crime was their existence. As was Trayvon Martins and countless others.</div>
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Whats sad is that many black youth face the same criminalization every day, and some don't get to go home to their parents when its all over. What even more sad is that there were adults members of the community present who stood and approvingly watched the whole thing. </div>
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Some may lazily attribute this incident to being “The way things are in The South." <span style="line-height: 21.2999992370605px;">But, as Malcolm X once reminded us, “As long as you are South of the Canadian border, you’re South.”</span></div>
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This country needs to take a serious look at why we treat each other the way that we do. We need to reexamine why we view other taxpaying Americans as "outsiders" in their own country. We need to look at why believe in the concept of inherent criminality for an entire race of people.</div>
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Most importantly, we just need to start asking "why?"</div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Sources</span></u></div>
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<li class="citation" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3em; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; text-indent: -40px;">Loewen, J. W. (2005). <i>Sundown towns: A hidden dimension of American racism</i>. New York: New Press.</li>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px;"><u>http://www.colorlines.com/articles/here%E2%80%99s-housing-discrimination-suit-city-mckinney-settled</u></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px;"><u>http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/06/troubled-waters-in-mckinney-texas/395150/</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px;">http://heavy.com/news/2015/06/eric-casebolt-mckinney-texas-police-officer-cop-suspended-black-teens-pool-party-arrest-video-leave-investigation-photo-gun-background-name/</span></span><br />
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http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/07/412708943/video-shows-texas-police-officer-pulling-gun-on-teens-at-pool-party</div>
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Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-29557483274353850432015-04-30T22:33:00.002-07:002015-04-30T22:33:54.070-07:00"What Would Dr. King Think?"<b>By: Marvin DeBose</b><br />
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He's our convenient hero. We see him in old grainy footage from the 1960s smiling, marching and giving speeches.<br />
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When people yell slurs at him, he is unfazed. When attacked physically, he is calm.<br />
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People see him as America's symbol of peace and racial harmony. He's our go-to Black leader for any words of wisdom that address social issues, such as race, but aren't too controversial (Sorry, Malcolm X).<br />
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Of course, I'm talking about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who's seen as our our happy-go-lucky, turning-the-other-cheek, loving-his-enemies, courageous leader.<br />
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We typically think of him within the context of the last few minutes of his 1963 "I have a dream speech" where he speaks of being a time where people can be judged by the content of their character rather than their skin color. He talks optimistically speaks of being "free at last"... And usually that's where our memory of Dr. King stops.<br />
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But what happened after the "Dream"? What happened up until Martin Luther King's death in 1968?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">Photo credit: Uptown Magazine</td></tr>
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Truth be told, Dr. King was not as much of the beloved all-American that he is portrayed as being. Throughout much of his life, more so in the last five years of his life, Martin Luther King Jr. was vilified. He was called a "troublemaker" by some, an "agitator" by others, and "The most notorious liar in the country" by the Director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover. Why?<br />
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This is because Martin Luther King was a figure who was peaceful, but incredibly defiant to the social order of this country. He was always growing and evolving, and he was even becoming more radicalized in his approach in his later years.<br />
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He spoke against U.S. militarism, he advocated for reparations for Black people, he led protests for housing discrimination in the North and South and he worked to organize for poor people calling for a redistribution of wealth.<br />
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His optimism toward American racial equality even changed as King, in his later years, would refer to his "dream" of racial equality as "turning into a nightmare" in the US.<br />
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In the last speech of his life, King's tone of optimism even seemed change as he spoke of "some difficult days ahead".<br />
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Fast forward, to 2015, America has found a purpose for Dr. King now that he's long gone, America's media machine has helped to paint a new picture of King. We've ignored his more controversial quotes and views and created some passive, ever-optimistic, non-threatening figure used mostly a means to chastise, pacify, or even silence Black people who are angry in times of social unrest.<br />
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When the uprisings in Ferguson happened, I heard, among many King references, "This isn't Dr. King's dream!"<br />
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In the week since the riots in Baltimore have occurred I've seen more Martin Luther King references on social media than EVER.<br />
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All of a sudden everyone is a Martin Luther King biographer:<br />
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"You know, Martin Luther King wouldn't support this"</div>
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"Martin Luther King is probably turning in his grave" </div>
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"What would Dr. King think about this?"</div>
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Well, a better question is "What <i>did</i> Dr. King think?"<br />
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Let's look at history, because in 1967, Dr. King actually told us what he thinks about riots:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.8800010681152px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"I think America must see that riots do not develop out of thin air. Certain conditions continue to exist in our society which must be condemned as vigorously as we condemn riots. But in the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the plight of the Negro poor has worsened over the last few years. It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice, equality, and humanity. And so in a real sense our nation’s summers of riots are caused by our nation’s winters of delay. And as long as America postpones justice, we stand in the position of having these recurrences of violence and riots over and over again. Social justice and progress are the absolute guarantors of riot prevention."</i></span></span></blockquote>
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As we can see, Dr. King understood the function and meaning behind riots in America. He didn't necessarily condemn or support them, he just understood them for what they were. He didn't go into a long speech on nonviolence, he just told us that riots are rooted in deeper societal issues which we ignore.<br />
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Many people who read this may continue to utilize MLK's quotes whenever they feel the need to tell Black people how to feel about social injustice, but must pose the question:<br />
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Where are all of these MLK quotes when police kill unarmed people? Usually, I don't see too many people telling police about "Loving your enemies".<br />
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Where is that peacefulness when it comes to our view of any person in our prison system, do we "love our enemies" in the penitentiaries?<br />
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Where is this MLK-like desire to work toward racial understanding when we ignore the racism which exists around us everyday?<br />
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Where are the MLK quotes when we talk about war?<br />
<br />
Who are we to we exploit the legacy of Dr. King in order to condescendingly play moral judges to people who have been raised in a society void of a moral conscience.<br />
<br />
If we want to promote Dr. King's legacy the right way, maybe we should be less focused on criticizing a riot and more focused of eliminated the social ills which <b><i>lead</i></b> to a riot.<br />
<br />
Maybe we should be helping to organize people to create more positive forms of political activism.<br />
<br />
Maybe we should examine why so many riots occur in poor neighborhoods...<br />
<br />
...Or maybe that's too much work.<br />
<br />
If we aren't prepared to do the work to understand the real problems, if we don't have a love those people who riot, the same kind of love which we tell them to have, then we have no right to use that Dr. King's words as a tool to shame anyone.<br />
<br />
For such use of his words are empty, hollow and meaningless, and serve as a mockery of all for which he lived and died.Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-37219355316352057032014-11-26T10:43:00.003-08:002014-11-26T10:43:53.115-08:00Ferguson: The Product of Deferred DreamsBy: Marvin DeBose<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3KchbyBZ4E9bfHTEr_KWNC8AVx-0VZUKXTboIKBdSF9TvjBrHdzSPXqjOTeACz9owMRvFK8bKbFakqJesb0mjiGdOmrYiXjdvliF4vVT5ZFNgZc9AeqOuFGBkZA5GBhWZWOetRBlJIka/s1600/DSCN0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3KchbyBZ4E9bfHTEr_KWNC8AVx-0VZUKXTboIKBdSF9TvjBrHdzSPXqjOTeACz9owMRvFK8bKbFakqJesb0mjiGdOmrYiXjdvliF4vVT5ZFNgZc9AeqOuFGBkZA5GBhWZWOetRBlJIka/s1600/DSCN0277.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Since last summer, I've begun to realize that American history often repeats itself.<br />
<br />
In the past few days since the decision regarding Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson to not be indicted for the death of Mike Brown, I've realized that many of us live in different versions of the United States of America.<br />
<br />
More importantly, the past few days have shown me that, its that there are still a lot of us who don't understand that the American experience is very different for different people. And history shows that a great deal of people's experiences in this country are dictated based on race, class and gender.<br />
<br />
But depending on which America one lives in, that might not be seen as the truth. So if you've never experienced racism on an institutional level, you might be more inclined to look at a discussion of racism as being excessive or unnecessary.<br />
<br />
Or if you've never had to deal with sexism on a structural level, discussions of it may confuse, or even anger you.<br />
<br />
The point is, there's still a lot of experiences that Americans live/have lived that we don't learn about. There's a lot of history of which we are unaware. There is a lot of pain and suffering which people have endured, and unless we are willing to listen to the voices of those in pain, their pain will be recurring.<br />
<br />
Yet, far too often, we become dismissive of those who seek to connect the present to dark history of the past to the events of the present. We write these people off as being "divisive"or "angry".<br />
<br />
Society often paints a picture of them as disingenuous trouble makers without even realizing that they may have just silenced an important conversation which needs to happen more.<br />
<br />
Without even realizing it, we've been taught to shun those who talk about harsh realities of this country. Those who speak of things such as racism, sexism, homophobia and classism are sometimes looked at with scorn and contempt. Surprisingly, this scorn and contempt, doesn't always come from hateful people, it often comes from people's discomfort with discussing such things, however, through discomfort there can be growth.<br />
<br />
We'll attempt to shut these people up by saying things like, "We're all the human race, end of story." but the truth is, in America, certain members of that human race are still treated in a subhuman manner, and we have a moral obligation, not only as Americans, but as <i>human beings</i> to acknowledge it, address it, or at least be open to learning about it.<br />
<br />
It isn't your fault that different forms inequality such as racism, classism and sexism exist in America, you didn't create it, none of us did, but we are all connected to it. It isn't a problem to acknowledge these problems, however, it is a problem to act oblivious to inequality and shut out those voices of pain as if silence will make it disappear.<br />
<br />
America doesn't need silence, America needs healing, and I believe that the first step to healing is listening and learning. Many times, when we do decide to talk about these issues, we become too focused on making sure our personal opinions are heard, rather than the people who are dealing with the pain or the people who are upset. Our ego makes us go out of our way to tell others whose experience we have not lived on how <i>they</i> should feel about the pain they have experienced, or how <i>they</i> should react to situations in which they feel that there was an injustice.<br />
<br />
We have to understand that situations like the upheaval in Ferguson don't come out of nowhere, they aren't isolated incidents of random anger, they aren't examples of misplaced aggression, they are rooted in a deep, dark history of structural inequality.<br />
<br />
The Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes explained it best when he questioned the consequences of "a dream deferred" in his poem <i>Harlem;</i> that dream being equality in the nation which pledges to "liberty and justice of all":<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
"What happens to a dream deferred?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Or fester like a sore and then run?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Does it stink like rotten meat?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Maybe it just sags like a heavy load...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
...<i>Or does it explode</i>?"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What we're seeing in Ferguson is an explosion of historical frustration, an explosion of pain and second-class citizenship. It's an explosion from a flame that was lit centuries ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The question is, what role will you play in this time in history?</div>
Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-11304292528000291822014-08-17T13:54:00.003-07:002014-08-17T13:54:47.060-07:00"It's Not About Race"<div class="MsoNormal">
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By: Marvin DeBose<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8bv4baLm9xvhL-7fRa28G2IqMvEfapWd3a_eFHAhaKqjP6J3vkbsbottVeP1ahl6xJC7w6xOs1cnxkxJX8xSh08yZHh97SAzkzOswbejRJPc0ZnAUeRzCzCEq0QJouWGRVa0bT9DOp5-/s1600/Outrage-In-Missouri-Town--014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8bv4baLm9xvhL-7fRa28G2IqMvEfapWd3a_eFHAhaKqjP6J3vkbsbottVeP1ahl6xJC7w6xOs1cnxkxJX8xSh08yZHh97SAzkzOswbejRJPc0ZnAUeRzCzCEq0QJouWGRVa0bT9DOp5-/s1600/Outrage-In-Missouri-Town--014.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For all of the people who are on the whole "it’s not
about race" and "Well, looting is wrong too" campaign in regards
to the death of Mike Brown, I'm going to challenge you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I challenge you to look at things from outside of your own
perspective. Maybe to you this isn't about race because you've never really HAD
to analyze racism... Or maybe you didn't WANT to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet, for Black people in America, especially those from
lower-income areas such as Ferguson, Mo. and parts of the St. Louis area,
racism is omnipresent. It's in the schools, in the courtrooms, in housing and
and even jobs. So when people talk about the role of race in the Mike Brown
situation, whether they are right or wrong, they're not "jumping to conclusions",
"playing the race card" (Whatever that means) or trying to generalize
a whole group of people. They are speaking from AN EXPERIENCE; they are
speaking from a history of inequality.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And although some think of racism as something that only
exists in extremes (hate groups), or that "Reverse racism" is the
problem, or that it isn't possible for racism to be a big problem in today's
America, I'm sad to say that these assumptions are largely incorrect.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm not arguing with anybody, I'm not debating anyone.
