and the following post will be presented in miniscule format:
okay so i have a confession to make. i’m a pro-wrestling fan.
yes you read that correctly.
usually when i mention this i catch hella grief.
this is nothing new for me. i don’t know if it’s the uptight, sullen, cerebral demeanor that i give or something because usually when i reveal that i watch pro-wrestling it usually goes something like this and the following comment has been said to me:
denny: yes i do watch pro-wrestling.
someone else: really, but you’re so intelligent.
i’ve watched professional wrestling my entire life and i watch it in the same vain that i watch star trek or grey’s anatomy or the practice; for pure entertainment. it’s part soap opera with a healthy dose of violence. what’s not to love? i’ve followed the sport in and outside of the squared circle and have nothing but the utmost respect for the men and women, these world class athletes, who put their bodies on the line and stay on the road 250 days out of the year just to entertain the fans. however there are other reasons why i enjoy professional wrestling.
after much thought and research i thought i would take this opportunity and present some very well thought out and critical reasons why men and women should tune in and watch sports entertainment each and every week.
So this past summer when I saw Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, I geeked out when Harriet Tubman made a cameo.
I stated then that Ms. Tubman needed her own spinoff. Upon further research, I soon learned that portraying Tubman as a demon huntress wouldn’t require that much suspension of disbelief.
In addition to being an abolitionist, author, and engineer of the Underground Railroad, led Union Army guerillas into South Carolina and freed nearly 800 slaves.
Tubman was the first woman in U.S. history to command an armed military raid.
One of the most profound quotes ever:
“I freed a thousand slaves I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.”
In celebrating being a Black Geek for Black History month, I take a moment to remember and thank the extraordinary souls who have helped me on my journey. There have been more than a few.
One soul in particular who played a role in me becoming the man I am today is none other than my good friend, the late Perry Moore, executive producer of the Chronicle of Narnia films and the author of the critically acclaimed YA novel Hero.
While writing for Drops of Crimson, I did a review for Hero. Perry saw it and was so impressed that he sent a note to the editor Ms. Moffatt to pass along to me, thanking me for the eloquent analysis. Shortly there after, Ms. Moffatt emailed me stating that because he was so impressed, Perry was interested in seeing if I wanted to do a one-on-one interview. I won’t go so far as to say that I jumped up and down and shrieked like a prebubescent female at a pop boyband concert, but I’m fairly certain the fine folks at Kinkos are convinced that I had lost my ever loving mind.
Prior to the interview, Perry and I chatted for hours on everything ranging from comic books, our favorite characters, personal background stories, to music to travel, to even our experiences body surfing. We were both convinced that we got separated at birth. Speaking as a former pro journalist, this is hands down the most enjoyable interview I ever gave.
One of the most extraordinary souls you’ll ever meet, Perry’s story is a powerful one. But more than that, after chatting with him, I felt inspired and I felt like I was 7 years old again when I thought anything was possible. Life was golden. I was on the world’s biggest high. He reminded me that my purpose was to be a storyteller and to be a kid and to inspire others and bring about change through our works, the way comics inspired us. And for that alone, I will always be indebted to him. For that alone, he will always have my thanks.
Moore was one of the most beautiful men I’ve ever encountered, inside and out. He had no qualms about calling out homophobia or any other forms of bigotry and injustice, but he still had a genuine warmth and compassion that is rare in this world.
While he’s no longer with us, Perry’s legacy lives on. Among them a determined geek who is hellbent on continuing his work.
Perry, keep flying. Know that you are missed and know you’ll always be that hero of mine.
Thank you.
My review of Hero and my interview with Perry can be found here and here.
And the celebration of being a Black Geek for Black History Month continues as I discuss one of my all-time favorite series and one of my favorite genres of music.
Random Fact # 28: The first concert I ever attended was Run DMC & Aerosmith.
Hip hop culture is a long lost love of mine.
This usually shocks people when they learn that I used to be huge fan of vintage hip hop. It’s understandable given my cerebral and uptight demeanor ie: the huge stick up my diamond crushing ass.
