Excellent Article: USTA & Patrick McEnroe Are Racist Against Tennis Players Serena Williams & Taylor Townsend.

Women’s Tennis

By

Cliff Potter

 (Correspondent) on September 9, 2012

Serena Williams is in shape, but by no means thin.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

 

Given the history of tennis, it is a very short line. Mixed among so many white Australians and Americans, the minority winners of the US Open are very few and far between.

Richard “Pancho” Gonzalez, born poor but proud in an LA barrio. Winner of the 1948 and 1949 US Opens. An Hispanic-American whose name was spelled Gonzales, the “American” way early in his life and whose nickname may have stemmed from a cut on his face when he was a child, which was incorrectly rumored to have occurred in a knife fight.

Althea Gibson, product of Harlem was also poor. And black. Winner of the US Open in 1957 and 1958.

Manuel Santana is next. Winner of the 1965 US Open. Former ball boy from Spain.

Arthur Ashe, winner of the US Open in 1968. Always present these days at the US Open in the stadium bearing his name.

When you watch Serena Williams go for her next US Open women’s title today, do not consider her achievements as something done within the normal tennis world. Instead, when you see her weight, her power, and her color, think of her achievements as an African-American in a world that is not yet through with racial and sexual insensitivity.

Andy Murray, David Ferrer, Novak Djokovic, Victoria Azarenka and all of the rest of the men and women in the quarterfinals were all white except Serena Williams. And they all have sleek, model-like physiques.

Taylor Townsend, left, after winning the US Open girl’s doubles championship on Friday.
Chris Trotman/Getty Images

 

Serena Williams has a body that is bodacious in all respects. Totally dissimilar to most bodies on tour, men and women.

Williams’ physique is shared with Taylor Townsend, a 16 year old African-American and the number 1 seed in the girl’s juniors in singles. Taylor lost on Friday in the junior girl’s US Open singles tournament, but won the US Open girls doubles title.

Like most of us, you would have thought nothing of Taylor Townsend’s weight or race.

But you are not the USTA and Patrick McEnroe, at least as to weight.

We may feel that women are no longer classified differently than men, or that racial sensitivity is now practiced by almost everyone involved. This situation brings us back to reality.

According to the Wall Street Journal, “Before this year’s Open, Taylor asked the USTA for a wild-card entry slot in either the Open’s main draw or its qualifying tournament, which Taylor had played in last year. Her requests were denied. After the USTA asked Taylor to skip the U.S. Open junior tournament, her mother told them she’d pay her daughter’s expenses herself.” As Taylor’s mother said, “It all kind of came as a shock to us because Taylor has consistently done quite well,” she said. Her daughter, she reminded, “is No. 1, not just in the United States, but in the world.”

In fact, she had been “asked to stop competing,” consequently missing the USTA Girls’ National Championships in San Diego, because she had to get in better shape.

Patrick McEnroe, at the forefront of the Townsend controversy.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Patrick McEnroe, the general manager of the USTA’s player development program, confirmedthat her expenses to and at the US Open were not paid by the USTA.His excuse was not low iron at the time. “Our concern is her long-term health, number one, and her long-term development as a player,” said Patrick McEnroe, the general manager of the USTA’s player development program. “We have one goal in mind: For her to be playing in [Arthur Ashe Stadium] in the main draw and competing for major titles when it’s time. That’s how we make every decision, based on that.” McEnroe also claimed there had just been a miscommunication.

 

Not so, said Taylor Townsend. ““There was no miscommunication,” Townsend said. “I don’t know what else to say. My mom was coming but they did not fund us for the tickets.””

Could you have gotten to the quarterfinals of the US Open girls championship or the semifinals of the doubles if you had the weight of Patrick McEnroe and his USTA on top of you every game you played in addition to your own? Knowing that you were being penalized for your weight if not your race?

Probably not. But Taylor did.

Surely, both racial and sexual sensitivity would have dictated a different approach.

But as the Townsend situation shows us, Patrick McEnroe and the USTA do not share this sensitivity. In fact, their position remains both insensitive and appears indefensible.

So far the only disclosure of a health problem comes from Tennis.com, which claims that Townsend required a doctor’s approval to play due to “low iron.” And although Matt Cronin, a principal writer for USOpen.org, said that this was the reason, it apparently had nothing to do with the decision to ask Townsend not to participate in other tournaments.

Zina Garrison, whose discrimination lawsuit against the USTA was settled.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

We might fool ourselves by looking at the nearly all-white crowd in New York, telling ourselves that racial issues are over and that everyone involved, man or woman, white or black, is being treated fairly.

 

But the Townsend affair raises these questions once again. And they are questions worth an investigation. To satisfy people of color that the decision on Townsend was motivated neither by a prejudice against people who are considered overweight or based on her race.

The issue of whether the USTA’s player development group run by McEnroe is racist has been raised in the past. The Williams former coach Morris King Jr. has made thisclaim, including by reference to his inability to get a response from them concerning coaching applications.

As for the USTA’s High Performance/Player Development department, I have been rejected for national coach positions at least a dozen times over the years. How did I learn that I was rejected? Because I am not there. That’s how I have always found out. They have never informed me through any type of communication.

Lest you believe that Morris King is just a nut, read his statements and verify them.

King pointed to the USTA’s defense of several suits that have alleged race discrimination as a sign of discrimination at the USTA.

These have included the following: Zina Garrison’s discrimination lawsuit for her dismissal as the Fed Cup coach which was settled by the USTA, the settled Cecil Hollins case brought by the one out of thirty or so top chair umpires claiming discrimination against black chair umpires because he had been the only one, and the resulting New York Attorney General investigation that was settled though anAssurance of Discontinuance with the USTA.

Richard Williams and his daughters Serena and Venus.
Clive Rose/Getty Images

Claims and perhaps one or more cases have also been made that the wild card process of getting into tournaments is discriminatory.

 

So far, there is no evidence apart from this history that real discrimination existed in the decision to tell Townsend to stay away.

But given the way Serena has always looked, how can you successfully apply any weight exclusion on any player? Especially because, despite millions in expenditures to develop any top ranked player over the past five or six years, the USTA under Patrick McEnroe has failed in their task and one success they have had is told to stay home and not compete.

That McEnroe’s claim that weight was the reason appears to be a false claim based on Townsend’s experience at the Australian Open this year. Taylor Townsend was in both the Australian Open girls’ singles and doubles, toiling well into the night, where McEnroe was present as a TV commentator.

During this January’s Australian Open, “[t]he left-handed Townsend had a busy day as she defeated fellow American Krista Hardebeck 7-6 (3), 6-4, in the girls’ singles semifinals to earn herself a final round match up with Russia’s Yulia Putinseva. Then she and Andrew had to pull the late night shift and took a dramatic 5-7, 7-5, 10-6 [super tiebreaker] win in one hour, 44 minutes over Irina Khromacheva and Danka Kovinic.”

Such a schedule does not seem to indicate a health or fitness concern over her weight.

Townsend has won or done very well in the tournaments in which she has participated. You have to have significant athletic skills to be ranked number 1 in her age group, as she has been this year.

USTA Training Center, Boca Raton, Florida.

 

The most tragic indictment of McEnroe’s acts come from Taylor Townsend herself. ““It was definitely shocking,” she said. “I was actually very upset. I cried. I was actually devastated. I mean, I worked really hard, you know, it’s not by a miracle that I got to number one. I’m not saying that to be conceited or anything, but it’s not just a miracle or it didn’t just fall upon me just because my name’s Taylor.”

As Sports Illustrated said, “Taylor Townsend, a charming young girl who still wears her braces proudly and plays with ribbons in her hair, is still just that: a young girl. She is not the future of American tennis, she is not a policy and she is not an example. She’s just a kid playing a sport she loves and she’s pretty darn good at it. Her body is still developing, her self-esteem still ebbing and flowing, and the last thing she needs, not as a tennis prodigy but as an adolescent, is her own tennis federation telling her she’s physically deficient.” SI also points out that it is through wins and losses in big tournaments that players become better.

Both Lindsay Davenport and Martina Navratilova have denounced this decision. “You cannot punish someone for their body type,” Davenport said. “I’m livid about it. Livid,” Navratilova said. She added: “It speaks of horrible ignorance.”

Denying Townsend any money to travel to the US Open, and asking her to stay away from competitions, tarnishes the efforts made by the US Open and the USTA over the past few decades to eradicate racism and treat women fairly.

The USTA must not bury this incident, as it seems to have done so far, but instead must publicly deal with all those involved. At least some official position is appropriate even though there is less of a public furor than one might expect over McEnroe’s decision.

