theFreshXpress Roundtable II

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We have a new weekly feature here at FXP: theFreshXpress Roundtable. Each week we’ll bring you 5 Young Black Americans from across the country, ask them 5 questions, and watch the answers fly. Being the PULSE of Young Black America, we figure its a good look to discuss what’s been going on in our world lately. This week we have:

Slim Jackson, a 26 year old IT Staffer in Boston, MA

LaTosha Ellis, a 29 year old Project Manager in Cincinnati, OH

Trammell Jones, a 23 year old Masters of Post Secondary Education Student in Los Angeles, CA

Sable Verity, a 31 year old Writer/Blogger in Seattle, WA

Rahsaan Goldsboro, a 30 year old Vocational Counselor in Baltimore, MD

Check out what our Fresh Roundtable participants discuss, and chime in on your own at the end. Kickin’ knowledge and having fun… its what FXP is all about.

1. It seems as if people are always venting about reality TV, and how badly African Americans are portrayed in them. Then comes For The Love of Ray-J, and the news that he’s leading VH1 in ratings. Who do you want to see in a reality TV show next, and do you think this reality show craze will ever end?

Slim Jackson: After sitting here scratching my head for 5 minutes, I realized how much disdain I have for reality shows nowadays. I can’t even think of a celebrity that would have me at my TV trying to follow their life like that. I don’t think this reality show craze is going anywhere anytime soon…much to my dismay. I’ve had cable for a while and I still don’t know what channel VH-1 is without having to scroll through the guide.

LaTosha Ellis: I would take pleasure in a reality show that follows the Obama administration.  Whether it is a staffer or intern for the administration or a brief series highlighting the life of Michelle Obama as she fulfills her responsibilities as the first lady.  Not only would this be fascinating for those entrenched in politics and government like myself, but it would be a great opportunity to portray an African American woman as something other than a single mother with an attitude and violent streak, a video vixen, or the wife of an athlete.

I do not think the craze for reality shows will ever end because I think it is in our human nature to want to see how other people live their lives – whether we approve of their behavior or not.

Trammell Jones: Personally I am sick of VH1 and all of the “For the Love of” series and think they should be banned from being aired. No one TRULY finds love on any of those series and the cast of the shows degrade themselves for appearance bonuses and “fame.” And if you define fame as having your name on a lot of bloggers websites, getting a few paparazzi snapping shots of you, or being invited to promote parties, and then they can have it. Over the years, Reality TV has become more and more scripted that it’s not really Reality anymore (i.e. Real World, you can always count on there being a LGBT person, a token minority, and someone with a crazy story!) Sadly, I don’t think the Reality TV craze will ever end because of the fact that people are so fascinated with watching others make fools of themselves on TV. It’s apparent because these shows are getting the ratings so these stations are going to continue to do what’s popular.

Sable Verity: I don’t watch television.  “Reality” tv has little reality involved, and yes, Blacks and people of color are always portrayed in a less than favorable light.  It’s all about “entertainment”, and apparently watching Black people make fools of themselves is entertaining to many- including Black folks themselves.  If I did watch tv, I’d want to see a glimpse into the lives of real, normal people from around the world.  The medium could do so much to promote understanding if it focused less on ad revenue. (Ed. Note: We used to have that. It was called “public access”. It sucked).  We need to do more to highlight the positive instead of the negative or sensational.

Rahsaan Goldsboro: I am certain that reality TV is here to stay, since I can’t stop it, I’m sitting back and waiting for The Running Man.  Along with 98% of the residents of Texas I’ll sit back and watch prisoners play deadly games for their freedom and large sums of money. I know it’s coming.  It’ll be how they draw focus from putting American industry behind bars.  This will probably be the highest rated show on television…especially when the ”Runner” is a minority.  They should probably take some of the people who are already on reality TV as participants, but I doubt that I will ever be that lucky.  I predict Mike Tyson, Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Dick Cheney will be the coordinator.  Bill O’Reilly will host it.

