You ever wonder what happened to all the VHS's of those corny teen PSA's, kid shows, obscure 80's and 90's videos, dance shows, commercials, christian puppet shows,and all other awesome random fuckery that is left in the prehistoric real of VHS?
Welp..apparently the dudes at everythingisterrible.com have obtained them, chopped, screwed, edited them, and blessed all those lucky enough to view them with an abundance of heartfilled joy!
If you love all that is corny, cheesy, 80's, 90's, ironic, and pauseworthy ( I know I do).
*disclaimer* Please don't take this as a deterrent to charity, just a thought on its effectiveness*
I think like a lot of people I was horrified after looking at CNN to see that Haiti had pretty much been devastated by 7.0 Richter Scale earthquake. The images, the death. Very overwhelming.
Soon after I settled on my decision to donate money, a thought crept into my head.
Not only did this catastrophic event happen to what is to be considered the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, but unfortunately the most notoriously corrupt.
When I think of Haiti - The first thing that comes to mind is a nation that became the Western Hemisphere's first black Republic. But that shining achievement is soon dampened by other images........
The name Dr. François Duvalier, known as "Papa Doc" runs through my head as well as the TontonMacoutes (his personal militia) immediately follows. If you are not familiar with them-I suggest you do so. The hairs on the back of my neck still stand erect, when I recall the stories my Mom use to tell about the great lengths of his terrorism. He was dethroned in the 80's, exiled I believe. But it did not end there.
In 2006 Haiti knocked off Bangladesh as the "Most Corrupt Country In The World" according to the anti-corruption watchdog group World transparency. This was the same year that an armed rebellion led to the forced resignation and exile of President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE in February 2004, an interim government took office to organize new elections under the auspices of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).
Then there is its history of "disappearing aid funds"
UK-based international development agency Christian Aid, along with and the Jubilee Debt Campaign, have welcomed the Swiss government’s decision to hand over approximately $6 million to Haiti. The money had been frozen in a Swiss bank account since 2002 in order to give the family of the former Haitian dictator, Jean-Claude ‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier a chance to prove the money was legitimately theirs.
The Swiss Justice Ministry today announced it would pass the 7 million Swiss francs to the Haitian government for use in humanitarian projects, after the Duvalier family failed to prove its claim.
The money was frozen by the Swiss government as part of efforts to prevent the Swiss financial system being used to store stolen assets, in a process that has already seen hundreds of millions of dollars returned to Nigeria and the Philippines in recent years. Duvalier, who is believed to be living in exile in France, was removed from power in 1986.
The announcement is welcome news for Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, following devastation caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and Tropical Storms Fay and Hanna in August. These storms exacerbated the food crisis Haiti was already experiencing as a result of the steep rise in the price of rice, which led to riots earlier in the year.Sarah Wilson, Caribbean specialist at Christian Aid, said: “This is an important first step. Unfortunately, this $6 million is not the only money illegitimately appropriated by the Duvalier family.
Then there is the debt:
Nick Dearden, Director of Jubilee Debt Campaign, added: “This is great news for the people of Haiti in their struggle to get back what is rightfully theirs. However, Haiti is scheduled to give $10 million to the World Bank over the next six months to pay off its massive debts, many of which were contracted under Duvalier’s rule. So Haiti may get back some of the money that Duvalier stole, only to spend it, effectively, on paying off his debts.
"Some creditors have agreed to suspend most of Haiti’s debt payments in this time of crisis. The World Bank needs to do the same. We call on the UK Government, as one of the largest funders of the World Bank, to press for Haiti's debt cancellation to be completed immediately.”
Anne McConnell, of the Haiti Advocacy Platform Ireland-UK, added: "The restitution of these few millions to the people of Haiti will be of huge symbolic significance, and will send the message that dictators who steal from their citizens cannot get away with it - even after 20 years!"
The Swiss authorities have mandated that the funds must be used for humanitarian purposes. They will be unable to transfer the funds to Haiti immediately, as the Duvalier family will now have 30 days to appeal to Switzerland’s Federal Criminal Tribunal.
I know, I'm painting a very grim picture here. Haiti is not alone in its history of dictatorship, debt,and corruption in the least. Unfortunately the nations tumultuous history overshadows its culture and people. But I do urge people to be astute in whom they plan on donating to. Even after that, pray the funds do not get interceded, or siphoned.
