Dear John, Just Think Before You Speak

Let me preface this post by saying that I am a relatively new fan of John Mayer in the sense that I didn't used to listen to him as much as I do now. My favorite album of his is "Continuum" and I actually anticipated the release of his new album "Battle Studies" and actually bought it off of I-Tunes.

That being said, I don't think that he should have referred to having black fans as having a "nigger" pass because that word still has a sting to it that will probably never go away.

When I first heard about this interview on Twitter, I did not want to make any sudden judgments about my new favorite artist until I knew exactly what he said. After reading it, I felt that even though he is known for making outlandish comments in interviews and on stage, that he should have thought more about the comment before making it.

There were other seemingly disrespectful comments that I did not really take offense to. As a black woman, I was not offended that he called his penis a "white supremacist" in the interview because I do not care who he decides to have sex with. That is his business. What I was offended that he used the word "nigger" in a time where having a black president does not do much for racial tension.

‘Good Brother Blues’ sparks discussion with ‘Mad at Miles’ author

*Originally published on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 in The A&T Register*

By LaPorsha Lowry

Scene Editor

 

Pearl Cleage, author of “Mad at Miles: A Black Woman’s Guide To Truth,” was on hand last week at the Paul Robeson Theater to see the stage adaptation of her essays and to take part in the fishbowl discussion “Good Brother Blues” based on a portion of the play.

A panel of men was brought together to view the final act of the play entitled “Good Brother Blues”, in which the three women discuss what they want in a man.

The women in the audience were then moved into a separate room so that the men could have an honest conversation about what they saw.

Some of the comments from the men seemed to be controversial to the women, but others were in agreement with the act and believed that they were in fact a “good brother.” Afterwards, Cleage attended the 8 p.m. performance by the professional cast, and autographed books and took pictures with fans.

Cleage, who was present for the discussion, was surprised at some the things the men had to say on the panel.

“One gentleman said that women should not feel bad about the word ‘ho’ because there are some women who fit the word. That’s not the issue for me; the issue is personal responsibility. People know when they hit somebody and they know it is wrong and they know when they call someone out of their name that it is wrong. I was taken back by the fact that some of their responses to the part of the piece that is least confrontational and the most welcoming,” said Cleage.

Overall, Cleage enjoyed the play and the adaptation by Donna Bradby. She didn’t envision it at all because they were written as solo performances to be done by her.

She did like the “Facts of Life” portion, which was a military-themed part of the play.

“It was really amazing what they were doing just as soldiers and it was wonderfully staged.
I liked that is was both dramatic and funny at the same time and just the fact that they can do all that marching around. I really enjoyed that a lot.”

“I did not know what to expect, but when Donna asked can she put it together that way, I told her that she could and I trusted she would do something interesting," Cleage said.

"It is a wonderful feeling to know that I wrote these pieces 20 years ago and they now have found a audience and raise questions people want to talk about.” 

Cleage added that the underlying message that she wanted people to take from the play was for men and women to talk truthfully to each other about relationships and how they really feel about what they need and want from each other.

“One of the big problems with relationships is that we lie to one another and after awhile we do not remember what the truth is. We must figure out who we are, what kind of relationship we want, and what we are trying to put together,” said Cleage.

Martin discusses ‘new dream’

*This interview was originally published on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 in The A&T Register*

By LaPorsha Lowry

Scene Editor

Published: Monday, February 8, 2010

National journalist and syndicated columnist Roland Martin served as the keynote speaker in Harrison Auditorium on Thursday for the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration titled “The Dream: No Longer His, Now Ours. ”
Junior class president Wayne Kimball Jr. was the master of ceremonies for the evening, and began the program with a monologue in the voice of Dr. King as if he were here today.
After comments from Chancellor Harold S. Martin Sr. and SGA President Syene Jasmin, the university choir sang a powerful rendition of black national anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Senior Class Vice-President Sir Lawrence Conley introduced the speaker before he took the stage.
In his speech, Martin discussed the man whose famous “I Have A Dream” speech is commonly taken out of context.
He used playful and yet effective anecdotes to encourage young people to dream their own dream and said that people have to understand the context of the dream because they continue to get it wrong every year.

“The speech came from the ‘March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom’ and we tend to paraphrase the speech to highlight just the ‘I Have a Dream’ portion which was unprepared and spur-of-the-moment,” said Martin.

