The Only Reason To Watch The Bionic Woman On NBC Is To See Isaiah Washington On Wednesday Nights!
I have been counting down the days until I watch Isaiah Washington on the Bionic Woman once again on NBC. Watch the Bionic Woman on Wednesday nights support Isaiah Washington!
Nalbandian Shocks Swiss Tennis God Roger Federer In Three Sets!!!
I cannot believe this! I am stunned absolutely stunned! Swiss Tennis God Roger Federer lost to David Nalbandian 1-6 6-36-3 at the Madrid Masters event in Spain. Was Roger injured? Roger must be exhausted he’s had such a long year and he’s reached the finals in most of the events he’s played this year.Roger must of lost because sometimes he overlooks opponents and loses his concentration. Its clear to me in this 1-6 6-3 6-3 loss that Roger mentally went away which is strange and weird. Roger made all sorts of errors he wasn’t able to find his aura and balance.
David Nalbandian is a very talented player but this year he’s been very inconsistent and slipped in the rankings. Nalbandian is the first player this year outside the ATP Tour top 20 to win a Master’s title. Roger Federer is still the world number one and he will bounce back from this loss like he always does. Roger has been very consistent this season and dominating the competition winning three out of the four grand slams. I do believe though that sometimes Roger overlooks players and doesn’t take them as seriously as he should. I’ve noticed that Nalbandian’s serve seems a bit stronger this week and that’s usually the weakest part of his game. Roger Federer is still the supreme number one though. Perhaps Roger was tired or lacking energy? Maybe that’s why Roger lost. Roger clearly was not himself because if he was he would of destroyed David Nalbandian.
Why aren’t Kelis, Deborah Cox, and Fefe Dobson more popular is racism and sexism to blame ?
I watched Entertainment Tonight Canada a few weeks ago, and saw Fefe Dobson on the show. I am so excited! Fefe is recording a new album! I sure hope Fefe is getting a new record deal even if its just for the Canadian market? Anyone paying attention, to Rihanna’s new “rocker” girl look will notice she looks very similar to Canadian rock goddess Fefe Dobson. Just remember Fefe and Rihanna are both on the Island/Def Jam label in the United States.
Dobson released her first album a few years back reaching platinum in Canada selling over 100,000 copies and over 300,000 copies in the USA. Dobson’s USA label Ded Jam dropped her because they didn’t know how to “market” Fefe. Fefe Dobson is not “R&B”, she’s a rock/pop singer. Unfortunately, in the USA the record business in America is so racially stratified. In the USA, if you’re black, you have to be hip/hop or R&B and that’s it.
American TV, radio, music magazines, music video channels all segregate black entertainers into the hip hop/R&B category. The only black entertainers that have managed to have mainstream success, are seasoned veteran artists Ben Harper, Lenny Kravitz, and Tracy Chapman.
In the 1980s and 1990s black entertainers that had a signature R&B sound were able to crossover to mainstream radio and television formats. However, its still a very small select group of black singers that have managed to obtain “commercial” mainstream appeal yet also maintain the black audience. Prince, Michael and Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Usher, were able to appeal beyond an R&B sound but most black singers these days haven’t been granted that opportunity.
If you are paying attention, a new wave of white singers such as Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, Nelly Furtado, Fergie, Gwen Stefani can crossover the hip hop, R&B, and pop formats. The advantage for the current white “hip hop” singers is their music is reaching a larger audience both black and white. Black radio will play Justin Timberlake but not Meshell N’Degeocello. BET will play a Nelly Furtado video but not Tracy Chapman.
The white hip hop singers suddenly have both street cred and market appeal. For some reason black audiences think it is “cool” when a white singer sings R&B when really it comes down to just marketing. A record company will tell Nelly Furtado to sing “R&B” because her last album “Folklore” was a flop. Furtado’s last studio album was a more pop/folk record and the sales were lower than the record company expected. Suddenly, Furtado returns with the hit album “Loose”.
Perhaps Furtado likes “R&B” music, but music fans shouldn’t be so ignorant to not realize it also was a marketing strategy. Yet for the opposite reason black music lovers don’t embrace black singers that break the stereotypical R&B sound such as Kelis, or Fefe Dobson.
White North American radio isn’t playing Deborah Cox, Kelis, or Dobson on pop radio even though their music has elements of pop. For black artists that go against the conventional thinking they are often left out of gaining radio airtime in the black and white media.
White hip hop singers such as Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Fergie, and Gwen Stefani have all changed their sound to a more “black” sound and they are reaping the awards. All the current white R&B singers record sales have sky rocketed and they also have “industry cred” suddenly.
Why is that? I think its a mixture of marketing that these white singers suddenly have an R&B sound its just business. The music industry have praised these white entertainers for “taking risks” yet not black singers.
Where are Meshell N’Degeocello’s Grammy awards and platinum record sales? N’Degeocello she is the first artist to start the whole neo soul movement in the early 1990s. Meshell moved on to funk, pop, rock, and even some soul. However, Meshell has been ignored by the black and white media.
