Thirteen years ago, on a morning just like this where the sun jumped around in the sky, I woke up to hear my man DJ Stress bumping the Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Unbelievable' in his room. We shared a dorm suite at that time. I walked over and saw the look on his face, and heard the radio tell me what it told him earlier.
Biggie was gone.
It's amazing how the death of Biggie Smalls resonates so much. That morning we were just building and hearing Hot97 spinning nothing but Biggie, trying to talk away the shock and the creeping feeling of hurt. You kind of felt like Burgess Meredith in that 'Twilight Zone' episode where his glasses cracked on him just as he had all the time to read in his town ravaged by an A-Bomb. You felt as if it wasn't fair. There was so much music left. Life seemed as if it would be different in some shape or form due to this tragedy. Thirteen years later, the hip hop culture has evolved so dramatically that you can't help but wonder; if Big lived would half of these cats who stake their claim to lyrical greatness even be mentioned? And how would he have fared in the era of downloads and viral videos?
So today, on a morning just like that one, I'm going to honor the Notorious B.I.G listening to his music on loop in my iPod stereo with a tequila sunrise in hand and truly understand that the sky is the limit in this life and the next. Rest In Power Christopher Wallace.
As I write this, the legendary MC of Gang Starr, Guru is recovering from emergency surgery in New York after being in a coma due to cardiac arrest. News like this can catch you like a fist to the back of your neck, and even more so when it involves a figure who had a major role in your generation as Guru did. To this day, I still remember that Video Music Box episode where I saw the 'Words I Manifest' video for the first time. And of course, lemonade was a popular drink and it still is. There is another element to all of this, one which I hope comes to light in other articles and interviews. Our MC's have bigger things to be concerned with than advances and tour dates. Their health is the biggest issue they have.
I believe it's safe to say that hip hop, in some ways, is all a young man(or woman's)realm. It's not so dependent on age, but the vitality of youth. And with that vitality comes a perception of immortality that goes beyond the songs captured on wax. These MC's and DJ's are here to rule forever...or until their records stop selling. That's the allure of hip hop. That Ponce De Leon ethos that is encrypted in our debates over who's the better MC everywhere. And so, we fall into shock when someone in hip hop dies before their time. The two most prominent examples of this are of course, Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur. Their tragic deaths have added to their prestige and put them on the same plateau as James Dean. And to a degree, James 'J-Dilla' Yancey as well after his lengthy fight with TTP (Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura)ended. The one thing I see is, there are a lot of MC's and DJ's and other figures in hip hop at risk because of the rigorous life they lead for the music and the culture and Guru's current state is a red flag of warning.
A lot of it is the fact that as these artists have longevity, they have to work harder to maintain it. I remember going into shock when Buckshot of Black Moon suffered a seizure a couple of years ago. The great Marley Marl had a heart attack last year as well. Ghostface has gone on record about his battles with diabetes. We lost MC Breed to illness last year. The list is getting bigger. It seems as if some people are at the point of accepting that an MC or DJ will die violently rather than being prone to pass away due to serious illness because they believe that hip hop itself is inherently all about violence. And that is disturbing. And dangerous. Rappers don't have medicare granted by the labels to the best of my knowledge. They don't have pensions. There should be an effort amongst artists to create a health fund for those that are involved in the culture, much like the Screen Actors Guild does for actors. Even to the point of nursing facilities being constructed because in all honesty, the MC's we grew up with will be at retirement age sooner than later. Much sooner. And at some point, the artists themselves have to take some responsibility about their own health as well.
If Guru recovers, I would love to see some sort of effort take place along these lines. A culture only falters when there isn't enough done to protect it and take care of it. Our MC's and DJ's deserve that. Hip hop deserves that.
It's kind of ironic that John Mayer has named his upcoming album Battle Studies because he's waging one that he has started with the help of Playboy Magazine.
John Mayer is no different because he can play a guitar and sing. He's just got more money and more arrogance and apparently, little common sense.
The recent interview has set the world of media ablaze due to Mayer's comments. Which ones? Try where he claimed to have a 'hood pass' but used the N word in its place. Or where he referred to his johnson as a 'white supremacist'. Or where he referred to his interaction with Jessica Simpson as 'sexual napalm'. I'll spare you the gory details in reference to Perez Hilton and Harvey Levin. I read the entire article a couple of times and found myself saying one thing...what a train wreck this guy is. Which was followed up by, I bet his album sales don't get affected one bit. Don't get me wrong, I find Mayer's words ridiculous and offensive at the very least. But I also find them illuminating. Illuminating in the sense that he has pretty much opened a door to who he really is. And that is what is both shocking and all too familiar. Because Mayer shows himself to be nothing more than another disillusioned individual who feels comforted by the celebrity he enjoys. Think about it: you've probably met guys like this sipping on Pabst Blue Ribbon listening to emo rock in bars or seen them out and about making homoerotic jokes and slamming down shots while mangling Gangstarr lyrics. John Mayer is no different because he can play a guitar and sing. He's just got more money and more arrogance and apparently, little common sense.
I've said it to people I know; we have a tendency in America to place these celebrities on a throne and become shocked at their behavior. To some degree, they're our version of British royalty. Without all of the pomp and circumstance. Reading comments by some people on various websites, I've seen a mixture of outrage and people applauding him for not being 'too PC'. To the former group, I say this: think about Justin Timberlake. There was a time where he was essentially THE white boy with rhythm. You saw him pop up everywhere with black artists. And it all came to a screeching halt with Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl. In a way, he threw Janet under the bus. And that didn't go unnoticed. He felt the burn on that until his smash album in 2006. Will Mayer have the same situation? I don't know. I don't put him in the same class artistically with Timberlake but I wouldn't be surprised if it was business as usual with his album coming out.
Waiting on a fool to change is just like waiting for a hooker to get arthritis; it's inevitable, but not easy to predict. To me, Mayer is a fool who overestimated himself and decided to do so in a highly public format. He may not care if someone called him a douchebag on a blog but we all know that's so far from the truth...why would you apologize publicly in the first place? And you said this in an interview with Playboy Magazine and people DO read the articles there, John. Obviously you don't due to your 'vacations'. Get over yourself and realize that at this rate, the only pass you'll get anymore is the one you need for 'counseling' in an expensive clinic of your choice.
Valentines' Day is here. Not that you didn't know since they had display aisles set up in drugstores a week after New Years'.
The one thing that can be more irritating than all of the jewelry commercials and ads for teddy bears(seriously, those ads triple by the time Valentines' Day arrives)is the group of people who hate Valentines' Day. I'll take a tip from my man Andre 3000 and call them 'love haters'. They're usually the ones that make bold declarations like 'Valentines' Day is for suckers' and 'love sucks'. These bitter Bettys and hating Harrys however, don't fool me for one bit.