As a kid, hip hop culture was starting to gain traction and even then I knew it was something special. It was from the streets, it was humble, it was pure. It was by the people for the people. It was inclusive. Hip hop/rap was for everyone: male, female, black, Asian, Latino, and white.
Growing up I enjoyed Run DMC, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Will Smith aka the Fresh Prince and his boy Jazzy Jeff, Queen Latifah, Salt & Pepa, Heavy D, Hammer and a host of others.
If you don’t know about Krush Groove, you can’t talk to me. If you don’t know about Beat Street, beat it, because you can’t tell me anything.
Hip hop was socially relevant and it continuously found creative means to discuss the challenges that the poor, disenfrannchized, POCs and other minorities had to contend with. We were underground, we were pure and we were fun.
We also danced. I danced. Yes I danced. And if you catch me at a con or a party, I can showcase a few breakdance moves old and new.
Dance was crucial to the culture. It was how men and women showcased their prowess and superiority. It was also how we sometimes settled grievances if you had beef with someone.
Yes, if you had beef, you took it to the parking lot and you battled. Break out the boombox, play the latest jam and you showcased the freshest moves. You better be up to snuff on all of Michael’s moves at a bare minimum.
And don’t get it twisted. When I say hip hop, I’m not just referring to simply rap music. You see hip hop as a culture transcends, race, culture and musical genre, it’s universal. Whether it’s Run DMC and Aerosmith performing Walk This Way, Deborah Harry and Blondie teaming up with Fab Five Freddy, it’s musicals. Yes musicals, case in point: Jay-Z. You know you’re a badass when you can win a grammy off of an Annie track and no one dares question your gangsta. It’s martial arts. It’s Romeo Must Die, it’s Justified and Ancient. Hip hop is classical music, it’s jazz, it’s R&B, it’s rock music, it’s country. Juxtapose a Johnny Cash album with Common’s. You have two different men of two different eras from two different cultures and walks of life and the issues they discuss and the oppressions they call out are almost identical. Hip hop pulls from everything because it’s by the people for the people.
Sadly, hip hop lost its way. As it became more commercial and more profitable, and blood suckers found a means of exploiting it, we saw hip hop lose its voice and give way to a bastardized version that glorified blacks murdering each other, drug-dealing, abusing women. Seeing the irrevocable harm it was doing to my race, my culture and my day to day, I began to distance myself from this love of mine.
And you can’t even call it gangsta rap because that’s neither fair or true. Real gangsta rap even in its rawest form has something profound to say and when it discusses thug life or life on the streets. It tells it all. The good, the bad, the glamorous, the ugly, and the harsh realities.Violent imagery and harsh language may be used but true gangsta rap has a message worth telling.
When it comes to hip hop, a buddy of mine said it best.
Here’s the thing: most of the stuff you see on BET, MTV or the radio is not rap. A lot of the “gangsta rap” is commercialized and pushed by white executives to make a buck.
To hear real hip hop and old school rap, you have to go underground. You have to track down all those unsigned rappers who quote scholars and philosophers and discuss social issues in their rhymes. Unlike many mainstream rappers, they’re often college-educated, have little to no criminal background, and are regularly engaged in community service.
You will almost NEVER see them in popular media because they are a more accurate depiction of black people in America. Moreover, they represent us positively, and white America doesn’t want to show people that. They don’t want non-black (or even black) people to [see black people] that way. They want everyone to see us as “ghetto”, illiterate, promiscuous, and self-destructive so that they don’t have to take responsibility for – or even mention – the glaring inequality in our society.
It appears my friend and I aren’t alone. In recent years, I’ve noticed a lot more discussions and a movement to reclaim hip hop and to return it to its purest form. Whether it’s Def Poetry and open mic, conscious rap and other media. Even a web series that has become a cultural and global phenomenon
Which brings us to the LXD: The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers.
From visionary writer/director Jon M. Chu (STEP UP 3D), The LXD chronicles the journey of seemingly ordinary people who discover they have extraordinary powers and must choose their place in an epic war between good and evil.
