Book Review: Hung
Two years ago a young African American writer Scott Poulson-Bryant wrote an explosive book called “Hung”. It is also excellent that a young black man wrote this book because I can relate to the material he writes about. The title of the book “Hung” has a double meaning it refers to black men being lynched in the south for daring to look or date white women. The word “hung” also refers to the size of a man’s penis.
Poulson-Bryant’s book is brave and bold it opens with a letter to Emmett Till. Emmett Till was a young black boy that was brutally murdered by white Southern men in the year 1955 in the American South. Till was only fourteen years old when he died he was accused by some white Southern men for “whistling” at a white woman. During America’s racial apartheid one of the ways in which white males attempted to control black male sexuality was through killing innocent young black men by lynching them and hanging them in trees. Lynching was also a method in which white males had an affirmation of their male dominance and their own sexuality. White men did not want white women to date or have children with black men.
The white males in the South controlled the white females, black males, and black women sexuality. The hypocrisy here is that it is well known white men brutally raped black women and exploited black female sexuality. The white males were able to assert their male dominance over all women. However, the white males did not want the black men to also have sexual relations with white women.
Black women were also vulnerable because the laws did not protect black women from rape just white women. Black men were emasculated because the legal system did not even allow black men to protect black women from being raped by white men. The legal system discriminated against black men and black women.
During the days of slavery and even into the 20th century it is well known that white men in the American South raped black women and got away with it. Often young black female domestics were raped by their white male employers in the employer’s residence. Black women were treated as inferior to white women since white female sexuality was placed on a pedestal.
Sometimes the penises of young black men were cut off by the lynch mob to symbolize the fear white men had of black male sexuality. Often white Southern people treated lynching black men as a town event. A white mob would cheer and laugh at these hangings some people even brought their children to a lynching. And if you don’t know pick up a history book and learn about the history of lynching and this disgraceful disgusting period in American history.
Poulson-Bryant discuses the sexism of women and the prejudices women also have about the “myth” of the black penis. Poulson-Bryant explores an incident from his own life experience. One year in college Poulson-Bryant met a white girl at a bar and later on they had sex. The white girl was not thrilled that Poulson-Bryant’s penis wasn’t “large” enough. Poulson-Bryant was shocked at the attitude of the white girl and began questioning himself and his manhood.
One of the strongest parts of the book “Hung” is when Poulson-Bryant explores the sexual racism of the gay community and the racist damaging stereotypes of black gay male sexuality. I know from my personal experiences that some white gay men do indeed view black men as sexual fetishes for sex. All you got to do is watch a DVD of “Queer As Folk” or “Six Feet Under” to understand what I am saying. Black men on these white gay TV shows were treated as window dressing characters that could be sexually exploited and placed back into the shadows. And there is more to black gay male sexuality then being a sideshow for white gays that’s for sure.
I remember a white guy I went out with ten years ago when I was barely out of my teens. One day I was over at the ex boyfriend’s apartment and he went to the bathroom. I don’t know why I did it but I saw his diary by his bed and I opened it. I was so disgusted in the diary entry of the former boyfriend of mine he wrote that he loved my “black penis.” Feelings of anger and disgust just washed over me. Am I not a complete person? Or was was this ex boyfriend of mine just interested in me because of a part of my anatomy? Well lets just put it this way the relationship ended very quickly after that. And I am glad it did.
Have I ever had sex with white guys before? Of course I have I’m not going to lie. Have I had sex with black men before? Of course I have. The difference is when I was intimate with black men I didn’t have this “myth” of the “black penis” and I definitely didn’t treat other black men as sex objects. Has the sex sometimes been good and pleasurable? Sure it has. I know men and women are different because I can separate between love and sex. Love is one thing and sex is a totally different issue. Some white gay guys will chase black gay men and vise versa for sex.
I will explain for the straight people that read my blog this next issue. In the gay male community there are “tops” and “bottoms”. If you ever go to a gay dating website the issue of “tops” and “bottoms” is the main issue. Everybody wants to know what “position” you play. Often when I am on gay dating websites I will receive messages from white gay men and sometimes from Asian gay men if I am a “top”. Sometimes I choose not to answer these questions because I find them not only annoying but it also verges on racism. In the gay male community the stereotype is that all black gay men are aggressive, Asian gay men are stereotyped as submissive and yet white gay men don’t get stereotyped because they are the majority.
The “top” is viewed as the more “masculine” male he is the one that penetrates the other male in his anus. The “bottom” is the more submissive male during gay sex that receives the penetration. If you’ve ever watch gay porn you will notice black gay males are often always tall, dark skinned to symbolize the “exotic” factor but also be extremely well “hung.” The white gay males in gay male pornography will be smaller have a smaller penis and will be the “submissive.” The gay male pornography acts out the whole master and slave complex but with a twist. The black gay male is depicted as the sexual “aggressor sexual master” and the white gay male is viewed as the “victim” or “passive” role. The black gay male will always have a deep voice in these gay porn movies and the white gay male will be meek and timid.
Also in the gay community it is well known that some white gay men chase black gay guys because they think all black men have large penises. If you take a look at the glossy mainstream white gay magazines often you will see half naked black men in advertisements for pornography or for contests at gay bars.
However, take a look at the masthead of these same white gay magazines you will never see a black gay man as the editor in chief or a top editor at these publications. Once again white gay males have the economic, gender, racial, and political power. Even gay porn skin mags that feature black gay men are run by white gay males.
A few years ago when I was younger I used to write for a Toronto gay publication Xtra! It had taken me a while to realize that the so called Toronto gay community was not “my community” it still was a “white” community although gay. The only reason the editor wanted me to write for Xtra! was because he wanted me to write about the “black gay” experience.
Xtra! wasn’t interested in my writings about other issues I was interested in. And my life is more then just my sexuality. I found the gay media limiting to me as a writer. Also in Xtra! you are never going to read many articles about the hypocrisy, double standards, and entrenched racism of the Canadian white gay community that’s for sure.
Scott Poulson-Bryant’s book struck a chord with me because I know how dehumanizing sexual racism in the gay community is. For some reason in the gay male community the subject of sexual racism is taboo and off limits?
Also when I was younger I used to hang out with a bunch of Asian gay males. Often these Asian gay males would complain to me and whine that white gay men weren’t giving them the “attention” they so desperately craved. Now of course, not all Asian gay men want white boyfriends and that’s not what this blog entry is about.
I am writing about a specific experience that I know about. One Asian gay male friend who is now a former friend of mine he also was very upset whenever we went to gay bars that the white gay men would ignore him. I told my so called friend that everyone has a sexual attraction and that there were white gay males interested in Asian gay men. Yet I question why my Asian gay male friend was so upset about “specifically” seeking out white gay guys. Poulson-Bryant effectively writes about the sexual organization of the gay male community is not only Eurocentric its also very racist as well.
In the gay community it is well known that men of colour and especially black gay men are depicted as just sexual objects for white homosexual male desire. Poulson-Bryant discusses a story about a friend of his that went to a gay party that was basically a sex orgy. Poulson-Bryant’s gay friend told him how some white gay men were so excited to perform oral sex on a black man’s penis simply because of the “color”. Bryant crafted the message that the “color is the size and the size is the color.” The only thing that was important to the white gay men at the sexual orgy was that Scott Poulson-Bryant’s friend’s penis was black.
