Race Man Evolved and Upgraded to Environment Man

By Environment Man

"Race Man" is a term from the beginning of the 20th century that describes black men of stature and integrity who represented the best that African Americans had to offer in the face of Jim Crow segregation. Race men: Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Sidney Poitier, et. al. Of course Duke University professor Mark Anthony Neal descibes Denzel Washington as the epitome of the 'Race Man' as currently portrayed by Hollywood. Yet Neal ultimately rejects the notion of a Race Man:

"No one representation of blackness, positive nor negative, can encompass the complexity of black life...perhaps it's time to give the race man the eulogy he deserves after more than a century of service."

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Don't Tase Me Bro - - Black Man Tortures White Man

Andrew Meyer achieved the fame he sought at the expense of John Kerry. His achievement? Getting tased by a black security guard at a University of Florida forum featuring the senator. He shouted the now famous words, "Don't tase me bro." As in "Don't tase me brother." Irony? Justice? Revenge? The real question is how do brothers feel when white guys call them 'bro?' Well no harm no foul. Meyer admitted that he deserved to be tased on the Bill O'Reilly Show. The other question is how long can he stretch his 15 minutes of fame.

And to add satire to irony (can you do that?) Hammer gets in on the act with a brother dancing to a black guy torturing a white guy. Only in America. Watch for yourself below.

Black Entertainment Television (BET) Honors

Black Entertainment Television (BET) will salute the work of entertainers on its new awards show on Feb 22, 2008 at 8 pm. "The BET Honors" will recognize Alicia Keys, Tyra Banks, Cornel West, Richard Parsons, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Janice Bryant Howroyd. The show will be taped live on Jan 12 at the Warner Theatre in Washington, DC.

TYRA BANKS - Tyra Banks is a supermodel, host and judge of the reality television show America's Next Top Model, and is currently hosting her own Daytime Emmy Award-nominated talk show, The Tyra Banks Show.
JANICE BRYANT HOWROYD - Janice Bryant Howroyd is the chairman, chief executive officer and founder of ACT*1, a personnel servicing company that provides staffing, human resources and management solutions to Fortune 500 companies in many industries.
ALICIA KEYS - Alicia Keys is a Grammy Award-winning R&B and soul singer, songwriter and pianist, who has sold more than 25 million records worldwide.
RICHARD PARSONS - Richard Parsons is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Time Warner Inc., whose businesses include filmed entertainment, interactive services, television networks, cable systems and publishing. It was recently announced that he will be stepping down as CEO on December 31, 2007, but will remain as Chairman.
CONGRESSWOMAN MAXINE WATERS - Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) was elected in November 2006 to her ninth term in the House of Representatives, serving the 35th District of California, which represents a large part of South Central Los Angeles, the communities of Westchester and Playa Del Ray, as well as the diverse cities of Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood and Lawndale.
DR. CORNEL WEST - Dr. Cornel West is a professor of religion and African American studies at Princeton University, and is considered one of America's most gifted, provocative and important public intellectuals. He has won numerous awards, including the American Book Award, and has received more than 20 honorary degrees. (Source: CNNMoney.com) (The Washington Post Review)

12 Days of Christmas - The Real Meaning

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled us. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? Well we found out. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

1) The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
2) Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
3) Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
4) The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
5) The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
6) The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
7) Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
8) The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
9) Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
10) The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
11) The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
12) The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

This knowledge was shared with us and we found it interesting and enlightening and now we know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish. Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone. [Of course we work a lot inside the Beltway so here is a Counterpoint]

A Raisin In The Sun - P. Diddy Star Vehicle

Sean John Combs (aka Puff Daddy, P. Diddy), right, is taking his stage star turn in "A Raisin In The Sun" from Broadway to television early in 2008, which will feature the same cast from the play: Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald, John Stamos and Sanaa Lathan. Don't the ladies look like they could be related in real life? The three hour ABC movie is set to air on Monday, February 25, 2008 at 8 pm (Trailer).

