ARE WE THERE YET?

“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.”

 

Henry David Thoreau

America continues to be such an interesting place. Undoubtedly there are few places on earth where you are MORE free [by constitutional law] to express your thoughts (provocative or otherwise) yet no where on earth are you more economically penalized for sharing them when those thoughts upset the very lawmakers that “gave" you the right to express them.  Take Oprah Winfrey as a knee-jerk example.  Oprah is arguably one of the most celebrated females to grace the shores of the United States since Jesus’ unmarried mom.

However, when she pulled a wagon of meat on stage during one of her ever-so-riveting episodes to (symbolically) illustrate how much weight she’d lost, the USFDA (the Gestapo of American’s intake) demanded that she issue an ON-AIR apology; because of the negative affect(s) her “demonstration” had on America’s meat consumption. Now I don’t know what’s funnier.., the fact that a plump chick can pull out a wagon of meat and affect millions of her strategically-targeted audience’s purchasing habits; or the fact that Oprah had to apologize for having such an effect.  In either case, she apologized (of course), then subsequently gained her weight back and McDonald's has (since) crossed the 10 billion mark in cows killed.  Mission accomplished, God bless America.  Had Oprah NOT apologized, she probably wouldn’t be the huge figure she is today (if you pardon the double entendre). I love freedom, although in the case of Imperialism, it’s rarely free and it’s never, ever given! 

Are We There Yet 

This weekend (11/17) the 15-year, romantic-comedy sequel The Best Man Holiday eclipsed the box office projections with a $30.1 million weekend gross (see below for more details):

TW	LW	Title (click to view)	Weekend Gross	% Change	Theater Count / Change		Average	Total Gross	Budget*	Week #
1	1	Thor: The Dark World	$38,454,000	-55.1%	3,841	-	$10,011	$146,965,000	$170	2
2	N	The Best Man Holiday	$30,593,000	-	2,024	-	$15,115	$30,593,000	$17	1
3	4	Last Vegas	$8,850,000	-19.8%	3,237	+155	$2,734	$46,958,000	$28	3
4	3	Free Birds	$8,300,000	-25.3%	3,510	-226	$2,365	$42,218,000	$55	3
5	2	Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa	$7,670,000	-32.3%	3,190	+3	$2,404	$90,202,000	$15	4
6	6	Gravity	$6,280,000	-26.4%	2,560	-160	$2,453	$240,556,000	$100	7
7	5	Ender's Game	$6,200,000	-39.6%	3,236	-171	$1,916	$53,777,000	$110	3
8	7	12 Years a Slave	$4,700,000	-29.6%	1,411	+267	$3,331	$24,949,000	-	5
9	8	Captain Phillips	$4,500,000	-21.2%	2,626	-20	$1,714	$97,617,000	$55	6
10	9	About Time	$3,462,000	-27.2%	1,280	+80	$2,705	$11,568,000	-	3
11	10	Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2	$1,950,000	-29.8%	1,645	-191	$1,185	$113,016,000	$78	8

By comparison, one of the most important films in my lifetime 12 Years A Slave netted 4.7 million or a decline of -84% versus The Best Man Holiday box office receipts. (In case you were wondering about the other life-altering films: Sankofa, Ragtime, Bamboozled, and A Soldier's Story would be a great place to upgrade your movie collection). 

What this means probably depends on who you ask.  Perhaps, we (black folks) prefer to laugh at our pain versus cry at the systematic symptoms that cause it.  I have a much different assessment, but you probably knew that.

What I do applaud is the diversity of story lines in both films.  The culture of Black folks is far more diverse than mainstream seems willing to embrace (not my barometer by any means).  Nevertheless, it's no surprise since it’s the monolithic image that (in part) helped to keep us enslaved – a fact that 12 Years A Slave producer, Steve McQueen brilliantly demonstrates throughout the film.., as the box office irony continues.

So where are we

Self-dubbed, cultural icon Jay-Z believes we have arrived at a place where we shouldn’t “react emotionally” when black people are being arrested for making LEGAL purchases from (his latest venture), Barney’s New York. 



