Weekly Blog

The character that I think best fits the multifarious Blackness is Phil of The Fresh Prince of Bell Air. He is a prominent lawyer that is trying to keep his family together. They are very wealthy and well known in the area and he struggled to get were he was. I think this is an acurate description from the readings from the first week.

I would have to choose Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show best represents the multifarious blackness described by the academic literature we read earlier in the semester. She is a lawyer, a working women, a wife, and a mother of five. She represents many different facets of black womanhood. She is outspoken and very bright. Clair knows she is a role model to her children and she is moral and upstanding. She is kind, and sometimes silly with her husband, and an outstanding mother. She also manages to be very beautiful while not wearing clothing that is too revealing. She provides, I think, a sharp contrast to many portrayals of black women in popular culture, which are seen as sex objects. I wish there were more characters like her in film and television. It is really disturbing to me the way black womanhood is displayed in most popular culture, such as music videos, and "Flavor of Love". I think T.V. needs representations of what black womanhood really is, strenghth, intelligence, women who overcome a lot to get where they are, and place high value on their families.

TV Character for First Week's Readings

I think that the character that best represent's the readings from the fist week would be Bill Cosby. I believe that he was the best example for this assignment because he could have been viewed in various forms. He was a father, a successful doctor, a husband who at times made mistakes and also a great friend to his family and friends. Cosby was not only a serious father but he had times where he would be silly and helpful to help his family and friends overcome hardships. The notion that Cosby was a successful doctor was a bonus to his character because it took away from the stereotype of a lazy black man. He was a strong man providing for his family. He did not show traits of being over sexual, his character was not shown cheating on his wife or leaving his family. Throughout all the problems they had on the show Cosby found a way to work it out showing is diversity as a character and black male.

The multifarious character that comes to my mind is Raven Symone in "That's So Raven" she has this gift to see into the future but not on her call and her best friends always have her back when they get into trouble and with her visions they are bound to get into trouble. She is not the most popular but her character is very bubbly, considerate and just fun to be around. She designs her own clothing so she can definitely be considered a trend setter. Her parents teach her the values of life when she's in the wrong. She is always fully clothed, carries herself in the most respectful manner and can be looked up to by all girls of various races and ethnic groups.

Character blog

The character that I chose for this blog was Lisa Turtle, played by Lark Voorhies, on "Saved by the Bell". Lisa is the most fashionable and trendy student at Bayside and loves to talk. She grew up with a wealthy family and eventually gets accepted to the Fashion Institute of Technology for her love of designing clothes. While she may not be as strong willed as Jessie Spano, Lisa is still a strong woman who is very secure with herself.

On a side note, Asher Roth's song "Lark on my Go-kart" was a song inspired by his love for Lisa Turtle on Saved by the Bell.

Character Blog

The first person that comes to my mind for this blog is Meki Phipher in E.R. Now he has not been the only African American character in the show but I do remember him being a good and strong one. His character started out small but grew quickly, when he first started, he had a lot of family problems, for example not knowing really who his father was and just trying to figure a lot of things out. As the show progressed his character became stronger he had a lot more responsibilities and a lot more problems. I believe he became one of the head doctors. He was giving out orders and pretty much he was in charge over all the interns. Something that I remember strongly was that he was always the person to stick up for the other African Americans that would come in to the hospital and be in trouble. He put his job in jeopardy a lot. He took care of his brother who was handicapped. His character had a lot of responsibilities as an African American and he took control of them very well most of the time.

Blog for Week 14

I think Collins (Jesse L. Martin) in RENT represents the multifarious blackness that bell hooks, Cornell West, and Stuart Hall were talking about. Collins character is so diverse. He is an HIV positive, technology professor. Collins character goes against stereotypes of the typical "black male" and proves that blackness is original, just like him. In addition to being an educated homosexual man, Collins dreams of opening a restaurant in Santa Fe with his cross-dressing boyfriend names Angel. One of the things that stands out to me about Collins, is that h also goes against stereotypes of homosexual men as well. Though homosexual, Collins is still masculine. He proves that his sexuality is also something individual and unique.

