#wearethe99

[nando161mando]

This second video, the guy has a good fucking point! #WeAreThe99 the 1% should be afraid!

#BoycottKelloggs #LetThemEatCereal

[seluandthecrow-blog]

The entertainment industry in America is imbued with racist ideology, and gaps in representation and wages between actors of color and white actors are reigning free. Black actors are sometimes more successful than their white counterparts, but even then they’re not being recognized or compensated in the same way. I observe this from a privileged lens as a white person, and though I have struggled economically and still do, I have the privilege that comes with whiteness. Here I will attempt to communicate some of what I see as disparities and racist ideologies in the American entertainment industry today.

  I saw the most recent Star Wars movie “Solo” when it came out on Netflix. Alden Ehrenreich plays Han Solo, our lovable, orphaned, thief-but-for-the-right-reasons protagonist. He’s moving up through the ranks, stealing for the noble cause of one day being reunited with his adolescent crush Qi’ra (Emilia Clarke).  Donald Glover plays Lando Calrissian, the owner of the Millennium Falcon. His methods for acquisition of the Falcon are under constant scrutiny, and he is portrayed as the crook, with little back story. When white writers Jonathan and Lawrence Kasdan created this story, did they intend to cast Lando as a black man, or was it perhaps the casting agency who thought Glover would be good for this supporting role?

When Donald Glover was offered the job, he faced a choice. Did he want to be in the new Star Wars movie if he played a thief? There is a sacrifice made when an activist musician and comedian takes a high caliber role that potentially stereotypes him based on race. Certainly the circumstances are unique for each actor, but when a black entertainer is given an opportunity to succeed, but there is a wage gap between black and white entertainers, as well as male and female actors, and intersections of these different categories work like a confusing math problem that becomes easy to distill: there is disparity.

Sure, films like Black Panther are working against subjugation by taking black characters into the forefront of the picture, but what goes on behind the scenes is still inequity. It is generally stated that Chad Boseman who plays Black Panther earned $500,000 for his appearance in the film, and around 2-3 Million for Avengers, Infinity War. Robert Downey Jr. however, earned $500,000 for the first Iron Man, and earned a sickening $40-$50 Million for Infinity War. (QUORA.COM, 2019) (MENXP.COM, 2019) 

Entertainers with more weight in the industry based on previous successes gain more creative independence and move up in the income ranks based on that success. But roles and incomes are limited for black actors in the mainstream, and when you see a black actor or hear a black musician, what parts of their blackness are being commodified and to what end can they be undervalued as artists when their bodies and voices are being harnessed to entertain?

According to Forbes, Black Panther grossed over 1.3 Billion Dollars, more than Titanic, one of the highest grossing films to date (Forbes, 2018), Whereas the first Iron Man grossed less than half that, close to 318 Million. (Box Office Mojo, 2019). There are some lurking variables affecting the difference in Boseman and Downy Jr.’s salaries in Infinity War, like that fact that Downey Jr. has appeared in more films than Boseman (IMBD, 2019), but the key factor in the wage gap here is clearly white privilege. This phenomenon is hard to name because acknowledging it opens up hundreds of years of dialogue on oppression and dispossession which is painful to talk about, but it is impossible to ignore if you want it to change.  

Coincidentally, Donald Glover’s hit song This is America was co-written by Swedish computer Ludwig Göransson , who also wrote the score for Black Panther. Göransson  speaks to that experience in an interview with Complex.com last year:

“What I’ve been working with, and really trying to be aware of, is how you take traditional music from these different countries and put electronics and big orchestra on top of that while keeping the same sounds,” he said. “It’s been really challenging. I went to west Africa and South Africa for a month to do research and record a bunch of different musicians for the score. I brought that back to my studio and, for the past year, I’ve been figuring out ways to preserve the essence of that music and try to make it cinematic to fit this superhero universe.” (COMPLEX.COM, 2018)

So where are these nameless musicians from Africa credited in information on this blockbuster’s soundtrack? Nowhere that I could find. Were they paid anywhere close to what Göransson received as the Composer for the film?Do they receive royalties from their performances?

Michelle Alexander speaks to new manifestations of racism in her book The New Jim Crow, a book which according to a 2018 article in The New York Times is banned in prisons in North Carolina and Florida. (Bromwich, 2018)

“In the era of colorblindness, it is no longer socially permissible to use race, explicitly, as a justification for discrimination, exclusion, and social contempt. So, we don’t. Rather than reply on race, we use our criminal justice system to label people of color “criminals” and then engage in all the practices we supposedly left behind. Today is it perfectly legal to discriminate against criminals in nearly all the ways that it was once legal to discriminate against African Americans…we have not ended the racial caste in America; we have merely redesigned it.“ (Alexander, 2012)

