Old words about Michael Jackson

I am still in shock a bit over MJ's death.

Here is an old post I wrote about him that kind of sums up the awe I have had for Michael Jackson and his art (7 reasons "Smooth Criminal" video and Michael Jackson's gang/gangster activities are awesome, as well as my anger at my brother for hording the red zippered MJ-like jacket).

Thriller was the first real album I owned (if you don't count the Mickey Mouse/Donald Duck one and the ones that you played on the system that also showed pictures on the bottom as you read through the book with the record) and I still love it. I have been rocking out each time I drive as radio stations are still paying tribute. When I go outside and hear a car drive by blasting one of his songs, I smile and almost break out in the moon walk.

Hopefully he will rest in peace, as his life here seemed so full of turmoil.

Imagine if we, too, were America

In the summer time, I get to really see more of what is going on in society. I get to see the numerous men who cannot find work, the people who struggle to find food, the kids who cannot afford to be sent away to expensive summer camps or even local sports camps. I get to listen to the hardships.

I get to see America and what it has or has not done for some of its people.

Imagine if it wasn't like this. Imagine if people on this side of the world used Twitter to let other people know the injustices going on in their daily lives just as the people in Iran are now. Imagine if people across this nation would shout out for justice to be served and equal chances to be given for its own people.

Imagine if we, too, were America.

Imagine.

This is Black Ice from Def Poetry.

Kids' cartoons

Saturday mornings channels don't really show much for children anymore. When I was a kid, I used to love waking up and watching the various cartoons and children's shows. I have viewed some of them online or on the cartoon network and am surprised at some of the adult content that is hidden in the scripts and imagery. I guess they do that so that parents can enjoy the shows they are sometimes forced to watch with their kids. I know it's not a Saturday cartoon, but the Simpson's is an excellent example of this. Students in my classes are really shocked to find out the various historical references presented in the show. Some of them after learning a subject in class often remember a cartoon they saw that had similar concepts. This year a student brought up an episode of Sponge Bob when we talked about the Bubonic Plague. One thing I hope that students remember after being in my class is a statement I use regularly: history is everywhere.

Sometimes, it is not history that is hidden in the cartoons. Sometimes it is sexual imagery or, as Dave Chappelle shows in the video below, possible drug-use.

Moore, Chappelle, and Rock on police brutality: not completely comedic

There have been so many incidents lately of police "accidentally" hurting/shooting/killing people (brown people in particular) for weird/nonsensical reasons (wallets?).

Here is Michael Moore explaining some of the outrageous police brutality that has occurred in recent times. This is somewhat comical (as Moore often is), but the message is real and it is a shame that it has come to this.

The second video is Dave Chappelle talking about police incidents and 911 calls.

The third video is Chris Rock explaining how not to get your ass beat by the police.

Wordless Wednesday: Bras

I've been trying to find a bra that fits well. Came across this diagram which might help people understand what type of breasts they have so that they can better search for the right bra.


The company actually makes some good lingerie, too.

It works everytime

Remember when Billy Dee Williams was the epitome of cool? That slick texturized hair. That too cool mustache. That look that of constant I-am-way-cooler-than-you-could-ever-even-imagine look. Those cool clothes.

Remember when you used to see commercials for malt liquor on television?

Well, I guess Colt 45 is trying to bring some of that suaveness back to their merchandise. Today, while driving down Forest Park Parkway, I saw an ad on a bus stop for Colt 45. Here's the advertisement:
I guess they are trying to give The Most Interesting Man in the World a run for his money.

Too bad Billy Dee doesn't look like this anymore. Fortunately, most of the people who still drink Colt 45 still try and look like him, though. Well, unfortunately for all of us who have to look at them, but fortunately for the company.