anybody watching this? kinda corny but kinda funny though, episode 1 has me intrigued...

2. Makes you appreciate Anthony Anderson as an actor (as someone else on twitter pointed out).

3. It's not fair to say Rashida Jones shouldn't be in a show called Black AF. But there is a color-ism issue going on.

**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

>3. It's not fair to say Rashida Jones shouldn't be in a show
>called Black AF. But there is a color-ism issue going on.

she is MIXED RACE playing a character who is MIXED RACE.

jesus christ.

d

by, even in a show called Black AF, Kenya Barris continues to only cast predominately bi-racial moms and kids?

Like I said, I don't deny bi-racial folks are black (if they want to be) but there is colorism at work.

So why am I clueless?


**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

THE ACTORS LOOK JUST LIKE HIS OWN FAMILY!

this website should be renamed #FauxtepAF

d

**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

that shit is called EMPHASIS.

d

d

.

.

.

can somebody point me to the center of it?

re: the colorism / rashida shit

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

>2. Makes you appreciate Anthony Anderson as an actor (as
>someone else on twitter pointed out).
>
>3. It's not fair to say Rashida Jones shouldn't be in a show
>called Black AF. But there is a color-ism issue going on.
>


his ex-wife is actually named Rainbow IRL

drug dealers and slavery. The Cosby Show & Family Matters have already been done.

the script and cast are extremely poor. really makes you appreciate blackish even more.

or a politically incorrect not watered down for network TV Blackish

daughter is filming. So, some of his (and the family’s) antics could be spiced up for the camera.

I’ve found some hilarious parts so far in the first three episodes.

It’s hitting the same beats as blackish, hell the family/cast is almost parallel in roles. But every piece is just dry. And the cast makes or breaks a sitcom to me. Kenya is godawful as a lead for one

And if this is supposed to be his curb than comparing it to that makes it look even worse.

tv or even real life.


peace & blessings,

x.

www.twitter.com/poetx

=========================================
I'm an advocate for working smarter, not harder. If you just
focus on working hard you end up making someone else rich and
not having much to show for it. (c) mad

for writing shows about himself


www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

meanwhile, i'm still too chickenshit to really go there with my writing.... (YET)

d

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

Like how you can go on NBC.com and see the sketches from dress rehearsal that didn't make SNL.

they wouldn't let him tell on network tv when it might have been a bit more original and creative to move on to another project.

What I think is interesting is that he still in his soul is a network TV sitcom writer and deviated less from the style, cadance, subject matter than the more daring programming that FX, Netflix and HBO make like Atlanta, Master of None, Dave, Insecure even Girls.


**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

...without the improv.

at least that's how it comes off.

it started slow for me but it gets going.

I read some of the backlash on social media, and I stopped cause people just seemed determined to be mad at it.

It's TV.

It's cool.

But my wife enjoys it because she feels like it hits so close to home. The more I watched the more I got over his acting (or did he get better over time) and the more it became clear he was in on the joke about his out of touchness.

I especially dug the episode about the black art criticism because I be on that wave-length. Loved Tyler Perry's speech.

The more the show goes the more I see what he is trying to do and it's definitely something no one else is doing (and also not EXACTLY what he did on black-ish).



**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

essentially, if you doing shit that the people you are making it for are feeling, do that. don't drive yourself crazy.

that scene w/ him and tp chopping it up was worth the price of admission.


peace & blessings,

x.

www.twitter.com/poetx

=========================================
I'm an advocate for working smarter, not harder. If you just
focus on working hard you end up making someone else rich and
not having much to show for it. (c) mad

Stopped at four.

Peace,

Spirit (Alan)
http://wutangbook.com

I really like the way he self-critiqued...this show hits on multiple levels for me

d

not into his films but like he said, they not for me. i can't be mad

d

My fav episode so far.

That episode damn near justified the whole season.
______________________________________________________________________________

"To Each His Reach"

but.....

Fuck aliens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95LX5FptSiQ#t=4m
start at the 4 minute mark

Ftr, I haven't watched the show. Someone just showed me the part yall are talking about. I guess I thought his Sway interview was more popular than it is.

not wanting to sign a petition complaining about Toni Morrison not getting the National Book Award for Beloved. I saw him tell the story in the movie "Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am." Gwendolyn said, “…why would I want to beg those people for their award? I don’t need them to tell me I’m doing right. We should make our own awards.”

CurbYourEnthusiasm-ish

my wife watches all of the “-ish” shows, religiously. I was in the room with her with headphones on while she watched this, yesterday...and it was nearly nonstop laughter, from her. Not like chuckling, either...straight up, gut busting laughter. Damn near made me want to watch it.

I might try again just for Rashida...but damn...



*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/bobgeorge87

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

i wanted to see where it was going and i'm glad i did.

d

*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/bobgeorge87

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

....just sorta off-putting.
______________________________________________________________________________

"To Each His Reach"

but.....

Fuck aliens.

fact is, it’s real life l stuff. when he told the daughter, “someone’s gonna f*ck you up one day”. I died laughing. lol

>fact is, it’s real life l stuff. when he told the daughter,
>“someone’s gonna f*ck you up one day”. I died laughing.
>lol

Now that line and the other one about her jaw getting tapped, yeah, funny.

Daughter calling her Dad a dick? nah. Just didn't hit like that to me.



______________________________________________________________________________

"To Each His Reach"

but.....

Fuck aliens.

she knew it was true too lol

d

"Get ready....for your blessing....."
"Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"

kids talk to her

some of my favorite things have unlikeable characters

mcnulty was a piece of shit
fuck alonzo
larry david is trash

but the wire, training day and curb were dope af with them in it

kenya is being kenya..and he puts himself as the brunt of many of the jokes

d

I will not stand for this

not him as an actual person

he's completely unlikeable on Curb

*nervous tapdance*

d

I find him extremely likable and relatable.

blackAF tho, I’m all in because the acting is much better...

for real for real??!!????


"Get ready....for your blessing....."
"Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"

Y’all are damn near twins.

"Get ready....for your blessing....."
"Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"

I’m not fond of the acting of Anthony or Tracee. Notice how specific I am about “why“ I don’t like it...

it’s ironic to say you can’t relate to this show but you can relate to blackish. Don’t they portray bring wealthy too?

>I’m not fond of the acting of Anthony or Tracee. Notice how
>specific I am about “why“ I don’t like it...
Sorry, I missed that part. I thought you were just talking in general. I feel like if anything they have some of the BEST collection of child and adult actors on network TV in YEARS....

>it’s ironic to say you can’t relate to this show but you
>can relate to blackish. Don’t they portray bring wealthy
>too?
They seem more upper middle class than filthy rich to me....


"Get ready....for your blessing....."
"Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"

I guess we can disagree on the acting but, the content is something we all can relate too.

the “white gaze“
being young and having adult children
effects of slavery...

spoof-ish, satirical humor.

It’s not for everyone.

But since several folks have said it gets better, I'm gonna give it a few more episodes before I make a final determination.