The most important section of “Hung” is when Poulson-Bryant also explores the racism of the pornography industry. I found this section of the book to be one of the most honest readings I’ve ever had about the porn industry. Poulson-Bryant shatters the mystique and the silence about racism in pornography. The racist stereotypes about black male sexuality these manifestations not only exist but are mass produced on DVDs and easy for the eyes to see. I am not saying people should not enjoy porn and I am not a prude. I watch porn like every other gay guy.
I just want people to be more “cognizant” about what they are watching. Some porn I definitely stay clear of if I find it to be dehumanizing and racist. The racist beliefs about black men penises and depicting black men as ” sexual beasts” and “savages” that seek to “conquer”, “rape”, and “ravage” white women is definitely takes place I feel more in “heterosexual interracial porn.”
Details Magazine earlier this year publsihed an article about an interracial sex orgy that had taken place in suburbia at a residence of a white middle class couple. The white wife had a “hunger” for the black penis and the husband “allowed” black men to come into his house and screw his wife. The white husband claimed he didn’t mind his wife “screwing” black men because he knew she would “never” leave him for a black guy. When I read the Details article the writer didn’t even question the underlining homoerotic element. Why would a husband be “cool” with his wife screwing a whole bunch of young black men? I think the white husband got “off” and he was “turned on” by seeing black men have sex with white women. And I think a lot of heterosexual “interracial porn” has a kind of voyeuristic feel to it. You don’t see the white heterosexual men but they are the ones pulling the strings in the background. I also believe some white heterosexual men are “turned on” by black men.
Perhaps the fact that gay porn is between white gay men and black gay men both are male and it cancels out the “intimidation factor” and the “submission factor” is much less. Since gay male interracial porn is male on male I think racism definitely exists but not to the extreme as in heterosexual interracial pornography.
However, the straight interracial porn I have viewed between black men and white women I must admit I find some of it incredibly racist and very offensive. I wonder if the black men that make straight porn with white women understand they are being “used” and I feel in some ways “exploited”. In some interracial porn its all about the black straight men being depicted as a “rapist” or as “marauder” invading white heterosexual male territory and taking “advantage” of their women. The white women in interracial porn are depicted as “sluts” and “whores” that crave the “black penis.” So white women in heterosexual interracial porn don’t come off looking “good” either. I wonder if these young black men and white female entertainers in straight interracial porn understand what the porn video directors are “really” trying to say with the imagery? The porn industry is white male dominated a lot of the “interracial porn” between black men and white women is actually made for white heterosexual men and I find this to be homoerotic and perplexing. It appears to me some white heterosexual men have fascination with the black male penis and black male sexuality although they won’t admit it.
Everyone has seen a porn movie but have you ever paid attention to why there is so much interracial porn films between white women and black men? If you ever visit your local adult video store take a look. In the porn movies black men are of course depicted as sexual monsters with extremely large python like penises. Poulson Bryant asks the question who is this porn really for? I believe there is a homoerotic element to this kind of pornography and that some so called white straight guys are actually sexually attracted to black men. I mean why would a white heterosexual male want to see a black man have sex with a white woman? You can argue the white guy is just staring at the woman but I doubt it. I think some white men have an attraction but also a repulsion to black male sexuality.
Poulson-Bryant interviews the famous black porn star Lexington Steele. Steele is well known in the porn world for his enormous penis and his good looks. However, unlike most porn stars Steele doesn’t feel he is being exploited. Steele has managed to maintain control over his image and his product unlike many other people in the porn industry. Poulson-Bryant examines the reason interracial porn is popular but it is also taboo. Interracial porn porn is still considered “forbidden” and “salacious” and “dirty”.
Poulson-Bryant points out the large number of porn DVDs that are available for purchase at your local video store and the lack of mainstream movies with black heterosexual men having white female love interests. Remember the Super Bowl controversy over the commerical with the white actress Nicolette Sheridan from “Desperate Housewives” and the African American football player Terell Owens? White America had a heart attack. In the commerical Sheridan is in the men’s change room she takes off her towel and leaps into Owens arms. The controversy over the commerical was incredible because whites feared seeing black men and white women together.
If you’ve noticed these movies are rare for a variety of reasons. Poulson-Bryant also investigates another issue and that is the fear the white heterosexual male has of black male sexuality. Interracial marriage in some American states was illegal up to 1967 when the Supreme Court in the famous Loving Vs Virgina stuck down the racist law.
Poulson Bryant also explores the stereotypes that exist about black male sexuality in the media and pop culture especially with hip hop. In many hip hop music videos the black heterosexual rappers have to boast about their sexuality and masculinity because that’s the only power they have in society. In North America white men have political and economic power. I remember in a Caribbean Studies class during my undergraduate days my professor Andrea Davis said at York University black men only have two social markers one is physical strength and the other is sexual prowess. If you notice heterosexual black male rappers such as P Diddy and 50 Cent have to boast about how many women they sleep with because they don’t have any cultural signifiers of power.
Is the White Australia Policy Back In Effect?
I notice once again the Western media are concentrating on the Middle East, Israel, the Jews that’s all you ever see in the North American media these days. Right now the conflict in Burma is receiving some international media attention. The apathetic attitude of the Western media is not surprising they waited until the last minute to discuss the turmoil in Burma. The West waited until people died to finally “report” about Burma. President Bush says there will be sanctions placed on Burma but how is that going to affect the people there? What good will sanctions do when India and China trade with Burma’s Junta?
The Western media’s interest in Burma will decline and they will return to the usual Jews, Arabs, Israel, crisis as if that’s the “only” place in the world with serious social and political problems. What about Africa, or South America, or Asia? Its tiring, boring, its racist, but typical of the Western media.
Another region in the world where racism is taking place in full force is Australia.Yet the Western media is ignoring other hot spots in the world where discrimination and racism is taking place. One of these places is the Western nation of Australia. The Western media has been silent about the incredible amount of racism non whites such as African refugees and Aborigines are enduring in Australia. What if the oppressor is a powerful white male Prime Minister? Would the world care now? It appears as though the colour of a leader’s skin provides a hindrance in the interest of the western media.
Currently in Australia there is an African refugee ban including a ban on African refugees from the Darfur region. The current immigration minister in Australia Kevin Andrews has claimed that African refugees from Sudan are not “integrating” into Australian society. The refugee freeze will remain until mid 2008. Australia has allowed 3900 African refugees into the country this year which is 30% of the total refugee intake. Given the fact Australia a very large nation with a population of only 21 million people it appears xenophobia and racism is the real culprit given the fact an election will be taking place soon in Australia. John Howard the Prime Minister of Australia is appealing to xenophobic voters. Its the usual tactic racists use attacking a marginalized groups such as African refugees and making them the scapegoats.
Australia is also the nation that used to have a racist immigration policy known as the “white” Australia policy that banned non whites from immigrating to Australia. Australia only allowed immigrants from Anglo Saxon or Northern European nations into Australia until the mid world war II. Even Southern Europeans were excluded from immigrating to Australia during the Australian white policy for a period of time until after world war II.
If you would like to contact the Immigration Minister of Australia Kevin Andrews and voice your concerns here is his information:
The Hon Kevin Andrews MP
| Title: Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.
Party: Liberal Party of Australia
Parliament House ContactPO Box 6022 Email: Kevin.Andrews.MP@aph.gov.au
Electorate Office ContactDoncaster Office: Postal Address: Tel: (03) 9848 9900 |
Contact information for Prime Minister John Howard of Australia
Janet Jackson And The Velvet Rope A Decade Later
Ten years ago, Janet Damita Jo Jackson, returned to the spotlight with the Velvet Rope. The Velvet Rope is Janet’s masterpiece, the album explored serious issues such as domestic violence, love, identity politics, homophobia, and depression.
