Tag Archive for 'current events'

Celebrities That Are Worse Than Chris Brown (Updated)

Published
by
Nukirk
on February 11, 2009
in Entertainment and Social Commentary
. Comments

chris-brown_rihanna-kiss Chances are, Chris Brown made a bad decision to physically abuse fellow rising star, Rihanna. It’s a mistake that may cost him in the short-term…

… however, I hate it when I hear that this is a “career ending” move. Some people still forget that he’s 19 and if he does any type of jail time, his jail time will be minor compare to other celebrities. There’s no need to throw a tantrum, especially when both parties are resolving it behind close doors. I believe that a resolution is possible, because this is a “domestic abuse case” after all. It’s not like they are sworn enemies. But once again, this is not a “career ending” move, even if they started pulling his songs off and his ads out.

To illustrate my point, let’s take a look at some celebrities who had done worse than Chris Brown and either rebounded, their career is currently in limbo, or now questionable:

  • Amy Winehouse
    She’s a known crack fiend. Was banned from getting a work visa at one point. Currently, she’s a wild card.
  • Mystikal
    Currently serving a six year sentence and must register as a sex offender.
  • Michael Vick (Former NFL Quarterback)
    Currently serving time for illegal dog fightings. Even thought he will be capable of playing when he is release later this year, no NFL team may take him back.
  • Remy Ma
    Currently serving 8 years for an attempted murder. By the time she is release, she will not be as hot as going in and her child will be almost an adult.
  • Robert Downey, Jr.
    Arrested multiple times for substance abuse. Recovered is now commanding major roles (Iron Man, Tropic Thunder)
  • Shyne
    10 years for 1st degree assult and reckless endangerment. Schedule for release in 2011. Fanbase in tact? We’ll see.
  • Lil’ Kim
    Served in July 2005 under a “a year and a day” sentences for lying to a grand jury about a 2001 shooting. Rebounded simply because she’s linked to Notorious B.I.G.
  • R. Kelly
    Was involved in a lot of legal cases, and yet, he’s doing alright for himself. Only thing he lost from it was a few fans, a stigma grew around him about underage women, and his now ex-wife.
  • Da Brat
    Three years behind bars, seven years of probation and 200 hours of community service Friday morning (August 22) for striking a woman in the face with a rum bottle.

So, with very little details, maybe y’all should chill the eff out with Chris Brown.

I would talk about Rihanna and this argument about letting her be a spokesperson for “domestic abuse”, but here’s my very brief answer; if Rihanna was hit 200 times during the last year by Chris Brown in a non-sexual way that she didn’t approve of, then by all means, let her at it. For an argument that got too emotional & went out of control one time? It doesn’t count. Whitney Huston, on the other hand…

Updated (2.13.09 @ 1:44 AM): I can admit when I’m wrong. I should have compare Chris Brown to people who rebounded from domestic violence not random crimes like this report did.

This was more of a “rebound” PR type post that was written before later items were reveal. So, let me clear a few things:

  • Unless Rihanna was abused multiple times, I still think it’s a PR spin to make her spokesperson. There’s women who suffer from this abuse for years. There’s men who suffered from this for years, mentally as well as physically.  I rather see Whitney Huston represent this because her case is documented well. Rihanna, not so much. It’s a time factor with me. Sure, she can speak on about being a victim. It’s no laughing matter.
  • Note the time I published it. It was on the 11th. I wrote my post on the 10th. This was in sync to publish. Not a good idea for a time sensitive post. My bad. Also, if you might have notice, I don’t follow this story as much as the average fan would. Sure I read up about it, but I was dealing with the facts that was given at the time.
  • So, why did I take this from a PR perspective? Because basically, this is what his PR is doing. I usually take a different angle on things. This is not really a media blog, but a personal blog that covers media issues.
  • Keep in mind that there’s people who’s pretty much want to remain factual. They will be covering this more deeply than I will. I support listening to both sides of the story.
  • There’s a photo of Rihanna surfacing on the web of her abused. But this photo was doctored. No matter what, this is a police matter and will be treated as such. Taking a quote from Fly Life Style “Per LA County rules - Brown’s mugshot will NOT be released. And per the CA Victims Protection Act, neither will pictures of Rihanna.”
  • Google this story. You’ll notice that it gets weirder and weirder and weirder. Sure these are all gossip, but you gotta admit… it makes for good fiction.

This is basically my unusual way of saying “let’s keep this in perspective”. When you break it down, it’s simple… Man hurt woman. Until further information is out there, that’s what it sounds like. The blogs I referenced are maintained by women, who are just as pissed about the media coverage as I am.

