We Dream Too

I am, and have been for most of my life, sick of how Blacks are portrayed on film.  Especially how we portray ourselves.  See, I'm well aware of the following ugly truths:

The Black nuclear family is far too often screwed up.
"Ghetto" life can be very ugly.
Getting to and excelling during college isn't easy.
Relationships are difficult.
America had, has and will continue to have deep rooted racial issues.

If I see 10 Black films, 9 of them are using at least one of these themes as it's core.  Spare me.  Our people are much more diverse in thought, character and actions.  If you let these films tell it, all Blacks dream about is making it out of "da 'hood".  We don't dream of starships and magic.  We never imagine distant worlds and alternate realities.  We just hope to be fortunate enough to leave our neighborhoods on our own terms.

I'm truly tired of seeing so many of the same films over and over again.  The same themes with slight variations and nothing bigger or more daring.  I'm not just tired; I'm furious.  Where's our Lord of the Rings?  Why couldn't Harry Potter be a magically gifted Black boy?  No negroes in Narnia?  I refuse to believe that this is all a result of racist studios denying Black filmmakers the funding to make the films they want to make.

I am not a great writer.  I'm probably not even a good writer.  If I were, I would honestly write a film that I want to see.  I deserve it.  My son deserves it.  My people deserve it.  We dream too and our art should better reflect that.

Call Me Crazy pt. 2

About mid-April I posted about an Air Jordan II retro that released that seemed a bit too similar to a concept I drummed up in 2007.  Today, I catch wind from an acquaintance in Virginia that Jordan Brand is getting or was a lot closer than I had previously thought.

My 2007 Concept

“Vero Cuoio” sample Air Jordan II

Notice that this sample pair even has gold lace tips.  That's far too random a combination to be a coincidence.  I guess we should just chalk this one up to some of the theories of Quantum Physics and alternate realities. 

Random Pics pt. 7

Downtown Records 2010 Sampler

 

 

Only.NY x West Trunk Show

West sneaker boutique hosted Only.NY for the evening in a joint "trunk show".  This invite only event brought friends and fans of the Only.NY brand together to catch early sale of the summer line as well as some very limited early collection pieces. 

The crowd shopped, networked and cooled out over free Bud and Bud Light.  After throwing a few back, people took hold of some Krink pens and bombed the wooden Post No Bills sign in the store.  It was a ton of fun watching everyone go crazy.

Only has some really big things on the horizon that I'm not at liberty to share here, but definitely check out what they are doing.  You can check my previous post on the brand here.  Shop and view their lookbook at the official Only.NY site.

Madison was in the building as well taking in the festivities.  Be on the lookout for 'Test Launch' in the near future.  Dude has some seriously dope material in the works. 

Here are some other pics from the night.  Thanks a million to B.C. aka Sour Diesel for the invite.  Also special thanks to West for hosting a great event.  Last but most certainly not least, thank you to Mr. Anthony Landi.