Agree or disagree? Romany Malco Says Trayvon Martin Outrage Is A Product Of Divisive Media Coverage Despite all the discussions about race, prejudice, and gun-control that surround the George Zimmerman trial, Think Like A Man actor Romany Malco believes that the paramount issue in the case is dirty media politricks. He outlines his theory in a blog entitled “A Message To Trayvon Martin Sympathizers” Via HuffingtonPost I haven’t touched on the Trayvon Martin issue because race matters in this country are the paralysis of the American people. To constructively discuss Trayvon would require empathy, introspection and an understanding of America’s social and economic history. This is why the open forums we have seen thus far seem to fuel more ignorance and bias than reasonable debate. To be brutally honest, the only reason people are even aware of Trayvon Martin is because it became a topic within mainstream news and pop culture. Meaning: News directors saw it as a profitable, sensational story. Hundreds of blacks die annually in South Side Chicago without even a blurb. Trayvon isn’t in the mainstream news for any reason other than ratings and profit. The news coverage on the Zimmerman case almost implies that the killing of this young black man is somehow an anomaly and I resent that. In this country, if it isn’t streamlined through mainstream media and pop culture, it doesn’t seem to warrant national debate. Our “government” continues to wreak havoc on our civil liberties and there is little to no protest from the black community because of media diversion tactics that keep such pertinent issues out of mainstream media. But if Jay-Z or Rihanna were to make mention of it, we’d suddenly be jolted out of our sugar comas and protesting on freeways. My point being, people are up in arms about Trayvon based on regurgitated pundits and manipulated facts aired to elicit emotion while fueling America’s anger and division. That’s how you boost ratings. No different from Piers Morgan’s desperate rant over gun control when he knew his ratings were in the dumps. And from where I stand, anyone who still relies on corporate-owned media pundits to support an argument isn’t equipped to offer worthwhile solutions. People are using Trayvon Martin’s death as an excuse to project their own deep-seated issues with racism and will not be capable of intelligent, empathetic debate until they’ve cooled down and afforded themselves an education. Is Romany saying that people SHOULDN’T be upset or angry about the events surrounding Trayvon’s death and George Zimmerman’s subsequent acquittal?? Pretty incendiary stuff, but it ain’t over yet. Flip it on over to read the rest of Romany’s entry. Image via WENN Continue reading →
Mr. “Kick, Push” wants to drop knowledge on you “unlightened” negroes. Lupe Fiasco Twitter Rants About Black Folks And The Justice System Saturday night after the “not guilty” verdict was announced in the George Zimmerman trial many of us stood gasping for breath in shock. The phones started ringing, texts started rolling in, and Twitter was teeming with anger, spirituality, and rants. Lots and lots of rants. One 140-character diatribe in particular set off a conversation almost as polarizing as the Zimmerman trial itself. While many African-American tweeters expressed their displeasure with the verdict and the seemingly unjust “justice system”, controversial (and semi-trolly) rapper Lupe Fiasco took a minute to dig in and let his 1.4 million followers know that their angry emotions were essentially invalid. One would think that the socially conscious Chicago MC would have words of encouragement or empowerment in a time when people are processing varying emotions that range from hurt to boiling rage. But no, Lupe decided to use his braided brain to kick up dirt instead. Flip it over a few times to read his rant. Do you agree with him or was he completely out of pocket? Image via Twitter
Mr. “Kick, Push” wants to drop knowledge on you “unlightened” negroes. Lupe Fiasco Twitter Rants About Black Folks And The Justice System Saturday night after the “not guilty” verdict was announced in the George Zimmerman trial many of us stood gasping for breath in shock. The phones started ringing, texts started rolling in, and Twitter was teeming with anger, spirituality, and rants. Lots and lots of rants. One 140-character diatribe in particular set off a conversation almost as polarizing as the Zimmerman trial itself. While many African-American tweeters expressed their displeasure with the verdict and the seemingly unjust “justice system”, controversial (and semi-trolly) rapper Lupe Fiasco took a minute to dig in and let his 1.4 million followers know that their angry emotions were essentially invalid. One would think that the socially conscious Chicago MC would have words of encouragement or empowerment in a time when people are processing varying emotions that range from hurt to boiling rage. But no, Lupe decided to use his braided brain to kick up dirt instead. Flip it over a few times to read his rant. Do you agree with him or was he completely out of pocket? Image via Twitter
