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Dear Marvel: Asian People Are More Than Ninjas
There has been continuing coverage of the lack of opportunities and recognition for black actors and actresses in Hollywood while the industry struggles to save face. While diversity in entertainment is an immensely important conversation to have, other minorities, like Asian folks, have been left out too. And though I am a true Marvel fan at heart, this is one area ...
Meet BJ The Chicago Kid: R&B Music’s Savior
It's no secret that R&B is going through a bit of an identity crisis. But BJ the Chicago Kid's In My Mind looks to reinstate everything that made the genre great to begin with. If you watched the 2016 Grammys, you didn't see any R&B. Clearly, that genre of music isn't important or popular enough to get a slice of the 2 1/2 hour airtime. But that doesn't ...
The Pained Importance of WGN America’s ‘Underground’
I watched the beautifully shot and passionately portrayed Underground on WGN America Wednesday night. While watching, I couldn't help but recognize how important it is that shows like this be celebrated. At the same time, I lamented how it might be received by white audiences. Underground tells the story of slaves in the Antebellum South, dreaming of escaping ...
If Only Black Artists Today Were Like Black Artists in 1998
After reading Jenn's reflection on Lauryn Hill's Miseducation, I was triggered into remembering the magical year in music that was 1998. For all of its merits and flaws, '98 was a banner year for good black music. The 90's were a great decade for black music. And in my life, 1998 was the point when I really grew my interest in music, exerting my teenage freedom to ...
Why ‘Blackish’ Is The Show We Need Right Now
This week, Blackish tackled the topic of police brutality with laughter, anger, passion, and love. Last night, Blackish aired an episode that exemplified why diversity is so important in entertainment. Within its short 30 minutes, a tough and divisive issue was handled with intelligence and depths of which hour-long shows typically seem incapable of achieving. I ...
Why Isn’t Idris Elba A More Respected Actor?
His resume is extensive. He's played award-winning roles both on TV and in movies. Still, I'd argue that he isn't seen to be in the same league as other "big name" actors. If nothing else, Idris Elba is a shining example of hard work and determination paying off. He's done it all, from guest roles on shows like Law & Order and CSI: Miami to starring in his own ...
The 2016 Grammys: An Exercise in Whiteness
During the 2016 Grammys, there was a concerted effort to center whiteness at all costs, further proving that the awards are worth less than their gold-plating. We've been accused of being racists and race baiters a million times. But we're not looking to point out the racial aspects of everything. They are just so unavoidable that we would be dishonest if we ...
There’s An Obvious Answer To Hollywood’s Unequal Access Problem
Turns out, increasing the presence of and access to diverse roles in entertainment is easy if you have two things: clear intention and unbiased hiring practices. Hollywood's issues with diversity have been national headlines for years now. From marginalization of African American actors to gender pay gaps to white male dominance of positions behind the camera and ...
Jazmine Sullivan and the ‘Injustice’ Paid To Black Soul Singers
I love black people. I love black music. I love that Motown sound, that in the pocket, that slow groove, that bass, and that flow. I love the riffs, the runs, the scats, and the growls. I love it all. As such, I am a fierce defender of the art that we produce and of the artists that do it best. That's why Jazmine Sullivan's recent comments on the state of the music ...
The Oscar Academy Changed the Rules But Still Doesn’t Get It
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced new measures aimed at making the Oscars more diverse. And a quick look at the "solutions" shows that the Academy is still missing the mark when trying to understand why everyone got upset in the first place. The Academy seems to be obsessed with the makeup of its own body, as if adding more members ...