Thelonious Legend's Blog, page 2

Black Speculative Fiction Month

In case you didn't know it's Black Speculative Fiction Month (#BSFM)! Yay! And if you want to find out more about Black Speculative Fiction check out our friends at Twin Ninja Book Reviews or Milton Davis over at the State of Black Science Fiction  And Milton is always looking for book releases, interviews, conventions, etc. so hit him up on facebook if you have ideas, suggestions, inquiries

As for me I've been reading the excellent web comic series A Softer Apocalypse written by Greg Stolze and drawn by Nick Butler of Turtle Dust Media  And if you
are into Black Speculative Fiction or want an example of Black Speculative Fiction you need to peep this joint now. And don't worry about paying for it because it's free. The comic is set in a not too distant future where everything that is wrong today has gotten dramatically worse. And it's not so much a post apocalyptic dystopian piece as a suburban horror story with climate change instead of vampires, and economic downturn instead of werewolves, and years of bio terror instead of ghost. But the coolest part? If you are desperate, driven, or crazy you can buy super-powers on the black market. But be careful because their is a 50-50 chance that the process to procure these powers can kill you! Greg's and Nick's links are below along with the link to the web comic. Check it out and let me know your thoughts.

Softer Apocalypse: Link

Nick's Links:
Website: www.turtledustmedia.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/turtledustmediaTumblr: http://turtledustmedia.tumblr.com/ Download a copy of Nick's head trip here: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/6606138/nickButlerHeadTrip.pdf

Greg's Links
Website: http://www.gregstolze.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GregStolze

I'm Sick and Tired

I don't know what else to say so I'm going to quote famed Civil Rights Activist Fannie Lou Hamer, who coined the phrase "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."  The ignorance and insensitivity towards minorities and their respective cultures is a jarring example that there is still much work to do to realize the promise that is America. This great country has always been more of a mosaic than a melting pot. A beautiful mosaic that boast the pride of different ethnicity’s and cultures working in concert for that dream impassioned in Martin Luther's King speech.  But also a mosaic that pigeon holes, undermines, and erects barriers to some of the most colorful components of that mosaic. I'm not going to touch on Ferguson or Michael Brown because I don't think I can say anything as heartfelt or intelligent as Grey's Anatomy actor Jesse Williams Instead let me focus on the Entertainment Industry, and more specifically the Exodus movie, The Washington Redskins team name, and the New York Times article about Shonda Rhimes. 

The derivation of the term Redskin is muddled.  But no matter the origin, today
the name is at best culturally insensitive and at worst blatantly racist. But billionaire and team owner Daniel Snyder says it is a term of honor and respect. Interesting choice of words but for the sake of this post let us traffic in facts.  The dictionary defines Redskin as slang: Often disparaging and offensive. There is nothing honorable about that. But the Redskins name controversy is more about self-identity and power than anything else. Native Americans deserve the right to control their image, their identity, and how they choose to be represented. We cannot tell them what they should or should not find offensive or racist.  We have to cede that power and allow that if they themselves find a term racist or offensive then no matter our personal beliefs that term becomes by definition racist and offensive. Unless of course you are a billionaire and team owner.

actors of a darker hue have been relegated to playing slaves. What makes these casting choices controversial is that the movie takes place in Egypt which of course is in Africa.  If it were in Canada this might be a non-issue. But how do these "oversights" keep happening? How does casting whites as kings and blacks as slaves not raise any alarms? I mean it's 2014!  And what would happen if we tried the inverse? Would it be objectionable for Denzel Washington to play JFK? Or Morgan Freeman to play George Washington? I'm thinking someone in casting might object about the legitimacy of the movie if that happened. The ability of two men of color having the chops to play historic icons and presidents would be beside the point. That film would not get green lighted. Not so for Exodus.

"Angry Black Woman" If you have not read the article about
Having money is not everything not having it is. That's a Kayne West lyric and a fairly accurate metaphor of the disparate prisms in which whites and minorities view and experience race. Whites are involved in race while minorities are committed, and like the chicken and pig our rolls are decided at birth. Mr. Scott had tea with

Interview with Reggie R. Bythewood Director of Gun Hill

Links 
Reggie's Interview on Sound Cloud: Link
Gun Hill Trailer: Link
Larenz training 52 Blocks: Link
Beyond The Lights Trailer: Link
Reggie's IMDB Profile: Gina's IMDB Profile: Larenz's IMDB Profile:

Black Comics Chat

We doing this! We are hosting a one-hour #BlackComicsChat on August 23rd at 7pm CST.  It's going down like this...the first thirty minutes will be dedicated towards comics you are reading and will use the hashtag  #amreading coupled with #BlackComicsChat. This is your opportunity to share and promote any titles you are reading that have a contribution from a person of color or contains an MCOC (Main Character of Color).  The second half will use the hashtag #amwriting coupled with #BlackComicsChat, this period will be for content creators. Anyone and everyone who is involved in the creative process of creating comics promote yourselves! And please spread the word! The more people we can engage and get to participate the better. #WeNeedDiverseBooks is tweeted and retweeted reflexively and now this is the perfect opportunity to realize the purpose of #WeNeedDiverseBooks.  If you don't know of any comics created by people of color check back on this post. I'll be cataloging and providing links throughout the week. Thanks and I'll be tweeting you on Saturday!

Legend Of The Mantamaji                                                                  Quixote #1    










Peep Game Comix

Interview with Yolonda Brinkley, Creator of Beyond Borders:Diversity in Cannes

Yolonda Brinkley is making waves. As the creator of Beyond Borders:Diversity in Cannes, a filmmmaker symposium and short film showcase taking place during the Cannes Film Festival, Yolonda is determined to enhance the visibility and opportunities of diverse projects in filming. Once a French Teacher for Teach for America, before working in corporate america, Yolonda is now a change agent in the entertainment industry.  The journey has not always been easy for Yolonda but her faith has never wavered. From her humbling experience on the film The Last Fall to doing PR for Hollywood stalwart

Voice Interview: Link
Diversity in Cannes Twitter: Link
Diversity in Cannes Website: Link
Diversity in Cannes Facebook: Link
Diversity in Cannes YouTube: Link
Yolonda's Reel: Link

Interview with Eric Dean Seaton Creator and Director of Legend Of The Mantamji

Comic book fans have never had it so good. Guardians Of The Galaxy is tearing it up at the box office.  Netflix is developing Marvel street level heroes series such as Luke Cage and Daredevil.  Agents of SHIELD has been renewed(or gotten a reprieve).  Green Arrow's success has led to the launch of the eagerly anticipated Flash series. In short, grab your popcorn because this should be nerd nirvana. But all that glitters isn't gold. There has been a shockingly lack of diversity in all these endeavors sans Luke Cage. And it starts at the comic book level.  All the above are owned properties of DC or Marvel and all started out in print form.  But what about us?  What about properties and heroes that look like us?  Enter Eric Dean Seaton. An episodic director who has helmed over 34 shows, Mr. Seaton is launching a graphic novel titled Legend Of The Mantamaji.  This diverse graphic novel is centered around a person of color who must overcome internal issues before he can take on an ancient evil.  You want to start seeing heroes like us on the big screen?  It starts with supporting the work and talent of  people like Eric Dean Seaton at the print level. In the following interview Mr. Seaton discusses his motivation for starting a graphic novel and how that compares to directing TV along with a host of other topics. Please give it a listen.

Voice Interview: Link
Twitter Account: Link
Website: Link
Legend of Mantamaji Website: Link
For Pre-Orders Amazon Link: Link

My Favorite Movies You never heard Of

On Aug 2nd BET aired the Independently produced film Middle Of Nowhere and I was able to experience my favorite film of 2012 again with a bunch of my twitter peeps. To me, the next best thing about enjoying a film or book is sharing that enjoyment with others whether it be online or in person. Unfortunately, this film was not widely released leaving me few opportunities to dialogue with others about how truly great this film is which in and of itself is troubling. Diversity in films benefits everyone. Diversity challenges viewers through unique POV's forcing them out their comfort zone. Diversity lets people appreciate characters and situations they never knew existed and in the process expands their world. And those of you who support the campaign #WeNeedMoreDiverse books please support organizations that are striving for diversity in films. Organizations like Diversity in Cannes that empowers film makers to thing outside the box.  AFFRM  which strives to put black-themed films in commercial theaters. And Reelsisters which celebrates women of color in film.  You can also tweet and share your favorite diverse films that were not widely distributed. Three of my favorites might be unknowns to most people. These three films are remarkable in casting, cinematography, and POV. If you have you already seen them please share your thoughts or reply back with some of your favs. If not, do yourself the favor of getting familiar with these films, the actors, and directors because that is the first step in supporting diversified films.

