IQ's Comments (35)

“I enjoyed it.
But we need all beware.
This was a modern day retelling of
Tarzan.
I was impressed with some aspects of this film;
.....repulsed and saddened by others.

btw..
I am thrilled each time I find 'Independence Day'
appear on my TIVO schedule guide.”

“*KUDOS*

I made curiously similar comments concerning this whole MJ book
fiasco but I assume my more pointed comments were not deemed editorially germane.
Boteach has lost all credibility on this subject after his opportunistic and disingenuous handling of the Michael Jackson issue.”

“*PREACH & TEACH*”

“...Do African Americans exist in 'Mad Men' America as of Season 3?????”

“I'm an 80's kid as well. All of these movies are ubiquitous in the patchwork of memories that I have from that time. I love the movies, especially "Weird Science". "Breakfast Club" and 'Ferris.....". But as I look back at the period I remember the greatness and richness of the new diversity that America was experiencing. Mine was the first real generation in my southern hometown where Black kids and White kids weren't simply paying lip service to diversity as our older sisters and brothers had. We were actually on sports teams with each other and not against each other. We dated, studied, got drunk and sometimes prayed together, And YES we partied at each others houses when our parents were out of town, got school detention and skipped school together.

Looking back on these movies and the music from them that were so much a part of my past I wonder why the diversity and integration that was so much a part of my life and many others is not represented in these 'classics' of late 20th century Americana. I wonder if people who see these movies a hundred years from now will really know what was transpiring in the culture.”

“I found heaven in Brooklyn as well....
....And I Married HER!!!!”

“Are we still in High School? Enough with the silly name calling.

Think through the problem. Those states are some of the poorest states in the union. In addition to obesity, these states also lead in infant mortality and cancer rates. The rate of AIDS infection in some of these Southern Red States are surprisingly high and RISING! The issue is not as simple as 'BUBBA' sittin' round the traiior eatin' pork skins and drankin' Dr Peppers by the barrel. It is about the poorest and least advantaged having access to consistent health care from prenatal care to hospice.

One factor that exacerbates the problem is Race. As of the 2000 census AA's comprised as much as 15%-90% of some continuous counties that stretch from southern Virgina through the La/Ark/Tx borders. This area is often called 'The Black Belt'. The legacy of hundreds of years of slavery and Jim Crow cannot be easily dismissed as factor in the behavior and habits that get passed down through generations. This legacy when combined with decades of poor or virtually non existent health care and isolation creates an issue that is far more complicated than it is often presented.

The holier than though attitude of folks who assume they know all the answers is not getting us any closer to the ultimate goal here.”

“The lack of logic and the contortions you bent yourself
into in your failed effort to avoid hypocrisy over three responses
proves my point. ..Thanks”

“Was this a racial issue when the crime was committed?..NO. But too often our collective racial history that hangs on us all like an albatross permeates and affects attitudes, commentary and ultimately the judgment of the public.

For instance last week Ben Roethlisberger, a two time super bowl winning QB who happens to be white, was named in a civil suit for sexually assaulting a woman last year. The media has gone absolutely silent on this story. This decison by ESPN et al is huge. There is no possibility of biased reporting, because there is NO REPORTING. As a result Mr Roethlisberger is currently the lead spokesperson for Dicks Sporting goods with commercials in regular rotation. Mr. Roethlisberger has not been paraded in front of the media walking into the league offices for an explanation of the charges and a meeting with the commissioner of the NFL Roger Goodell. for their version of the 'perp walk'. Therefore, unlike Mr Vick, 'Big Ben' has not been suspended before the legal affair has been adjudicated. There have been no angry crowds at the Steeler training camp demanding Mr Roelthlisberger be 'neutered' as Vick faced. The point is there has been no rush to judgment that creates a poisonous environment that prejudices the system before and after the accused can begin to defend oneself.

Furthermore the demonization of certain people to the point that the concept of redemption of any individual is unthinkable is dangerous to us as a culture.”

“ooooooOOOOHHHHHH..SNAP!!!”