2. The recent string of mass shooting sprees has once again brought the subject of gun control to the forefront. Yet, support for gun control is at its lowest ever. In an April 2009 Gallup Poll, just 29% of people feel that hand guns should be banned. What are your thoughts on the recent killing sprees, and on gun control?

Slim Jackson: I think the recent killing sprees have less to do with gun control and more to do with where people are in their lives and how they’re relating to the real world. If somebody wants to get a hold of a gun, legally or illegally, they are going to find a way to get a hold of a gun. Simple as that. I’m more concerned with the number of stories about people killing their families then killing themselves. Trips me out every time I hear about a new incident.

LaTosha Ellis: Given the facts shared by the authorities, it does not appear that the recent gun sprees were related to any deficiencies in the current gun control laws. In fact, the recent gun sprees were the result of circumstances unrelated to gun control; one is thought to have been prompted by the gunman’s concern that the Obama administration will ban guns.  There are gun control regulations in place and I personally believe that if people fall within those guidelines then it is their constitutional right to bear arms until they demonstrate that they are unfit to do so within the confines of the law.

Trammell Jones: I don’t think guns should be banned but there should be some type of control. Banning guns would eliminate a form of protection for target populations. Living in Los Angeles, it’s important to “even the playing field” because of the high levels of gang violence and crime.

Sable Verity: We have a gun violence problem in Seattle.  Many people wouldn’t think that is the case, but dozens have been murdered- with not a single arrest, let alone a conviction.  In most cases the guns are stolen.  I’ve lost a family member to gun violence, and so have friends of mine.  I think gun ownership is out of control in this country, just like most things.  Why would a person carry around a gun that could kill an elephant?  Do we have elephants running wild, threatening human survival?  Why would a person have a gun that could dispense 50 bullets by pulling the trigger just once?    We have a larger issue in this country when it comes to mass killings and “senseless violence”, and then is emotional and mental illness that goes undiagnosed or untreated.

Yes, we have too many guns in the US, right to bear arms be damned.  I agree with Chris Rock, fine, get yourself a gun.  Bullets should cost 5k each, at least.

Rahsaan Goldsboro: I actually blame the killing sprees on a lot of these right wing talk show hosts pumping fear and hatred into people.  Turn on Fox News Channel for a minute…if you suspend logic and listen you’ll think the world is ending.  As far as gun control goes…I’m only really for it in regards to fully automatic weapons.  I believe in handguns for home protection and even if they were banned, you’d never be able to get rifles banned. Too many people hunt in this country.  Not to mention most guns that crimes are committed with are illegal.  There was recently an arrest made in Baltimore. A man who owns an Utz potato chip stand got busted for selling guns over the counter in the America’s oldest Market (Lexington Market). He mentioned during one of the sales that he was having trouble getting M-16s from his military connect since 9/11.  If dudes in the military are selling guns then I have little faith that you can stop people from getting them.  Not to mention…people who have the will to kill people intentionally will find a way to do it.

3. South Park may have come with one of their funniest shows ever, when they recently went in on Kanye West. Watch: (Ed. Note: I watched this video 37 times yesterday. No lie).

Did South Park go too far with this one, or did they hit the issue dead on? Is Kanye West really (a) gay (fish)?

Slim Jackson: I’m a huge fan of South Park, so maybe I’m a bit biased on this one (lol). The clip with Kanye is funny for multiple reasons. Aside from the indirect commentary on his hair style and the abuse of autotune, they dove right in (pause?) on something that a few people around me have been saying for a while about his sexuality. Sometimes his clothing and mannerisms can come across as a little…different. As a celebrity that loves getting attention, he should take this as a compliment and keep it moving. I guess he doesn’t have much of a choice now. As for what I think of his sexuality, no comment.

LaTosha Ellis: While I think Kanye is eccentric and sometimes over the top -okay, he is always over the top – I don’t necessarily think he is gay.  I think he is infatuated with the attention that his eccentricity gets him and is still trying to cope with the unexpected loss of his mother; everyone deals with grief differently. Some deal with grief by releasing unusual sounding music and wearing bad fashion from the 80′s. (Ed. Note: Some also deal with grief by coming out the closet. Nothing wrong with that.)

