Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Carl Bean - I Was Born This Way

Carl Bean gave up a promising entertainment career to pursue his vocation as a clergyman. He felt the call to found a church to minister to the particular needs of glbtq Christians of color, and thus the Unity Fellowship Church was born. The Reverend Bean and his denomination have shown a strong commitment to caring for people with AIDS.

Bean realized from a very early age that he was attracted to men but "somehow knew not to talk to anyone about it" at first. When at the age of twelve he did acknowledge to his foster parents that he was gay, they sought pastoral counseling for him. The session left him feeling so rejected and despondent that he attempted suicide by taking all the medicines that he could find in the house.

Continue story here

Congressman John Lewis

Friday, September 18, 2009

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Celebratory Kiss Stirs Up Homophobia in Honduras

Celebratory Kiss Stirs Up Homophobia in Honduras

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Former President Jimmy Carter speaks on Racism

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Former President Jimmy Carter said Tuesday that U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst to President Barack Obama during a speech to Congress last week was an act "based on racism" and rooted in fears of a black president.

"I think it's based on racism," Carter said at a town hall held at his presidential center in Atlanta. "There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president."

The Georgia Democrat said the outburst was a part of a disturbing trend directed at the president that has included demonstrators equating Obama to Nazi leaders.

"Those kind of things are not just casual outcomes of a sincere debate on whether we should have a national program on health care," he said. "It's deeper than that."

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Unarmed Youth Shot by Police Caught on Three Separate Videos



This afternoon as I was browsing the Internet when I came across a story about a protest march in Oakland that became violent; one hundred people were arrested. I was shocked and confused as to how I missed this on the morning news. Surely this would have received some mention; perhaps not on the regurgitated local news but some national coverage. I watched the morning news but perhaps I missed it refilling my coffee cup. I just finished searching for some kernel, some mention, of what transpired on my local stations and there is nothing.

On New Year's day Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old supermarket worker, was fatally shot in the back while unarmed and handcuffed on the ground on a BART station platform. There are three separate videos of the shooting; the first confiscated by BART police, the second uncovered by the local news, and finally a third perspective that surfaced days after the murder of Oscar Grant.

I am deeply troubled and disturbed by how this tragedy has not received more coverage by news outlets, including CNN. I was inundated with information regarding the slaying of 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos, which was the catalyst for the riots throughout Greece. I even mentioned the slain youth in a previous post.

How is this travesty not more newsworthy? How many hours of coverage did Caylee Anthony receive from national and local outlets? I've seen that cretin Anne Coulter plastered on the news with her latest "PR" stunt for the past 36 hours.

Damn, I feel like I was just sucker punched.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Ave of the Arts, Philadelphia Pa


Ave of the Arts, Philadelphia Pa from ALMFII on Vimeo.

I received the new Vado HD camera in time for Christmas. Here is some test footage of the night I received it, I am such a geek. I hope to get some great Christmas footage.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Slumdog Millionaire is a Winner

Slumdog Millionaire is a winner; it is story telling at its best, easily one of best films of 2008. The story is heroic, romantic, tragic, but also one of conquest. The cast is outstanding; I can't recall when I have seen such incredible child actors. The story spans approximately 15 years and the main characters are played by two to three children representing various ages.

The story is clever and quick paced; there were occasions that I literally slid to the edge of my seat in anticipation. The film also provides a view into the caste system still prevalent in India's culture. It is such an important film to see, it is the triumph of the human spirit against insurmountable odds.

A standout in the phenomenal caste is the Freida Pinto, her beauty is ethereal. I found myself thinking that she has to be one of the most beautiful women in the world. Her role was far from glamorous but her natural beauty could not be subdued which also is a core element of the story.

Did I mention that this is based on a true story? Take your Lover, your parent, your best friend, but you must see this movie.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008