There’s high school outcast Trevor Drift (Bboy Luigi) uncovering his family’s dangerous secret, fallen soldier Sp3cimen (Madd Chadd) running from his dark past, and unassuming hero Elliot Hoo (Glee’s Harry Shum Jr.) haunted by newly discovered supernatural gifts. All of whom are called to fulfill their destiny and join The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers. Each of their stories showcases the unbelievable flips, spins and twists that have already made The LXD a pop cultural phenomenon and one of the most highly anticipated films ever released.
The LXD is hip hop in its purest form. It’s an online adventure. It’s a live action comic book series that bends genre like whoa. It’s dance: be it ballet, jazz, tap, B-boy, it’s acrobatics, it’s extaordinary. You can see influences of Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Gregory Hines in some of the performances. However most of the dancers have stated that their biggest influence and inspiration was Michael Jackson.
Not only was I floored by the series but the story behind the series itself. A web series about a group of gifted characters who discover they have amazing abilities through energy known as the Ra. Think a high quality, epic, operatic Heroes, only with an excellent plot, without the fail. The Justice League of dance might be a better description.
The plot evolves with each episode and Chu and company get more artistic and creative with the cinematography themes, composition, etc.
As I mentioned earlier, it went from internet sensation to global phenomenon, primarily through word of mouth. People believed in the project, people want to see our stories and talents shared, they have also proven that diversity = success. All of the choreography and stunts are real; no special effects, no wire work, no green screens. I’m also proud to support this series because 50 percent of the sales of the official LXD t-shirt supports the work of the Invisible Children, a cause that’s personally dear to me.
The LXD is also proof of two things: Web series are the way of the future and that diversity when done right garners success.
The LXD, has a multi-ethnic cast and has consistently dominated as the most watched series on Hulu. Paramount executives have pointed to creator Jon Chu’s use of Web 2.0 and social networking (not to mention a quality product) as setting the standard and being a game changer in reaching a mass audience, execs can only dream about.
Funny how while Hollywood is hemorraging money and trying to figure out ways gain audiences, web series like the LXD, KTown Cowboys and Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl have fans breaking their necks to donate to their crowdfunding and kickstarter efforts. Funny how these have all been POC media as well.
I could go on and on about how incredible this series is, but I know all too well that seeing is believing. With that in mind:
Seasons 1&2 are available on DVD as well as iTunes.
In honor of celebrating being a black geek for Black History Month, this weekend I had the honor of attending Onyxcon: Sankofa where I fellowshipped with other black geeks.
Bonus I got to hang with my sibling from another maternal figure, Amaya Radjani and my date J.
Suffice it to say I scored with plenty of swag and spent quite a bit of cash. It’s all good as I’m all too happy to support black businesses.
As I chatted with Amaya and J, something struck me as odd. I’ve been to plenty of cons over the years, as both a guest and an attendee. I’ve had some wonderful experiences, and I’ve had some less than pleasant ones. This was the first time I attended a Black convention.
It’s always interesting to note the difference of energy between marginalized spaces and mainstream straight white spaces. This isn’t to say that minorities are infallible because we aren’t. However at the same time, it’s always refreshing to lower my guard and enjoy myself in a non-hostile environment.
Onyxcon is doing a lot of things right that quite frankly mainstream cons/fandoms should be taking notes from. Here are a few examples:
3) Children are a priority. One thing I really appreciated about Onyxcon is that it’s family friendly and there were events and activities with children in mind. Events and activities that both entertained and educated children on a level they could appreciate.
4) I was able to be out and relaxed. I took a date to the event and I felt completely comfortable and safe. As an LGBTQ, that’s hasn’t always been the case at conventions, particularly white mainstream ones where I’ve had to check a few homophobes more than once. And yet we were welcomed and treated like family. But do tell me again how black people are more innately homophobic because something something something Dan Savage something something.
5) This con was inclusive. My date J was the only white person in attendance and he was warmly greeted and treated with respect and like a human being. Something that hasn’t always been the case for myself and other POCs when we’ve attended predominantly white cons, to say the least.
6) It was a positive and uplifting experience. We were able to celebrate our culture, our history, our legacy in a safe environment, which again for POCs, that’s extremely rare when it comes to fandom.
