Back in December, I wrote an article called Disney in the Bayou that focussed on Disney's newest feature film, The Princess and the Frog. The article really focussed on Disney's rocky history with characters of color and whether this film may fit into that history. Then, the bulk of available information was a teaser trailer, several outraged focus groups, and the ever important fact that history (and Disney especially) tends to repeat itself.
Recently, Disney has released a full trailer that shows us more characters and gives us an idea of their unique take on the fairy tale.
And while I'm not sure about their decision to go from "Huh-huck, i' look like dis might take some tiiiime!" as the closing sound byte of the teaser to, "Dis gon'be goooood! Heh heh heh heh!" in the full trailer, I'm more interested to know your thoughts and opinions.
There will be a limited release in NY and LA November 25th, and the movie will be in theaters everywhere December 11th.
To see the teaser trailer and for the original article, go here: Disney in the Bayou.
While the Civil, Women’s, and Gay Rights Movements, along with their aesthetics and strategies, seem like they burned out a long time ago, the enduring action on Prop 8 has proven that the end of that era was not the end of the issues.
An Exclusive from Funny or Die*
Prop 8 has refocused the country’s attention on homophobia. And while for many, the fight against homophobia is a daily struggle, there are some out there claiming it is returning to the United States and implying that for some period of time it had left. But recently I have been thinking of what it is about the way this fight has been presented that could have given that impression. The impression that the period between the first Gay Rights Movement and now was a sort of gender paradise.
Without sounding like an anarchist, I think it has to do with the weight we put on the law as the source and goal for political and social power – ignoring the potential for our popular culture to proliferate and normalize biased attitudes.
I recently saw a video by hip hop vlogger, Jay Smooth,* where he gives a brief explanation of the phrase “No Homo,” and his own feelings on its use.
That homophobia runs rampant in hip hop is no secret. Cam'ron’s explanation of the phrase “No Homo” and why he uses it, exposes its ridiculous nature and gives a sense of how ideas promoted by popular culture are often absorbed into everyday actions. To be clear, this is not an argument for the Hip Hop Created Homophobia camp. Just like hip hop didn’t invent sexism, black-on-black crime or either of those terms, hip hop did not create homophobia. Brad Paisley’s “I’m Still A Guy,” is a close country parallel to all of the “No Homo” catchphrases. But whether you watch CMT or BET, it is important to notice the ways popular culture hides and normalizes homophobia in jokes, music, cartoons, etc…
Like Jay Smooth touched on, the times when satire and rejection are confused with endorsement are important to think about as well. YouTube has hundreds of “No Homo” home-video spoofs. But for many of them, it’s hard to tell which way they go. And the time wondering if the authors think saying “No Homo” is okay or not okay is the exact space where popular culture blindfolds us to the fact that if we heard the things they are saying without any knowledge of their intentions, we would find them to be offensive.
It is hard to say what would have happened had Prop 8 failed. The absence of homophobia is not equal to the force of anti-homophobic action. In the same way that the ignorance to homophobia does not guarantee its absence. But it is interesting to think of how much credit the law could take for the homophobia expressed in our pop culture, and how much credit pop culture could take for the homophobia in our politics.
*NOTE: In case anyone is interested in citing sources…
Jay Smooth’s blog (illdoctrine.com) is dope and you should check it out. He also has a program on WBAI, called the Underground Railroad – a show on Underground Hip Hop and culture. WBAI (99.5 FM) is “Your Peace and Justice Community Radio Station” and definitely worth listening to.
I found “Prop 8: The Musical” on Kanye West’s blog. He posts photos and videos and some articles of things he likes and that peak his interest in just about all areas, from fashion to architecture to political satire things like Prop 8: The Musical. Read more!
It's Perf and I'm mad again. Mad as hell. The first time I was mad at the conservative media (which, sadly, just recently got voted 'Most Trusted' news), the second time I wasn't even mad at anything but this time I have two beefs with the world... or more specifically the liberal media and California.
Liberal Media If you direct your attention to the last post on this blog, I mentioned an article from Jack & Jill Politics that my girl Chay drew my attention to. In the article Leutisha Stills, who goes by the name the Christian Progressive Liberal, complains that Obama needs some more diversity in his Administration.
I have issues with this. Now, I don't usually read JJP but I would consider myself to agree with the majority of things on this site. However, this time I could not disagree more. I, too, would love to see more people of color in high ranking positions but I will not tell our President Elect how to do his job.
Barack Obama must choose the right people in order to deliver on the promises that he and his campaign made to the American people over the last two years. He isn't holding a popularity contest. Obama must be able to choose people who can do their best within their responsibilities, no matter what color they are.
I am all for diversity but I think this article's suggestions and calls to President Elect Obama are slightly too much. I do, however, tend to agree with the comment posted within the article at the end. A reader suggested that it would be great if Obama could fill lower staff positions with people of color. This way, Obama is opening up doors for POCs that may not have been opened before; doors in which once entered, POCs can then work their way within the Washington, D.C. political system and open doors for POCs after them.
For the confused: I am not saying that people of color belong in lower level staff positions or that they don't belong in high level administration positions. I think that all of these positions should be filled in a color blinded matter.
I wish Barack Obama luck in the next two months and hope that he can withstand both the liberal and conservative medias.
California November 4th, 2008. Barack Obama was elected as the next president; great. California passes Proposition 8; not so great.
If you're still confused on the whole Prop 8 happenings, I urge you to check the wikipedia article on it. I'll try to explain it quickly: California already allowed same sex marriages/partnerships to be recognized in the state. The proposition which landed on the ballot on November 4th, asked Californians to take the recognization away from same sex couples.
When the Proposition got passed on November 4th, thousands of marriages and partnerships became null and void.
Originally, I was not pleased with the decision but my anger only mounted after I realized the full scope of the Proposition's passing. I did not realize that a state could void a marriage that it once allowed. That pushed it over the top for me.
I'm not sure exactly where the organizing is centered as of now but I think if you disagree with the Proposition's passing that you should hit up the Courage Campaign's site and sign the petition. There are many states that have not even considering allowing same sex couples to marry. California has been in debates about it for years. It's just so much more upsetting in California because I'm sure that many couples moved to California so that they could marry their loved one and now the state revokes the privledge and voids all same sex marriages. It's a big blow to the Gay Rights Movement. It's a big blow to this country.
If you want more information to decide where you stand on the issue, please check out both www.noonprop8.com/ and www.protectmarriage.com/ which are against and for Proposition 8, respectively.
Welcome toIn It Not of It! We are back at it again after a long hiatus of interesting news but as usual, that trend did not last long. Also stay tuned for more than commentary! Our bloggers have skills and will be sharing their creative geniuses with you. We would love to hear your thoughts on everything so please comment!Enjoy!
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