And that's coming from someone who dislikes Tyler Perry a lot because a lot of his work is absolute trash.

BUT I did dig what he was saying in the monologue, it ALMOST made me be team him but then I remembered that you can have that feeling, that feeling that not everything is for everybody, and still strive to make great art, which he doesn't.

And as long as they are entertained, I can't knock.


**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

disagreement on what a good show/movie
that’s why it was so dope to have TP on this episode...

stop confusing your opinion with fact.

d

but he was all in for that terrible Netflix movie with the cussin kid and Taraji

Thats my issue with TP. I don’t like a lot of his stuff but I get why most of my church and hood fam love his movies.

They just want shows that speak to them. Not shows that win emmys and golden globes.

I don't think I have ever heard anyone who enjoys his movies describe them as one of their all time favorite movies.

It's more like soap operas than liking, I don't know, the Color Purple.

**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

white people. because they control most art expressions, they determined what makes it "great"

why can't we make our own distinction?
AND why does everything have to be considered such?

"high art" is meant to be elitist. that concept was designed to exclude certain folks from accessing and understanding it

can you tell that i reject it? LOL

take hip hop...what's considered high quality in hiphop isn't the same as what's considered high quality in any other music genre...cuz we created it and we decide.

no other music genre requires the performer to be the writer of the lyrics or that the lyrics detail lived experience. but we give high marks for that shit in hip hop..we consider it more real and authentic...that matters

d

the wife just saw it as a all black painting that his wasted money on. It took the artist to explain it before she got it...

This show is beautiful :-)

If you ask Black people to name their favorite movie, how many people will name a TP one?

You can like his films without thinking they are the best ever. That was how “high art” was used in the body of the post to which you replied.

I like Dave. I wouldn’t go around saying it’s the best TV show ever tho. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

TP has the right to make his shit. People have the right to critique him. People have the right to like him. Where’s the debate again?

Peace,

Spirit (Alan)
http://wutangbook.com

but even you putting high art in quotations proves my point.

i was taking issue with him using that phrase at all and wasn't disputing the rest of what he said..so no need for me to address it

d

I know there’s perhaps a good chance you’ll say something like “I’ll do what I want!” and commit to responding to my posts even more, but in order for me to avoid what I view as recent BS I’m asking you kindly to not reply to my posts.

I am choosing to do this rather than just ignoring your replies because I think this is the more mature route to go.

Again, can’t force you to stop responding to me but I ask, and this is me asking.

That being said, stay safe and be well.

>I know there’s perhaps a good chance you’ll say something
>like “I’ll do what I want!”

yup I typed it before i read this...LOL. it stands.

and commit to responding to
>my posts even more,

you're wrong there. i never look at who posted anything. i reply to subjects that i feel like replying to. i didn't even realize you posted this until this.

therefore, imma keep doing what i normally do. you aren't important enough to me for me to change which things i do or don't post in.

but in order for me to avoid what I view
>as recent BS I’m asking you kindly to not reply to my
>posts.

that's nice. and i'm kindly declining.

>I am choosing to do this rather than just ignoring your
>replies because I think this is the more mature route to go.

actually no. ignoring is best. try that.

>Again, can’t force you to stop responding to me but I ask,
>and this is me asking.

and this is me, again, politely declining.

>That being said, stay safe and be well.

Same to you. Truly.

d

and watch your tone

But I’m giving him a pass because Blackish is just THAT good...
The kids annoy me....
A lot of modern day stereotypes going on which I’m sure (or i at least HOPE) is by design.
I think Real Rob id a better Curb Your Enthusiasm rip off than this...



"Get ready....for your blessing....."
"Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"

yes, richer people are privileged (hence, the cussing children, lol) but in the end...still niggas.

I rewatched episode one. what’s are folks complaining about again?

the race...For me anyway...

I'm still holding out for a good quality show that depicts life of an average middle class Black family.


"Get ready....for your blessing....."
"Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"

and yes, I know your “struggle” is air quotes.

a reach to identify with the root of the joke....
I know I'm not being as clear with what I'm trying to say lol...
But to me..what makes sitcom humor, and humor in general, work is when you can relate to some morsel of it and then it just makes the punchline that much better....

We're only like 4 eps deep right now..... It's gotten a few chuckles and maybe 1 hearty laugh...
We're gonna watch the whole thing of course...


"Get ready....for your blessing....."
"Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"

thats obviously part of the joke but it can rub you the wrong way if you let it.

Honestly, I don't like either. I am only watching this because of OKP and Schitt's Creek because of my (white) coworkers. Just trying to see what other people see but I can't.

Breeders might only appeal to couples with young kids though......
Schitts Creek was entertaining...but I don't think we finished it.
Medical Police though....there are some serious cameo's and the humor is Airplane & Naked Gun level....


"Get ready....for your blessing....."
"Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"

We’ve watched about 6 episodes of BAF.

It’s good.

which could happen to any of us striving for success

look at Desus...imagine him making a show about when his success popped and how that money changed his life. i'd watch the hell outta that too.

>I'm still holding out for a good quality show that depicts
>life of an average middle class Black family.

which is what exactly, cuz i'd argue that that doesn't exist. there is no "average"...the black experience is so diverse so why do people want so badly to see it depicted in one way? i can guarantee you that if you found 20 black families all making around $300,000 a year (is that middle class enough?), i bet your their lives are all completely different.

and lastly, if you want to see that show, you make it. shit, i'm a writer...let's go. write that shit and pitch it.


d

"Get ready....for your blessing....."
"Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"

>which could happen to any of us striving for success
>
>look at Desus...imagine him making a show about when his
>success popped and how that money changed his life. i'd watch
>the hell outta that too.
>
>>I'm still holding out for a good quality show that depicts
>>life of an average middle class Black family.
>
>which is what exactly, cuz i'd argue that that doesn't exist.
>there is no "average"...the black experience is so diverse so
>why do people want so badly to see it depicted in one way? i
>can guarantee you that if you found 20 black families all
>making around $300,000 a year (is that middle class enough?),
>i bet your their lives are all completely different.
>
>and lastly, if you want to see that show, you make it. shit,
>i'm a writer...let's go. write that shit and pitch it.
>
>
>d
>
>

You're in the top 5% of black people in America if your household is worth $350,000, statistically speaking.

cause we've had middle class black sitcoms before.

what I'd call a middle class Black family though.....



"Get ready....for your blessing....."
"Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"

300K is considered rich to 95% of Black Americans.

We need to stop using the white definition for middle class.

We get an Oprah and Jay and act like that shit is normal.

We rarely acquire that type of wealth.

Peace,

Spirit (Alan)
http://wutangbook.com

Highest income inequality since the late 1800s.
Not to mention wealth inequality among black folks is higher than among the general pop.

all this stuff about them being rich or rashida not being black enough is funny to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phvtajVr718





**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

and i'm down. i was a bit worried in the beginning but, yeah...seems
legit.

like, the only thing i've seen is people basically hate it or they love it (with a few "it's a better/worse black-ish takes mixed in).

