I have been asked many times if I think racism still plays a dominant role in American life. Through most of my adulthood, I have heard friends and acquaintances query whether I think most white people are still racist, or , since Barack Obama has been elected, do I believe that racism is dying out in our society.
On the surface, it would appear that the racism that plagued the lives of our forbearers is crumbling in the face of ever increasing multicultural awareness, and the hope that our children are really being judged by the content of our character. Obama’s victory points to an acceptance of African-Americans by White people, that frankly (an in some cases, secretly) most Blacks would have never thought could happen.
It is a new day, I honestly believe that. But with this new day, should come a new realization. Let’s face it; most White people in the country are not racist. They just don’t have a hateful bone in their body. With the exception of a few hopeless idiots in sheets, racism, as our older kith and kin knew it, is dead.
But here is the rub, while most White people are not racist, almost every single one of them is truly and completely ignorant of how the racism of the past has shaped our society and influences our everyday lives. The mere mention of the words “race” or “Black” in a public arena usually causes our Caucasian brothers and sisters to do their best “See no evil” impressions. And when White people do choose to observe the varied language, actions, politics, and culture of African-Americans, their view is colored by lenses tainted with subtle but dangerous misconceptions.
As a White person, you have the luxury of being considered on your own individual merit. You get to be just Sam, or Jamie, or Jen. But whether one becomes a crack dealer or a stockbroker, an African-American will always have the color of their skin announce something about them before you learn anything about their character.
The ignorance on the part of Whites that I speak of manifests itself in the fear of a changing American demographic. It’s displayed in the anti-Mexican immigrant stances that are so prominent now when the problem with that border has been around for decades. Why now? Because “We shall over come” is not as powerful as “We shall come over”. In a country founded by the decedents of illegal immigrants, it is hypocritical to deny others the same American dream.
The ignorance rears its head again every time race is used as an argument against Affirmative Action. The largest group of people to benefit from that program is White women, but that is barely mentioned. Why? Because policy makers know and understand your latent fear and ignorance, and play upon it. Everyone assumes that the most qualified person for anything is a White male. If you meet his standard, fine. But if not, it belongs to him by default. I don’t know about you but I went to school with both White and Black kids who didn’t “deserve” to be there. But since many under qualified White kids have a number of unofficial means of getting in available to them, no one says a thing.
Bu t the main way the ignorance of White America displays itself is in the ability to see life from the perspective of someone who doesn’t look like them. In this great country of ours, success for minorities is achieved partially through hard work and talent, but most by how adept a person of color is in navigating a culture dominated by White people. We have to understand how you think, how you act, and how you live to make sure we can get access to levels of achievement that are more easily open to you.
Those persons of color who don’t attempt to “fit in” to some part of America, or weren’t given a chance to, end up on drugs, dead, or in jail. Negotiating our dreams through your world is tough and we have to do it with you letting you know we are doing it. For if we let on that we might have to handle you, that we might have to smile more, or not be as aggressive in the office as you so we can get to where we want to go in life, you will label us a reverse racist, a malcontent, someone who just doesn’t get it.
We have come a long way in 50 years. To deny that is to be unreasonable. But to be smug in the face of so much work left undone is not only foolish, but dangerous. As our world is becoming more and more interconnected, it is folly to think the US can succeed in on the global stage while we still don’t fully trust each other at home.
All I am saying is pay more attention to your interactions with people of color. How do you perceive them? How do you interact with them? What if the next level for growth in our society isn’t to achieve a useless color blindness, but instead to encourage a proactive appreciation of the power that will become the “one” out of our collective and colorful “many”?