And though I still plan on donating what I can, I guess what bothers me the most is the lack of transparency and "tracking" for lack of a better word, when it comes to donating. I guess the cynic in me is thinking this is just a drop in the bucket when it comes to helping Haiti. But considering the alternative is doing nothing , I have no choice. I make my payment, hope for the best, and try to convince myself I did my part, so I can sleep soundly at night.
Even when I read this, I feel like Im holding a people responsible for a nations history. Maybe its just me. But it's hard for me to have confidence in the governing hands of Haiti and other contributing nations ( France & Canada), when they have caused the people to suffer so greatly.
God I sound pessimistic :(
But this money REALLY needs to see its way to the people of Haiti, NOW..not next year and not eventually.
Funny, the other day my husband and I were trying to remember the last time we bought legal tangible music. For him I believe it was some damn Jeezy CD, I don't even feel like being specific. He knew I hated that damn CD, and played it continuously as some sort of mental warfare, till I surrendered, and stopped protesting its rotation in the car. In retrospect it's still better than the "No Limit Compilations"-yes Im married to a former "No Limit" stan-you have no idea how painful that is.
For myself the last CD's I bought was Rapheal Saadiq's BRILLIANT solo debut " Instant Vintage". It was released in 2002, and Van Hunt's debut "Van Hunt" followed by "On The Jungle Floor" in 2006. I could go On, and On, and On about how much I SHAMELESSLY STAN for Van Hunt-but that deserves a whole notha post , and trust me I will.
The rest of the CD's I wanted I stole borrowed from family and freinds
In any case Instant Vintage was like the soundtrack to my life in 2002. I played it at least once a day. Then somehow somewhere in the transition between LA, Long Beach, and a notoriously sticky fingered family member ,I lost it.
Something about Rapheal and his music is sooo familar, to me. Maybe it was growing up listening to "Toni, Tony, Tone " his music always made me feel relaxed, happy, and comfortable. Something about him will always ring quitessentialy Oakland, and Socal to me.
Much to my surprise years later I find this masterpiece in a clearance bin at some local Mom & Pop music store going out of business. I initially came in to see if they were selling any ipod accessories for cheap., anticipating taking advantage on the downslide of an all too familar scenario in what has now become an proverbial "dinosaur" in todays download only digital world.
Nowadays when it comes to choosing between my 10-12 dollars and supporting the "artist" I choose ME. My monies are precious! And my only allegiance is to my OWN wallet! So if your music happens to leak to my speakers or inbox BEFORE its supposed to be on sale or relased, tough luck. I like free shyt. :)
However once I glanced at the title, and the all too familar picture of a cross-legged paisly clad Rapheaal against the black background. I said something to myself, something Ive never said in a loooooong time.
"It's worth FULL PRICE"
This day I gladly paid my reduced price of 8.99, enthusiastically ripped off the cumbersome CD wrapping, and bumped some good worthwhile, quality music, that I glady paid for. It's been a while, but I don't regret it one bit.
Okay so a friend of mine turned me on to this chick last night, then I read her interview inASOS Magazine and I was interested.
Here is a short bio:
The genre-busting singer was born in South Africa and raised in a racially mixed family of musicians and political activists in the UK. Suffice to say that her life story is as colorful as her music. A press release describes that the "overriding theme of both has been MPHO's determination to find her own space, to define herself on her own terms."
She is slated to release her debut LP "Pop Art" is slated to drop in 2010.
I love finding new artist because like most of the listening public I THIRST for new faces and voices, I just hope that she
a) Gets to release said debut b) She doesn't fade after the 1st LP like sooo many new acts seem to, especially after not getting any kind of substantial promo.
After reading some of the visceral reactions to "Precious” star GaboureySidibe's quote in HarpersBizzareabout having the "audacity" to decide she deserves to feel and be seen as beautiful and to see her self as such. I found myself getting perturbed.
Frustrated with the majority of comments from various blogs saying :
"She's lying", "She needs to lose weight", "you can't be happy when you're that fat" "Damn she's fat" "uggh look at her she's in denial"
I asked the question: "Is the problem that she's overweight, or that you feel that her weight invalidates her right to feel and consider herself beautiful?"
