CheapThrills

Where were you when Obama received his party's nomination?

I watched Obama’s acceptance speech last night at Vox Populi in Boston, among about 300 other supporters, politicos… and those obvious few who snuck in for the free booze.

Funny, I never thought I’d see the day when the patrons of an entire bar shut their mouths and glue their eyes to the TV for a politician. Last night I looked around the room and saw nothing but saucers – everyone eagerly awaiting Obama’s next word.

As far as the actual speech went—well, I was really hoping to be moved to tears the way I was when Michelle and Biden spoke. In the end, though, talking family values wasn’t Obama’s mission last night (and that’s the stuff that makes me all misty-eyed). He needed to outline a clear plan for how he will make change a reality, and he did just that, point by point—from the economy to the war in Iraq to civil rights. I also thought it was really smart of him to address the “where’s the money coming from” question head-on. No dancing around the issue: his plans will take money, and he has accounted for the source of every penny.

After last night, no one can say that Obama doesn’t have clear strategies in place for executing on his dreams for this country.

On a more personal level, I found this part of his speech particularly inspiring:

We may not agree on abortion, but surely we can agree on reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies in this country. The reality of gun ownership may be different for hunters in rural Ohio than for those plagued by gang-violence in Cleveland, but don't tell me we can't uphold the Second Amendment while keeping AK-47s out of the hands of criminals. I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in the hospital and to live lives free of discrimination. Passions fly on immigration, but I don't know anyone who benefits when a mother is separated from her infant child or an employer undercuts American wages by hiring illegal workers. This too is part of America's promise - the promise of a democracy where we can find the strength and grace to bridge divides and unite in common effort.

The "inherent good in us all" message was one that Obama incorporated in his campaign early on, but one that I haven’t heard in recent months. I’m really glad he’s gone back to it, because this idea is truly powerful. And no one can really refute this message without sounding like a total sleaze ball naysayer.

But let me take a step back. Because last night was bigger than words.

I haven’t lived through too many “I was _____ when _____ happened” events. My parents have tons. I have a few. I was in class on my second day of college when the planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers. I was on the phone with my dad, listening to him say, “Ryan, turn on your T.V. immediately, you won’t believe it—all the people drowning in New Orleans are Black” when Katrina hit.

Now I have another. I was at a bar in Boston, standing next to one of my favorite people in the whole word, my heart racing, my hands clapping, my eyes sparkling, when the first African-American man accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for president of this country.

Wow.

Related: Obama wrapping it up, my grandparents would have been so proud

Biden, talk race with the Rust Belt

On Saturday morning, when Obama announced Biden as his pick for VP, I knew some Black political bloggers would raise their eyebrows. Hell, the first thing that came to my mind was, “Oh dang, Mr. Clean and Articulate?”

But then I thought back to Biden's remarks during the debates, and specifically the comment he made about Kucinich’s wife (in my opinion, one of the funniest moments in any debate this year). This guy seriously goes there. He makes all those not-quite-PC observations that everyone else in the room is thinking but would never dare to utter. And you know what? Maybe that’s ok. Because I think Biden’s ability to make honest observations based on his personal point-of-view will work wonders among working class (specifically White) voters.

The truth is, I’m actually kind of glad that Obama chose a guy who committed one of the first racial gaffes of the primaries. Biden's gaffe showed that he stereotypes a bit, that's for sure… but don’t we all? And by putting these kinds of stereotypes out in the open, we can better find, understand (and perhaps fix) the root of them.

Biden said something about Obama that other White people might have been thinking. Now Biden has the opportunity to address race on a national level. And I really hope he does. Not on a stage, in front of celebrities and politicians. But rather, in a town hall, among the Rust belt Democrats and Independents who have proven to be very concerned about Obama’s heritage. Biden’s the guy who could easily conduct a get-out-your-fears-on-race vent session.

And then, of course, turn each fear on its silly little head.

Jack and Jill Politics: Now this I like
Jezebel: Obama's VP Choice Lets Loose the Dogs of (Political) War

For the self-righteous, hypersensitive moron in us all...

n.b. This title will make more sense if you read the comment argument on my last post. It gets so heated on the internets!

I'm loving the purple robes. And, of course, Mr. Spongebob in the background.