... :-)

“I’ll f*ck Jim up”
“F*ck Jim!”

I haven’t ever missed an episode of blackish so it’s hard not to see this as Rated-R blackish.

cuz it’s exactly like that sometimes, no real resolution... but with the clear understanding we still in this shit together

that was beautiful 😢

I’m going to take a bath and you’re welcomed to join me...

Funny and good show

I was shocked when it ended.

That’s it?

I wonder if they get another season.

It's hard to relate with him complaining about how hard it is to be a rich black man in white America. I find Kanye and Jay-Z annoying when they complain about how they get treated at the LV store or in first class.

The two strongest episodes I think were about him talking and dealing with other black creators (episode 5) and the the highlight of the show was him dealing with his family (Bold Prediction: Mike Epps will get an Oscar in the next 10 years).

In other words, the show Black AF needs more black people.


**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

shouldn’t upset you

I guess if they act shocked it can be off putting.

But it’s just another example that money doesn’t erase your black skin.

Binge watching culture...I swear... lol
I'm more on board now...


"Get ready....for your blessing....."
"Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"

They did. LOL.

The educated well of Black folk love this show

My hood friends and Tyler Perry church fans... not feeling it at all.

I listened to everyone here and stuck it out past the first ep and I'm all in. Two casting notes...

1. I'm sure I'm embarrassingly late on this but I didn't know Rashida Jones had it in her. Am enjoying her in this role.

2. I'm in the minority of people who actually really like Kenya, here. He does a lot without doing much, in my opinion, with his face and tone. Every time he hits a 'what is happening right now?' I feel it in my soul and crack up.

I really think this is a ground breaking show. I have wanted something like this for a very long time. I like Black Patriarch tv shows. They do reflect an uncelebrated aspect of Black success, confident, intelligent wealthy Black men. I am happy he got a chance to speak to so many issues in a light hearted way.

Great writers, actors, scenery and rhythm to the show.

Kenya was hilarious. His timing was spot on.

I thoroughly enjoyed this R-rated (or PG-13) version of his depicted life just as much as I like the G or PG tv version.

... :-)

I've never rewatched immediately...its just so good and layered

d

about half way through


also not black so who cares what i think lol

>about half way through
>
>
>also not black so who cares what i think lol

Upfront, lemme say that I have no problem with black ppl in satirical comedy or even with them being rich and in the top 5% of black people financially. I like seeing black people in different kinds of film (one of the reasons I love "Sorry To Bother You"), and I don't mind us being depicted as rich. I understand that people often watch tv as sort of an escape FROM their reality (it's why I enjoy sci-fi), and that's cool as long we understand that that's what it is.

Just wanted to get that outta the way.

I'll start with the cons so at least I'll be ending on a slightly more positive note.

Cons... (verbose but there are only 2 major ones)
Let's start with what everyone said about staying until episode 5. The show doesn't change after episode 5. Tyler Perry's speech is the only great thing about it, and Tyler Perry said the exact same thing on Sway In The Morning just 3 months ago. He even said more and added alot more depth to it on Sway. If you're watching this and pushing yourself to make it to episode 5, just watch that Sway interview and save yourself a LOT of time. If you don't like the show before then, you won't like it after. Also, even IF the show got better after episode 5, that's over 60% of the show that sucks lol. There are only 8 episodes. Moving on...

He's the only person from his old neighborhood depicted as responsible with any decency and social awareness. His friend Broadway is a proud deadbeat dad, and his whole family has immediately visible issues. Ionno man... that was really weird to me. It looked like he was telling us how he views the bottom 95% of black people, b/c the only other normal black people in the show were somewhere around his tax bracket. Moving on...

Before I say this next part, please read this:
KIDADA: I was kicked out of Buckley in second grade for behavior problems. I didn’t want my mother to come to my new school. If kids saw her, it would be: “your mom’s white!” I told Mom she couldn’t pick me up; she had to wait down the street in her car. Did Rashida have that problem? No! She passed for white.

RASHIDA: “Passed”?! I had no control over how I looked. … Today I feel guilty, knowing that because of the way our genes tumbled out, Kidada had to go through pain I didn’t have to endure. Loving her so much, I’m sad that I’ll never share that experience with her.

^^That's Rashida and her sister talking about growing up. In the same article, Rashida talks about how she felt comfortable with her white grandparents while her sister didn't (solely due to their skin color). Please notice that she's talking about NEVER HAVING TO ENDURE the pain of being black, being rejected by white people, etc. That was her sister's pain... and her pain was that she couldn't feel her sister's pain.
And that's why I think her black mannerisms in this show looked so off to me. Even when she was giving the speech about black women's struggle during the interview, it just didn't look authentic at all to me. She moved and sounded like a white woman who still says "flava." I feel like Mary Elizabeth Winstead would've looked exactly like that, delivering the same lines. Maybe that's supposed to be part of the authenticity, but I can't take it seriously coming from someone who has literally said she never experienced the pain of being black. This is the worst kind of trolling.



Pros...
I thought some of the humor was good. It legit got some laughs outta me. Enjoyed the way he highlighted how under-appreciated (black) fathers are. The private jet scene right after he says he's gonna be a hero for his family, I thought was the pinnacle of that here. The way family issues are handled here is well done imo. The fight with no resolution, the sibling jealousy over the intimate partner, worrying about their daughter being a potential ho, etc.
I can appreciate his effort to tie everything back to slavery. There's some attempt at consciousness here that I can dig, even if I think it's half done... at least it's there.



Overall this was hard for me to sit through, but I paid attention just to see what the hoopla was about. I just feel relieved that it's over. I'm also not a comedy sitcom type of person either tho. For people who are a fan of this kind of show, I'd probably recommend it just based on my list of pros.

I feel like you did what I did. After the "Is Rashida Jones Black?" debate, I searched the net and the most I got her saying "I'm ethnic" and the Galmour article you referred to. The article about how Kidada grew u black and Rashida grew up white.

I've met Bi-racial people who claim black. and I met Bi-racial people who identify as "Bi-racial". I've met Bi-racial people who pass (Don't know any who identify as white but how would I know, they are passing).

So the whole, "Of course Rashida is black, here dad is Quincy Jones" sounds like some BS to me...but I don't have the energy to argue Rashida Jones blackness with anyone because its a nuanced complex subject. I feel like she has claimed different statuses through her life which is her right...I guess...but I am not sure anyone can say without a doubt she is black.