Janet shocked fans with a complete image makeover and the serious subject matter on her new album.The album cover a simple shot of Janet’s head down, appearing depressed, in a black turtleneck. Janet was coming back from a four year break after the incredible success of the 1993 album “Janet.” I don’t like the album “Janet” so much but I love the Velvet Rope.
I also love Janet’s first two albums “Control”, and “Rhythm Nation” the songs sound so fresh and are just incredible.
I think Janet’s two recent albums “Damita Jo” and “20 YO” were alright. “Damita Jo” was definitely a lot better then “20 YO”. The problem with “Damita Jo” of course was the mainstream white American media punished Janet for the Superbowl incident with a bunch of immature negative reviews.
The negative reviews for Damita Jo had nothing to do with the actual music which I find pathetic. A critic’s job is to critique the material not to make personal attacks on an artist. A critic is not supposed to focus on their personal views about a singer. I believe it is the job of the critic to think about the audience the artist is trying to reach. The Superbowl incident was clearly ammunition for the white American media to bash Janet Jackson and they got away with it.
Once again, the black media didn’t do their job they didn’t report about what “really” was going on with the Superbowl incident. The black media is important because they can provide an alternative view to the white press. Everyone knows society treats white and black female sexuality differently.
Part of the so called outrage about the Superbowl was because white America couldn’t handle seeing a black woman’s breast on television.
The album Damita Jo, was one of Janet’s strongest albums to date. Unfortunately it slipped through the pop culture and was dismissed. I think the USA media finally had become sick of Janet Jackson and they used the Superbowl as fuel to try to tarnish Janet’s career.
I think “20 YO” was probably one of Janet’s worst albums or maybe even her worst album.
The Velvet Rope though is a Janet Jackson classic from the hit song “I Get So Lonely” to the funky “Go Deep” the serious “Together Again” and “Free Zone”. And the hip hop sounds of “Got T’ll It’s Gone” featuring Q Tip and Joni Mitchell is such a great song. Every single song song on this album had a message and a purpose. I have played the Velvet Rope so many times and the songs still sound fresh.
I want Janet to make a comeback, to go back to creating important music and stop the whole sex kitten act.
I also want Janet to continue acting. It’s very hard to believe that Janet Jackson has only made three movies. Unlike certain entertainers, such as Madonna, and Britney Spears, Janet can actually act.
Janet has been acting since she was a young girl back in the 1970s on the TV show “Good Times”. Next, when Janet was a young teen in the early 1980s on “Different Strokes”. Next, Janet appeared on the teen drama “Fame”.
I am sure Janet gets scripts all the time this is why I find it so shocking that she hasn’t acted more.
I really do hope Janet continues to act I love seeing her on the silver screen she has incredible charisma and talent.
Janet is forty one years old, I am not saying Janet cannot be sexy, because she can. However, it is time for Janet to show the public that she has matured.
Quite frankly, it looks pathetic when a woman over forty feels the need to compete with the twentysomething artists taking her clothes off.
Janet has so much talent she needs to rise above that. Also, Janet needs to be paying attention to the recent decline in her record sales. Yes Damita Jo and 20 YO both sold over 1 million copies each.
However, there was no hit song on either album and that’s bizarre because Janet is such a consistent artist.
It is very sad in a way that the pressures of the music industry are pushing a talented woman like Janet Jackson to compromise herself.
However, its not politically correct to say this but I think at a certain point Janet has to let the sex kitten image die she’s forty one years old!
I just think its sad that Janet isn’t evolving like she did in the past. We get the sex kitten act but Janet is so much more then just sex.
Janet Jackson is a civil rights activist in some ways she’s a feminist.
Janet is a role model to so many young women out there in this world especially young black women.
Janet has been outspoken about homophobia in the black community. I just feel Janet has so much to offer music fans instead of just showing off
her body.
Janet’s fans are not the teenagers anymore, she needs to evolve with her audience. Janet’s fans are people in their 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond.
So Janet has to make music that will attract an adult audience. MTV doesn’t play Janet’s videos anymore after the whole Superbowl incident in 2004. MTV also won’t play Janet’s music because again she’s forty one years old she is no longer in the demographic MTV is trying to reach.
Janet and her team need to get it together and honestly discuss the Superbowl incident on her new album.I mean why avoid it? It obviously
affected her career.
Janet says she doesn’t want to talk about it but I think she should. I think it can be a cathartic release there was a lot of hypocrisy, racism, and
sexism taking place with the so called “outcry” over the Superbowl.
Yes, I totally agree that it was wrong and inappropriate for Janet to flash her breast to millions of TV viewers.
However, why did the American media let the white male singer Justin Timberlake off the hook?
Justin is the one that pulled Janet’s top off so why was the world media so quick to forget about his part of the controversy?
I also recall Madonna has done far worse things such as that tacky Sex book in 1992. Madonna also had a bizarre TV incident with David Letterman back in the year 1994 she was just crazy back then.
Did the American media constantly go after Madonna? Sure Madonna did get some backlash from the American press but it didn’t drag on like
this whole Superbowl thing with Janet Jackson.
So why is Janet still getting so much grief? I think it has a lot to do with the fact the white American media have an intense hatred for the Jackson family. Let’s be honest, the USA white media they really hate the Jackson family.
It is so disgraceful and disrespectful for the USA white media to constantly go after Michael Jackson the man has been through so much. Michael Jackson he’s a living legend.
Michael was acquitted of the child molestation charges he’s just an amazing legend.
Next, you have white singers like Justin Timberlake clearly copying Michael’s singing style, dance moves, its ludicrous.
Yet nobody in the mainstream press of course points out the obvious that Timberlake has copied the Michael Jackson blueprint.
If it wasn’t for Michael Jackson there would be no Usher, no Chris Brown, and definitely no Justin Timberlake.
Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Beyonce, Ciara, Rihanna, have all copied Janet Jackson’s dance moves and her techniques.
Ciara and Britney have both admitted that Janet was a major influence on them when they were kids.
Janet Jackson deserves our respect she’s an amazing entertainer she’s given so much back done so much charity work.
I find that interesting some media outlets in America still will not let the Superbowl incident go.
Justin even admitted that the media treats white males differently then black women. However, we already know that.
Some of Janet’s critics hate her for being a Jackson they don’t want the Superbowl to go away. Recently, when Janet was promoting her film “Why Did I Get Married?” she and Tyler Perry were being interviewed by a CBS station in Sacramento California.
The interviewers were beyond cruel to Janet they were so unprofessional it was disgraceful to watch.
However, the good news is over 20,000 Janet Jackson fans wrote e-mails and complaints to the TV station in Sacramento.
The flagrant unprofessional reporter was forced by the management to apologize to Janet Jackson on the air.
I was so proud of my fellow Janet Jackson fans that they took the time and effort and wrote in to the station them know racism and sexism in unacceptable.
I think its time for the American media to let the Superbowl incident go. Janet Jackson is an angel my goodness this was the only “crazy” think she has even done in her career.
Don’t we all make mistakes?
It angers me that almost four years have passed and people are still complaining about the Superbowl incident. Of course we all know that.
However,the Velvet Rope is Janet’s best album to date.
Why is Halle Berry Complaining Again? She’s got it better than every other actress of colour in Hollywood?