Perhaps, Marcy's Main Man feels we should wait until one of us is shot in the back before we offer our emotional outrage or write an "Open Letter" to our Congressman. I make no secret about the fact that Jay-Z was once a really dope emcee and penned two of the best Hip Hop LPs I have ever heard: Reasonable Doubt & the Black Album. What I probably need to make much clearer is I’m MORE of a fan of the culture and no single individual is larger than that fact.  So while Jay continues to demonstrate the fact that: "I am not a businessman, I am a business, man;" I will undoubtedly treat him as such.  I almost want to thank him for making that clear..., almost. Mr. Knowles has stated that: "I will not make a dime off the partnership with Barney’s" (he probably assumes you haven’t seen 12 Years a Slave).  Mr. Z proclaims that any profits that are made will go to his foundation to help the innocent people -- like the ones being arrested outside of his joint ventured clothing store. I’m going to miss the new Barack of Hip Hop. I can only hope the Emperor enjoys his New Clothes.   I wonder if Jay ever thought about playing Bob Marley’s “Who the Cap Fits” in one of his new stores? 

Are We There Yet

While I truly believe Black folks (like most ethnic cultures) have varied multi-layered characteristics, aspirations, dreams and morals, the one thing that I thought was universal is the west African proverb: "A tribe birthed from the same struggle will never be divided." 

Integration changed that…, and here we are.

1 love,

Ray Lewis    

LIFE IN THE HOOD

Trayvon Benjamin Martin 

February 5, 1995 – February 26, 2012)

"The fight for justice against corruption is never easy. It never has been and never will be. It exacts a toll on our self, our families, our friends, and especially our children. In the end, I believe, as in my case, the price we pay is well worth holding on to our dignity."

 Frank Serpico

Dear Trayvon Martin:

My heart bleeds for you, and NOT just because “if I had a son he would look like you.” That is just something that certain people say when their signature actually helps to condone your death in the halls of justice. For your family I know it has to seem preposterous to expect justice from a system designed for your ultimate demise; but that is the revelation of the mask in the “best” justice system in the world.   Trayvon, I know I should have told you this much earlier in your life, but you need to beware of false prophets. Now I can only hope you find a spiritual way to translate that message to the men (and women) in your family that are doubt searching for solutions like I am.

Man, my heart aches for you because I feel like I should be doing MORE than writing a blog that will be ignored by 95% of its recipients. No worries Tray, that is certainly about to change. I’m also saddened because I am sitting in an air conditioned building while some fat, racist used a gun to take the air out of your lungs when all you were trying to do is watch LeBron get another ring. Dude, I was guilty of doing the same thing, on the same night, the only difference was…, there wasn’t some wanna-be officer trying to make a rep standing his ground with a gun on tuck.

Finally, Tray I’m really, really sorry that the 20 churches that I pass everyday are simply gearing up for another Sunday service wanting for me to be peaceful in the aftermath of your death. Personally, I think the entire congregation should hold their next service -- and all subsequent services -- in the front of a government building (that we NOT ONLY built and we also paid for).  The gathering should continue every Sunday until George Zimmerman is dealt with -- really dealt with. 

You know Trayvon someone had the nerve to tell me that we (black men) are a HUGE part of the problem – and it was a black man who said it.  It is clear that some of us act in ways that is detrimental to the community that should have protected you, I get that.  But, when I study the violence that blew up Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921, when I look at the designers of all of the World Wars, the Boston Massacre, Olympic bombings, and random child abductions, rarely do I find the fingerprints of a black man – just like the ones missing on the gun that killed you.  But, that my brother will be a conversation when we talk again.

Honestly, I’m sorry that I just DON’T seem to have the answers to this one. However, here’s the one thing that I will promise you, I’m NOT going to let this one ride. Trust me. 

Rest in peace my brother because I have a feeling that peace is something that many of us have enjoyed for far too long. I will let you know what this distribution does to help me keep that promise to you.   

1 love,

Ray Lewis

NBA IN REVIEW

“Sometimes you're the pigeon, and sometimes you're the statue.”
Bernie Bickerstaff, former NBA basketball coach.

The 2012-13 NBA season from A-to-Z:

A.    Carmelo Anthony may be the worst superstar in the history of any sport.  His major asset is also his major liability, and that’s his shot selection.  Melo is like an L.A. police officer you may be happy you called, but you may regret what happens after they show up.