There is news that Madonna once again is trying to incorporate a more “hip hop/R&B” sound. Does anyone remember Madonna’s 1994 album “Bedtime Stories”? Over a decade ago Madonna’s career was going downhill she called up Babyface and Dallas Austin these two black producers saved Madonna’s career.
“Take A Bow” is still Madonna’s biggest hit ever and “Secret” was also a hit. Madonna was shrewd enough to bite off the whole hip hop R&B sound and she was rewarded with huge record sales. Now since Madonna’s last album did not sell well in the USA she’s once again going to go “urban” in hopes of selling tons of records.
I am not suggesting that white entertainers don’t have a right to work with the producers they want to because they do. The music industry is a business and the job of the singer is to sell records. However, why are white entertainers allowed to have more leverage and cross musical genres? Why are white singers “celebrated” when they cross genres yet black entertainers are not only scorned?
There is a new black singer Rissi Palmer she has a hit song called “Country Girl” and she’s trying to crossover into the country music scene. The problem for Palmer is she is alone very few blacks have had success in country music. Charlie Pride and Ray Charles are the only blacks to have had major success in that genre.
Country music is a very conservative, white, Christian, homophobic, genre of music. I sure hope Rissi Palmer doesn’t end up as just a “novelty” act. I have listened to Palmer’s song “Country Girl” and I am impressed she definitely has the talent to do well the question is will the public embrace her? I like it when I see black entertainers that attempt to break the “chains” of what society thinks black music is. Black music isn’t just being a soul singer or a rapper. A black singer should be allowed to sing any genre he or she wants to sing. If you pay attention to country music it has elements of blues, and soul in it. “Country Music” definitely originated from black culture.
Why is Justin Timberlake considered pop when he sounds just like Usher? What is the real difference between Justin and Usher other than race? What is the difference between Beyonce and Nelly Furtado? So why are Usher and Beyonce classified as “R&B” and Timberlake and Furtado are classified as “pop music”? I don’t get it?
I think the popularity of the current young white singers that have a more “urban” sound is due to what I call the “Elvis Presley syndrome” . White people want to see other white people that adopt a black sound.
Fefe Dobson was dropped from Island/Def Jam because they didn’t consider her music “commercial ” enough. Yet Nelly Furtado when she went to a more “urban” sound she suddenly was selling millions of records. Where does this leave people like Fefe Dobson? Fefe doesn’t get on American pop radio because in the USA if you are black you’re not getting on mainstream pop radio unless you’re Whitney Houston or Toni Braxton.
Deborah Cox was huge back in the late 1990s, she had a couple of hit albums and then in 2002 Clive Davis Cox dropped from Arista records. Deborah Cox is important because just like Fefe she’s a black Canadian singer that made it big in the USA. Yes its a big deal, for a Canadian black entertainer to make it in America.
Black Canadian entertainers have to get their record deals in the USA if they want to reach a larger audience they have no luck in Canada. Much Music is a white Canadian network that focuses on developing white Canadian talent and not black Canadian artists. Black American artists can sell in Canada because they are “American”.
There is a strong anti black sentiment in Canada against “black Canadians” and “black Canadian” entertainers are patronized, scorned, and discriminated against in a variety of ways. For instance, the racist Juno Awards, Canada’s wannabe “Grammy” awards for many years, blocked out black entertainers and segregated in the R&B and Hip Hop category.
It was only until “black Canadian entertainers”, complained about the blatant racism of the Juno Awards, that things have changed ever so slowly. The Canadian music establishment is indeed a very myopic and a very racist business.
America is where the fame, glory, and money is. Cox had a hit album almost ten years ago called “One Wish” that sold millions copies she also had a hit song “‘Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here” and that also sold millions of copies as well.
In 2002, Cox returned to the spotlight with “The Morning After” Arista just didn’t promote Deborah right and she was dropped from the label. Deborah has done some theatre, gotten married, had some kids but she is returning to the spotlight.
In America, it’s the same thing, for Kelis she just doesn’t receive the respect she deserves. Kelis refuses to be categorized and pigeon-held by the racist American music industry. Unlike Cox and Dobson, Kelis she is American, and she has managed to remain in the spotlight for the past ten years.
However, Kelis doesn’t get the respect she deserves in the USA for being original. Rihanna has copied Kelis hairstyle, style of music, and clothes. Kelis and Fefe Dobson are the blueprints Def Jam copied their trademark signature sounds and music to make Rihanna successful.
Kelis isn’t trying to be the next Rihanna or Beyonce. Beyonce and Rihanna are clearly copying Kelis. Kelis is an individual, and she has her own sound, personality and style. Kelis has also been successful. Kelis second album “Wanderland” wasn’t even released in the USA because her former American label “Virgin America ” didn’t think it would “sell” in America. Kelis asked to be dropped from “Virgin America” and “Wanderland” was released in Europe, Australia, and Asia only.
Kelis strongest fanbase isn’t even in America its in Europe. Kelis can tour in London or Dublin and sell out a concert in less then a few minutes that’s how popular she is overseas. However, in America Kelis hasn’t had the kind of success she has had in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Kelis is a huge star in Europe especially the UK. Kelis always charts in the UK.
