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| "There is nothing to talk about. I'm done with it." - Kobe Bryant |
- Why disgruntled Los Angeles Lakers teammates Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant refuse to sit and share a man-to-man talk to end their basketball differences, once and for all. I am not even a Laker fan and it bothers me to see Howard notsomuch as break a sweat in games.
- How female recording artists Tamia, Chante Moore, and Melanie Fiona can be so beautiful and talented and down-to-earth, yet so vastly underrated. What does that say about the music industry? What does it say about consumers?
- During conversations of greatest R&B album ever, how is it that Anita Baker's Rapture never enters the conversation? One will be hard-pressed to name another joint that lists classic songs such as Sweet Love, You Bring Me Joy, Caught Up In The Rapture, Been So Long, No One In The World, Same Ole Love.
- How anyone can view cold-blooded killer Christopher Dorner as a hero. Yes, the LAPD is unfair and rogue. Yes, ethic minorities are discriminated against in America on a daily basis. But if murder is the response, what then can be accomplished? At what point does Dorner lose credibility?
- Black women in general complain about how they are portrayed in the media, and rightfully so. No one wants to see negative stereotypes of themselves. Yet, black women condone and even encourage such behavior in wildly popular "reality television" programs.
- There are some wonderfully smart and intelligent people in the world in all areas of life. That said, it baffles me to see one of said persons allow themselves to be twisted and turned by the ever-changing winds of popular media.
- How urban culture on a whole is devalued on a daily basis. Yet, it somehow remains as a valuable entity. Which leads me to believe that someone is lying. Hollywood, yo.
- Is it me or has everyone noticed how Oprah Winfrey suddenly embraced Black America ever since OWN channel suffered a drastic decline in ratings? I don't know, maybe I'm the only one that paid attention.
- Every year, outside of the appreciated efforts of academic students and scholars, Black History Month seemingly enters with a bang only to exit with a whimper. Are the ride-or-die efforts of our ancestors no longer important or appreciated, even?
- How anyone can have a problem with someone that doesn't walk around, looking to be understood at all times. I mean, is every single thing about a person meant to be understood? I believe the majority of misunderstandings can be summed up in this particular and always-relevant song.
I'll choose a couple of these to talk about... don't wanna blog outta control in your comment section, sir!
ReplyDelete-Kobe and Dwight are big money and spoiled brats. That's why.
-The artists you mentioned are talented, but they aren't pop stars. And they aren't butt naked and gyrating all over the place. That's why they don't get the play these others get.
-Anita Baker is more adult contemporary. The Rapture album came out the year I graduated from high school. It was rare, and still is, to cop a full album where every song is great. It should be up there in the top R&B albums.
-He is not a hero. Did you read the 22 page manifesto? He was a depressed man who had lost all hope. He said it himself. He would've been a hero if, in knowing this, he would've gotten some help and moved on with his life. He could've helped others who were going through what he was going through.
-I can't do the black female reality shows. I don't want that type of conflict showing up in my life.
-Oprah has figured out that she is one of us, and she knows what we like. Not sure that is saying much.
I tried reading the manifesto, but could never finish. It made my head hurt after I realized he'd murdered innocent people. Definitely not a hero and I too believe he could have helped many others had he not pulled the trigger. Oprah is an exceptional businesswoman and one of my fave celebrities, but all I'm saying is - next time, don't play your people to the left.
DeleteKinda hard to have a Man-to-Man conversation when ONE ISN'T A MAN Though... Maybe Kobe should speak with D-Howard's FATHER then HE can relay the info to HIS SON #SMDH
ReplyDeleteThe CONSUMERS aka The BUYING Public are basically 12 year olds to IMMATURE 20-Somethings and The artists you mentioned are TOO MATURE for Their Taste... PLUS they don't fit the profile that GETS YOU Heavy-Rotation on The Radio and ENDLESS Promotion to help increase Public Interest (YUP...)