Fandom, take note. Here’s one con that’s doing it right. Not surprising, because that’s how black folks get down. 😉
In continuing my celebration of being a black geek, today I’m discussing one of my all-time favorite writers, the late and brilliant Dwayne McDuffie.
While some writers and editors today are busy engaging in rape culture, or attacking female fans, or just being a homophobic bastard, McDuffie was penning epic and inclusive tales.
Most people think that because McDuffie was black he only campaigned for blackness in comics. Not true. McDuffie stood tall for all POCs, women’s rights as illustrated with Rocket’s story, gay heroes as proven by Static’s partner Gear, and trans protagonists such as Marissa Rahm in the miniseries Deathwish.
In short McDuffie was fighting for social justice long before it was the fad with spoiled white kids on Tumblr.
And because he’s not white, he won’t get the credit he’s due.
McDuffie made the following video discussing the harsh realities of being a black writer, in regards to the racism, rebuke and attacks (both professional and personal) that we face in our day-to-day.
While he was speaking on the comic book industry specifically, I can tell you from firsthand experience from promoting Hollowstone, that black writers face these challenges in any field.
Today I’m going to descend further into my heroine addiction and discuss the awesome that is Monica Dawson from the TV series Heroes and how her story resonates with my personal journey.
When it comes to Heroes, *sighs*…… I actually watched the series until the end of season 3 and then I had to move on. Between eliminating excellent characters, shoddy writing (or lack of writing for that matter), and plotholes you could steer planets through (as a buddy so accurately stated) I could only be patient and loyal for so long until I could takes no more.
One of the few gems of the series came in the form of a new character introduced in season 2: Monica Dawson aka “St. Joan.” The cousin of Micah, this New Orleans native’s storyline touched me on a deeper level than I surmise the writers ever intended.
Bright, ambitious, beautiful, fiercely kind, Monica is a young woman with dreams and goals. Though grounded and sensible, her dreams lies within the stars and she’s not afraid of hard work to see them become a reality. In fact, she welcome the challenge. For instance, working at a fast food restaurant, she applies to be a manager, and while already over-qualified, she has to contend with legions of people (friends and boss alike) eager to line up and tell her why she can’t have the job, why she shouldn’t apply for the job and in essence, remember her place, as a woman and a person of color. Which is why her muscle mimicry ability to imitate any physical motion she witnesses was poetic on too many levels.
You see, Monica Dawson’s story represents the black experience, particularly for those of us who commit the ultimate sin and dare to be ambitious and dare to strive for greatness. You see, too many young black kids have to deal with legions upon legions upon legions upon legions upon legions of white folks shooting down their dreams and sabotaging them at a young age. It’s more common than most people realize and yes I speak from personal experience.
When you’re a minority (whether it’s based on gender, ethnicity, orientation, etc.), you’re treated as a second class citizen. There’s legions of ignorant assholes lining up to “put you in your place.” And when you’re eight years old and a minority, it’s hard to develop a positive sense of self because you have the entire world telling you that you’re inferior because your skin is brown and your hair is coarse. You’re told to ignore those attitudes but it’s kind of hard to ignore when you’re eight years old and your classmates are calling you the n-word daily and reminding you that you’re inferior because your ancestors were slaves.
And it didn’t stop there. Racist whites resented me because I refused to be their form of ethnic entertainment. They were threatened not only because I was “uppity,” “elitist,” and threatened to debunk the myth of there being a master race and we’re all either formidable or not based on our merits as people and not our race. On the flipside, I was reviled by self-loathing blacks who bought into the lie and was considered by them to be an Oreo because apparently it’s written somewhere that blacks who are articulate (he speaks so well), intelligent and ambitious, listening to “white people music” or simply define themselves by their character and not solely by their race are clearly aspiring to be white and as such are abdicating their Negro Card. It’s like being a person without a country. Sadly it wasn’t until college and meeting other awesome progressive black peeps online that I learned that I wasn’t an anomaly or some abberation of nature.