Kelis recent album “Kelis Was Here” bombed in the USA. However, in the UK Kelis had a hit single “Lil Star” that soared to no.3 on the UK singles charts. In Ireland, “Lil Star” also reached no.2. In the USA, despite Kelis latest album not doing well she still had a hit single the amazing and feminist song “Bossy.” I just love that song! Although I must admit “Bossy” did become a hit in the USA according to the RIAA, Bossy went double platinum in America. Kelis is also wrote the song “Bossy”.
Even though, Kelis is married to Nas and is on the USA pop culture radar she’s still treated in America as too “different” or too “weird” and out there. I kind of wish black radio producers, black TV and media executives would understand they are also falling prey to this collective racist kind of thinking.
Why does a black singer have to be cateogorized in one genre? Kelis is special because she controls her own image she’s isn’t a puppet that just does what the record companies tell her what to do. In the USA Kelis is on her fourth American record label.
The USA music industry is not just sexist its racist as well. Kelis has always been her own person she was rocking the green, pink, orange hair and amazing outfits before other artists copied her. Remember Beyonce’s song “Ring The Alarm” I found that song to be a total rip off of Kelis “Caught Out There”. As Kelis says she was the “first girl to scream on the track” and Beyonce clearly copied Kelis with song “Ring The Alarm.” Kelis isn’t getting the credit for taking risks with her music and inferior less talented artists such as Beyonce Knowles get the glory and that’s just wrong.
Kelis mixes genres with her music. Why can’t a black artist use rock, pop, R&B in their music? It isn’t just the mainstream that’s the problem though its also the black media.
The black American media has a very myopic and at times racist outlook on “what” a modern black artist is supposed to sound like. White singers like Robin Thicke, Timberlake, Furtado, Fergie, the white girl from No Doubt they can get on black radio and even sometimes on BET because they crossover. Why are white singers “celebrated” when they embrace black music?
Yet when black singers attempt to use some rock, new wave, disco, trip hop like Fefe Dobson and Kelis the black singers are scorned? Kelis can’t get on some black radio stations or even mainstream radio because they consider her sound too “different”. In Europe its a totally different story. In the UK especially Kelis is actually a huge star in the UK this is where Kelis has had her biggest record sales that actually match and sometimes are even higher then some American artists.
Zora Neale Hurston Author, Anthropologist, & Feminist Icon!
Who is the real Zora Neale Hurston? Is she the black feminist icon that lived her life passionately and independently on her own terms? Or is Zora Neale Hurston the opportunist that wrote controversial articles during the civil rights era to create publicity? I love Zora Neale Hurston because she wasn’t perfect. Zora was ahead of her time a black woman scholar in an era where many black women were domestics. Zora also was a domestic for a period of time in her life but she was so determined to make it as a writer. Zora fought racism and sexism to become a major literary superstar.
For instance, Zora Neale Hurston wrote a controversial letter to an Orlando newspaper denouncing the decision the Brown Vs Board of Education 1955 case about segregation in American schools. In fact, Hurston stated that she didn’t want black children to feel inferior by the system and felt separate schools should continue. Hurston was slammed by the NAACP and other black civil rights leaders for her explosive articles and viewpoints on polemical issues.
I think far too often in the black community we like our role models or heroes to be saints. Zora was so outspoken I love this side of her personality! I love Zora Neale Hurston because she had a lot of spunk. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind for what she believed in. Hurston openly criticized the black male leaders of her era such as W.E.B. Du Bois and his pretentious uppity attitude about the “talented tenth”. Du Bois believed that only the “elite blacks” should speak up for the “race” and be “leaders” of the race. Hurston although a scholar she never believed she was superior to the masses.
Hurston is best known for her incredible 1937 novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God” an important black feminist novel about a black woman’s liberation from patriarchy and male domination. However, Hurston didn’t just write novels. Hurston was also an anthropologist she wrote two books “Mules and men” in 1935 and “Tell My Horse” in 1938 two important books on black folklore . Hurston’s first book “Jonah’s Gourd Vine” is about the problems in Zora’s parents marriage. Hurston’s father was a preacher and he was unfaithful to Zora’s mother.
Zora Neale Hurston was overlooked in her era because she was an outspoken black woman. Zora lived in an era when women were supposed to be submissive to men. However, Zora Neale Hurston was a feminist and she refused to allow any man to control her!
Some of the most famous black male writers of Zora’s era had no respect for her. Richard Wright the author of “Native Son” criticized Hurston because in her novels she utilized the southern dialect and not “standard” English. Feminist scholars now praise Hurston because they believe her writing were authentic because she wrote the way the southern blacks talked.
Zora Neale Hurston was a republican and conservative. Although, I must admit, I was not impressed that Zora wrote the incendiary public letter to a Florida newspaper after the famous Brown Vs Board of Education Supreme Court decision. Zora said she was against allowing black children to attend the same school as white children. Zora ignored the fact the USA government provided more money for white schools than black schools.