  And that’s exactly what is going on in the entertainment industry today. We are redesigning racism with wage gaps, divisions of screen time and biased survival in apocalyptic pictures (Infinity Wars,) and portraying black actors as thieves and sidekicks (Solo,) while black rappers in the mainstream sing about prison time, womanizing, gold chains, and street drugs, perpetuating these images to the public. In Lil Baby’s song Pure Cocaine, which is #24 on the Billboard rap charts as of April 5th, 2019, he says:

“When your wrist like this, you don't check the forecast/Every day it's gon' rain (every day it's gon' rain), yeah/Made a brick through a brick, I ain't whip up shit/This pure cocaine (this pure cocaine), yeah/From the streets, but I got a little sense/But I had to go coupe, no brain, coupe no brain/I ain't worried 'bout you, I'ma do what I do/And I do my thing, do my thing”

  Chris Holmlund makes observations of the entertainment industry’s racist ideology flattening the Whoopi Goldberg into a tool for the white protagonists to connect in the movie Ghost in his book Impossible Bodies:

“Garishly dressed and made up, Oda Mae [the crook turned accessory to the white protagonist’s happiness, played by Goldberg] looks ridiculous when she visits Molly at Sam’s urging. “I don’t see what’s wrong with what I’m wearing,” she complains, voice off over a bird’s eye shot of Manhattan. 

The next shot shows her striding along, resplendent in a badly fitting rose-colored jacket, black flounced skirt, black stockings, white net gloves, bouffant black wig, and rakish hat. Her legs splay apart awkwardly above spike heels. In African leggings she later seems more at ease, but she never looks as deliciously fragile as Molly [Demi Moore] does in her pixie haircut, baggy sweaters, and spaghetti strap T-shirts.

            No wonder, then, that Oda Mae lends her body to the dead Sam when he wants to hold and kiss his wife one last time. “O.K., O.K., you can use me,” she says, “You can use my body. Just do it quick before I change my mind.” Orlando at least submersed himself in her, before reemerging in ghostly superimposition to hear his wife’s response. Sam simply replaces her, obviating the lesbianism implicit in a first, teaser, closeup of Molly’s white hands held by Oda Mae’s black ones, by suddenly appearing in medium shot to wrap his strong arms protectively around his tremblingly eager widow’s torso.” (Holmlund, 2002)

This example from the 1990 film may show that movies have come some way in representation of black characters, but Lando’s role in connecting Han Solo with his love Qi’ra seems to follow a similar trajectory. Epigenesis is painful, and there are many steps back accompanying each step forward in how ideologies can be reshaped. In 2010 there was one such instance of painful steps backward which instigate change in the 15th annual broadcast of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which aired on CBS. A summation of the event from The Color Complex by Kathy Russell-Cole, and Drs. Midge Wilson and Ronald Hall follows:

“Over 9 million viewers, the largest audience yet, tuned in to watch thirty-four female models, six of whom were women of color, parade around in lingerie and little else. The display of wares was organized around six differently themes sets, and in each, even the country-themes one featuring a barn and blond wigs, the subset of “girls” participating was racially integrated-with one notable exception. The single themed presentation in which the producers saw fit to showcase only the six models of color was the segment entitled “Wild Thing.” The setting was a jungle and the models entered wearing nothing more than African wraps on bodies covered in tribal body paint. From the African-American community could be heard a collective moan: “Seriously? Again, you put us back in the jungle?”

Since before the Civil War, the dominant White culture has abused and manipulated images of African Americans, usually for the purposes of fear, humor (i.e. what Whites thought was amusing,) and marketing.” (Russel-Cole/Wilson/Hall, 2013)

Awareness of these disparities is the key to unwinding what large entertainment corporations are continuously feeding to the public. I encourage you to question the lyrics on the radio, and ask yourself who is writing them, who is singing them, and for what reason. Watch the behaviors of actors. What are they promoting? Mainstream media is engineered by corporations to succeed with awareness of what consumers will buy into. It’s your responsibility as the consumer to shape the reality of the entertainment industry, and equality on and off-screen. 

[nykiiday]

Let's see more of these in 2021👏👏👏👏 #FuckTheNWO #WeAreThe99% #Plandemic #Scamdemic

[iohnyc-blog]

Nine years ago today was our first night of many in Zuccotti park. That sparked years of actions and organizing. Our initial contribution at Occupy was helping people to rescue and then sharing free food. It soon became clear that people were happy to buy us pizza every night and even @benandjerrys was there with all you can eat free ice cream! So we decided our efforts could be more impactful if we redirected them. We helped to start the library and stock it with radical publications. Many of the participants who came to Occupy had never heard of mutual aid nor had any concept of horizontal organizing at a large scale. We printed off tens of thousands of copies of pamphlets and zines by people like Noam Chomsky, David Graeber, Lucy Parsons, Ashanti Alston, Errico Malatesta, Emma Goldman, and many more. We distributed these for free. Many have credited this effort with helping to provide an idealogical framework for a large number of those involved. We continued distributing free literature long after being evicted from Zuccotti and did so regularly from Union Square park for years. The fire, the love, and the rage we helped nurture there spread across the globe and back. We are still fighting for each other and for this planet. We are all in this together! Rest in Power to the Occupiers we lost Edith, Kitty, Brendan Mannion, Robert Grodt, and of course David Graeber ❤️🔥🏴✊🏼 #davidgraeber #anarchist #noamchomsky #zines #occupywallstreet #anarchism #anarquista #emmagoldman #rojava #malatesta #zuccottipark #anarquismo #peterkropotkin #chomsky #anarchist #lucyparsons #occupy #anarcho #anarchismo #anarchocommunist #kropotkin #ows #nobodyforpresident #erricomalatest #crimethinc #smashthestate #nogodsnomasters #wearethe99percent #anarquia #wearethe99 (at Zuccotti Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFQZIVTjt8C/?igshid=1ll9go7a9bo1q

