The Color of Music

Have you ever heard someone’s voice, saw their name written down or seen their wardrobe and assumed they were a certain race? If yes, (and be honest with yourself) have you ever been wrong?

I have been wrong before. I admit it, the first time I heard Robin Thicke’s “Lost Without You,” I presumed that the song’s soulfulness came from a black person’s voice. You can call me a racist, but hey, I am trying to be transparent here. You should try it too.

Anyway, I heard the song on the radio first, so I was thinking this brother can sing. Then I saw the video and I was like oh okay, that’s what’s up.

I didn’t really feel bad that I was wrong. I just brushed it off. But, it did teach me a lesson-- I shouldn’t be so assuming.

There is a country singer that climbing the charts in the biggest music category in the nation. She is young; she has spunk and the natural hallmarks of a quality country singer.

Many in the majority white country music radio audience might not have known that this singer is black. But they probably do know that Rissi Palmer’s “Country Girl” is a hit in the genre. The video was nominated to be a Top 50 Video of 2007 on Great American Country.

I wonder if some country music fans had a double take when they first saw that “Country Girl” video (just like I did when I saw “Lost Without You”). If so, I think that is okay—there are some natural unconscious stereotypes that we all have. But it is when we pretend we don’t form those prejudicial opinions at times that we are actually fostering racism.

Just think— if you make an assumption and you are proven wrong your mindset changes. Or it should anyway. You will probably think twice before you assume again. Talented, crossover artists like Thicke and Palmer break down our racial barriers. Through our ears they open our eyes.


Majority Mind Questions
When have you made an assumption and been wrong regarding someone’s race? What did you learn from it and how has your perspective changed or remained the same?

Easy Targets

Over the past couple of weeks, we have witnessed two disturbing events involving black professional athletes. First was the death of Washington Redskins cornerback Sean Taylor following a break-in at his home. And last week in Indianapolis, Indiana Pacers guard Jamaal Tinsley and a group of associates were shot at while out partying. A member of the Pacers staff was shot in both elbows during the attack. These tragic events are a reminder of the targets that many black professional athletes have on their backs.

For years, there have been numerous media reports of black pro athletes being robbed, attacked or shot at while at their homes or out for a night on the town. Many athletes have brought unneeded attention to themselves by flaunting their wealth while others have been targets based solely on their status. This seems to be a very prevalent issue primarily when it comes to black professional basketball and football players.

Many are quick to blame the athletes for being too flashy with their money, cars, jewelry.etc. Also, black athletes are criticized for their entourages and their inability to cut ties with troublesome friends from their past. Some like to put black pro athletes and rappers in the same category as being magnets for trouble because of their perceived flashiness and love of “the good life.”

While all of these factors contribute to this problem, it ultimately is unfair to solely blame the athletes for enjoying the fruits of their labor.


Majority Mind Question

Are the problems black professional athletes face a reflection of the cultural issues that African-Americans face as a whole or is it a problem solely within itself?

Old Heads should be Fired, New Leaders for Hire

The leaders of the 60s, lead in the 60s. Maybe it is time for the old guard to retire. Two old-time black civil rights leaders come to mind. Both are noteworthy in their own right, but even in their hey day they definitely shared the limelight with brighter stars of the movement.

One is former Mayor of Atlanta, the other is a former democratic presidential candidate. One is a former United Nations U.S. ambassador, the other a reverend.

You guessed it Andrew Young and Al Sharpton. They both ought to cash in their pensions and stop preaching to the masses.

WHY? Because instead of encouraging the next generation of political and social leaders, Young and Sharpton specialize in negatively criticizing them or downing projects that could help them.

Young made some misplaced remarks about Senator Barack Obama’s (D-IL) candidacy for president. The former ambassador said that Obama was not ready to become president. This is a valid opinion, but wouldn’t it make sense to mention what Obama or other politicians of color do have to offer.

Sharpton is even more disappointing. He is an ambulance chaser of civil rights spectacles. He seems more concerned with staying in the press than social progress. The “prolific” preacher speaks (or spews) metaphors and slick phrases that edify next to nothing.

With all his speaking out against everything from rap music (on the heels of Imus) to Chicago seeking the Olympics (because of the city’s police torture instances) he has missed the mark. And people are catching on Al.

Chicago’s Mayor, Daley responded: And the mayor shot a barb at [Sharpton], asking why no one raised questions when his hometown was vying for the 2012 Olympics.
"It's interesting, nobody opposed New York (in the 2012 Olympic bid) -- very, very interesting," the mayor said. "Why all of a sudden is it opposed here?"
(NOTE: New York has endured many cases of police torture)
(Chicago Tribune, Dec. 12)

Rap Mogul, Jay-Z responded: If Sharpton is speaking for me, Somebody get him the word and tell him I don’t approve, Tell him I’ll remove the curses, If our schools gonna be perfect, When Jena 6 don’t exist…
(American Gangster, “Say Hello”)

Majority Mind Question
Which political or social power players who influence today’s youth at large are going to have a significant impact on future generations? How do they impact youth, positively and negatively?