Zora was not afraid of rocking the boat. When I read Hurston’s autobiography “Dust Tracks On A Road”, I am aware that she does fabricate sections of her life. For instance, Zora was not born in the town of Eatonville she actually was born in Notasulga Alabama in the year 1891 and not the year 1901 as she often claimed. Parts of Hurston’s autobiography is pure fiction.
The parts of Hurston’s autobiography I found most interesting was Zora’s sheer determination to become a successful writer. Zora went to high school when she was well into her twenties. Zora was also very shrewd in finding wealthy people to help support her to advance her education. Zora attended Barnard College and she graduated with a B.A. degree in anthropology.
Next, Zora studied with the famous anthropologist Franz Boas.
Hurston she talks about how she “fell” in love with fellow anthropologist Jane Belo. Hurston doesn’t explain what this statement means. Perhaps it was just a phrase a way for Hurston to express her devotion to her good friend Jane Belo? Hurston briefly discusses her friendship with the white writer Fanny Hurst. I didn’t really feel like Hurst respected Zora completely as an equal.
Hurston’s three marriages were brief and short. Hurston also doesn’t seem to place much emphasis on these relationships and she totally glosses over her love life in her own memoir. Perhaps Hurston was reticent because she believed part of her life deserved to be private?
Should The World Be Paying More Attention To Pakistan?
Benazir Bhutto the former President of Pakistan survived an assassination attempt in the city of Karachi last night. However 130 innocent people died in deadly bomb blasts. I was so shocked when I watched the carnage on BBC and saw the explosion. Ms. Bhutto is a very courageous woman she is so brave. Ms. Bhutto says she was warned about the potential violence and yet she still went to Pakistan despite the danger. Can Ms. Bhutto succeed or will the violence hamper her attempts to assist Pakistan? Some cynical pundits have suggested that Ms. Bhutto is also in Pakistan to “repair” her tarnished image in the country but I do believe she loves the Pakistani people and she wants the masses to have better lives.
Bhutto is not perfect she went into self imposed exile in England eight years ago because of corruption charges. Ms. Bhutto has returned to Pakistan for the elections but can the election honestly be fair of corruption by General Pervez Musharraf? Its interesting that the United States media hasn’t been more critical of Pervez Musharraf. The Pakistani people are suffering and some are apathetic to Musharraf. Ms. Bhutto is still loved by some of the people in Pakistan she’s viewed as a symbol of hope that democracy can take place and the people’s lives can improve.
However, Pervez Musharraf the current leader of Pakistan is no hero to the Pakistani people. Musharraf also has his own enemies. The United States is hoping that Bhutto and Musharraf can put aside their differences to bring democracy to the people of Pakistan. How is this possible when there are terrorists in the country that want to kill both of them? Musharraf wants to maintain good diplomatic relations with the United States and he the corruption charges against Ms. Bhutto have been scrapped. The Western media has focused too much on Israel, Iran, and on the Middle East. I believe Pakistan is a nation that needs to be examined much more closely.
Link to Associated Press article: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gX83-ZBjLQEk3QWVZhq3nK9otPkgD8SCHJKO0
BBC article on Benazir Bhutto: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7053861.stm
Rafael Nadal doesn’t deserve to be number two in the world
Its crystal clear to any tennis fan or anyone with an ounce of intelligence that Swiss tennis god Roger Federer is the supreme number one. Roger Federer is consistent on every single surface. However, Rafael Nadal has proven time and time again that his weakest surface is hardcourts. I think its finally going to happen Nadal is going to slip in the rankings within the next few months.
Every year Rafael Nadal has a strong first half of the season at the French Open and Wimbledon but in the second half of the year he vanishes. Nadal had a horrendous North American hardcourt season. He also had a shocking loss at the US OPEN to fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in the fourth round. Nadal has yet to make it past the quarterfinals at the two hardcourt grand slams the Australian Open or US Open tennis championships. Nadal fans say that he has “knee problems” but today David Nalbandian was just the superior player and he demonstrated he’s still got the game to challenge the very best in men’s tennis. Nalbandian is the best male tennis player that has never won a major.
Today Nadal was blasted off the court by Argentine player David Nalbandian 6-16-2 in about an hour. Nalbandian simply destroyed Nadal in every aspect of the game. Nadal is a grinder but it appears to me Nadal could end up like Lleyton Hewitt. Hewitt also was a grinder and counterpuncher. And look where Hewitt is now? Hewitt is old news. Sure, Hewitt is in the top 20 but so what? Hewitt is on the same boat as Marat Safin. The new generation is coming up and I feel Nadal will eventually fall into place at number three or number four very shortly. Nadal only has a high ranking due to his dominance on clay and a few lucky draws at Wimbledon he managed to reach the finals twice.
Nadal did look a bit tired after his tough match against British star Andy Murray in the third round. However, Nalbandian played superb tennis using all sections of the court to move Nadal and keep him off balance. Nadal is at his best when he can run a lot of balls down. On a hardcourt surface you have to be more aggressive and take chances that’s against Nadal’s natural style of play. Until Rafael Nadal decides he wants to improve his serve and work on being more aggressive he’s not going to have good results on a faster surface. Rafael is a big strong guy there is no reason why he has such a pathetic serve. I don’t like Nadal’s service motion he doesn’t get enough wrist snap and speed on the servel.