I will be covering the social media aspect and how people are taking advantage of milking this story. There’s blogs that getting their shine. I’m at least trying to get you to see another point, not just mindlessly feeding you overblown crap. So, please, keep in mind… I love you people, I thank you for visiting, but these are my personal opinions and I’m not a professional blogger, nor will ever pretend to be.

In my comments, I made a statements saying Chris Brown needs to stand up and take responsibility for his actions. I stand by those comments…

… but I’m also noticing that there’s something weird about this WHOLE thing. It just don’t sit right with me. Remember, we are in the United States and what can be simple can become very, very complex.

I’m just offering my view point. And while it maybe a poorly constructed viewpoint, it’s one nevertheless. I will be revisiting the topic, but from an case study view. I DO study trends after all.

If I offend you with my viewpoint, I apologize for offending you. I won’t apologize for my viewpoint, however. But like I say, this is “thought remixer” and I can change my views at anytime. Just show me what I need to see… proof from creditable sources… the people involved.

Open Letter To The Hip-Hop Republicans and Americans

Published
by
Nukirk
on November 5, 2008
in Social Commentary
. Comments

l_4afbf3677dea4da1a1ccc403762c96e4Dear Hip-Hop Republican and Americans:

Congratulations. We did something historic. We put a black man in the highest office known to man. It feels great, knowing that we all did something wonderful. It was a tremendous feeling of accomplishment to see this happened in my lifetime at such a young age. It’s a good feeling to talk to my father and he’s proud to be an American, a country that he became a citizen of back in the early 90s. My brothers and nephews and nieces saw with their own eyes what can be accomplished in the United States of America.

And yet, as great as this victory is and as sweet as it sounds, I must confess that I am not really into this subject of politics.

See, I’m tried of politics as usual and I know this is not going to be my last political post. As long as there’s laws that are racial motivated, as long as the social and culture wars are still in effect, I will always stand up for what’s right. Last night, America shown me that we can stand up to anything. Barack Obama took every single insult in the book. He took everything Republicans, Green Party, Conspiracy Theorists, liars, cheaters, past associations, and still won. He won because we wanted him to win so bad. So, in this case we all won.

But… like I said before… I’m tried of the subject of politics and I’m tried of being listed as this “liberal”. Hell, I’m even tired of being called a “African-American” and we earn the right to be call “American Americans”, but I want to be known as a Black American first and foremost with the emphasis on American. I helped and will still help make this country great and my people proud. That’s the bottom line of this fact.

So, I need your help to do that. First off, I want to teach me your values, your beliefs. I will respect them, no matter how much you don’t like mine. Teach me what it is that I can do to make a compromise with you. I want to hear your solutions as long as you are willing to hear mine. I want us to come together, not as Republicans and Democrats, but as Americans. In doing so, we will do well.

So allow me to say this much… I am a West Indian-American. I’m proud that my father and mother, both immigrants (father is a citizen, mother passed away to cancer), came to this country and gave birth to me. I’m happy that I took part of things to make my community better when I was on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. I’m happy that I’m going to pay a bigger role in bring black artists together. You may not always like my ideals. You may think I take things a bit too far at times. But at the end of the day, I am one of you. I’m only looking out for my ideals just like you. But they are similar ideals: Life, Liberty and that never-ending pursuit for happyness (typo on purpose).

I know that I’m tried of “politricks” as usual. I’m resending my voter’s card and making sure “independent” is on it. Why? Because I don’t want to be listed as someone who supports one party over the other. I support Americans. That’s the reason I voted for my future President. And now, I’m going to work to make sure that he represents me… to the fullest. Not only as a black man, but as an American.

Obama maybe my President, but there’s still a lot of work to do. So tell your kids… we only began…

… I’m Nukirk Digi.tal and I approved this message…

Making Sure Every Vote Counts: Preparing For Election Day

Published
by
Nukirk
on November 2, 2008
in Social Commentary
. Comments

your_vote_counts_button_3 No matter who you are voting for, I’m pretty sure you want every single vote to be counted. However, with anything can (and will) go wrong on election day. Your name’s missing from the forms. Long lines. Your voting machine is giving you a hell of a problem. Uou need to equip yourself with some knowledge on what to do if your voting goes bad and I’m going to tell you how to do that.

The most important rule is to remain calm and most of all, don’t get upset. There’s nothing worse than people who’s uncooperative. It will delay the experience for others, causing an effect like dominos that can possibly make this election more stressful than it’s already is.