Davenport, far right, and Navratilova, far left.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

 

Is it a coincidence that this situation was reported by the Wall Street Journal apparently on September 6, 2012, and then by The New York Times on Friday, but USOpen.org and the USTA apparently have not published a thing on this incident?

 

It is tempting to say that singling out weight is more a case of class prejudice rather than racial. After all, it is a stereotype in today’s culture that if you are overweight, then you are poor.

A few generations ago, tennis was largely the province of moneyed men and women. Professional tennis was played at private clubs, organized by individuals, and treated as if it were an all-white sport. Indeed, at one time, being white from an English speaking country was an almost required feature of tennis players.

And almost never being overweight.

But there is clearly a lack of racial sensitivity too.

Surely, the USTA or Patrick McEnroe did not consider that McEnroe’s decision might be considered racist or it would have been handled very differently. Especially when Serena is the antithesis of the typical svelte tennis player and has a fairly unique body type for tennis, the potential for others to interpret the move as racist is clearly present.

We have moved a long way on matters of race because of the many great athletes who were able to overcome barriers against them and their play.

 

One of the greatest players of all time, Althea Gibson is the most prominent for the role she played in breaking the color barrier in tennis despite overcoming a very poor family life. As Venus Williams said when Gibson died in 2003:

“I am grateful to Althea Gibson for having the strength and courage to break through the racial barriers in tennis,” it said. “Althea Gibson was the first African-American woman to rank No. 1 and win Wimbledon, and I am honored to have followed in such great footsteps. Her accomplishments set the stage for my success and through players like myself, Serena [Williams] and many others to come, her legacy will live on.”

The Williams sisters and their father have reported about the racism they faced from the crowds. “In the semi-finals of the US Open last year [2002], the American crowd supported Amélie Mauresmo of France rather than Venus: for the overwhelmingly white, middle-class crowd, the bond of colour clearly counted for more than the bond of nation.” As the Guardian noted in the same article on racism in tennis: “At the Indian Wells final in 2001, Serena was jeered the moment she appeared on court and was booed throughout. Her father, Richard, described how, as “Venus and I were walking down the stairs to our seats, people kept calling me nigger. One guy said, ‘I wish it was ’75 [alluding to the Los Angeles race riots]; we’d skin you alive.'”

They did not return to Indian Wells.

And it was only in Venus’ last match at this year’s US Open, potentially her last, when she said she finally felt like an American because the crowd was behind her.

Althea Gibson, from http://www.womentalksports.com/athlete/690/Althea-Gibson

 

Just as the Williams sisters demanded and obtained equality with boycott and regular reportingof the racism they faced from the crowds, other prejudice must also be banished including any prejudice that might exist due to a player’s weight.

Despite the many claims of Richard Williams of racism, there has never been any broad, public investigaton by the USTA about his and Morris King’s complaints. Why?

Is the Townsend situation more of the same? Or is it a stereotype that comes with being poor, where more overweight people are found today.

It may be coincidence, but last year The New York Times did another article on Taylor Townsend. The article lauded her progress in tennis, and interviewed and extensively interviewed Richard Williams, the Williams sister’s father and former coach. And they spoke with Kathy Rinaldi, USTA’s national coach. What did she say at the time?

“She has come a long way in a short time” . . . “When I first saw her a year and a half ago, she had a lot of potential. She has more discipline with her shot selection now and knows her game and style more. Her work is paying off.”

Tennis associations should never make sixteen year olds concerned about either race or their bodies, especially when no empirical evidence of Townsend needing to tone up her body before she competes. In fact, if you look at Townsend’s record, you begin to believe that this is all made up. By the USTA’s Patrick McEnroe.

You might also consider whether she may be Serena Williams’ successor.

If your physique looks like Serena Williams, perhaps the best women’s player in history, what more needs be said?

WSJ Article: Tennis Champions Lindsay Davenport & Martina Navratilova Slam Patrick McEnroe & USTA For Attacking Teen Taylor Townsend!!!

Tennis Legends ‘Livid’ About USTA Decision

By Tom Perrotta

The Wall Street Journal reported in Friday’s newspaper that Taylor Townsend, a Chicago native and the No. 1 junior girl tennis player in the world, was benched from tournament play this summer by her coaches at the U.S. Tennis Association because of her fitness. Townsend lost in the quarterfinals of the junior singles tournament Friday afternoon but advanced to the doubles final with her partner, Gabby Andrews.

Taylor Townsend was benched from tournament play this summer by the U.S. Tennis Association.
On Friday, the Journal spoke with Lindsay Davenport and Martina Navratilova, two former No. 1 players and Grand Slam champions who struggled with their weight as teenagers and as pros. Davenport and Navratilova were sharply critical of the USTA’s decision.

“You cannot punish someone for their body type,” Davenport said.

“I’m livid about it. Livid,” Navratilova said. She added: “It speaks of horrible ignorance.”

The Wall Street Journal: You struggled with weight as a junior and a pro. What was it like for you growing up?

Lindsay Davenport: My dad is 6-foot-8. He blew out his knee in 1973, and after bad surgery, an infection ravaged his knee. He hasn’t been able to bend his knee since then. He was probably 150 pounds overweight my whole life. So all through the 80s, when I was a little girl, my dad was huge. My mom was not. But I had this dad with big genes, and we were never thin.

My first year playing the [12-and-under] nationals in Florida [at age 11], another mom reported me for being too old. And I was standing right there, and my mom was like, “I’ve got news for you, she can play next year, too.” And this woman was like, “Oh my gosh!” I had these big, chubby, baby cheeks and people thought that because I was tall and big, I was older.

Martina Navratilova: I put on 20 pounds in two weeks when I first came on the tour. I was 16, I played in Fort Lauderdale and then Dallas. By Dallas, I had to buy myself new shorts because I couldn’t fit into my shorts. I was playing three hours a day of tennis, or more. It was a change of metabolism and a change of diet. I wasn’t eating junk food, either. I was just eating too much. I was eating pancakes and steaks and hamburgers, I discovered corn flakes. It was just a different diet completely. I struggled with my weight for four years after that. I didn’t lose it until I was 20. And really, it just came off by itself. I was training hard and it started coming off in 1976.

How did your coaches approach your development, and how much of that had to do with fitness?

Davenport: There was a female who was in charge of the [USTA] women’s program in the 90s, Lynne Rolley. Lynne stood by me, was like a mother figure to me. I think she saw it as not only developing these great players, but developing us as people, and teaching us, when you walk into a room, look into someone’s eyes. It wasn’t just about trying to get players on Arthur Ashe. No one ever said to me, you’re fat, you’re heavy. Part of it is trying to figure it out on your own and trying to get the player to realize it. You’re dealing with a really difficult age for girls, and you’re talking about a life-changing, detrimental step. You cannot punish someone for their body type.

Navratilova: No matter what, the kid is 16. It’s baby fat, it’s going to come off. She would have to starve to the point of where she can’t play to lose weight, so then she can’t compete. And she’s the No. 1 junior. It is absolutely insane what they did, so irresponsible. If anything, play more. Don’t go into the gym. Just watch [what you eat], but in a positive and constructive and long-term way. But to throw this on her at 16? I’m trying to be nice here, but they totally blew it on this one.

Were there any fitness requirements you had to meet?

Davenport: When I was growing up, we had these USTA camps and a national team, and we would all go to these camps together. And you had to run a mile and a half in a certain time. I could never sleep the night before, I swear to God. I’m not a runner. I could hit the ball really well, and I liked to play tennis, but it was all getting too serious for me. I’ll never forget the anxiety I would feel the night before a run. And the time, whatever it was, it’s such a doable number now, but I’d be crying and stressed about it. And they would threaten that you couldn’t stay on the team. It didn’t happen, so I don’t know if I made the time, or they just kind of overlooked it.

When were your worst struggles with weight?

Davenport: I won the nationals at 15 [in the 18-and-under division]. My heaviest was more at 18, 19, when my parents were getting divorced. But I was never slim. I had an obese father, and we had a great childhood, but a good diet was not part of it, even though I was an athlete. I was not svelte at 15, and I was not fit at 15. If they had told me I could not play, I mean, that could have ruined my career.

There were definitely people within the USTA who didn’t think I had a chance to make it. I was very fortunate that I had Lynne, who was like, “This girl is doing great, she’s a nice girl, why wouldn’t we help her?” You just can’t turn your back on someone when they’re doing well and they’re a great kid. They’ve helped people with the worst attitudes, and that is way worse to me than someone’s body type.

Navratilova: What really pisses me off about this is, OK, weight is obvious, but what about attitude? Can we talk about other kids who they have been supporting for years whose attitude sucks and they still support them? I’m livid about it. Livid.

Is there a “too early” for off-court training like a pro would do?