Enough Blame To Go Around.....

Within the past week, a string of violent crimes has rocked the U.S. In Omaha, Nebraska a gunman opened fire in a crowded mall which led to the death of 9 people. A shooting at a Colorado church took the lives of 2 individuals. Whenever a violent crime occurs, our nation is confronted with the question of who is to blame.

For years our televisions, movie theaters and radios have been filled with violent content. Society is full of violent video games, movies and music that our American culture cannot get enough of. Many of today’s youth spend countless hours playing video games that portray violence in a realistic manner. Every weekend, moviegoers flock to their local theatres to view films that are heavy on violence and light on content. Numerous television shows portray violence in such a casual manner that many individuals are desensitized to crime and bloodshed. And don’t forget about music. For years, hip-hop music has been blamed for the violent state of society and it would be hard to argue that it does not play somewhat of a role.

While it is completely unfair to solely blame the media for violent occurrences, one must ask themselves what we as a society value. We are continually saddened by news of school shootings and other violent rampages, but we indirectly support violence in other ways. Although the media cannot be held liable for the actions of a few individuals, it does have to accept partial responsibility for the material that they allow to be released into society.

Majority Mind Question

Does our value of entertainment come at the expense of our concern for the effects that it may have on our society?

Act Your Race?

How you dress, how you talk and how you approach work says something about you. It’s part of your identity that you formed as you grew up. But to many people, I will dare say most, it is also part of your racial identity.

Think back to the grade school lunchroom table. Did most everyone at the lunchroom table look just like you? If so, did you all pretty much act…well, the same?

Maybe it was at your little league games, your dance classes, your class field trip, your local playground or your summer camp that you realized everyone is not the same. Now that you have grown up-- whether you are flat out prejudice, a closet racist or tolerant of all people you may have heard phrases like "he is acting white" or "she is trying to act black." And here's a news flash for you, in 21st century America people can act Hispanic or act Asian too.

Just reflect on your childhood for a minute...
Did you wear your jeans baggy, loose or tight?
What slang phrases were commonplace among your friends?
Did you have a strong work ethic or were you lazy?
What profession is the prototype for your peers?

Black kids who wore real tight jeans weren’t acting black. White kids talking “ghetto” weren’t acting white. Hispanic kids who didn’t have a strong work ethnic weren’t acting Hispanic. Asian kids who didn’t want to study math and science weren’t acting Asian.

Or maybe that was just my school.

Majority Mind Questions
It may sound ridiculous but people do have these thoughts. What do you think about youth and adults acting their race? How should we act? When have you dealt with the act your race dilemma? Share your story!

When All Else Fails......

With 2008 just around the corner, the country is itching for the opportunity to vote in the next President of the United States. That’s right, the Bush regime is finally nearing its end. Over the course of the upcoming year, the public will have their TV’s, newspapers and radio stations dominated by the presidential elections. This of course is not necessarily a bad thing as citizens should be fully informed about the candidates they will be voting for.

However, the upcoming presidential elections also mean that our TV’s will be plastered by celebrities reminding us how important it is for the younger generation to vote. Who can forget P.Diddy’s 2004 “VOTE OR DIE” campaign which he created to get individuals 18-35 to the polls. That year also saw countless other celebrities doing commercials and using various other platforms such as award shows to urge young people to vote. Call it shameless self-promotion or genuine concern, one cannot deny the heightened awareness and excitement among young voters.

On one hand, society should do whatever it takes to make sure that the younger generation is educated and informed about what is going on in their country. However, the larger issue may be that society is ultimately forced to rely on celebrities to promote issues and causes fundamental to the growth and development of our country and the world.

Majority Mind Question
Should we as a society rely on celebrities to play the role of educators to ensure that the younger generation is fully informed about issues pertinent to society?

A History of Violence

And the Oscar goes to!...........With the Academy Awards just months away, the general public and movie critics alike have predicted Denzel Washington will receive his 6th Academy Award nomination for his role in American Gangster. The film was arguably this years' most anticipated release and raked in over 40 million dollars at the box office opening weekend.

In American Gangster, Denzel Washington portrays Frank Lucas who was one of the biggest drug dealers this country has ever seen. The film follows Lucas's ascent to the top of New York City's crime hierarchy to his ultimate decline and destruction. Washington's fiery portrayal of Lucas immediately drew comparisons to his electrifying performance as Alonzo Harris in 2001's Training Day. Denzel collected his first Best Actor Oscar for this film and became only the second African-American actor to attain the academy's ultimate prize.