Character in film blog

The character that comes to mind for me when trying to relate to the readings would have to be David Palmer from the TV series 24. During majority of the seasons that he appears in he plays the role of the President of the United States. His character is strong and confident. He is also very intelligent and always sticks to his values. He has a strong opinion on most issues and always does what is right. His character is highly admired and a hard worker. He came from nothing to becoming the President. I think many character traits relate back to week 2's readings about multi identities and the multivarious blackness.

Week 14 Blog

One of my favorite shows to watch on television is Grey's Anatomy. There have been several African Americans on the cast, but none with the feisty-ness Dr. Miranda Bailey. Chandra Wilson plays the original "boss" of the main characters when they were brand-new interns in Seattle Grace. Bailey is a very strong character who is not afraid to yell at people and take charge. She obviously has to be very smart and resourceful in order to be a general surgeon at one of the best hospitals in the state. In season one of the show, the viewer saw only the harsh side of Dr. Bailey as she ordered around her interns and pretended not to care about their personal lives. In the seasons since then, she has become more of the mediator between pretty much everyone in the hospital and has been focusing on pediatrics, which involves working with ill children and their families. Bailey has had her own problems on the show too, especially with her marriage and raising her son, but she still remains the strongest character on the show that everyone depends on. Without Dr. Bailey, the hospital would not function, and that is why she is not just some "token" black character on a show.

In their articles, although Hooks, Hall, and West argue that the common Black experience created a unifying identity, they also discuss that because of the impact of postmodernism on this experience, a depiction of Blackness would be incomplete without reference to class, gender, and sexuality. For example, Hooks argues that this period was witness to increasing class division that created both a Black middle and upper class and a growing underclass. Therefore, it might be difficult to find a show that is a complete and total representation. However, one character that seemed to represent both sides of this division was Will Smith of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. In this show, Smith grew up in Philadelphia where he was raised in poverty. Because his mother was fearful of the consequences of living in such an environment, she sent Smith to live with his upper-class relatives in Bel-Air. Thus, through this dual experience, Smith's character might be a good representation of Blackness as he saw both sides of this seeming class division.

Blackness on the Screen

Donald Faison plays a medical surgeon on the comedy show "Scrubs." I feel this character represents the playful black man who is rarely taken seriously and whose presence is dominated by his lightheartedness. Furthermore, he appears to be operating in an environment outside of his racial background given he is pretty much the only African American present in the cast. This integration into a mainly white environment offers a look into those who are accused of losing their "blackness" which happens to be an issue in one of the episodes. The fact he has a white best friend, a Hispanic girlfriend, and his chosen occupation question the credibility of his history as a black man. His sense of humor dominates his personality and he comes across as being one who is present to merely entertain those around him.

week 14 blog

I am addicted to One Tree Hill.  Although the cast is diverse, many of the main african american characters fall under the unfortunate "token black guy" stereotype.  One of the African-American families in the shows does counteract the stereotypes that are evident in the show.  Tony Battle is a friend of the main character Nathan.  Tony is a talented athlete just like Nathan.  Tony bring Nathan over to meet his family.  Nathan is shocked by the Battle's loving home.  Unlike his own, the Battle's home is free of pressure and judgement.  Tony's dad represents the opposite of Nathan's aggressive father.  Mr. Battle constantly reminds Tony that there is more to life than just basketball and personal success.  He reinforces the important aspects of life and acts as a positive role model for Nathan and Tony.

Blog about Televison

The character that comes to mind when I think about African American actors/actresses is Wood Harris, who played Julius Campbell in the movie Remember the Titans. No matter what, he always had the most heart on the team. When he was faced with tough challenges, he would give his all to overcome these challenges. As mentioned earlier by the many authors, African Americans faced harsh times with no freedom and justice. This is how it was at the beginning when the blacks and whites were integrated together into one high school. All of the white people were protesting and holding signs because they did not want black people in their schooling system because they did not think it was right. The football team had to come together because they were a team so they had to learn how to accept it. Julius went through a lot to make friends with Gary Bertier and he did not care that people did not think this was right. Gary's mom did not want Gary to hang around with Julius because he was black but Gary went against her rules and Gary and Julius ended up becoming the best of friends before Gary died. Julius never stopped his fight to make it right between the two races and make peace.