Nalbandian also was smart he continued to use his powerful two handed backhand hitting it hard crosscourt right into Nadal’s forehand pushing Nadal off the court. Nalbandian forced Nadal into numerous forehand errors. Nadal looked confused he didn’t know what to do he doesn’t have a plan B like Roger Federer. Nadal doesn’t like it when you pull him wide he prefers to hit his forehand crosscourt. The Spanish crowd was shocked as Nadal for a second year in a row failed to win the Madrid Masters.
Novak Djokovic the young Serbian star is only a thousand points behind Nadal it is possible he can pass Nadal in the rankings. Its obvious that Nadal can challenge Roger Federer on clay and perhaps on grass but not on hardcourt. Since most ATP Tour events are on hardcourts unless Nadal improves on this faster surface he could lose his number two ranking. I think it would be good for the sport if Nadal dropped in the rankings.
Ellen Degeneres Is Wrong The Dog Rescue Agency Is Right
Ellen Degeneres is a pop culture lesbian icon she’s viewed as someone that has a solid head on her shoulders but this time Ellen is wrong. Ellen adopted a dog with her partner actress Portia De Rossi from the pet rescue agency Mutts and Moms. The pet rescue agency does not make money its a non profit organization. Ellen claims that the dog she adopted did not get along with her other animals. Ellen gave the dog to her hairdresser without informing the dog rescue agency first even though its a clear violation of the dog agency’s rules. Ellen signed a legally binding contract she knows she’s wrong.
You would think Ellen Degeneres a celebrity that’s signed numerous contracts would be intelligent enough to actually read the contract and follow the rules. Now the owners of the dog rescue agency are being painted by the mainstream media as an overzealous organization.
Mutts and Moms agency are now receiving death threats all because of Degeneres emotional outburst on TV. Ellen’s immature public temper tantrum was not something done “spontaneously” as she claims. Now due to Ellen Degeneres self righteous grandstanding she is ruining the dog agency’s reputation. The dog agency is well within its rights to sue Ellen Degeneres for defamation of character. Perhaps its time for Ellen to pay the ultimate price for her deleterious actions? Celebrities like Ellen Degeneres need to know they cannot exploit the medium of television to get their own way. Television is so powerful in pop culture it is a way to send messages. Ellen’s tears were so insincere Ellen clearly put a lot of thought into it. Ellen is also an actress and people seem to forget that. Ellen achieved her goal of destroying Mutts and Moms reputation and for this Ellen should be culpable for her actions. Don’t be surprised if Ellen is sued by the Mutts and Moms agency very soon.
I watched the clip and I have zero sympathy for Degeneres she didn’t follow the rules and her sycophantic fans obviously don’t get it. Why should rules be altered or bended simply because a celebrity like Ellen Degeneres does not get her own way? Also, Ellen clearly was not thinking rationally when she made her emotional outburst. I don’t think Ellen should of went on TV trying to shame the dog agency. I believe that’s the real issue here the power of money, fame, and celebrity. I think its pathetic on Ellen Degeneres part to use her celebrity and fame simply because she wants the rules overturned to suit her self interests.
Ellen exploited the situation further by attempting to punish the dog agency on her TV show. Behind Ellen’s crocodile tears she’s just upset that she made a stupid mistake by not following the agreement. Rules are made for a reason and Ellen did not follow the rules. You cannot simply give the dog to someone else without informing the agency first.
Also, its deleterious on Ellen Degeneres part to use her talk show to make the dog agency appear egregious when in fact the pernicious one here is Ellen Degeneres. Yes the children of Ellen’s hairdresser will be upset for a while but the best interest here is for the dog. Why did Ellen go public? I think Ellen went public because she is so used to entitlement. A lot of these celebrities like Ellen Degeneres think they are above rules and above the law they can get their way and do whatever the hell they want. Degeneres shameless and pathetic self promotion crying on her TV show was beyond disgraceful. The dog agency is correct and I certainly hope the dog rescue agency doesn’t fold to public pressure.
Michael Sandy Murder Trial Why Are Gay Men Silent About The Dangers Of Cruising?
About a year ago on October 8th 2006 a young black gay man Michael Sandy went to the parking lot of Plumb Beach in Brooklyn to hook up for a sexual encounter. Sandy had chatted online with another man for sex. However, Michael Sandy didn’t make it out alive that night. Sandy was lured into Plumb Beach for a sexual encounter but he was brutally beaten and robbed by four young white men. Sandy tried to flee his attackers he stumbled into traffic was hit by a car and died five days later.
Could you imagine if a racial reverse occurred? The white American media, the white gay mafia, the top white news networks would be on the case. The white heterosexual and gay media would be salivating and bloodthirsty there would be a new opportunity to pounce once again on the black community. One of the current themes in the mainstream media this year is that all black people are homophobic.
The white media would be attempting to make a “racial link” between the so called rampant black “homophobia” and “violence against white gays”. It is this apathetic racist attitude of society that’s so chilling yet so real. Yet here you have the Michael Sandy case a young black man that was brutally murdered by four young white men and it barely made the news!