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Thursday, October 30, 2008
L.A. Consequential
I had been putting off this trip for years. Going to Los Angeles for anything more than a two or three day shoot seemed too tiresome. LA, Hollywood, City of Angles, where you are what you drive - where luck, BS, puerile behavior, and ruthlessness often pay bigger dividends than hard work and talent. It’s a place where being cool to hang out with and partying hard can get you a gig faster than a resume and a recommendation ever will. Fake boobs and fake people…at least those were the preconceived notions I had that kept me from exploring LA, and seeing what it would offer career-wise. But I have come to that point were I need too make that call. Marty begged me to come down for a few weeks and give it shot. This recon mission to LA might just provide the leads I am after. It may become the open door that finally reveals that sought after destiny. There was nothing left to do but get my tired butt on a plane and find out.While I still stand by many of my first impressions of Los Angeles, my recent three week stint in tinsel town has left me with a reality I had overlooked. The ‘is’ of the LA I knew about is only one of many parts that make up its whole. I met so many great people who were laid back and rather introspective. Whether I was out on the town or just having lunch, the Angelinos I encountered were very down to earth. Did I see the stereotypes walking around? Sure. All of the plastic you could ever want, both in card and boob form, were on display. I’m just not impressed by all that. What I liked most about my time in LA was;
The Food – my God did I pig out!! With a city that big you will always get variety. Marty and I even accidentally dinned at a vegan restaurant one night. They had a giant pig for their logo so we thought it was all good. We should have known the jig was up when there were no Black folk to be found in a rib shack! Instead everything was tofurky or jackfruit. It didn’t taste so bad, but there were gastronomical consequences later……
The night life – Sure there are the typical LA clubs, but we avoided a lot of that. Great dive bars everywhere and more lounges than you could ever want to chill at. I did manage to get flicked off by John Sally at a night club where Tommy Davidson was hosting a Jazz performance – not sure why I deserved it though. What did confuse me about going to a few of the upper scale spots was that men were walking in with like 5-9 different women at the same time. Hey, I’m not hating, but all I can do with 9 women at once is take a nap.
My friends - I had the chance to see Travis, Sid, and Rob, people I hadn’t seen in ages. Rob and I found this great cigar bar…. Well, hell you know me well enough to know that’s all I need.
Venice Beach – man, you have it all: great food, ocean views, bikini clad women, million dollar beach houses, medical marijuana facilities, fighting heroin junkies, fake rappers selling really bad music, a guy on skates dressed like Laurence of Arabia, men in Bikinis……well maybe Venice has more than you actually want!
The events – I went to an Obama fund raiser at a very posh home in the hills of LA. It was a high net worth “granola” event but I dug it. Sure there were no black folk there, but the vibe was good and the organizers hired Nishat Khan to play the sitar. That and a few glasses of wine will make any function worth staying at.
As my time wound down in LA, I still hadn’t made any work connections worth celebrating. But at the eleventh hour, my boys came through and hooked me up with pitch session. I was ecstatic! I would get to present my ideas to a real decision maker! It’s moments like this people work there whole careers for. Where you have to impress and you only get one shot. There were problems, of course. First, I had no idea who I would be pitching to until hours before the meeting. It seems irrelevant, but you wouldn’t pitch a show about the Playboy mansion to the Oxygen channel. So you need to have the right material to present. In the end, I had to present ideas that were more raw because I had been focusing my attentions on demographics that this broadcaster was not interested in.
I won’t mention who it was or where they worked, for the obvious reasons. But the person I met with really broke the game down to me. They liked my ideas but wanted more out of me. Which would have been good enough, but this individual met with me over dinner to discuss how I should go about refining and presenting what I had dreamed up. I now had the ear of a decision maker. It’s not so much a power trip or an exclusivity thing, it’s more like the comfort of knowing that you have some level of access, someone to listen to your ideas, and maybe give you a shot to produce what you envision.
I learned so much from that meeting that hours afterwards it was still swirling around my head. I had to pack and fly out the next morning, it was all so fast. As I write this, it does seem almost dream like. Well, back to work, need to write and pretend I actually have some talent!!!!!
See you later Space Cowboys.....
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
A Crucial and Racial Moment in Time
The following Message is for all my friends, but most especially those of you who live in the US and are Caucasian, Asian, Latino or anything else but Black. This is a long one, so if you don't like my missives this isn't for you!!!!
Who would have thought this would ever happen? Barrak Obama is all but the nominee for the Democratic Party( he will be officially after his speech tomorrow), and I-you-we, for the first time in our lives will have the option to vote for someone else other than a White male for the most powerful office in the world.