TV Character

If I could choose one I would choose Omar Epps as Dr. Eric foreman in House. For the last 2 years Epps has one won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama and was even nominated for the honor for the 2 years before as well. Epps's character serves as the voice of reason or even the opposing force to House's prescription medicine-fueled rants and mind games. Epps's character maintains order and a strong leadership over the hospital staff while engaging in intelligent and productive dialog with co-workers(doctors) but also eloquent and compassionate dialog with patients and their families. This serves to present Epps as a strong black male but also simply a well-educated and behaved doctor. The success of such a role is evident in his awards for "Image" from the NAACP which is an honor put upon those representing the black community in a progressive and productive manner. At no point is Epps feeding negative stereotypes but instead handling the difficult task of using his ability and the power of the media as a means to fight these stereotypes and establish a relevant image of black men in the medical field but also, through himself, in acting.

TV character

I don't watch a lot of network television. But, one show that I have watched for a long time is Law & Order. I think it has been on for at least 15 years. The African-American cop by the name of Fin, played by ICE-T, I think represents the diverse individual that West, hooks and Hall write about. He's not the main character but what I have always liked about him is his sense of justice. He is extremely principled and has his own way of dealing with perpetrators. We have gotten to know some of his personal life but mostly he is a very private individual. His character does not essentialize African-Americans but I think reveals a multiplicity within him. This character never seems to be hiding behind a mask but reveals a strong black male who can also be compassionate.

Multifarious Blackness in TV

The articles mentioned in the question center around establishing a black identity or the idea of representation and its implications, the best way to do this, and how there is no "innocent black subject".  The black identity is a complex subject especially since it differs between individuals, as identity does for people of any race or ethnicity.  A character that comes to mind that shows this complexity is Sean Patrick Thomas, or Derek, in "Save the Last Dance".  He comes from the "hood" and has a lower socioeconomic status.  He is constantly faced with pressures to be in a gang or do drugs.  However, he is intelligent and gets accepted to Georgetown for medical school.  He deals with racial issues in dating a white girl (conveniently, Julia Stiles).  While his character is very memorable and portrayed to be an all around good guy, there are moments in the film where we see some inner struggle of establishing an identity and deciding if he has loyalties to one group or another.  He has many close friends and family that can't really be classified into one stereotype or category and I think the movie does a good job demonstrating this uniqueness or individuals but also that stereotypes do exist and that a few people's actions can be detrimental to an entire group if there are preconceived notions and we need to be careful of this.

Harlem Globetrotters Blogg

I thought it would be interesting to look at the Harlem Globetrotters in the cartoons and how they are portrayed on the television. Similarly to how they appear live during basketball games, the Harlem Globetrotters appear very light-hearted and goofy. If you look at how they are portrayed, they have a very diverse group of players. They have very tall players as well as a very short player. Also, they have players of different skin tones, which also interesting to look at.

Harlem Globetrotters Blog

I'd like to start off by saying that I have seen the Globetrotters play and it is truly a remarkable experience. The ease at which the game is played and the difficult shots/tricks are performed is truly remarkable and the fans really enjoy themselves. With that being said, I think it's clear what Black aesthetics are present in their performance. The first is the aesthetic of cool. I say this because they are doing all these things with such ease. The majority of their things would be very hard for the average joe but they make it look easy and have a certain charismatic approach to the game. The other thing is call and response. This is as easy as them performing these things, and the crowd responding with cheers and applause to the actions of the Globetrotters.

Harlem Globetrotters

The Harlem Globetrotters exemplify a number of Black aesthetics we’ve discussed in each of their performances. First, is the aesthetic of cool. As they are dunking over their opponents head and shooting nothing but net from the free throw line they players not only do so seemingly effortlessly, but they also exhibit a sense of swagger right after doing so. Also using the aesthetic of cool, they often dance while playing to again show their skills are just effortless. Second, the Harlem Globetrotters’ performances heavily use call and response. A dunk or crazy move on the court signifies that the crowd should cheer and clap. After doing such a move we often see one of the players put a hand to their ear, also signifying the crowd should support them louder. Finally, the game of basketball is a staple in African American Culture. The way the Harlem Globetrotters take a simple game and turn it into a show, complete with dances, circus-like antics, and fun for the crowd, is another example how they portray Black aesthetics.