B.    Chris Bosh would’ve gotten my vote for the first openly gay player and I won’t back off that one unless Jason Collins gets married during this year's playoffs.

C.    The Chicago Bulls have totally destroyed my theory that athletes are over-paid.

D.    Devon Williams and Dwight Howard make lesson C irrelevant.

E.    Brooklyn’s Reggie Evans just goes to show that the prison work release program does have some redeeming values.

F.    When Raymond Felton is the best player on a 2^nd round playoff team you have to believe that Syracuse alums Sherman Douglas and Pearl Washington are home saying “I told you Twinkies weren’t the real issue.”

G.    Why does Blake Griffin have more commercials than LeBron James?

H.    Dwight Howard and Barry Bonds have the same fitness trainer.  I’m just sayin’.

I.     Ten years ago if I said name the “A.I.” superstar from Philly, who would’ve guessed Andre Iguodala would be a more relevant guess?

J.     JR Smith is like an old condom, you know there is a high probability that it won’t work when you need it, but the alternative doesn’t feel any better.

K.     If Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is your “go-to” guy the Michael that drafted him needs to be fired.

L.     Jeremy Lin jerseys are about as rare as a negative pregnancy test at a Kardashian family reunion.

M.     Did the Spurs really sign Tracey McGrady?  The next shot you hear may be coming from a Pearl Washington “handle”.

N.    Raise your hand if you still think Steve Nash deserved to be a two-time MVP?

O.    Lamar Odom is known for his outstanding court vision, yet the first time he went to court he married a Kardashian not named Kim.

P.      Paul Pierce may be a first ballot Hall of Fame candidate but that doesn’t make him any less of an ass-hole.

Q.    Will ESPN just Que the commercial break music whenever Magic Johnson starts his analysis? Please. 

R.    I’m not sure whose agent I’d rather be now: Rajon Rondo’s or Derrick Rose's

S.     Shaq is the poster child for staying in school and leaving early.

T.    Do you think when the parents of the Sacramento Kings guard Isaiah Thomas named their son after the former Piston great they thought he’d be an ass too?

U.     Udonis Haslem has one of those Soul Train Scrabble Board names that could have a couple at the board until Don Cornelius retired.

V.    If it weren’t for the international players there wouldn’t be a single player in the NBA whose last name begins with V… and I’m not sure that is a victory worth celebrating.

W.   I’m not sure if I would rather be Russell Westbrook’s agent of Dwayne Wade’s wife’s divorce attorney.  Either way, both players take the most ill-advised shots, one on the court and the other off of it.

X.    Former Knick Xavier McDaniel was asked about the physical play in this year’s playoffs and he said Emit Smith is by far the best he ever seen.  The reporter had to remind him that was ABC’s “other” sport-related program, Dancing with the Stars. 

Y.     The Sixers’ Thaddeus Young sounds much too important to be playing basketball.

Z.     Tyler Zeller is so white that if he lit a cigar in Stone Mountain you would think Klu Klux Klan got new uniforms.

FOOD & LIQUOR 2

 Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor 2:

The Great American Rap Album Part 1

Atlantic Records - Released September 2012

"Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country."

—Marion Barry, former mayor of Washington, D.C.

I have been reluctantly preparing myself for the 2012 presidential debate on Wednesday, October 3, between Governor, Mitt Romney and President, Barack Obama.  Even though I understand not much will change (despite the 2008, and a newly revised, campaign slogan by the incumbent) I, nevertheless, decided to at least humor myself in this presidential poker-face process of 2-Card Monte. 

"When elephants and donkeys fight, it’s the grass that suffers"

So everyday it’s a little CNN, some Fox News, a knee-slap (to keep from crying) from John Stewart’s Daily Show and a steady page turn from Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear & Loathing: On The Campaign Trail ’72.  Thompson’s take on political campaigns is so incredibly insightful and necessary, but a hopeless and empty suggestion for those satisfied with pulling a lever for the lesser of two evils.  My only proposition for those folks is maybe…, just maybe they bought Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album Part 1.

