baratunde’s internet scratch pad

Here's the transcript of this clip from Black Enterprise

[8:55] Ed Gordon: There is a school of thought that says we’re not diversifying our imagery enough in our community. Yet there are certain images, whether they be in plays or movies or music that we flock to whether we admit it or not.  I am wondering--is that just the black middle class saying “No, that is not what we want” with a lot of us wanting it?

[9:18] Spike Lee: This is a complex subject because each artist should be allowed to pursue their artistic endeavors. But I still think a lot of stuff that is on today is coonery buffoonery. And I know it’s making a lot of money, breaking records--but we can do better.  That’s just my opinion.  I’m a huge basketball fan. And when I watch the games on TNT, I see these two ads for these two shows and I am scratching my head.  We have a black president--are we going back to Mantan Moreland and Sleep n’ Eat?

[10:12] Ed Gordon: Yet, if those films--I mean, we’re talking about Tyler Perry at this point. No, no I mean look--let’s not give them fodder for tabloids. I am not saying we’re talking about Tyler Perry, but those are the shows we’re talking about. If we’re talking about that and we look at the numbers that come, and see his movies, and view the shows on TBS--my question is, is that, in fact, maybe what black America wants to see?  I hear a lot of NOs in the audience, but there are a lot of people watching it.
 
[10:50] Spike Lee: We’ve had this discussion back and forth. When John Singleton--people came out to see Boys in the Hood.  He did Rosewood, nobody showed up.  So a lot of this is on us. You vote with your pocketbook, your wallet. You vote with your time, sitting in front of the idiot box. And the man has a huge audience. Tyler is very smart with what he’s done.  He started out with these plays, and church busses would pull up, packed, and he’s parlayed it. He’s bought his own jet.  If you can buy a jet you have money. But at the same time, for me, just--the imagery is troubling.

And the full 20-minute interview

well done.

A rumor is making the rounds that the White House and Senator Reid are pursuing different strategies on the public option.  Those rumors are absolutely false.

Just a reminder that we should not assume the worst from the White House. Diligence is a good thing. Assumptions of bad faith are not. The process of getting a bill done is complicated, messy, confusing and often ugly, but the end result cannot be judged until there's an end result.

That is all.

It’s been a year since President Obama engaged a new generation of Americans in his historic non-traditional campaign, but what are those fearless young leaders doing now? We’re gathering some of them together to discuss how they’ve continued the momentum in creative ways that the mainstream media and politics-as-usual types aren’t always hip to.

Join us on November 1, 2009 in New York at The Tank (354 West 45th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues) from 6:30pm to 8:00pm (free booze!) for a FREE night of entertainment and conversation. Our program will feature the premiere of the ground-breaking mockumentary web series from Eqal Production’s Umbrella network, “Life is Cause,” (with a special guest!) created by NYU student Matt Hooper, as well as comedic sets by Baratunde Thurston (web editor of The Onion and co-founder of Jack & Jill Politics) and Katie Halper (comedian and Huffington Post blogger).

Following the performances, The Nation’s Ari Melber will moderate a round table discussion with the entertainers, who will be joined by Michael Skolnik (political director for Russell Simmons and political editor for GlobalGrind.com).

I'll be part of this event and would love to see all of you from the NYC area there.

Our panel will address the following questions:

• Are millennials more engaged/better off a year after Obama’s been in office?
• Does ‘infotainment’ participation dumb down serious concepts; does it inspire action or enable sarcasm and cynicism?
• Does it speak through a generational lens?
• How is the Millenial Generation actively taking a role in promoting social good?
• Has Obama’s communications strategy targeted young people? * Why is it ineffective?

We hope you can join us for laughs and discourse. Please RSVP on Facebook.

The ROOT 100 recognizes emerging and established African-American leaders who are making extraordinary contributions. The ROOT 100 celebrates leadership, creativity, service, and, above all, excellence.

Seriously though, please click through and see some of the fascinating people they have featured. I'm genuinely honored to be in such company!

On Tuesday November 3, in communities across the country, people will be gathering with neighbors and reconnecting with old campaign friends to watch By the People: The Election of Barack Obama—and enjoy the one-year anniversary of this historic election.

I figured yall might be into this :)

From last night. We had a funky good time.