Navratilova: Absolutely. Absolutely. I say play other sports, because that helps you become a better athlete, and most of all it makes you happy. I didn’t do core training when I was 16, I was climbing trees. I was swimming in the river, I was playing hockey, I played soccer, I road my bicycle a lot and then I played tennis. I did weight training like two weeks a year.

Davenport: I think the time is in your late teens. If you look at Martina Hingis, that great year she had in 1997, she was a twig, but it was just her tennis. Everyone has started doing things earlier, but that pressure is just exploding, and the long-term consequences of what potentially just happened I think are far worse than the benefit.

How much does fitness matter in tennis, say from your days on tour compared to now?

Davenport: It seems to have gone to where it’s a bit more than in the 90s, but it’s still about hitting the ball well. It’s still, in women’s tennis, about the chance to overpower someone. Certainly it’s a more important component when you get older, but it’s not that important when you’re 15, 16 years old. And I think that we’ve seen cases, Martina [Navratilova], myself, where people get over that, and we’ve seen the opposite where eating disorders occur.

[Taylor] is a baby to me. I couldn’t imagine, if someone did that to one of my kids, that would be the end of it. It’s horrible to put that kind of pressure on someone. I can’t imagine at 16 what my parents would have done.

What does a kid like Taylor, at her age, need most?

Davenport: I might take it the opposite way. They need love and support and good role models, and good role models aren’t people who punish and don’t allow things to happen. What really helped for me to lose weight was to try to have fun in the beginning, and just learning things like, you don’t want to eat bread at dinner. You just need to nurture them and I think that’s how it gets better.

If the goal is developing top pros, is that too narrow, or missing the bigger picture?

Davenport: Their whole goal should be to try to develop this player into the best player they can be, and the best person and try to teach them tools to go through life, and hopefully that includes playing in Arthur Ashe Stadium. If this is the player you’re choosing to help, you think they’re going to be good, it’s up to you to make them get there, to bring out their best as a coach.

Bringing out their best isn’t making them feel bad about themselves and having a horrible self-image. You get it out of them by getting them happy, by getting them excited to play, not by tearing them down.

Navratilova: It speaks of horrible ignorance.

Michelle Obama On The View: I Love Michelle Obama!!!

I notice the Republican party and even the Occidental media are constantly “attacking” Michelle Obama and I was trying to figure out the reasons why. Why does Cindy McCain always get off so easy yet Mrs. Obama is getting all the grief? The reason Michelle Obama is being attacked relates to both racism and sexism. If you watch the clip from “The View” I agree with Whoopi Goldberg’s comment that Michelle represents a positive image of black women. Thank you Whoopi girlfriend for speaking the truth!

The representations of black women in the Occident tends to be very racist and sexist. The media would rather the public pay attention to the stupid games of supermodel Naomi Campbell then the elegant sophisticated Michelle Obama. Naomi Campbell is the kind of stereotype of black womanhood the mainstream loves. Michelle shatters these racist and sexist stereotypes she is a hard working, intelligent, beautiful black woman and she doesn’t take crap from anybody.

The American media of course are going to “attack” Michelle Obama because they want to remind her because she is a black woman she has ” stay in her place”.

Where are the mainstream liberal feminist groups? Why aren’t the feminists rallying to support Michelle Obama? Laura Bush defended Michelle Obama and I was surprised. At least Laura Bush the current first lady has enough class to speak up and say Mrs. Obama was being unfairly attacked. The question has to be asked why are the white heterosexual liberal feminists silent?

Oops I forgot white liberal feminist organizations such as the NOW Organization are too busy supporting their “white sister” Senator Hillary Clinton. After all in the mainstream white heterosexual feminist movement white heterosexual women are at the front of the bus and women of colour are supposed to be silent at the back.Let’s not forget white heterosexual women have white skin privilege, access to power through the marriage market, patriarchy, and the resources of the Mythical Norm.

Also don’t think for a moment that the mainstream white feminist groups aren’t racist against Mrs. Obama because she’s an outspoken black woman. Michelle Obama has a lot of power she is Barack’s wife. According to the information I have learned there is no way Hillary Clinton is going to be Barack’s Vice President candidate. The racist and misandrist attacks against Barack Obama from some white heterosexual feminists such as Gloria Steinem and Geraldine Ferraro must not be forgotten.

Now Hillary has lost her opportunity to become the first white female USA president I doubt white feminist groups would bother to stand up for Michelle Obama. Remember the 1982 black feminist classic “All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some Of Us Are Brave” edited by Gloria T Hull, Patricia Bell Scott, and Barbara Smith?

Everyone should take the time to read “All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some Of Us Are Brave” it is the essence of black feminism and it points out why black people we must support one another.

The book also points out the fact there is a racial divide in the feminist movement. The genesis of “All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some Of Us Are Brave” is to uplift black women and black people to realize the more we help ourselves the better off we will be.

“All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave” highlights the fact black women are treated as invisible by black men, white men, and also white women. Black women are often being forced into a tug of war to choose between their race and gender. “All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some Of Us Are Brave” points out black women should not choose. Racial and sexual oppression affects black women’s lives and these issues cannot be ignored.

In the book black feminists such as Patricia Bell Scott, Gloria T Hull, Barbara Smith, and other black female scholars break down the reasons why black feminism is so important. You can get a copy of “All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some Of Us Are Brave” at the local public library.

Michelle Obama is in unchartered territory she is a very strong opinionated black woman and white America can’t handle that. It is ludicrous and ignorant for white people to suddenly think Mrs. Obama should forget about the issue of “race”, “gender”, and “class” just because her husband is the Democratic Party Candidate. I honestly believe there is a fear in the mainstream of Michelle Obama and the right wing are trying to neutralize her by saying she’s “too black”.

It is clear to me if you read between the lines Michelle Obama is viewed in the Occident as being “too black.” Remember Michelle’s comment about “being proud of my country.” The white media and the Republicans had a field day with Michelle’s comment. However, what right do white people have to tell a black woman about America’s turbulent history?

Yes, now in America there are more “opportunities” for people of colour to rise up the social ladder in North America. However, the “change” is still not over and it would be foolish for people to suggest racism and sexism no longer exists. The racist and sexist attitude of the Occident is that Michelle Obama is “complaining”. The racist attitude is black people we should just “forget” the past and move on. We cannot just forget history and turn the page because history can also be repeated.

Does being too black mean Michelle Obama should just ignore the incredible racism and sexism in North American society against black women? Yes, Barack Obama is making history in America and the world by winning the Democratic Party nomination. Finally, it appears change is taking place in North America and it is about damn time. However, Barack Obama is still not in the White House yet. Despite the Occident claiming that “change” is occurring doesn’t mean white liberals and white Republicans really want social change to occur either.

The Occident are far too busy trying to paint Mrs. Obama as though she is the classic stereotypical angry black woman. Michelle Obama is a breath of fresh air she’s such a shrewd politician she will not allow the Occident to get away with attacking her.

We are so conditioned in society to accept “whiteness” as the center of the universe that we don’t even question it. bell hooks reminds us in her outstanding book “Outlaw Culture” we must be “enlightened witnesses” to racism and sexism. Fox News has the audacity to call Mrs. Obama a “baby mama”. The term is offensive but Fox News reeks of racism. First off, Michelle Obama is a married woman she is not a “baby mama”. Would Fox News ever make such a racism and sexism comment about Cindy MCain? Of course not.

I applaud Michelle and Barack Obama for all their hard work I think for some people they really can’t handle the fact black people are now in powerful political positions. The anger in the Occident is they really don’t want to see the United States have a black president they would prefer the status quo the Mythical Norm.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper Apologizes To Aboriginals.Was The Apology Sincere Or Just Politics?

Earlier this year, the current Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd apologized for the genocide against the Aborigines in Australia. Suddenly in June 2008 the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has a “conscience”. Prime Minister Harper has apologized for the history of systemic racism and discrimination against Canada’s First Nations Peoples. Canada’s treatment of indigenous peoples is strikingly similar to Australia.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has an image in Canada of being a very cold, callous, and brutally efficient man. Perhaps Harper utilized this opportunity to humanize himself make himself appear to actually be human and have a heart? One wonders if blood actually flows through Prime Minister Harper’s veins? Is the blood toxic or is it pure?

Harper is a very shrewd politician he has always come across as very aloof, obnoxious, arrogant, and very bitter man. Harper and his public relations team most likely want to improve his image in the international community as well as improve Canada’s image.

Unfortunately, the mythology that Canada is a “multicultural” paradise is false. There is a racial hierarchy in Canada and the racist attitudes against Canada’s First Nations People still exists. One of the racist ideologies is that the First Nations People’s just want “hand outs” from the Canadian system.

