All eyes were on the marches that took place over the weekend in protest of the atrocities suffered at the hands of law enforcement agencies throughout the nation. The consensus is that this movement is, result of the nation being fed up with the behavior of police departments and the judicial system’s lack of disciplinary actions.
For some, red flags are raised when they look beyond the surface and begin to ponder. Central to their concerns is the timing. “Why now?” is asked.
Can’t front at all about that. In the past 10 years alone, the names of brothers who have had their lives cut short by the actions of police have been growing at an alarming rate. But I guess it was only a silent alarm that just those of African and Latin American descent could discern—or was it that no one cared?
Sorry, I’m not supposed to look back, we’re about now and moving forward, right? Well, if that’s how we’re moving, let’s pump the breaks on this one thought: “This is not a race issue, it’s a human issue.”
Umm, sorry. I can’t go for that. No can do. For conversation’s sake, imagine if I followed that last statement with, “I got that from Hall and Oates, and they’re white. It doesn’t matter, good music is good music.” Couldn’t that be seen as fraudulent or condescending?
That’s how some of these comments are sounding to quite a few. Racism, despite contrary belief, is not dead and stinking. It’s as alive as it’s ever been, and it still permeates every aspect of society. In the grand scheme of things, while not on the par with the demonstrations, the revelations about Sony executives last week is a major concern.
Amy Pascal, as Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chairman and chief of its film division, wields significant power in Hollywood. Somehow, her position in the industry of illusion has her delusional, as she feels that she can blatantly disrespect the leader of the free world, President Barack Obama. Granted, her email quips to another Sony executive about the perceived film preferences of the president wasn’t for public consumption, but that’s what makes them all the more concerning. If they talk about the president that way, who happens to be an African-American, how are the rest of us viewed?
As expected, she apologized for the “insensitive and inappropriate” comments that she says are “not an accurate reflection of who I am.” Of course they aren’t.
In response, Mark DeVitre, president of the National Association of African American Owned Media, said, “Let’s be 100 percent clear, the Sony emails are horrendous, very racist and completely unacceptable. And we plan to hold Sony fully accountable.
“We know that institutionalized racism is reflected in the lack of contracting with 100 percent African-American-owned media companies. The numbers are indisputable. Therefore, we are requesting a meeting with Amy Pascal and CEO Michael Lynton, and if we come away from that meeting and 100 percent African-American-owned media is not participating in a long-term, significant agreement with Sony, then all options are on the table, including pickets, boycotts of all Sony products, as well as an examination of our rights under the law,” said DeVitre. “I highly recommend we sit down immediately before we take action about this very serious matter. And let us also be very clear that the Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson do not represent or speak for us. In fact, no African-American person speaks for all African-Americans. The very idea of that is racist, just like no white person speaks for all white people. The racism must stop today!”
Over and out. Philly in the house at B.B. King’s Sunday, Dec. 21 and Monday, Dec. 22 with Musiq Soulchild and Tuesday, Dec. 23 with Kindred the Family Soul. See you there. Till then, enjoy the nightlife.