Does that register with you? Do you see the significance? Our great country boasts a ideology of equality, fairness and hope. Most of the time it seems as if we fall short of those lofty goals. But here we are on the verge of what could be a new page in the history books. - I'm not just saying that either, history books in American schools up until now would leave you with the impression that all Black people have contributed to this country's culture is to be slaves and protest in the 60's and 70's. Now we might get a whole other page!!!!!!!
Ok let me get serious again. I have a admission to make, and you might get mad. When it comes to this election, I have a real fear of where the heads really are of Whites, and all minorities who aren't Black. The race issue is still rooted deep in this country's collective psyche. And it plays a pivotal roll in how we subconsciously view each other. Do you disagree? Oh, has your brain already shut down because I said "Race"?
Yeah, I though so. Most (not all) White people have decided that the best thing to do with race issues is to pretend they don't exist anymore, every thing is "Fair and Balanced", and to suggest otherwise to risk being dismissed as divisive, or as a race-baiter, and unintelligent. Other minorities in this country ( with the possible exception of Latinos) seem to take their cues from from Whites. Although they have retained their cultural connections and values ( the true benefit of being an immigrant as opposed to a transplant) they have all but mimicked their next door neighbors in the burbs and refused to get their hands dirty. It seems as if the unspoken notion is," Don't say anything out loud, or they'll associate us with Black people!"
Yeah I said it, maybe you feel differently. You're probably right...but you have only been able to vote recently - you're young. What do your parents think? What are their views? How has their observations of the interaction between White and Black in the country shaped you're parents opinions?All I'm saying is that there is a disconnect between African-Americans and everyone else in this country when it comes to dealing with race. And that's what this election is about. Race. If you think I'm crazy, close your eyes and envision Obama's chances to win if he had picked another person of color as VP. Yeah, I thought so. Wait, even better, imagine if he spoke like "W" - errors and all. Man he'd never sniff the nomination.
The economy, the war, aids, and oil shortages are all issues that will be addressed (hopefully) by who ever wins. The reason why I say this election is about race, is because of the of what I hear people say about Obama - whether they support him or not.
"Well, he's really sharp. Can't take that away from him. So well spoken! But does he have the experience?"
"What do we really know about this guy? I mean he seems like a good person, but he's too new on the scene."
Wow. Talk about ignorance parading as intelligent critique. Just look at how race shapes these views of Obama! Would you really say this kind of dumb shit with two White people running against each other when there is no incumbent involved??? Who has experience being President before they get in office? "W" had less experience before his 1st term and no one said shit! If Obama had "W's" pre-presidency resume, he couldn't intern in the White house mail room , much less run for office. But Bush had two terms...work that out.
As far as knowing about Obama. None of you really know about him or any other candidate - ever. Unless you are in the inner circle of a nominee - there is no way you can know. It's all about appeal. And what appeals to you is shaped by your own inner feelings and outside influences that have affected you. So the real question to ask yourself is, " Does Obama appeal to me?", and " Why?",or"Why not?"
I'm not saying you have issues if you don't support Obama. I'm saying you need to recognize what is shaping your opinion either way. Especially those of you who aren't Black, but "of color" that may not always realize how these issues affect you. Just be more observant of why you make the choices you make.
Chances are I've pissed you off by now, fair enough. But if you really look at what I'm saying and not just get put off by its fervor, I think you will see it's honest if not perfect. And the more cynical of you will ask me what my motives are for supporting Obama. Fair question.
See you next time Cowboy!,
- Araia
Who would have thought this would ever happen? Barrak Obama is all but the nominee for the Democratic Party( he will be officially after his speech tomorrow), and I-you-we, for the first time in our lives will have the option to vote for someone else other than a White male for the most powerful office in the world.
Does that register with you? Do you see the significance? Our great country boasts a ideology of equality, fairness and hope. Most of the time it seems as if we fall short of those lofty goals. But here we are on the verge of what could be a new page in the history books. - I'm not just saying that either, history books in American schools up until now would leave you with the impression that all Black people have contributed to this country's culture is to be slaves and protest in the 60's and 70's. Now we might get a whole other page!!!!!!!