I read an interview on Reuters website yesterday with Halle Berry. Once again, Berry is complaining about the struggles she still has with finding quality work. I was stunned and shocked. Berry has an Oscar, SAG awards, a Golden Globe, a Silver Bear, and an Emmy. She is also the “only” “black” female celebrity other than Beyonce that is always profiled in the mainstream media. If you need a translation let me be blunt. Berry and Beyonce right now are the only light skinned black women that have white features that are celebrated by white Hollywood. Berry and Beyonce’s success has as much to do with their talent but also with their Eurocentric appearances. If Berry was extremely dark, and didn’t have white features she simply wouldn’t be getting the film roles she gets right now.
Berry’s life is constantly in the news in the mainstream media and the black media. Halle Berry is a crossover actress. What about darker skinned black women? You know black women that actually look black? Where are they? Where are Angela Bassett’s leading lady roles? Where are Whoopi Goldberg’s leading lady roles?
Angela Bassett and Whoopi Goldberg in my mind are superior actresses to Halle Berry. Please go see “What’s Love Got To Do with It” or “The Color Purple” as proof. Where are Angela and Whoopi’s best actress Oscars? Whoopi managed to win an Oscar to her credit but Angela Bassett has not. And the question is why? Angela Bassett is beautiful and very talented but she doesn’t have the white features or light skin that mainstream North America and Hollywood favors. Halle Berry has the “right look” she’s making serious cash, she also is the “only” “black” actress that Hollywood considers bankable.
Now some people may think talking about pop culture isn’t important but I believe it is. Popular culture shapes, transmits, forms, and creates, messages through images. Movies aren’t just entertainment they are dialogues between the society and the viewing audience. What are the messages the movies really sending to the African Diaspora? What does it mean in the year 2007 that there is only “one” leading black actress in Hollywood and she’s over the age of 40? What does this say to younger black men and women that are actors or want to become actors?
Let me provide an example, lets say someone wanted to make a serious dramatic film about a famous black woman in history. The first person the studio executives would call is Halle Berry. It doesn’t matter that Berry does not look similar or have the range necessary for the role. In Hollywood Halle Berry would be “first choice” because they consider her the only true A list black actress. Now if Berry doesn’t want a role then the studios pass it over to Queen Latifah and if she doesn’t want it well it the role is up for grabs for all the other black women in Hollywood.
I am sure Halle Berry fans will rake me over the coals for saying this but why isn’t Berry more grateful? Why does she always utilize the same sales tactic to garner media attention for her films? Every time Halle Berry has to promote a movie Halle always plays the victim.Halle is at the top along with Denzel Washington and Will Smith lets call these three the trinity they are the top three black actors in Hollywood. I don’t hear Washington or Smith complain about how hard they got it every single time they are promoting a movie. Is there racism in Hollywood? Of course there is. Is it harder for Berry because she’s a black woman? Of course it is. I just find it derivative that she doesn’t even seem to realize how many opportunities she has compared to every single other actress of colour in Hollywood.
Does anyone care about Parminder Nagra? I do. I think Parminder Nagra is a talented young British actress. Parimnder was the star of “Bend It Like Beckham” yet the white British actress Keira Knightley her co star in the movie is now a major star. I am not going to knock Keira Knightley I mean its not her fault that Hollywood recognized her for her performance in “Bend It Like Beckham”. Keira Knightley has been in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Pride and Prejudice, Atonement, she is a rising star.
Where is Parminder? Oops I forgot? Parminder is on ER on NBC. Yes the star of “Bend It Like Beckham” you see on Prime Time television. Parminder is not white or light skinned so she isn’t going to be offered any big movie roles. You would of thought that Parminder proved she had an audience with her international hit movie. The attitude of Hollywood remains the same they favored Keira her costar over the real star of “Bend It Like Beckham”.
I am sure Pariminder is pleased she has a steady pay cheque working on a major American TV network. However, I think ER is limiting to Parminder’s talent and that’s just my personal opinion. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could see Parminder sink her teeth into a dramatic movie role?
Did you know Halle Berry’s next movie “Tulia” is about an Indian American woman Vanita Gupta! Last time I checked Halle Berry is not Indian American. Parminder isn’t Indian American either she’s a British South Asian woman. However, Parminder would make perfect sense for this role. Now why did the studios ignore Parminder for this role and pick Halle Berry? Parminder would of been perfect for the part!
Aishwariya Rai and Shilpa Shetty are attractive but I am not sure they are as talented as Parminder Nagra? Halle Berry does not have Indian heritage and its insulting that she’s taking this role. Yes Hollywood is about box office but what about having some cultural and racial sensitivity? Berry’s being hypocritical here she’s complaining about how bad she’s got it but she doesn’t have a problem taking a role meant for an South Asian or Indian American actress.
Here you have Halle Berry saying she has it so rough yet she doesn’t mind taking a role that was meant for another actress of colour. I don’t understand Halle Berry? I find Berry to be so pretentious. I am cognizant of the fact that the film industry is about making money and is profit driven.
I wonder what the other black women in Hollywood are thinking when they hear Halle Berry using this same pattern over and over again about how hard she’s got it? Halle Berry has so many fans especially in the black community a lot of black movie fans would become outraged if another famous black actress dared to speak out against her. However, I bet the other black women in Hollywood are even more frustrated then Halle Berry. Where is Angela Bassett these days? I believe Bassett is a superior actress to Halle Berry. When was the last time you saw Angela in a quality film that was a major success? When was the last time Angela Bassett had a leading lady role? Whoopi Goldberg is on television right now because the film roles simply aren’t there for her. I admire and respect both Whoopi and Angela because I believe they were the ones that really broke down the colour barrier in Hollywood in terms of making quality films.
In Halle Berry’s last film “Perfect Stranger” she had to once again exploit her sexuality to garner media attention. “Perfect Stranger” of course bombed at the North American box office grossing only $23 million dollars. I think Halle Berry should be counting her blessings that at least she has options and choices. At least Halle has a choice. Gabrielle Union and Sanaa Lathan I believe are just as beautiful as Berry but you see Sanaa and Gabrielle don’t have the “white” look. Sorry did I write that? I mean to say Sanaa and Gabrielle don’t have the “right” appearance to appear in major leading lady mainstream roles.
Its tiring and annoying that summer passed and there wasn’t one movie at the multiplex that I wanted to watch. I don’t only watch black movies I like watching good movies. I like character driven movies. However, it would nice not to have to wait until the “end” of the year to finally see some serious dramatic films with black actors.
Berry is promoting her new film “Things We Lost In A Fire” directed by the Danish woman Suzanne Bier. Bier is a well respected director and from what I have read the movie looks like its a comeback role for Berry. I really do hope this movie is a success for her. Berry said she had to “fight” for that role well at least she was “offered” an audition for that role. I doubt Gabrielle Union, Sanaa Lathan, or Kimberly Elise would be considered for that part.
I definitely agree with Halle Berry that an Oscar winning actress that is an A list star, shouldn’t have to “fight” for roles. Halle Berry is paid several million dollars per movie she’s the highest paid actress of colour in Hollywood. Berry is at the very top of the Hollywood ladder then other respected women of colour in entertainment around her age such as Jennifer Lopez, Queen Latifah, and Lucy Liu. What about Asian women or South Asian women or hispanic women in Hollywood? Other women of colour got it much harder then Halle Berry. Yet I don’t hear Jennifer Lopez, or Lucy Liu, or Queen Latifah complain about how hard they got it? And I think other black, South Asian, hispanic, and East Asian actresses would have more valid arguments about the entrenched racism and sexism they encounter. Where is Parminder Nagra’s big movie role?
