MJ's "This Is It" On Sale Now Amidst Low Buzz

You can’t help but think of one of the world’s biggest humanitarian’s, Michael Jackson, and wonder what he would be doing if he were still alive and aware of all of the tragedy that has impacted Haiti. Would he have been one of the celebrities on the recent Help for Haiti telethon? Would he have done a duet with Wyclef or performed with any of the artists who performed—from Justin Timberlake to John Legend-- who idolized him and use him as a reference for their own career image?

Or, would MJ have dedicated his planned world tour (that didn’t happen) to the rebuilding of Haiti?
Though we will never know what the gloved one would have done, we can surely relive some of his last moments here on earth with us by picking up a copy of the DVD of his movie “This is It.” For all the MJ fans out there, now is a good time than any to purchase the DVD. Places like Wal-mart are making it easier for you to do it by limiting the number of DVDs folks can purchase in one visit ( a new rule started this week it seems) for new releases, so folks can’t buy them in bulk and then resell them more easily, inflating the prices. Sony has also announced that it will be releasing a new bundle including the Playstation 3 game console and the Blu-Ray version of the movie “This is It”.

What’s surprising is that Michael Jackson’s DVD “This Is It” went on sale yesterday amidst surprisingly low fanfare here in the US-- especially given how fanatic the sales for the movie tickets were when the movie first hit theaters at the end of last summer. Granted, the movie was released less than six months after the beloved legend died, it is still a little weird that the DVD’s debut was met with such low buzz.

However, the international excitement was a bit more pronounced.

Check out this video of inmates in a Filipino prison who are dancing in tribute to MJ and his song “They Don’t Really Care About Us” and other songs sampled throughout the routine. This video was uploaded earlier this week and features prisoners from Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), a maximum security prison, with Michael Jacksons long-time choreographer Travis Payne and dancers Daniel Celebre and Dres Reid teaching choreography from MJ’s world concert that didn’t happen.

It’s weird and kind of odd knowing you are watching male prisoners in maximum lock-up having permission to (and agreeing to do this) en masse, but it’s interesting enough to watch and remind you of MJ’s impact on the world.

Part II: Art as a Reflection of Ourselves

(In photo: Author Micheal Eric Dyson who wrote a book critical of Bill Cosby and his speaking out against black parents who teach their children values counter to his beliefs)

Part II: Art as a Reflection of Ourselves by Guest Blogger Kethia Clairvoyant

Through art, we're able to better come to grips with the complexities of human emotion, as the legacy of our experiences. As a people (African-Americans, African Diaspora) we have an amazing story to convey and share with the world. It is our duty to not just put forth a blank canvas, but to dutifully and honestly create those images: myriad scenes, people, culture, history.

Bill Cosby VS. Poor Black People
After he had given “The Pound Cake Speech” in May 2004 at an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, Bill Cosby was met with harsh resistance for bringing to light some of the problems facing us as a people. He criticized the use of African-American vernacular English (or “Ebonics”), the prevalence of single-parent families, the emphasis on materialism at the expense of necessities, lack of responsibility and various other social behaviors. The speech was featured and set to cartoon visuals in the landmark 2005 African-American documentary 500 Years Later by MK Asante and directed by Owen “Alik” Shahadah.

Combating Cosby’s claims, Georgetown University sociology professor Michael Eric Dyson wrote a book in 2005 entitled Is Bill Cosby Right or Is the Black Middle Class Out of Touch? Dyson wrote that Cosby was overlooking larger social factors that reinforce poverty and associated crime; factors such as deteriorating schools, stagnating wages, dramatic shifts in the economy, off-shoring and downsizing, chronic underemployment, and job and capital flight. Dyson suggested Cosby's comments "betray classist, elitist viewpoints rooted in generational warfare." I believe that a man with Cosby’s background and upbringing understands first-hand the origins of the plight of a large sector of black people; that’s the very reason that he demands for us to be accountable and demand better for and of ourselves.

Shuffling in Hollywood
Robert Townsend’s Hollywood Shuffle for me was the antithesis of what some have come to embrace as the stereotypical, myopic view of the “black lifestyle”. In the 1987 film, Townsend plays an actor limited to stereotypical roles because of his race and ethnicity. Though Townsend’s character is an articulate and educated man with a respectful demeanor, the white establishment that runs the business of film-making cannot divorce themselves from their long-held ignorance and beliefs about African-American men. As he makes his rounds in Hollywood in the hopes of making it big as a highly respected performer, we see a director coach him on how a real black man would react in a given situation, we see him satirize a commercial for the “Black Acting School”, and we see him run lines (the way a “real black man” would speak and gesture) in the bathroom with his young son. They are all hilarious.

Though we are making greater strides in some areas, we seem to be complicit in regressing in others, much to our detriment. In the coming weeks I’d like to journey along the path that has led us to where we are today. I'll go further in-depth, decade by decade, to dissect the evolution of art in the African American community.

Cowards falter, but obstacles are overcome by those who dare. Are we courageous enough, determined enough to stand naked and vulnerable within our own community first?

Michael Baisden Is Looking for Indie Artists for His Radio Show-- Send In Your Music Today!

Taking Radio to the next level by breaking new artists and promoting undiscovered songs, nationally syndicated talk show host Michael Baisden gives new and undiscovered artists a chance of a lifetime, to be featured on his nationally syndicated talk show, Love, Lust, and Lies.

If you're an artist with original music, please send him a copy of your CD, along with the following information:

- Name of artist

- Title of CD

- Name of the song you want featured

- Year of release

- Contact info on artist or record label

- Website info on where the song can be purchased or listen to online

- A copy of the CDSongs

MUST fit the Love, Lust, and Lies format, Old school, R&B, and Neosoul and Clean Rap. Michael Baisden's producers will contact you if your song is chosen. All materials are non-returnable. Make sure your contact information is included in your submission.

Mail to:Michael Baisden ShowRadio Wars / B-Side Submissions1844 N Nob Hill Rd #610Plantation, FL 33322-6548

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