Trammell Jones: When doesn’t South Park go too far?! If Kanye is seriously offended by this, then he needs to seriously get over himself. Although I respect Kanye as an artist and a person, he has let all of the hype go to his head and has developed one of the biggest egos in the industry today. What happened to the humble Kanye from the “Through the Wire” and “College Dropout” days?! Thats the Kanye I miss!

Sable Verity: <sigh> The South Park crack on ‘ye was funny.  Is he “really” gay?  Who the hell knows. (Ed. Note: We know). Is he full of himself?  Aaaaabsolutely.  He could be doing so much more with his position of privilege and influence (just like others) but he’s not.  He needs to re-familiarize himself with reality.

Rahsaan Goldsboro: South Park was right on point…as usual.  Something I always liked about Kanye was that instead of just being arrogant, he has clearly stated, “I am arrogant”.  The part that kills me - he never takes the step beyond acknowledgment. That’s where I get off.  You can’t point out a flaw that you have without trying to improve on it.  I like the music, but Kanye is a gay fish.

4. The National Organization for Marriage spent $1.5 million on a national advertising campaign against Same Sex marriages. The commercials feature people talking about same sex marriages as a threat to their personal and religious freedom against a backdrop of dark clouds and lightning. What do you think about this ad campaign?

Slim Jackson: I think that ad campaign is ludicrous, bogus, fanatic, extremist, and a bunch of other negative words. I think the National Organization for Marriage should spend more time trying to decrease the number of broken families and homes instead of campaigning against homosexuality. The divorce rate was 50% or above way before sexuality became the hot topic. Honestly, what two people of the same sex do in their spare time is not going to affect my relationship with my boobookins. I’m gonna spoon with her all the same. (Ed. Note: LOL).

LaTosha Ellis:I think that the ad campaign is a bit extra. If you allow someone and what they are doing to be a threat to your religious or personal freedom, then the real threat to your religious or personal freedom is YOU and the fact that are allowing anyone other than GOD to have that much power or control over your life.

Trammell Jones: I think this ad campaign is a huge waste of money and the people involved need to focus on more serious issues rather than being concerned about what is going on in someone else’s household. There are much more serious issues that the resources used in this campaign can be applied to. Why are people so threatened by the LGBTQ community when they are simply trying to live their lives comfortably like the next person? Its 2009, not the 1960’s, and people should start acting like it!

Sable Verity: You know, I’m so sick and tired of this issue being portrayed as one that is about the protection of anything other than bigotry.  Ad campaign aside, the issue of who has a right to marry is a simple one.  In this country, when push comes to shove, we have this little thing called “the separation of church and state,” which means the state can’t dictate to the church what it can and cannot do, nor can the church dictate to the state what it can and cannot do.  Having a marriage ceremony in a church does not make two people married- handling the legal, governmental paperwork is what “makes” two people married.  If a religion does not believe in performing a ceremony for two people of the same sex, fine.  But it cannot tell the state that it cannot do the same thing, based on RELIGIOUS views.  The State, legally cannot discriminate against people, therefore it is- or should be- legally bound to perform a marriage rite.  Gay marriage is not a threat to anyone’s personal or religious freedom- but banning it clearly is.  Get over your homophobia people!

Rahsaan Goldsboro: I’m surprised they didn’t spend the money making stickers to place over the Webster definition.  This is a wedge issue. As far as wedge issues go people know where they stand and it’s hard to sway them.  You either feel strongly, or wish people wouldn’t fuss so much about it. As effective as advertising can be commercials don’t work well for personal beliefs.  They would have been better off trying to bribe politicians to get gay marriage banned.  I really don’t think anyone who wasn’t against it is going to see that commercial and say, “I didn’t get it before….but those dark clouds really hit home”.  It sure won’t make gay people think they shouldn’t get married.

5. Bow Wow recently proclaimed his love of Angela Simmons in Giant Magazine. “Angela Simmons is the love of my life. She’s a young black woman doing something incredible. She’s a CEO of a company at 21 years old and a positive role model for kids.” Do you buy Bow Wow’s chances with Russell’s niece? Or is he still trying to make up for the Ciara fumble?