Let's be real...there are valid reasons why you'd detest Valentines' Day. Maybe the day has coincided with tragedy or you're sick of the crass commercialism. Personally, I feel that if you're in a committed relationship, Valentines' Day should be every day for you. But the 'love haters' basically hate this day because they feel the pressure of being lonely a bit too much or they're still mad at themselves for making the wrong choices in love. A word to these folks: get out, get some backbone and stop drinking the sour-ass grapes. If you're mad 'cause you let some bird run game on you until your pockets were as flat as a Kansas prarie or you're upset that you gave up the cookies to some part-time player with a bad fade, live with it. It's called living and learning people. Don't try to rain on other people's parades because you can't stand the sunlight of their happiness.
There's another group I'd like to talk about...I'll call them the 'hopeful cynics'. These people talk a whole lot of junk about this day, BUT have expectations. You KNOW if you didn't get that person a gift or take them out to dinner or do something nice for them, they'd throw you more shade than a solar eclipse. Don't fall for that okey-doke. I've seen it go down and I'd like for you to read my next article without a black eye. And if anything, give 'em one of these:
For those unaware, ornithology is defined thusly by Webster's: 1: a treatise on ornithology 2: a branch of zoology dealing with birds
So, 'hood ornithology is basically an examination of that social phenomenon in every 'hood worldwide: chickenheads. Now before we dive into the topic, let me state this: if you are a good, soild, progressive, mature woman with little to no drama in her life...this doesn't apply to you at ALL. IF you know someone like this in your circle, disengage from her presence immediately. Bear in mind that this isn't about slander, it's informative With that out of the way, let's talk about the first bird on our list...
1)Pigeon. She's your standard, garden variety bird on the block. When she opens her mouth, her voice has the high screech that makes you cringe. The plumage, or outfit varies depending on what she's going to trick some random dude out of, but never goes above the caliber of Reebok 54'11 sneakers or those five dollar mesh slippers you find on Canal Street along with jeans. Watch out for brands like Apple Bottom, Rocawear or knockoffs to that effect in conjunction with cheap palm tree designs on their fingernails. They eat cheap; you usually find them at 'hood establishments like Crown Fried Chicken, your local Chinese take out joint or any fast food spot. The walk is unmistakable, as if they're hunting and pecking for loosies on the sidewalk. 2)Squab. More bare bones than the pigeon, she's also the more cunning. Will perform a variety of tasks for minimal gains, from cooking to splitting open blunts for marijuana use. Known as 'squab' because she LOVES to fight and LOVES drama. Adept at carrying razor blades in their mouth. Her vocabulary involves more curses than a Blowfly record. Not particularly known for consistency with lotion or other beauty regimens. Prefers mens' clothing and boots but will wear tight jeans on occassion. Fond of lip gloss. Usually if you see one in a group of thugs on the corner, she's the point man when it's time to throw down. Beverage of choice is whatever beer is to be had or a Seagram's Wine Cooler. Usually their hair garment of choice outdoors is a bandana.
3)Starling. The intellectually deficient of this group, which often leads to troublesome situations with other men and their girlfriends. Known to be easy 'chicks on the side' in a pinch. The starling has been known to be a blatant klutz. She also is a prime candidate for work as a stripper in worst case scenarios due to the love of money this group of birds shares. They love random tattoos. They have a fondness for wearing their hair with highlights that don't match. The starling is known to keep a conversation for no more than ten minutes at a time. They also like to suck their teeth in certain moments. Starlings have a fondness for french manicures, and such eateries as P.F Chang's and Chili's. Their drink of choice is usually something heavily mixed, like a Sex on The Beach. Despite this they have a knack for devising half-assed plans.
4)Oriole. Similar to the Starling, we find that these birds can be quite dirty in their dealings. They're the ones usually spotted on such daytime television fare as Maury Povich, and most if not all judge shows. Somewhat smarter, they're usually the ones who are knee-jerk judges of everything and everybody. You'll find them to be two-faced. They love their local happy hour and favor communication via text messages. Known to alternate outfits between selections from the Gap and Conway or another department store. The oriole is fond of sports; rather, they're fond of athletes to a point where they become after hours fans. They're known to copy the styles of well known singers and actresses while at the hair salon. As they gain weight, they become more outlandish in attitude(see 'Flavor of Love', season 2)and behavior. An oriole has a know-it-all attitude but is easily shot down by anyone with relative common sense. They love to spit as an attack. Can be seen in packs at your local shopping mall or any retail center that has a Victoria's Secret.
5)Kiwi. This bird is known for its smallness both in brains and in flight capacity. She is sometimes called 'the backyard scatologist' because of a great obsession and need to talk.. well...you know. The kiwi has a great affinity with the starling along the lines of intelligence. You'll often find that a kiwi is used to being picked on more than a Mets fan in late August. She's prone to chain smoking cigarettes, and can be seen in sports bars, hot sheet motels and backstage at various concerts on couches. Sadly, this bird doesn't get around as much as they'd like even though picutres of them pop up all over the place, even naughty website ads.
6)Pheasant. This particular chickenhead is snobbish with abandon. A bit more stylish than the others, they can usually be found with a face that looks as if they ate five lemons for lunch. The pheasant has been known to dabble in finance, fashion and a few have found a life in porn, both the name brand and the third shelf behind the bodega counter variety. She is fond of Indian bidis and is sometimes found to have a refined or wealthy background. Intelligent and arrogant, the pheasant can be instantly be spotted a walk that calls to mind someone who is trying to hide constipation. Loves to travel, especially on someone else's dime. Birds of this kind like to pattern themselves after Keyshia Cole. 7)Terducken. The grand mame of all of the chickenheads, this woman possesses a finely blended mix of all of our previous birds listed here. She wears elite name brands head to toe, from Prada to Jimmy Choo. Likes to style herself after a cast member from 'Sex in The City'. They are known for holding on to drama way too long. The terducken can be outright cruel and oblivious with their behavior to everyone. They sometimes are known by having exotic backgrounds. A terducken usually walks funny due to the combination of being driven around everywhere by male 'friends' and their love of high heels. Reckless, this species of bird will always believe they can get over on others. The title comes from the Cajun dish where a turkey is stuffed with a duck which in turn is stuffed with a chicken. Which is much like their love life and reproductive patterns.
Of course, there are men who fall into this study. They can be broken down into two categories: 1)Roosterheads. These men act in similar ways to chickenheads from time to time. Their behavior can sometimes border on the side of sheer ignorance. Known to instigate quarrels like the squab and carry grudges for days, even weeks. The roosterhead is a bully that is easliy shown up, sometimes with fists. There are some rappers who fall into this group very easily. Roosterheads share one quality with both the pigeon and squab in that their behavior encompasses all ages.