Yeah and THAT'S A DAMN SHAME TOO... LUVS ME SOME Anita Baker Though (Yesssaahhhh...)
There are KOOL-AID DRINKERS for everybody that makes it to The PUBLIC FORUM for DEBATE and Christopher Dorner is NO DIFFERENT (In That Regard...) People need to be paying Closer Attention to The FUTURE RAMIFICATIONS these Staged Events will eventually have on OUR FREEDOM and Very WAY OF LIFE because President OBAMA has been signing in Some NEW LAWS and PROTOCOLS that's going to... You know WHAT (NVM...)
President OBAMA have more KOOL-AID DRINKERS than ANY CELEBRITY or PURPORTED EVIL BAD GUY Though (Yup...)
TOTALLY AGREE
YEP YEP... ON-POINT!!!!!
UHH HUH.. And leave it to MY All-Time GROUP (To Set Things Str8 Though...) P.E BABAYYYYY!!!
BAM!!!!! Btw OWN = NWO ----> NEW WORLD ORDER
Who KNOWS Bruh... VERY Interesting Thought Though (MmmHmmm...)
That's a GOOD ONE Though...
I could say ALOT MORE but AS USUAL Great Post Bruh... LUV The Thought-Provoking Topics you bring up for Discussion (REAL...)
"President OBAMA have more KOOL-AID DRINKERS than ANY CELEBRITY or PURPORTED EVIL BAD GUY Though (Yup...)"
DeleteSo true!
At first, I didn't think Lakers would make playoffs this season. But now it looks as if they might catch Houston and Utah, so that probably takes the sting out of Howard/Kobe feud this offseason and gives both men to chance to reflect and join forces on the court. Lately, Dwight has received more touches than normal and the Lakers are winning games.
DeleteI miss Anita Baker
ReplyDeleteI'm "ashamed" to admit that I'd forgotten that it was Black History Month.
Love for a great day!
fsb
You forgot? Lol. How is that possible, FSB?
Delete"Why disgruntled Los Angeles Lakers teammates Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant refuse to sit and share a man-to-man talk to end their basketball differences, once and for all. I am not even a Laker fan and it bothers me to see Howard not so much as break a sweat in games."
ReplyDeleteMannnn, you aint never lied about this one...I was thinking the same thing the other day.
Those amazing female artist are R&B songstress' not pop stars, even Monica and Brandy don't get as much hype as they used to because they aren't sell outs and putting their songs to a dance/pop beat.
ReplyDeleteI love me some Anita!
Oprah, Oprah, Oprah...smh I realized it sir, she needs someone ANYONE to watch her station since her white fan base neglected her. SO how does she get us black folk...reality TV!
I am anti-ignit reality TV and the horrible betrayal of black women or any women on tv, we've got to do better!
With the social media outlets and popularity contest with strangers from across the world, the most intelligent person is dumbing themselves down in order to fit in while at the same time trying to stand out.
I usually listen to Anita Baker's song once a week on Spotify or my cellphone and I'm amazed at how good Rapture truly is. From singing to melody to lyrics to arrangement, it's definitely one of the greatest R&B albums ever produced. I wish she'd gift us with another classic effort.
Delete"Yet, black women condone and even encourage such behavior in wildly popular "reality television" programs."
ReplyDeleteHow is that? I think there are more Black women that hate those shows than who like them. In fact, Black women have started numerous petitions to have those shows taken off the air.
Anita Baker has a new single out. I saw her on Jimmy Kimmel a few weeks ago. I agree, that is a classic album for sure. Problem is (and this goes for Tamia, etc. too) if you aren't making headlines in some sort of way, usually negative ones, people forget about you or give more attention to those who are always in the news. (Ex. Rihanna)
I don't think Dorner is a hero but if you have ever spent any time in LA or any other major city and have been abused by the police on a daily basis then I can understand how some can view him as a hero. But, it's too bad that no one in the media is investigating Dorner's allegations against the LAPD. I guess that would be too much work for the corporate media.