Where is Sandra Oh’s Oscar? Sandra Oh is on Grey’s Anatomy and that is a big deal. Grey’s Anatomy is one the top shows on television and Sandra has won a Golden Globe award and a SAG award. Sandra has been recognized by Hollywood for all her hard work. However, when was the last time you saw an Asian Canadian or Asian American woman the main star of a studio film? Where are Sandra’s leading lady roles? Sandra has often been in “secondary” roles in motion pictures such as the film “Sideways” or she’s either the white girl’s best friend or somebody’s “friend” but never the main star. At least Halle Berry gets to be the “star” of her movies.
Has anyone ever heard of Rachel Crawford? Rachel Crawford is a very talented black Canadian actress she was in the lesbian film “When Night Is Falling” twelve years ago in 1995. Rachel is a solid actress she’s has had work on Canadian and American television. Where is Rachel’s Emmy?
Now Berry, Latifiah, Lopez, and Liu are the top four women of colour working in Hollywood today. If Halle Berry has it so bad what about people like Parminder Nagra, Sandra Oh, Sanaa Lathan, Gabrielle Union, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, and even the women of colour below them? How must they feel when they read Halle Berry complaining about how hard she’s got it?
Berry not only gets top salary, endorsements, international fame, leading lady roles, magazine covers, TV show interviews, always a guest on Oprah. Wow how hard does Halle Berry got it? It must be so hard cashing multi millon dollar cheques and being the “only” leading black lady in Hollywood.
Last time I checked Queen Latifah is stuck in mammy roles such as “Hairspray” as Motormouth Mable due to her size. Latifah only had one serious dramatic role this year Life Support but it was a TV film on HBO. Union can’t seem to get anything outside of the black romantic comedy genre, Washington is still in secondary roles in films such as “The Fantastic Four” or smaller films such as “The Dead Girl” and Liu is on TV. I am not trying to downplay the frustration Halle Berry has when she says she has to “fight” for movie roles because I am sure she does. I am a bit cynical and a bit irritated whenever she has a movie to promote she complains about how hard she’s got it. Halle has endorsements with Versace, Revlon, and numerous other companies she’s an international superstar. Meanwhile, Kimberly Elise was fired from the CBS show “Close to Home” last season she no longer will the the white girl’s “best friend” this season. I think Elise is a better actress then Berry but Elise doesn’t have “the look.” Elise has even said this in media reports in interviews with Ebony magazine and NPR and other outlets.
Another thing I have noticed is how racially segregated the movies still are. Why is it a black actor has to be in a film with a white actor in order for the film to have critical acclaim? Has anyone else noticed this disturbing pattern? Tyler Perry has a movie out this weekend “Why Did I Get Married?” Perry’s film was not screened for critics because he did not like how the critics bashed his first film “Diary of a mad black woman.” “Why Did I Get Married?” is also the only movie out this weekend with an all black cast but its considered a “romantic comedy.” Is Tyler Perry all we got?
Now Tyler Perry has a right to make the films he wants to make because he is his own artist. Every single artist has a right to his or her’s own artistic vision. I just find Perry’s movies didactic, boring, and not stimulating. Now this is my personal opinion. Also, the black community is not a monolithic group. Just because I don’t find Perry’s movies interesting doesn’t mean other black people agree with me. There should be a place for Tyler Perry’s films we all need to a good laugh at the theatre sometime. My complaint is Tyler Perry at the moment appears to be the “only” black filmmaker at the moment that has clout with the mainstream studios. And I see this as a quandary. I believe there just needs to be more diversity.
In the month of October 2007 only two movies will be theatres that have blacks in leading roles and that’s it. Of course black movie goers can see other films because its our choice. However, why are our choices so limited? I am drawn to black films because I want to see movies about the black experience on the screen. My complaint is the lack of quality choices to choose from.
Link to Berry’s interview about Racism in Hollywood: http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN1027845720071011
The Liberals Wins In A Landslide but the PC Leader John Tory Is Out Of A Job!
The results are in and the Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty wins another majority government in the province of Ontario. McGuinty winning is not a surprise but the strength of the Liberal majority government is. For a second time McGuinty is the Premier of the province of Ontario for another four years. It is the first time in seventy years that the Liberals have back to back majority government in the province of Ontario. McGuinty is in control of the province. The Liberals won 71 seats, the Progressive Conservative party only won 26 seats, and the New Democratic Party as usual was in third place with only 10 seats.
The real shock however, is that John Tory the leader of the Progressive Conservative party not only lost the election he’s out of a job. Tory lost in his own riding to the Education Minister Kathleen Wynne. It is the first time since 1990 that a leader of a political party lost their own seat in the province of Ontario. It will only be a matter of time before Tory is removed as leader of the PC party. Tory has lost the confidence of the Ontario public he has to go away and disappear.
The Progressive Conservative party will have to choose a new leader. Tory had a crushing defeat he didn’t even win a seat at Queens Park. Tory is finished. Tory says he will continue as leader of the Progressive Conservative party. How is this possible when he doesn’t even have a seat in the legislature? How can Tory be leader when he doesn’t even have the confidence of the public in his own riding? Maybe its time for John Tory to think about getting a new job out of politics? In the year 2004 Tory also ran in the municipal election to become the mayor of Toronto and he lost to David Miller. Now Tory has lost at the municipal level and the provincial level, I guess that leaves Tory one last place to lose at the Federal level?
Tory lost the Ontario election for one reason the faith based school scheme. Tory thought by attempting to reach the “ethnic vote” he could secure enough votes to become the Premier of Ontario. Ontario citizens rejected the faith based school scheme because taxpayers do not want to pay extra taxes for people that want special schools for their kids. If people want Jewish schools, Muslim schools, Hindu schools, Korean, Japanese, or Chinese,schools they have to pay out of their own pockets. I believe Catholic schools should also be abolished in the province of Ontario. There should be a separation between church and state. The public school system exists for a reason its for all people and its the only system tax payers dollars should be funding.
The second reason Tory lost was due to his personality. Tory just doesn’t have the strength to be a leader. Tory always appeared to be a follower behind McGuinty. Tory came across as defensive and indifferent when asked tough questions. What would Tory had done if he became Premier of Ontario? I think it was the unknown that frightened people. People still remember the havoc the last Premier of Ontario Mike Harris caused the province of Ontario.
The quandary for John Tory was that the faith based schools scheme was the “only” topic that the media and public focused on. Tory backed off on the issue of the faith based schools scheme when the polls indicated he was losing the support and confidence of voters. When Tory backed off I knew he lost because it was a sign of weakness. The Progressive Conservative faith based schools strategy also allowed Premier Dalton McGunity off the hook. The auto sector is suffering in the province of Ontario, health care is always an issue. McGuinty wasn’t challenged about the lack of social housing, about the issue of domestic violence, about rising tuition rates. All the other important issues were left unexplored. McGuinty was attacked by the New Democratic leader Howard Hampton and John Tory but it didn’t phase him at all. McGuinty appeared confident and it showed that he should not be underestimated as a leader. Due to the Progressive Conservative party’s incompetence McGuinty soared to another majority.