Related -
Jewcy: Gay Black Jewish Klansmen

Freakonomics' "The Plight of Mixed-Race Children" = Depressingly Bad Study

If you’re interested in reading a summary of completely asinine insights, check out this August 21th post on the NY Times' Freakanomics blog, The Plight of Mixed-Race Children.

Right off the bat, the whole premise of the paper is baffling to me. Plight? Really? A mixed race kid might become our next president. How ‘bout we turn this study on its head and call it “The Opportunities of Mixed Race Children.”

Two, the research completely oversimplifies the issue. Take, for example, their first finding:

1) Mixed-race kids grow up in households that are similar along many dimensions to those in which black children grow up: similar incomes, the father is much less likely to be around than in white households, etc.

To my mixed-race middle-class eyes, this finding seems really skewed. Where did they find the households surveyed? In only inner-city neighborhoods? Also, this study should have been broken down by the race and nationality of each parent (White mom, Black dad / Black mom, White dad / country of origin of each parent). I’d love to see some takeaways from such research – and I’m sure they’d show some rich results. Or at least some believable results.

Three, they explain all the findings with Park’s marginal man theory – originally published in 1937. I dunno, maybe it’s just me, but it seems race relations have changed just a tad since then. Wouldn’t it be interesting to try to explain the results based on current theories? Or maybe even put together a new theory based on our current racial landscape?

And finally, what in God’s name does this mean:

3) Mixed-race kids do have one advantage over white and black kids: the mixed-race kids are much more attractive on average.

That’s the wackest finding in the whole entire world. Even if the rest of the paper had been incredibly insightful, this “point” debunks everything.

Related -
CheapThrills/HuffintonPost: Half Black and Half White - Obama's Biracial Question
Racialicious: Freakonomics: "The Plight of Mixed-Race Children"

Obama's VP text/e-mail announcement and faith in the next generation

I remember learning of Barack Obama’s Iowa win via text message. A bunch of my oldschool friends were in town, and the news made an already tasty night even sweeter. Learning of the win “on location” (i.e. at the bar) gave us the opportunity to celebrate night right: we toasted, hugged, bounced around the restaurant excitedly and talked politics for the rest of the evening.

My generation texts everything, because texts cut the crap – good ones are short, easy to follow and, most importantly, informative. Receiving a text that says “what up” is seriously wack. But give me some news or update that I really want, and I’m all over it. I’m hungry for it.

As a digital marketer, I see corporations starting to understand the real opportunity that text messages present. Mobile coupons, text-to-wins, updates – it works if it’s done right. But so many companies are really scared of new media. They don’t trust it

So yesterday I was a bit stunned upon receiving this e-mail from Obama campaign manager David Plouffe. My thoughts went a little something like this: “Announce the VP choice via text and e-mail? Seriously? He’s crazy. Oh, and that’s so ridiculously awesome, I gotta go sign up right away.”

 

The choice that the Obama campaign made is daring, that’s for sure. They’re putting tremendous faith in new media. But it’s funny, by using new media - my media - and as the only platform to announce such important news, I feel as though the Obama campaign is tremendous faith in me as well – which feels really good.

Because you and I both know that when I receive the VP text, I’ll shout it out all over the bar. Apparently the Obama campaign knows that too.

Related:
Washington Post: Obama Nearing a Veep Decision?

Beyoncé's washed-out L'Oreal ad and role models

Beyoncé’s L’Oreal print ad (shown to the right, in which she appears totally whitewashed) has been sparking discussion all over the blogosphere. I was reading some thoughts presented by one of my daily reads, The Black Snob, and came across a comment to her post that went something like this:

"…who cares how light or dark Beyonce is? She is an incredibly talented singer and she has done well for herself. She doesn't go out and get trashed or forget to wear important articles of clothing under short skirts, like certain other celebrities. Actually, she is one of the few celebrities I would actually call a good role model. It's really none of my business what shade her skin is.”

This really got me to thinking. Does the commenter have a point? Is Beyoncé a good role model? Why do we all seem to care so much about her complexion?

I had to travel back in time to find my answers to these questions. Back to when I was about 10.  Even though my mom wore her hair natural, I seriously believed that light skin and straight hair were the norm.

Why? Well, ever notice that there are virtually no ads on TV or in mainstream fashion magazines for Black beauty products?

Truth be told, advertising lied to me on a daily basis.  Ads for hair dyes, foundations, lip sticks – all of it. I’d watch a Pantene TV spot and then save up my allowance for a bottle shampoo because I thought it’d make my thick curly hair flow in the wind.