Lol No, you are not the only one to notice Oprah trying to come home. For the last 25 years she didn't want to have anything to do with us non-African Negroes but now as OWN struggles and her White women have deserted her, she expects us to take up the slack.
I'm going to RESPECTFULLY Disagree with You on the "I think there are more Black women that hate those shows than who like them." Though
DeleteDon is speaking ON THE WHOLE basis where YOUR Premise actually represents a Certain "MINDSET of THOUGHT" Type Females WHICH IS THE MINORITY becuz SOME of the Females you speak of ACTUALLY WATCH THIS CRAP (YUP...) And Although they may Dislike It and Talk about what they viewed IN A RIDICULING WAY The Fact that they WATCH IT means to me that THEY SUPPORT IT becuz They're apart of the viewership that determines THE RATINGS along with The VIABLE LONGEVITY of These CRAPPY-AZZ Shows Though
And Don't SHOOT ME THE "EVIL-STARE" of DEATH Baby!!!!! #LMAOOOOO ;-D
@ELove
DeleteOkay let's take a look at the numbers. There are about 20 million Black women between the ages of 18 and 50 years old. Those crazy shows on VH1 and Bravo only attract between 1 and 2 million viewers per episode. Let's assume that at least 50% of viewers are either White people or Black men. So, that leaves between 500,000 and 1 million viewers who are likely Black women. So that's 1 million Black women out of 20 million.
Which means that those Black women who support those shows are a very small minority. Therefore, most Black women do not support those shows.
How 'bout them apples! Lol
LMAOOOOOO... STOP IT NOW!!!!!
DeleteNow you know DAMN WELL we ain't talking about NO WOMEN in their mid-30s to 50 Though... And Actually I doubt IF ANY Woman over 30 would watch these shows UNLESS It's just out of CURIOSITY (YUP...) But I understand YOUR STANCE Though (Still Don't Wholeheartedly AGREE...) <---- NOTICE What I DID There Baby #LOL ;-D
Questions that need answers..... Essence recently did an article in regards to if the "reality shows" were hurting our young girls. I personally gave up cable last summer so we no longer watch. I say no longer because I was guilty, intrigued by these lifestyles although I'm far from materilistic, but also had to take a step back and realize that's not how I want my daughter to believe things are suppose to be. I also felt the same way with the "16 and Pregnant". I was that 16 year old yet became so annoyed the few times I watched because felt I could not relate. I read, educated myself, continued school, just didn't do a lot of the things I saw the girls doing on the show but also then understood the stigma with being so young pregnant (and the looks I would receive from others). Wish I knew the saying that I love now - Don't judge my sin because it's different than yours.....
ReplyDeleteThese types of reality shows, like rap music on a whole, are certainly detrimental. It has to be accepted that negative stereotypes are found within each of these factions. I guess it's true what Chris stated in the previous comment that if one doesn't like it, then don't watch, but IDK if that solves the issue. To the youth that have concerned parents who can school their children on the real, the truth can be dissected. But I guess I spoke for those who aren't as fortunate.
DeleteI beg to differ on Oprah and reality TV. Oprah doesn't need black people no more than she needs white people. Her shows on OWN a very rounded and she interviews POPULAR people. The Kardashians aren't white neither is Carrie Underwood or Fergie and I watched those interviews on OWN. Which brings me to this point, we ridicule women who watch reality TV but we also ridicule Oprah because we feel as if she has "come back home", you just can't satisfy black people because no matter what you do or say as a black person there will be a gazillion of other black people pointing their fingers and telling you what you should or shouldn't do. I am more of a, if you don't like it then don't do it or watch it, type of person. You hate reality tv, then change the station. Don't like Oprah, then change the station..... As far as the Lakers, blah! I don't like Kobe so I don't watch his games. lol. I love Anita Baker and she totally smashed Tyrese's Lately. I love her singing that song! My kids school actually changed Black History Month to Diversity Month because they said they didn't want to focus on one race. I was outdone by that!