Secrets and Lies
The characters in this tense melodrama are painfully real and deal with complex issues in a way that lends credence to their humanity and frailty. The skill with which these beautifully flawed characters are handled draws you in, engages you. This film was also my first introduction to the magnificent
City Of God
If you are born in America no matter how disparate the conditions, you have a chance, a shot to better your life no matter how daunting the odds.  This fact was crystallized after watching The City Of God. Loosely based on real events the environment of hopelessness, violence and depravity is the primary protagonist as the bit characters fight for turf, drugs, guns and one for his creative soul. This stunning film also introduced the world to the beautiful
I Will Follow
Had to watch this film twice to appreciate it. And I think my biggest issue was viewing

The Type of Women I like

Let's cut to the chase, a post centered on "The Type Of Women I Like" is inherently sexist. To categorize, objectify, and compare women as if they were cars says more about the individuals doing the categorization then the women they seek to objectify.  But stay with me for a minute and let me share something with you. The other day my daughters had a tennis tournament and before I hustled them into the car I asked one of them why she was wearing her hair like she was.  Her hair could best be described as twists with a rubber band placed asymmetrically on one side.  She confidently stated, "Because I like it." For some reason that caught me off guard. I shrugged it off but as I drove to the tennis courts I kept thinking about what she said. "Because I like it." And I couldn't stop smiling.  What my daughter thought about her hair was immeasurably more important than what I thought about it. And as I watched her compete throughout the day her hairstyle grew on me. I now "liked" it. But I "liked" her attitude more. She didn't need me, her sisters, or anyone else to co-sign on something that she was already convinced of. She was not going to let someone dictate to her what was acceptable or beautiful and what wasn't. And as a parent I could not have been more proud. And I thought of women who I think are beautiful and their individual styles.

Interview with Independent Filmmaker Dan Mirvish

Dan Mirvish is a man of many talents. He is a director, screenwriter, producer, political speech writer, and some would say political provocateur.  His most recent film Between Us starring
Voice Interview  - Link
His website - http://danmirvish.com/ His Twitter - https://twitter.com/DanMirvishHis Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dmirvish?fre... youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/DanMirvish Latest Movie - Between UsNY Times article - Link
IMDB -Martin Eisenstadt book - Link
Martin Eisenstadt youtube - Link
Martin Eisenstadt twitter - https://twitter.com/MartyEisenstadt

Are Blerds Black Enough?

I remember a discussion I had awhile back with my co-workers. I was the only person of color involved in the discussion and at one point one of my co-workers looked at me and said "But you are not really black though."  He said it as a back-handed compliment but everyone else including me froze. I let him know I wasn't happy with nor did I appreciate the comment.  He apologized profusely and stated he didn't mean anything by it.  But I knew intimately what he meant. I was not authentic. I wasn't really black or black enough. And it wasn't the first time I heard it. I grew up in a poor neighborhood and had always been bookish which was not a recipe for being cool or popular. On more than a few occasions I had been accused of trying to be white sometimes jokingly sometimes not just for reading books. My two closest friends growing up wanted to be football players and both did end up playing football in college. In a culture where athleticism is at times more valued than academics they were infinitely more cooler and popular than me. I didn't start getting props until I started boxing and wrestling in middle-school. I was above average at boxing but I excelled at wrestling. And now I had an identity that was separate and at odds with my bookish or nerdy identity. I was an athlete and more specific I was a wrestler. Wrestling and boxing are physically demanding sports and anyone who competes in them must be tough so by definition I couldn't be a nerd right? I struggled with this as I searched for a tag or identity that defined me completely.  Something that said yes I'm black, and I'm smart, and athletic, and I love books. But there were no labels that I was aware of that encapsulated all of that. So I became different things to different people at different times. Sometimes a nerd, sometimes an oreo, sometimes an academic, sometimes a jock. And despite my new found popularity due to my athletic achievements I was still teased at times which led to some fighting. I equipped my self fairly well in these fights (I had a quick right hand and a strong wrestling pedigree) but it bothered me that some of my peers still doubted my authenticity. That by some mythical cultural barometer of blackness I was less in their eyes. Now no-one escapes childhood with out some trauma and I don't want to paint the picture that I was a social outcast who struggled to connect.  I was far from that.  I was popular with a diverse group of friends and gave as good as I got in the teasing department. But I still struggled with my racial identity and wondered if I really was less black. It was not until high school that I realized I could be  smart, bookish, nerdy, popular, athletic and it did not take away from my blackness. I defined my identity. These phony arbitrators defining blackness had no more license to do so then my grade school peers.  I could be nerdy, or rather blerdy and proud without sacrificing one iota of my cultural identity or racial pride. I still feel the same way today. And if anyone wants to challenge my authenticity or question if I'm black enough I still have a quick right hand.