The New Democratic Party also has questions to answer. The NDP has not been in power since 1994. For over thirteen very long years the NDP has seen its numbers grow smaller and smaller in the province of Ontario. How much longer will Howard Hampton be the NDP leader? Hampton’s had his chance its now time for Hampton to make a graceful exit and let someone else be the leader of the NDP. The NDP needs a change and it needs a change right now. I doubt members of the NDP party are happy about their lack luster performance in the provincial election. Its obvious that Ontario voters have not warmed to the NDP in over a decade. The NDP has serious questions to answer if they ever hope to return to power in the province of Ontario. Howard Hampton has failed to increase the power of the NDP party in the province of Ontario. Perhaps someone fresh, maybe someone younger someone with new ideas, someone fresher, should be the new NDP leader? Howard Hampton did maintain his seat but how long will he keep his job? John Tory’s stunning defeat will indeed have the Liberals snickering in secret of course.
McGuinty may have won a second majority government but he has to realize that there are serious social and economic problems in the province of Ontario that needs to be addressed. The next four years are crucial for the Liberal party. McGuinty can enjoy his victory tonight but if McGuinty continues to raise taxes and doesn’t do enough to benefit the people of Ontario he could face the anger of the public. John Tory learned the hard way not to underestimate the public and now he’s out of a job.
Kal Penn guest starring on House
Last night, I checked out the TV show House only because Kal penn was on the program. I was so excited its nice to see Kal Penn on TV. I was a bit dissapointed, Kal Penn didn’t have much screen time. Kal Penn is guest starring on House his character is one the new doctors on the program. I don’t really like the humour of the lead character House. I find him irritating but I will continue to check out the show hoping Kal Penn gets more screen time. Kal Penn continues to diversify his acting roles and he’s really demonstrating to people he can be a serious actor. Kal’s performance in Mira Nair’s “The Namesake” was incredible.
Now Floyd Landis has been caught will the mainstream USA media go after Lance Armstrong Or Will The Story Fade Away?
Now that Track and Field superstar Marion Jones has admitted to using steroids and Floyd Landis the 2006 Tour de France champion have been stripped of their medals. How long will it take before Floyd Landis starts talking to the media about his “friendship” with Lance Armstrong ? Will Landis tell the truth about Armstrong? Only time will tell. Are Landis and Armstrong still “good” friends?
For the longest time, Landis and Armstrong have formed this united front in the media pledging their allegiance to each other. Armstrong even defended Landis in the press over the doping allegations. However, once Landis was found guilty of doping Armstrong has slowly but surely distanced himself from his so called good friend Floyd Landis.
The question now is, will the USA American media turn up the heat on Lance Armstrong? After all, the USA media seem to be going hard after Barry Bonds. Why does Armstrong get a free pass from the USA press? Armstrong may have won the Tour de France an incredible seven times. However, the international media is not so convinced that Armstrong’s extraordinary success was just due to hard work and determination. The French media specifically has not bought into the Armstrong story.
For years steroid abuse allegations have followed Armstrong and he has denied forever that he is a cheater. Just remember readers Marion Jones also denied for years that she cheated too. And Floyd Landis also denied he cheated. Yet the flame is still burning and the fire is not out. I have this feeling that Floyd Landis knows more about Lance Armstrong and that he’s hiding something. Landis and Armstrong claim to be good friends. When there is smoke there is fire.
According to a June 24th 2006 NPR story, Armstrong’s ex friends Betsy and Frankie Andreu claim that Armstrong told them that he did indeed use drugs in 1996 in a hospital room. Also, according to the same NPR story Stephanie McIlvain a former friend also says Armstrong used performance enhancing drugs.
Also the silence of the mainstream USA media about Armstrong is very perplexing and interesting. Armstrong is the white American golden boy he can do no wrong. Floyd Landis he was the white boy of the moment he won the Tour de France just once. Landis is now old news. Armstrong is not just considered a great American athlete he’s considered a legend in USA sports. Armstrong story coming back from testicular cancer to become a dominant cyclist is now a part of American mythology. The American media have fostered and helped create this so called Lance Armstrong “legend.”
Yet the British and French media are cynical and are paying close attention to Lance Armstrong more then the American media. The question is why? Why is there this eerie silence in the mainstream USA press in relation to Armstrong? Check out the links for yourself. Do you think Armstrong cheated during his cycling career? Cycling is known for so many years for cheating. Armstrong to his credit never got caught cheating. Just remember Marion Jones never failed a drug test in her career either. Jones was on the designer steroid the “clear” which was undetectable during lab tests. The question is, if Armstrong was clean as he claims why is there still a cloud of doom and doubt over his success? Remember Marion Jones also denied for years she used steroids until one day Jones finally decided she wanted to live her life honestly.
Link to NPR story listen and read ex friends of Lance Armstrong say he admitted drug use:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5508863
Link to The Times.co.uk article about Armstrong and cheating:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/tour_de_france/article559819.ece
Link to Landis claim doping agency wanted Armstrong:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/6646809.stm
Link to lessons on Floyd Landis verdict
http://boulderreport.bicycling.com/2007/09/lessons-from-th.html
Link: Floyd Landis stripped of Tour de France title
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jyjDmlUh8XW7t59IMnHMN3pg7FmA
Why are lesbian tennis players out of the closet but the Gay and Bisexual male tennis players are still hiding?
Whenever a heterosexual male tennis player is playing tennis, the cameras will always gaze into the stands, at the model girlfriend or wife. partner. For instance, when Tim Henman matches were broadcast on television, the cameras always focused on wife Lucy. On the BBC, the commentators will always mention that Henman is happily married, with a wife, and children.
At the US OPEN, CBS sports talked constantly about Tommy Haas girlfriend. When Andre Agassi played the media always discussed his heterosexual marriage to former pro Steffi Graf. It also happens all the time with Roger Federer the cameras will gaze over at Mirka. When Rafael Nadal is playing the cameras will focus on his girlfriend.
Of course, heterosexual male tennis players exist on the ATP tour. However, there are also gay and bisexual male tennis players because due to science there are always gay and bisexual men in a population. It is a fact of life that some men are gay or bisexual so why are the male tennis players reticent about their bisexuality and homosexuality?
My theory is,I think some ATP Tour players have “public” girlfriends, and “private” boyfriends. The sports culture is very heterosexist and macho. There are also some male sports fans they would cringe and be disgusted if their favorite male athletes were gay or bisexual. People also forget about bisexuality some people believe men cannot be bisexual and this is false.There are plenty of men out there that are sexually attracted to both sexes. I think some of these male tennis players are also bisexuals.
In the sports community, a man’s masculinity is tied in with his sexuality. The question is why? The heterosexist message is gay and bisexual men cannot be strong men. The myth of the mainstream society is that a gay man cannot be masculine and be a great athlete. The illogical theory is if a gay male athlete does come out then the myth of his masculinity is shattered and he is less of a man.
Next, some straight people will say being gay “doesn’t matter” in sports. Well if being gay isn’t a big deal, why is there still the “shame”? Why is being straight such a big deal in sports? Why hasn’t a gay male tennis player in the Open era come out of the closet? Open era tennis started in 1968 its been thirty nine years and no male tennis player has ever stated that he is gay.
Yet on the WTA tennis fans know of the many lesbian tennis stars. Of course in society lesbianism isn’t considered a threat to mainstream male sports fans. Lesbianism is also not a threat to heterosexual men. Yet the idea that straight male sports fans favorite male athletes can be gay seems to be a threat to their psyches and masculinity. The fear of the unknown outrages some straight men. I believe men are keeping other men in the closet. Of course, another point to consider is the closeted gay male athletes want to maintain the “respect” of their heterosexual male colleagues so they also remain in the closet.
Why is being straight considered part of the “public” sphere but being “gay” viewed as a private matter? The notion of heterosexuality is socially constructed and enforced that we don’t even question why is it important to point out tennis players heterosexuality. Perhaps that’s the problem? Maybe the day will come where being gay in sports isn’t a big deal but it still is.