2)Chickenhawks. These are men who prefer the company of various birds to real mature women for various reasons. They can be known to have emotional issues. Some even pretend to be young forever, evidenced by aging chickenhawks in brightly colored suits at nightclubs and churches. They carefully groom themselves, and aren't choosy when it comes to alcoholic beverages.
In every neighborhood all over the world it seems, we have this kind of wildlife running around. If you know people in these groups, get them out of your life as soon as possible. Thank you and enjoy your bird- watching!!
It's Black History Month. But I'll be damned if it's a matter of widespread public knowledge. Before you get all up in arms and call me extra sensitive, let's examine something. Did anyone, ANYONE see any mention of the fact that this past Sunday was Jackie Robinson's birthday outside of a few websites and channels? It was hard to find amid all of the chatter about the Grammy Awards and the terrible tanned tag-team that is the cast of MTV's 'Jersey Shore'. I felt it necessary to say this on the second day of Black History Month; just because we have an African-American president doesn't mean the struggles are over, people. Not by a long shot.
I've always welcomed Black History Month but I've always felt uneasy about it at the same time. One main reason being, its existence alone can suggest that Black people in this country as a whole can be compartmentalized and put on display like an action figure on a shelf in a store. It's nothing new, but it's beyond old as hell. You get the feeling as if the establishment said, 'let's keep the Negroes appeased.' I know other ethnic groups feel the same way. (By the way, whose bright idea was it to split Hispanic History Month over two months?) The other, more pertinent reason is how much of an imprint this time has on people. I recall a statement by DJ Stress that sums it up: 'let's tell our kids that we have more famous people in our society than rappers.' And sometimes, it does feel like some of our youth don't pay any mind to something unless Lil Wayne or Kid Cudi is attached to it. Harsh? Yeah, but it is truthful if you ride the 2 train in the mornings or catch a bus once school breaks out and listen to their conversations. Black history is not only highly expansive, it is constantly in progress. And in a technologically fast-paced world, that's got to be stressed more than ever.
Black History is happening every day because like the history of other cultures, you can blink and miss moments easily. One story that comes to mind is that of Henrietta Lacks, a poor farmer in Maryland who had cervical cancer in the 1950's. The doctors at John Hopkins Medical secretly took cells from her body for testing and experiments and these cells became 'immortal' and helped towards the development of a polio vaccine in addition to other medical triumphs. Of course, this story is only now coming to light. For a relevant example today, look at students in New York City who held a protest outside of MTA headquarters on their day off from school to fight for the return of student Metrocards which were taken away by the MTA due to lack of funds. It begins with us, like it always has. At home, in discussions with friends and our co-workers, wherever possible. Because history, like anything else of worth, lives when it is current and spoken and written about constantly across all generations. We need to get past the point where we're relying on the media to remember for us. Black history is every day of your life.
Like a lot of people, I jumped for joy as the football sailed through the uprights in the Louisiana Superdome guaranteeing the New Orleans Saints their first ever Super Bowl Berth. It was especially sweet considering that it came over the Minnesota Vikings and 40 year old Brett Farve, who has more NFL lives than Crash Bandicoot these days. They're not going to admit it, but I believe there were some Saints fans who had a hidden feeling of ''it's too good to be true" and dread even though their team at one point was undefeated deep into the regular season. Their team after all had years of futility under their belt. Fans with brown paper bags over their heads. Nuns invited to break the 'curse'. Mike Ditka virtually giving up the franchise one year to draft the only Heisman Trophy winning hemp afficianado ever, Ricky Williams. Not that it's been entirely bad. Archie Manning had a strong career with losing teams. Tom Dempsey had the longest successful field goal kick in NFL history. There were contending teams in the early 1990's built on the arms of Steve Walsh and Bobby Joe Hebert and the one-two punch of Dalton Hilliard and Craig 'Ironhead' Heyward. And who can forget Rickey Jackson on defense? But this season has been truly magical. And New Orleans is a town that needs some of that magic these days.
It was close to five years ago when Hurricane Katrina swept in and tragically impacted the Gulf Coast, New Orleans primarily, during the sweltering month of August. The entire world was riveted to news from the bayou, and the Superdome became a symbol of hope and resilience as people camped out on the field and the bleachers...and bodies were stored in the catering freezers. In the midst of the Mississippi's swollen floodwaters, it stood out as a beacon of faith. Afterwards, football didn't seem all that important. The owner, Tom Benson even mulled an offer to move the team to San Antonio. This couple with the possibility of the other sport team in town, the Hornets looking to bail would've killed a lot of spirit in this town, a city rich in history and culture outside of those cliche pictures of Bourbon Street. Thankfully, Benson chose to stay. And the Saints have done their part in helping New Orleans rebuild on and off the field.
A touchdown doesn't take away the feeling of feeling abandoned.
The question is, as much as sports matter in this country, how much can that feeling carry the city of New Orleans? Katrina and its aftermath opened up that deep seated wound of racial disparity that sits in the body of America with the cold efficiency of a machete. I took part in organizing a benefit for a group in the Lower Ninth Ward which is still, years later recovering. A great deal of the people there were scattered across this country, and some have yet to return. Houses still sit damaged. On some level, the success of a football team doesn't mean squat to a family who's lost their home and may not be able to get back. A touchdown doesn't take away the feeling of feeling abandoned. But these Saints have become a rallying cry. A cry that is heard in Congo Square. A source of pride every time you see a fleur-de-lis in black and gold. A friend of mine has family down there and is a die-hard fan...which she trumpeted after the Saints beat my Giants in week 5. (See Ms.Stackhouse, I have not forgotten.)
And you can't help but think that there's a divine script being written. The Indianapolis Colts are the second half of this Super Bowl, led by Peyton Manning, Archie's boy. Archie's on record as rooting for the Colts. But somehow, someway, I think that this man who played for New Orleans, who still calls it his home wouldn't be too upset if the Saints won. And I think that he and a lot of other people would hope that this means that more good fortune falls upon this city in the form of upward progress in rebuilding. And more businesses investing there. More jobs. Long after the cheering stops, that is what the city of New Orleans will need the most these days. Because while America loves a winner, more than anything, they love a comeback. And the New Orleans Saints and their city can definitely attest to that.
For such a well regarded city, New York City has always shown itself to be notorious in ignoring certain issues unless called out on it. From Tammany Hall to Bloomberg, this common thread has hurt and in some cases, helped natives of this city. One recent example of this that has hit the newspapers has been the discovery that a few bodegas in the Bronx have been busted selling alcohol to teenagers for five bucks a pop. Every politico attached has expressed outrage, and my reaction can summed up in one question:
Where the hell have you all BEEN?