Because honestly, I'm tired of explaining my experiences to people... and
frankly, I don't HAVE to, but I do it because it is necessary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don't just talk about racism for the sake of debating. I
don’t just talk about race because it’s a “hot topic” in the media. I talk
about these things because they are a part of my life. When you're a
"person of color" in America, you'd BETTER start talking
about/understanding how racism works... Because it may save your life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even, when I make a post on social media where I jokingly
talk about race, there's pain behind that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So when people are so quick to shout “stop making it about
race” or "it's not about race" to people who have repeatedly dealt
with racism, it's actually kind of condescending, and pretty insensitive &
dismissive of the lived experience of millions of people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let's make one thing clear: AMERICA itself is "about
race". The social construct of race is one of the things which built this nation. It shaped our history, and influences our
present. Racism is so deeply ingrained in our
social fabric that to say that something like this "has absolutely NOTHING to
do with Race" is<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> almost disingenuous.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The concept of race, despite it being a social construct, has directed influenced the lives that we live today. Period. Everybody knows that... The problem is that not everybody is ready to admit that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No, I'm not saying "let's blame everything on racism".
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm just saying let’s not act like the concept of race is so
foreign to our problems in America. The situation in Ferguson, Mo. is the product
of a racism which America bred. Read about the history of race relations in the St.
Louis, Missouri area and tell me otherwise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, when you hear people talking about the role of race in a
situation and you don't understand why, or you're angered by it, I challenge
you to just LISTEN to them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Don't debate them, don't try to diffuse their anger, don't try to tell them what's racism and what's not.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Just LISTEN to them… You might learn something.<o:p></o:p></div>
Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-32390586247785808282014-05-28T16:19:00.004-07:002014-05-29T07:24:18.110-07:00Maya Angelou: The World's Griot<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYpZffYf8q2G-ygDJPquZ5xW-25oXjvOpNJriZKA0-S8ueyOB52Q4WX3z06iAPqDFo0rVtmC1W8Ky1K6oQh1ksVs5AwhhvmkGcosUst76RrI1e6rvWVUnnp0dygodk6_J1xyS_JDr1Vd6/s1600/MTE5NTU2MzE2MTQwMjQyNDQz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYpZffYf8q2G-ygDJPquZ5xW-25oXjvOpNJriZKA0-S8ueyOB52Q4WX3z06iAPqDFo0rVtmC1W8Ky1K6oQh1ksVs5AwhhvmkGcosUst76RrI1e6rvWVUnnp0dygodk6_J1xyS_JDr1Vd6/s1600/MTE5NTU2MzE2MTQwMjQyNDQz.jpg" height="400" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">Photo credit: Biography.com<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Maya Angelou 1928-2014</b></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By: Marvin DeBose</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In West African culture, the <i>griots</i>, storytellers who often employed the use of poetry and music, have
historically been seen as some of the most highly valued members of society. These
people were seen as walking history books, full of lessons to impart
upon a village. Maya Angelou was a product of this rich tradition.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For most people, simply
hearing that name, “Maya Angelou”, brings words to mind such as, “Wisdom” and “understanding”.
Her presence was associated with poise, and grace, and her words were filled
with truth and love.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although many people simply associate her with her countless
insightful quotes and thought-provoking poetry, what made Maya Angelou truly
remarkable were not just the beautiful, poetic words which she spoke, it was
the rich life which she lived.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Born in 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri, but raised in Stamps,
Arkansas, Angelou, born Marguerite Ann Johnson, lived the life of a true
renaissance woman.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In her early life, Angelou was widely known for her immense
talent in the performing arts. She was renowned calypso performer, which is a
form of Afro-Caribbean dance and music and also spent time working as an
actress and a playwright, who toured internationally starring in shows such as
“Porgy and Bess” and writing plays such as “Georgia, Georgia”. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Angelou also worked internationally as a human rights
activist, working with Martin Luther King Jr in the Southern Christian Leadership
Conference as well as with Malcolm X in the Organization of African Unity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Angelou would also spend years living in Ghana, working as a
freelance journalist. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most notably, Angelou was a world-renowned poet and author.
Her thought-provoking writings touched on controversial topics like race and
gender, as well as universal themes such as love and parenthood. She is seen as
one of the most significant writers in American literature. Her raw, yet
profound autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, was ranked by TIME
magazine as being one of the top 100 most influential books written in the
English language. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although she has departed from us in the physical form, her words,
her wisdom and her spirit live within the hearts and minds of people all over
the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To many people, for some whom she didn't even know personally,
Angelou was a mentor, a mother-figure, and an adviser. Oprah Winfrey commonly
cites Angelou as her “mother/sister”. Even comedians such as Richard Pryor, Dave
Chappelle and Chris Rock were known to go to her home in North Carolina to seek
her advice. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Angelou once even disciplined rapper Tupac Shakur, whom she
worked with in the movie “Poetic Justice”. Angelou witnessed Shakur about to get into a
fight on the movie set and she pulled him aside and brought him to tears by asking
him, “When was the last time anyone told you how important you are?' Did you
know people stood on auction blocks and were bought and sold so that you could
stay alive today?'”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moments like that are testaments to the fact that Angelou
was much more than a few witty quotes online, it shows how she was much more
than a poet, actor and a playwright. She was a leader whose example helped to bring out
the best in other people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are many words which can be associated with Maya
Angelou's remarkable legacy; however there is only one which suits her best: <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Phenomenal”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-2064897865595334762014-02-05T21:54:00.002-08:002014-02-05T21:54:30.785-08:00Dick Gregory: A Living LegendBy: Marvin DeBose<br />
<br />
Before Dave Chappelle, before Chris Rock, and even before Richard Pryor, there was Dick Gregory.<br />
<br />
Comedic legends like Rock, Chappelle and Pryor are well-known for their ability to make audiences laugh while creating a dialogue on sensitive social issues from an honest, African-American perspective. Their ability to combine wit, a humorous sense of irreverence along with storytelling to discuss these issues in front of a mainstream audience is often seen as something fairly new.<br />
<br />
Yet Dick Gregory was touching on these issues long before Pryor became a star and before Rock and Chappelle were even born.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdA9bFIIwJVC1xvgXz0972WBYcodaO4_aqnuGA2TMLghBP_fmyTHwtD34oTZM72eZzpJF-6auT7qsVNvDpjAPejJm9GgKwwe4qq8l8z8ra-wnlhFGxayKRTkBldfg1OAmAXFaQIa4ULSn/s1600/gregory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdA9bFIIwJVC1xvgXz0972WBYcodaO4_aqnuGA2TMLghBP_fmyTHwtD34oTZM72eZzpJF-6auT7qsVNvDpjAPejJm9GgKwwe4qq8l8z8ra-wnlhFGxayKRTkBldfg1OAmAXFaQIa4ULSn/s1600/gregory.jpg" height="320" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dick Gregory</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He was born Richard Claxton Gregory, on October 12, 1932, in St. Louis, Missouri. Born to a family of six children, raised by a single mother, Gregory grew up in poverty for much of his early life and also faced a great deal of discrimination, growing up in Jim Crow-era America.<br />
<br />
Yet, his experiences of poverty and racism would develop what he would become as an adult.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Despite the hardships he faced early on, Gregory had a remarkable career as a student-athlete.He excelled at track, to the point where he earned a scholarship to Southern Illinois University, where he set school records in track and received the school's Outstanding Athlete Award in 1953.<br />
<br />
However, Gregory's career as a track star was put on hold when he joined the army in 1954. But it was here where he officially got his start in comedy, performing in, and winning, many Army talent shows.<br />
<br />
He returned to college after two years of being in the army, yet dropped out due what he felt as the university's lack of interest in his academic success, and more of an interest in his track career.<br />
<br />
So, in the late-1950s, Gregory moved to Chicago to pursue a career in comedy, yet it was no easy feat. So Gregory worked for the U.S Postal Service while performing in various Chicago clubs.<br />
<br />
Eventually, Gregory got his big break in comedy when, in 1961, he was hired by Hugh Hefner to perform at his Chicago Playboy Club.<br />
<br />
From here, Gregory's career took off. His witty and social conscious sense of humor pertaining to major issues of that time, especially race and class, along with his signature calm, yet charismatic, deadpan delivery made him a hit with American mainstream audiences.<br />
<br />
He'd go on perform on major shows of the time, such as The Tonight Show with Jack Paar, a job which, interestingly enough, Gregory initially declined numerous times in his career.<br />
<br />
Despite the ability of The Tonight Show to catapult the careers of young comics, Gregory's reasoning behind not performing on the show was based on the fact that Black comics were never allowed to stay as guest on Paar's show after their performances.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until Paar personally called Gregory and agreed to change the standards of the show that Gregory decided to perform on the show. Although this performance would boost Gregory career and introduce him to a national audience, he began to put a great deal of focus and energy into another passion which he had which was social activism.<br />
<br />
At the same time as Gregory's rise in comedy in the early 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement was on the rise in America as well. Gregory, a man who grew up facing racial discrimination and often candidly discussed it in his act, was naturally drawn to the movement.<br />
<br />
He spoke at and participated in numerous rallies and protests throughout the South and developed a close relationship with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He toured to raised money for activist groups such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and was arrested for his protests numerous times.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZurQnziWua4xJqFN1Z43SyGGfSyXSzc3eF0CkYz8AVZhTGt0_FrkvIjptlCJYyyBCnVERmv2vCHHBdO2iGRZjLZWwBScq8-iVpcRVIpa3TDWOfaZEfYrWeN_QhzWyeiqmtWiw_NI9501m/s1600/king-march-against-fear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZurQnziWua4xJqFN1Z43SyGGfSyXSzc3eF0CkYz8AVZhTGt0_FrkvIjptlCJYyyBCnVERmv2vCHHBdO2iGRZjLZWwBScq8-iVpcRVIpa3TDWOfaZEfYrWeN_QhzWyeiqmtWiw_NI9501m/s1600/king-march-against-fear.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gregory (left of center) marching alongside Dr. King in Mississippi in 1966.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Gregory would even run for political office. In 1967, he ran for mayor of Chicago against Richard Daley, and, in 1968, he even ran for U.S. President. Although, he lost both races, his activism and civic engagement continued throughout his life.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrejKeHtXujOnwUYDyc9gvHb4zq9vmHrRi3gQAP7nBAdrzfU7eIxXmlTttQcQ4WvY4DPbi0G8hOkBBmWJpxsoj2ABWygtfkdCPBVTCquR1xhapSPgEdAiUN45BZU2I5E9NBDWBH2RlX0ot/s1600/dickgregoryAli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrejKeHtXujOnwUYDyc9gvHb4zq9vmHrRi3gQAP7nBAdrzfU7eIxXmlTttQcQ4WvY4DPbi0G8hOkBBmWJpxsoj2ABWygtfkdCPBVTCquR1xhapSPgEdAiUN45BZU2I5E9NBDWBH2RlX0ot/s1600/dickgregoryAli.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gregory at a press conference along with Muhammad Ali</span></td></tr>
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Not only was Gregory an activist and outspoken critic against racism and poverty in America, in the late-60s, he became a vegetarian as well as an advocate for fitness and nutrition. Later in his late he would strongly advocate eating raw fruits and vegetables and he'd become known for participating in fasts as a part of his activism.<br />
<br />
Gregory would also go on to write countless books and become an entrepreneur, selling numerous health products, and also serving as a nutritional consultant.<br />
<br />
<br />
Today, at the age of 81, Gregory continues his activism, his health advocacy and his comedy, all with his signature wit and social-awareness which has stood the test of time.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8hH0shZ_9Z3aLq5g_IpUMDxZeWb0thlrVXgDO48hibMh7SwpNTnM1nGUFZnMBMYlx7uy47-b5NTsuS71T94oFA0jY7YwtMMokHBYvKWsyfYENBcb_PkY1sR20O8DnxrENFxvTETQ3Ctg/s1600/Dick-Gregory_500_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8hH0shZ_9Z3aLq5g_IpUMDxZeWb0thlrVXgDO48hibMh7SwpNTnM1nGUFZnMBMYlx7uy47-b5NTsuS71T94oFA0jY7YwtMMokHBYvKWsyfYENBcb_PkY1sR20O8DnxrENFxvTETQ3Ctg/s1600/Dick-Gregory_500_web.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
His commitment and willingness to sacrifice his career for the issues which affect everyday people has set an example for countless entertainers.<br />
<br />
Not only is he a pioneer for entertainers, for comedians, or for African-Americans. Dick Gregory is a pioneer for what it means to be a human being who is willing to risk his livelihood, as well his life, for his principles and his commitment to a better life for all people.<br />
<br />
Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-62972981543526797592013-12-31T11:42:00.000-08:002014-01-06T00:17:04.314-08:00Reinvent Yourself... Like Sinatra Did<b>By: Marvin DeBose</b><br />
<br />
"Reinventing yourself" is a concept which I first became familiar with as an 18-year old, reading Robert Greene's classic book, <i>48 Laws of Power</i>.<br />
<br />
Greene, who wrote a chapter called "Recreate Yourself" discussing the importance of being able to change, grow and craft your image in an ever-changing environment. At first, I couldn't fully grasp the concept.<br />
<br />
I thought, "Why should you have to recreate yourself are if you're already confident in yourself and your abilities?"<br />
<br />
But as I grew older and became more aware of the constant change going on around me, it made more sense. Reinventing yourself doesn't mean being inauthentic or changing what makes oneself unique. It's more of a matter of growing, improving, adapting and gaining new skills in order to stay fresh in an ever-changing world.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2M5Vt3R-Nio3eim6zD5fe6EHl2CBDGtoxbaxbG6KxxspFqgCX2SdcXIXRNLJELLGTJQtz1GXGSYI09y07PG_1MTzXKmc_xBCA7y06-76ujtHbqfpQ4UwaKYC9VqNsp_V4Q2QoZ6UiKgv/s1600/sinatra1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2M5Vt3R-Nio3eim6zD5fe6EHl2CBDGtoxbaxbG6KxxspFqgCX2SdcXIXRNLJELLGTJQtz1GXGSYI09y07PG_1MTzXKmc_xBCA7y06-76ujtHbqfpQ4UwaKYC9VqNsp_V4Q2QoZ6UiKgv/s320/sinatra1.jpg" height="320" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">Photo courtesy of radiospirits.info </td></tr>
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Reinvention is a topic of which, particularly, many entertainers and artists have become familiar. As time goes on in the changing, unstable world of entertainment, where trends, styles, and even attitudes come and go, stars must be able to grow, develop and keep up with the times. Artists who do the same thing over and over and don't transform or improve their craft often fade into oblivion. An entertainer who best demonstrated the power of reinvention was none other than Frank Sinatra. <br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
In the mid-1940s, Sinatra was at what many people perceived to be as the pinnacle of his career. He'd performed in front of thousands of screaming, fainting, mostly teenage female fans all over the country. He'd been in numerous films which were quite successful. His concerts were so popular that they were known to nearly cause riots. He was a predecessor of what was to come in American popular music.</div>
<br />
Yet, as the 1940s came to a close and the 50s arrived, things began to change in Sinatra's career. He starred in a string of unsuccessful films and his appeal as a heartthrob to teen audiences was starting to wane. By 1950, the boyish, youthful appeal which Sinatra once used to his advantage seemed to be gone.<br />
<br />
Sinatra, who was by now in his mid-30s, no longer represented youth, he was balding, he was married and his years of smoking and drinking slowly took a toll on his youthful appearance. He had also suffered a hemorrhaging of his vocal cords, altering the one thing which made him a star in the first place; his voice.<br />
<br />
Soon, he was dropped from his record label, and amid struggles in his personal life, he fell into a deep depression. Journalists began to write him off as a "has-been" as new, younger singers began to take some of his shine.<br />
<br />
Yet, an opportunity sprang up. A WWII-based film called <i>From Here to Eternity</i> was seeking someone to fill the role of a rebellious, heavy drinking, Italian-American serviceman; a role which fit Sinatra to a T. However, this serious, more dramatic role was drastic change from many of the more musical, romantic, typecast roles Sinatra was used to in the '40s. Yet, he realized that this role would be a chance to reinvent his career and his image.<br />
<br />
Sinatra eventually got the role and ended up winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance, and that twist of fate opened the door for a changed, new and improved Frank Sinatra.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/75f6bae327ddec585dbed5f885164146/tumblr_mxpgcdBSkS1rz5aneo1_500.jpg" /></div>
<br />
This unexpected dramatic performance caused many to be take him seriously as an actor, and he regained some credibility in the entertainment world. He also earned a record deal with Capitol Records and slightly changed his sound, largely due to his work with composer, Nelson Riddle.<br />
<br />
Out went the youthful singer who performed in front of screaming teens, and in came the older, more seasoned star who performed for sophisticated crowds in venues like Las Vegas and acting in major films.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHB6tDcpSC7J00I_CS20Irp7ZPH0UrUkwqeBpAWMxsYrENFpFyr19BXUM6A_lwa_Pv3lJOPKfckQqpT1hs5kKHndx7G9X22rD6wuJCkBrokj5rBHBvy31W61mlFOdS7zLT-6K4h_Cu9x7/s1600/ss-111005-famous-headwear-sinatra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHB6tDcpSC7J00I_CS20Irp7ZPH0UrUkwqeBpAWMxsYrENFpFyr19BXUM6A_lwa_Pv3lJOPKfckQqpT1hs5kKHndx7G9X22rD6wuJCkBrokj5rBHBvy31W61mlFOdS7zLT-6K4h_Cu9x7/s320/ss-111005-famous-headwear-sinatra.jpg" height="320" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">Photo Courtesy of nbcnews.com</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
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Sinatra would go on to have a legendary career in both music and film and make his mark on the entertainment industry.<br />
<br />
But this is not just a story about Frank Sinatra. As we approach the year 2014, <b>this is about YOU.</b><br />
<br />
Since the world is always growing and changing, there is a constant need for us to adapt to these changes and expand our skills.<br />
<br />
For example, in the world of academia, many universities have to reinvent themselves to adapt to a new, more diverse, technological generation of students.<br />
<br />
In journalism, writers are reinventing themselves to keep up with the evolving field by gaining skills in audio and video production, social media, and photography. <br />
<br />
Whether it is in our personal or professional lives, change is something that is constant, and it often shows us that we all face challenges and it reveals to us our deficiencies.<br />
<br />
The question is, in what ways will you work to reinvent yourself? What skills will you gain, what new challenges will you take on, how will you adapt to change?<br />
<br />
I guess we'll just have to wait and see.<br />
<br />Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-83846917985832372932013-10-23T09:43:00.003-07:002013-10-23T09:44:39.233-07:00Political Labels... and what Really Matters<b>By: Marvin DeBose</b><br />
<br />
"The liberals are ruining this country", "those conservatives are idiots", "the Republicans are trying to take over", "the Democrats are trying to take control"... Sound familiar?<br />
<br />
This polarized, adversarial political rhetoric is something that I see nearly every day. Yet, with so much talk of political groups in this country, it makes me wonder, what do these political labels even mean?<br />
<br />
Better yet, what do the people who use them <i>think</i> that they mean?<br />
<br />
When you get a chance, ask a few people, "what is a conservative?" Then, ask a few people "what is a liberal?"<br />
<br />
What's a Democrat? What is a Republican?<br />
<br />
Don't look for Webster's definition, don't look for the political science definition. What are the people's definitions?<br />
<br />
Most likely you'll get a wide variety of answers. But with such a wide variety of differing political viewpoints, one must ask, "Why do we need to put these labels on ourselves and others?"<br />
<br />
Why does there need to be "Good Guys" and "Bad Guys"? Why do we need to have a "pick your team" mentality?<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: whitesmoke; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">How about for a while we just forget those labels, let's forget being a "liberal", "conservative", "moderate", "libertarian"... Let's try being <i>human beings</i> with OUR OWN opinions for a quick minute.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: whitesmoke; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: whitesmoke; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instead of watching political pundits and listen to them tell us what/how to think, let's try developing opinions based on critical thinking, analysis and an understanding of context.</span><br />
<br />
Most importantly, let's forget judging people's character based off of their political views. Let's judge people's character based on more important things, like their love for other human beings.<br />
<br />
I know that idea might sound scary to some people, but I think it's worth a try.<br />
<br />
Instead of getting into what someone believes in politically or what button he/she presses on election day, let's ask this: Does this person exemplify a love for human life<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">—</span>ALL of human life?<br />
<br />
By human life, I'm not just referring to Americans, I'm talking about a love for ALL human life. I'm talking about human life in places like Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. I'm talking about love for young people living in the dangerous streets of The South Side of Chicago. I'm talking about love for people who are incarcerated, people who are addicted to drugs, people on welfare, people who are homeless, as well as for people who are wealthy.<br />
<br />
I'm talking about love for Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Agnostics, Atheists, Deists and all other faiths and beliefs.<br />
<br />
I talking about love and a feeling of kinship people from all walks of life.<br />
<br />
Now, if a person truly believes in that kind of deep love for humanity, then that's a person who's stands for what I for.<br />
<br />
After all, isn't that what <i>really</i> matters?Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-40373072881153301492013-10-16T13:25:00.000-07:002013-10-16T13:25:39.962-07:00No, "Mexican" is NOT a Halloween Costume<b>By: Marvin DeBose</b><br />
<br />
Despite what some people may think, I'm no party pooper.<br />
<br />
I know that Halloween is coming up and you want to have a good time.You want your costume to be memorable, you may want to get a laugh, but you might want to think twice before you buy that sombrero for your Halloween costume. <br />
<br />
I've been in college, I heard about the parties where people dress up as different ethinic groups whether its a "South of the Border" party or a "hood" party. I've seen the pictures of people on Facebook wearing sombreros and fake mustaches.<br />
<br />
But this is bigger than just "Mexican costumes".<br />
<br />
Making a costume out of any racial or ethnic stereotype is not funny, it's not clever, and it's never been. In fact, it's offensive, especially to those who are members of the group which you attempt to portray.<br />
<br />
...And having a friend of that racial or ethnic group who thinks that your costume is funny (or pretends that it is) doesn't make it cool either.<br />
<br />
So that means we don't need to see any of this...<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDUhRTWewW_RUAYoDFyh_R467IgAWvNHX6JVKQRKpw94-JmrMp8Lae4rgal2ep3Ef7Bk96L06q3kv9KTaTaqIZj703B1chsMEQNJ3Z77mQLuKM7lTOCYRlboZDk6lQI_h9DWES6wkGJ85/s1600/mexicano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDUhRTWewW_RUAYoDFyh_R467IgAWvNHX6JVKQRKpw94-JmrMp8Lae4rgal2ep3Ef7Bk96L06q3kv9KTaTaqIZj703B1chsMEQNJ3Z77mQLuKM7lTOCYRlboZDk6lQI_h9DWES6wkGJ85/s400/mexicano.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Or this...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2C1uMbiaSSEDP7pPYKVz0Mi5TrKRz4LvhwZBZVahhvbpTCKz3UHfMdNkPL63sIxUWYXXf2Ma-7xAwvJ62f4L49P-ynrbR8JcB_rHC0O-K9FlqtBmOKJYLNRjW2g-q9XkBsTcAHy9jVVuN/s1600/obl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2C1uMbiaSSEDP7pPYKVz0Mi5TrKRz4LvhwZBZVahhvbpTCKz3UHfMdNkPL63sIxUWYXXf2Ma-7xAwvJ62f4L49P-ynrbR8JcB_rHC0O-K9FlqtBmOKJYLNRjW2g-q9XkBsTcAHy9jVVuN/s640/obl.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<br />
Or any of these...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PwQAGJU8jFYqHw96oxzqsJOD57D6IbuDLwT0DLtvCydHRYp5HSSn3ZzxuK-OHWnSzBn46ochj7GunJReyOujrvfwWTBfdnzO1C5INkAocZPXPG9f-AbJn0zATLHvr8SowwNo9E0zvGuE/s1600/mexican.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PwQAGJU8jFYqHw96oxzqsJOD57D6IbuDLwT0DLtvCydHRYp5HSSn3ZzxuK-OHWnSzBn46ochj7GunJReyOujrvfwWTBfdnzO1C5INkAocZPXPG9f-AbJn0zATLHvr8SowwNo9E0zvGuE/s1600/mexican.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
And none of this either...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCBi-dXJHvOTQYlMzEUTJC-_s7mEjNTucLYrZssTYMuOD5XcoZ8bqow7rURaGDyaxtTQXP8oVZHNs4Kqyz7jgiDDW1Vd8ED-9hL-mi2cQznnwN6AAYvRtgRayxdQYhjPbDkODhnx6XvbB/s1600/tumblr_mcm7p7xSZ91qi65zpo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCBi-dXJHvOTQYlMzEUTJC-_s7mEjNTucLYrZssTYMuOD5XcoZ8bqow7rURaGDyaxtTQXP8oVZHNs4Kqyz7jgiDDW1Vd8ED-9hL-mi2cQznnwN6AAYvRtgRayxdQYhjPbDkODhnx6XvbB/s640/tumblr_mcm7p7xSZ91qi65zpo1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Now, usually when people get called out on these of costumes for being offensive, there are a common set of responses they'll give:<br />
<br />
1)<i> <b>"But, it's just a character, it's for fun!"</b></i><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Well a ethnicity, religion, race shouldn't be a "character".<br />
<br />
When people make "characters" based off of cultural groups, they use stereotypes and create <i>caricatures</i> of the group in question. Therefore, you're likely to already be in the wrong when you <i>decide</i> to wear that costume. These kind of costumes are pretty much walking billboards saying, "Hey, stereotypes and prejudice are hilarious!"<br />
<br />
Plus when you make a group of people into a caricature, without even realizing it, you dehumanize that group of people. How? Because you promote the concept of racial/ethnic <i>characters</i> rather than<i> individuals</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>2)<i> "Well, I'm not racist..."</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Just because you don't <b><i>hate</i></b> the race/ethnicity that your costume portrays, that doesn't mean that your actions aren't racially offensive.<br />
<b><br /></b>
Arguments of "I'm not racist, my mailman's black" or "I'm not being offensive, I shook hands with an Iraqi man once" are dismissive of the behavior in question. That's about as silly as someone saying, "I'm not sexist, my wife is a woman!"<br />
<br />
When someone calls you out for racially insensitive behavior, that isn't meant to say that you are a horrible person. It's meant to critique (and hopefully correct) your actions which are hurtful.<br />
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Being ignorant of how you offended someone is understandable. After all, we aren't all really taught to be culturally sensitive. However, it's how a person goes about <i>correcting</i> that behavior that shows their true character.<br />