>Upfront, lemme say that I have no problem with black ppl in
>satirical comedy or even with them being rich and in the top
>5% of black people financially. I like seeing black people in
>different kinds of film (one of the reasons I love "Sorry To
>Bother You"), and I don't mind us being depicted as rich. I
>understand that people often watch tv as sort of an escape
>FROM their reality (it's why I enjoy sci-fi), and that's cool
>as long we understand that that's what it is.
>
>Just wanted to get that outta the way.
>
>I'll start with the cons so at least I'll be ending on a
>slightly more positive note.
>
>Cons... (verbose but there are only 2 major ones)
>Let's start with what everyone said about staying until
>episode 5. The show doesn't change after episode 5. Tyler
>Perry's speech is the only great thing about it, and Tyler
>Perry said the exact same thing on Sway In The Morning just 3
>months ago. He even said more and added alot more depth to it
>on Sway. If you're watching this and pushing yourself to make
>it to episode 5, just watch that Sway interview and save
>yourself a LOT of time. If you don't like the show before
>then, you won't like it after. Also, even IF the show got
>better after episode 5, that's over 60% of the show that sucks
>lol. There are only 8 episodes. Moving on...
>
>He's the only person from his old neighborhood depicted as
>responsible with any decency and social awareness. His friend
>Broadway is a proud deadbeat dad, and his whole family has
>immediately visible issues. Ionno man... that was really weird
>to me. It looked like he was telling us how he views the
>bottom 95% of black people, b/c the only other normal black
>people in the show were somewhere around his tax bracket.
>Moving on...
>
>Before I say this next part, please read this:
>KIDADA: I was kicked out of Buckley in second grade for
>behavior problems. I didn’t want my mother to come to my new
>school. If kids saw her, it would be: “your mom’s
>white!” I told Mom she couldn’t pick me up; she had to
>wait down the street in her car. Did Rashida have that
>problem? No! She passed for white.
>
>RASHIDA: “Passed”?! I had no control over how I looked.
>… Today I feel guilty, knowing that because of the way our
>genes tumbled out, Kidada had to go through pain I didn’t
>have to endure. Loving her so much, I’m sad that I’ll
>never share that experience with her.
>
>^^That's Rashida and her sister talking about growing up. In
>the same article, Rashida talks about how she felt comfortable
>with her white grandparents while her sister didn't (solely
>due to their skin color). Please notice that she's talking
>about NEVER HAVING TO ENDURE the pain of being black, being
>rejected by white people, etc. That was her sister's pain...
>and her pain was that she couldn't feel her sister's pain.
>And that's why I think her black mannerisms in this show
>looked so off to me. Even when she was giving the speech about
>black women's struggle during the interview, it just didn't
>look authentic at all to me. She moved and sounded like a
>white woman who still says "flava." I feel like Mary Elizabeth
>Winstead would've looked exactly like that, delivering the
>same lines. Maybe that's supposed to be part of the
>authenticity, but I can't take it seriously coming from
>someone who has literally said she never experienced the pain
>of being black. This is the worst kind of trolling.
>
>
>
>Pros...
>I thought some of the humor was good. It legit got some laughs
>outta me. Enjoyed the way he highlighted how under-appreciated
>(black) fathers are. The private jet scene right after he says
>he's gonna be a hero for his family, I thought was the
>pinnacle of that here. The way family issues are handled here
>is well done imo. The fight with no resolution, the sibling
>jealousy over the intimate partner, worrying about their
>daughter being a potential ho, etc.
>I can appreciate his effort to tie everything back to slavery.
>There's some attempt at consciousness here that I can dig,
>even if I think it's half done... at least it's there.
>
>
>
>Overall this was hard for me to sit through, but I paid
>attention just to see what the hoopla was about. I just feel
>relieved that it's over. I'm also not a comedy sitcom type of
>person either tho. For people who are a fan of this kind of
>show, I'd probably recommend it just based on my list of
>pros.


**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

>I feel like you did what I did. After the "Is Rashida Jones
>Black?" debate, I searched the net and the most I got her
>saying "I'm ethnic" and the Galmour article you referred to.
>The article about how Kidada grew u black and Rashida grew up
>white.



Truth be told, my disinterest in the show came from the fact that I read that article years ago. I knew she'd experienced life as a white person, so her being cast in "#blackAF" was immediately off-putting to me. With all the praise the show as getting, I thought maybe this was addressed in the show or something. I should've known better tho lol. They really got her wearing fake pain.



>I've met Bi-racial people who claim black. and I met
>Bi-racial people who identify as "Bi-racial". I've met
>Bi-racial people who pass (Don't know any who identify as
>white but how would I know, they are passing).
>
>So the whole, "Of course Rashida is black, here dad is Quincy
>Jones" sounds like some BS to me...but I don't have the energy
>to argue Rashida Jones blackness with anyone because its a
>nuanced complex subject. I feel like she has claimed different
>statuses through her life which is her right...I guess...but I
>am not sure anyone can say without a doubt she is black.


I've actually argued that she's white b/c she's experienced her entire life as a white person and was born into wealth (with white grandparents' acceptance to boot), so the lineage argument about generational disadvantage doesn't even apply to her. Technically, she has "black blood", but so does Ronda Rousy. We wouldn't accept her playing a black person tho. Add in the fact that Rashida has *literally* said she never experienced the pain of being black, and honestly I lost respect for HER for even accepting this role. She obviously doesn't need my respect, but I think it would've shown a lot of integrity on her part had she said she couldn't accept the role due to never having truly lived a black experience... especially since she's actually said that publicly before. Just my view tho. *shrugs*

When I talked Kenya's silent statement about the bottom 95% of black people and I say his whole family has immediately visible issues, I'm talking about the cookout episode and his family from Inglewood, not his immediate family living in the house.

Also, when I say Rashida never had to endure the pain of being black, being rejected by white people, etc... I'm saying she was never rejected by white people (she says this herself). That's her sister's pain. I just realized that sentence might read like I'm saying she was rejected by white people, depending on how it's interpreted.

sounds like you're projecting your own personal issues with Rashida Jones based off one article onto the show. With a name like "Rashida Jones" I wonder how hard was it for her to "pass" as white. Growning up in Bel-Air as Quincy Jones' daughters I'd imagine they both had an upbringing somewhat similar to the kids in the show.

Also, the show is basically a parody of Barris' life and Black-ish where a black dude has a bi-racial wife named Rainbow, the name of Barris' actual wife who looks lite, brite, and damn near white in every pic I've seen.

Secondly, Rashida was hilarious and low-key stole the show.

Most black people that have succeeded and attained significant wealth in entertainment, sports, as well as other areas, a lot of them still have extended families like the one depicted in the show, not "weird" at all. Some of them still associate with their possibly "less evolved" friends from back in the day as cited by specific examples in the show lol.

All the episodes were hilarious and built on each other. From the relationship between Barris and Rashida, to each one of the kids. He basically says everything he wanted to say on Black-ish but couldn't.

The 2nd episode with them buying the molly and going to the concert was hilarious. I met up with some friends in their 40's at a recent Chris Brown show and we had similar experiences minus the molly lol.

>sounds like you're projecting your own personal issues with
>Rashida Jones based off one article onto the show. With a name
>like "Rashida Jones" I wonder how hard was it for her to
>"pass" as white. Growning up in Bel-Air as Quincy Jones'
>daughters I'd imagine they both had an upbringing somewhat
>similar to the kids in the show.


