The "Beef" with BET

I have my own gripes with BET:

• The excess of weak and pointless reality shows.
• The lack of support for less mainstream artists.
• The discontinuation of consistent BET News.
• Rocsi.

However, I've continued to watch the programming that I can stand in an effort to support the network, mainly because there are still a lack of shows on other channels that represent the African American community. Black shows come and go. With the exception of "The Game," I honestly can't name a show with a majority African American cast (and I'm still not clear on the rumors that it's been canceled).

BET has boasted some pretty good series. The problem is the lack of consistency. BET sticks to a simple formula. BET = Mainstream Urban Radio + Visuals. Like radio, BET strives to appeal to its non-diverse audience. It's up to the audience to demand better programming, more shine for worthy artists and to actually tune in when they play it. The fact remains, when BET does play shows and specials that aren't based on absolute Stepit Fetchitism and Mantanery, I have a hunch that the regular viewers tune out.

Just like we demand of Hip Hop for instance, BET owes us balance. Fussing, fighting, fucking, and being excessively materialistic are all pieces of American culture. No one is asking for BET to shy away from reality. However, when all of these vices become the ultimate and only portrayal, BET's reality becomes BET's minstrel show. Where are the intelligent business women and men, the fine artists, the writers, the activists, teachers, etc. in the big scheme of things?

I started this post to touch on the BET Awards and the complaints about their Michael Jackson tributes throughout the show. I'm gonna keep that issue short. I actually think that BET did a pretty decent job of pulling things together in a matter of three days: The Ciara and Neyo solos. The Jamie Foxx routine. The Janet appearance. I won't complain.

I will, however, urge BET to raise the bar. The network is [unfortunately] our representation for the outside world. In spite of our beautiful black president and the multitude of talented artists, politicians and regular working folks who defy negative stereotypes on a daily basis, people continue to watch BET with hopes of understanding our culture. Be accountable and responsible.

Thank you.

The Jena 6 Are Free!

In September of 2007, I rode a bus to Jena to march in protest of the blatant prejudice against six young men accused of beating a white classmate. The Jena 6 march caught the attention of the nation and showed that people will not stand for injustice.

Finally, on Friday, June 26, we can be glad that all of the Jena 6 are free.

"The five remaining Jena 6 cases were brought to conclusion on Friday when Jesse Ray, Carwin, Robert, Theo, and Bryant pleaded "no contest" to misdemeanor simple battery charges. They will spend no time in jail, serve seven days of probation, and pay relatively minor fines and court fees.

It's an incredible outcome given that the young men were originally charged with attempted murder in small-town Louisiana and had neither the funds nor the connections to get high-quality representation or attention for their cases." [from Colorofchange.org]

The sixth teenager charged, Mychal Bell, pleaded guilty to battery in juvenile court on December 3rd, 2007. Unfortunately, with unfair pressure to be perfect after his case was wrapped up, Bell attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself in the chest in December of 2008.

Although this situation may seem to be behind them, we all need to continue to support and pray for these boys. This case is by no means isolated. Men of color are regularly persecuted by the shady judicial system, handed down ridiculous sentences and a frequently branded by the world as criminals. As it's difficult to get back on your feet after a legal ordeal, many men are doomed to fall back into crime as a means of taking care of themselves and their families.

The Jena 6 march and outcome was a big example of the little things we can do to help our brothers. Such as speaking out against injustice, and if you're a business owner, by not judging a potential employee by his record. Understand that he's served his time.

Much love to the Jena 6. I pray you are successful.

Roadsworth: "Getting Away" With Art

When the artistic icon and pop-art innovator, Andy Warhol, said that "Art is anything you can get away with," I'm sure he wasn't taking into account all of the dope street artists who cover the urban landscape with socio-political aesthetics and colorful pieces. As no surface can be deemed an untouchable canvas, artists all over the world color walls, streets, etc. with art that catches your eye and/or sets your conscientiousness in motion. These artists, unlike writers, traditional fine artists, sculptors, dancers and musicians, are in constant danger of legal repercussions. For this reason, I'm a big fan of street art. It's completely anti-establishment. Creating something in a public arena that defies creating on behalf of capitalist goals, on the chance that it very well may be destroyed by stiffs who prefer blank space, is a beautiful and admirable act.

So, I love the work and expression of Roadsworth.

"Roadsworth began painting the streets of Montreal in the fall of 2001. Initially motivated by a desire for more bike paths in the city and a questioning of "car culture" in general, he continued to develop a language around street markings and other elements of the urban landscape using a primarily stencil based technique. In the fall of 2004, Roadsworth was arrested for his nocturnal activities and charged with 53 counts of mischief. Despite the threat of heavy fines and a criminal record he received a relatively lenient sentence which he attributes in part to the public support he received subsequent to his arrest. Since that time, Roadsworth has received various commissions for his work and continues to be active in both visual art and music."

In spite of numerous charges, Roadsworth maintains his passion and continues to create. In all the artists who inspire me to write (a seemingly less dangerous profession), I must give kudos to all of the street artists who create in a climate that doesn't completely embrace what they do. Much love to every Roadsworth, Banksy and Dondi. Your work is most definitely appreciated. Thank you.

Ain Interviews Leela James

“There’s a perception that Soul singers are a little conscious of things as it is. So, with the [current] political atmosphere, I think it just adds to it. I think we all have a responsibility to put out music with a certain amount of substance in the first doggone place.”

That’s Leela James, the resolute, genuine soul singer from Los Angeles, California who now rests her head in Houston, Texas.

Leela’s music career began to blossom when a high school English teacher recognized her talent. “He said, ‘You’ve got something unique and fresh, you might really wanna take it seriously.’ Up until that point, I was just doing it for fun in church or whatever,” shared Leela. “It wasn’t that deep for me, but when I was pulled to the side and told that, it really made me stop and pay attention to my skill.”