Perhaps women are also more mature when it comes to dealing with issues of sexuality in sports? Most women don’t care if a female tennis player is a lesbian. On the WTA the players don’t care that Amelie Mauresmo is a lesbian tennis champion. Amelie is respected as a champion. Although Amelie Mauresmo is having a “bad” year by her standards she’s still top 10 in the world. Amelie is a national hero in France, she is loved by the French people and considered a heroine. The French don’t care that Amelie is a lesbian they love her unconditionally. In France, the dream of the nation is that one day Amelie will win the French Open. I know Amelie has the game and talent to win the French Open maybe next year perhaps?
So the public is just supposed to believe the WTA has a disproportionate lesbian population and there are “no” gay male tennis stars? I find this very hard to believe due to science. In a population, there will always be a certain percentage that is gay. There are so many lesbian singles and doubles tennis champions. There has to be male tennis champions that are homosexual yet they choose to be cowards and hide in the closet.
There was a rumour earlier this year that the French tennis player Richard Gasquet is gay. The rumour burnt into a bright flame when French journalists at the Monte Carlo Masters in April asked Richard if he was gay. The French magazine, Le Point, conducted an interview with a French business man Arnaud Lagardere claiming he was involved with Gasquet. Lagardere deined the gay rumour. Richard has also denied the rumours. In France, the story is that an older French businessman Arnaud Largardere is Richard’s secret lover. Richard and Lagardere have both denied that they are together.
However, tennis fans across the globe erupted when the story first emerged. Now I am not denying Richard’s heterosexuality. I am simply questioning why some tennis fans have no problem with lesbianism on the WTA but do have a problem with even the thought that some of the ATP tour male tennis players could be gay? Do these tennis fans think being gay is only reserved for the women’s tour?
The Australian tennis pro Renee Stubbs, came out last year during the 2006 Australian Open, to the Melbourne newspaper The Age. Stubbs used to date American doubles specialist Lisa Raymond. Of course, everyone knows that two great tennis champions Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King are lesbians. In Spain, the Spanish media have talked about former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez lesbianism for years. Conchita used to date the American doubles pro Gigi Fernandez. The USA tennis commenators even discussed Martinez and Fernandez lesbian romance over a decade ago. There are rumours that the Australian tennis player Samantha Stosur and the Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova are also lesbians.
Since there are lesbians on the WTA, why are the ATP tour players still in the closet? The great Bill Tilden also know as “Big Bill” is the only male tennis champion that we know is gay. Tilden won Wimbledon three times and he was a seven time US OPEN champion during the 1920s and 1930s. Tilden brought glamour, sophistication, and a touch of drama to men’s tennis. Why is there this void in men’s tennis? Tilden cannot possibly be the only man to ever play pro tennis and be gay?
Tennis is an individual sport. There is absolutely no reason why a player would need to remain closeted. In pro tennis you are on your own you don’t have to answer to any “team members”. I think it would be easier for male tennis players to come out in tennis or golf then say pro hockey, basketball, football, or baseball.
Amelie Mauresmo did not lose any endorsements when she came out and that’s progress. Back in the 1980s, when Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King were forced out of the closet. King’s hairdresser outed her, and Navratilova was outed by a journalist. King and Navratilova lost their endorsement deals.
Times have changed in professional tennis Amelie Mauresmo is very respected in the tennis world and she makes good money on the court and off the court. It is perfectly possible to be openly gay and have a successful tennis career because Amelie Mauresmo is proof of this.
I am not advocating that gay male tennis players should hold press conferences coming out or doing big articles or photo shoots. Amelie Mauresmo simply didn’t deny she was gay and that was it. I think that’s the kind of approach the gay male tennis players can follow. Being gay in sports wouldn’t be as big a deal if more male pro athletes come out. The more players come out the more common it would be for fans to accept these gay male tennis players.
I think it goes to show that the lesbians are the ones with the courage. The lesbians are the ones that pushed the battle for gay rights forward in the sports arena not gay men. It is the lesbians in the 1980s and 1990s that encounter some homophobia but won the battle. The fear of lesbianism on the WTA tour has faded away. Being a lesbian on the WTA tour is not a shock to anyone. So why would it still be a shock for tennis fans if some top male tennis players were indeed gay or bisexual?
On numerous tennis message boards just bringing up the topic about male athletes being gay strikes a chord in people it’s a passionate subject. I think it’s entirely possible there has to be gay male tennis players or golfers. I mean think about it these guys travel together across the globe, they spend a lot of down time off the court together, practice together, maybe even share hotel rooms, and have meals together.
Why is it so hard for some people to believe some of these male tennis players are dating each other? Would tennis fans really care if a top male tennis player was gay? Wouldn’t that make tennis more interesting and exciting? People say they don’t care if male athletes are gay but they obviously do and that’s one of the reasons the gay male tennis players are still in the closet. I think its time for somebody on the ATP Tour to take a stand but I doubt it will happen. It just goes to show whenever gay rights needs advancement its the lesbian community that has the courage and determination to not live in fear.
List Of WTA Lesbian Tennis Stars
1. Martina Navratilova (out of the closet confirmed lesbian)
2. Billie Jean King (out of the closet confirmed lesbian)
3. Renee Stubbs ( out of the closet confirmed lesbian)
4. Amelie Mauresmo (Confirmed lesbian out of the closet)
5. Conchita Martinez ( Not out of the closet but Conchita is a lesbian)
6. Nicole Pratt (Ditto not out of the closet but Nicole is a lesbian)
7. Samantha Stosur (Ditto not out but Sam is a lesbian)
8. Gigi Fernandez (Former girlfriend of Conchita Martinez they used to date in the mid 1990s)
9. Mary Carillo (Once married to a man but numerous rumours is Carillo is bisexual or lesbian)
10. Virginia Wade ( Not out of the closet but Virginia Wade is rumoured to be a lesbian)
11. Maria Bueno ( Rumour has it Bueno used to date American tennis champion Darlene Hard)
12. Darlene Hard ( Rumoured to be in a lesbian relationship with Maria Bueno)
13. Lisa Raymond ( Lisa is out of the closet she is the former girlfriend and lesbian lover of Renee Stubbs)
14. Hana Mandlikova ( Hana is not out of the closet but she is a lesbian)
15. Jana Novotna ( Jana not out of the closet she is also gay)
16. Gabriela Sabatini ( Gabriela is not out of the closet she is also a lesbian)
I am thinking about self publishing right now
Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada its a national holiday and I’ve been thinking about some things. One of the things I’m thinking about is self publishing my next book. I’m tired of receiving rejection, after rejection, after rejection. The book industry in Canada is so small anyhow. My first book “You Don’t Know Me” was published by a small press TSAR in Toronto.
For the past two years I’ve haven’t found a second publisher for my non fiction manuscript. I’m tired of waiting. I am indeed doing my homework. There is a self publishing company in Canada called Trafford Publishing based in British Columbia. I hear Trafford is good but I find they are a bit too expensive. I’ve heard about Authorhouse but they mainly deal with USA authors. I definitely will avoid Publish America I read an article about that company in the Washington Post and they seem unprofessional.
I’ve been thinking about iuniverse nothing is set in stone of course. Right now I’m just researching. Anybody that reads my blog have any advice about self publishing? I’ve heard a lot of horror stories. But I think there is a positive side to self publishing as well and the most obvious is control of your own work. And of course I know it will be hard but I think I’m willing and able to work hard and make things happen for myself.
