Why argue Combs?

So when I heard that Sean Combs (aka P.Diddy and Puff Daddy) was speaking at Howard University for graduation,  I was excited. I do not even go to Howard University nor will I be present at the commencement. I was more excited at the fact the more urban African-American is getting the respect that they deserve on a larger scale especially from a prominent HBCU. There are plenty of young blacks that may not have the ideal background that makes you think of "successful" people but they cut against the grain and have made their way. With the positive changes that the race is going through, despite what mainstream media would like you to think, the time is now to embrace the different kinds of people we have to lead. Some may complain about the fact that he raps or may have had legal troubles but many people have had issues.

 Sean Combs went from an intern to a multi-million dollar entrepreneur and we were able to see that transformation first hand. We saw the biggie issues. We saw the J.Lo and Shyne issue. We saw the Limited Edition Sean John Lincoln Navigator. We were wearing those super expensive Sean John jeans jackets and watching Making the Band on MTV. We saw Bad Boy lose good artist and fade into the background. While Bad Boy was fading Sean Combs was throwing All-White parties that welcomed Hollywood's Elite (not just black Hollywood). Today, Sean Combs has his own channel (Revolt). This channel employs a lot of young blacks that have made the decision to get educated and gives them something to be proud of. There are many black businesses and businessmen that wouldn't dare to do the same. Diddy has 50/50 ownership of the Ciroc Vodka through Sean Combs Wine and Spirits with Diageo. Ciroc Vodka was not started by Combs but when he was brought on he transformed a 50,000-case per year vodka into the nearly 2 million per year vodka according to forbes.com. Ciroc, which was the Official Drink of Grammy Weekend and the Official drink of the NBA recently is one of the best alcoholic beverages on the market. Combs has also been involved in another 50/50 deal with Diageo for DeLeón Tequila that will be priced anywhere from $120-$1000.

As we are critical of each other and each other's past, we have to look at the big picture. 50 years ago we weren't able to drink at every fountain and had to sit at the back of the bus but today someone like P.Diddy can throw the final party for the Grammy's with all of Hollywood's Elite. For some people at Howard University to have an issue amazes me because he did attend that institution for 2 years. He donates and represents for the institution. Would it be an issue for Bill Gates, Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg? They also dropped out of college and became very successful. What makes them so different? I feel like that gives a sign of self hatred in race. How can you can be so critical of things that occur in someone's life that you overlook everything positive that they have done? Let that man speak. Combs will be awarded an honorary doctorate in humanities at the commencement. Other people scheduled to receive honorary degrees are CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer; Clive Callender, a surgery professor at Howard’s medical school and the first doctor to perform a transplant at Howard University Hospital; jazz artist Benny Golson; and PepsiCo chairman and chief executive Indra Nooyi. Please comment your thoughts?

Quinn Young
Urban Echelon Magazine and Blogspot

Oh! She Ratchet For That!

Snacks. CHECK. Remote. CHECK. Phone on silent. DOUBLE CHECK. This has been my routine on nights when I like to watch my favorite shows.  I’ve been drawn in by all kinds of shows like Scandal, Being Mary Jane and Blood, Sweat, and Heels. But I recently began to wonder about this ongoing debate that has been going on. I’ve had plenty of conversations about whether shows like Scandal, Love & Hip Hop, or RHOA are good representations of Black women in the media.  My first thought was yes and then an immediate no. Before you judge, let me explain.  

I feel that there is a difference between an actress playing a role and someone being a reality star.  I commend Kerry Washington and Gabrielle Union for taking on the roles that they have.  Seeing a powerful Black woman on television is needed in today’s society.  We may not agree with the storyline or what/who they are doing in the show, but at the end of the day it’s all about ratings.  No one wants to tune in every Thursday to see Olivia Pope happy and all the Gladiators sitting around a round table smiling, it’ll be pointless! I want to be entertained! Now you are probably saying, “You can be entertained by RHOA” and you’re absolutely right, I can, and I’ve been guilty of watching shows like that. Reality shows and television series are to separate entities. Reality shows are suppose to show the “reality” in which that person lives and a television series contains a script in which actors/actresses tells a story through the character in which they are playing. Reality equals real life or at least it’s supposed to. Television series equals telling a story through a character. 

I personally feel that reality television has gone a bit too far, there is too much degrading of women, fighting on camera, cursing, etc. Why can’t they just all get along? Of course the fighting and the degrading boost ratings, but is this how we want our black women portrayed in the media?  Another point was raised about Olivia Pope’s relationship with the President and how Shonda Rhimes is uplifting and giving “side chicks” hope all over the world, but is this not the same issues that take place on our white soap operas and television shows? Why can’t we not just commend Kerry Washington and Gabrielle Union for being leading actresses in these television shows? We are quick to applaud reality stars for winning a fight on the previous episode of our favorite reality show, but can’t applaud a Black women for the accomplishments the she has made through a successful television series....but I digress! What are your thoughts on this?

Britt Daise
Urban Echelon Magazine & Blogspot
Twitter: thisisbee

An Oppressed Hollywood

In a recent conversation with my colleagues after class one evening we all came to the consensus that there is a need for more "African-American themed" movies that shows African-Americans in a positive light instead of us always being showed in oppressed situations. Many of my colleagues felt that individuals such as Tyler Perry should step up and make these movies that we want to see. As I sit back and think about the conversation, I have to ask, "What have we done to prove ourselves in Hollywood?" Now by no means am I taking away from the achievements that African-American actors/actresses have made, but I'm speaking in more general terms. When a film with a predominantly African-American cast comes out we (black people) either fully support or we don't. With every failed African-American movie in the box office, this pushes us back further at showing who we truly are as a people. I'm tired of hearing "Tyler Perry has plenty of money; he can afford to make better movies other than Madea". I'm sure Tyler Perry does have the money to do as he pleases, but he also makes films that are true to what he believes, just like many other directors in Hollywood.  Hollywood has been dominated by whites from the start; they even went as far as painting their faces black in order to portray a black character. This says a lot in the need to not only support African-American films, but this also requires us to support those films that don’t go mainstream and are being shown at film festivals all over the world.  We have to stop being too good to watch “low budget” movies and uplift the talent that we have. Until we start supporting the African American movies that hit the big screens we can't argue when a film about an oppressed African-American succeeds and wins numerous awards. 

-Britt Daise

Urban Echelon Magazine & Blogspot