‘Arts’ Archives
Oscar “White Out”
BY HOWARD McQUITTER II There should not be any surprise African American thespians, directors or screenwriters are facing whiteout for two consecutive years. Still I”'m surprised that many Blacks are surprised that they are roundly left out of every category for the Oscars this year. Last year, the only piece by an African American nominated for an Oscar was “Selma”; the director Ava DuVernay and actor David Oyelowo, both Black,are snubbed. It”'s obvious the white Hollywood club has unceremoniously ruled again the work by Black artists isn”'t “worth “their time. By the way, the Academy decided to have a token African American, yes, the host Chris Rock. To bring political correctness to the farce at the glitterati many whites both in the audience and at home may be looking for a minstrel show by Rock. Here”'s the deal. African Americans must stop the usual whining and begging White folks do not do them right. What Blacks must [...]
“Chi Raq”: Fails! Should have succeeded
BY HOWARD MCQUITTER II On the one hand, Spike Lee puts a spotlight on the serious problem in Black America: staggering murders among African Americans, particularly the young, mainly with young black males being both perpetrator and victim the bulk of the time. On the other hand, “Chi Raq,” the title of his most recent film, too often swings wildly into farce. Lee”'s film is too schizophrenic to be a good movie which obscures what could have been good maybe if he had stuck to keeping “Chi Raq” a drama. Samuel L. Jackson”'s role as Dolmedes, the “comic” relief, is wasted in farce appearing periodically in the movie at times when the movie should have taken its seriousness in those areas that desperately requires it. Jackson, impeccably dressed in various colored three-piece suits, near the beginning of the movie, in rather sardonic tone, tells the audience: “Welcome to ”˜Chi Raq”', land of pain, misery, and [...]
Frank Reflections
By FRANK ERICKSON A retired U.S. official said, “The reality is, we may just have to live with ISIL; they look to be difficult to defeat.” Now, we know what Native Americans had to accept and that which they had to deal. Is this how “war” works, if you can”'t “win” you learn to co-exist with your enemy? Why not just avoid the “wars” and co-exist? “War” still decides the pecking order. What primates we are. Here is our society”'s cold and corrupt answer for the true Native souls of this land who have the police chase them up Lake Street, put up “No Trespassing” signs under the Lake Street-Hiawatha overpass and force then off Target”'s property on Lake Street. The City is not fooling anyone, we know at whom the “No Trespassing” signs at Lake Street and Hiawatha are directed. How dare the White Man be so cold and arrogant; who”'s land is it? The kind hearted Liberals who run [...]