“Headline should read..
****"White Cop, Black Professor, BLACK President,
Overwhelmingly All WHITE MEDIA, Publics Short Attention span,
Americas Unresolved Racial Albatross: An Explosive Media Combination"****”

“This is an excellent post.
As an African American I once again have been made aware of the virulent, active, overt and sanctioned racism that was ever present in our past.

But I must take exception with your blame of the South and the leaders of the South as being the flag bearers of modern racism. Senators Kyl of Arizona and Hatch of Utah were as overt in their questioning of Judge Sotamayor as Sessions and Graham.

Too often those of us from the North, West, East etc. absolve ourselves, our families and our regions as a whole from responsibility for the ills of the past and present by scapegoating the South as the sole perpetrator. The South is the loudest and most braggadocios among the regions indeed. Yet I can assure you I have faced far more overt racism in Boston and Chicago I have ever faced in Atlanta, Houston or Charleston.

The real question is; When the 'South Speaks' why were/are the other regions often silent?

In the hearings If we had a more diverse US Senate I don't believe this line of questioning would have been allowed to continue. That goes to the electorate does it not? . Furthermore If we had a more diverse media that would have held the Senators more accountable for their line of questions then things may have different. The powerful media punditry is located in bastions of liberalism: NYC and DC.
...It is not just the South..IT'S US”

“".....How have things changed? Mad Men could now just as easily be called Mad People, as advertising has enthusiastically welcomed the emergence of WOMEN into the business as equal practitioners and leaders...."

Yes but do you as openly 'welcome' African Americans and other minorities, whether they be Men or Women with the same enthusiasm that you do White Women(which is obviously how you are gauging positive change in the advertising industry).

Despite the writing and production value of this show I find 'Mad Men' a rehashing of a period in American history that indeed saw women through a virulently misogynistic looking glass(but at least the White Women are seen). On the other hand Blacks and other minorities are all but invisible. Refusing to acknowledge the humanity and existence of a group of people is shameful. The refusal of the producers of 'Mad Men' to deal with this social phenomenon in any substantial way inside and outside the advertising business diminishes the shows quality and perpetuates the 'business' practice of willful ignorance.”

“Thats really good. That means this movie will be around a LONG..LONG time.
So Years from now people will see how we as a culture sat in quiet theaters
and laughed, smiled, screamed; thereby giving tacit approval to ugly demeaning
.....racial stereotypes.

The two robots Skids and Mudflap meant to provide comic relief and to appeal to
kids are a manifestation of attitudes that still exist in Hollywood, They are also
indicative that there was minimal diversity along the decision making food chain for this film.”

“If you're above a certain age, or if you've chosen to be isolated socially and culturally
the passing Michael Jackson is at best deserving of a mention. I chose long ago not to isolate myself in such a manner. Indeed my age fits into the demo that viscerally responds to the memories that Mr Jackson created in our culture for 40+ years.

When it comes to the coverage; I am of the internet age. My curiosity can be quenched because I want to be aware of the whole world, and once again, I don't want to isolate myself in any way.

I was raised to walk and chew gum at the same time.”

“Seemingly the Chicago media is attempting to stand on their dainty little feet
after being overcome with a serious case of the vapors after learning of the until
now, unknown breaking news concerning this rough and tumble 'Chicago-Style' politics.

When you get your dander up, and if you can spare a few real reporters from
the breaking news revelation that politics may be dirty at times, maybe you can
send them to the South Side and shed light on the scores of African American
and Latino children that are being murdered daily just miles from the Northwestern
campus, and the lack of justice being doled out.”

“.........ditto”

“obamascholars.orgg has a nice ring to it...”

“Have something to say to the ASU Commencement Committee??

Hit em up on email;
http://graduation.asu.edu/contact
or call (480) 965-3565.”

“First it was Notre Dame and the rumblings concerning his appearance there because of Mr. Obamas stance on Abortion.(besides I still haven't forgiven ND for their treatment of Tyrone Willingham)

Now this bartender school community college that passes itself off as a university stands in judgment of the accomplishments and credentials of the First African American to become The President of the United States and deems his stellar portfolio to fall short of their standards for an honorary degree. LAUGHABLE!!!