Suddenly my mind went back to this one model featured in Glamour magazine a few months back. Showing a nude "Plus Size" model , sitting with her legs crossed and revealing a slight belly roll on her stomach. The picture received praise and outrage. (as shown below)
(image via glamour.com)
While some subscribers who wrote in applauded Glamour's efforts, and felt like it was about time that the media start depicting women who couldn't fit into the typical industry standards of a size 2 or 4, others were dismayed. They expressed concerns that "celebrating" this "obese woman" (who was no bigger than a size 12, a whopping 180 lbs and 5'10) promoted unhealthy eating habits, normalized and glamorised an "unhealthy lifestyle".
Then I look back at the piece I wrote about women "flaw scanning" each other, and female celebrities, while simultaneously bashing the entertainment industry for its shallowness, and its worshipping of "Plastic Women" and "unnatural beauty".
This confuses me.
To be honest when I saw the pic in Glamour, I was a bit taken back. Not because they showed a plus size model, but that they dared to show ROLLS! A part of me was intrigued, and another part disgusted. Yes disgusted. As "liberated" as I'd like to think myself to be from certain institutionalized beauty standards, and doctrines, I too still have some of the same hang-ups I detest in others.
I sat and thought for a minute why I reacted in such a manner. I guess its the same reaction I get when I see myself in the mirror with an unflattering outfit, or the time I caught a glimpse of myself in the storefront mirror of Douglas' Burgers with one hand carrying a greasy bag containing a CarneAsada burrito, and the other hand supporting my strawberry shake, and I said to myself jokingly ( "Just like a Fat Bitch, always en route to and form the next meal, I couldn't even get a damn lemonade, I haaad to get a shake"). That moment later resulted in me launching a vigorous exercise routine.
But in summation, I was disgusted at what my reflection was showing me.
And that's what the Glamour magazine picture represented for me at least. A shameful reflection. It represented that one stubborn roll that forms when I sit, that extra ten pounds that I can't seem to shake, the extra jiggle in my thighs, that persistent flab on the bicep. The very thing about my physical appearance that I loathed and try to conceal, and was TAUGHT to loathe, and conceal. The constant, nagging reminder that I was far from achieving my subconscious quest for perfection, was now before me being celebrated!
Here this woman was smiling, care-free and comfortable, as if it wasn't there or she didn't even care that it was, or that millions of people will see it!
While I realize there is a stark difference between this plus size model and Gabourey's physical appearance, I couldn't help but see some parallels, and question what we as women deem as "Acceptable" in a female celebrity's appearance , what "deserves" to be hailed as attractive, and which women "deserve" to be vocally confident about their appearance.
Ive come to the conclusion that I, like a lot of women are confused,conflicted, and rightfully so.
Think about it all the conflicting messages.
-On one hand we are taught to conceal our body flaws. Products like spanx, control tops, Body magic girdles, and the such are heavily promoted and celebrated by average Jane and celebrity alike, and receive explosive revenue, as well as die hard customers.
-Women spend insurmountable amounts of income on "self improvement" products. Be they excercise machines, anti-aging products, creams, procedures, diet pills, cosmetics, etc.,
-Every year we have these banal "Most Beautiful" lists, and " Best Bodies & Diets" covers stocked on countless shelves in the average grocery check-out sections. Featuring only the trimmest and leanest of bodies.
-Then in the background we have some teeny little tepid counter campaign, alot of times from the same celebrities and media figures who sale us and endorse said products who regurgitate the cliches of "Love your flaws and who we are", or "Beauty is only skin deep"?
-How many celebrities have said "Kiss my fat ass"
only to drop 50 pounds weeks later for a more "healthy" appearance?
-How may have been"Repping for the Big Girls" only to later concede that their previous campaign was championing an "unhealthy lifestyle".
-How can you accept your flaws while simultaneously trying so vigorously to either hide or conquer them? -How can we accept images of "non-perfect" women, when we are accustomed to expecting nothing short of perfection in the images being promoted in our media?
As much as we bemoan certain celebrities for only getting by on "their looks" and how shallow our society is. Are WE as women, really ready to see models that more accurately mirror the majority of our country, being celebrated in the same manner as the thinner ones? Could we REALLY handle seeing the same "flaws" and undesirable physical traits in our fave celebrities that we see in our own mirrors, without the airbrushing and photoshop?
Are we more comfortable celebrating women who are "natural" or rather "naturally flawless"?
Look at these pictures from the latest issue of V magazine and be honest with yourself which one bothers you the most? and why?
I'm a 24 year old Self-Proclaimed smart-ass, but in an "endearing" kinda way. This blog is all over the place, discussing pop culture, fashion, politics, current events,relationships, music, and random fuckery.