Michael Sandy’s murder isn’t the first or last black gay person to be a victim of violence due to being black and gay. Sandy’s death has not received much media attention as Matthew Shepard for one reason. Sandy was black and Shepard was white. In America the blood of a white person has more social value then the blood of a black person. Sandy and Shepard were both victims of violence. However, in white gay America Sandy’s death was of no value or importance for “white gay rights” to advance the white gay agenda.
When Matthew Shepard died almost a decade ago the white gay and heterosexual communities raised the public awareness about gay bashing and homophobia. However, when Michael Sandy died there was only indifference. Sure, the mainstream gay American media wrote a couple articles about Sandy’s tragic death but there wasn’t the same urgency nor did the white American gay media take a stand. Michael Sandy although gay wasn’t “one” of “them” due to race.
Sandy wasn’t a member of the New York City white gay community he was an “outsider” since he was a black gay man. Michael Sandy’s death also exposes another issue and that’s the racism of the mainstream American gay community and the homophobia and hypocrisy of the heterosexual black community.
No Al Sharpton, no Jesse Jackson, no Andrew Young, no Tavis Smiley, it is clear that the black straight activists don’t care when black gay men are murdered. No CNN, no cover story on Newsweek, no CNN, no NBC, no ABC, no CBS. The black heterosexual activists quickly organized and marched for the Jena six though. The Jena six wasn’t just front page news in America it was global news the BBC in the United Kingdom and Le Monde in France were on that case.
However, anything to deal with black gay people well that’s just off limits. Black gay people we are still viewed as the scum of the earth. Even though Michael Sandy was a member of the black community being gay in the black community means you’re “different”. Black gay people are still viewed as people with no morals and considered a disgrace to the mainstream black community.
Its the silence that speaks volumes about the homophobia that still exists within the black North American communities. Of course, black gay people are indeed helping ourselves to improve our own lives. Black gay activists have been vocal about the Michael Sandy tragedy. There is only so much black gay activists can do. Its exhausting to constantly deal with the racism of the mainstream white gay community and the homophobia of heterosexual blacks. Its just disconcerting that the black heterosexual community is deaf and mute on this issue.
Its frustrating, annoying, and heterosexist, but the black straight media really don’t give a damn about black gays and lesbians. Michael Sandy should be discussed on every single black radio station across North America yet he’s hardly mentioned if at all. I did notice BET.COM have a brief blog entry about Michael Sandy’s trial and the usual discussions about morality emerged. Its frustrating because here you have a young black gay man that was brutally killed and the focus of the discussion for straight blacks on BET.COM is about morality? I screamed at the top of my lungs. Its like being black and gay there is a constant tug of war people on both sides of the racial, cultural divide cannot be counted on.
The African American gay community in America did make their voices heard about the Michael Sandy’s murder. Black gay people we have to realize we have to help ourselves not just in times of crisis but all the time. The black heterosexual community does not care for black gays and lesbians. The mainstream white gay community only “wants” black gay support when it serves their self interests due to sexual orientation while ignoring race. Black gays and lesbians we cannot ignore race because it is inextricably linked to our identities. Since white gays still possess white skin privilege they have a choice to think about sexual orientation and race we do not have that choice.
Michael Sandy could of been me, he could of been any of my friends, he could of been someone that I knew. The Michael Sandy tragedy strikes a chord in me because I know what it feels like to have my hormones take over and not think things through completely. All men think about sex and there is nothing wrong with that. Michael Sandy had a sex drive like any other living breathing male. Michael Sandy took a risk a risk he thought he could handle. How was Michael Sandy supposed to know he was going to be attacked? He didn’t? Michael Sandy thought the sexual encounter would be like any other a thrill, a rush of excitement. Michael Sandy’s death is a chilling reminder to young gay black men that there are men out there that are evil and prey on gay black male sexuality that wish to exploit and destroy us.
According to news reports the good news is that three out of the four men have been convicted of a hate crime but not of first degree murder. The first attacker he was convicted of manslaughter and robbery as a hate crime, one man did confess he admitted his guilt to robbery as a hate crime, and another man was convicted of manslaughter and robbery as a hate crime. The fourth man is still awaiting trial.
Plumb Beach’s parking lot in Brooklyn in New York City is still a cruising ground for men that have sex with other men a year later despite the risks. Plumb Beach is far away from the gay epicenter of downtown Manhattan. Men sit in their cars in the parking lot at night waiting for other men to approach them and then they leave the park for a sexual encounter.
The Michael Sandy case pulls the covers off of an issue a lot of gay men do not want to discuss and that’s the potential dangers of cruising for sex. Why is the issue of the entrenched racism against black gay and lesbian people ignored by the media? The mainstream media are attempting to ignore a clear fact that “racism” along with homophobia was a factor in this tragedy.
The Michael Sandy murder case is an opportunity to form a dialogue about the barriers that gay men of colour or closeted men of colour experience. Where are the support networks for young black gay men and other gay men of colour? Although it has been mentioned that Michael Sandy was a young black gay man the media have focused on the issue of “homosexuality,” “gay bashing”, and ignored the issue of systematic “racism”. The question remains why? Black gay people we cannot separate ourselves from our blackness or our sexual orientation, we encounter multiple layers of oppression.