<br />
3)<b><i> "Why are you worried about stuff like this, it's just Halloween, can't you take a joke?"</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
People who say things like this are a part of the problem too.<br />
<br />
Just because something doesn't offend you doesn't mean it shouldn't offend others. If you don't understand why something is offensive, just ask why it's offensive. But telling people what to<i> </i>be offended about and <i>not be offended about</i> is offensive and condescending in itself.<br />
<br />
See: EMPATHY<br />
<br />
Instead of simply saying "it's just a joke", lets ask these questions:<br />
<br />
Why do people want to dress up and make a joke out of being another race/ethnicity so bad in the first place?<br />
<br />
...and...<br />
<br />
Why do people find these costumes to be so funny that they're willing to risk offending people just to wear them?<br />
<br />
4) <b><i>"Why can't I paint my face Black?" </i></b><br />
<br />
You can research this one on your own... You know how to get to Google don't you? Look up "Blackface".<br />
<br />
<b>My Point is... </b><br />
<br />
Get creative with your costumes. Be funny. But don't go for cheap laughs dressing up as a racial or cultural stereotype.<br />
<br />
Like I said, I'm no party pooper. But when the "party" consists of making a joke out of racial and ethnic stereotypes that hurt people, quite frankly, that's a party that deserves to be pooped on.</div>
Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-60281945818154928692013-09-18T18:45:00.002-07:002013-09-19T06:56:16.367-07:00Philly Native Lives His Dreams at BET<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">By: Marvin DeBose</span><br />
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September 18th, 2013</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frank 'Franky J' Jenkins, BET Correspondent</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The lights are on, the cameras are rolling, and a young man with the tall, lanky build of a basketball player, clad in a retro, red 76ers snapback cap and a blue polo shirt, takes the stage</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px; white-space: normal;">—</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">not an actual stage though. In this case, the stage is a street corner. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“This is BET’s 106 and Park top ten countdown, we’re going into another video right now, stay tuned,” the energetic young man says.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He is animated with lively body language as he announces the next video, pausing between phrases and using his hands to accentuate nearly every word, “Lotus Flower Bomb, Wale, Miguel, let’s go!” </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But this is just a YouTube video, more specifically, it’s 24-year-old Frank “Franky J” Jenkins’ audition video for the popular BET music video show, 106 and Park back in 2012.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The video has about 1,800 views, far less from what Franky J was expecting. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“My video was not popping,” he says, with a mixed tone of both reflectiveness and humor. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">He didn’t make the cut for the auditions, yet, that </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">wouldn't</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"> be the end of his journey.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Franky J wanted to be a host in some capacity ever since he was a kid. He grew up in North Philadelphia, around 7th and Diamond Sts, gaining inspiration from former 106 and Park host AJ Calloway, as well as Philly DJs and radio hosts such as Pooch Man, Tasha McKee, Mikey Dredd and Uncle O.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He reminisces on how his upbringing in a tough city like Philly shaped him and pushed him into his career.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It could be discouraging… sometimes people don’t see your visions and your dreams,” he says. “But, it played a big role in my motivation because I wanted to </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">see</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> better and I knew there </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">was</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> better.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Franky J’s motivation pushed him to pursue his dreams at all costs. At the young age of 17, he was already a host for a local Philly music show, Urban Xpressions.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">During his time as a young host, he experienced many of the hardships of the business which further molded him.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">”I remember not having the money to go [and cover] shows,” he says. “I used to walk to shows, nothing could stop me from going to a show.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Franky J went even further in pursuing his dream when he attended Community College of Philadelphia, where he majored in Communications. There, he polished his writing skills, which he sees as an highly significant skill in his career.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My writing </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">wasn't</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on key so I would jot things down on pieces of paper until I knew how to set them up [properly],” he says. </span></span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Honing his ability to write in a structured manner sparked his growing interest in writing TV shows. It even led him to write the format for Kitchen Music, a cooking show which was one of the first shows he ever wrote.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yet, Franky J still had dreams to make it big, after he submitted his video to BET for the 106 and Park host audition in 2012 to no avail, he thought he’d have to get back to the drawing board and rework his strategy, but eventually, he'd see things change.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In January of 2013, he received a message on his Twitter account from a woman who left her number claiming to “have an opportunity” for him.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Franky J called her number, yet there was no answer, nor was there a voicemail message. However, the number soon called him back, and on his caller ID, he saw: BET Networks.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I was still in shock that BET called me,” Franky J says. “[The BET executive] said ‘drop what you’re doing, pack up, we’re gonna bring you out to New York’."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He had been selected to audition for a new BET show, set to premiere in 2014.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After his audition, Franky J finally got the news from the executive. “She told me, ‘You’ve got the job, you aced it,'” he recalls.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yet, the next thing which he would hear would blow him away even more.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“She asked me, ‘Why are you so nervous, you don’t look nervous in your video?’“ Franky J says, “I said, ‘What video?’” </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It turned out that someone at BET had got a hold of his audition video from 2012 and got it into the hands of some powerful people.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“She said, ‘My boss [Stephen Hill, BET president of programming] saw your video and requested for you to come here,” he says. “She told me that [Hill] said, ‘I don’t know why, but I like this kid.’</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since then, Franky J has been signed to work as a host/correspondent for the BET show, for which he auditioned, that is set to premiere in 2014.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet, In the short time that he’s been with BET, he’s already had some quite unforgettable experiences, one of them happened early this year.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the day of the New York premiere of Beyonce’s autobiographical documentary, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Life is But a Dream</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, in early 2013, BET was looking to get correspondents to cover the event. Yet, most of their hosts had already left for the day, except for Franky J.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The BET staff got him dressed up and ready for the star-studded Red Carpet, where he’d get his first real taste of what it’s like to be a BET correspondent.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My first interview was with [producer and R&B star] The-Dream,” a fact which he saw to be ironic in itself. “I was </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">interviewing</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The-Dream, while</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i> </i>living</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my dream,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> all on the red carpet for Beyonce’s</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Life is But a Dream</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That night, Franky J got to interview a variety of celebrities from Russell Simmons, to even Beyonce herself. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nhExXDaN8rscUxhoSxO-_vx-M7iIV21TGpfCm3xFNkWmMAR2Y27pJeYyO-uCURdV1ofOh57NZgvlSlEUF-D5myG_oIAr1o13k0h9U5urW97T2o0cdcnNk1lzRJTHoQKfS50AgeCm33Ki/s1600/IMG_20130214_234336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nhExXDaN8rscUxhoSxO-_vx-M7iIV21TGpfCm3xFNkWmMAR2Y27pJeYyO-uCURdV1ofOh57NZgvlSlEUF-D5myG_oIAr1o13k0h9U5urW97T2o0cdcnNk1lzRJTHoQKfS50AgeCm33Ki/s320/IMG_20130214_234336.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Franky J interviews Beyonce at the premiere for <i>Life is But a Dream </i></span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></b>Yet, he'd run into one star whose presence presented a once in a lifetime opportunity; Oprah Winfrey.<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“She was finishing up with her last interview and security was trying to sweep her away,” Franky J says. “But I yelled to her, ‘Oprah, let me get 2 seconds of your life!’</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That phrase caught Oprah’s attention and allowed him to get an interview with one of the most well-known people in the world. </span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course, Franky J credits occurrences like these, and much of his success, to years of hard work and determination, but he also attributes much of his success to his faith.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“God is everything,” he says. “I wouldn’t be anywhere without him and I couldn’t get through anything without him.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These days, Franky J, the once local teenage TV host from North Philly, lives in Brooklyn, NY., and has goals such as hosting the BET Awards as well as writing and producing shows.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Despite his already impressive experiences, he says the fact that he’s beginning to live his dreams hasn’t really hit him yet. Yet, he stresses the importance of having a dream.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Believe in your dreams, we get these visions for a reason, it’s because that’s what we’re supposed to be doing in life.”</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-29203d46-33b7-bed7-d186-fac046521bbc"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Follow Franky J @TherealFrankyJ on Instagram & @TherealFrankyJ1 on Twitte</i></span></span></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">r</i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Follow Marvin DeBose @TheMindofMarvin</i></span></span>Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-90561672721920963492013-09-13T01:34:00.001-07:002013-09-14T23:42:12.623-07:00The Misunderstood Brilliance of Tupac ShakurBy: Marvin DeBose<br />
September 13th, 2013<br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Now I understand what you tried to say to me</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And how you suffered for your sanity</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>...They did not listen, they're not listening still</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">Perhaps they never will..."</i> </span><span style="font-size: large;">-Don McLean, </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">Vincent</i><br />
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In 1971, folk singer Don McLean wrote the song, <i>Vincent</i>, which was a heartrending tribute to the talented, yet, personally troubled 19th century painter Vincent Van Gogh. In the song, McLean vividly describes the artistic talents of Van Gogh distinctly remarking on his "Flaming flowers that brightly blaze/Swirling clouds in violet haze".<br />
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Yet, what is most memorable about this song is how McLean speaks about Van Gogh's personal struggles from a voice of empathy and recalls how under-appreciated and misunderstood Van Gogh was.<br />
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The depth and raw emotion contained in this song would end up influencing the work of another artist who would become troubled in his own right. That artist, who, coincidentally was born in June of the same year in which McLean birthed<i> Vincent</i>, was none other than Tupac Amaru Shakur.<br />
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Seventeen years ago today, Tupac died at the young age of 25, at the height of his career.<br />
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However, when Tupac died on September 13th, 1996, I was only 6 years old, so I only vaguely knew of Tupac's work in his lifetime. I wouldn't really become familiar with his work until I was about 10 years old.<br />
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It all began one day when my dad picked me up from school, and in his car he was playing a hip-hop CD and I was awestruck by the sound of a rapper's voice.<br />
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The voice was loud, bold and full of rage with coarse, colorful language. Then, I heard the rapper start to go on a brutal, profanity-laced tirade, dissing famed rapper, the Notorious BIG, his crew, Junior Mafia, as well as his record label, Bad Boy Records.<br />
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As a loyal Bad Boy/Notorious BIG fan since the age of 5, I was shocked, and that's when the voice yelled, "...<i>And if you want to be down with Bad Boy, then f*** you too</i>!"<br />