I don't know his entire schedule for commencement speeches, but I certainly hope Mr. Obama has or will choose and include Historically Black Colleges and Universities(HBCU's) such as Howard University, Morehouse College, Claflin University or Spelman College in the cue of great institutions that truly honor and understand the magnitude of the moment in history that we are living.”

“Tremendous article Ms. Anderson. As my Grandmother used to say...
"..TELL THE TRUTH, SHAME THE DEVIL"

The defense of not using 'ethnic' model because the designer does not want to be confused for an 'Urban Brand' reminds me of the rationale that those shop owners in the South and in some parts of the North would use when they made Black customers come to the back door to be served.

About 7 years ago I stumbled into doing apparel licensing and distribution throughout Europe as part of my business. My area of expertise is Sports Marketing and Branding. Real two-fisted jock kind of stuff. I am an absolute outsider. In this period of time the fashion industries matter of fact, and overt racist attitudes, which are often reflected in the industries ways of doing business, have been an eye-opener.”

“The relative disregard for these children, their families and by extension poor and particularly poor African children throughout the continent is disturbing.

I am certain Ms Ciccone has intentions of providing a comfortable lifestyle for this child. But these children have something that cannot be simply ignored-actual family and extended family in Malawi. If this were a child in Ukraine, Belarus, or Ireland for that matter who'd lost both parents in bloody convicts that have occurred through the years would your attitudes be so cut and dry about removing the child from existing extended family?

For generations Americans and others have assumed that the lives of poor African children are best enhanced by taking the child from their culture and replacing it with wealth and the value system of our western culture. This has had devastating effects through the years on those removed from the culture, on the respective countries and the entire continent of Africa.

Africa has been looted for generations, often under the guise of saving the poor soulless people that have no culture or history to speak of. Africa's people(particularly her children) must be encouraged to remain and stay connected to Africa and the great possibility that Africa represents

I wish Ms Ciccone would continue to follow the example of Oprah Winfrey, Spike Lee and Bill Cosby who have answered the request of Nelson Mandela by helping the people of Africa by contributing time, and resources to improve the infrastructure and education throughout the continent.”

“In real life where I prefer to live I know that every study and examination of arrest and trial statistics when every variable is taken into consideration and the offenses are exactly the same, African Americans are arrested, tried and found guilty in disproportionately higher percentages.

The fact remains that In the shadows and in public courtrooms minorities are treated differently and too often far more harshly than the majority. This is still a fact in America. To ignore this reality simply to make a point, appease and to continue to brand yourself as "the Black Iconoclast(without a cause)"is frankly ashame.

Sports is the toy department of life. It is clear that Mr Whitlock(A sports journalist) and his cadre of 'YES' men and women intentionally fail to view the real world from the vantage point of their play pens.

Ralph Wiley would be ashamed of you Mr Whitlock.”

“I admire Bruce Springsteen for his politics, his art and his willingness to put IT ALL ON THE LINE and represent Truth and the 'Every MAN'.

But I have to be honest I am tired of seeing groups that were my classmates parents favourite groups when we were in Elementary School 20-25 years ago play the SuperBowl halftime every single YEAR.

Who's next Lynard Skynard?

On the REAL: are we(Gen 'O'bama) gonna have to wait until someone like Beyonce has stretch marks and requires a motorized chair to get up a flight of stairs to the stage in order to see an artist that is relevant And CURRENT???”

“John Ridley displays lazy logic by dismissing out of hand African Americans and others who are offended by the use of Blackface in modern media. The history of Blackface as a method to tell the American story by intentionally excluding, lampooning and stereotyping people of African decent is still with us today(every weekend on Saturday Night Live for instance). Furthermore it is difficult to look at the dearth of racial diversity among all the nominees during award season(Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG, Oscar....) and not be sickened by the obvious lack of consistent opportunity that still exists in Hollywood.

I applaud Mr Ridley for the incredible artist that he is. But there are times when his iconoclastic views on Race in America give license and comfort to those who still want to wallow in blissful ignorance.”