However, we cannot just turn the page and ignore history. The truth is Canadians must remember that the Residential Schools also involved a lot of child abuse against children, misogyny, the total destruction of families, and the eradication of Native cultures and languages.

The legacy of the racist Residential School system still exists today and just a simple speech by Prime Minister Harper will not remove the entrenched prejudices and biases against First Nations Peoples. The Canadian government must do more, the Canadian people we must demand more.

We cannot just let this moment slip through our fingers. Prime Minister Harper does not deserve accolades or platitudes what he deserves is a fresh bucket of hot water splashed on his face. Why did Harper take so long to apologize? Why now?

The Aboriginals in Canada encounter the most racial discrimination even though Canada is their land the rest of us Canadians are just immigrants. If you compare the histories of Canada and Australia you see a lot of parallels in the incredible amount of racism and prejudice against indigenous peoples.

For instance, in Australia the Aboriginal children known as the “stolen children” were forcibly removed from their homes and forced into residential schools. The residential schools were created to “civilize” the First Nations Peoples and make them conform and “assimilate” to “Canadian” values and culture.

I wonder what do people think? Is Harper’s apology good enough or is it just “words”? After all actions speak louder then words. What is Prime Minister Harper going to do to improve the quality of life of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples?

Do you think Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s apology to the First Nations people was sincere or just a way to score political points? Also why did Prime Minister Harper wait until now?

After all Kevin Rudd the Prime Minister of Australia apologized to the Aborigines in February 2008. Why did Prime Minister Harper wait until June 2008? Is Harper’s statement significant? I wonder what Canada’s First Nations People think about the apology?

Has Madonna Gone Back To Black?

The year 1994 for the first time in Madonna’s career she was in a slump. Madonna’s controversial coffee table book “Sex” had tarnished her career. The feminist community was upset with Madonna due to the sexually explicit photos in “Sex”. The mainstream media branded the pop legend as a washed up whore. Madonna was pushing the boundaries of sexuality exploring her sexual fantasies such as S&M, role playing, and lesbianism. Madonna was fighting the negativity and the misogyny.

It is interesting that Madonna will return to hip hop and R&B on her new album “Hard Candy”. Fans need to know this isn’t the first time Madonna has explored R&B music. Although Madonna’s record sales are still very strong internationally in North America her sales have dropped dramatically since the 1998 hit album “Ray Of Light”. Madonna desperately wants to obtain the interest of the youth music market so she is going back to R&B in an attempt to jack up her record sales.

Madonna’s last album “Confessions On A Dance Floor” was a moderate success selling 1 million copies sold in America. The sales are a disturbing trend for Madonna she’s losing the youth audience and market. However, Madonna’s 2003 album “American Life” was a flop by her standards the album only went gold. Madonna realizes she isn’t connecting with young music fans and on “Hard Candy” she hopes to reproduce the success of “Bedtime Stories”. So does Madonna only go black when her career is in a slump in North America?

Although the 1992 disc “Erotica” sold 2 million copies the North American media bashed Madonna and called her a washed up pop singer. In 1994 Madonna always the shrewd businesswoman decided to change her image, sound, and go back to black music. Bedtime Stories is an R&B album it was a deliberate attempt by Madonna to crossover and obtain the R&B audience.

Madonna’s risk paid off her music “Bedtime Stories” sold 3 million copies in the United States. Madonna also reached black radio stations and acquired a new demographic.One of the best songs on the CD is “I rather be your lover” a funky duet between Madonna and Meshell N’degeocello. I love this song!

In 1994 Madonna had an infamous interview with David Letterman and she was very vulgar and petulant. Madonna says the media was picking on her because she is a confident woman expressing her sexuality. The song “Human Nature” explores Madonna’s feelings about sexism in society. Madonna hired the best black producers she could find she enlisted the help of superstars Dallas Austin, Dave Hall, and Babyface. Babyface wrote the biggest hit song of Madonna’s career the duet “Take A Bow”. “Take A Bow” was number one on the Billboard charts for seven weeks. Madonna’s image changed once again she decided to be more vulnerable and more gentle. “Secret” was also a hit reaching number three on the Billboard singles charts.

I like Bedtime Stories because it proves Madonna is a versatile singer. Of course Madonna isn’t Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Toni Braxton, or Whitney Houston she doesn’t have the mega pipes. Madonna does have a way of conveying emotion with her voice though. I believe Madonna is a decent singer she’s not the best but she’s not the worst either. On the sleeve for Bedtime Stories you see Madonna on a bed she appears fragile and delicate her makeup is a light shade of blue. Bedtime Stories gave Madonna a lot of credibility with the public and music critics.

Richard Williams Is Correct Tennis Is Racist. Why Is Billie Jean King Still Reticent And A Pernicious Hypocrite?

It appears the WTA and the Williams family may have a major legal battle in 2009. Larry Scott the CEO of the WTA is not only stubborn his attitude towards the Williams family also demonstrates his complete lack of respect for the biggest stars in the women’s game. Scott has a lack of class and sensitivity to race issues. I shouldn’t be surprised though after all Scott is a white heterosexual upper class male he doesn’t have to think about race relations since he is the mythical norm. Larry Scott and the Indian Wells organizers want to force Venus and Serena to play Indian Wells in 2009.

The WTA have basically stabbed the Williams family in the back with this new rule making the Indian Wells event mandatory. The WTA never forced Monica Seles to play the WTA championships in 2001 in Germany because she boycotted Germany after being stabbed in the back in Hamburg in 1993. It is about a matter of principle. Monica Seles statement was an important one a reminder of the apathetic attitude of the WTA tour in relation to the tragedy.

The racist German government had the audacity to allow Gunther Parche a man that attempted to murder Monica Seles on live television to walk free in Germany. I shouldn’t be surprised. Germany is a xenophobic nation African immigrants are set on fire and thrown off of bridges. Turkish families homes are torched by racist Neo Nazis and the German government is apathetic to immigrant concerns. How can Parche be free to roam Germany after there is video evidence of this monster trying to kill Monica Seles? The disgraceful German government message is racism and xenophobia is palatable as long as a German tennis player benefits from attempted murder. The German player Steffi Graf returned to the number one ranking and ruined women’s tennis until she retired in 1999.

The Williams family also believe in principles and the WTA should respect their decision to boycott the Indian Wells event. It is all about principles and values. The WTA and the white American tennis establishment have no respect for black people. The racist incident in Indian Wells must not be forgotten or ignored it was a disgusting, abhorrent, and disgraceful incident. The WTA and the white American tennis establishment have an apathetic attitude to the Williams family concerns they don’t care. It is just that simple I can’t be more blunt then that.

The Williams family boycott of Indian Wells is very important it is a political and social statement. The Williams family absence is forcing the white American tennis establishment to remember the racist incident. The articles by various white American sports journalists demonstrates whites don’t want to remember the racist incident.

The question the public should be asking is why is the WTA and the white American tennis establishment attempting to force the Williams Sisters to play Indian Wells? The reason is drum roll please……. the Williams Sisters are money makers. The Williams Sisters are the only superstars on the WTA right now. The Williams Sisters sell tickets faster then any other players on the WTA. The Williams Sisters are international superstars and the Indian Wells organizers want the prestige to return to their lackluster event. The tactics of Larry Scott and the Indian Wells organizers is not only pathetic it reeks of desperation.

The WTA and the white American media are attempting to develop the Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova and market her as a new star. Why is the WTA marketing a foreigner? Sharapova fits into the Eurocentric standards of beauty since she is tall, very thin, has blonde hair, and blue eyes. Maria Sharapova may have won a couple of grand slam singles titles but she comes across as very unpolished in interviews with zero class. There is also a problem with the fact there is a disconnect between Sharapova and the tennis audience. Sharapova has won a couple of grand slams she is obviously talented but there is nothing extraordinary about her game or personality. Sharapova is not a legend yet she doesn’t have the star quality, personality, or the ability to transcend sport like the Williams Sisters. On numerous internet boards tennis fans have commented about Sharapova’s ice queen persona. Sharapova comes across as very aloof, arrogant, haughty, and has a sense of entitlement. People across the globe recognize the Williams Sisters they do not know Sharapova.

The Indian Wells WTA event has become a complete farce and a joke for the past seven years due to the absence of the Williams Sisters. Last year Daniela Hantuchova beat Svetlana Kuznetsova in the women’s final last year. Does anyone care about Kuznetsova and Hantuchova? Nope. Most people most likely never heard of either player. The Indian Wells event has been lacking serious star power for years it is now a D list event.

The organizers of the Indian Wells event refuse to make a formal public apology to the Williams family about the racist incident at the Indian Wells event in 2001. The arrogance of Larry Scott and the organizers of Indian Wells has no boundaries. The Williams family have boycotted the Indian Wells event and ESPN.COM has the nerve to publish an article by Greg Garber once again attacking the Williams family. Why should the Williams family help Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, and Pete Sampras part owners of the Indian Wells event make money?