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I thought to myself, "Who is <i>this</i> guy?" When we got the home, my Dad ejected the CD from his CD player and I saw that it read: TUPAC, Greatest Hits, Disc 2. <br />
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It turned out that I had just heard Tupac's classic 1996 diss record, "Hit 'Em Up".<br />
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I thought, "Damn,<i> this</i> is Tupac?" Even though I'd just heard him diss one of my favorite rappers, his fiery spirit and passion had just blew my 10-year old mind. After that, I began to listen to both CDs of the 2-Disc greatest hits set and I was amazed. Never before had I heard such raw emotion and versatility. <br />
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The same guy who could deliver lyrical death threats to his enemies was the same guy who could write a emotional tribute to his mother. The same guy who could playfully rap about "getting around" with the ladies could write a song about how we need to "heal our women" and "be real to our women". The guy who could write about the pitfalls of the street life could write a song comparing the activism strategies of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King.<br />
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Like many people, at first, I just viewed Tupac as the bald headed, tattooed, bandanna-wearing, finger-gesturing caricature which is usually promoted in the media.<br />
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However, the more that I listened to Tupac's songs, watched his interviews, read about his life and how he dealt with police harassment, false accusations, and even family problems, I realized the complexity of who he really was.<br />
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Today, for many people, Tupac is nearly seen as the patron saint of hip-hop. Yet, during Tupac's career he was one of the most misunderstood artists of his generation, and to a certain extent he remains so to this day.<br />
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We often see the pictures of Tupac spitting at reporters, flashing his middle finger, getting arrested or engaging in behavior commonly associated with criminals. Yet, Tupac, a rapper who famously claimed, "I never had a [police] record until I made a [rap] record" was far from a criminal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmMWrqnl3tUkI55ltgjCAIvoTdW0RjF4QR8gWG_E7KRuEon2Q2p22TwHOxO51nhqonn1KWMKWXYqF88SjqTnnlwoHx1K00nHG2k7tHMx9gKYMF9YaRP6XBY9NKftvEE5jJieGk5TnpBIO/s1600/TupacRedWings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmMWrqnl3tUkI55ltgjCAIvoTdW0RjF4QR8gWG_E7KRuEon2Q2p22TwHOxO51nhqonn1KWMKWXYqF88SjqTnnlwoHx1K00nHG2k7tHMx9gKYMF9YaRP6XBY9NKftvEE5jJieGk5TnpBIO/s320/TupacRedWings.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An angry Tupac spitting at reporters circa 1994</td></tr>
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One of the biggest things which people fail to realize about Tupac is the fact that he was an intellectual. He was a voracious reader; a student of history, philosophy, poetry and literature. Despite the fact that he dropped out of high school in his senior year, he spent most of his life educating himself.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>"<i>T<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; line-height: 21px;">here should be a class on drugs. </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; line-height: 21px;">There should be a class on sex education, a real sex education class...</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; line-height: 21px;"><i>there should be a class on scams, there should be a class on religious cults, </i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; line-height: 21px;"><i>there should be a class on police brutality, there should be a class on apartheid, </i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; line-height: 21px;"><i>there should be on racism in america, there should be a class on why people are hungry, </i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; line-height: 21px;"><i>but there not, there are classes on... gym, 'physical education', 'let’s learn volleyball'."</i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; line-height: 21px;">-Tupac Shakur at age 17 </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tupac was a scholar at heart, and for some, this fact might cause confusion. After all, this was the same man who flaunted a tattoo on his stomach that read "THUG LIFE". Yet, even those two words reveal another layer of Tupac's complexity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The phrase he popularized "Thug Life", which was famously used and repopularized in the 2008 film, "Pineapple Express", actually held deeper community-rooted meanings, one of them being an acronym which Tupac said stood for "The Hate U Give Little Infants F**ks Everybody"<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 16px;">—</span>I know, it sounds crazy, but it actually makes a lot of sense sociologically, hear me out...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What Tupac meant by the "THUG LIFE" acronym was that the negativity, violence and hatred which society feeds our youth eventually manifests itself in social ills.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tupac also saw "THUG LIFE" as a philosophy of pride and dignity for the young, poor urban youth of America. He constantly argued that the idea of THUG LIFE was not a celebration of crimes or the dictionary's definition of "thug". Yet, this philosophy was similar to that of the Black Panther Party, of which his mother was a member, who mainly focused on organizing the "lumpenproletariat", the lower classes of society to get them to work for the advancement of their communities.</span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;">“To me 'thug' is my pride... Not being someone who goes against the law. Not being someone that takes, but being someone that has nothing and even though there is no home for me to go to, my head is up high, my chest is out, I walk tall, I talk loud. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;">When I say thug ... I mean the underdog."</span></span></span></span></span></i></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Tupac Shakur</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A common mistake that many people make when looking at Tupac's life is overlooking the fact that he was a work in progress. Like all of us, he had personality flaws and he made many mistakes. However, the man was much more than the sum of his flaws.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">He was a young man who was still growing, learning, maturing and finding his way in life. Now that I'm in my early 20s, as Tupac was during his career, I realize how young he actually was to have such remarkable influence on so many people. Then, I think about what he could have been had he lived longer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Entertainment icon, Quincy Jones, who knew Tupac well (based largely off of his romantic relationship with his daughter, Kidada Jones), once made this profound analogy related to Tupac's potential:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><b>"Tupac died at 25. </b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><b>If Malcolm X died at 25 he would have been a street hustler, named Detroit Red. </b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><b>If Martin Luther King died at 25 he would've been known as a local baptist preacher. </b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><b>And if I had died at 25 I would've been known as a struggling musician, </b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><b>only a sliver of my life's potential."</b></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">So, my message to those who are interested in not only "2Pac", the artist, but Tupac Shakur, the person, is to learn about him and the image which the mainstream media often promotes as this one-dimensional "gangsta rapper" who "lived and died by the gun" (as many insensitive, unoriginal journalists were fond of saying after his death).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Learn about his mother's activism and his family's history, listen to his early songs, listen to his words, go beyond his <i>image</i> and learn about his <i>message</i> and then you can understand who he really was and what he was trying to say.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Now I understand what you tried to say to me</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>... </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>They did not listen, they did not know how</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Perhaps they'll listen now..."</i> -Don McLean, <i>Vincent</i></span><br />
<br />Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-13816759376254248322013-08-28T14:36:00.000-07:002013-08-28T14:36:15.179-07:005 OTHER Things Dr. King said at the March on Washington<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>By: Marvin DeBose</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">50 years ago, on August 28, 1963, a quarter-million people gathered in Washington D.C. for the historic March on Washington. </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">As I expected, a great deal of the focus and discussion surrounding this event is centered on Martin Luther King Jr. and his "I Have a Dream Speech".</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As historic and significant as that speech was, a rather disturbing fact is that we are only taught to remember a small part of that profound speech, particularly, the last few minutes of it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What's problematic about this is that leaving out the earlier parts of the speech neglects a large part of King's message and leaves him in what scholar, Michael Eric Dyson, called "a timeless mood of optimism", ignoring his calls to actions as well as the historical context which led to his dream.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are the<b> 5 OTHER things</b> that Dr. King said on that historic day:</span></span></div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. <span style="font-family: inherit;">"This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism... Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children... </span></span></span></strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment... 1963 is not an end but a beginning."</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="color: #444444; line-height: 19px;"><span data-mce-style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></strong><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Here, King is quick to remind us that the March on Washington was not a time to become content in the fight for justice. He clearly states that this march is far from a culmination of a movement, but the start of one. Basically he tell us that "The struggle ain't over, it's just beginning, keep working!" Maybe <i>this</i> part of King's speech needs to be played on TV more often.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span data-mce-style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;" style="color: black; line-height: normal;">2. "...the Negro still is not free... the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition."</span></strong><span style="border: 0px none; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /><br />Here, King discusses the plight of Blacks in America stating that nearly one hundred years after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, "Freedom" is something for which African Americans still have to fight. He mentions issues like segregation, poverty and discrimination, which are all issues which still exist to this day. <br /></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. <span style="font-family: inherit;">"In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote... that all men -- would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness... America [gave] the Negro people a bad check, a check that has come back marked 'insufficient funds'... </span></span></b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt."</b></span></span></div>
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King is pretty much using the metaphor of a "bad check" as a way of saying that the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are merely symbols of the hypocrisy of America. Especially when many marginalized groups of people still had to fight for "life" and "liberty" in this country centuries after those documents were written. Yet, his refusal to see the "bank of justice" as bankrupt shows his hope and faith in America's potential to change.</div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border: 0px none; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>4. "There are those who are asking...'When will you be satisfied?' We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality.... </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity..."</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="border: 0px none; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="border: 0px none; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Once again King reminds us that as long as injustice exists, the struggle still continues. Notice he's not just talking about integrating buses and restaurants. King goes much deeper and talks about dignity and recognizing people's<i> humanity</i>. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px none; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>5. "Unearned suffering is redemptive"</b></span></span></div>
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This was King's way of reassuring all of the people who had faced violence, jail time, and ostracism as a result of their fight for justice. He's basically telling them to not let the hardship of the struggle get them down, since that is the only way that they can achieve progress. It echoes what King's predecessor Frederick Douglass once said, "Without struggle there is no progress."<br />
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<b>Call to Action</b><br />
I recommend that people actually read and study the words of leaders like Dr. King, and also listen to the speeches of others involved in the March. Study the history which led to the March, read about what happened in it's aftermath. Learn why Dr. King would 4 years later say that his dream "turned into a nightmare".<br />
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As Dr. King's speech showed, August 28, 1963 wasn't just about one man's dream, it was about challenging a harsh reality. It wasn't just about holding hands and singing "We Shall Overcome", it was also about taking steps to actually overcome injustice.<br />
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It wasn't a day of celebration in order for people to end up marching for some of the same issues 50 years later, it was an urgent call to action. The question is, in the legacy of the "Dream" of King and many others, what action will you take?Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-89953310343101961632013-08-26T10:20:00.000-07:002013-08-26T10:32:43.127-07:00Miley Cyrus and the Perception of "Hoodness"By: Marvin DeBose<br />