You don't have to imagine. They tell you in the article I cited:
https://www.iloveoldschoolmusic.com/quincy-jones-daughters-reveal-why-they-had-issues-with-their-blackness/
There's a link there that leads to a copy of the full article as well.


With all due respect, what you've said here doesn't make sense, and I'm not trying to smash on you or anything. This is a discussion, so I'm going to explain why I'm saying that (provided it's not clear from reading that article).
Again, Rashida **literally** said she didn't experience the pain of white rejection. She grew up as a white person. It's hard for her to admit, but she does admit that. Even her white grandparents were more accepting of her than her sister.
Also, growing up in school, kids aren't deciding who they fool with based on a name at the top of a resume. It's about how you appear. She looked white and was accepted as such. At most, it'll be novel that they have a white friend named Rashida. To add to this, their very white and blond mom, Peggy, used to pick them up from school. It was her sister Kidada whose circle looked at her weird, especially in the white school they went to as small children.





>Also, the show is basically a parody of Barris' life and
>Black-ish where a black dude has a bi-racial wife named
>Rainbow, the name of Barris' actual wife who looks lite,
>brite, and damn near white in every pic I've seen.
>


Yeah I get that. Rashida is also the only person on the show who's not based on his actual family member. His children on the show are based on his actual children, but his wife isn't based on his actual wife (well, ex-wife now).
https://www.newsweek.com/blackaf-kenya-barris-wife-rainbow-149960



>
>Most black people that have succeeded and attained significant
>wealth in entertainment, sports, as well as other areas, a lot
>of them still have extended families like the one depicted in
>the show, not "weird" at all. Some of them still associate
>with their possibly "less evolved" friends from back in the
>day as cited by specific examples in the show lol.




I don't indicate that they don't. I brought up that that's the ONLY kind of person he depicts from his old neighborhood. I was just waiting on ONE person from there who was normal. I got knucklehead friends and family from my old neighborhood too, but I also have normal, responsible friends and family who still live there.



>All the episodes were hilarious and built on each other. From
>the relationship between Barris and Rashida, to each one of
>the kids. He basically says everything he wanted to say on
>Black-ish but couldn't.



I'm not knocking you for liking the show.



>The 2nd episode with them buying the molly and going to the
>concert was hilarious. I met up with some friends in their
>40's at a recent Chris Brown show and we had similar
>experiences minus the molly lol.



Cool.

So you don't have to speculate how she grew up. She was very upfront about it.

In fact, the only difficulties she speaks about receiving from other people were the black people at Harvard being mean to her and that pushing her more in the white direction.

Of course it's a 10+ article so maybe she's has had some new experiences that have changed how she views it...but today it seems to me to be the actress that has the privelege of being ethnically ambiguous allowing her to play black and white roles and everything in between.


**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

I knew was that Quincy Jones had 2 biracial daughters and one was dating Tupac at the time he died.

The fact that one "passed for white" while her sister 2 years old at the same school and looks almost identical didn't is whatever.

I've personally known bi-racial siblings who grew up in the same house but identified with opposite sides of their racial heritage.

The whole "bi-racial" identity thing has been discussed on this board a million times.

I liked Rashida's character on the show.

You don't care that much but you're trying to belittle thoughtful commentary on the show? Make it make sense.

You've replied to me with an untrue assumption about the character being based on his wife. When I proved that wrong, you completely ignored it.

Before that, you accused me of injecting personal views about her when I'm only talking about her actual words. When that's brought to your attention, now it's "well it ain't that deep."

I don't understand why yall feel threatened when people critique stuff yall like. The whole center of all your responses has been "but the show good tho."


>The fact that one "passed for white" while her sister 2 years
>old at the same school and looks almost identical didn't is
>whatever.



If you wanna downplay the point, at least be honest and pay attention the words you're typing. They don't look almost identical, and there's 2 years difference between them. One of them passing for white her whole life definitely isn't "whatever" in a discussion like this. For future reference, this isn't a discussion until you can say WHY it's "whatever." Otherwise, it's just dismissive, which is borderline offensive when folks tryna have a real discussion. Why do I have to teach yall this kind of stuff?


>I've personally known bi-racial siblings who grew up in the
>same house but identified with opposite sides of their racial
>heritage.



Ok? What does this add to the discussion? Do you have a point attached or just telling us a piece of your life story?



>The whole "bi-racial" identity thing has been discussed on
>this board a million times.



Not in this context and not with quotes from someone who said what Rashida said. If you can't separate this from whatever conversation you've had a million times, this is probably out of your league.


>I liked Rashida's character on the show.


And that's really the bottom line. You liked it, and that's enough for you. You don't care about any criticism or that your assumption about the basis for her character is wrong. I have no problem with that UNTIL you come talking about I'm "projecting my personal views" and whatnot. Don't make these accusations and then hide your hand when that gets run through the meat grinder on some Carole Baskin shxt.

like I said its not that deep. I like the show and I like Rashida's character on the show. I haven't done deep research on the Jones sisters to determine how black they are or how they identified as children.


You seem to be well versed in that area and if you want to count that as a win I will kiss the rings.

>like I said its not that deep. I like the show and I like
>Rashida's character on the show. I haven't done deep research
>on the Jones sisters to determine how black they are or how
>they identified as children.
>
>
>You seem to be well versed in that area and if you want to
>count that as a win I will kiss the rings.


My bad if I come off like I'm trying to "win." That ain't the goal. I'm just trying to facilitate thoughtful discussion by adding my 2 cents to the pot, some facts to consider and hear what others have to add.

I tried

Watched about 6 eps...didn’t really LOL

The situations are funnier than the characters and dialogue IMO

I think the errors are casting IMO

Parroting a reply above...OMG I CAN’T STAND HIS VOICE

He sounds like a whiny toddler trying to wear down his parents on an unreasonable request

He looks like a bigger dude
from Inglewood...?
and whenever he talks it sounds like...whiny lil beeyotch

I also think Rasheeda was a mistake
Her previous roles felt like she was passing
Hard to take her blackness serious...based on previous roles

If this was suppose to be a harder hitting, unfiltered blackish
The show suffers from the casting of the parents

+one of my bigger issues with another series, Billions, was the constant obscure pop culture references...that everyone immediately gets
This show does that in a similar way...that’s also frustrating

I’ve given up.

>
>I also think Rasheeda was a mistake
>Her previous roles felt like she was passing
>Hard to take her blackness serious...based on previous roles
>

I do not like when shows make references to pop culture as if it is real. It is contrived. So if you joke about Jussie Smollet or some other dated event, it makes the show less classic and more In Living Color-ish.

Casting was fine. This man's real life wife was as light and racially ambiguous as Rashida. I think that there is a voice for the light skinned passing black woman that is more than a tragedy, sexual object or fetish.

I liked Rashida because she never showed too much skin, she behaved like a mom and she didn't let her light skinned-ness become a go to joke or predictable beauty standard.