Race is a factor here because there is an intersection of racism and homophobia that makes black gay men vulnerable. The media have focused on the “gay bashing” of Michael Sandy yet it must be pointed out Sandy’s attackers were young white males. It is indeed possible Sandy’s attackers targeted him not just because he was gay but also because he was black and they wanted to kill a young black gay man.
The Michael Sandy trial has not received much attention in the African American heterosexual media although the New York City press have covered the story. It is disconcerting that the larger heterosexual black community are not cognizant of the sheer violence that young black gay and lesbian people can encounter. Black gay people we face racism, sexism, and homophobia. I wish stronger ties could be forged between the black heterosexual and black gay and lesbian communities. For some young gay men of colour cruising is considered a more viable option to explore sexuality then going to the gay epicenter and not encountering the racism in the white gay epicenter.
Every gay man regardless of race has cruised. Everybody has done it and the gay men that claim to have never cruised for sexual encounters are either lying or never done it yet. Whether its going to a bar, going to a party, going to a bathhouse, going to a park at night, or looking online its still cruising. It must be hard for straight people to understand” why gay men “cruise” for sex.
In Toronto there was a horrible tragedy recently although for slightly different circumstances. A seventy two year old white gay man named Harley Walker died after meeting up with a man he met online. Walker met up with another man online for a sexual encounter not at a public parking lot but at his residence in downtown Toronto. A violent struggle took place yet the killer transported Walker’s body to Northern Ontario and dumped it there. Recently the remains of Mr. Walker have been found. Mr. Walker’s death highlights another issue and that’s the safety of gays cruising for sex as well.
Should Sandy and Mr. Walker had been more cautious? Perhaps? But hindsight isn’t always 20/20. Both men believed they were safe. Sandy knew Plumb Beach was a gay cruising ground in Brooklyn. Walker believed his own residence was a safe place for a sexual encounter. Both males were cognizant of the dangers of cruising and thought they would be safe.
In North America gay men have much more freedom and rights compared to men from other countries. However there are still powerful invisible social stigmas attached to male homosexuality. Male homosexuality is still viewed as decadent behavior in society’s eyes. Although gay rights have improved tremendously homophobia also exists. For closeted men also known as men that have sex with men going to a gay bathhouse is not an option or a gay bar because they could be potentially “seen” in public. There is a fear for these men that people will find out about them. Another issue is the danger for gay men is gay men are vulnerable to “gay bashers” that know where gay men go cruising for sex and seek to exploit, rob, murder, or attack gay men.
Sandy and Walker were openly gay men they were cognizant of the gay scenes in their respective cities and yet still they were both vulnerable to male violence. The issue of male violence is another issue some gay men don’t want to discuss about because some view it as threatening our manhood. It is true gay men can be victims of violence by other men. In society the belief is that men we can take care of ourselves and are not vulnerable to male violence but this is not true. Heterosexual men can be potential perpetrators and gay bash and even murder gay men. Male violence is an issue gay men need to discuss and form a dialogue on more often.
The internet has become a vital and important tool for gay men, married, bisexual men, men that have girlfriends that don’t consider themselves gay to meet other men for sexual encounters. Cruising is still a part of the ” gay underground” it still remains hidden to straight eyes.Perhaps this is one of the attractions gay men have to “cruising” because “cruising” is also a scavenger hunt, a journey, a chase, a way to explore sexuality without the fear of the heterosexual society’s piercing eyes of contempt and judgement.
Being a gay male in North America is still taboo to a certain extent. There are anti discrimination laws that protect gays but there is still the belief in North America that to be a gay male you are not living the “right” kind of life. For some closeted men they internalize this kind of homophobia they don’t feel comfortable with the larger gay community that is very white and has other barriers such as racism. Not every man regardless of whether he is in or out of the closet wants to go cruising at the usual gay social centers such as a bar or a bathhouse. Not every gay or closeted man is out to family, friends or even to themselves. It is important to identify that some of the men that cruise for sex do not identify themselves as gay.
Some straight people may believe this sounds illogical. How can men have sex with other men and not be gay? In straight society’s minds if men are making the decision to cruise for sex travelling to places known for where gay male sex takes place they view these men as gay. However, in the minds of the closeted men they don’t identify as gay or even as bisexual they view this sexual activity as just as something they want to do. Unless you live in specific gay neighborhoods men cannot approach another men in public say at a bookstore, supermarket, or at a movie theatre, or on the street for a date.
The public sphere is still very heterosexist it is where straight people do not have internal social barriers. For example straight men don’t think to themselves being “heterosexual” is “not okay” there is no internal social barrier. Straight people can meet straight people just about anywhere they want. Its also the reason closeted gay men like the United States Senator Larry Craig will cruise for sex in an airport washroom. It is also the reason some men take drastic steps to meeting in public parking lots, cruising in parks, cruising in public washrooms for sexual encounters. Society forces gay men to “cruise” I believe. Now my view is it is unacceptable to cruise for sex in a public washroom because its a public space. However, cruising in public washrooms does take place because closeted men feel compelled to do this due to society’s homophobia and that’s what’s being lost in all the news reports.