And imagine having to deal with that daily, especially if you live in a small town or in the South. Then you turn to the media and virtually every representation of people who look like you are either in some marginal token sidekick role or refinforcing every denigrating racist stereotype about minorities (i.e. BET). Three things usually happen with minorities who face this daily: 1) you will either allow yourself to be bamboozled and play the role of the negative stereotype. 2) It’ll empower you and you will strive to be better. 3) It’ll drive you insane. I think in my case it was the latter two.
Precocious personified, I was 13 going on 50 and was driven like none other. However despite the grades, the awards and the other accolades, it was most disheartening to constantly see lazy entitled white classmates spoon-fed opportunity after opportunity which they pissed away. Yet when I reached out to teachers and showed them my plans (we’re talking detailed plans and everything), many of them acted nonplussed and couldn’t be bothered.
“Maybe we should be more realistic about our goals in life,” too many of them would say. “You know they’re doing wonderful things at McDonald’s and the custodial service would be right up your alley. But you are tall and lanky, if you work hard enough, you could get into the NBA.”
Bill Cosby said it best, “When a white man falls off of his chair drunk, he’s just a drunk but when a black man falls off of his chair drunk, it’s the whole damn Negro Race.” Or better example is that being a minority is like being a part of the House of Gryffindor. The failure of one means a failure for the entire minority, but a victory means there was some kind of chicanery or unforseen anomaly involved.
In high school, I attended this academic magnet school before I got a scholarship to attend a private school which I graduated from. At the first high school, there was this one white teacher who would constantly give me grades lower than what I earned on my homework. When I asked why she gave me a 95 or 90 instead of a 100, she would roll her eyes, act nonplussed and put out for me questioning her about my grade, and would then change it. What’s the big deal you ask? Simple. If I earn 100, I expect to get 100. Not 90, not 95, not 99, not 99.9, 100. If I didn’t earn it, I don’t want it. But if I earned it, trust I will be collecting.
I also remember when I was 14, there was this white female co-worker who couldn’t understand why my Mother wouldn’t discourage me from pursuing computer animation rather than more “realistic goals.”
“What am I supposed to tell my son?” my Mother asked her, “Not to pursue his dreams?”
Grade tampering, derailing is just the tip of the iceberg for too many black children. And then they wonder why we get discouraged, don’t apply ourselves and don’t bother. Oh and to that co-worker, allow me to display the following . . .
[raises bachelor degrees in English and computer animation, demo reel, freelance work, demo reels of the college students he taught, their freelance work, awards, and two middle fingers to boot]
I tell you all of this so you can understand why I have such a deep appreciation for Monica Dawson. In powers and character she’s an allegory to the testament of us ambitious POCs; to quote Annie Oakley:
Anything you can do,
I can do better.
I can do anything
Better than you.
February is a special month for me. In addition to it being the month of my birthday, it is also the month we celebrate Black History and in turn a very special part of American History.
To celebrate both Black History and my birthday, this year I wanted to do something a little different and fun. For this month (and possibly beyond), I’m going to making posts related to being a black geek. I’ll post (and repost) some of my favorite books, movies, comics, etc. that feature black protagonists and discuss the challenges of being a person of color in fandom and in the speculative fiction industry.
So today I will be discussing one of my all time favorite DVDs, The Black Panther.
Deep in the heart of Africa lies Wakanda, an advanced and unconquerable civilization. A family of warrior-kings possessing superior speed, strength and agility has governed this mysterious nation as long as time itself. The latest in this famed line is young King T’Challa, the great hero known worldwide as the Black Panther.
Now outsiders once again threaten to invade and plunder Wakanda. Leading this brutal assault is Klaw, a deadly assassin with the blood of T’Challa’s murdered father on his hands, who brings with him a strong army of superpowered mercenaries. Even with Wakanda’s might and his own superhuman skills, can the Black Panther prevail against this deadly invading force?
How this film rocked, let me count the ways.
Before I go any further, I should state that apologies are in order. Years ago, there was a trailer for this series and I was less than impressed to put it mildly. It was a motion comic that was being pushed as an animated film and I was outraged that the film featuring the black superhero got the short end of the stick.