Many in the black community were not pleased when Washington received his first Best Actor Oscar for portraying the corrupt and menacing Detective Alonzo Harris in Training Day. Meanwhile, fans and critics instantly pointed to Washington's star turns in 1992 as Malcolm X and in 1999 as wrongly imprisoned boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter as being performances Denzel should have won his first Best Actor Oscar for. The masses cried foul when it took playing a villain for only the second African-American actor to capture the golden statue for a leading role.

While Washington did have a previous body of work that warranted a Best Actor award, his turn in Training Day falls right in line with some of the most heralded performances and characters in film history. Many of these performances have led to numerous awards, nominations and Best Actor awards.

In 1973, Marlon Brando, who is thought of as the greatest actor of all time, received his second Best Actor Oscar for portraying Don Vito Corleone in 1972's The Godfather. His portrayal of an aging crime boss is thought of by many as one of the greatest characterizations in film history. Two years later, Robert DeNiro won his first Oscar for portraying the younger version of Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II. Both Godfathers won Best Picture Oscars, cementing them in history as two of cinema's greatest films.

Who can forget Al Pacino's unforgettable performance as Tony Montana in 1983's Scarface. Pacino was electric as an unstable, arrogant and abrasive cocaine-dealing drug lord. Although the film did not net any Academy Award nominations, Pacino's performance did lead to a Best Actor Golden Globe award nomination. Goodfellas, released in 1990, won Joe Pesci his first Oscar for his over-the-top performance as Tommy DeVito.

Funny enough, the portrayal of one of cinema's ultimate villains lead to a Best Actor Oscar. Anthony Hopkins turn as serial killer Hannibal Lecter in 1991's The Silence of the Lambs led to his first ever Oscar. Not only was Lecter a serial killer but he was also a cannibal who enjoyed eating his victims. This film went on to capture Best Actress, Director, Screenplay and Picture Oscars at the 1992 Academy Awards.

Not only may Denzel Washington earn his 6th nomination at the upcoming Academy Awards, he may win his second Best Actor Oscar for American Gangster. Yes, it is another villainous role, but not one that is anything out of the ordinary for American cinema.

When Denzel decides to retire from acting, his career will not be defined by his (possibly)two Best Actor Oscars for playing the bad guy. It will be defined by his talent and passion for the craft of acting. If Denzel wins the golden statue come 2008, it won't be the first time the award is won for portraying an American Gangster.

Majority Mind Questions
What are your thoughts about actors of any racial background being typecast into certain roles?
Do you recall any other movie stars that only seem to be recognized or awarded when they play particular types of characters? And more importantly, does this take anything away from the actor or does it add a stigma to their acting persona?
What movies do you think would have been better or worse if different actors or actresses were featured in them and why?

The Beantown Embrace

Throughout history nobody has mistaken Beantown as a black town. Boston has long since had a lily white persona. And it shows. In recent years, Harvard held a panel entitled 'Has Boston shed its racist reputation?' However, the panelists couldn't even answer this daunting question. They merely acknowledged the city's lack of progress in becoming more racially inclusive.

The bus riots of 1974 have left unresolved racial tensions that seem to plague the city today. Boston just has never been the best place in the U.S. for blacks to live, work or play.

Speaking of play, does the Bostonian pigment prerequisite extend to sports arenas? Boston has had its share of great white superstar athletes. For years, Kevin McHale and Larry Bird were the face of the Celtics and more recently Tom Brady has become the city's poster boy.

With the NBA season underway, Beantown has a big three in basketball to match their reigning big two in baseball. Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz will have to share Boston's athletic spotlight with Celtic-old-head Paul Pierce and the newest additions of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.

In some record books, Manny and Ortiz have surpassed Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig as the best one-two punch in baseball history. Could the three-headed monster offense of Pierce, Allen and Garnett re-write sports history too?

Even if they don't, the three have brought the Celtics back into big-time b-ball conversations. And Bostonians love it. While the city has instantly embraced their black superstar athletes, many black residents still find themselves on the outside looking in.

With Boston's current crop of black superstar athletes, it takes us back to the question 'Has Boston shed its racist reputation?' This question can only truly be answered once more progress is made outside of sports arenas.

Majority Mind Solutions
*Boston's black superstars like Manny, Ortiz, Pierce, Allen and Garnett should make their presence know in Boston's black communities and all of the city's few diverse districts in order to cultivate tolerance and acceptance of all races.
*Sports owners and their vice presidents of community relations should reach out to Boston's local black youth and give them a helping hand through athletic, social and educational programs.

Majority Mind Questions
Do YOU have any potential solutions to add to the list or do you think there is no problem in the first place? Feel free to respond!