I remember visiting a certain bodega on Linden Boulevard back in my high school days. It did a lot of business despite closing a couple of hours earlier than similar spots, no mean feat when there were three other bodegas in that two block radius. There were two reasons for this. One was the Street Fighter II machine they put in the back. That guaranteed daily visits by the afterschool crowd. The other was the fact that they were selling shots on the humble over the counter...and age was not an issue. Wild Turkey, Souther Comfort, or 151 depending on the day. Every teenager in the 'hood knew about it, and quite a few took advantage. So it doesn't surprise me that this is happening because the truth is, it always was. There was even an older sister selling a mixed drink(and I'm being kind)called Nutcracker out of a plastic bag while I was on line for a concert at BB King's a couple of months ago.
The main reason why this is happening is the fact that some bodega and corner store owners have one set strategy which gets dictated by times of economic struggle such as what we're in now: teenagers are your best consumers, and it is best to take advantage of that any way you can. Think about it. If you grew up in NYC and your teen years covered the late 1980's and early 1990's, a good deal of that time was spent at the corner store or bodega. That's why a lot of people reminisce over 40 ounces and St.Ides Special Brews and other low cost beers. A shot of liquor adds extra profit across the board. The same principle that has eateries offer student menus gets twisted to sell liquor to children. The rub is, teens won't speak up 'cause this is the period of their life where this is part of their fun. And any store owner is going to flat out deny it because they risk getting shut down by the city. That bodega I mentioned earlier? They got shut down by the police, and never fully recovered. Even a change of management didn't help, and that bodega is now a record shop.
If people want to stop this from happening, understand two things. First, someone, somewhere will sell to teens because money is money. Parents and community groups need to do their due diligence and go to these store owners and let them know the police will be watching along with them. The second thing is, be mindful of your teen's behavior. Teens have a lot of ways to communicate, but not necessarily with their parents. Get involved and let them know it's for their safety and no other reason. Because they know it's not the best thing for them either. And this way the only Nutcrackers they can be concerned about would be for the holidays.
That's what you really wanted to say to the people of Haiti, isn't it Pat?
“Whatever defamation of character my enemies are spreading about me, I do not feel the need to justify myself toward them. While discretion obliges me to remain silent, my duty compels me to prevent them from doing any more harm.”
- Toussaint L'Overture
Have you ever been to a church and noted the exterior? One thing that always stood out to me with churches were the gargoyles. Gargoyles are, from my understanding, placed on churches to ward off any and all evil that may attempt to enter. So for all of their fearsome appearances, they are guardians in that role.
But now, in the midst of a tragically horrendous earthquake that has hit Haiti two days ago, we're now getting proof that gargoyles can be truly evil. Especially when given a platform in the name of something. Take Pat Robertson of 'The 700 Club'. Now I have never been a fan of him or his show. And I always thought it was creepy that he had a lone black figure as a co-host who didn't say much. Robertson had the audacity to proclaim on his program that Haiti suffered this earthquake because of a 'pact with the devil'. And I got angry. Even more so when the sister that stood next to him didn't utter a single word. To me, this man is a disgrace. To call him a piece of dirt is an insult to dirt. Robertson is nothing more than a decrepit, despicable bigot who has a history of making these racial judgement calls in the name of Christianity. And making a mint in the process from poor, misguided souls which puts him in the same class as any two-bit, jackleg storefront preacher with a well-worn bible and a good pair of oxfords.
And if that wasn't bad enough, Rush 'I'm Too Bloated to be a Pig' Limbaugh comes in, riding shotgun with deregatory comments against President Obama's heartfelt message to the Haitian people. It is truly shameful to see someone so prejudiced, so absolutely un-American in his sham patriotism sit and make such statements with a smirk on his face. This after having a heart scare not too long ago. I guess old bigots never die, they just wither like corner store cigars. Limbaugh and Robertson are just two sides of the same evil that causes so many eyes to look on the United States with disgust. These individuals cannot compare with many fine and decent people who, even in these tough economic times, have given of themselves in so many ways to Haiti and her people in these tough times.
"I guess old bigots never die, they just wither like corner store cigars."
Maybe we're the cursed ones because these two represent an American way of life that simply will not let go of our heels, now as we have entered our 234th year of existence as a nation. A way of life that divided us then and still divides us now because for every three people that find these two despicable, there's one that silently smiles and applauds. And that curse, Pat and Rush is one you and your kind will prolong as long as you spew your garbage in the name of religion and patriotism. Thank the heavens that there are people who do not share your antiquated ideals who are down in Port-au-Prince, who are taking up collections in New York City, and Montreal, and everywhere else who chose not to believe in curses...but the compassion of their own hearts. The two of you should be ashamed to call yourselves Americans...and human beings.
So Mark McGwire decided to talk about the past after all.
Every news station was alive with the news that Mark McGwire admitted to steroid use. Big Mac's statement comes nearly five years to the day where he was before a Congressional committee with Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmiero and said famously, 'I'm not here to talk about the past' every time he was asked about his involvement with steroids. This also comes before spring training begins and with it, a job as a hitting coach with the St.Louis Cardinals. I watched his statement like everyone else and my main conclusion?
Juuust a little bit outside of reality, Mark.
There is nothing courageous about how you handled this simply because it puts you in the same class as Pete Rose, who admitted that he bet on baseball only because he knew that by doing that he would get into the Hall of Fame. Tony LaRussa, your former manager with the Oakland A's and Cards more than likely told you that this is what you had to do. But how you did it leaves a little bit of a bad taste. Especially when you got choked up. We've all seen you emotional and that didn't seem too genuine. Crocodile tears don't work for little children and they don't work for athletes in trouble. Also, telling everyone that you didn't use steroids for strength is a load of bull. You gain that extra edge from it along with the supposed quicker healing process. As we've seen over the years, that's a bonus many will have to get those big paydays a la Giambi, A-Rod and the rest. Saying that 'God gave me a gift' to hit those home runs...I guess you were highly impatient with the man upstairs to do what you did, huh?
The biggest issue I have with you, is about what you've done up to this point. NOTHING. You've become a veritable hermit, up until recently. What happened to all of that youth outreach you spoke so forcefully about on Capitol Hill? To date, we've heard nothing or seen nothing. That makes this all the more regrettable because once again, we have someone who did dirt and got rewarded(for Major League Baseball needs to get some of the blame) and may wind up with no punishment. And this is someone who certain parts of America held up as a true hero. Some hero.