Ok let me get serious again. I have a admission to make, and you might get mad. When it comes to this election, I have a real fear of where the heads really are of Whites, and all minorities who aren't Black. The race issue is still rooted deep in this country's collective psyche. And it plays a pivotal roll in how we subconsciously view each other. Do you disagree? Oh, has your brain already shut down because I said "Race"?
Yeah, I though so. Most (not all) White people have decided that the best thing to do with race issues is to pretend they don't exist anymore, every thing is "Fair and Balanced", and to suggest otherwise to risk being dismissed as divisive, or as a race-baiter, and unintelligent. Other minorities in this country ( with the possible exception of Latinos) seem to take their cues from from Whites. Although they have retained their cultural connections and values ( the true benefit of being an immigrant as opposed to a transplant) they have all but mimicked their next door neighbors in the burbs and refused to get their hands dirty. It seems as if the unspoken notion is," Don't say anything out loud, or they'll associate us with Black people!"
Yeah I said it, maybe you feel differently. You're probably right...but you have only been able to vote recently - you're young. What do your parents think? What are their views? How has their observations of the interaction between White and Black in the country shaped you're parents opinions?All I'm saying is that there is a disconnect between African-Americans and everyone else in this country when it comes to dealing with race. And that's what this election is about. Race. If you think I'm crazy, close your eyes and envision Obama's chances to win if he had picked another person of color as VP. Yeah, I thought so. Wait, even better, imagine if he spoke like "W" - errors and all. Man he'd never sniff the nomination.
The economy, the war, aids, and oil shortages are all issues that will be addressed (hopefully) by who ever wins. The reason why I say this election is about race, is because of the of what I hear people say about Obama - whether they support him or not.
"Well, he's really sharp. Can't take that away from him. So well spoken! But does he have the experience?"
"What do we really know about this guy? I mean he seems like a good person, but he's too new on the scene."
Wow. Talk about ignorance parading as intelligent critique. Just look at how race shapes these views of Obama! Would you really say this kind of dumb shit with two White people running against each other when there is no incumbent involved??? Who has experience being President before they get in office? "W" had less experience before his 1st term and no one said shit! If Obama had "W's" pre-presidency resume, he couldn't intern in the White house mail room , much less run for office. But Bush had two terms...work that out.
As far as knowing about Obama. None of you really know about him or any other candidate - ever. Unless you are in the inner circle of a nominee - there is no way you can know. It's all about appeal. And what appeals to you is shaped by your own inner feelings and outside influences that have affected you. So the real question to ask yourself is, " Does Obama appeal to me?", and " Why?",or"Why not?"
I'm not saying you have issues if you don't support Obama. I'm saying you need to recognize what is shaping your opinion either way. Especially those of you who aren't Black, but "of color" that may not always realize how these issues affect you. Just be more observant of why you make the choices you make.
Chances are I've pissed you off by now, fair enough. But if you really look at what I'm saying and not just get put off by its fervor, I think you will see it's honest if not perfect. And the more cynical of you will ask me what my motives are for supporting Obama. Fair question.
See you next time Cowboy!,
- Araia
Monday, August 18, 2008
What's it going to take?
Is there a better way to start a blog than with a disappointment? I can't think of any. Over the past few months, I have been applying for TV/Film production related jobs. The beginning of this process is always a hopeful one. You don't expect to hear back from every opening you respond to, but you'd like to think that you will get a call from at least a third of the queries you answered.
So far, of the thirty-five positions I have applied for since June, I've heard back from one. Just one. I did interview for that job, but was told I didn't meet a need they had failed to mention in their job description or the subsequent interview. Look, I know better than most, that life is measured more by the disappointments than the successes. But I should break down for you what this is really like.
Becoming a successful producer is the hardest (non-athletic) professional goal a person can undertake. Its harder than becoming a doctor, a lawyer, a broker, an IT or IS professional, or a CPA. LET ME BE CLEAR for those of you who can't read carefully and are assuming that I am saying those jobs are easier than mine. While being any of the aforementioned professions is much harder than being a successful producer - it's the becoming, the journey that I am talking about.