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Many of us saw last night's rather cringeworthy performance by Miley Cyrus on the MTV Video Music Awards. In fact, I don't know what was more appalling, Robin Thicke's zebra-striped, Beetlejuice-esque suit or Miley's "dancing".<br />
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Will Smith and his kids saw it, and they looked like they just saw the box office numbers for "After Earth".<br />
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But there are countless things that are wrong with not only Miley Cyrus' performance, but with her whole persona... and people's perceptions of it.<br />
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Miley, who was once a Disney sweetheart and a teen idol is now one of the raunchiest, most controversial performers of her time.<br />
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Miley has recently talked in interviews about how she loves "hood music" and how people think she's trying to be the "white Nicki Minaj".<br />
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Well what exactly is "Hood"? Is it a place? Can you find it on Google Maps?<br />
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And who are "hood people"? And what exactly is "hood music"? Who's a part of "hood" culture?<br />
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Let's be honest. We know that good ol' Miley Ray from Nashville is talking about<i> Black culture, </i>whether she admits it (or realizes it) or not. Simple and plain.<br />
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The truth is that what Miley's doing right now is promoting a gimmick, a persona or character contrived for marketing purposes, kind of like what professional wrestlers do. She's just acting out her media-influenced idea of what a "hood" girl is.<br />
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It's similar to what <b>minstrel show</b> performers would do in the early 20th century... except they'd take it a step further and dress up in blackface to portray their idea of a "hood" character.<br />
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And the problem is that her erratic behavior, similar to the minstrel shows of centuries past, often represents a twisted, myopic, stereotypical view of what<i> Black</i> culture is all about, especially that of Black women.<br />
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And people's criticisms of her are subtly reflective of those views.<br />
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People say, "Miley is acting so <i>ghetto</i> these days" or "I liked her before she became a <i>hood rat</i>".<br />
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Here are a few things that Miley, and some of those who criticize her, need to understand:<br />
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<b>1. When you use terms like "<i>hood</i>" or "<i>ghetto</i>" as adjectives synonymous with stupidity and a lack of sophistication when, in reality, you have minimal understanding of the lives of people who actually live in places considered "hoods" and "ghettos", you are being offensive.</b><br />
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<b>2. Everyone from the so-called "hood" or "ghetto" doesn't a) act recklessly b) use/glorify drugs nor do they c) start "twerking" anytime a camera is on and music is playing. </b><br />
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There's nothing wrong with Miley admiring aspects of hip-hop culture, Black culture or any other culture, but when you<b> completely misrepresent</b> a culture (see: cultural appropriation) and label it as "hood", especially in today's America which already has issues with stereotypes and generalizations, that's when we have a problem.<br />
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<br />Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-54223257323502908442013-08-23T00:07:00.001-07:002013-08-23T00:07:30.902-07:00Youth, Teachers and Parents Rally for Education in Philly<b>By: Marvin DeBose</b><br />
<b>August 22, 2013</b><br />
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Nearly 1,000 parents, teachers and students marched in the Center City section of Philadelphia this afternoon to protest the state budget cuts in education approved by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett.<br />
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The large group, mostly clad in red shirts, marched through the busy streets of downtown Philadelphia, all the way up Broad Street for a rally outside of the School District of Philadelphia Education Center, where, at 5:30 p.m., the School Reform Commission (SRC) would have its final meeting before the beginning of the school year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Youth groups lead the way in this march of nearly 1,000 people</span></td></tr>
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SRC, which manages the School District, is a committee which was established in 2001, when much of the control of the School District of Philadelphia went from mayor appointed school boards to state-appointed committees.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The group is largely responsible for the policy management and finance of the School District of Philadelphia. Some see the SRC as being responsible for</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> a</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;">$304 million deficit in school funding due to state budget cuts, which led to cuts of about 3,800 School District employee positions in June.</span><br />
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The participants of the protest, consisting of various organizations, including Action United, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, as well as youth groups, Youth United For Change and the Philly Student Union, rallied at the School District of Philadelphia Education Center where numerous speakers touched on some of the issues which they saw as being pertinent as it pertained to public education.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Red-clad protesters march on Philadelphia's Broad Street in the midst of rain</span></td></tr>
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"Brothers and sisters... I'd like to report a robbery," one speaker said. "The SRC has stolen our students' education."<br />
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Noticing the moderate police presence at the entrance of the School District building, the speaker turned and asked, "Officers will you please go in and arrest these representatives of the governor?"<br />
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The youth had a large presence at the rally as well, with students from all over the city some speaking about their views on public education, and many others handing out flyers and petitions.<br />
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During the rally, protesters got to hear from one Philadelphia youth currently adapting to the changes in the school system, Othella Standback.<br />
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Standback, a Philadelphia high school student and member of the Philadelphia Student Union, is being forced to attend Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin High School this year after her former high school, University City High School Promise Academy, was closed largely due to the budget cuts.<br />
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"In a few weeks I'll... [have to] adjust to being a school with 400 more students and I'll have to figure out how to build relationship with new teachers and other staff," Standback said. "Since this is my senior year I should be focusing more on graduating and what I'm going to do after high school."<br />
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Standback also reflected on the staff layoffs which the budget cuts intensified in many schools.<br />
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"How can a school have no counselors, no extra-curricular activities or nurses?" Standback asked. "A building with only teachers and security is not a school at all, it's just a prison."<br />
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The rally even attracted youth from outside of Philadelphia, like Trey Murphy, a teen from Baltimore who is a member of the Alliance for Educational Justice and the Baltimore Algebra Project, a youth-ran organization which advocates math literacy and student rights for Baltimore students.<br />
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"I find it to be a disgrace what Governor Corbett and the City of Philadelphia are doing to these students," Murphy said. "It's evident that the state of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia have failed these schools, these students and these teachers."<br />
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Parents, teachers and students alike are still fighting for government funding to increase the quality of education. One speaker said, "We've got to keep this up," in reference to the energy directed towards this cause.<br />
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Action United, an education advocacy group, has scheduled another rally for Tuesday, August 27 at 9:45 a.m. starting at their office on 846 N. Broad St. In this rally, they plan on discussing corporate control and privatization of public schools.<br />
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<br />Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-55329470313174804582013-08-21T15:05:00.001-07:002013-08-21T15:05:17.429-07:00Questlove: The man and the musician<br />
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There are some artists who simply make music, and there are those who <i>live</i> music. Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, drummer, producer and co-founder of hip-hop band, The Roots, is clearly the latter. In his compelling memoir, <i>Mo' Meta Blues: The World According to Questlove</i>, he gives readers a glimpse at his personal and musical roots (I couldn't wait to use that pun).<br />
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<i>Mo' Meta Blues</i> gives us a look at not only Questlove, the musician, but it gives us a rare in-depth look of Ahmir Thompson, the man.<br />
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Readers get a feel for his introvertedness as well as his calm, collected demeanor as he discussed his career highs and lows and his journey to help develop The Roots' career.<br />
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Questlove discusses the influence of music in his early life with stories of his father's music career in the 1970s and being on the road how he traveled all over the country long before he even reached stardom himself.<br />
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There even exists a humorous account of a young, frightened, screaming Questlove running into<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;">—</span> and running from the rock band KISS in a hotel lobby during one of his dad's tours.<br />
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In certain chapters of <i>Mo' Meta Blues</i>, Questlove also includes lists of songs which were the soundtrack to his life in the particular period that the chapter discusses. He stunningly reflects on how these songs affected him, what stood out about them and how they related to that time in his life.<br />
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An interesting, recurring theme throughout the book is Questlove's admiration for the music talents of Prince. He discusses Prince lyrics, sexual themes of his music, provocative album covers and even buying his albums as a child and having to hide them from his newly-religious parents, who banned Prince's controversial music from their household. It's likely that this memoir will gain Prince many new fans.<br />
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Overall, <i>Mo' Meta Blues</i> is a fantastic literary journey of a master of his craft which is cleverly woven with brilliant musical analyses and enlightening, profound, and often, amusing stories, such as Questlove's account of going to a rollerskating party hosted by Prince or witnessing the wild hotel antics of comedian Tracy Morgan.<br />
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This reflective work, recalling the life, career and influences of this music aficionado is sure to impress many readers and make them appreciate music even more.Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-50550964031045252832013-08-13T16:54:00.000-07:002013-08-13T20:24:22.661-07:00Why Kendrick Lamar took "Control"By: Marvin DeBose<br />
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<i><b>"In Hip-Hop, the weapons are lyrical. </b></i><br />
<i><b>To be the best you challenge the best and the blessings are spiritual" </b></i><br />
-<b>Nas "Rule"</b><br />
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In the past 24 hours, ironically a few days removed from the 40th birthday of hip-hop, the internet has been buzzing with talks of Kendrick Lamar's groundbreaking verse of Big Sean's "Control".<br />
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In the song, Kendrick issues a fiery, cautionary message in a nearly growling voice to all of his peers in hip-hop about his place in the game.<br />
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For an idea of how hard Kendrick went on this verse, let's use this example: Remember how LeBron James played in the NBA finals after his headband came off?<br />
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Well, in this song, it's safe to say that Kendrick's proverbial headband came off, check it out:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i><b><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 26.390625px;">"I heard the barbershops spittin' great debates all the time</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> b</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 26.390625px;">out who's the best MC? </span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i><b><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 26.390625px;">Kendrick, Jigga and Nas</span><br style="line-height: 26.390625px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 26.390625px;">Eminem, Andre 3000, the rest of y'all n</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 26.390625px;">ew n*ggas just new n*ggas, don't get involved...</span><br style="line-height: 26.390625px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 26.390625px;">I'm usually homeboys with the same n*ggas I'm rhymin' wit</span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>But this is hip hop and them n*ggas should know what time it is<br style="line-height: 26.390625px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 26.390625px;">And that goes for Jermaine Cole, Big KRIT, Wale</span><br />Pusha T, Meek Millz, A$AP Rocky, Drake<br />Big Sean, Jay Electron', Tyler, Mac Miller<br style="line-height: 26.390625px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 26.390625px;">I got love for you all but I'm tryna murder you n*ggas</span><br style="line-height: 26.390625px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 26.390625px;">Tryna make sure your core fans never heard of you n*ggas</span><br style="line-height: 26.390625px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 26.390625px;">They dont wanna hear not one more noun or verb from you n*ggas</span><br style="line-height: 26.390625px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 26.390625px;">What is competition?</span><span style="line-height: 26.390625px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 26.390625px;">I'm tryna raise the bar high</span><br /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 26.390625px;">Who tryna jump and get it? You better off tryna skydive"</span></b></i></span><br />