I don't think Rashida is really a BEAUTIFUL light skinned woman. She is not ugly, but she is a standard attractive woman with a normal body. I know light skinned women like this who don't use that to make themselves feel better than brown/dark skinned women. I think Steph Curry's mom has this energy. I hope Rashida's character will break light skinned women stereotypes and open more scenes with black /brown women redefining beauty and relationships in Hollywood.

I think the problem I'm having with her casting...is the reality show/documentary angle of the show

We're given alot of actual reality...Kenya is playing himself
The other characters are based on his real life kids and wife
Occupation
Etc...

It's difficult for me to separate Rashida's real life with her role

I'm suppose to believe Peggy Lipton's daughter, born and raised in Bel-Air, Harvard graduate, romantically linked to white men

Is the Black AF mother of 6 black kids, married to the Black AF creator of Blackish

It's a big ask, a huge acting challenge, and TBH, I never separated Rashida Jones from Joya

I get that it's satire...but I just never get there with Rashida's role.

"I hope Rashida's character will break light skinned women stereotypes"

This is what I was referencing IRT her roles to date

She seems to get alot of those racially ambiguous roles

She dated a white man in both the Office and Parks and Recs

Which I would assume are her most notable roles

...and I would imagine didn't have black writers, writing for her...

Those were probably roles meant for white women.

Maybe someone like a Maya Rudolf would have been more believable...?

Anyway, in the end...it just wasn't funny to me

<shrug>

>We're given alot of actual reality...Kenya is playing himself
>The other characters are based on his real life kids and wife
>Occupation
>Etc...


Rashida's role in #blackAF actually isn't based on Kenya's wife IRL. People are just going with that because of her complexion.
https://www.newsweek.com/blackaf-kenya-barris-wife-rainbow-1499603
His kids are based on his actual children tho... some even share nicknames.


>It's difficult for me to separate Rashida's real life with her
>role
>
>I'm suppose to believe Peggy Lipton's daughter, born and
>raised in Bel-Air, Harvard graduate, romantically linked to
>white men
>
>Is the Black AF mother of 6 black kids, married to the Black
>AF creator of Blackish
>
>It's a big ask, a huge acting challenge, and TBH, I never
>separated Rashida Jones from Joya
>
>I get that it's satire...but I just never get there with
>Rashida's role.


I don't think it can be overstated that both her and sister Kidada said that Rashida grew up as a white person and never experienced the pain of being black (her sister used the word "passing" which Rashida didn't like, b/c she associates that with effort, but the fact remains)... so when she gives a speech about how "WE black women" have had it rough, that's just disingenuous.
https://www.iloveoldschoolmusic.com/quincy-jones-daughters-reveal-why-they-had-issues-with-their-blackness/




>
>"I hope Rashida's character will break light skinned women
>stereotypes"
>
>This is what I was referencing IRT her roles to date
>
>She seems to get alot of those racially ambiguous roles
>
>She dated a white man in both the Office and Parks and Recs
>
>Which I would assume are her most notable roles
>



Word. I just want to reiterate here that it's beyond the roles she plays. She hasn't experienced a black persons's life, period. Earlier you said the reality/documentary style of the show makes it extra hard to believe, and I agree with you there. I'm thinking that's why there even had to be an article that says Rashida's not based on Rania. Everything's based in reality except her. Also, from reading Rashida's own statements, you can see that she always WANTED to have a black experience (says it hurt that she couldn't share her sister's pain)... but she wants to put it on and take it off... much like Dolezal tbf.

He being the example of overcoming the obstacles of a black man from Inglewood...to attain success...and struggling to keep his black identity through that process

juxtaposed with Rashida being of a privileged background, liteskinneded enough to pass...and constantly overcompensating to try to prove she is indeed Black AF

I get that through the satire...and for some reason her hip-hop dance classes really enforced that duality

...that might be a leap in trying to justify the roles...

?

But I'll always come back to the fact...that I just didn't find it funny

+, I think Robin Thede woulda killed

>He being the example of overcoming the obstacles of a black
>man from Inglewood...to attain success...and struggling to
>keep his black identity through that process
>
>juxtaposed with Rashida being of a privileged background,
>liteskinneded enough to pass...and constantly overcompensating
>to try to prove she is indeed Black AF
>
>I get that through the satire...and for some reason her
>hip-hop dance classes really enforced that duality
>
>...that might be a leap in trying to justify the roles...
>
>?




I actually think that's what he was going for in a sense (I also got the sense that he thinks he's better than those from his past based on how he depicted them, but that's another story). I just think they shot the attempt to hell when they had Rashida give some speech about black pain from a "we" perspective when she's lived her whole life on the outside of that pain, looking in.

If somebody called her on that in the show, and she had to admit they were right? That would've worked for me. Hell she already admitted it IRL. The show is dishonest in that way and asks us to pretend we don't see the person who's playing the role imo. It wants to confront race and play games with it simultaneously.



>But I'll always come back to the fact...that I just didn't
>find it funny
>


Word.

I had extremely low expectations for kenya after his last spinoffs but he came through.

peace & blessings,

x.

www.twitter.com/poetx

=========================================
I'm an advocate for working smarter, not harder. If you just
focus on working hard you end up making someone else rich and
not having much to show for it. (c) mad

somebody up here made the kenya barris doing a larry david observation and that really made it click for me.



episode w/ tyler perry and the cookout was amazing.

and there was levels to the high council of blackness he assembled.


peace & blessings,

x.

www.twitter.com/poetx

=========================================
I'm an advocate for working smarter, not harder. If you just
focus on working hard you end up making someone else rich and
not having much to show for it. (c) mad

>and there was levels to the high council of blackness he
>assembled.
>
and yes! I want to explore this more...i feel like there were levels to this I was missing. please expound? cuz i don't even know who the guy on the far left of the screen was

d

the Cosby show. dare I say! It’s a shame many get so caught up in the visions because it’s such a beautifully written show. but, you know...

Those things exist.

Broadway is awesome and the oldest girls boyfriend is pretty funny.

Which to me tells me that it really isn't about the Rashida Jones being Bi-racial. Personally, I don't have a problem with the character being bi-racial if that's reflecting Barris' life and that was fundamental to her character ...being caught between both worlds.

Rashida has voiced being not as comfortable in black settings and it shows. Now, if that was the source of the character, that would make a lot of sense and could be done well, but that's not how the character is portrayed.

But Rashida plays it like a white girl trying to play a down black girl. Tracee Ellis Ross comes off waaay more authentic. Rashida is trying too hard and looks goofy in her cornrows.

Now I don't know anything about the real life rainbow but from the couple of interviews I have seen of her and seeing they met in high school I get the impression that the real raina grew up around black people and is comfortable in that setting.

Alright. I've said enough on this subject.
**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

EXACTLY like Black-ish.