Why have Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, and Pete Sampras never taken the first step in the healing process and made a formal public apology the Williams family? Are King, Evert, and Sampras too stupid to connect the dots? It is obvious the Williams family are very hurt and and rightfully so about the Indian Wells incident. I am not surprised that Sampras and Evert have been silent. After all, Pete Sampras has also made disparaging comments about the Williams Sisters in the media commenting about their tennis abilities and their hair. Chris Evert has been one of the most vocal opponents of the Williams Sisters for the past decade. Evert is a classic covert racist.

Chris Evert wrote a deleterious public letter in Tennis Magazine in the Spring of 2006 lashing out at Serena Williams claiming Serena has a lack of commitment to the game. Evert didn’t care that Serena was at the murder trial for her deceased sister Yetunde Price or that she had chronic knee injuries. Evert published the public letter to gain free press, publicity, and sell more copies of her tacky magazine. Visit the local public library and look for the Sping 2006 issue of Tennis Magazine read in the bold black print Evert’s disgusting letter. Would Evert ever publish a public letter slamming the white American female tennis players Jennifer Capriati or Lindsay Davenport? I doubt it. Why should the Williams Sisters help Chris Evert make money?

Why should the Williams Sisters support the Indian Wells event it doesn’t make sense? In this world you have to give respect to get respect. If Chris Evert had any ounce of dignity or class she would hold a press conference with the world media and make a real public apology to Venus, Serena, and Richard Williams. Seven long years have passed since the Indian Wells incident. The question the media should be asking why hasn’t Evert done anything? Why is Evert silent? Pete Sampras attitude towards the Williams Sisters is also abhorrent. Yet Evert claims she is an ambassador to Women’s Tennis so why hasn’t Evert made the first move for healing to occur?

It is also disconcerting that American tennis writers such as Greg Garber an employee of ESPN and Jon Wertheim an employee of Sports Illustrated refuse to acknowledge their roles in promoting racism against the Williams sisters. The racism and prejudice is so obvious and so is their hypocrisy. Why is there silence to this offensive bigotry?

The Williams Sisters are the most successful female tennis players of their generation they have a combined 14 grand slam singles titles. The Williams Sisters both have been ranked number one, and they have both won Olympic gold medals, and all the grand slam women’s doubles titles.

Some people are ignorant they act as though a racist bigot has to make a racial slur to be a racist. Racism is both covert and overt. When the Williams Sisters were dominating the game the American tennis experts said the Williams Sisters were “bad” for the game. When the Williams Sisters had to deal with the tragedy of their sister Yetunde Price being shot to death in 2003 obviously their priorities changed. The American tennis experts again slammed the Williams Sisters for their so called “lack of commitment to the game”.

Now of course, the white American tennis experts are very careful not to use any racial slurs on live television. However, the pernicious and deleterious racism of the American tennis experts is obvious to the discerning eye. Martina Navratilova on BBC television last year had the audacity to call Serena Williams a “drama queen” after she had her leg injury during her fourth round match at Wimbledon. Although Navratilova is a lesbian she also has bashed the Williams Sisters ever minute she gets. John McEnroe is a consistent hater of the Williams Sisters on BBC, NBC, and CBS television.

I will never forget watching the ESPN telecast of the 2007 Australian Open. I cringed. I was so disgusted and angry when Mary Carillo had the audacity to compare James Blake’s father dying from cancer to Yetunde Price’s murder. Carillo claimed Serena wasn’t committed to the game. We all know Serena stormed to the 2007 Australian Open women’s title last year. The only reason Carillo compared Blake and Serena is because they are both black tennis players. Serena Williams is an eight time grand slam tennis champion and James Blake is not a winner. The American tennis establishment doesn’t mind Blake he’s never won anything of importance on the ATP Tour he folds and loses all the time in big matches.

Pam Shriver also made offensive comments about Serena’s physique and her dedication to the game. Pam Shriver is best known as Martina Navratilova’s sidekick she never was a champion. Mary Carillo have never won grand slam singles titles either. Carillo and Shriver are not champions they have also never been ranked number one in the world. What right do they have to bash Serena and Venus consistently on live television without any retribution? Does ESPN condone prejudice?

Tracy Austin has also lashed out for years against the Williams Sisters Austin only won two slams that’s it. Austin is not even in the same league as Venus and Serena. After Venus won Wimbledon for the fourth time last year on MSNBC.COM Austin wrote that Venus’s victory was “magic”. The word “magic” is a backhanded complement by Austin. Venus winning Wimbledon for the fourth time proves she’s a legend it wasn’t “magic” yet Austin has never respected Venus or Serena Williams.

I am especially disappointed in Billie Jean King she claims to be a woman that has class she claims she is against oppression against all people. King is a fraud, phony, and a hypocrite. King lectures society about sexism against women and preaches about tolerance for white homosexuals yet she ignores racism. Is Billie Jean King only against discrimination that affects white women and white homosexuals? It sure seems like it. Or is Billie Jean King a woman that believes discrimination is wrong against all people regardless of their race, class, or sexual orientation?

King will make statements in print interviews or on television saying the great Althea Gibson meant so much to her. Was King’s words about Gibson just a pack of lies? Perhaps Billie Jean King isn’t really a heroine after all? Maybe King is just as racist just like Chris Evert, John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Pam Shriver, Tracy Austin, and Mary Carillo? Althea Gibson was against racism and sexism.If King claims Althea Gibson is one of her heroes then why doesn’t King take action? Why is Billie Jean King a pernicious hypocrite and remain silent for all these years?

So why hasn’t Billie Jean King ever spoken about Indian Wells incident? Does King just care about making money? Billie Jean King could be a source of dialogue there is clearly a lot of hurt feelings here between the Williams family and the WTA. Billie Jean King could make difference yet she chooses not to. I have lost respect for King.

I used to have respect for Billie Jean King but now I realize King is just a silent supporter of covert racists such as Tracy Austin, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Pam Shriver, Mary Carillo, and John McEnroe. If King claims she’s against discrimination against all people why doesn’t Billie Jean King take a stand? The Indian Wells incident should of been dealt with years ago the covert racism by the American tennis establishment demonstrates the racial divide still exists.

Williams Sisters Must Continue Boycott Of Indian Wells Event

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The WTA Indian Wells event starts this week in Palm Springs California. The D list of the WTA tour such as Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, and Lindsay Davenport will be competing. The best players on the WTA Tour world number one Justine Henin and the Williams Sisters of course are skipping the event.

The only marquee player at Indian Wells is Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova. Sharapova is the new white “It” girl of the WTA. The WTA are attempting to market Sharapova but she is bland and boring. Sharapova has no personality she is aloof, arrogant, and has a haughty attitude.

The bottom line is, the only superstars on the WTA are the Williams Sisters. The organizers of the Indian Wells event have paid the ultimate price by not apologizing to Venus, Serena, and Richard Williams for the pernicious racism at the 2001 event.By contrast, the ATP Tour Masters event all the top male tennis players will be playing the event. Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal will be there. ESPN television is not even televising the Indian Wells or Miami Masters events this year. ESPN already has a full plate with the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball championships.

I will never forget watching ESPN television and being so angry and disgusted at the white lynch mob screaming at Serena Williams. Serena was only nineteen years old in 2001 she was competing against the Belgian Kim Clijsters in the finals and she won 4-6 6-4 6-2. Serena has incredible mental strength to be able to block out the racist crowd focus on her tennis and win the match. The incident was an ugly example of the bigotry against the Williams Sisters. The most disgusting aspect of this nightmare was it took place on American soil.

Also disconcerting was reading the covert racist articles by white American journalists such as Jon Wertheim and Greg Garber defending and attempting to minimize the racist incident. Wertheim and Garber are racists along with the lynch mob at Indian Wells. Since Wertheim and Garber are both the mythical norm I shouldn’t be surprised by their pernicious bigotry.

The incident was clearly an example of white supremacy it is easy to point out. The question has to be asked would a white female tennis player ever be treated so harshly and so unfairly? This kind of racist treatment would never happen to a white female tennis player. You have one black American girl Serena Williams on the tennis court the rich white crowd are screams at every single shot she hits.

Next, you have a packed stadium of several thousand rich white Americans going overboard cheers for her foreign born white opponent. The audacity and the perfidious attitude of the American media was also abhorrent. The United States has a long way to go in race relations and the Indian Wells incident was a perfect example of this. It is simply outrageous that anyone can actually deny this incident was not an example of white supremacy and white skin privilege. The Indian Wells organizers should be ashamed of themselves they don’t have an ounce of credibility. Sometimes I feel the Williams Sisters get more respect when they play internationally then when they compete in the United States.