Paula Deen’s partnership with Caesars Entertainment has gone bust. The latest casualty of the celeb chef’s ongoing racism scandal, which resulted in her firing from Food Network , Deen was 86’d by the company today. Paula Deen Cries on Today Apparently Paula Deen’s Today interview didn’t stop the bleeding. The company “reached an agreement with Paula Deen Enterprises not to renew the business relationship,” a statement released today reads. While Caesars “appreciate[s] Paula’s sincere apologies,” the company believes its move to sever ties with her is “in the best interests of both parties.” Caesars currently operates four branded Paula Deen Buffet properties in the following casinos in Louisville, Memphis, Chicago and North Carolina. The buffets will be rebranded in the coming months. On Monday, Deen was dropped by Smithfield Foods , which had previously sold Paula-branded hams and used her as a spokeswoman for the brand. Other sponsors are reportedly weighing their options. Paula Deen Today Show Interview Not everyone is itching to ditch Deen, though. Her restaurants have reportedly been “slammed” (with customers, in a good way), according to her brother. Interest in her annual Paula Deen Cruise has been so great since the scandal broke that its organizer added an additional departure date for 2014. Finally, a Paula Deen Facebook fan page has more than 200,000 Likes since it was created over the weekend, a sign that she still has a fan base. Think that will last if her exposure is reduced? In other words, will people still crave Paula Deen recipes if she loses all her shows and big partnerships?
That guy may have deserved that azz whooping … Scottie Pippen Harassed By Fan Before Fight Via NY Daily News reports: Retired hoopster Scottie Pippen was playing defense Monday after an encounter over the weekend with an autograph-seeker outside a Malibu, Calif. hot spot. The former Chicago Bulls standout visited a sheriff’s station voluntarily after he was named as a suspect in a Sunday evening altercation at Nobu, a trendy beachside eatery. Investigators said a violent argument broke out after an autograph-seeker took photos of Pippen, 47, and his family. The unidentified man was later taken to a hospital with a head injury, investigators said. But a source said Pippen was the real victim. The fan started the tussle, spit on the ex-athlete and screamed the called him the N-word, the source said, adding that Pippen was holding his 4-year-old daughter at the time. “Can you imagine, you’re out to dinner with your wife, your four kids and your mother-in-law, and someone calls you the N-word and starts to get physical?” the source said, calling the alleged victim’s story a “crock.” “When Scottie left, this guy had no injuries,” said the source. “Scottie is very upset about the way this has been portrayed.” Several witnesses described the fan as intoxicated, sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said. Investigators were still interviewing witnesses Monday and had not yet decided whether to charge Pippen with assault with intent to cause bodily harm. He was released after an hour of questioning. Pippen’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, was mulling a counter claim against the autograph-seeker for assault and making a false police report, the source said. Even without the n-word and spitting, the guy needed to be put down for harassment of this man while he’s holding his 4 year old daughter.
Miley Cyrus is featured in the latest issue of Billboard , telling the magazine she’s putting music before all else these days and is not the white Nicki Minaj . But she also gives a Q&A to Rolling Stone this month and says something even more controversial: Miley loves weed! Okay. She doesn’t say that exactly. But when asked if she smokes up, Cyrus laughed and replied: “You can’t ask someone that and expect them to say yes. I did a song with Snoop Dogg called ‘ Ashtrays and Heartbreaks ,’ so people can put it together for themselves.” The artist also says she’s “happy” to live in California – where pot is legal – and defends its use against alcohol. “I think alcohol is way more dangerous than marijuana – people can be mad at me for saying that, but I don’t care,” Cyrus tells Rolling Stone . “I’ve seen a lot of people spiral down with alcohol, but I’ve never seen that happen with weed.” Miley adds that she isn’t a fan of acting because she can’t be herself in a made-up role – and then the person who used to Tweet every thought and emotion truly shows how far she’s come. Is she still engaged to Liam Hemsworth ? “I wear a ring every single day,” she says. “I don’t talk about my personal life, so that’s enough of an answer.” We love it.
Chicago Police used AK-47s to arrest rapper on trespassing charges four blocks from courthouse, camp claims. By Rob Markman Chief Keef Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage
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