"The wife character is not so much based upon my kids' mom other than her being biracial. I really took a different approach with this time—I wanted her to be a little bit more militant and a little more zany"
https://www.newsweek.com/blackaf-kenya-barris-wife-rainbow-1499603

Apparently Tracee's character was more based on Rania than Rashida's character.


I just find it rather backwards that he chose somebody who admits never experiencing life as a black person to be the militant one, giving speeches about what "we" experience.

^I also think that's important for everyone who keeps saying the wife character is based on his actual wife... especially in response to critiques of her militancy, because that's one of the things that actually deviates from her personality.

all of it.

It’s TV he chose an actress who he thought could play the part. I really can’t believe we’re discuss how black someone is not - when the content is so damn good.

he's casting a role

That's the main point.

Ridiculous that ppl are saying she's based on his wife? I'd agree, since he said she's not.

Are you on topic or focusing on a side thought?

Role. Kenya should have consulted you and the other ass backward folks who are still grappling with what is Black or not

irony. That's really my only problem with her playing the role. I've already said that tho.
That's my view. It obviously upsets you enough to insult me, but I'll send you good vibes and hope you'll be ok. You're not being attacked.


>Kenya should have consulted you and the other ass
>backward folks who are still grappling with what is Black or
>not


I'm not grappling with anything, sir. I understand race is a social construct, and this woman has been socially white since she was a child by her own admission. Luckily, her own words made this very easy for me to understand.

its hard tot ale any criticism of the show seriously when it’s based on personal speeches and photos of sisters.

If the speech she gave was a joke to you, then that's your prerogative I guess. I took it as a serious moment on the show... or at least serious content in service of a funny moment.

>its hard tot ale any criticism of the show seriously when
>it’s based on personal speeches and photos of sisters.


I'm not sure which personal speeches you're talking about, but the photos of her aren't a criticism of the show. They are a response to someone saying they look alike in an attempt to diminish their own words about how they grew up. You gotta take that up with the person who brought them looking alike into this. I was focused on what they said.

By the implication that she passed, ie it was not active. She can’t help the way she looks nor should she be ashamed of it nor does it make her any less Black. Likewise for people who have dark skin and nappy hair.

Her name is Rashida Jones. That’s a pretty unambiguous Black name, she has never tried to hide it and has played Black and mixed roles (including the mixed sister of the wife on Blackish)

And just becuz someone hasn’t experienced the injustices against their race doesn’t mean they can’t feel that shit as injustice, I’ve never had a cop point a gun at me, does that mean I can’t speak on police murdering Black men and racial bias in policing???

Blacker than though discussions are best placed in the trash bin.

I mean if we're calling one another ridiculous...
It's also ridiculous how you approached Bentagain above so disrespectfully without simply saying you disagreed for whatever reason. We can easily be respectful on here without trying to start unnecessary hostilities. We done with that now or nah?


>By the implication that she passed, ie it was not active.

I acknowledged that. My point in this is that it doesn't matter what you call it. What they're both describing is someone experiencing life as a white person... albeit an empathetic one... but still as a white person.




>She can’t help the way she looks nor should she be ashamed of it
>nor does it make her any less Black.



That goes without saying, and where have I even indicated that she should be ashamed of her looks? That's just randomness.



>Her name is Rashida Jones. That’s a pretty unambiguous Black
>name, she has never tried to hide it and has played Black and
>mixed roles (including the mixed sister of the wife on
>Blackish)



I addressed this name stuff already in the post. Frankly, it's a cheap and lazy argument. At most, kids on the playground just thought it was novel that they had a white friend named Rashida. Can't believe people are saying a name solidifies ethnicity. Think about the implications of that.



>And just becuz someone hasn’t experienced the injustices
>against their race doesn’t mean they can’t feel that shit
>as injustice, I’ve never had a cop point a gun at me, does
>that mean I can’t speak on police murdering Black men and
>racial bias in policing???



This is a logical leap and far oversimplifies my point. ANYONE can speak on it. People praise Jane Elliot and Tim Wise for speaking on it. That has never been what I've said about any of this. You can speak on the fear of being pulled over and murdered by police based on how you look. Rashida can't. This is what it means when we say race is a social construct. Socially, she's been white since she was a child. People say she black on a technicality of having a black parent. It's not how she exists in the world tho. Please understand this difference so we can see one another's viewpoints here.


>Blacker than though discussions are best placed in the trash
>bin.


This isn't a matter of "blacker" imo. It's much more nuanced than that.

This is ur focus? Call the show wack, unfunny whatever, but discussing if the actor cast to play his wife was Black enough for the role is basic as fuck. If you espouse those views you are basic as fuck. End of reply.

We should have more nuanced understandings of race at this point.

>This is ur focus? Call the show wack, unfunny whatever, but
>discussing if the actor cast to play his wife was Black enough
>for the role is basic as fuck. If you espouse those views you
>are basic as fuck. End of reply.


I said a lot of things about the show in here actually (even said I would recommend it to certain ppl), and if I wanted to call it wack or unfunny, I wouldn't need your permission to do that. You're responding to me posting quotes from Kenya that are relevant to the topic at hand, so this is just as much your focus as it is mine... especially since you chose to ignore everything else I said in here. I'll continue to discuss the show as I like to discuss things, and you will continue to chase me around, calling me names like a 5 yr old, based on one of my many views, if you wish. *shrugs*

I think from what’s quoted by the Rashida Jones detractors in here one could get the perception that Kadida is some dark brown skin afro’d up person but that’s pretty far from the case.

Do your googles folks.

Looking forward to season 2 with Rashida Jones reprising her role as the wife and mom. Great show :-)

https://www.iloveoldschoolmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/quincy-jones-daughters-childhood-pic.jpg

Also remember that Kidada didn't feel accepted by their white grandparents while Rashida did. Kidada felt embarrassed when her white mother picked her up from school while Rashida didn't have this problem. Kidada never felt comfortable at school until her mom let her go to a predominantly black school.
Kidada describes a situation where her friend tried to hook her up with a guy. She said "tell him I'm tan." He gets there and says "You didn't tell me she was black." Rashida says people always said to her "But you look so white!" "You're not black!" She says that hurts. Her pain is white acceptance. Kidada's was white rejection.

But yes... they look alike. They're sisters afterall.

Only difference is fashion accessories.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c6/eb/7e/c6eb7e6aa090684ef1e43734231b077f.jpg

which was my point.

Here's another source for the pic:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hNCqBXizeCY/VNLPDDidQiI/AAAAAAABHnQ/H4tKHtXd1BY/s640/blogger-image-919208761.jpg

So again...

Also remember that Kidada didn't feel accepted by their white grandparents while Rashida did. Kidada felt embarrassed when her white mother picked her up from school while Rashida didn't have this problem. Kidada never felt comfortable at school until her mom let her go to a predominantly black school.
Kidada describes a situation where her friend tried to hook her up with a guy. She said "tell him I'm tan." He gets there and says "You didn't tell me she was black." Rashida says people always said to her "But you look so white!" "You're not black!" She says that hurts. Her pain is white acceptance. Kidada's was white rejection.