Ha! You say, as you scoff at my apparent ignorance of what it takes to become an MD, JD, or a Consulting PHD. Let me break it down for you. There is a distinct advantage that all professionals have over those brave(crazy?) few who dare to make a living being creative - its called a path. Still confused? Ok try this on for size. If I wanted to be a doctor instead of a producer, here is what I would have had to do; perform well in high school and test well on my SAT and ACT tests. Once in college, I'd have to take the right courses for a pre-med major and perform extremely well academically, with a few extra-curricular activities thrown in so I look well rounded. I'd have to take the MCAT, apply to various med schools, interview and hope I am good enough to get admitted. If I have high enough grades and scores I should get into a halfway decent program.
Once in med school, its time to hit the books again, then there's rotations, more classes and board examinations. If I have done well in those particular areas, I should get into a residency program that I want. From that point on whether you choose a specialization or go into general practice, its really up to your work ethic and talent. In fact much about that process determined by how well you perform. You may or may not succeed in this endevor, but pass or fail you can see much of the road ahead of you.
Am I oversimplifying? Sure. Is that process and the processes of becoming any of those other professions filled with various complications and nuances? Of course. But you can't deny that I know the basics of what the key steps are to making them happen. Mind you, I only half paid attention to what my pre-med college buddies were doing.
While that sinks in, I would like you to go ahead and get a sheet of paper and a pencil. Now write down the steps to becoming a successful producer. That's right, take your time. I have been a producer for 9 years now and I have some idea of what the path to becoming a MD, JD, PHD or ET phone home is like. Surely, you know what it takes to become Harvey Weinstein?
Having trouble? Well don't feel bad, because I wouldn't be able to tell you either. There is no right or wrong way to do this. There are no official tests or certifications. No boards or bars. No curriculum set for you to know that, once successfully completed, you can say to yourself, " I am a producer." It just doesn't work like that. You have to be willing to face the fact that you can work hard, be really talented - and still fail. This takes a level of intestinal fortitude that most people just don't have. There's no safety net, no checkpoints along the way from which to verify your direction - or for others to see that your moving at all. You can't look at what everyone else is doing - or it will destroy you. I know people who have been doing this for twenty years without a penny to show for it, there are also a lucky few who make in within a few years. What's it all up too? Luck.
Sounds cynical right? Are talent and hard work involved? Yes, but they only come in handy if the right opportunity opens up. Now the not-so-clever person is going to quip, " Well, you make your own opportunities!" Not in this business. The amount of capital needed to start your own production company has shrunk in recent years, but it's still daunting. When you add up equipment and production costs, it's easy to find oneself talking about $100,000.00 in no time. Oh and don't forget about the marketing and distribution costs of what ever your making. And I would do that if there was some notion that if I worked hard enough that it would pay off. But this biz doesn't work like that. Even with a war chest of cash, there's no guarantee anything you do will see the light of day.
I'm writing this so you'll have a better understanding of how real this is. It's all about risk. I'm not a big gambler. Never had a bookie, and rarely played poker with anyone other than friends. Besides, who needs to roll the dice with your money, if you are already gambling with your career?
Let me be clear. I'm not complaining. I chose this crazy ass occupation. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Why? Because, being in production is the most intoxicating feeling. The pressure, the deadlines, the late night creative sessions when you have to come up with something and it can't just be good - it has to be great. There's a rush you get when you see your idea, your vision become a reality. Its one of the few occupations where other people can see what was in your minds eye. And its the only thing I ever want to do....... Hey! Does anyone have and extra $100,000.00 laying around???
...see ya' next time space cowboy
PS. I was just using Med-School because it was a readily available example. I've got no beef with the Docs.
So far, of the thirty-five positions I have applied for since June, I've heard back from one. Just one. I did interview for that job, but was told I didn't meet a need they had failed to mention in their job description or the subsequent interview. Look, I know better than most, that life is measured more by the disappointments than the successes. But I should break down for you what this is really like.