So, other than that, he are strategies to be aware of:

Vote Early

That’s right. Check to see if you can vote before election day. There are some states that permits early voting to make it less stressful on Election Day. Check with your state’s voting board.

Check Your Voting Location

Google Maps can help you find your poll station. Remember that you are registered to vote at that poll station only. There’s also valuable information to check on the candidates you can vote for as well as to see if you are registered.

Leave Your Buttons and Shirts At Home

Before you decide if you think that McCain shirt looks great with those slacks you are wearing and before you think that Obama shirt is great with your Yankee fitted, make sure to leave those things at home. Make sure to hide any and all materials that endorses any political campaign, agenda or person. If you are wearing these things, make sure to cover them up and don’t expose them. Putting these things on may give you a sense of pride, but these things are consider “campaigning” and they are not allow within at least 100 feet within the polling stations.

E-Voting Problems

Here’s a problem you might encounter… electronic voting machines. In NY (at least in my county), we don’t have them. However, if you do know of them, here’s what you can and the steps you need to take. Remember, to take a paper ballot over an electronic ballot.

Report Problems

One good thing about this election is that we can report problems and irregularities using our cell phones. Here’s one way to do it, using Twitter and texting.

If you encounter any problems, make sure to contact (866) OUR-VOTE!

Get A Sticker!

This last bit maybe corny, but if you voted, you should proudly wear your sticker. You might get discounts! (Seriously, I think IHOP have a 20% off for those who voted) Plus, it’s a great way to remind people that you voted and they should vote to!

More Information

This blog post is nowhere near the best resource, but it’s a good place to start. For more resources on making sure you vote right, visit Vote 411.

Lastly, Do More Than Vote…

So great. Election come, election go. Make sure you are just as passionate about the issues after the election. After all, it will take more than changing the people in the White House and Congress to get the job done and make real change (you can believe in)!

No Snitching: Er… You’re Doing It Wrong!

Published
by
Nukirk
on October 27, 2008
in Social Commentary
. Comments

Jennifer Hudson, my condolences to you about the family. Hopefully, there’s swift justice here. However, I’m even more sorry that there’s a lack of information about the murders. Since people will be quick to blame hip-hop, I want to examine what song or influence they (the media) would use. What popped up in my mind? Snitching.

One possible reason that hip-hop “could be blame for the deaths and increase of crime with the black community” could be about our once secret code of ethics. A code around the black community called “No Snitching”. Of all the movements in Hip-Hop, I personally think this is one of those backwards way of thinking. For those that needs a lesson, here’s a brief one, thanks to Huey Freeman.

“No Snitching” really equals to “no tattletale” to me. In the black community, we grew up on this unwritten code, which basically means we don’t tell on our friends. You know, nobody likes a tattletale. It’s something we as children was raised on. But that’s the problem with the no snitching code in general, people get the point of “no snitching” totally wrong.

The roots of “No Snitching” is actually a code that started among thieves and the drug culture. It’s a code that means if one of your comrades gets arrested, you’re not suppose to tell the cops anything about your partners whereabouts, under any circumstances. Nowadays, “no snitching” means if you see something, don’t say anything to anybody. It makes it difficult for the good police (you know, the ones that have a passion for their jobs) to do their jobs.  How this code of thieves somehow passes itself off as a stigma within our community? One reason is probably because the police can’t be trusted by the community, even if it’s one of our own. However, this rule to make it cool not to snitch is of course fanned by Hip-Hop and its leaders’ actions.  Case in point, Busta Rhymes.

On Feb 6, 2006, Isreal Ramirez, a bodyguard of Busta Rhymes were shot at a video shoot. Busta, as well as others, refused to talk to the police about what happened, resulting in the murder being unsolved. Busta, a rapper who don’t really do gangster music, was now acting a role which one would expect from 50 Cent. Speaking of 50, it would be ironic that Rapper Yayo would be involved in that incident. Did Busta saw anything? Perhaps. But he showcase an unwillingness to talk to the police. If he did talked to the police, he would have lost respect from his audience or “street cred”.

Another good examples are the murders of Jammaster Jay,  Tupac, and Biggie Smalls. All these murders happened in front of eyewitnesses, but thanks to the stigma of “No Snitching”, these murders have gone unsolved and will probably stay unsolved forever.

To illustrate matters worse, during a 60 Minutes interview, Anderson Cooper asked the following quest

"If there’s a serial killer living next door to you, though, and you know that person is, you know, killing people, would you be a snitch if you called police and told them?" Cooper asks Cam’ron.

"If I knew the serial killer was living next door to me?" Cam’ron asks. "No, I wouldn’t call and tell anybody on him. But I’d probably move… But I’m not gonna call and be like, you know, ‘The serial killer’s in 4E.’"