But yes... they look alike. They're sisters afterall.

I have 2 sisters and I’m married to a Black woman who has a sister 5 shades darker than her.. and the rivalry is real.

It’s always “they treated me different”

but usually, the sibling also plays into it by carving out their own niche”

but again, not sure what any of this has to do with Rashida playing a role on a show. She’s an actress. Off camera experience rarely has an impact on these casting decisions.

This whole show feels like the joke is overcompensating for their “lack of blackness”

Kenya isn’t even viewed as BlackAF by the rest of his family for obvious reasons.

That's not sibling rivalry. That's just the reality of her life according to her sister's claim and her own admission.


>but again, not sure what any of this has to do with Rashida
>playing a role on a show. She’s an actress.


I realize that. That's also not how this got introduced into the convo on my part. Among what I said was that I thought her mannerisms looked off and that, given the name of the show, I figured a white-passing actor's presence in the main cast would be addressed in some way. It wasn't.
Mainly tho, I said *I* can't take her seriously giving that speech... as much as I couldn't take Rachel Dolezal seriously giving the same speech. **I'm not talking one-drop rules. I'm talking race as a social construct and societal positioning.** Peoples' insistence that she's black is also what makes the totally cool with the speech, correct? Would you accept it from Ronda Rousy, even if she was acting? Why or why not?
(the following is not yelling, but emphasis...)
RACE AS A SOCIAL CONSTRUCT vs RACE AS BIOLOGY IS THE FUNDAMENTAL DISAGREEMENT YOU ALL ARE HAVING WITH ME.


>Off camera experience rarely has an impact on these casting
>decisions.


I realize that also... even though that's been quite the debate, especially with non-American actors being chosen for iconic Black American roles (MLK, Harriet Tubman, etc... even Sam Jack's issue with Get Out).


>This whole show feels like the joke is overcompensating for
>their “lack of blackness”
>
>Kenya isn’t even viewed as BlackAF by the rest of his family
>for obvious reasons.


That's really neither here nor there, given the conversation isn't about Kenya being accepted as white his entire life based on his looks. That can only be ignored w/ regard to Rashida.

Seems like this perception is/was based on her choice.

That's definitely not based on her choice... especially when the next part is...
I want to say: “Do you know how hurtful that is to somebody who identifies so strongly with half of who she is?” … When people don’t know “what” you are, you get your heart broken daily.

Earlier she said...
Today I feel guilty, knowing that because of the way our genes tumbled out, Kidada had to go through pain I didn’t have to endure. Loving her so much, I’m sad that I’ll never share that experience with her.



She's definitely not speaking like someone who made a choice. In fact, she's explicitly saying she *didn't* have a choice.

and it’s always the same shit.

You look so “this or that” and it’s not usually based on complexion. It’s based on the way they interact with people


I’ll put it this way.. I dated more than a few because I was caught up AND I wanted to bring them all to the dark side. We know it’s a small sample side but hell, I prolly dated

Women who identified as Black or White ALWAYS carried a bag of quotes and memories that helped confirm their beliefs or reason for identifying as such


What’s odd is anytime I was able to witness conversation or experienced that didn’t align with them they didn’t see it or glossed over it.

I’m not denying they were treated different but looking at them sure by side it wasn’t due to hair color or straightened hair.

This has nothing to do with shade of skin. Looking at how similar they look , in fact, makes Kidada and Rashida's discussion about how they grew up so differently actually supports the idea that how they choose to identify was a decision on their part.

I beg you. Read the whole article. It's the most in-depth statement from Rashida Jones on her relationship to blackness. Rashida talks about how she identified more with the white side of her family and friends and Kidada with the black side. Kidada wanted to live with her father and leave the white schools and go to black schools. Rashida wanted to live with mom and felt uncomfortable around Kidada's black friends and the black kids at her schools.

So no one is sitting in judgement of her blackness and deciding for her. She is telling us her relationship to blackness.

I've had more than one uncomfortable conversations with Bi-racial people who were offended when I tried to tell them they are black. So I wouldn't presume a bi-racial identifies as black just because they have a black parent.

As far as the casting. If the character were a character who was bi-racial who tries to go extra hard to present her blackness. Rashida Jones would make a lot of sense in casting. And it did seem like that's how the character was being presented at first. But over time the character started to present like the "militant" character Barass describes her as. That Rashida Jones does not pull off well because it's obvious on screen she isn't THAT comfortable with her blackness...just like she said about herself.

I love the idea of a Shuan King-like militant bi-racial character and I don't dislike Rashida Jones, I just think she was miscast.





>I think from what’s quoted by the Rashida Jones detractors
>in here one could get the perception that Kadida is some dark
>brown skin afro’d up person but that’s pretty far from the
>case.
>
>Do your googles folks.
>
>Looking forward to season 2 with Rashida Jones reprising her
>role as the wife and mom. Great show :-)


**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

>This has nothing to do with shade of skin. Looking at how
>similar they look , in fact, makes Kidada and Rashida's
>discussion about how they grew up so differently actually
>supports the idea that how they choose to identify was a
>decision on their part.



That's something to consider as they aged. Although I wouldn't blame Rashida for taking advantage of looking white in a racist white society.

However, I just wanna point out that, from what I'm seeing in the article, it was their different appearances as children that actually caused them to grow up so differently.

The pic I posted shows them about as natural as they can be, Rashida with naturally straight blond hair and green eyes and Kidada with brown skin, brown eyes and curly black hair. She looks like a mixed child while Rashida just looks white.

Then the article has Kidada giving the account of the boy being disappointed ("you didn't tell me she was black") and Rashida saying she gets told “But you look so white!” “You’re not black!” <- those facts, to me, outline a difference between blackness & whiteness as social constructs... as it's largely about how the world perceives you.
Police will shoot you because of how you racially appear, and this extends to how people treat you at every turn in society down to the smallest of things. Kidada was never perceived as white in school or beyond it. Rashida always was. Given their statements, no amount of pictures where they look they same can override their own statements about how people saw them, solely based on their appearances.




>I beg you. Read the whole article. It's the most in-depth
>statement from Rashida Jones on her relationship to blackness.


And as you pointed out right there, folks don't seem to want to read what Rashida and Kidada have said in their own words. I appreciate you reading it tho.

Seems like she fits perfectly for the show.

She ain’t blackity black and it’s obvious that’s part of the joke.

My biggest beef with Rashida is her wardrobe. She wears some really boring ass clothing in the show.. lol.

Other times it seems like she is supposed to be the militant down one and ain't pulling it off.


**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

and also calling him out on his bullshit

and also indulging in the lifestyle he has provided.

Sorry to Bother You? Or Black Panther?

Jk. But it's the movie that most fit the bill to me.


**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

>Jk. But it's the movie that most fit the bill to me.

It's nice to get a few highly relatable moments every show but I don't find the show entertaining overall. The only engaging character is the know it all daughter.