I'm not saying the Hall of Fame is pure when you've got pitchers who used pine tar and one of the best hitting racists of all time in there(Gaylord Perry and Ty Cobb respectively)but if I was a voter, I'd make this man sweat. Wait until the last ballot to put him in and even then, do it by a scant margin. Give him the same treatment you'd give Barry Bonds, people. Or am I asking for something that won't happen for obvious reasons? Make McGwire and any other player who used steroids feel the shame of it. Telling the world 'you wished you never played in the steroids era'? YOU WERE THE STEROIDS ERA!!! You and a lot of other players. McGwire, I am glad that you spoke up, I'm glad you told the Maris family directly that you used but the real apology begins when you stop the snow job and just come clean and not because it's the better business decision.
So I was reading the Financial Times online and I happened to read an article detailing the backlash against a part of the healthcare bill up for a vote in the Senate that calls for a 10% sales tax on all tanning salons nationwide. In the article, you have someone claiming that it's a tax against middle-class white Americans. A salon owner actually claimed it was a violation of equal protection.
My response? SHAAAAAADAP.
Let's be honest here...they were originally going to tax Botox injections. But I guess when they found out that taxing tanning salons would net them $2.7 BILLION per year, the choice was obvious. I'm highly supportive of this part of the bill. Mainly because tanning salons to me have always represented a weird paradoxical part of society. I started thinking about this in college when I would see girls who were lily white, who pretty much were used to seeing people of color in limited numbers if at all, go away for spring break and come back with cornrows or braids that would make Stevie Wonder jealous and a tan. Well most would; others would look like the business end of a boiled lobster. And what I always found interesting is, it was as if some of them were pretending they were black or latina. And they would try their best to nab a brother. I do recall at least one instance where a white girl with a tan tried to get my number...while I was out with a sister I was dating at the time. Needless to say, she almost caught a backhand worse than John McEnroe's.
It seems as if people who are oblivious, have esteem issues or are out and out walking douches love tanning in any form. They are part of what I like to call, "The Oompaloompa Gang." Mainly because their tanning borders on the absolutely ridiculous. I mean, you've got people out there who think it's cool to have skin that makes Florida oranges jealous. And have the same bumpy texture. And you can't tell them they're not beautiful. They'll be the ones posing for picture upon picture in the club, on the beach. And funny enough (or not), they're sometimes the first ones bumping Snoop Dogg or DMX in their rides. And that's just the guys!! Some of them even look like 'Dragonball Z' extras because they pair their overly tanned skin with spiky gel hairdos. As for the ladies...well, some of them get tans that make their skin look like pleather and if that's not enough, there are a couple that get collagen injections in their lips. Envy much, ladies?
So I don't want to hear about tanning being medically good for you either, which was another argument against the tax raised in the article. If the World Health Organization has tanning beds and sunlamps on its list of cancer-causing agents, it's definitely not healthy in large doses. And quite frankly, the racism argument is kind of weak especially when it appears that some white Americans use tanning, artificial or natural, to add extra appeal to themselves even to the point of almost mimicking the appearance of people of color. To me, if it means less people looking like they escaped from Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory are out on the streets, I'm all for the tax.
Call me a sentimental joker, but I love this time of year.
For me, it's about taking time out to relax, and spend some more quality time with friends and family. I get to reflect on all that's taken place over the past year and wonder and prepare for another year to unfold. It used to be easier when we were younger, wasn't it? All you had to know was that Christmas was coming, all of your favorite foods would be on the table, 'A Christmas Story' or 'March of the Wooden Soldiers' would be on the tube and that one toy or video game would be waiting for you under the tree. Nowadays, Christmas starts right after Halloween. And with the New Year, it's all about the hangover, from drinking AND shopping. So I think it's best to say goodbye to a few things as we close out 2009:
1)Sarah Palin. If this woman is supposed to represent the heartland of the United States, then the heartland needs a cardiologist ASAP. Stop toting your daughter's baby around like it's yours at every bus stop. You couldn't even defend yourself against Katie Couric, what makes you think that you could even be in a position to stand up against the likes of Putin and Chavez? Take a powder, Bullwinkle. The soccer mom persona went out in the early '90's. 2)Reality TV. 2009 saw a reality star murdered by her fellow reality star husband who then escaped to Canada and committed suicide, an outlandish hoax involving a boy and a weather balloon that looked like a Jiffy Pop can that backfired, a couple who fathered eight children divorcing bitterly and whoring themselves to the public and of course a semi- trashy star catching a fresh one to the jaw on MTV. I think it's safe to say that the reality of some people's lives is not only stranger than fiction, but better left alone. And for the love of Keri Hilson, DO NOT give that jackass Ray J another show. If his sister can't get work, neither should he - there's only so much royalty money you can get from 'Mars Attacks'.
3)Overdosing on '80's culture. Let's be real about this. When your mom bought you a Le Tigre shirt back in those days, you weren't exactly thrilled. So I'm not buying your enthusiasm when you, at the cusp of your thirties, are buying those shirts like it's high fashion. People, can we stop with the too-tight skinny jeans, the mix and match plaids, the peroxide stripes and patterns in the eyebrows? And ladies, if Angela Bower didn't look good with shoulderpads in her blouse that made her look like she could've done some blocking for Walter Payton, it won't make you look hot either. And NO MORE PONY SNEAKERS. I'm all for nostalgia, I even love it but when you make belt buckles out of NES game controllers, there's a serious problem. 4)Celebrity 'Beefs'. You knew this got out of hand the moment Al Roker got caught up in some mess. 5)Texting while walking. So let me get this right...you've got absolutely NO damn coordination in your daily life anyway YET you want to try to send a text message while walking in public? I've seen so many people catch bad ones while doing this that it's not even funny. One of these days we'll see a newscaster on air and someone behind her will get wiped out by an SUV while doing this. It's not safe for anyone, so the text can wait a few seconds, okay?!!!
Ever since that fateful night after Thanksgiving, Tiger Woods has been on every newscast, newspaper and website. And I am sick and tired of it. But I am mostly sick and tired of the reaction and the need to fan the flames.
To begin with, I'm not defending Tiger for his actions. Infidelity is a selfish act no matter who commits it. And he'll have to see the error of his ways every time he looks in the mirror or the eyes of his children. That said, I don't need to hear every detail of what happened every single day. If you're not ESPN, The Golf Channel or any other sports entity, back off. In case anyone forgot, there's people either dying or dismembered in Afghanistan and Iraq, jobs are scarce and Sarah "Bullwinkle" Palin is on the march. The outside antics of an athlete can only keep me interested but for so long. And is it me, or are you getting tired of different reporters and writers saying that Tiger should open up and disclose everything? Rick Reilly of ESPN is telling everyone that Woods should do an all-access interview, and invite people in his house to regain the public. Rick, it's crap like that that made Michael Jordan treat you like a dirty jock strap. Tiger did the right thing by taking a leave of absence. And it's nobody's business in the first damn place. If he did open up and spill his guts, there's always going to be people who will be skeptical. What really makes me laugh is the amount of people who have jumped up to throw dirt on Tiger or try to further tear him down.