ReplyDeleteNah I wasn't ridiculing, not really, I just find it humorous how there are black women in America who are appalled at the way they are treated on a whole, yet ridicule other black women that are treated the exact same way on these shows. Anita Baker is one of my all-time faves.
DeleteI agree, black people aren't easily satisfied.
...I couldn’t agree more. I find myself rarely listening to the radio because there isn’t much to actually listen to. I’m constantly on Spotify and YouTube looking up artists that get little or no airplay and more so seeking little known artists. I’m fortunate to be able to hear WXPN, which is a member-supported radio station in the Philly area where I’m exposed to so much new and different artists and music. Too many are caught up in hype.
ReplyDelete...Again, couldn’t agree more. We’ve forgotten about real and classic music/artists
...Don, I swear I need to call 911/The Mind Police because you’re all up in my head. Exacting that kind of response to a situation resolves nothing and the offender is now vilified and more maligned than the issue that set him off in the first place.
...Fortunately, I do NOT watch those shows. I cannot and will not give ratings to that garbage
...Media whoring in whatever form is what brings notoriety and their claim to fame. Some attention is better than no attention for many; regardless of how it’s projected
...It’s a conflicted flattery!
...Maaaaan! I’ve been saying this for years. Opera is a cult leader and folk got caught up in the hype sipping that Kool-Ade on a regular. I quit her and her magazine decades ago. I always thought Oprah appeased and tolerated the black community, but never embraced it…until now. She still gets no ratings from me.
...The community does little to appreciate where we came from; therefore, they give nothing to the youth coming up now. The so-called role models are Lil Wayne and the likes; demeaning so-called reality shows, etc., is what’s being fed like peanut butter and it’s being eaten like starving refugees. Folk have forgotten their history, their worth/value, and do little to educate themselves outside of the ish they’re taught in schools. I helped my boyfriends daughter do a paper for Black History Month and had her chose someone other than the popular names. We chose Josephine Baker and I bet the teacher will get schooled after reading it.
...People spend too much time in others peoples ish. Janet Jackson said it best, “how empty of me, to be so full of you”.
Josephine Baker is a solid choice, I agree, and media whoring is the new thing in America. Yes, I too believe Oprah never embraced the black community once she scored big on her talk show. Which is fine, if that's what she preferred. But it's kind of funny when it begins to take a nosedive how she returned to the fold. They all do, at some point. Spotify is my ish.
DeleteI think people believe Dorner is a hero because he took justice in his own hands. We forget though people do us wrong they are loved by others...sad the way that ended smh
ReplyDeleteIn that list Tamia most definitely is the most underrated! She sings flawlessly and really pretty too.
Your last point is probably why no one at my old job liked me lol. I don't try to fit myself or mold to anyone. Too much for some folks to handle I guess *shrugs*
Just stopping by to say hi and myfuturerocks is back open :-)
Dorner situation was pretty sad, I wish it could have all been avoided. My sentiments, exactly concerning Tamia. She's so underrated.
DeleteI think Dwight doesn't want to play with Kobe. He came there and thought it would be smooth but it ain't. Love him or hate him...Kobe has done things that no teammate has ever done to Dwight...called him out on his BS and made him accountable.
ReplyDeleteLook for Howard in Brooklyn next year
I too looked for Howard to be wearing another uniform next season. But once I realized that it's a business and only Lakers can offer max contract I figured he will return to LA. Brooklyn or Houston would be idea situations for Howard.
DeleteKobe definitely speaks his mind.
Finally someone who sees how completely underrated Tamia is. It's amazing someone with such a wonderful voice and who can actually sing is not given the proper credit.
ReplyDeleteAnd you are right in terms of reality tv. We can complain all day but as long as we (black women) keep watching the shows will continue to be created and renewed every season.
Great post!