The white upper class audience claps at every single mistake and error Serena made even though Serena is American. Serena may be an American champion but she’s not white and Kim Clijsters is. The whiteness was the unifying factor for the rich upper class crowd they have no respect for black people in Indian Wells. The white country club crowd claim that because Venus pulled out minutes prior to their semifinal match that the result was fixed. However, Venus consulted with the WTA and she was unable to play. The country club crowd unleashed their irrational anger at Serena. The incident was a perfect example of racism and sexism against black women. Although Richard Williams the father of Venus and Serena can be confrontational at times I believe him when he said he heard racist slurs during the match.The Williams family have kept their vow never to play Indian Wells ever again and it has now been seven years since they played the event.

The absence of the Williams Sisters weakens the women’s event in Indian Wells. It also underscores the serious issue of race relations in professional tennis. It is obvious to the discerning eye the WTA does not care about discrimination against non white tennis players. The WTA have refused to force the organizers of the Indian Wells event to make a formal public apology to the Williams Sisters and their father Richard in front of the world media.

The WTA’s president Larry Scott is actually attempting to force Venus and Serena to play Indian Wells in 2009. Does Larry Scott have any morals or class? However, Richard Williams has made it clear he might take the WTA to court if Larry Scott even thinks about trying to fine the Williams Sisters. The reason Larry Scott and the Indian Wells organizers want the Williams Sisters to play Indian Wells is because they are the only bankable stars on the WTA Tour.

Tennis fans flock to every single event the Williams Sisters compete in they are money makers. So instead of making a formal public apology the pathetic and racist Indian Wells event organizers are trying to upset the Williams family even more. The Williams family must never play Indian Wells ever again because the message needs to be sent that racism and sexism is unacceptable in professional sports. Some sports reporters are trying to say the Williams family are being a bit overtly sensitive. It is obvious to me these sports reporters they are just racist and refuse to see reality.

The racist attitude of the American sports establishment and their views of black women is the real issue here. If a white female tennis player was booed by an all black audience you better believe the white media would immediately support that white female tennis player. However, when a black woman tennis player is booed by an all white upper class privileged crowd there is only apathy and indifference. It just goes to show how racist professional tennis still is.

The status of the event is no longer tier I the event now has a lower status among the other top women. The WTA Indian Wells event is a complete joke nobody cares that Daniela Hantuchova beat Svetlana Kuznetsova in the women’s finals last year. Kuznetsova and Hantuchova are D list players they may be highly ranked but nobody outside the tennis world cares about them.

The Williams Sisters absence at the Indian Wells event has reduced the star quality of the event it now has a D list status. Most of the top women skip Indian Wells in favor of playing the more important WTA event in Miami at the end of March anyway. The white feminist Billie Jean King and Chris Evert the termagant former tennis player are part owners of the Indian Wells event along with the washed up former champion Pete Sampras.

Billie Jean King and Chris Evert are both a disgrace to women’s tennis. Both women pretend to be ambassadors of the game. Are Evert and King only against discrimination that affects rich and privileged white females? Black women encounter multiple layers of oppression in relation to their race and gender. Both Evert and King have been silent about the Indian Wells incident for the past seven years. Does Billie Jean King or Chris Evert have any class at all? Why are King and Evert still reticent after all these years? King and Evert have a responsibility to speak out against the discrimination against the Williams Sisters at Indian Wells. However, King and Evert’s silence speaks volumes about the kind of people they really are.

I applaud the Williams family for standing by their principles. The WTA Indian Wells event will be a complete bore this year just like last year and the previous years. I can’t wait until the end of March to see the Williams Sisters play the more prestigious Miami event.

Can Gabrielle Union Have A Second Breakthrough Or Is It Too Late?

Gabrielle Union has been typecast as the pretty,young, black woman looking for love in most of her movies. I have read other message boards and the consensus is Gabrielle Union is probably battling skin tone racism and sexism. Halle Berry is the top black actress in Hollywood, yet all her recent movies have bombed. Perfect Stranger was pure crap and Catwoman my goodness what was Halle thinking when she chose that role?

What does this say for other black women in Hollywood when even A list superstar multi millionaire Halle Berry is struggling? I think this is really scary. The problem is, Hollywood will use Berry’s lack of recent success as a litmus test and judge other black women. You can just hear a studio executive say “why should we give another black female a leading role when Halle Berry can’t make us money.” It is not fair but this is the kind of attitude Hollywood has. “Dreamgirls” was a huge hit making over $100 million at the domestic box office and that film was centered around black women.

It is not politically correct to say this but I think this kind of myopic thinking does take place in Hollywood. I think this is the reason you hardly ever see any black actress other then Halle Berry or Queen Latifah in leading lady roles in the movies. Berry gets all the leading lady roles not just due to her talent but also because she has crossover appeal. Berry has a Eurocentric appearance and even she hasn’t had much success in the past few years.

Angela Bassett is a superior actress than Berry but she’s considered “too black” and “too dark”. Angela Bassett is also almost fifty years old. Gabrielle Union is still young enough to have a breakthrough. Unfortunately, Gabrielle Union falls into the category she’s not considered “crossover potential” which is a code word for being “too black” and “too dark”.

Gabrielle has been segregated in the black romantic comedy genre for almost a decade. I wish Gabrielle had the opportunity to show her ability she isn’t even given a chance. I think this is the most frustrating part. I mean even Gabrielle must be sick of always hunting for a man in every single movie she has been in. Isn’t there more to the black female experience then seeking romance? What about personal ambition or goals? What about a personal struggle internal or external why can’t that be explored in the movies?

I am sure Gabrielle craves for more tougher roles. I must point out I am not suggesting black romantic comedies are bad. I enjoyed “The Best Man”, “Two Can Play That Game”, “Last Holiday” and other black romantic comedies. Enough is enough there is more to the black experience then romantic films.

All I am suggesting is I want change to take place. I would like to see Gabrielle Union in more serious dramatic films and I am sure she wants this too. Gabrielle is a good actress when given the right material. The problem is Hollywood ignores black women for the big leading lady roles. The screenwriters write most of the scripts for white women. The very few dramatic films made for black women go to Halle Berry or Queen Latifah. Gabrielle Union is lucky at least she is a well known black actress. At least Gabrielle is on the list and gets a shot at an audition.

The dilemma for Gabrielle Union is, when a dramatic piece is created for a black actress usually several other black women are also fighting for the exact same role. The question has to be asked, is the public a part of the problem? Are we to blame the black audience? All Hollywood cares about is box office. If a movie does well they will repeat the formula five million times until the formula no longer works.

I think Gabrielle is at a crossroads in her career she is thirty five years old. In a few years, Gabrielle won’t be getting the romantic comedy roles the studios will pass over her for younger actresses. Gabrielle’s last film “The Perfect Holiday” bombed at the box office last month.

Earlier in 2007, Gabrielle was in the Tyler Perry film “Daddy’s Little Girls”. “Daddy’s Little Girls” was more successful making over $30 million dollars. The Tyler Perry film was the first time Gabrielle was the leading lady in a movie she did a good job.

I am not suggesting Gabrielle isn’t trying to shift genres and add layers to her acting. I remember she was on a ABC television show “Night Stalker” in 2005 I really enjoyed “Night Stalker”. Unfortunately, ABC canceled the show after just six episodes. ABC didn’t even give Gabrielle Union a chance to shine. It was such a shame because the show was just starting to really take off. On the “Night Stalker” show Gabrielle was a crime reporter it was a different role and she was excellent.

I know this won’t sound politically correct but why does Hollywood always think black people we are the life of the party? I am not going to knock Tyler Perry he has a right to make his movies. My argument is, why aren’t there other young black filmmakers besides Tyler Perry? Where are the black female filmmakers besides Kasi Lemmons?

The only dramatic films Hollywood releases about black people are feel good garbage such as “The Great Debaters”. Notice the film “The Great Debaters” is about heterosexual black men at the center. I am not interested in a history lesson. I want to be challenged when I see a movie and entertained. What about the rest of us? Don’t we matter? Why are the only dramatic films about black people are released at the end of the year? What about other times of the year?

Another question is, where is the diversity in black films? Why do all the films about black people always have to be about black heterosexual men? What about gay black people? Where do we fit in we are so invisible. When was the last time you saw a big budget film about black gays? The answer is never. Why can’t there be films about black gays and lesbians released in theatres? I hear the Noah’s Arc film is going to be released this year. The question is ,will Noah’s Arc have an audience beyond the gay community? Will black people gay and straight bother to watch the Noah’s Arc film? How will the Noah’s Arc film be marketed to reach a black audience?