Which brings me to this question: why is no one asking about all of these women that are suddenly on TV and in newspapers blabbing about their affairs with Tiger? We know the answer: in this day and age, no one cares how they get their 15 minutes of fame. C'mon, you can't tell me that a woman is going to keep all of these text messages just to be sentimental. These are women who are social climbers of the lowest order. Women who will give it up for a Starbucks gift card and a graham cracker. And before you try to say they're victims, understand this: someone that public, you know the major details of their life. They knew he was married. And they still chose to sleep with him. You've even got a 'madam' on TV talking about how he paid for sex!! If she was two shades darker with an address off Slauson instead of being in Laurel Canyon with a bad lip collagen treatment, she would've done time!! The media at large is part of the problem in that you're condoning this nonsense by giving these fools airtime. A situation like this always gives me the feeling that there's parts of the American public that love to build someone up just to tear them down dramatically.
How will I get out of this one?
Tiger, if anything, this should tell you something. You were due for a karmic ass-kicking. You rose to the heights of a sport associated with executives and people who had the money and time for it. And on the way, with all of the talent and passion you have to win fourteen major event championships, you also had arrogance. From cursing at fans to having your caddy intimidate photographers and sniping at fellow golfers. You got paid handsomely for the whole package by your sponsors, three of which have decided to part ways after this affair (no pun intended). When you make 170 million dollars from your endorsements alone, that's going to cut back on your gambling trips. But Tiger, you brought it on yourself. You've been playing up the clean cut image for a while now. So much so that you've become more whitebread than Wonder. (I'm saying my man-Cablinasian?! Are you serious?) Your father groomed you for this ever since you went on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, putter in tow. In essence, you probably felt that these flings were easy. Situations to make up for your percieved awkwardness. I mean, when you're considered 'the Urkel of the golf world', having a woman fall at your feet is bliss. But honestly, Tiger...a couple of these women look more beat up than Manny Pacquiao's sparring gloves. I can only hope that you and Elin take this time to repair the situation. And that you take this time to absorb some humility. You'll find it easier than the back nine at Augusta.
The recent brutal beatdown that took place outside of the 40/40 club in Atlantic City this past weekend has once again sparked discussion about the excessive force used by bouncers at these nightclubs. The bouncer basically is the first and last line of defense at these establishments and quite possibly is the most hated facet of them. Unless the bartender isn't on point with the drinks. Jay-Z will face a tremendous amount of heat being that it's his club and such an incident combined with certain events in his past gives critics more leeway to apply the 'thug' label. The nine bouncers in the videotaped assault will just be more reason for bouncers to be looked on with disgust.
Everyone has at least one story about dealing with a difficult bouncer. To be honest, there are some of them who frankly speaking are outright jackasses in sensible shoes. I remember being in a tiny lounge spot somewhere on the Lower East Side once with a group of people on a Friday night a few years back. The place was packed to capacity. After a few minutes, I saw someone on their way out having a conversation with an older cat, so I went past and stepped outside to breathe. Once I felt better, I made my way to the door. And found an arm outstretched in front of me accompanied by a look of disgust.
'Is there a problem?' I asked.
'C'mon man, you walked past me and didn't even ask if you could go back in.' he responded. He was a brother, with a few waves in his hair and middle aged dressed in a sweater and slacks. 'You can't go back in.' He didn't even look at me which made me pissed.
'You never told me you were a bouncer when I walked past you?! That makes no sense!' I replied. 'Regardless, you're not getting back in.' he sniffed. Effin' bum-ass bidge, I thought as I walked away. I saw no sense in extending the argument. But it taught me a lesson...check the bouncer and get the story straight on the rules. Because some of them don't know how to do their jobs or don't want to. And those are the ones who cause these crazy situations to happen, those mental midgets with
That's not to say that all bouncers are like that. On the flipside, a lot of them have been professional if not outgoing. The main reason being is that they have an extremely tough job. It's not all muscle. They have to instantly gauge reactions and moods. They have to maintain order in an environment that thrives on the consumption of alcohol...and when illegal drug use by partygoers gets into the mix, that makes it harder. Being the gatekeeper is rough, and in a few cases fatal. I've been asked a few times to be a bouncer and I've flat-out refused. I don't envy anyone in that role. While I won't be naive and say that the club life isn't potentially dangerous, I do feel that there should be a training program setup for doormen if there isn't one already where you balance etiquette with situation management. No one wants the bum's rush from someone who's more of a nuisance than they are.
As the cliche goes, 'Denial aint just a river in Egypt.' And for the past week, the former baseball slugger Sammy Sosa has become the prime example of that phrase. By now, you've more than likely seen the 'new' Sosa as he arrived at the Latin Grammy Awards. If not, see the picture below at your own risk.
When I first saw the picture above, my heart sank lower than Ryan O'Neal's morals. I almost thought this was a Photoshop job being sold around the world as a prime hoax. Sadly, it isn't. Sosa has come under major scrutiny for his appearance, and when grilled on a leading Latin news program 'Primer Impacto' about it, he claimed that it was the effects of a skin rejuvenating cream he had been applying daily combined with the fact that as a Chicago Cub, he played a lot of games at 1:00 P.M in direct sunlight. The interviewer even tried to help him out by asking if he had vitiligo like Michael Jackson. We can all laugh at this, but there's something darker(no pun intended)at work here...
Sammy Sosa has always been friendly, outgoing, someone who enjoys himself and enjoys people throughout his days as a ballplayer. We all remember him in that one seemingly magical summer when he and Mark McGwire went head to head in the quest to become Major League Baseball's home run king. With his slugging and fielding, he became the face of the Chicago Cubs, and even helped them in a few winning seasons. Since his last season in 2007 with the Texas Rangers however, Sammy has dealt with mounting controversy that could lay waste to his legacy. A corked-bat scandal along with being suspected of steroid usage led to an uncomfortable appearance before Congress in 2005. This issue of his skin color may not just hurt his Hall of Fame chances in addition to the other scandals, but hurt his public standing. Race is still a hot-button topic in this country as well as the Caribbean and among Latinos no matter the island.