Slim Jackson: I think Bow Wow is still a boy. (Ed. Note: Ouch). Off topic, but whatever. I’d forgotten about him and Ciara actually. I’m sure he’s done the same.

LaTosha Ellis:I’m not so sure about Bow Wow’s chances with Angela, but what I am sure about is that given his past relationships  that he exposed to the media limelight (none of which worked out), he might want to take a page from Beyonce and Jay-Z’s book and keep his personal life, personal. And on a somewhat related note, if my daddy was part of the Run DMC empire and my uncle an icon in the fashion industry I could very well have been a 21 year old CEO too.

Trammell Jones: Which one is Angela again?! (Ed. Note: Angela is a 7.5, Vanessa is a 9. That should clarify.) What a joke… why would Bow Wow even put this out there. I think this is nothing more than a publicity stunt as he tries to find his niche as an adult. I would hope that Angela would have enough sense to not feed in to any of this media “game!”

Sable Verity: Okay now this is just a silly question.  Do I care about Bow Wow?  No.  Do I care about Angela Simmons?  No.  Could he have been trying to cement his “in” to the Simmons clan?  Sure.  Or he could just be stoopid in love and trying to find a way to show her how special she is to him.  As for his “Ciara fumble,” again, I don’t care.  How many people died of starvation, AIDS or a rare cancer because of who Bow Wow is or is not f*cking?  None.  Next question.

Rahsaan Goldsboro: I have a hard time buying relationships that have PR.  When things get real I have alot more respect for people who make statements like: “Mind your business”.  I’m also not big on explanations.  I really wouldn’t include positive role model and young CEO on my list of reason I love someone.  I’d admire someone for those reasons, but that wouldn’t be what sweept me off of my feet. I will say this, Bow Wow better watch his back. Run may be a Reverend, but I’m sure he will ride on a dude for messing around with his baby girls heart.

FXP In The Fire: You and your best friend meet up for lunch. You haven’t spoken in awhile, and you’re catching up old times. After a brief silence, your best friend tells you he’s/she’s been dating your mom for the past three months. What’s your reaction?

Slim Jackson: Karate chop to the throat and a flower vase over the head.

LaTosha Ellis: While I’d like to say that all I would want is for my Mommy Dearest to live life and be happy, I have to keep it 100% and say that I’d be quite disturbed by not only the fact that my best friend had the audacity to actually date my mother which I find dead wrong, but also the fact that my “best friend” clearly is in the habit of dating women my mother’s age and I was oblivious to it.   I would let him know that he’d need to make a choice between our friendship and their relationship.

Trammell Jones: AFTER I finish whooping his a**, then I will sit down and attempt to gather my thoughts. I tend to blow up first and ask questions later in situations like this. I would then have a few token words for my Mama. This scenario hits too close to home and I don’t condone any close friends dating or hooking up with parents!

Sable Verity: WTF?!  My moms huh?  Mm.  Well then.  I’m guessing… I blackout and wake up strapped to a gurney with 2 armed police officers outside my hospital door.  But that’s just a guess.  Jokes aside.  Love who you love.  Just don’t expect me to double date.  Forget it.

Rahsaan Goldsboro: Right Hook.  That’s against Bro Code.  You can’t date your friends mother without expecting some serious threats to your continued existence.  Since my mother programmed me to fear her from an early age…guess who I’m going Incredible Hulk on?  After I finish soaking him in a downpour of fisticuffs, I’ll wonder why he put aside our friendship and elected the way of pain.  Then I’ll sit at my mothers house and pray that he’s not stupid enough to remain in the same city as me.

Tagged as: Angela Simmons, Bow Wow, Gun Control, Gun Violence, Homosexuality, Kanye West, Ray-J, same-sex marriage

Article by FreshXpress Staff

theFreshXpress.com is a collection of free thinkers and individuals that have come together to give voice to a nation of young African Americans. It is our mission to provide fresh thought, fresh perspectives, and fresh debate on issues relevant to the African American community.

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