And another thing...

I would post everyday, but my job has blocked all blog websites. Doesn't that suck??!!

American Gangster

I went to You Tube to see if i could find a few of BET's American Gangster clips, but had no luck. Have any of you watched that show? You have to admit, some episodes are more interesting than others. My favorites--as far as being psychologically/emotionally disturbed after watching them were Tookie Williams and the Chambers Brothers.

My issue with the show is that they don't begin where the so-calleld gangsters lives began. We have to hear the final bit to their story and then backtrack. This is a poor hook. If it wasn't for DVR I wouldn't have the option of fast forwarding through that mess. I want to know their backgrounds first then hear what lead to their demise. This demise is usually caused by one of two things, greed or needing one last run before you get out of the game.

One thing that bothers me about the show is that it's just disturbing to know that most of these brothers were real leaders and entrepreneurs. Given a different upbringing, mentors, a non-racist society, or even just plain ol' the right guidance, they would have all been in different situations and possibly unheard of. Most times the government/FBI/police had no clue what was going on with these individuals, how much money they'd acquired, or what they were in to. What's really a shame is that all the people featured are doing life (or something close) in prison--except of course Tookie.

My boyfriend, being the historical/fact driven commentator he is, and I had a discussion about the Chambers brother episode this morning. He went on to reveal the large percentage of African-Americans who are living in poverty and such today. It just really makes me question what my mother did or what happened to me to help me make it to a better situation. I mean, my mother was always working, I was always home alone (even at night), and there was nobody there to check my homework or to help me. Why was I able to go on to college, escape pregnancy/drug use/etc/etc?

Then I think about how the African-American students at my own school are often ignored. When they are acknowledged its typically to note that they are a discipline problem or failing. In my opinion, our new day begins with the education system, but there are so many things wrong with it. Do you want your black child being taught by a white woman who knows nothing about his background or culture and who can't figure out how to blend those two things into their own class lessons? Our black students are the pearl of that school and the administrators and teachers refuse to believe it.

The problems in America begin with the education system. We can teach children so many things in our classrooms, but since it won't happen, African-Americans will continue to be the main features of shows like American Gangster, The First 48, Cops, etc. Did you now that 60% of the prison population is comprised of people with mental disabilities and emotional disturbances? What are we doing about that? Not a damn thing. And what's really a shame is when I teach kids who are 18 years old who can't read any better than a first grader. What do we expect him to go out into the world and do? Rob, steal, and kill! What else?

Again, my rant is done. I wasn't trying to get deep or intellectual at all. Just wanted to express a few thoughts that I've been considering. Before I committ my crimes, I'm going to do some serious research. Once I make/get the money, I'm taking it to South Africa where I'll live out the rest of my life teaching at Oprah's school--even though I'm hating on Oprah for not opening one in the U.S.. Forget that mess she was talking about kids here not wanting to learn. That's messed up Oprah.

Black Folks...

My boyfriend (that is not his photo to the left might I add) turned to me quite a few days ago and asked me when was the last time I updated this blog. I know he's the only one who comes here and makes comments, trying to act like he's a stranger.

Anyway, on to Top Chef. Now, while I didn't necessarily care for Cliff, I didn't think he was a bad chef. My issue is, why did ol' boy have to get crazy and break out those wrestling moves on Marcell. We know that kind of white boy. Talks shit (in a corny way of course) and pretends he's not scared of anything, but then suddenly when a potential ass whoppin' arises he's backed into a corner shaking. The show is down to five chefs, and two of them decided to shave off all their hair. Cliff decides that Marcell needs a haircut too and rushes over to hold him down. Unfortunately for Cliff, nobody comes running with the clippers. This idiot...instead of letting the poor boy go, goes WWF on him and starts pressing him down to the ground and holding his arms behind his back. Cliff is kinda buff, might I add. When he finally does release him, I don't know why but it looked kind of...well, let's say "homo erotic." That's a nice way of putting it if you know what I mean.

Needless to say, Cliff got kicked off for putting his hands on another cast member (the photo demonstrates his dumb ass expression when they told him they were giving him the boot), which I thought was unecessary, especially since Marcell wasn't upset about it any more. I'm thinking they just like to keep the black cast members on these reality shows long enough to keep the black people watching. And I'm hating because after they dismissed him they started acting like the food he'd prepared wasn't all that. How did he make it to the final 5 if he was making bullshit the entire time? Let's be serious.

To top off a bullshit ass episode, they decided that the 4 chefs that were left would all get to go to the final show in Hawaii. And now since there are no more African-American characters left, I'm cheering on the only female left. Gotta represent one way or another, whether it be women or black folks...although it's nice to have both categories in one.