Author: Warin

Black Out Black Friday

Posted on by in Ferguson, Mike Brown, Terence Nance.

Can’t say that I was surprised about the no indictment decision regarding Darren Wilson who shot and killed Michael Brown last August. What has surprised me however, is the response across America (and even in places like Toronto, Canada) to this case and the number of people who felt compelled to march, protest and simply just make their voices known.

What followed in the immediate aftermath of the decision was protests that at points descended into property damage in the form of fires and some looting. But it is important to remember that this was just a small sect of people. Many more marched peacefully not just in Ferguson, but in New York, D.C., Boston, Oakland, and Los Angeles just to name a few.

Protesters blocked highways, flooded Times Square, marched to the White House, and also made their presence known on a day when consumption is usually king — Black Friday. The hashtag #blackoutblackfriday was re-tweeted by many and led to people doing lay ins in malls in and around Ferguson as a symbolic way of laying their lives on the line for the cause. This is a movement that will not go quietly into the night.

With any movement that gains steam and hence increases in the amount of eyes and ears paying attention, you best believe that there is an art component not far behind. Whether it be photos, music, or in this case of this post, video, the arts have always helped us hold a mirror up to society to see just what’s really going on. The same has happened in the aftermath of this case. Check out the video below directed by Terence Nance. Powerful stuff.

ABC’s Risk on Blackish Appears to be Paying Off

Posted on by in ABC, Anthony Anderson, Blackish.
http://www.televisionseries.org

When I first heard about the premise of the show “Blackish,” I had a lukewarm feeling. It wasn’t that the show would be featuring a black family, or that it was airing on a channel that I admittedly did not watch often, but that race would be such a central part of the show.

For as much some in 2014 like to pretend that we are a post-racial society, film and media would not indicate as much. Black writers, directors and producers are still an underrepresented entity behind the lens, just as black actors and actresses are in front of it. Many TV shows and programs might deal with race and ethnicity in subtle and nuanced ways, but never really head on. “Blackish” was staking new ground on that territory.

After watching the first episode a bout a week before it’s network premiere, I was a member of the wait-and-see camp. In the 4 following episodes, I think the series has really come into its own.

Where I think the show excels is not only bringing a humorous tilt to things such as mastering the head nod, but also resolutions to problems seen through the perspective of the protagonist Andre (played by Anthony Anderson). Last week’s episode about spanking was pretty funny as was the previous episode where Andre tries to find some black friends for his unpopular son. Definitely like Tracee Ellis-Ross as Rainbow and Lawrence Fishburne practically steals the show as the cantankerous old man “Pops.” I’ll definitely be tuning in for the rest of the season.

3 Years in the Game

Posted on by in 3 years, Awkward Black Girl, FilmSwag, Issa Rae, Lupita Nyong'o.

I must admit, I’m somewhat surprised that 3 years later this blog is still standing. I still remember my first post and wondering just where exactly I was going with this thing. I still have questions at times, but my focus has always been to provide articles and material that hopefully educates, enlightens and at least on occasion, entertains you, the readers.

A lot has changed since September of 2011. In the three years since we’ve seen the rise of filmmakers like Issa Rae who used her webseries “Awkward Black Girl” as a platform into other ventures including a still yet to be released TV show on HBO. Lupita Nyong’o has gone from aspiring actress to an Oscar winner and household name. On the production side, Shonda Rhimes’ television empire has only continued to grow as she now has THREE shows airing on primetime this season.

Of course not all has been positive. Outside of the industries there have been the continued killings of unarmed black men by police at a rate there’s have left me at times wondering what I would do in such situations. People of color still continue to often be left out in ad campaigns and major motion pictures as leading men and women. Despite all that, we still rise.

I just want to say once again THANK YOU to all of you who read this blog and even more, share it with others. I don’t have ads on this site because it’s not about clicks, but connectivity to an audience that often feels neglected and forgotten about. Let’s continue to keep getting educated together. Peace.