#WESEEIT DAILY: MONDAY 6.25.2018 – NETFLIX’S BLACK HOLLYWOOD, GRTC PULSE, KOOL BOB LOVE, RED HEN & BET AWARDS

Last week, I tested out a daily blog post of things that are of interest to me, it’s called #WESEEIT Daily. This week, I’m adding it to the blog as a test. Feel free to add your comments as I will be using your feedback for the Cheats Movement on WRIR podcast, which now airs every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 11 AM. To read all of the #WESEEIT Daily posts, follow The Cheats Movement’s official Facebook page (not Marc Cheatham). 

Let’s start with some things I consider awesome: Last night during the BET awards, Netflix ran an amazing commercial highlighting their black cast, creators, directors, etc. Inspired by Esquire’s 1958 “A Great Day in Harlem” photo shoot, the commercial was one of the highlights of the night and featured Lena Waithe, Marlon Wayans, Spike Lee, Alfre Woodard, Ava DuVernay, Spike Lee, Laverne Cox, Rapsody, and more. The spot was directed by Lacey Duke. It’s an awesome display of Black Excellence and continues to put Hollywood on notice. Diversity in programming, like diversity is most places, is a winning formula. And the numbers back that up in ratings and at the box office.

Moving on: On Friday, I attended the U.S. debut of Rock, Rubber, 45s, a documentary written and directed by Bobbito Gracia, about his life. Bobbito has become one of the (if not the) hip-hop pioneers I look up to the most. His story is about following his passion and filling a void. He has done it for over 50 years and has made a career from Rock (Basketball), Rubber (sneakers), and 45s (Djing). It’s an amazing story that everyone should watch. Following the screening at the Kennedy Center, I attended the after party that was Djed by Bobbito AKA DJ Cucumber Slice, DJ Stretch Armstrong, and DJ Rich Medina – it was a legendary night.

Moving on: I must admit that when I first heard the story of the Red Hen Lexington asking Sarah Huckabee Sanders to leave their restaurant, I didn’t have the immediate, “You go Red Hen” reaction that most die-hard Democrats had (or most decent people had – to be frank). I was (and still am) concerned that actions like this will create a slope that our country can’t recover from. Really, what do things like this mean for our country? BUT then I started reading: I read the reasons behind the owner’s decision – and I understand and agree. I read articles about the owner’s actions of asking her to leave compared to the Supreme Court’s decision to refuse same-sex couples a wedding cake – which Sanders used her WH press briefing to defend and support – or the restaurant owner’s action compared to the WH’s decision to wage war against NFL players who protest police brutality during the National Anthem (again done from the WH podium) and I realized that the slope has already been created and this WH has no interest in turning it around. Overall, it’s sad we’ve gotten here but it was sad when the President of the United States called an entire heritage of people rapists and murders – so the fact that Sanders is claiming victim is what leads me to say, ” You go Red Hen.”

Moving on: GRTC’s Pulse hit the streets yesterday, offering free rides, which will continue all this week. A bunch of people who never rode the Richmond bus system before jumped on the Pulse and their IG stories and filmed the whole thing. If I sound jealous, it’s because I am. For the most part, they seemed to be having fun and doing some sort of bar crawl (I like friends and beer so this seemed fun). I will ride Pulse – just to do it – but my West End (Henrico County) roots won’t allow me to abandon my car right now.

The last thing, The BET Awards were really solid last night. I like most of the performances. Janelle Monae killed her performance and the red carpet with her rainbow “Pride” dress. I was really impressed by HER and Ella Mai’s live performances. The Anita Baker and Debra Lee tributes were really good. And Jamie Foxx did a good job hosting. It was a dope show overall. Until next time – #WESEEIT