Harlem Globetrotters

After watching a few clips on the Harlem Globetrotters, I now know that they display the black aesthetic in many ways. While they are playing the game of basketball, they are having so much fun and enjoying themselves rather than taking it very seriously. Their bodies move in all sorts of ways and they move the ball all around their bodies in different and creative ways. This makes it fun to watch because they have all these intricate moves and designs on the court. They jump around and pass the ball but they make it enjoyable to watch and they make their moves big so the audience can see them and enjoy. I have been to a Harlem Globetrotters game and I loved it. It was so much fun to watch and they incorporate the audience as well which makes it more fun because you can be involved. This team displays the black aesthetic through their bodies and their moves as well as their intricate basketball skill.

The Harlem Globetrotters display the black aesthetic in their play in many ways. Their movements are fluid and coordinated; they appear effortless. The motions of their bodies are the essence of "cool", always in sync in the fluid basketball style that black players embody. Their frequent use of jump shots and dunks are another element; black players brought these techniques to the game, and they faced strong resistance against their implementation but now are central to the essence of the sport. They also signify with their bodies, in a couple of ways. Embody in the play itself is signification; they are just so good and coordinated as a team that they run circles around their opponents, and the fact that it appears so effortless mocks the other team and they try and keep up. They also signify more blatantly in their victory dances, etc. The Globetrotters also embody the black aesthetic in how they engage the audience in the game. They add art and entertainment to the sport, they play to the crowd, drawing them into the game with their tricks and dancing.

Harlem Globetrotters

The Harlem Globetrotters are one of my favorite entertainers to watch. Not only are they excellent basketball players by themselves, they are also like magicians that turn and twist basketball into a show that is unlike any other. They perform insane shots and also employ some aesthetics that we have talked about earlier. I feel that they use some call and response between them, like they way they pass between each other and when they would use a 4 man line to dunk. Another characteristic that I noticed is that the Globetrotters are flowing and flexible in everything they do. This reminded me of the article that Malone mentions something how black dance is flexible because it is matching the defense mechanisms of African Americans at the time, as in they are flexible and can deal with different problems in life easily. So I thought that the Globetrotters had a little bit of that flexibility Malone was talking about. Overall, awesome entertainers.

Blog for Week 13

From the way they dribble to the way they move on the floor, the Harlem Globetrotters are an excellent example of the black aesthetic. These skilled athletes do so many tricks and make the game look so easy. It's as though they really are just "playing." First I'll begin with their dribbling. The Globetrotters dribble in different positions: on knees, crawling, balancing the ball on their arms, heads, and shoulders. They even dribble while carrying things, like umbrellas, around the court. The Globetrotters can shoot from long distances, all the way on the other side of the court. And they travel across the court with such speed that it's hard to tell who even has the ball. One of the main things they do though, that really shows the black aesthetic is the way they fake. Not only do they fake passing the players, but they fake who has the ball, pretending to go for a shoot, then throwing it to someone else who makes the basket. It amazes me how talented these men are and truly how easy they make it look.

Harlem Globetrotters

These guys truly turn the basketball court into a circus! The way they make magic happen with the ball is absolutely incredible. These guys dance with the ball in what seems like a break dancing kind of style and hardly, if ever, drop the ball. Every guy has his own unique way of handling the ball just as in a game of basketball and you can tell that in their moment in the spot light they are in tune with each other and feel the rhythm of each other and the direction in which the ball is going. In the video I picked in particular one of the guys does that spin with the ball around his entire body and it seemed to come so easy for him and natural. They treat the ball as if it were another limb off their body; as if they've had it they're entire life and I think that's what creates the natural rhythm and the flow and movement of the ball through out their show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsdJ90w7hkw&feature=related

Harlem Globetrotters

The Harlem Globetrotters are an amazing group of athletes. Not only are the basketball players, they’re also good entertainers. They put a large twist on an American tradition. A lot of what they do can be recognized in society’s recently popular And 1 basketball. Just as in And 1 basketball, the Globetrotters displayed black aesthetics such as rhythm in the way they play basketball and do their tricks. Call and response is another aesthetic that the Globetrotters display; through their interaction with the audience, the call and response aesthetic is portrayed. The flow of the Globetrotters made their sometimes challenging plays look smooth and effortless, all while looking unified and playing with the other black aesthetic, cool.

