City Stages...The Way I See It.

I love Birmingham. I love the city, and the people that live in (and near) it. I don't understand and/or "love" some of the things that my city frequently does. Let's talk about [City Stages] in this blog...shall we?
I'm not sure if you remember enough about Birmingham/City Stages history to recall when Twista was announced as a performer. The year was 2004. He was dumped from the line up because of the "lyrical content" of some of his songs. Since then they've allowed, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, and this year Young Geezy the "Snow Man" to appear. Uh... really? Lyrical content can get a rapper kicked off City Stages? Hmmm, interesting. I have another theory.

Many of the other rappers that have been featured on the "big stage" have all sold more albums than Twista which could, potentially, draw bigger crowds...i.e. money makers. Twista, with all his success, is still more of an "underground rapper" than many of the others. And, at that time, I think that Larry Langford needed something to get him in the public eye as a "man of the people" so that when and if he ever decided to run for mayor of Birmingham, we'd all remember who saved the city from the "vulgarness and filth" of rap music.

Also, many people think that just because a rapper "swears" on his records, he/she can't be trusted to give a clean show. Some of the most vulgar and foul-mouthed rappers/comedians ever have gone on to have successful careers in "family-friendly-genres." Ice Cube is a kid friendly movie regular now. Has anyone seen the type of projects that Percy Miller (Master P) is involved with now? And let's roll back the tapes of Eddie Murphy then-&-now. Dr. DoLittle had the foulest of mouths just a few moons ago.

I also think that City Stages has a history of "shitting on the little guy" (especially the non-connected ones from Birmingham) as a rule. I give you Exhibit A: I'm a performer myself. I have have worked with many of Birmingham's finest musicians/performers. Just last year I was fortunate enough to have work included on the Emmy Award Winning Documentary/Soundtrack Mr. Dial Has Something to Say. I solicited my package to City Stages for consideration and was allotted a 15 minute slot on the [Homegrown /Non-Paid] Stage. I agreed to perform and after getting through one and a half songs, my performance was cut short, mean while, Landon Pigg was paid thousands to roll down from Tennessee to perform a full set on a [Sponsored Stage].

So, what's the point? Am I just another pissed off artists that is throwing salt in another rappers game? Or, am I a blogger trying to shed some light on some of the ills associated with our city's largest music festival? Hmmm, to be honest, sometimes I'm not quite sure myself. You decide.

I will say this though, If I don't see Larry Langford and the Birmingham City Council raising a million dollars worth of hell about Young Geezy coming to our city's most celebrated music events then I'll know that I'm not just a pissed off performer...I'm a pissed off performer with VERY VALID POINTS!

I'm Thed Weller & I approve this message.

Boycott Black History Month

Yeah, I said it. Now, just hear me out...

As I was attending my school's [Black History Month Program], I couldn't help but wonder, "what are we REALLY doing?" I mean, I'm a Stolen African who finds pride in his heritage as much as the next Stolen African. I am sure to include the contributions of ALL Americans when I teach my class (6th grade Social Studies/Math) and in raising my son. I often discuss topics on what's hurting our communities and ways to improve them and welcome knowledge from all sources on issues facing "my people". I do this ALL YEAR LONG...don't you? If this is the case, then by continuing to celebrate [Black History Month] only in February and then have the audacity to complain that it's the "shortest month" is preposterous! We (many African-Americans) perpetuate the tradition of "only" celebrating the contributions of "our people" during a 28 day cycle. What's the purpose?
If the purpose of [Black History Month] is to educate those who may not be aware of all the wonderful contributions of those who lack euro-centric heritage, then why are "we" keeping the celebrations to ourselves? It seems to me that a better plan of implementation would be to not have [Black History Programs] at predominately black schools, churches, community centers, BET, etc., but to "take our show on the road" so to speak. I've often wondered how can many "majority schools" celebrate [Black History Month] as thoroughly as "we" do if, in fact, many of the "majority" institutions lack the knowledge of the major contributions of "colored people"? The more informed on the subject should take this opportunity to educate the less informed...shouldn't they?
And is it just me or doesn't it feel as if by celebrating [Black History Month] we're, in a way, saying that "our" history needs to be put on a pedestal and held up so it can "seem" as important as [Non-Black History]? Almost like what many who are against affirmative action feel. If you were REALLY qualified, you'd be able to compete with no "assistance"... You're probably needed to just fill a quota. If it were really important, it wouldn't be confined to a month. We get information all the time about great Americans on TV, in film, and in our schools' text books. Many fought long and hard to gain the full rights as American citizens. Not the right to start "our own schools" but the right to go to school where we please. Not the right to start our own restaurants but the right to enjoy a meal where ever we like. Don't these rights not extend in the chronicling of our history?

The solution:
I suggest we start what I like to call [The Day One Program] in predominantly African-American schools (and any other socially stratified school that would like to participate). In late summer, when schools start, we should start planning with the students and faculty our [Truth Telling Ceremony]. These [TTC]s will replace Black History Programs with an accurate account of what REALLY happened to Stolen Africans in this country. These ceremonies should be designed to inform all who attend of the wonderful contributions of African-Americans in spite of great opposition by the powers that be not only in the United States but to the entire world. If we do this at the beginning of the year, the students will be able to accurately interpret the other information they will be taught throughout the rest of the school year and know the importance of the contributions of Stolen Africans to the world.

I'm Thed Weller and I approve this message.