Sammy, I don't believe you're 'not trying to be superficial'. I call BS on that. I know that there are some Latinos who have an issue with the idea that they possess African ancestry. Depending on the country you come from, it's either out in the open or spoken of in low whispers and disapproving looks. If you weren't trying to be superficial, why would you decide to sport GREEN CONTACT LENSES in addition to your 'rejuvenated' skin? Didn't you think the timing would be a little tactless? But then again, you did claim to not speak English in one interview when pressed about steroids. Sammy, you should be ashamed of yourself. This isn't about a new look or trying something new. You want to try something new? How about kayaking or fencing or sculpture? Changing your skin is not a hobby and it speaks to how you may truly look at yourself. Do you think that Felipe and Mattie Alou, your fellow countrymen wanted to change their skin after being persecuted for being Latinos which to some bigots meant nothing more than 'Spanish speaking n-----s'? What you've done carries a great weight of hurt and in some ways, turns away from the sacrifices of other Latino baseball greats such as Juan Marichal, Vic Power and Roberto Clemente to name a few. I look at that photo of you and ask myself, 'Sammy...do we know you? Or do you even know yourself?
There's been people who have asked me, 'Why don't you have a tattoo, Chris?' My stock response is. 'I got enough scars on my soul.' But in all honesty, I don't have tattoos for the simple reason that there are too many jackasses out there with bad ones. I mean BAD ones.
You've seen them before. People who tried to shortchange their tattoo artist and wound up with an image of a tiger that looks like a bloated cat you'd find on the Bowery. Or people who have a grouping of tattoos that obviously made no damn sense at all outside of those Russian mob symbols. I've borne witness to some epic fails as far as tattoos go. One example was in a strip club. Normally, a tattoo on a stripper wouldn't make me cringe. It goes with the territory, like bulletproof glass in a liquor store in the 'hood. But Tanqueray*was different. She was friendly, and we had a nice chat. What threw me off was these two sets of hand prints on her ribcage. 'Um, what's the meaning behind that?' I asked. 'Oh, those are the hand prints of my two sons!!' she replied in glee. Now, far be it from me to knock someone wanting to remember their children in a lasting way, but the way those tats looked, it was as if those were the remnants of some chest-bursting demon spawn you'd see on a B-grade horror flick.
Another tattoo that makes me shake my head is the newest one from DeShawn Stevenson of the Washington Wizards. This cat has a five dollar bill scrawled all over his neck. Listen. Stevenson seems to be one of those dudes that talks sideways out of his mouth; when you have Jay-Z come in and burn you for a whole track after you talk trash about LeBron James, you fit the description man. But having a tattoo of Abraham Lincoln on the five dollar bill on your neck is a waste of damn money and it makes me wonder about the grade of cannabis you may have ingested prior to getting this bad ink. For one, I know that hurt like hell. Two, you're an NBA player. Couldn't you have gotten an artist who could've actually PUT the bill on your neck instead of a bootleg version? And why Abe Lincoln? I know you share the same beard, but damn man. You've officially joined the 'Smart Dumb Negroes' club with this one.
So, yeah, a tattoo is DEFINITELY not in my plans. With these examples, can you blame me?
Around this time every year, the air gets crisp, the leaves change and the streets of New York become slightly less noisy. It's about this time of year where you start seeing members of a group that used to number in the thousands sporting blue and orange here and there. Basketball season has arrived. And that weary tribe of folks known as fans of the New York Knicks are front and center. For better or (more than likely) worse. See, I understand because I am one of them. I do bleed blue and orange, but in a more understated way.
You see, I grew up as the son of a major Knicks fan, my father. He was around to catch their last World Championship season. In 1973. Let me repeat that again...in 1973. I used to hear all about former Knick greats like Willis Reed, Walt 'Clyde' Frazier and Earl 'The Pearl' Monroe. Growing up in the 1980's, being a Knick fan basically meant that your hero, your patron saint of the hardwood was Patrick Aloysius Ewing. Ewing was cherished in the household because he was a Knick and also because he was Jamaican. He was a truly great player, and the cornerstone of great teams that never could quite get past the Chicago Bulls. And we all know why that was. To see the Knicks now is like watching the popular girl you had a crush on in high school ten-plus years later with the same hairdo, but also rocking forty extra pounds running around with cats who looked like they used to eat crayons for lunch. It can get downright painful at times. I mean, when you have C.L. Smooth say in the lyrics to 'Chocolate City', 'laid back watching the Knicks/we up 10/we need to stop shootin' bricks'...it is almost unbearable at times.
While it has been ten years since the Knicks' last trip to the NBA Finals, it might as well seem like thirty. I mean, things have been so bad here that hoping for Lebron James to spurn Cleveland for here has become the new lottery dream. Isiah Thomas' disruptive reign has only made the whole thing even more sad. I mean, this man killed the NBA's minor league system and he comes to run MY team? Oh, the agony. Now when I tell people I root for the Knicks, they look at me as if I got a bad diagnosis from the doctor. Look, I want to believe this year will be better. I want to believe this year will be the year we break through and become..repsectable. We've got Nate "Kryptonite" Robinson, and we've got David "Better than Kiki Vandeweghe" Lee. Those two along with Mike D'Antoni at the helm gives me hope. Trust me, when you sit and watch Eddy Curry basically gain weight each quarter, and when you remember Stephon Marbury's rambles on and off the court, you realize the Knicks need it. So on opening night, like many others in New York City, I will be bleeding blue and orange and dreaming of the day when we make the playoffs.
'Columbus in 1492/set sail to s**t on me an' you...' - King Farouk(RIP)
Today is Columbus Day in the United States. For all parties concerned, it is a nationally recognized holiday on the surface. But its become one of those days where the only thing you had to look forward to about it was the fact that it guaranteed a three-day weekend if you were in school or your job gave you that day off. But this day never really held any significance for me outside of that. And why would it?
I remember that old rhyme we used to sing in school around this time. It wasn't until fifth grade when my eyes were opened to the real history behind the explorer known as Christopher Columbus, and how his 'discovery' of the Americas in the name of Queen Isabella of Spain led to the seizing of land, and the subsequent elimination and slavery of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. In time, Columbus' expeditions also became a driving force behind the full-blown enslavement of Africans. Finding that out gave me a lot to think about. Drawing and coloring pictures of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria didn't seem so important after a while. And of course, sharing a first name with the guy gave me some added grief. There are few things more annoying than hearing a couple of ashy-kneed, gum-popping schoolgirls calling you 'Chhrrrrrrris-topher Columbus' on the schoolbus as a joke.
The Arawaks.
As I grew up, I began to learn more and more about Mr. Columbus. How he refused to baptize the remaining Taino population on Hispaniola because enslaving Christians would be a sin even though he was an adamant supporter of slavery. Columbus also was not above using torture as a means of control during his time against the Tainos, the Arawaks and even Spanish settlers. It was the complaints of the settlers that led to his arrest and imprisonment. On this day, I choose not to celebrate Columbus and what he did. Instead, I choose to have a moment of silence for all of those poor people who lost their lives in the name of colonialism and empire. So today, as you sift through another round of daytime television, run an errand or just catch up on some rest, think about them. After all, today is just another day off but we can spend some time to reflect on their fate at the hands of Mr. Columbus.
