Posted on 06/02/2016 3:28:26 PM PDT by Kaslin
My musical tastes do not include rap and hip-hop, but when Snoop Dogg comments on the "Roots" remake, saying he is tired of movies about slavery and would prefer a series "about the success that black folks are having," he is singing my song.
The original "Roots" drew a phenomenal 130 million viewers when it aired on ABC in 1977. The remake, now playing on The History Channel, will probably draw far fewer viewers, just because it is on cable and most are familiar with the story-line. The filmmakers apparently are targeting a younger generation.
While there is no question that slavery has left an indelible mark on the descendants of slaves and the nation (former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has called it America's "birth defect"), continuing to dwell on the subject does nothing to improve a single black life.
Snoop's point is that seeing more stories about African-Americans who are successful would inspire more minorities to overcome the difficult circumstances in which many find themselves. He is correct.
"Roots" is depressing. Stories about overcoming obstacles are inspirational and can produce motivation. Add hard work and any life can be improved.
The kinds of examples Snoop is talking about can be found everywhere if one will seek them. My search took me to a webpage called Tech.Co and an article "38 Black Entrepreneurs Share Their Origin Stories." There is also a link to another article: "21 Most Successful Black Entrepreneurs Throughout History."
Here's one of my historical favorites: "Stephen Smith grew up as an indentured servant in Pennsylvania. From a young age, he was assigned to work in the lumberyards by Thomas Boude, whose wealth stemmed from his extensive lumber business. After buying his freedom for $50 at the age of 21, he continued to work in the lumberyards until establishing his own lumber business in 1822, as well as dealing coal. By the 1850s, Smith was grossing $100,000 in annual sales. By 1857, Smith was worth $500,000 (approximately $13.5 million today). On top of being a businessman, Smith was a minister and served as chairman of the black abolitionist organization in Columbia, PA."
The stories of modern African-American entrepreneurs and visionaries may not be as dramatic as the historical ones, but they are still compelling.
What all of these men and women have in common is that they did not accept present conditions as the final verdict on their lives. They committed themselves through hard work and the vision for a brighter future.
Take the time to read their stories. I'll bet you've never heard of most of them. Even during Black History Month, many of their stories are never told.
Why is that? One would think that these inspirational stories are tailor-made for so-called civil rights leaders, who could tell African-American kids, "If they could do it, so can you." Instead, we get stories about slavery, discrimination and charges of racism.
I live in a suburb of Washington, D.C. At night the local TV stations frequently lead with crime stories. Many involve young African-American men with guns. The image conveyed to viewers is a negative one.
There is no secret to becoming successful, or at least self-sufficient: Stay in school, avoid drugs and crime, get married before you have children and work to stay married, develop a vision.
Snoop Dogg's criminal background and misogynist lyrics may not make him the best role model for young African-Americans, but he's right about being fed-up with slavery movies. So am I.
How else are black actors going to get jobs?
Black Acting School (From Hollywood Shuffle (some language))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ASZ6K9cPNk
Where are all the movies about women getting the right to vote (in 1920)?
Just no good Hollywood plots for that, or what?
But, all they are taught is that America's founders were old white guys who owned slaves.
It’s about time. My gosh, blacks have more opportunities today than 45 or 50 years ago. The Demonrats AND De-publicans have kept them on Uncle Sam’s Plantation for way too long and the politically correct movement have caused them to cry about how bad it is to be a black in America by rook or crook. NO BLACK in America was a slave, there are still a few that felt the sting of hoses and bites of the police dogs in the struggle for civil rights and we salute them (I do anyway). Let’s celebrate the death of slavery and Jim Crow with the blood that was shed and lives lost to assure it and think of the accomplishments blacks have made to today’s society. I’m talking about the ones who do it for mankind, not for personal gain and strive like many of us do to make sure this is a color-blind society once and for all!
so-called civil rights leaders, who could tell African-American kids, “If they could do it, so can you.”
COme on Cal, you know better, this is their livelyhood, RACIAL TENSION, STRIFE, RACISM Everywhere. It’s Whitey’s fault. You are Too Stupid to do it on your own, you need HELP!! Dont be a sellout, uncle tom. acting responsible is too white...and on and on.
Hell if I was Black and everybody pounded this in to my head every day of my life, who knows what would happen. Pretty Sad the way Progressives, Tyrants, Fascists, Marxists, Demonrats treat their fellow human being.
How dare you speak truth to an emotional subject, you’re going to get put on a list with talk like that.
Peanut Butter, one of my favorite snacks.
http://www.biography.com/people/george-washington-carver-9240299#rise-to-prominence
Funny how we never seem to hear about these guys during (Liberal) Black History Month.
yep, see “Uncle Tom” and Go “Sit on the Porch”
Snoop Dogg, the porn producer.
http://www.mtv.com/news/1440961/snoop-dogg-produces-porn-video-project/
It sure is. You really can’t blame the young people if they don’t know anything about the American Revolution or the Civil War, when they have not been taught about it.
I’ve watched three commercial-heavy episodes. So far I’ve noticed at least one reference to Islam each episode and Christianity was referred to in episode 3 as ‘the white man’s religion’. I can’t remember if anything like that was in the original Roots.
If the intent was to push Islam in a movie about slavery, somebody forgot to tell somebody that the Koran specifically allows slavery - which is why they were where they were to begin with. The actors do a good job, tho.
The Saudi investors in this series got their money’s worth.
I believe there was a movie about women getting the vote that came out in 2015.
Thank you for the link. He was a very interesting man.
Love the quote from Booker T Washington. This should be prominent in many classrooms.
How many viewers were ‘encouraged’ to watch it in ‘77?
My Jr. High School in KC must have been way ahead of the curve, because they made us watch it and write a report.
Wouldn't be my first. And I'm too old to start caring now. =;^)
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