If you think Cam’ron is kidding, he’s not. Maintaining street cred sells record – just watch his movie "Killa Season," or his rap videos, and you’ll quickly learn about his drug-dealing past. He wears it as proudly as his jeweled chains.

It’s one thing to tattletale on a friend if he’s doing stupid things to his mother, but not to report a murder? It’s an altitude like this that prevents the police from doing the job that our “tax dollars” goes to. (For those who want to argue about taxes, let’s save it for another day) People complained about how murders were go scott-free due to a lack of evidence.

It’s important to keep this code to where it belongs… and that’s with the thieves and pacts between friends. Extending this code to just about anything black related can have serious conflicts with and within the black community…

So in closing, it’s sad that Jennifer Hudson’s family was killed in a senseless manner. But what would be more senseless is if nobody step forwards if they saw something.

We Need More Than Powell’s Endorsement: How To Help Out

Published
by
Nukirk
on October 19, 2008
in Dream Chaser and Social Commentary
. Comments


Colin Powell Endorses Obama

When Retired Secretary of State made headlines for endorsing Senator Barack Obama for President, I thought of two things. One, it’s wonderful that a person who’s on the Republican side and a well respected black man (I respect him even while he was in office during Bush’s first term) finally endorsed Obama because Obama is fighting with integrity and honor. However, the second thing is… now that this happened, there’s going to be a backlash from the Republican’s side of the Media for the rest of this campaign. It’s going to take a lot more than Powell’s endorsement.

Now, we need a plan and hold steady until after the final vote is counted. Here are some suggestions on how you can help.

Talking to “Third Party” Voters and Undecided Voters About Barack Obama
This is probably going to be on the worse advice I’m going to give here, but hear me out. These are the most difficult people. They will try to vote for someone other than Barack or even McCain. While I’m not saying they shouldn’t vote for a candidate of their choosing, I’m also convinced that by voting for these people are wasted votes. Instead, vote for Obama and then get on his ass to for voting reform and supporting third parties. I do agree with you that there should be more choices, but right now, a clear candidate needs to be a winner.

Talk to McCain Voters about Obama… in a mature fashion.
If you are going to talk to a McCain supporter, you’ll have to do it in a logical way. I say do it this way: Ask them what McCain brings to the table. It’s best you are familiar with Obama policies and plans before hand.

How to hold racist’s statements accountable
It’s best to know how to call someone for saying something racist. So, maybe you ought to look at the following videos to help you battle this one:

 

Steel Worker Union Endorse Obama

How to Tell People They Sound Racist

Travel to a “Battleground State” or Make Calls From Your Home
Being passionate is one thing. Telling someone is another. If you really want to make a change, sometimes technology isn’t the way. Visit a battleground state and volunteer. Or make calls to these states from your own home. Barack Obama’s own official site will tell you how to do just that. Even if you can only spare 30-60 minutes of your time, you can make a difference.

Making a Small Video
Hill Harper is creating a viral video. Here’s how you can help him spread the Obama message.

Stop Highlighting McCain’s Bad News
McCain supporters are using fear tactics and a lot of them. If you go to their level, it will only make it worse. Stay cool, calm and collected when dealing with the issues. Turn off the television and turn a “blind eye” to McCain’s camp. There’s a reason why I’m not blogging anymore about the election. There’s lots of things I could have informed you about, but choose to be a place of solutions, not more problems. You should resolve to be that as well.

Write/Blog/Show Colors/Whatever for Obama
You’re not the political type. Fine. But just for a while, if you can change your MySpace or show a little “support button” for Obama, then you might at least change the mind of a McCain or an undecided supporter. Get into a conversation with your visitors of your profiles.

Get people out of the country to show some “Obama Love”.
They may not have an influence, but they may talk to someone who does have an influence in the election. So, if you are not in the United States (or can’t vote because you are not a citizen), say who you would vote for anyway! You can be passionate or just throw a hint. Help an undecided American is the best way!

Lastly, Above All, Keep Your Cool.
This is probably one of the hardest things, but focusing on your stress due to politics will cause unhealthy. Relax and focus on your day-to-day life. If you can’t do any of the above, then maybe it’s best to turn a blind eye to the news. Remember, life is though and the last thing you want to do is to get into something you can’t control. However, do find support from family, friends and so on.

Alternatively, you can leave a message here. I’m a great listener. I don’t mind talking at all.

But I’m not the only one with great advice…
I’m pretty sure you got some advice as well. And if you do, share it! :)