Thursday, June 19, 2008

W.W.S.D.? (WHAT WOULD SHAQ DO?)

I was between takes on the set of my newest adult film, Iron Man: Twisted Steel and Sex Appeal, when I began talking sports with stagehand and IATSE #925 member, Bobby Durban. With the crowning of the Boston Celtics as the 2008 NBA Champions, via a humbling and soul crushing win over the Kobe Bryant-led, Los Angeles Lakers, Bobby posed a deep and profound question to me, "What Would Shaquille Do?" To which I responded without hesitation, "WIN".

Now follow me! Follow me to freedom!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

GOOD GUYS CAN FINISH FIRST

Last night, last year's cellar dwelling Boston Celtics reached the peak of the NBA mountain by winning the World Championship in a convincing fashion by demolishing the Los Angeles Lakers 132 to 93. They were led by a trio that individually have have had Hall of Fame careers and together as a trio have had more monikers than Diddy-- or is he Puff Daddy today? That's not important, but celebrating these young men is. Why, do you ask? Because Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Finals MVP Paul Pierce have toiled throughout their careers never getting close to the "ring" without complaining. Pierce was the face of the modern day as he rode the Celtics mediocrity train through the hills and valleys-- including a stop, where he was stabbed eight times outside a Boston nightclub. Garnett, who hung onto the Timberwolves team as their franchise face without complaining about the parade of players to help him out-- I only have two words for that situation, "Stephon Marbury". Ray Allen AKA Jesus Shuttlesworth carried the Milwaukee Bucks on his back, only to be traded to the Seattle Supersonics and do the same thing in 'Frasier Town' for a long time without a peep. And as we all know, on the bad end of last night's beatdown was the reigning NBA MVP and Crybaby, Kobe "I Want to Be Jordan So Badly" Bryant. Kobe is the 180 degree opposite of these newly crowned champions, as proven with the "trade me" song he sung to the press prior to the season. But this is not about Kobe, it's about the Celtics and their classy big three, who deservedly won the title last night.

Now Follow Me! Follow Me to Freedom!

Monday, June 16, 2008

WHAT A SHAME!

As always we here at the Bastille invite contributors and our most recent, Montgomery Carlo, has some things to say about recently acquitted, R & B singer Robert Kelly aka R. Kelly.

It was no surprise that R. Kelly was acquitted last week. The justice system has repeatedly demonstrated inequities toward, and disregard for the powerless as it has bent over backwards to show favoritism for wealthy and well connected.

The paralyzing sensation I feel is a collage of emotions when reflecting on the crime that Robert Kelly committed. But his crime is only the opening act of a grander more conspiratorial crime that was committed by our Nation's radio stations, T.V. Stations, magazines and other media outlets following Kelly's crime. The media continued to "push" R. Kelly after repeated accusations of R Kelly's never-ending appetite for young girls. This time, though, the accusations weren't delivered via anecdote or hearsay. They were delivered via visual evidence.

However, to no surprise, our justice system ignored the most damning forensic evidence- VISUAL EVIDENCE. This is not a case of a bloody glove, a time line, a DNA sample or a barking dog. This was a case of "Is this guy I see on this video, really the guy I see on this video?" But unlike O.J., R. Kelly has won in the court of public opinion. His records have continued to sell. Ironically, his VIDEOS have sold as well, all despite the overwhelming evidence against R Kelly.

Therein are some compelling questions, that have yet to be asked.

If R. Kelly had urinated on a 13 white girl, would he be free, much less wealthy?

Finally, here is a tougher introspective image for African Americans.

Imagine a celebrity who is loved by all. His career has spanned two decades as he has demonstrated the ability to cross all genres of music. However, there are rumors that this celebrity has a problem. His problem is one that even the most hardened criminals frown upon. Still, he sells hip-hop music at a frenzied pace to fans world wide. He packs coliseums selling out shows around the globe. Then, something happens. The horrible rumors that have swirled around this mega-star are supported by a video of him with a 13 year old inner city girl from Chicago. Some of the sexual acts shown on this tape are objectionable, even for most consenting ADULTS. The video culminates with the hip-hop star urinating on the 13 year old girl. Imagine this. And in the spirit of Matthew McConauhey in the 1990's movie "JUST CAUSE", "Now imagine the mega-star is white".

Would we have witnessed the parade of Sharpton, Jackson and the usual contingent of picket sign carriers singing "We Shall Overcome" or shouting "NO Justice NO Peace"? Would CNN have been outside the courtroom with "earliest results from the racially charged child pornography case and words" from Rev Al, Jesse, and the scores of other corrupt, self-centered, self-indulgent, self-aggrandizing, vain black-preachers and other media appointed leaders-of-the-black-community? Of course!

So I ask, "What is the difference?" A child was sexually abused at the hands of a sexual predator with a reputed history. Yet, we did nothing but enable and therefore facilitate his crimes.

Recently, we witnessed history as Barack Obama was nominated the Democratic Nominee. Our Nation showed that it is evolving- growing up. However, we as African-Americans have once again shown that we may have taken a step backwards.

Now follow me! Follow me to freedom!