Of course the hard part isn’t really getting a book published. For self publishing you simply pay the fee and they will publish the book for you. However, the problem is distribution. How does the book reach the public? I read that only 10% of books are actually bought online. Most people still go to bookstores to buy books. So how would a self published author get people to buy his or her’s new work? Now that’s a quandary. Of course, the internet is a good resource. And as it appears I have a lot of homework to do. I haven’t decided on self publishing but the more I think about it. I might consider it?
Also there is a social stigma towards self publishing. The mainstream book industry looks down on it because its not viewed as “genuine” publishing. Sometimes though self publishing cuts through a lot of red tape. Anyone with advice about self publishing please feel free to send comments. I want to learn as much as I can about this before I make a final decision.
Is Canada Really Doing Well Right Now? There could be a Federal Election Very Soon?
On the surface to the outside world everything seems perfect in Canada at the moment. The Canadian economy and dollar is soaring at the moment. Unemployment is down to a thirty three year low at 5.9%. Canadian shoppers are crossing the USA border in droves searching for bargains. However, beneath the surface there is tension that is going to boil over very soon if the real issues are not dealt with. First, over seventy young Canadians soldiers have died and perished in Afghanistan. For what? I don’t even know.
The first picture is Gerard Kennedy he should be the leader of the Federal Liberal party but he’s not. I believe Canada now needs a “younger” leader someone that is optimistic someone that understands the concerns of younger people but also can balance the concerns of older people. Gerard Kennedy has the charisma, the talent, and the potential to be a great Liberal leader. Some Liberal strategists claim Kennedy’s youth and inexperience in Federal politics is the reason he’s not the leader yet. Kennedy is forty seven years old. Is that young? Guess so in Canadian politics.
The second photo is Jack Layton he’s the leader of the Federal New Democratic Party. The NDP party is what many call the “central left” party in Canada. The third photo is the new Liberal leader Stephane Dion. The Liberal party is thought of as being in the “center”. The fourth photo is Stephen Harper the current Prime Minister of Canada he’s also the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.
Prime Minster Stephen Harper has visited Afghanistan to score political points. Harper is exploiting the dead to score political points. Harper has proclaimed that the soldiers are making a great sacrifice. Is this really true though? Is it a sacrifice when young fathers are dying and young women are now widows raising children that won’t know their dads? Is it a “great sacrifice” when soliders die? And yes Harper definitely has scored a lot of political points. Some Canadians believe Harper is taking the right stand showing “support” for Canadian troops.
Canada is in a precarious position at the moment there is also a minority government and that means instability. The Liberals lead by the insipid Stephane Dion lost three seats in Quebec by-elections recently. Although Dion is French Canadian he is not popular with other French Canadians. Since Canada has a minority and not a majority government there could be a snap fall election. Nobody really wants this of course. Elections cost money and even Federal Liberal strategists don’t want a Federal election right now because the Federal Liberal party could lose even more seats. And in Ontario we have a Provincial election on Wednesday we don’t want to have to deal with another election after this one.
Harper has definitely been coached well by his public relations team by appearing patriotic and talking about national unity. However, in my mind Canadian troops in Afghanistan is a United Nations issue not a Canadian issue. I believe the death of seventy Canadian soldiers is far too many. What are these young soldiers dying for anyway? Afghanistan is such an unstable country it will take years most likely decades for the country to find stability. CBC has been airing documentaries about young Afghan girls finally obtaining education which of course is positive. However, lets be honest here the majority of Afghan women still endure misogyny and male domination. A nation that is patriarchal does not change over night. Osama Bin Laden is still on the loose the country the world should be focusing on should be Pakistan. General Pervez Musharraf is a dictator and he cannot be trusted yet he is considered an ally of the United States.
Since the Canadian economy is doing very well at the moment there is not a lot the Federal New Democratic Leader leader Jack Layton or the Liberal leader Stephane Dion can complain about with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. In fact, Canada also has a $14 billion dollar surplus which Harper says will be used to pay down the national debt. Harper is scoring a lot of political points with voters. A lot of “older” voters care about issues such as paying down the debt. However, why doesn’t Harper use the surplus to help the Canadian people? The excess money could be used to create more social housing, assist the Canadian health care system, help university students, assist women fleeing domestic violence. Violence against women is a very important issue an issue the Canadian government casually ignores. Again, the rights of women is obviously not an important issue for the Conservative party of Canada. Domestic violence is a top five issue it is a root to so many social problems. More needs to be done. Harper cannot say Canada doesn’t have the money now.
Harper has no detour he should be focusing on improving the nation and he’s not. Why is Harper using all of the surplus to pay down the debt? It sounds illogical to me that Harper is doing this.
The problem for Canada right now is we have a spineless Liberal leader Stephane Dion he cannot challenge Stephen Harper. Dion is not a strong man. Dion doesn’t have any sophistication nothing at all that sets him apart he needs his own identity. Dion appears insecure and agitated when asked tough questions. I wanted Gerard Kennedy to be the new Liberal leader. There was a Liberal party convention last year and Kennedy lost early in the rounds of voting. Kennedy cares about people he was once the executive director of the Toronto Daily Bread Food Bank he also was the former Provincial Education minister in the province of Ontario. The problem for Kennedy is that people are fearful of him due to his so called ” youth” and “inexperience” at the Federal level. Again Kennedy is forty seven years old is that really young? Canadian politics is weird!
However, Stephane Dion should not be the Federal Liberal leader. Dion just doesn’t have that spark. The last Canadian Prime Minster Jean Chretien may have been an old man but at least he had charisma and a personality. Chretien was like a street fighter he never backed away from a fight. A leader cannot just speak the facts. A leader must be brave and bold. A leader must connect with the Canadian population and especially have the support of his or her own party. A leader must be someone that inspires the nation not someone that infuriates people. Dion is losing support internally within the Liberal party. Don’t be surprised if there is a purging and Dion is removed as the leader. Dion is bland and dry as burnt toast. Its clear to me that there is a lot of tension inside the Federal Liberal party at the moment. The leader of a political party must be a strong man or woman that has charisma but also strength. Dion doesn’t exhibit any of these qualities. Dion comes across as whiny, unlikeable, and as a nerd. Some in the media have suggested that Michael Ignatieff should be the new Liberal leader yet this man has only recently moved to Canada. Igantieff has lived off Canadian shores for most of his life. Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party of Canada will never be defeated until the Liberals get a stronger leader.
There is a ray of hope though the Federal NDP is growing in strength the new NDP leader Jack Layton has seen a surge in popularity with his party. The NDP also holds the balance of power. There is another Canadian political party that exists that really makes no sense the Bloc Quebecois lead by Gilles Duceppe. The Bloc Quebecois wants to destroy Canadian unity and separate Quebec from the rest of Canada. The problem for the Bloc Quebecois is that many French Canadians don’t want to separate from Canada. Canadian law already grants Quebec so many special powers. For instance, Quebec has their own legal system, they have specific immigration laws that apply to that province as well. French is the second official language in Canada. It looks like a Federal election could be taking place very soon. I don’t know what’s going to happen? Harper could win a majority and that would be horrible. The only positive thing about a minority government is that Harper cannot just pass any legislation he wants. The other political parties have to realize that they do hold power they can force Harper to make concessions. My belief is the other political parties should wait until next year and then maybe only then have an election. Its such a shame that Stephane Dion is the Liberal Leader he’s simply too weak.
Gayblackcanada 