Notice, you'll never find a disclaimer on a Pantene ad that says, "Our advanced Pro-V Formula will not work for Black hair. No matter how many times you use it." After many failed attempts, months of savings spent and a few tears shed, I realized that Pantene would never do for me what it claimed it could do for everyone.

So finally, at the age of 11, I got my hair chemically relaxed. When I walked out of the beauty parlor, I had straight hair down to my waist that the wind could carry effortlessly.

I’d never felt such joy.

Now, we see beautiful high-profile Black women taking the Pro-V standard of beauty (the White standard, really) and emulating it. Women like Tyra Banks (shown), sporting fake hair every day. Claiming she’s a “slave to her weave.” Women like Beyoncé, who is becoming lighter and lighter right before our very eyes.

But in reality, they are projecting the ultimate lie. They’re celebrating this phony ideal that little Black girls will try to achieve. That little Black girls have been trying to achieve for years.

And lying does not a good role model make.

Beyoncé's L’Oreal ad? That’s not African-American beauty. That’s someone else’s beauty. I'd like to see a little more of ours.

Related:
Jezebel: Photoshop of Horrors
Guardian: Mighty White
Afrobella: Whitewash and Photoshop
Racialicious: Feria Can Lighten Anything You Want
E! Online: We Didn't Lighten Beyonce. Honest.

New racist anti-Obama e-mail (hopefully not) coming to an inbox near you!

My friend's co-worker actually received this at her work e-mail address. From a vendor. Isn't that crazy? Someone she barely even knows - someone who means to do business with her - is sending her this filth. The person who sent this must think everyone's on the same page when it comes to race-hating. Which is scary, because it leads me to believe that everyone around this person is on the same page.

I've never seen this particular e-mail before. I think the subject line is trying to be clever or something with the Guess Who's Coming to Dinner reference, but it seems the person who wrote it didn't quite understand what s/he was referencing.

And the photo attached to the e-mail (a huge attachment, I might add - shown below) works hard to be beyond offensive. It manages to evoke the painful image of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, poke fun at African-American culture, depict Black Arabs as dirty and dusty, suggest dark-skinned people are nothing but animals (who can miraculously survive packed so closely together) AND drum up the newfound American fear of refugees.

I.e., These people are taking over our glorious country! And Obama's their main man! So if he gets elected, they're all hear to stay. Forever. Regular Americans will become the second-class citizens!

Sick and sad.

Mad Men again... AMC's online casting contest produces gems

The You Could Be On Mad Men Contest: make the best 1-minute video and get flown out to L.A. for a walk-on role in a future episode of the show. Great use of user-generated video.

But also, some of these entries are freaking crazy! It's like, either the actors takes themselves way too seriously (umm, what's up with all the camera cuts here?), or they just kinda suck,

OR they make a mockery of the whole thing. Like this one (clip below), by Victor Fischbarg. He only has 2 votes so far, so he probably won't get very far. But dude. Come on. The hand? That's awesome. You'll win my eternal admiration if you can find a more craptacular character rendition.

Mad Men: Q&A and the future of ad agency fashion

Since Mad Men’s rocket launch to Must See T.V. status, everyone’s suddenly all interested in the ad industry. I hear questions like these all the time:

• “Do you guys really drink all the time?” (see this Gawker post for more on that – the first agency mentioned is mine)
• “Are the guys really that bad?” (in the ad agency of 2008, everyone’s that bad)
• “Do you really have that much fun?” (well, to answer your question, we have a jumping contest today from 1-4pm in the 15th floor “Jumpatorium”)
• “Are your co-workers really that clever?” (a whole-hearted head nod YES)
• “Who is the Don Draper at your agency? Can you give him my number?” (we’ve got a Draper or two, and I’ll see what I can do)

And then there’s the fashion. Sure, a few creatives sport fedoras, awesome button down/blazer combos and daring hair color choices. But to be honest, our everyday outfits pale in comparison to what you see on Mad Men. 

American Copywriter thinks the sleek and sexy will make a comeback in the modern agency. While I could imagine a male creative perhaps pulling on a suit for a pitch (maybe), I highly doubt they’ll be a drastic change in daily ad man fashion. A pity, really, because a man with a sharp suit and a vision can sell virtually anything.

And as for the women? Joan-chic… that has a nice ring to it.