Things are apt to change, and New York City is no exception. This past Friday, I was in lower Manhattan over by City Hall. On a whim, I decided to walk up a block north from J&R to check out Bondy's, a record store I used to love going into. It was a grey day, full of light rain and chilly wind. I find myself in front of Bondy's and my jaw dropped.
'Closed?!!! Aw man...' In the midst of tourists, college students and others on their lunch breaks, I stood in front of the empty storefront, its old facade still intact. I stared into the dark interior, covered with dust. Verizon was taking over; the neon sign in the window and giant banner hanging from the storefront seemed to lean towards overkill. Walking away, I began to remember hanging out in Bondy's when I used to work in the area. They were one of the few stores in the city that had albums in stores BEFORE the advertised release date. And usually at good prices. It had an aged atmosphere, from the radio station that played '60's hits to the scuffed fake wood flooring. Bondy's was one of those record stores that also had some choice vinyl for grabs as well. I remember seeing someone walk out with a couple of vinyl LPs stashed under his arm, looking as if he just took Bloomberg's lunch money. Seeing Bondy's closed brought it all home for me: the record store scene in New York City is on the verge of being extinct.
Melodramatic? Maybe so, but in the last year, Bondy's was one of four notable music stores to close in the five boroughs. Beat Street Records, an icon of music in downtown Brooklyn in the Fulton Street(or for the true-schoolers, Albee Square)Mall closed with a whimper. Hot Waxx, one of my high-school hangout spots on Jamaica Avenue in Queens, had to relocate to Hollis and soon closed down afterwards. And perhaps the biggest shock was Virgin Megastores' closing of both their Times Square and Union Square locations, leaving huge holes in the landscape of both areas. A lot of this is due to music being in the digital age. Who wants to pay 14 bucks for a new album when you can get it for five dollars less online? That makes even more sense now considering the struggling economy. But when you also add the countless amount of blogs and websites that make music available to anyone with a good connection and a decent computer, you can see how stores suffer. It's become a trivia contest of sorts when you bring up the names of record stores and chains that have gone under(remember The Wiz?) and you find yourself nominating stores that will end up on the same path.
"...they made a difference beyond dollars."
For New Yorkers(and I suspect people all over the country as well), the loss of these stores marks a painful passage of time. It's not as if you can't get the music at all. But going to the record stores was a total experience. You could sift through a bin and find a copy of an album you used to cherish until it got stolen from you. Or you'd take a look at a cover and it would compel you to buy it. There was one time when I went into Hot Waxx to buy the newest Pete Rock & CL Smooth single on tape and I heard this real mellow track that had some knock to it playing on the speakers. It turned out to be The Artifacts' first single. I took that home with me as well. You got more of a connection with your favorite artists there. Beat Street and Hot Waxx and other stores lived for that extra press that brought more people in. It was the music that brought people in and brought them together. I mean, Hip Hop as we know it would never have been born without these small record stores. Sure, they were mostly independent businesses trying to compete with superstores who boast cheap prices and rebates. But they were part of the community. Part of this country's lifeblood. And they made a difference beyond dollars.
I am grateful for those few record stores that have managed to thrive in these days and times, because they manage to give me that opportunity to really comprehend why I love music so much every time I hear a new song or get the chance to run my fingers along a 12 inch B-side or a 45. Let's hope that the winds of change don't completely blow them away.
Denial, as they say, aint just a river in Egypt. And Mahmoud Ahmadenijad, the Iranian president may wind up being the caption photo on Wikipedia for that particular phrase. This is due to the jaw-dropping story in The Daily Telegraph of London that Ahmadenijad, a boisterous anti-Semite and Holocaust denier, may be...wait for it...Jewish.
Even Larry David couldn't have scripted this better.
The investigation began in March when the Iranian leader held up his identity card which had a handwritten note on it. It was then revealed that his family changed their surname to Ahmadenijad from Sabourjian after his birth and their own conversion to Islam. According to experts, the 'jian' in Sabourjian denotes that they were known followers of Judaism. Now with all of that said, this news doesn't surprise me in the least. Mr. Ahmadenijad is just doing what a good deal of politicians do to get ahead. Iran is an Islamic country, a country that since the fall of the Shah has embraced it in its fundamentalist and even extremist form. While it has some moderate elements that sympathisize with Western ideals, Iran still has some animosity towards Israel and the United States and Britain. For Mahmoud, a self-proclaimed defender of Islam who quite possibly was involved in the hostage crisis in 1979, the only way to stop detractors who would bring that up in their tracks is to spew hatred. It only serves to make him that much more laughable...but also that much more dangerous. Which reminds me of someone else with those same traits in history.
J.Edgar Hoover. Head of the FBI from 1935 until his death in 1972, and arguably the most reviled figure in American politics. He possessed a mean, calculated animosity that was embedded in his pursuit of justice. This animosity was notably evident in his attacks on civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King and the COINTELPRO program as well as Eleanor Roosevelt and countless others. But as time marched on after his death, there were some startling pieces of information that came to light. First and foremost, it has been widely asserted that Hoover was a closeted homosexual and transvestite. Some scholars do refute this, but when you have Roy Cohn, the notoriously gay attorney opine that Hoover was 'scared' of his sexuality, in addition to a witness who saw him in drag, it wouldn't be shocking. Perhaps the only thing that could trump that which has been given credence is that Hoover had African-American ancestry, as stated by author Millie McGhee who released a book in 2002 asserting her family's ties to the FBI chief.
What the recent revelation about Ahmadenijad says is this: most, if not all self-righteous people, live with a good deal of self-hatred. They are individuals who turn this vitriol outward for various reasons. In these two cases, it is in the interest of maintaining a firm grip on absolute power. Ahmadenijad recently saw the people of Iran rise up over a suspicious election that saw him reclaim the presidency. Instead of trying to calm the populace, he resorted to threats. Hoover waged a vicious war against MLK, even starting a brutal letter campaign that threatened to ruin his marriage. And those who challenged him felt the pressure from the FBI, especially those who he felt insulted him by implying he was homosexual. He knew he had great power, and so did the government, who instituted term limits after his death.
The real issue here is not what these men are. The issue is that Ahmadenijad, like Hoover before him, is someone who is extremely dangerous because of the hatred of self he possesses. Someone like that in a position of power endagers us all. And that is no laughing matter because they feel they're justified in spreading that hate through their words and deeds. There will be those people who hate their lot in life but are afraid to stand up to them who will unfortunately stand with them. And that is something the world can't afford to have happen.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 10:52AM 