He also noted that African-Americans tend to talk about his dream and ignore the top two-thirds of the speech that talks about the economic inequalities in America and the check being stamped of insufficient funds at the bank of injustice.

“You can’t get to the dream unless you read the beginning,” Martin said. “If we want to talk about the dream you have to talk about the dream within the context of economics. I don’t waste my time talking about a dream, I deal with the nightmare because with a dream you are sleep, I deal with the reality where we are.”

Martin concluded by saying that people have to take action individually and must be the change they want to see.

“The issue for us has nothing to do with a program, the issue for us today has to deal with a individual decision as to what we will get involved in,” Martin said.

“If you don’t even bother to show up, why should they even speak up for you?” 

After the speech, there were presentations of appreciation for Martin from the Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and the National Association of Black Journalists, of which Martin is the national secretary.
Senior Class President Katerra Riggins made the MLK scholarship presentation to its recipient, Janae Brown and Vice-President of Internal Affairs Valerie Dudley made the closing remarks.
Chancellor Martin said that he was very pleased with the manner in which the program was planned and executed.
“Our students’ involvement in the program and delivery was really exceptional. I really appreciated the ‘tough love’ message by Mr. Martin and he set the tone for students to be more engaged and focus on what makes a difference and embrace their dream now and make a difference; one small step at a time,” said Chancellor Martin.
Kimball Jr. felt that it was a very good program that was well attended by students and community members.    
Mr. Martin made a lot of key points that allowed people here to see the realistic view of ‘The Dream’.
He didn’t just talk about the good things; he also addressed the issues in our society that need to be addressed as a black race and as a society,” said Kimball.

RZA adds another acting role to resume’

*This interview was originally published on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in The A&T Register*

By LaPorsha Lowry

Scene Editor

RZA, member of the legendary hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, is starring in the new film, “Repo Men” with Jude Law and Forrest Whitaker.
He also starred in “American Gangster” with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.
The Grammy award-winning music producer, author, and rapper is adding to a blossoming movie career.
He has made cameo appearances in “Funny People” starring Adam Sandler and “Gospel Hill” starring Angela Bassett. He has also been considered for association in Quentin Tarantino’s next Kill Bill project. He will be making his director debut, “Man with the Iron Fist.”

He discussed his new movie and working with Oscar winners in a teleconference interview.

Q: How was your experience working with such great actors like Forrest Whitaker, Russell Crowe, and Denzel Washington, who are all Oscar winners?

A: It was a blessing to work with such an elite group of people.
Some actors don’t get a chance to work with such great talent.
I can say that I am pretty lucky to have been cast with such great people.

Q: What have you been able to take away from your acting experience and what have you been able to learn from these great actors?

A: Each time I do a movie, I learn something because I was really committed to it.
I wasn’t shy about asking questions if people had the time to give an answer.
Sometimes some of these actors are in zone and don’t want to be bothered.
Fortunately, I had some down time with some of the actors so I asked questions and I learned a lot.

Q: How is it to go from the legendary hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan to having a blossoming movie career, which some rappers try to do but really succeed at it?

A: I am still at the beginning of my acting career so I still have a lot to prove. I am taking it real serious and not taking it for granted.
I don’t go into it thinking that I am going to get a job because I have a name and I am not taking what I did in the past to get ready for the future.
For the love of the craft, it always makes sense to commit to a job. I’m a person who sticks to commitment.
I have had jobs that have been both humbling and lucrative, but regardless each job has helped me one way or another financial, morally, spiritually, and to help me to increase my craft. I’m willing to learn everyday.

Q: How did it feel to be nominated for a Screen Actors Guild award with the cast from “American Gangster”?

A: That was a great ego boost. I’m new at acting so being nominated for an award that early on.
I felt truly honored to be sitting there at SAG awards with Cuba Gooding Jr., Ruby Dee, and Denzel Washington.
 Even though we didn’t win, I feel like I won something and I hope that one day I will be blessed with an award or my own.

Q:  What did you take away from your experience with this movie “Repo Men”, that comes out on Friday?

A: For me, the movie is current with all of the health care issues at the time.
Some people cannot afford medicine or have to choose between house and family or people in this movie make operation and these choices.
For instance, the guy has to make payments on his heart, but when he cannot pay the bill, the “repo men” come and take it. I never want to be in that situation where I lose everything so I do everything I can to avoid that situation.