What I didn’t know was that the trailer was actually originally done by one animator who presented it to film executive producer Reginald Hudlin who penned the series and the film is based on his story arc. Hudlin presented it to Marvel and they greenlit it.
But you wouldn’t know that though the way Marvel threw this film/six part animated minseries under the bus. While lesser films such as Ultimate Avengers, Iron Man and Doctor Strange were pushed and heavily promoted, Black Panther was on iTunes and then removed and the DVD has to be ordered through Amazon and its primary advertising has been through word of mouth.
The most twisted part, this was some of Marvel’s finest work.
First and foremost, the star power alone should’ve made this a fully funded feature film in theaters or at the very least on DVD: We’re talking Djimon Hounsou as the titular protagonist, Alfre Woodard, Kerry Washington, Jill Scott, and Stan Lee.
The lack of support this film has gotten is proof how the Black Panther is one of the most overlooked superheroes ever. A gifted prodigy, a world class warrior whose skills are second to none, T’Challa is arguably Marvel’s answer to Batman as Bruce Wayne and T’Challa share more than a few parallels.
The film also reminded me why I sorely miss Hudlin’s writing on the Black Panther series. He has the perfect blend of escapism, social commentary, political intrigue, satire, and fantasy escapism that is second to none. This is a story that has political intrigue, explores the bonds of family, is part revenge saga, and is action packed with more than a few laughs. Not surprising considering this is the man that gave us Birth of A Nation along with Aaron McGruder. Hudlin’s writing of the Black Panther came under fire. The primary reason, in his world, black folks don’t play second string to white characters. They are just as accomplished as their caucasian peers and for a lot of white comic book fans, that’s far more far-fetched than super-powered beings. But for those of us who have been waiting for a film that features a black superhero with RESPECT, this film has been long overdue.
While the film sticks pretty faithfully to the graphic novel, Who Is The Black Panther, there are a few changes and in my opinion for the better. Most notably, a cameo from the X-Men and Storm is brought in as a major player. While I wasn’t a fan of the execution of the Storm/T’Challa relationship, I’m always happy to see the Goddess in any series. After all, she is the First Lady of Marvel as far as I’m concerned. Mad props to Jill Scott who flawlessly delivers a beautiful African accent in her portrayal of Storm.
And if you’re not a comic book person, that’s totally okay too. This film is very self-contained and you’ll get the full story without feeling lost.
What I was really happy to hear is that the film has done immensely well. Last I heard, the Black Panther has outsold comparable X-Men and Iron Man films, both of which have had the backings of live-action films.
Of course I’m left with only one question to Marvel: WHAT THE FRAK IS WRONG WITH YOU? WHY AREN’T YOU PUSHING MORE FILMS LIKE THIS? DON’T YOU WANNA MAKE MONEY? I LIKES TO MAKE MONEY. I WANNA HELP YOU MAKE MONEY!!!!!!
Minority superheroes when handled with respect do equal financial success: Cassandra Cain run on Batgirl, Kevin Keller, Batwoman, this film here.
And if this video here doesn’t get you hyped enough to go buy the DVD off of Amazon or get the episodes off of Youtube, I don’t know what you’re doing with your life. I really don’t.
Black Panther is available now on Youtube, Amazon and wherever DVDs of AWESOME are sold.
So starting next month business begins to pick up for me. In addition to editing and writing, con season kicks off for me.
Exciting news! Yours truly will be back at MidsouthCon this year. Even more exciting is that I get to kick it with my good buddy Cherie Priest who is one of the Guest of Honors.
Oh yes. It’s about to go down.
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As you can see, my schedule is about to pick up and I can’t wait. I’ll be back at Norwescon this year. I’m very stoked to see all of my friends again and kick it with some awesome peeps. Seattle is one of my favorite cities and I’m always up for the chance to get back there. So if you’re in the area, definitely stop by and join us.
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To say Gaylaxicon/Outlantacon in Atlanta is a homecoming for me would be a major understatement. Can’t wait to see my family, be home and just party it up all weekend. And you will want to be there. No really, you will want to be there.