After committing to her craft and deciding to pursue her art professionally, Leela stepped onto the big stage while touring with Macy Gray and the Black Eyed Peas in 2004. After vocally convincing the industry that she had the talent to cut it, she worked with notable producer Pete Rock, providing vocals on his album, Soul Survivor II, and began diligently co-writing the album that would awe soon-to-be fans.

With a distinctive blown-out crown of golden tresses, the singer-songwriter had just brushed past the legal drinking age when she dropped her debut album, A Change Is Gonna Come, which was released in June of 2005. Even at 22, the richness of Leela James’ voice left listeners with an image of a woman who’d experienced her share of trials and turmoil.

[Read the full feature on SchemeMag.com]

When All Else Fails: Revise.

Writers and other creative people are never completely satisfied with their own work. It takes a lot of courage to step away from a piece and deem it worthy of being presented to the masses. So, when I walked away from my first novel, A Teaspoon of Fiction, I was quite proud of myself. However, I recently gave my work of art another once over, and realized that it wasn't a book that I would boast on my bookshelf. Back at square one, and I'm learning that it takes even more courage to pick up a piece that was once considered complete.

A Teaspoon of Fiction was supposed to be my golden ticket into the exciting world of publishing. I'd written what I thought was a killer query letter, compiled my list of relevant agents, and shot out my call for a representative. I took the rejection letters in stride and blamed the undesirable responses on the failing economy. Then the inevitable occurred: I realized that the manuscript I penned was simply not up to par.

Now, I'm not only undertaking the task of writing novel #2, but completely revising #1.

As a word to fellow writers, please don't fear multiple revisions and edits. While it's a challenge to lay down a piece, it's also very difficult to pick it up again. It's very easy to give up on a project when it's not shaping up to what you want it to be. However, I've concluded that a piece worth starting is a piece worth completing.

Wish me luck!

Poetic Ode to Detroit.

I'm really excited about going home tomorrow. Motown. The Motor City. The Dirty Glove. The D. I'll be leaving my laptop in GA so I can enjoy a beautiful weekend with my incredible family. In honor of my trip, I've decided to leave you with a piece from my collection, [If] Life's Rotten, Write to the Core. It may be a repost, but this is one of my favorite pieces, so enjoy.

Where I’m From

I’m from the rubble-lined streets
Of the city ’67 tore down
Carcasses of structures still stand as
Dream catchers against a hazy sky
Where hair reached high as Gods
Beauty shops and churches on every other corner
With liquor stores doted in between
We rock gators
We pimp out our cars
And hoes
We twist our slang
And deny our subtle accents
Where we can catch bearded men in nothing but socks
Strutting downtown
Where the iron fist sits
Reminiscent of the movement
That we somehow lost lately
In a land of both shamelessness and pride
I’m from confusion
Where eight lanes divide more than north and south
Where walls are implied by “routine” police stops
The home of Black Bottom
And Paradise Valley
Bulldozed by urban renewal
And disregard for the disenfranchised
Which lingers on through each street
Through each boulevard and Mile road
I’m from where the 60s sound still echoes though alleys
Where cats get blunted in parked cars
With Slum Village preaching in the background
Where “What up doe” replaces “Hello”
And goodbyes lie along deep gutters
I’m from where people move along the sky
And high rises fall short
And smoke stacks kiss the stars
Where 2 a.m. marks the end of nightlife
And nothing’s open but legs
And Coney Islands
Where morning’s introduced over a dark river
And the 10 is bumper to bumper by 8:30 a.m.
I’m from the land everyone loves to hate to want to leave
Where humbleness is equated with virtue
And a little thug resides in us all
Because you’ve got to be hard
Where self-protection is innate by name
In the dirty glove

(Note - Doted: to be lavish or excessive in one's attention, fondness, or affection)

Copyright Ain HD ©2009

Five Reasons to Journal.

Confession: I toss journals into the recycling bin on a yearly basis. I have never been able to maintain a journal. Why? I am totally anal about handwriting. I tried to keep journal entries in Word, but it wasn't the same. There is nothing comparable to journaling with nothing but a pen, a blank page and your own thoughts.

I'm giving it another go.

I've covered five pages of a new journal that I vow to never throw away. My first entry was April 16th, so it's clear that I've been slacking. However, I'm gearing up to be in full recording mode. I'm in a major transition mode and I'm not sure it would be appropriate to neglect penning the details.

In an effort to stay motivated, I wanted to share five reasons to keep a journal:

1. It gives you an opportunity to self-reflect. It's in our nature to seek advice from elders and people with shared experiences. However, many of us have been blessed with good conscience. We generally ask for advice to simply confirm what we already know is right. Journaling really helps you to focus in on your own ideas and beliefs without those outside influences.

2. Writing is a great form of expression, which can heal you. In many cases, writing is a great way to vent. Sometimes, when I'm upset, I tend to write letters to the person my anger is directed towards. In most cases, they never see it. By the time I'm done, the moment has passed.

3. Your story is important. Keeping a photo album is one thing, but I've found that keeping a journal is the best way to record those special moments you don't want to forget. If you hang on long enough, you can share these moments with your children and their children.

4. It helps you to record your own growth. There's nothing better than reading an old journal entry and wondering what the hell you were thinking. Going through an old stack of entries that didn't make the garbage pile, I realized how much I'd grown, and that was beautiful.

5. Flex your writing/creative muscles. When I'm not working on a creative piece (ex. my novel, a poem or article), I find that journaling gives me an opportunity to still play with language and frolic with words. In fact, many of my pieces are direct results of a topic I've journaled about.