I am cognizant of the fact Hollywood is a business that has a formula system. Hollywood is always about profit and making money. Why can’t Hollywood realize people want to see black women in other genres besides romantic comedies? Why can’t Gabrielle Union be in an action drama with a black female lead, or a detective movie, or a science fiction film, or a serious dramatic piece?

Twelve years ago “Set It Off” an amazing action drama about black women that were fighting the system. The movie starred Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A Fox, and Kimberly Elise. “Set It Off” was a hit making over $41 million worldwide despite having only a $9 million dollar budget. You would think Hollywood would take a hint? We want to see black women in other genres. Also, we want to see more then just Halle Berry or Beyonce Knowles.

I crave for more to see talented young black actors in other genres beyond the myopic romantic comedy genre. The quandary is, the romantic comedy sphere is considered a “safe bet” for Hollywood when dealing with blacks. Hollywood tends to make these films at low budgets and even if they bomb there is a low risk. It is so insulting to black film viewers that we don’t have enough choice. Maybe it is our fault? I mean how hard is it to distribute movies? It is clear to me more young black people need to get involved in the film business. We cannot cry and complain about Tyler Perry or bitch and moan about Spike Lee. I want to see new voices from younger black filmmakers. You know people under the age of thirty five!

Black people we are complex three dimensional people just like everyone else. Why is it the dramatic films about blacks always has to be about someone that is noble or perfect? Why can’t dramatic films about blacks demonstrate we have flaws as well we are not perfect. Why can’t a black drama not be a damn message movie! I think this is the reason I cringe when I hear all the hype about “The Great Debaters.” I am sorry to say those kinds of movies bore me they don’t interest or inspire me at all.

I would like too see more black dramatic films where risks are taken, I know black people and other people want to see something different then the garbage the studio system releases to the public.

However, I have noticed Gabrielle has not crossed over into the mainstream. I wonder why? I wonder is this Gabrielle’s choice or not? I hear she’s going to be in an Eddie Murphy movie another comedy this year called “Starship Dave”. I guess I am waiting in vain for Gabrielle Union to breakthrough and get the acclaim she deserves. Gabrielle has attempted to diversify her acting resume, she was in a dramatic film last year called Constellation. It was very unfortunate that once again the black audience ignored a serious dramatic film Constellation and the black media just didn’t provide any publicity for that film.

Another film that I am very excited about is Neo Ned. Neo Ned was screened on the independent film circuit two years ago and has won numerous awards and has fan approval. However, almost three years later Neo Ned not been released. Neo Ned has still not acquired distribution. Go to http://www.neoned.com to read the reviews about this incredible film. It has been over two years yet still no distribution deal. I don’t get it? Neo Ned is clearly Gabrielle Union’s best performance, the film is controversial but it is an independent film. I really hope Gabrielle can find another serious dramatic piece such as Neo Ned she has talent but why won’t anyone give her the opportunity to shine?

It is Official Gloria Steinem Is A Racist Bigot And A Misandrist

Feminist scholar Gloria Steinem’s racist and misandrist opinion piece she wrote on January 8th 2008 for the New York Times speaks volumes about the kind of person she is. I want to vomit right on Gloria Steinem’s face. Steinem makes the inaccurate racist and sexist argument that black men have it easier in society than all women. Steinem states that gender is a more destructive form of discrimination then race.

Steinem refuses to acknowledge her analysis is not only flawed it is also racist and misandrist. White women have social power in the United States due to being white. It is easy for a rich, white,heterosexual, American, feminist such as Gloria Steinem to ignore the social, economic, and political realities of racism. I wish Steinem and I can trade places and she will see how hard black men have it in this racist and sexist anti black male society.

It is obvious that Gloria Steinem doesn’t live in the real world she lives in some delusional alternative universe. Steinem states that black men got the vote before all women in the United States. It is true, that black men were able to vote before women in America. However, Steinem argument is deleterious because she ignores the fact black men we encounter racism and gender discrimination because we are black and male. Steinem’s tactic is to create tension in the black community. Steniem wants black women to support Hillary Clinton but Hillary Clinton is no sister to black women that’s for sure. When are white feminists going to acknowledge the friction between black women and white women? Just because black men are male, we absolutely do not have more privilege in society than white women.

However, black men are discriminated in many ways in the United States after receiving the right to vote due to gender and race. Black men encounter racism and sexism in terms of employment discrimination, police brutality, racism in the judicial system, housing, access to quality health care, and education. Black men we have been murdered and brutalized just for being black and male for centuries.

Steinem of course ignores the racism of the suffrage movement against black women and other women of colour because this would weaken her argument. White feminists such as Gloria Steinem obviously don’t get it. Black feminists and other feminists of colour have argued for decades that race, gender, sexuality, and class, are inextricably linked. We cannot divorce ourselves and choose one over the other it simply doesn’t work. Black people and other people of colour we encounter discrimination on many different levels.

Steinem is playing the typical game white liberals play very well and it is called the divide and conquer strategy. White liberals such as Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton, along with Gloria Steinem know Barack Obama is a serious threat. Steinem attempts to frame the argument of placing race against gender. The Clintons are using Steinem to acquire more black female votes and trying to create division in the black race.

Black feminists organizations such as the Combahee River Collective have spoken out against the pathetic racist game that some white feminists have played for decades. The Combahee River Collective have stated in their work that black women cannot divorce themselves from the black race. Another black feminist Audre Lorde wrote about the fallacy of the “global sisterhood” in her groundbreaking book “Sister Outsider”. Lorde wrote about the fact some white feminists only want to exploit and use black people and black women when it serves their racist self interests.

Hillary Clinton wants as much support and votes as possible. Since Steinem is considered one of the leaders of the mainstream white female feminist movement, the Clintons are using Steinem to attempt to split the black vote along gender lines. What has the mainstream feminist movement ever done for black women other then to marginalize and patronize black women? It is the reason black feminism was created because black women and people that are black feminists understand mainstream white feminism doesn’t work for us. What has Hillary Clinton ever done for black females? As Janet Jackson said in her hit 1986 song “what have you done for me lately?”

Some white feminists concentrate only on gender discrimination since they have white skin privilege. Some white women refuse to acknowledge the fact that men of colour we also encounter incredible amount of oppression in society due to race and gender. People of colour we have to deal with multiple forms of oppression. We cannot ignore gender but must also not ignore race as well.

Steinem of course ignores the power of white skin privilege because this is what so called white liberal feminists such as Steinem do very well. Steinem wants black women to support Hillary Clinton because she is female. If some black females want to vote for Hillary Clinton this is their choice. However, my argument is Steinem is trying to create a gender battle between black men and black women. Steinem’s perspective is women regardless of race should support Hillary Clinton due to gender. My question is why? What about Hillary Clinton’s politics? Clinton is a classic centralist and a flip flopper. Clinton supported the war in Iraq.

There is also a history of racism in the mainstream feminist movement against blacks. Steinem like some white liberal feminists ignore the incredible amount of racial discrimination in society against black people. Some white feminists also like to ignore the fact they contribute to racism against black people. Gloria Steinem’s essay in the New York Times is a perfect example of exploiting the public sphere to spread her anti black male bigotry. Feminists of colour for decades have written and spoken up about the hypocrisy and racism of the mainstream feminist movement.

Although Hillary Clinton is a female she is still white and a part of the white American majority. Senator Clinton still has the power of white skin privilege to assist her and help her. Gloria Steinem fails too acknowledge this fact. Last time I checked the majority of the American population are white Americans. Whiteness has a lot of currency in the United States and to ignore the social and political power of whiteness is to ignore the power of race and racism.

Steinem knows that some black women will be voting for Senator Obama and not all black women or black people will be voting for Senator Clinton. Steinem can support Hillary Clinton if she wants to that’s her choice. However, I resent the racist subversive message Steinem is saying that black men got it easier then white women in society. I find Steinem’s analysis is full of bigotry and prejudice.

Why doesn’t Gloria Steinem complain about white female celebrities such as Barbra Streisand supporting Hillary Clinton? Why doesn’t Steinem focus on the NOW Organization? There are plenty of white women in the United States that are going to support Hillary Clinton just because she is a white female. Why doesn’t Steinem focus on this side of the argument? The so called white liberals in the United States have a fear of Senator Obama but that’s their problem and not his. I also question why black Americans would even bother supporting Hillary Clinton in the first place? What the hell has Hillary Clinton done for black people? Black Americans and other people of colour in the United States are in a unique position their votes can actually influence this election. I suggest black people and other people of colour pay close attention to the dirty politics of Hillary Clinton and her supporters.