A Raisin in the Sun, the famous play by Lorraine Hansberry, was also made into a movie in 1961, featuring the original Broadway cast. Congrats Diddy. Are you trying to become the new King of All Media? (TV Squad) (Hat tip to Betty Chambers)

Tracey Neale Decides To Leave CBS-9 News

Famed Washington, DC newscaster Tracey Neale, left, has decided to leave CBS Channel Nine News to raise her two adopted sons, Eyasu Nigel Neale and Emebet Nigella Neale. Having coanchored the 6 and 11 newscasts for three years Neale decided that child rearing was more important right now than her career. She adopted the boys in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last summer after working on it for a year.

Anyone who has met or knows Neale knows that she is a smart and dynamic person with lots of love to give. It appears she has found her new calling and, as Neale would do, has walked away from a high powered job in one the largest media markets in the United States. We salute you here at AAEA Ms. Neale. (The Washington Post)

I AM LEGEND.............I am Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant

By Alan Smithee.

I Am Legend is a science fiction horror film with the character Robert Neville as virtually the last human alive on earth except for infected humans who did not die but transformed into flesh eating (of course) vampire-like humanoids. Without giving up too much of the plot (see IMDb & Wikipedia), the film is based in New York City and everybody is dead except Neville, his dog and the humanoids. Yet the utilities still work. There is still electricity for the lights. Hmmm. Well we have the solution to this movie problem.

Indian Point nuclear power plant security and staff donned biohazard suits at the first news of the virus, instituted emergency lockdown and continued to generate electricity. It makes sense because no other utility plant has the security and exacting emergency response planning as nuclear power plants. So when the coal and natural gas-fired plants went down around town and in the Hudson River Valley, Indian Point kept enough electrons on the grid to keep the lights on in about 30 percent of New York City. Thus, even as nuclear power is a major solution to global climate change, it is a similar solution to the movie conundrum.

What's Up With Tiki Barber on The Today Show?

Tiki Barber seems to have disappeared from "The Today Show." What's the story? Did he not work out? Did Al Roker feel threatened? What? They even moved Tiki to the new women's segment that starts at 9 Eastern time. Not there anymore either.

So it appears the producers and managers at the show do not know where to put Tiki or how to use him. He has been a correspondent for a few stories. That didn't last either. Well there is the presidential campaign. That could cover almost a year. Maybe Tiki doesn't want to get on the plane again though. Did Mat feel threatened? No way did Meredith feel threatened. Did Linny Boyette feel threatened by the running back? Tiki. Know we are out here wondering about ya and give AAEA a shout out sometime if or when they put you to good use.

Cheadle & Clooney Recognized With Nobel Award

Don Cheadle, right, and George Clooney, left, received an award from Nobel peace prize laureates for their campaign to help the people of Sudan's Darfur region. Brad Pitt, Clooney and Cheadle, co-stars in "Ocean's Thirteen," have used their celebrity status to keep attention on Darfur and have raised money for refugees through their "Not On Our Watch" charity. It is estimated that 200,000 people have been killed and millions uprooted in Darfur.

The conflict has pitted non-Arab rebel groups against the Khartoum government and Arab militia since 2003. The conflict also involves dark skin versus light skin civilians and combatants. Cheadle and Clooney were recognized by the Nobel laureates at the Peace Summit Award ceremony in Rome. Clooney, Cheadle and Pitt recently raised $10 million for Darfur at the Cannes film festival. Clooney and Cheadle are also featured in a recently released documentary on the conflict, "Darfur Now." (Reuters)

Hill & Knowlton Survey Attacks Video Game Industry

By Alan Smithee

The PR firm Hill & Knowlton issued a survey press release after they did not get a video game industry contract that said:

"H & K survey shows 60% of respondents agree that the government should regulate the sale of video games."

HELLO. And all hell broke loose. The Entertainment Sofware Association fired back:

"Hill & Knowlton's decision to release these findings was both
unprofessional and unethical."

OUCH. Oh well. AAEA wonders about H&K too, particularly about whether any Black professionals work over there. If you know let us know. The video game industry believes video games are protected as free speech and the companies who make them cannot be hold that they cannot be held liable for someone's reaction to them. (The Washington Post)

Hollywood Goes Green

That's a lot of going if you ask us. But it is good to start somewhere. We just hope the participants eliminate their carbon footprint, preferably by purchasing carbon offsets from us. Fat chance of that. Anyway, this is the first conference to specifically address environmental issues in entertainment and related industries.

