Monday, March 23, 2015

Empire BY: KB © 3.23.15

OK, I said I wasn't going to watch it because it just seemed so base….I got caught up because everywhere I went everyone was talking about it and they seemed so animated and engrossed in their conversations. I bit. I drank the Kool -aid. I got into the melee.

About two weekends back…I watched all the episodes to get caught up and you know what?!! I was right…Empire is popular because it appeals to our base instincts….and that’s about 12 hours of my life that I can’t get back! I get the hype…..the network wanted the ratings and wanted to appeal to a younger demographic but let’s look at the subliminal messages and stereotypes that are being perpetuated.

Lucious (Terrence Howard)  – the angry Black male that is a physically abusive, manipulative brute that cannot contain his sexual appetites. A man that seeks power but often has to hide behind the skirts of a woman to obtain the position.

Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) – the angry sister-girl, friend, that support everyone but will go “ghetto” to obtain a position of power. Objectified, sexual and sensual to obtain power.

Andre (Trai Byers) – Black, Joe College overachiever who tries to divorce himself from his past and people yet returns because he knows his education will elevate him and his position working with the very people he disassociates and disconnects from.

Jamal (Jussie Smollett) the classic gay stereotype- trying to prove his manhood by overcompensating; sexuality driven story line like the character is just a sexuality and not a person with a real life.

Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray) an angry Black youth that’s all about money, jewelry, sex, drugs and alcohol….no substance of character or moral compass.

Seriously folks, there is a faction of people who take TV characters to heart….and to be perfectly honest with you there is just enough truth in each character to add credence to the stereotypes. I've seen enough!!! I can’t condone or accept the hype for my people…..where are the teenagers struggling with the angst of college prep? Where are the single mothers who get up and go to work every day, trying to make a dollar out of 15₵ ? Where are the fathers that are the head of households? Where are the churches and barbershops? Where are the lifelong neighborhood friends?

We’re seeing a rise in blatant racism because on some levels we add to it…..did you hear Common, speak on race? REALLY?!!! How about Pharrell ?  The younger generation is so concerned about $’s and “brand” that they refuse to address the real and raw. Where are the Harry Belafonte’s, Paul Robeson’s and Eartha Kitt’s …hell I’d even settle for the chaos of Tupac and the militancy of Sista Souljah, KRS-1 and Paris……….

How ya livin”?!!!


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