Lupe has been extremely critical of his Chi-town homie in the oval office and you don’t have to be Cornel West to understand what that will do to one’s popularity.   So if you are looking for an Obama Shuffle on Fiasco’s latest CD, you might as well be the wrapper on a Kim Kardashian condom because neither seal will ever be broken. 

The CD, at times seems somewhat oversimplified as a verbal window inside American politics starts with a 2 minute into......

“Ayesha Says” This poetic public service announcement sets the stage for the total antithesis of what your local Rap/R&B fm station is trying to sell you and your children.  The topics range from Trayvon Martin, to police brutality, to food and liquor stores (of course), sterilization clinics; and the new retirement age in Chicago all of which just scratches the surface of this soliloquy.  Did I mention this was track 1?    I’m not sure where you rest with Jay-Z’s conundrum “do you listen to music or do you just skim through it.”  If the latter is the case, track 2

"Ital Roses" will be as far as you get.  On this track, Lupe confronts his critics who bark: “Lupe, you just rappin' about the same shit.” to which he responds “that’s ‘cause nothing has changed, bitch..,” sort of like tomorrow’s election (as I digress).  Where Lupe and I disagree is his attempt to “dumb-down” the music for those NOT willing to really listen to some of the MOST NECESSARY lyrics since the golden era of Hip Hop.  And, the music on “Roses” certainly dumbs-down to propel the message. However, from the early record sales, the sort-after audience clearly isn’t listening, which totally defeats the musicial intent. 

“Around My Way” is the balance that I was PRAYING for throughout this LP. This will probably bang in the clubs and underground streets (mainly) because of the legendary sample of Pete Rock’s “T.R.O.Y”.  The sample created more friction than friendship between two of Hip Hop’s finest, which is unfortunate, especially since this is one of the few songs where a thesaurus isn’t necessary – but an open mind is and it should’ve started with the sample.

Hip Hop icon, Pete Rock

Immigration, the Catholic Church and Katrina residents are all front and center and Lupe is relentless in his conviction. Ironically, if a moderator for tomorrow’s debate wanted to kick off an honest discussion about America, they could simply cue the horns that start this track.

“Audubon Ballroom” I’m not even sure how to summarize this single and I really don’t like the music.  However, the historical context of Dr. King, Malcolm X, all the way to Erykah Badu is clearly drawing the line between Hip Hop and rap and rap is being slain, like King and X.   

Black America! Trap America!/80s Babies! Crack America!/Rap America! Bad as Erykah!/From the era of family tearing up/But we just won big, can't be undid/Form a whole culture in just one kid/Miami dope boys, Oakland militants/Harlem Renaissance it's our deliveranceExplain

“Lamborghini Angels” This song almost benefits from the Hip Pop music, because after the 10th spin you will wonder aloud, what’s happening? I imagine the minister of music at church won’t be rocking this one at rehearsal. The pastor in the song who allowed this theme to happen probably wouldn’t allow this (CD) to happen; and if you are dancing to this song in a club at some point you will have to ask yourself…. Is this really happening?

“Strange Fruition”

“Now I can’t pledge allegiance to your flag
Cause I can’t find no reconciliation with your past
When there was nothing equal for my people in your math
You forced us in the ghetto and then you took our dads…”

If you ever wondered why Lupe doesn’t vote, the opening line proudly addresses that query, which you would think would be enough.  Nah!!! Casey Benjamin’s hook isn’t even enough to referee the right and left jabs, of corruption and metaphorical mishaps terrorizing this track.  The music is insane and a clear indication of why the pop-laced tracks isn’t remotely necessary.   

That’s why my sounds and sermons are so full of wrath
Baptize your mind, let your brain take a bath
Swim inside the river get delivered from the craft
Of the witches in this business that be livin’ off your sad
Hatin’ on your happiness you hit ‘em off with laughs
Smile ‘til they surrender, then you kill ‘em off with glad
Hello evil, I’m back! 

“Form Follows Function” This is one of my favorite tracks, I suggest rolling the windows down, turning the bass up and letting the lyrics invade your soul.  If this track doesn’t do it for you “Hood Now” will be on before you circled the block. And, that really simple song is a light-hearted look at the invasion of Hip Hop into America’s railroaded culture.  “Hood Now” is probably the most harmless joint on the CD; unless of course a presidential debate is your barometer for truth.