Hollywood Goes Green will offer industry insiders a forum to collaborate and develop partnerships for a sustainable future. This historic gathering is being designed to provide an in-depth exchange of ideas and make deals with influencers who share a passion for protecting the environment. Funny. Our invitation must have gotten lost in the mail(More)

Patti LaBelle on PETA and Her Coats

Here is what Patti LaBelle had to say about People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in a "Newsweek" interview:

"I like my coats. I don't want PETA to get mad at me, but I love chinchilla. It's so soft. I love cashmere. They get mad at a little girl like me. But you know I work for it. When they start buying me coats is when I start listening to them."

PETA does some good work in protecting animals from mistreatment but they are also extremist many times and pull nutty stunts to make their point. So we have to agree with Ms. Patti. Leave a sister's hard-earned coat alone. Such luxuries were kept out of our reach for a long long time.

Hollywood Producers Are Out To Break Writers Union

The Writers Guild of America does not seem to realize that the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers is out to break them. Cast them to the wind. Blow them out to sea along with the Santa Ana Winds. They are naive to think otherwise. And what can they do about it? Probably not much. Although in our opinion the writers aren't asking for that much. The Hollywood writers want a piece of the action from new technologies (distribution of shows via the Internet, cell phones and other digital platforms). The Hollywood producers will not agree to restrictions to their ability to experiment with new digital delivery options for films and TV shows. There is a lot of money at stake and the producers have dug in. It will change Hollywood forever.

The TV Networks are at most risk for product and some shows have already had to shut down production because of the walkout. The pilot decision making process usually starts in January and a disruption of this process could seriously delay the Fall TV season. Can the networks simply hire new writers at some point? Will the networks hire nonunion writers at some point? They have to. Every waiter in Los Angeles has a script and if you throw a rock you will hit a script writer. If the walk out somehow goes on into the summer it will begin to threaten movie production and the Fall TV season. And THAT the producers will not stand for. Remember what Reagan did to the striking air traffic controllers? We think it could happen to the Hollywood writers too.

Some of the contract proposals by the Writers Guild of America:

- authority to unionize writers on reality shows and animation projects.

- Home video and DVD residuals: The guild withdrew its call to double the payout base rate from 20 to 40 percent.

- Internet residuals: Increase from 1.2 percent to 2.5 percent.

- New media: Institute residual payments for webisodes and mobisodes.

- Streaming video: Institute residuals, including payments for network-produced shows streamed on Web sites.

- The CW: Implement a pay standard for work appearing on the channel.

- Contract length: Three-year contract

50 Ways To Save A Millirem

The Demise of the Black American Band

Shay over at Booker Rising has posted an excellent article on the Title subject. Shay put in print what was a sneaking feeling of mine for some time. Go check it out. Brilliant piece.

Black Santa & The Preference For A White Christmas

Even Black children want the white Santa. A Black Santa in a mall will not work because the little white kids will not want to sit on his lap and ask for their toys. The Black Santa simply does not look right to them. Maybe it is the red and white in the uniform that does not look right with the black face. Maybe a different color scheme and outfit might not lead to such a backlash. But then it would not be Santa. You never see a Black Santa on television or advertised in magazines. Seeing a Black Santa can be terrifying to an impressionable little kid. So the preferred Christmas in America is a white Santa and a white Christmas. See the video below for more:

Brad Pitt Building Homes In Lower 9th Ward

By Environment Man

He adopts a Black kid and now he is helping to rebuild the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans. Now here is a Hollywood star with substance. And reaching out to help the Black community gets him points with us. Where are the other Black stars? Is Brad in touch with them? Are they stepping up too? Putting up some of that big money they make? Come on folks, Brad is on the case and you should be too.

And these are stylish homes on stilts that could survive future flooding. The site is below sea level and will surely be flooded again. Pitt's Make It Right campaign needs donations to expand the program. Don't expect him to go broke in rebuilding this devastated area. Come on Will, Eddie, Martin, Oprah, Bill, Bob Johnson, Michael, and the runners and hitters. We like Brad at AAEA. He is our kind of star.

