I spent three and a half years as a member of a fraternity in college; a semester as an associate, and three years as a brother. I’ve attended the weddings of three of my fellow brothers, lived with another one for three years, made numerous friendships that continue to this day, and count my time as a member of a fraternity as one of the most positive and defining experiences of my life.
With all that being said, I can no longer defend the Greek System. Continue reading
1.7 million viewers watched the premiere broadcast of HBO’s Scientology documentary, Going Clear. It was the most-watched documentary premiere in nearly a decade. And that’s a great thing for the opponents to the “religion” who would like nothing more than an end to the Church of Scientology.
What happens now? Continue reading
When Starbucks announced their new race initiative, #RaceTogether, that would see baristas attempting to hold conversations with customers surrounding race issues, the Twitter backlash was swift and conclusive. Downgrading the importance of race relations — or patronizing the efforts of those who work tirelessly to discuss race in more fitting environments by suggesting it can be easily dissected while waiting in a Starbucks line — proved laughable to most and just short of offensive to others.
Were it not for our collective eye-roll when it comes to the gimmicky nature of the corporate sanitization of various issues affecting our society, the outcry in response could have been relegated to just Black Twitter. However, given the diversity of social media, a community of citizens that is an actual microcosm of the world over, many, regardless of race, were unified in their expression of distaste. And that should tell Starbucks something. Continue reading
Another day, and we have yet another racist incident involving a fraternity and a viral video. When racist incidents happen on college campuses, we hear repeatedly how universities and colleges are supposed to be spaces of learning and enlightenment. In the case of the University of Oklahoma chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the recent video of a racist chant, the university president David Boren released a statement about how “real Sooners” are not racist. Booting SAE off of the university’s campus “sends a signal” that the university community cannot and will not tolerate racist acts. Continue reading
Today’s Alternative Views recommendation comes way of Sundance and a few other festivals. Apparently, it failed to get wide distribution. The reasons for that oversight will remain mysteries to me. This film is hella powerful.
The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete (2013), Skylan Brooks, Ethan Dizon, Jennifer Hudson
Director: George Tillman
Writer: Michael Starrbury
One review of this film opined that it bordered on “poverty porn”. I can’t agree. Director George Tillman pointed his camera matter-of-factly at life in a Brooklyn housing project. It’s not prurient. It’s not judgmental. It just is the life lived by 13-year-old Mister (Skylan Brooks), his addicted mother, Gloria (Jennifer Hudson) and their semi-permanent house guest, 9-year-old Pete (Ethan Dizon), himself the child of an addict even worse off than Gloria. Continue reading
Let’s face it, it’s been bad between us for a long time. I’m a bit long in the tooth now, and I know how you feel about that. I’m no longer snowed by your tales of MPDGs; with you smitten and me wondering how I could eliminate my need for gainful employment just so I could be worthy of your adoration. I cringed through your seemingly endless stream of Blow-‘Em-Up violent fantasies; fantasies that you’re still cranking out despite the fact that these same action stars are in their mid-60s. I was always amused by the suspension of disbelief required to watch downtown Los Angeles transformed into a war zone by a single rogue cop, while you were still opining that a female buddy comedy “wouldn’t be realistic”.
Alternative Views presents, Throwback Thursday. These reviews will feature a favorite film, suitable for multiple viewings through the years. Today’s recommendation is:
Smoke Signals (1998) Adam Beach, Evan Adams, Irene Beddard Continue reading
Welcome to Alternative Views. In keeping with my semi-resolution to watch scripted content only if the story was about women, LBGT persons and/or persons of color, I began with this little critically-savaged gem.
How savaged was it? Rex Reed called this “a hapless load of bunk” whose creators could “only be described as delusional.” Since “they think they have made an actual movie, when nothing in it qualifies.” Reed sounds bitchier than usual, but that tone was actually matched by several other critics.
Don’t believe them. This film is FUN as hell. Continue reading
Sure, the corpses of the fallen in the 2014 election are scarce cold in their political graves, but hey, the Iowa caucuses are a mere 53 weeks away. 2016 is coming! On the Democratic side, it’s still not clear which obscure weirdo Hillary Clinton will blow her prohibitive lead to, but the Republican side is shaping up to be quite the busy clown orgy. Let’s gaze in dismay at this gabbling horror of potential GOP 2016 candidates! Continue reading
As the numbers of rape victims at the hands of Bill Cosby increase, the nation sits stunned as the revelations mount and our collective consciousness tries to wrap its mind around what to do with this 77 year-old predator and, for many of us, life-long entertainer and educator. Continue reading
