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Emperor Jones and His Lazy Negroes
There’s a bit of controversy brewing in New York City right now. The Emperor Jones is back. Eugene O’Neill’s 1920 play about a black convicted murderer who escapes to a Caribbean island and poses as an emperor. He’s able to do so because the “primitives” are so full of violence, ignorance and superstition they’d believe…
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Obama's Nobel Peace Prize – A Bit Too Soon?
Before I say anything let me say this: I am thrilled that President Barack Obama won the Nobel Prize for Peace. He can now stand among other Nobel royalty like Ralph Bunche, Martin Luther King Jr, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and Wangari Muta Maathai. However, I’d feel a little dishonest if I didn’t admit I…
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Michelle Obama and Her Biracial Ancestors
In case you haven’t heard: First Lady Michelle Obama has mixed ancestry. You don’t say! Somebody’s pulling my leg. She’s part European, African and… drumroll… “Indian”! Honestly, what American isn’t? Okay, I know discovering one’s family genealogy is a very satisfying endeavor. Particularly for black people who struggle to fill in genealogical holes due to…
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Tyler Perry's Confession: Truth or Smart Business?
Tyler Perry finally revealed the details behind his abuse-ridden childhood. Inspired by the forthcoming film Precious (co-presented with Oprah and starring Mo’Nique, Mariah Carey and Gabourey Sidibe), Perry decided to get real with his fans and post the details of a lifetime of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. At TylerPerry.com he writes: “I’m tired of holding…
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Lee Daniels' Precious and the Blame Game
So I saw a screening of Precious this weekend. The New York Film Festival centerpieced Lee Daniels’ much-anticipated, controversial film of an obese teen and the abuse she endures. I don’t want to brag, but I will anyway: I stood in the $10 Rush Ticket line and walked away with two free $40 tickets. A…
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Bromance Films and the Brothas – Not so Much!
The Root’s very own Saaret E. Yoseph scribed a provocative piece today about the depiction of African-American men in bromance films. In the last few years Hollywood and indie filmmakers have been providing audiences with angst-filled, politically incorrect depictions of white men suffering from arrested development and a need for a man hug or BFF. …
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Harry Potter Author Overlooked for Presidential Medal of Freedom
Entertainment blogger Geoff Boucher over at the L.A. Times has brought something to my attention. J.K. Rowlings, the prolific scribe of the Harry Potter franchise, was overlooked for a Presidential Medal of Freedom by the Bush crew for encouraging witchcraft in her books. Geoff Boucher picked up the news from former speechwriter Matthew Latimer’s new…
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What's Your Favorite Sitcom Episode?
I was skimming through the Village Voice this morning. You know, checking out tabloid pics of last weekend’s Exxotica Expo, perusing Eugene Holley Jr.’s interview with Meshell Ndegeocello, and taking a peak at a lukewarm review of Roger Guenveur Smith‘s 20-year-old solo show Frederick Douglass Now. However, none of that grabbed my full attention as…
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Facebook Survey Asks Whether to Kill Obama
The U.S. Secret Service has thrown on their high alert investigative gear and for good reason. On Saturday, someone posted a poll on Facebook asking Facebookers whether President Obama should be assassinated. Yeah, you read right. Facebook and presidential assassination. Four choices were provided for the polltakers: yes, no, maybe, and yes, if he cuts…
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Roman Polanski Can't Escape a Sex Offender Past
76 year-old director Roman Polanski is sitting in a Swiss jail right now. And no, he’s not doing research for his next Oscar-hopeful. Polanski, who directed Rosemary’s Baby, Chinatown and more recently the 2003 Oscar-winning The Pianist, was arrested on route to the Zurich Film Festival where he was to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. …
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