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Now some people were confused by this verse, some took it as being disrespectful to the artists he mentioned, some saw it as a foolish publicity stunt, but what people need to understand is that what Kendrick did was simply utilize one of the aspects which hip-hop was founded upon: Competition.<br />
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These days, many people have negative views of competition in hip-hop because they tend to associate hip-hop battles with personal feuds and violence. However, history shows that hip-hop's competitive spirit is isn't as violent or negative as it may seem.<br />
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Originally, hip-hop battles were simply used as friendly ways for artists to sharpen their skills, and in many it was used for artists to prove their skills. It could be compared to a sparring match between boxers, or a pick-up between basketball players.<br />
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Some of the pioneers of hip-hop were born out of this legacy of competition. Hip-hop legend Kool Moe Dee's prestige as an artist rose from his battles with MCs in New York in the early 1980s. Renowned hip-hop artist, KRS-ONE was put on the map through his song, "South Bronx" which dissed legendary Queens rapper MC Shan and Producer/DJ Marley Marl for what he perceived to be a failure to acknowledge the birthplace of hip-hop, The Bronx.<br />
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Rappers Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, LL Cool J and many others took friendly competitive jabs at one another during the primes of their careers.<br />
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Even 50 Cent's claim to fame was his 1999 song "How To Rob", in which he jokingly rapped about robbing many of the top hip-hop stars of the time.<br />
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Nearly all of the greats had to put their lyrical skills to the test at one point or another. Even in what is considered by some to be the "Golden Age" of hip-hop, one of the greatest rappers of all time had to defend himself to maintain his status as "The King".</div>
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<i><b>"This goes out to those that choose to use disrespectful views on the King of N-Y </b></i><br />
<i><b>F**k that, why try? Throw bleach in your eye. </b></i><br />
<i><b>Now you're Brailling it, snatch that light sh*t, I'm scalin it...</b></i><br />
<i><b>Ain't no other kings in this rap thing, they siblings </b></i><br />
<i><b>Nothing but my children, one shot, they disappearin'"</b></i><br />
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<b>-Notorious BIG "Kick In The Door"</b><br />
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Today, we're entering another Golden Age in hip-hop, where there are many young, hungry, talented lyricists competing to be the best. Kendrick understood this and his verse was a clever, strategic move which distinguished him from the rest of the pack while upping the lyrical standards for rappers everywhere.<br />
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Kendrick is a student of hip-hop and his verse on "Control" proved that. Now, the student is ready to do some schooling.Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-17468899604355637202013-08-11T15:03:00.002-07:002013-08-11T15:03:56.570-07:00What Family Reunions Mean to Me<div>
By: Marvin DeBose</div>
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Yesterday, I attended my family reunion, which my family coordinates annually out in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. <div>
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It was a sunny, yet cool day. People danced to songs like "The Electric Slide" and "The Cupid Shuffle". Smiling, energetic sweat-drenched young children played dodgeball and had sack races in the fields.</div>
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Yet, while I was helping to serve food, I got the opportunity to do a little bit of people-watching and I began to notice something disturbing among some of the family members. This was the fact that many didn't seem to understand now appreciate the importance of a family reunion.</div>
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This lack of understanding and appreciation was largely evident in people's actions. Some didn't make an effort to meet family members they might not know. Some family members sat away from where most of the family was congregated and, quite frankly, some people seemed to just be there for the food.</div>
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I thought to myself, "How is this a family <i>reunion</i>, if the family isn't uniting?"</div>
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This bothered me because I see family reunions as being very important, especially for Black families. The reason why I find it so important for Black families is because many of us come from a culture where much of our lineage and history was stripped from us.</div>
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When I say "stripped from us", I mean that in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, much of the history, customs, indigenous languages and names of people of the African diaspora were neglected, rejected, and literally <i>beaten</i> out of us.</div>
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Additionally, during slavery, Black families were often intentionally broken up. A mother's children might get sold to another plantation, husbands would be separated from wives, and fathers would be taken away from their families.</div>
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We often forget that some of the first Black family reunions were coordinated by runaway slaves who escaped plantations in the night to seek their loved ones, risking their lives in the process. </div>
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This is why historically, family reunions were nearly seen as sacred events for Black families because of the deeper significance they held as it related to our past.</div>
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Black families may not be able tell you exactly what country our ancestors came from. We don't have too many centuries-old family crests or heirlooms, but we do have each other, and each member of our family is a valuable resource. Everyone from the infants to the elders has an important role within our families. </div>
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Understanding our family history and strengthening those family connections is how we rebuild the history that was stripped from us and create a stronger sense of community. </div>
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On top of that, regardless of cultural backgrounds, our family is supposed to be our source of pride, our dynasty; something which we hold to high esteem.</div>
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Therefore, we have to cherish and respect the opportunities that we have to connect with our family members. To be unappreciative of that is a disservice to those who came before us who would have gave their lives just to be reunited with family.</div>
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Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-13334486198416981742013-08-09T16:41:00.001-07:002013-08-09T16:41:17.246-07:00Nice People... Where'd They Go?By: Marvin DeBose<br />
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When I was a residence hall coordinator at Edinboro University. I once had someone show me how powerful being nice to someone really is.<br />
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It was the the beginning of the school year, I was just starting grad school and beginning my graduate assistantship as a hall coordinator as well. Although I was familiar with the environment since I was an RA the previous semester, like anyone going into a new job, I had my doubts.<br />
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"Do I even know what I'm doing?" and "I don't want to mess up" were some of the recurring thoughts in my head.<br />
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That day, one of my friends checked into my building. At the time, I'd only really known him for a few months, so he was really more of a casual acquaintance then a "friend".<br />
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After I helped sign him into the building and gave him his keys, he said something that shifted my whole perspective. As he picked his bags up to go upstairs, he turned to me and said, "You know, Marvin, you're doing a great job."<br />
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And just like that, I wasn't as worried anymore and I wasn't as stressed. In fact, I spent the next few hours occasionally reflecting on how nice of a gesture that was.<br />
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Then I had to ask myself, "Why don't more people act like that?"<br />
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Then I remembered that sometimes the world can be a harsh place, it takes a toll on people physically, mentally and emotionally. Like the great poet Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson once said, "Death gotta be easy, cause life is hard/It'll leave you physically, mentally, and emotionally scarred."<br />
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Sometimes, as a response or a defense mechanism to the harsh, negative, "hard" aspects of life, people themselves become hardened mentally and emotionally, and respond to the world with harsh, negative attitudes and actions.<br />
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Yet, I believe that the best way to counteract this coldness that the world can bring is through genuine gestures of warmth. Whether it's a smile, a compliment, a thank you, or just a greeting, it all goes a long way, and it may affect someone more than you'll ever know.<br />
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I'm not saying you have to be <i>obnoxiously</i> nice and walk around whistling Dixie with a smile 24/7 singing songs (that'll just make you look nuts). I'm not saying that you have to be the guy who holds the door for everyone, or that you have to be a pushover and try to please everyone. But you get what I mean.<br />
<br />Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-44251116036371674662013-08-07T15:48:00.000-07:002013-08-07T15:48:10.479-07:00Growing up and "Getting Old"By: Marvin DeBose<br />
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Recently my 10-year old sister was talking about her upcoming birthday in September. Like most kids, the fact that her birthday is less than two months away makes it a reason to talk about it incessantly. "I want a party, at [whatever place that 10-year olds like to go to for their birthdays (I wasn't really paying attention)]."<br />
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My younger brother and I, naturally felt the need to tease her as if we weren't going to celebrate her birthday this year.<br />
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"You're not having a party", my brother said. "Mom and Dad are saving all the money for my 16th birthday party this year."<br />
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Then I jokingly chimed in, "No, neither of you are having a party because we're saving up for my 24th birthday party." And as those words "24th birthday" came out, it was like an alarm went off in my head. I stopped in my tracks and thought to myself, "Damn, when did I become an adult?"<br />
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For the rest of that day, I thought a lot about how fast the last ten years seemed to go. I thought about how fast high school went, how quickly college went by, and how fast my grad school years came and went. Then, I began to think about how fast the<i> next</i> ten years would go.<br />
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Yet, recognizing how fast the years go by can have sort of a sobering effect on you, it helps you puts things into perspective. It made me realize that now is the time to do more, experience more and accomplish more.<br />
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I'm not saying that going into your mid-20s is "getting old", nor it is for your 30s, 40s, or 50s for that matter. In fact, it's my belief that "old" has nothing to do with age. Not to sound too deep or esoteric, but I believe that the concepts of oldness and youthfulness are related more to our spirit, and the body is merely a vehicle of the spirit.<br />
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Yet, I think that age should be a reminder of the value of time, and the value of life as well.<br />
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So thinking about how fast the years go by I learned a simple lesson: Go out be what you want to be, do what you want to do, go where you want to go, because, either way, the years are still gonna go by.Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-14968201947573170172013-07-13T13:35:00.002-07:002013-08-19T15:59:53.814-07:00Philly Basketball Players Come Back to Teach Life Skills<br />
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By: Marvin DeBose<o:p></o:p></div>
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In Philadelphia, a city with a huge emphasis on athletics,
it’s not too often that people see athletic skills and life skills taught in
conjunction with one another.<o:p></o:p></div>
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However, on Sunday, June 30th, at Finley Recreaction Center,
about 20 Mt. Airy kids, ranging from ages 6-15, witnessed an exception to that
rule, at the 3rd “Players Helping Players” free basketball clinic.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The program was largely coordinated by William Logan, a Mt.