Becoming a successful producer is the hardest (non-athletic) professional goal a person can undertake. Its harder than becoming a doctor, a lawyer, a broker, an IT or IS professional, or a CPA. LET ME BE CLEAR for those of you who can't read carefully and are assuming that I am saying those jobs are easier than mine. While being any of the aforementioned professions is much harder than being a successful producer - it's the becoming, the journey that I am talking about.
Ha! You say, as you scoff at my apparent ignorance of what it takes to become an MD, JD, or a Consulting PHD. Let me break it down for you. There is a distinct advantage that all professionals have over those brave(crazy?) few who dare to make a living being creative - its called a path. Still confused? Ok try this on for size. If I wanted to be a doctor instead of a producer, here is what I would have had to do; perform well in high school and test well on my SAT and ACT tests. Once in college, I'd have to take the right courses for a pre-med major and perform extremely well academically, with a few extra-curricular activities thrown in so I look well rounded. I'd have to take the MCAT, apply to various med schools, interview and hope I am good enough to get admitted. If I have high enough grades and scores I should get into a halfway decent program.
Once in med school, its time to hit the books again, then there's rotations, more classes and board examinations. If I have done well in those particular areas, I should get into a residency program that I want. From that point on whether you choose a specialization or go into general practice, its really up to your work ethic and talent. In fact much about that process determined by how well you perform. You may or may not succeed in this endevor, but pass or fail you can see much of the road ahead of you.
Am I oversimplifying? Sure. Is that process and the processes of becoming any of those other professions filled with various complications and nuances? Of course. But you can't deny that I know the basics of what the key steps are to making them happen. Mind you, I only half paid attention to what my pre-med college buddies were doing.
While that sinks in, I would like you to go ahead and get a sheet of paper and a pencil. Now write down the steps to becoming a successful producer. That's right, take your time. I have been a producer for 9 years now and I have some idea of what the path to becoming a MD, JD, PHD or ET phone home is like. Surely, you know what it takes to become Harvey Weinstein?
Having trouble? Well don't feel bad, because I wouldn't be able to tell you either. There is no right or wrong way to do this. There are no official tests or certifications. No boards or bars. No curriculum set for you to know that, once successfully completed, you can say to yourself, " I am a producer." It just doesn't work like that. You have to be willing to face the fact that you can work hard, be really talented - and still fail. This takes a level of intestinal fortitude that most people just don't have. There's no safety net, no checkpoints along the way from which to verify your direction - or for others to see that your moving at all. You can't look at what everyone else is doing - or it will destroy you. I know people who have been doing this for twenty years without a penny to show for it, there are also a lucky few who make in within a few years. What's it all up too? Luck.
Sounds cynical right? Are talent and hard work involved? Yes, but they only come in handy if the right opportunity opens up. Now the not-so-clever person is going to quip, " Well, you make your own opportunities!" Not in this business. The amount of capital needed to start your own production company has shrunk in recent years, but it's still daunting. When you add up equipment and production costs, it's easy to find oneself talking about $100,000.00 in no time. Oh and don't forget about the marketing and distribution costs of what ever your making. And I would do that if there was some notion that if I worked hard enough that it would pay off. But this biz doesn't work like that. Even with a war chest of cash, there's no guarantee anything you do will see the light of day.
I'm writing this so you'll have a better understanding of how real this is. It's all about risk. I'm not a big gambler. Never had a bookie, and rarely played poker with anyone other than friends. Besides, who needs to roll the dice with your money, if you are already gambling with your career?
Let me be clear. I'm not complaining. I chose this crazy ass occupation. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Why? Because, being in production is the most intoxicating feeling. The pressure, the deadlines, the late night creative sessions when you have to come up with something and it can't just be good - it has to be great. There's a rush you get when you see your idea, your vision become a reality. Its one of the few occupations where other people can see what was in your minds eye. And its the only thing I ever want to do....... Hey! Does anyone have and extra $100,000.00 laying around???
...see ya' next time space cowboy
PS. I was just using Med-School because it was a readily available example. I've got no beef with the Docs.
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