Next, Hillary and Bill Clinton have the old black civil rights guard trying to tear down Senator Obama. Once again the divide and conquer strategy the Clintons and their supporters are attempting to use again this time in blackface. I believe the old black civil rights guard time has passed. There is a new black generation that wants change . Just because Andrew Young and the old black civil rights guard are also black people doesn’t mean other black people have to agree with them. We agree to disagree I don’t trust the Clintons. The Clintons are ignorant about the concerns of the younger black generation and Senator Obama is indeed cognizant of the issues young blacks are worried about. Young black people aren’t going to worry about the old goats such as Andrew Young. The Clintons have the old black civil rights leaders doing their dirty work for them. Andrew Young and the other culprits have made bullshit statements that the Clintons are more black then Obama. Give me a break.

Some white feminists also have the racist and sexist attitude that only women encounter discrimination due to gender. White women benefit from affirmative action more then black males. Black men we encounter so much racism and sexism in society and that’s a fact.

The United States also has a history of anti black male racism and sexism. Black men have been lynched in the American South for decades prior to the civil rights movement. Black men we still encounter racism and sexism in the year 2008. We must not ignore history. The racist American Jim Crow system created proscriptions to demonize, humiliate, and emasculate, black men and black male sexuality. Thousands of innocent black men were brutally murdered for just being black and male. Next, racist police officers and the racist anti black judicial system also has incarcerated innocent black men. Why doesn’t Gloria Steinem discuss this issue?

White female sexuality for centuries since the days of slavery has been placed on a pedestal as being pristine and true womanhood. Interracial relationships between white women and black men are still considered taboo in North America. Thousands of black men were unfairly discriminated against accused of daring to look at or talk to white women and were lynched. The racism and sexism against black men continues. Black male sexuality is still a taboo in society.

Does anyone remember Emmett Till? Emmett Till was a young black teenager in the year 1955 was accused of whistling at a white woman. Black men have had to live for decades in fear of being murdered for false allegations of daring to speak at, talk to, or even look at a white woman. Next, racist white men dragged Emmett Till out of his mother’s house and he was brutally and savagely killed. I wonder if Gloria Steinem thinks Emmett Till had it easier in society due to being black and male? There is also a history of white Americans gathering at the lynchings of thousands of black men as though it was a festive party and a form of entertainment.

Fast forward to the year 2006 Michael Sandy a young black gay man was lured online by four white men for a sexual encounter. Sandy did not know he was going to be attacked due to being black and male. Sandy was savagely beaten by the four young white men and as Sandy ran for his life he was struck by a car and he died five days later. Where was the mainstream American media when Michael Sandy died? Why wasn’t Sandy discussed on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC? Why was the mainstream silent?

Why didn’t anyone care? When the white gay male Matthew Shepard died ten years ago it was front page news. When Michael Sandy died in October 2006 his death was considered an afterthought and irrelevant due to the fact he was black and male. The white gay press ignored Sandy’s death it was proof of the intersection of violence against black men and that race, gender, and sexuality affects black males. The blood of a black person is considered inferior to the blood of a white person in North America. Oops I forgot Sandy was a young gay black man. The mainstream USA press and white American gay media outlets were apathetic to Sandy’s death. If Sandy was white they would care but because Sandy was black they ignored his death.

The word sexism is not a female only domain and some feminists act as though they also cannot be racist and sexist. Black men we have also been discriminated against in terms of our gender. Black men we also encounter sexism in society that is misandrist and anti black male. Some feminists act as though just because black men are males we have it so much easier then women and this is total illogical argument. I guess that’s the reason why millions of black men encounter violence from the police force in major and small North American cities. I also guess the reason there is a disproportionate amount of racism in the judicial system against black men that we don’t face sexism either.

Steinem is a typical white feminist racist bigot. Steinem says Barack Obama doesn’t have the political experience to be the President of the United States. Why doesn’t Steinem just be honest she doesn’t want a black man to challenge Hillary Clinton. Some white feminists use the code of “experience” to conceal their racist anti black male prejudices. What experience does Hillary Clinton have other then being Bill Clinton’s sidekick?

When will it ever be right for Senator Obama to run for the United States presidency? Should Senator Obama wait two, five, ten, or twenty years to run? When will it ever be the right time? For some white liberals and feminists such as Gloria Steinem the real honest answer is never. Some white Democrats resent Senator Obama because he actually is acquiring a lot of support and they believe he is taking away votes from Clinton.

The Democratic party also has racist bigots that don’t mind black people being “behind” whites but don’t want “blacks” in leadership roles. Black people are tired of being in the back row and want to engage in the political process. The Clintons racist tactics proves they are no friends of the black community. Steinem, The Clintons, and their supporters are trying to do everything in their power to destroy Senator Obama.

Next time Gloria Steinem wants to discuss and compare the discrimination white women and black men encounter perhaps she should look at all sides of the argument. The divide and conquer strategy white liberals such as Steinem are attempting to play will not work this time.

Link to Combahee River Collective Statement: http://www.buffalostate.edu/orgs/rspms/combahee.html

Link about Emmett Till death: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmett_Till

Link about Michael Sandy’s brutal death: http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/crime/20061024/4/2007

NPR Link about Michael Sandy Violent Death: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6367593

Sixteen Year Old Girl Murdered In Toronto Area Over Religion and Culture Clash With Her Family

In Mississauga Ontario yesterday a sixteen year old girl Aqsa Parvez was murdered, she was allegedly choked to death by her father. According to news reports Aqsa Parvez’s father Muhammad Parvez has now been charged with murder. Mississauga is a suburb of Toronto its a part of the greater Toronto area. The senseless murder is very chilling, depressing, and very sad. Aqsa’s older brother has been charged with obstructing police.

The teenage girl was a Muslim and there was a culture, generational, and religious clash with her family. The story according to Aqsa’s friends is that she did wear the hijab when she left her home for school. However, once the Aqsa arrived at school she removed the hijab . Family members followed Aqas to her high school and found out she wasn’t wearing the hijab.

The mainstream media are framing the young girl’s death as an “honor killing?” What do you think? Do you think the murder was an “honor killing” or is this just mainstream media sensationalism? Or a mixture of both? Will the press be culturally sensitive or paternalistic? Paternalism will not bridge the miscommunication gap between the Muslim communities and the rest of Canada. Will blaming occur and the mainstream press state that Muslim Canadians are not “assimilating” into Canadian culture? Will more finger pointing and blaming take place?

The Ontario government has a critical role here in this case. Once again the question has to be asked, where are the services for women of colour?Some women’s shelters due to inadequate funding have difficulty dealing with the cultural, racial, religious issues that relate to women of colour. Will the Ontario government step up to the plate and address this very important issue or not? Or will Premier Dalton McGuinty provide a politically correct speech and do nothing. The money is available Ontario is a rich province there is no excuse. Premier Dalton McGuinty has a responsibility here and he must act accordingly.

We cannot just sit and watch young women die and say its none of our business just because our cultures are different. We cannot just say we don’t understand Muslim culture and allow another life to perish due to our apathetic attitude and indifference. If we remain silent to misogyny then we are condoning it. I guess the question is now what can be done? What can the public do?

I think there needs to be more studies conducted, more research, and instead of just talking action needs to take place. The Ontario Government needs to realize domestic violence is a top five issue. Why are we so complacent to violence against women?

In Canada we have laws and violence against women. It is clear there needs to be more social services available for younger women and teenaged girls across racial, cultural, and religious lines. I believe not enough money is being spent on domestic violence services for women of colour. Maybe if there was a social safety net available this girl’s life could of been saved?

It is important when these tragic news stories occur to not jump to conclusions or make generalizations. The mainstream media should be careful to not “frame” and make stereotypes about an entire religion and focus on the news. However, I hope “othering” does not take place here and the mainstream media will utilize caution. However, it is well known when tragic news occurs outside of the mainstream community there is a tendency that “othering” may occur. The news here is that a young girl was terrified of her father to the point that she even left her home a few days ago.

My perspective is that religion should not be used as a blanket to conceal misogyny. The teenager obviously wanted to fit in with her classmates. It is normal for a sixteen year old girl to want to belong and be just like her friends. The murder is a tragedy a young life is now lost and a family is shattered.

If you want to voice your concerns to Premier Dalton McGuinty here is his info:

Dalton McGuinty Main Legislative Building, Room 281,
Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON, M7A 1A1
416-325-1941
Fax: 416- 325-3745

Constituency Office
1795 Kilborn Ave.
Ottawa, ON, K1H 6N1
613-736-9573
Fax: 613-736-7374

Email:
dmcguinty.mpp.co@
liberal.ola.org

Link: http://www.mississauganews.com/article/9341

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN1151774720071211

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20071211/Mississauga_murder_071211/20071211?hub=TorontoHome

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20071212.GIRL12/TPStory/National