And if that is the case it would be difficult to explain the difference between the hood Trayvon was wearing and the hood in the Judge’s chambers if Zimmer is freed; neither of which Mitt or Barack will mention in their debate.

And, that’s “Hood Now!”

1 love,

Ray Lewis

OFF THE RED HOOK

40 Acres & a Mule - Release summer 2012

Film is incredibly democratic and accessible, it’s probably the best option if you actually want to change the world, not just re-decorate it.

- Banksy

There probably isn’t a more diverse city in the Western Hemisphere than the 5 boroughs that make up New York City.  I mean how many places do you know that have people who pay $700 a month to park a boat; yet live walking distances from people who came over on a boat to get paid $700 a month? Despite the obvious diversity there is no other city that is painted with a more monolithic stereotype/label than the people that call NYC home.  And, there is no other filmmaker casted with those colossal lenses than Shelton Jackson Lee; or as his courtside fans and foes adorn him, Spike.

I really like Spike Lee and many friends (and foes) attribute my appeal as a “typical” New Yorker – thus making it that much tougher to trade wits with unarmed people.  The fact of the matter is there are few filmmakers that have earned a noteworthy living tackling polarizing topics that divide one’s moral fabric or test one’s inner soul.  Spike Lee simply doesn’t get enough credit for that.  What's worse is he probably won’t until his head stone is carved. How fittingly sad! You could probably guide a child through their formative years with an honest discussion about these titles alone: “Jungle Fever”, “Do the Right Thing”, “She’s Gotta Have It”, “Bamboozled” “How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company” and “Malcolm X” and you wouldn’t even be halfway through Lee’s directorial credits.  That not-so-fictional discussion with a child is the not-so-coincidental centerpiece of Lee’s latest morality check, “Red Hook Summer”.  

The harmless credits unfold when a young boy, Flik Royale (Jules Brown) from suburban Atlanta migrates to Brooklyn for the summer. This seasonal trend is atypical of the 40 Acres and a Mule mantra (especially) when you consider that the only people that ever owned 40 Acres in New York were slain so “we” can go to Braves games and celebrate Columbus and Thanksgiving holidays with limited interruptions.  The plot erupts when Flik’s grandfather Da Good Bishop Enoch Rouse (Clark Peters) -- a spiritual leader of a small corner church -- named A Little Piece of Heaven -- has a huge part of his past exposed. Literally!

The plot rolls uphill for a while and in typical Spike Lee fashion it’s extremely wordy and has a really weak and awkward ending.  However, there are moments in heat of "Red Hook Summer" when you could hear a pin drop on the carpeted theatre floor, as patrons search their soul looking for clues of where their morality rests…, or unrests as it were.  Deacon Zee’s (Thomas Jefferson Byrd) insightful wisdom and self-serving proclamations of Wall Street shares of MAC (Apple), along with the street justice from a notorious corner drug dealer probably doesn’t do anything for the moral arch Dr. King preached of; but it sure makes for one interesting debriefing once the credits starts to roll. 

The movie which is playing in limited theatres (imagine that?) probably won’t win an Oscar or a screen actor’s nominee…, Hell, I would be surprised if it gets a nod a the Trumpet Awards -- and that bar is so low I think I was nominated for standing next to an exit once. 

Of course if you go to the movies to jot down dating tips from Steve Harvey or to see Madea break-dance in a dress, please save your money, as “Red Hook Summer” won’t enhance any of those satirical stereotypes although many of the targeted audience is exactly the same and can be easily found in this hidden gem.   

Man, I can remember when you could count the number of trees that lined the streets in Red Hook on one hand.  And, now with gentrification, mobilization, and globalization the only thing you can still count on one hand is the number of weeks "Red Hook Summer" will be playing in a theatre near you.

Furthermore, if you are looking to place blame for that fact or the monolithic approach to the culture’s music, quizzical fame, education, or rising apathy,

I think it’s the community at large that is on the hook!  Here’s hoping that if that long-awaited Mule for those 40 Acres ever arrived it isn’t sitting outside of a Spike Lee Joint.


  
1 love,
Ray Lewis