Airy/West Oak Lane resident who grew up playing basketball at Finley Recreation
Center. Logan played under the tutelage of Mt. Airy basketball
coaches, Marvin DeBose Sr. and Bob Pembleton in the early 2000s and went on to
earn his Bachelor’s degree from Lockhaven University in Sports and Fitness
administration and his Master’s from St. Louis University in Concentration
Sports Management.</div>
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Logan, who is currently the assistant men’s basketball coach
at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, discussed the importance of
this program.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“It’s important for people who had success through [the
Finley Basketball program] come back and give back,” Logan said. “We to
continue to have something positive going on in the community.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Shooting, passing, defense and other high-energy drills
focusing on basketball fundamentals were the main activities in the 2-hour
clinic, largely with the assistance of the program’s facilitators Jordan
Ingram, a basketball coach at Mercer County Community College in Trenton, NJ.
and Kevin Smith, another former Finley player who’s now a mathematics teacher
for Universal Companies in South Philadelphia.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ingram, once a standout basketball player for Archbishop
Carroll, as well as a player for Fairleigh Dickinson University, noticed a
direct correlation between one’s development as a basketball player and one’s
personal development.</div>
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“Learning how to work with people, learning that it not all
about me,” Jordan stated, are some of the life lessons which basketball helps
to reinforce. “In high school I didn’t always have the best relationship with
teammates, but the job had to be done.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Smith, who, like Logan, started playing under DeBose and
Pembleton at Finley at the age of 14, also drew parallels between athletics and
life skills<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Coaching [both on and off the court] plays a big role, it
comes down to teaching young players the right thing and how to be not only
better players, but better people,” Smith said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The event was culminated with motivational speeches
on the importance of academics and life skills from numerous former players and
coaches. Players spoke on the importance of giving back their communities, as well as academic
excellence, and hard work and dedication, both on and off of the court.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“It’s not about finding the most talented players and
talking to them about how talented they are.” Ingram said. “No let’s focus on
picking up books and your academics.”</div>
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To further emphasize the academic message of the program,
players were also given a selection of countless books to take home, sponsored by the
Free Library of Philadelphia. DeBose Sr., the former Finley Rec coach of Logan
and Smith, who now works as a librarian for the Free Library of Philadelphia,
helped to provide and distribute the books.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The coaches of the “Players Helping Players” clinic hoped
that the program was effective in not
only linking life skills and basketball but giving the youth a positive,
ambitious outlook.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You’re not gonna win every game, just like you’re not gonna
win in life all the time,” Logan said, “But you have to come back working hard
and fighting and eventually you’ll get to where you want to be.”<o:p></o:p></div>
Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-7853124419898309762013-07-06T18:04:00.000-07:002013-07-06T19:55:34.425-07:00An Open Letter to Morgan Freeman<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">By: Marvin DeBose</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Note: Regardless if Mr. Freeman ever reads this or not, this is a message which many people need to read.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Dear Mr. Freeman,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope that this message finds you in great health and high spirits. I think it goes without saying that you're undoubtedly one of the most talented actors that I've ever seen. Your movies are classics, and the word "iconic" is an understatement when it comes to describing some of the characters that you've played over the years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Not only do I respect you as an actor, I also respect your perspective and your opinion as an African-American man who grew up in the era of Jim Crow segregation. I'm sure you've faced discrimination far more dehumanizing and humiliating than I may ever experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">However, I must respectfully disagree with a statement that you made some years back in a 60 Minutes interview. In the interview, the late, talented journalist, Mike Wallace asked you a rather complex question, he asked, "How do we get rid of racism?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You promptly stated that the best way to get rid of racism was to<b> "Stop talking about it."</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You elaborated by saying <b>"<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 14.140625px;">I’m going to stop calling you a white man. And I’m going to ask you to stop calling me a black man. I know you as Mike Wallace. You know me as Morgan Freeman."</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I found these views as dangerous in today's America because in a world where hate crimes, the explosion of the prison industrial complex, police brutality, racial profiling and discrimination in housing, jobs, education and politics still exist, America still has a rather immature view of race and the role it plays in our lives. Some of the most apparent symbols of this are seen in our language.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For example, just look at a phrase like, "Playing the race card". Such a phrase would imply that people who discuss race are merely insincere opportunists who use their race as some sort of Monopoly-esque "Community Chest" card.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But life is no game, and my mentions of racism won't allow me to "Pass Go" and Collect $200, nor will my race <b>ever</b> be a "Get Out of Jail Free Card" (In fact, it may be a Get<i> Into </i>Jail Free Card).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So, saying "Stop talking about it" basically allows those immature beliefs to be reinforced and it suggests that the best way to combat racism is to pretend it doesn't exist, which many people already do... and have<b> been</b> doing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">One of the few cases in which silence might work to solve a problem is if you're trying to put a baby to sleep. But America isn't baby anymore, and its citizens have been "sleeping" long enough. A more adequate analogy of America would be that of an unruly child, who needs to be taught <i><b>why</b></i> certain behaviors are problematic in order to correct those behaviors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If your character from the movie <i>Lean on Me</i>, Joe Clark, decided to solve the problems of the dysfunctional Ease Side High by simply not talking about them, Lean on Me would have been a very different movie, to say the least.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Implying that race and racism are things which we just shouldn't talk about about gives the impression that these aren't real issues in the world. Despite the fact that race is a social construct, racism is something that is very real, especially in its consequences.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Many people are uncomfortable with discussing issues of race because they're afraid to offend people, some don't feel as if it affects them, and some don't discuss issues of race because it may challenge some of the beliefs which they, or people close to them, have internalized. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Many people may even be uncomfortable reading this letter and it may make some people angry. But most growth comes from discomfort, so if they are uncomfortable and/or angry, it means they probably read something that was true.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But, I believe that any injustice, whether its based on race, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation or nationality, requires courageous, loving individuals to have an honest discussion about it. People need to talk more about racism, and not only that, they need to learn about its history, and act on it productively.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Poverty won't go away by silence. Not talking about cancer or AIDS doesn't ensure a cure for the many people affected by those diseases. Wars certainly do not end by people not discussing them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Mr. Freeman, silence doesn't eliminate societal problems, it just <i>perpetuates</i> them, and race is no exception.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>P.S</b>. You have one of the best voices I've ever heard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sincerely,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Marvin DeBose</span>Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8335673669837616108.post-26476032599638898142013-07-02T15:14:00.000-07:002013-07-02T15:35:03.485-07:00What Happened to Reading?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blog.buzzbuzzhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/bookcase2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://blog.buzzbuzzhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/bookcase2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">By: Marvin DeBose</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I have a long history when it comes to reading. As a young child, my mother would buy me countless "Read Along" books that came with cassettes that I'd play on my Playskool tape recorder.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My father also was a huge influence on my reading habits as well. He'd read newspapers daily as well as countless books on history, ranging from books on the Moors in Spain to the history of the mafia. As fate would have it, he eventually became a librarian for the Free Library of Philadelphia, one of the largest public library systems in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Needless to say, books have played and still play a tremendous role in my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When I got to college at Edinboro University, at one point I'd make it a habit to get a new book from the library every Friday afternoon after classes. I'd read biographies, books on history, politics, sociology, business, self-improvement and many other topics as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Many people couldn't comprehend why I'd read even more literature than I had to, after all, we already had to read for classes. But I saw this reading as a necessity, sort of a mental exercise... as well as a waste of money to not make use of the seven-story campus library which I was already paying for out of my student fees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For me, reading was something that I felt I had to do in order to help me to grow as a person. That's probably why it confused me when I'd hear adults, many of them being college students, say things like, "I don't read."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a point that I can't emphasize enough; We have to read.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not talking about just reading any garbage that you can get your hands on, because just like there is garbage on TV, there is garbage in some books as well. But my point is to read things that are worth your time, things which will enlighten you, that will help you to grow, and that will help you to be extraordinary at your craft, whatever it may be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We also have to take the time to read things which may challenge our own preconceptions and our own perspective.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I believe that as citizens of this world, we also have a responsibility to learn about the world as well as how we fit into it and how we can improve it. So, we have to read about cultures different than ours, countries outside of our own, and people from different walks of life than us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In a world full of so much misunderstanding and ignorance, would it really hurt to have more readers in the world?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So, READ... and don't say that you don't have time, <b>make time</b>. Turn off the TV, turn off the computer, party less and limit the video game time. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The world needs more informed, analytic, reflective people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As Napoleon Bonaparte once said, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Marvin's recommendations</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The Autobiography of Malcolm X</i> by: Alex Haley</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>48 Laws of Power</i> by: Robert Greene</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>People's History of the United States</i> by: Howard Zinn</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Do You!</i> by: Russell Simmons</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Lies My Teacher Told Me</i> by: James Loewen</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Feel free to share any of <b>YOUR </b>book recommendations in the comments section</span><br />
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<b><u><br /></u></b>Marvin DeBosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07042999741273002117noreply@blogger.com2