Don Imus Breaks The "One Black" Rule

By Alan Smithee

First Barbara Walters on "The View" and now Don Imus. What is going on in America? Something's up. Don't they know that, even in organizations of as many as 100 people, you only hire one black just to cover the employment discrimination charge. Okay okay. Many companies have many Blacks, but we are talking about those sneaky outfits with racist leadership who would rather lose profits and resources than hire Blacks and contract with Black companies.

So Don Imus has gone way beyond this because his on air staff is less than 10 and he has two blacks. And Walters has two blacks on a team of five. Has she lost her mind? Don't they know that the Blacks have to be kept in their place by keeping them out of sight and keeping resources from them so they can continue to be victims? So that they can fulfill supremacist fantasies of superiority? So that the Negro remains dependent and negative in every health and economic indicator? Hell forget Imus' comments. His actions speak volumes. We are with you Don.

Oh. Anyway, I got so wrapped up in this that I forgot to mention 'the other Black.' It is Tony Powell. He grew up in Brooklyn New York and is a comic. Well let's see how it goes Tony. And don't forget to give a shout out to AAEA.

Donald Trump Avoids Africa & Bonding With Amarosa

By Holly Wood

[Okay. We know it is Omarosa] Africans in America have auditioned for the upcoming "The Apprentice Africa" and the love to be hated Amarosa helped with judging the interviews. Should be interesting viewing. Remember when Omarosa sabatoged the brother and made him lose? So we know she is up for a little black-on-black intrigue.

Mark Burnett is simply a Hollywood genius. He has milked every ounce of entertainment out of his "Island" and "Apprentice" franchises. Hey Mark, come on over here to AAEA and brand us. In this version contestants will live in a mansion in Nigeria and take orders from a Donald Trump replacement, Biodun Shobanjo and compete for a luxury car and a $200,000per year corporate job.

Update: Trump is not avoiding Omarosa on his new "Celebrity Apprentice." In fact, Omarosa (Amarosa gets Googled a lot) dodged sure firing on the first show because a shy model did not step up and call Hugh Hefner to buy a hot dog. And of course, Omarosa ate her alive. Nice show. Simmons is too cool.

Environment Man To Play Super Bowl?

By Holly Wood

The rumor mill has it that our very own E-Man will play back up with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at the upcoming Superbowl on Feb 3, 2008. Well all I have to say about that is our guy can hold his own with the likes of others who have played the Superbowl: Prince, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and E-Man will not have a wardrobe malfunction.

Don Imus Copies Howard Stern (Again)

By Alan Smithee

Don Imus has hired his very own Robin Quivers and her name is Karith Foster, left. Nothing wrong with that. Imitation is the purest form of flattery. And it is the right thing to do. Congrats Don, you're smarter than you look. And Karith aint bad to look at either. But then again you know how to pick the fine ones don't you?


Karith Foster lives in Harlem and is from Dallas, Texas. Let's hope she has chemistry with Imus and fits in with his wild bunch. Robin Quivers gave Howard 'street cred' and allowed him to get away with probably waaaaaay too much. But Howard was accepted by Blacks because he talked to us instead of at us. I doubt Imus can get away with that because he is starting from a different place. But if he can get his Karith groove going, it might at least get him additional audience share. Good luck Karith. And don't forget to give a shout out to AAEA.

AIDS: Sex Outside of Marriage Is Not Entertainment

By Holly Wood

Even sex outside of a committed relationship as entertainment can kill. Or at least give you an incurable disease. The stats are scary, particularly for African Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, an estimated 422,000 people have AIDS with 77% being men and 44% being Black, yet African Americans are only 13% of the U.S. population. And it is not just sex or homosexuality; pick an indicator and Blacks suffer most. We know the litany of reasons expressed to explain the disproportionate impact, but we would like to see some serious progress in this area.

Magic Johnson and his wife Cookie are leading proponents of AIDS prevention. Cookie Johnson just wrote a book, "Stand Up & Stop The Spread of HIV," and has joined Magic's "I Stand With Magic" campaign as an active member. Go Cookie and Magic. Although Magic made the biggest mistake of his life with the behavior that gave him the disease, he has served as a model example of how to conduct oneself in the fight againt AIDS. And Cookie has demonstrated that a committed marriage can even survive a partner contracting the disease. Sign us up. We're ready to join the fight.