Harlem Globetrotters

The Harlem Globetrotters really are a good example of the black aesthetic and how this plays a part in basketball. The Globetrotters present the aesthetic of cool through their fluid motions on the floor as well as how they glide through the air when doing slam dunks and passing among other team members. In the clip that I watched, one could tell that the Globetrotters don't only play a game but present the game as a performance for their audience. They incorporated a song into their basketball game and as a team sort of danced to it! So we can see that they see the game not only as a game but as a performance to engage the audience. They seem to have more fun with the game as well as personalizing it and "bringing it to life". I really enjoyed watching the clip and feel that there is somewhat of a difference in how basketball is played by whites compared to blacks. Black basketball players tend to try and make a performance and emphasize their skills on the floor while keeping the idea of winning in mind, while whites tend to just play the game to win and not really go above and beyond the rules. I think the reason the Harlem Globetrotters have been so successful is because of this perception of the defiance of rules and creating their own moves on the basketball floor. They also engage the audience and make the game somewhat of a spectacle to watch.

Globetrotters

I have known about the Harlem Globetrotters for some time now, so these clips really didn't surprise me at all. The Black aesthetic in their performance is definitely the ''show boating." The Magfic Circle is a very good example of this. The aesthetic of "cool" like many have said is another thing that is present in their performances. Their style, moves, and swagger all contribue to this aesthetic of cool. The swagger they all have is a sense of confidence like they know they are going to be able to do whatever move they want. Not all but generally Blacks do have a different style of play from Whites'. African Americans do do a lot more showing off their skills and talents and natural abilities by doing things like dunking because they put more into basketball then just winning. The majority of whites are concerned with winning and fundamentals which do wins games, however they are not neccessarily very entertaining to the crowd. They don't take as many risks with risky tricks and things like that.

Harlem Globetrotters

After watching some clips on the Globetrotters A few Black Aesthetics stood out to me including the aesthetic of "cool" and show-boating. The way they moved around the court almost seemed to me a sort of dance and the way they flowed was very cool in a way. They would also show off their moves during the game by slam dunking and doing fancy moves. I think that these aesthetics are shown in many different aspects of Black culture. The Globetrotters are very talented players and by just watching them play for a short while I could see so much culture in their movements.

Globetrotters

I too watched many different clips of the Globetrotters. In the past i never thought about their style of play as 'black', rather it was just 'Globetrotter play'. It's entertainment that draws out a wide spectrum of spectators. Anyone can appreciate a good show. I do however now notice the black aesthetic within their play. The rhythm in moves and the flow of the game from the dribble to the jump shot. The quickness of their feet and their hands and the ability to trick their opponents is signature to the Globetrotters as well as characteristic to the black aesthetic. Another element that is apparent is the idea of 'cool'. The players have an aura of cool from the way they perform to the way they interact with each other and the audience. The Globetrotters do have a distinctive style of play with a black aesthetic that resounds within.

Harlem Globetrotters

After watching various clips of the Harlem Globetrotters, I noticed numerous aspects of the Black aesthetic in their performance. Probably the most prominent was that of show-boating. At times during the course of the games, a Globetrotter would break away from the team element of the game and show flashes of individual brilliance such as a behind the back pass or half-court shot. In addition, during breaks before and during the game, the Globetrotters would please the crowd with the passes featured in their "magic circle." As Caponi discusses, this show-boating has always been a part of Black expressive culture. In addition, I also saw a number of slam dunks which, according to Caponi, is a way of both personalizing the act of scoring and a form of stylization as pioneered by African-American players. Furthermore, as Aurthur Ashe stated that the "Black" style of play utilized uncommon jumping ability, speed, and innovative passing skills, these elements were all prominently featured in the Globetrotters' style of play with their fast breaks, amazing behind the back passes, and finishing dunks. In all, as Ashe discussed, the elements of the Black aesthetic as utilized by the Globetrotters show a cultural willingness to improvise and combine to create a game that is "extremely exciting to watch."