The heterosexual media still have the homophobic attitude that “cruising” is “wrong”. There is no “wrong” or “right” here. There are always going to be gay men that cruise in public or private spheres. Cruising exists because gay men feel compelled to take action to explore sexuality and to meet in social spaces gay males “think” other gay men are due to society’s entrenched homophobia. If society was a truly “open” and “accepting” of male homosexuality perhaps gay men wouldn’t feel the need to cruise but that day hasn’t come yet. Michael Sandy and Harley Walker’s deaths are a wake up call to the North American gay communities that more education needs to take place more needs to be done to reach gay men and explain or discuss and have a forum about cruising. Why is cruising our dirty secret? Why is it in the closet? Just about every gay man cruises in his own way whether he chooses to admit it or not? Maybe if the gay male community was more focused on working together instead of trying to present an image of compulsory heterosexuality more action could take place.
Links to information about Michael Sandy and murder trial: http://gothamist.com/2007/10/12/jurors_argue_bu.php
http://www.baynewsbrooklyn.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=18911369&BRD=2384&PAG=461&dept_id=552847&rfi=6
http://www.gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18907024&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=568864&rfi=6
Link to Harley Walker story: http://www.thestar.com/News/article/211221
UK Female Tennis Coach Accused of Spending Too much time with Young Female Pupil
Its always interesting reading newspapers on the internet especially when the topic of homosexuality emerges. The more things change the more they stay the same. In England the tabloids and even the mainstream UK media are all excited about a story that is actually very serious. It involves a female tennis coach Claire Lyte and a teenaged girl the pupil. Lyte is accused of having sexual relations with the teenager when she was only thirteen years old. The trial for Claire Lyte is taking place right now in Liverpool England.
Why is it necessary for the UK media to scream across the headlines “lesbian sex” or “lesbian affair”? Yes the two people involved in this very serious case of potential child abuse are both females. However, isn’t this damaging to the girl to call this a “lesbian affair”? The girl is old enough to read the newspapers. Don’t the UK media care about the affect this case can have on the teen?
After all, the child here is the victim. Why are the UK media already declaring that this is an issue about “lesbianism?” This case is not about lesbianism. Why are there double standards here? If the accused tennis coach was a male and he was accused of having sexual relations with a thirteen year old boy I am certain the UK media would take the case more seriously. The tone of the articles in the UK press would be much different it certainly wouldn’t be so sensationalized. The UK newspapers are just trying to get their readers into a frothy frenzy with the controversial headlines and the salacious language used in the articles. The main issue here is did the tennis coach abuse her authority or not?
And that’s my next question why is the UK media not taking this very serious issue of potential child abuse very seriously? I think it has to do with society’s attitude towards the issue of lesbianism. Society appears to have a love and hate relationship with lesbianism. On the one hand lesbianism is viewed as being licentious and on the other hand its viewed as something forbidden and wrong. The UK media are sending the wrong messages to the public. Child abuse should not be used to “sell” newspapers it should be about concentrating on the facts and reporting the story intelligently and fairly.
However, the use the word “lesbian sex” I believe transforms and trivializes the circumstances of this case. This case is not about “sex” its about power, abuse of authority, control, and child abuse. Just because both the people involved in this case are females does not mean the press should downplaying the seriousness of the charges. I find it very problematic that the UK media are making this case into a “tawdry affair”.
Now the mother of the victim claims she stepped into the room while Lyte and the thirteen year old girl were engaging in sexual relations. Now if this is true then Lyte must be prosecuted. However, the mother of the girl still allowed the girl to have tennis lessons with Lyte. If its true that Lyte abused the girl why would the mother allow her daughter to continue having tennis lessons with Lyte? Is the mother now an accessory to the act? If it is true that the mother saw her daughter engaging in sexual relations with an adult how could she allow her daughter to continue to take tennis lessons from the accused? It doesn’t make sense? The mother should of contacted the police right away.
According to UK media reports traces of Lyte’s DNA was found in the girl’s underwear. It does appear though that Lyte abused her position of authority and could of spent too much time with the tennis pupil. However, is DNA evidence 100% proof? Nobody knows if anything “improper” actually has taken place yet? The British media are incorrectly stating that the coach had “lesbian sex” with the tennis pupil. I believe this kind of headline is prejudice against lesbianism. Lesbianism is being treated as though its some kind of sensational act. Why is it necessary for the UK media to place the word “lesbian” before “sex” and why are they jumping to conclusions?
The only veracity at the moment is Claire Lyte may have spent a bit too much time with the young girl. Why doesn’t the UK media wait for an investigation to take place prior to making this very serious issue about potential child abuse into “gossip” for their readers?
Link: to Telegraph article about tennis abuse case: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/01/ntennis201.xml
Link to Timesonline.co.uk about the case: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2592310.ece
Link to This Is London article:
Gayblackcanada 