[its-feena]

#Repost @its.niddster @download.ins --- #imdone #nomorelockdown #scamdemic #agenda21 #freedomfighters #wearethe99 #iamthelaw #nocompliance #freedomisourright #takeyourfreedomback #medicalfreedom #powertothepeople #freedomofchoice https://www.instagram.com/p/CQJ-fcbtN54/?utm_medium=tumblr

[sociedadkreativa]

#WeAreThe99% #SomosEl99% #15M #instagram #pictureoftheday #drawing #handmade #colors #painting #sketchbook #ideas https://www.instagram.com/p/CP0lLW_p5oD/?utm_medium=tumblr

[empressempathidi]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 #RIGHT?!!! THEY had #BANK!!! So much #money they could forget about their youngest born 😂😂😂😂 #child #neglect #childendagerment Where's #DYFS #DCF #DCPP when you need them? #childprotection #childcare #HomeAlone #HomeAlone2 #movie Did you know that made FIVE HomeAlone #movies???!! #SMH If it didn't star #MacaulayCulkin I don't know you. #80s #childhood #80skid #the1percent #wearethe99 #99% #othersideofthetracks #mustbenice 🤣🤣🤣🤣 #Repost from @thefatjewish - IF YOU DON’T REALLY KNOW ABOUT HOME ALONE YOU’RE 12 YEARS OLD AND FUCK OFF

[rodwey2004]

Six years on...What has changed? The story in pictures is coming.... . . Visit my website: RodweyPhotography.com and order some lovely prints... 🤓 . . #2011 #occupy #london #occupylsx #wearethe99% #protest #capitalismincrisis #bankingcrisis #stpaulscathedral #picoftheday #occupylondon #weroamtheworld #hotshots #natgeotravelpic #thegreatoutdoors #canon #igshotz #canon_photos #timeoutlondon #weroamtheplanet #canoneos More at http://bit.ly/2qkFwGQ or bit.ly/1K5yYO9 (at London, United Kingdom)

[inspireif]

AUTHORITY Oil, Acrylic, Spray | 120*80cm | 2015 #questionauthority #wearethe99 #wes21

[blakechasteen]

#climatechangeisreal #wearethe99 #rentcontrol #singlepayerhealthcarenow #foodsubsidyreform #whatthehealth #fightfor15 #breakupthebanks #breakupmonopolies #berniewouldhavewon #basicincome #bethemedia http://ift.tt/2sXfwB2

[nykiiday]

🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 #FuckTheNWO #WeAreThe99% #EndTheLockdowns #Pl@ndemic #Sc@mdemic #Killumin@ti #Anon #Anonymous #FreeAssange #F@keNews #YellowVests #GiletsJaune #StopMandatoryV@ccination #antiv@ccine #v@ccineskill #v@ccineinjury #syringeslaughter #Stop5g #SaveOurTrees #SaveOurBirds #SaveOurBees #StopChemtrails #StopGeoengineering #StopTheElites #StopAgenda21/2030 #SaveHumanity #PowerToThePeople #WeDoNotConsent

[iohnyc-blog]

Nine years ago today was our first night of many in Zuccotti park. That sparked years of actions and organizing. Our initial contribution at Occupy was helping people to rescue and then sharing free food. It soon became clear that people were happy to buy us pizza every night and even @benandjerrys was there with all you can eat free ice cream! So we decided our efforts could be more impactful if we redirected them. We helped to start the library and stock it with radical publications. Many of the participants who came to Occupy had never heard of mutual aid nor had any concept of horizontal organizing at a large scale. We printed off tens of thousands of copies of pamphlets and zines by people like Noam Chomsky, David Graeber, Lucy Parsons, Ashanti Alston, Errico Malatesta, Emma Goldman, and many more. We distributed these for free. Many have credited this effort with helping to provide an idealogical framework for a large number of those involved. We continued distributing free literature long after being evicted from Zuccotti and did so regularly from Union Square park for years. The fire, the love, and the rage we helped nurture there spread across the globe and back. We are still fighting for each other and for this planet. We are all in this together! Rest in Power to the Occupiers we lost Edith, Kitty, Brendan Mannion, Robert Grodt, and of course David Graeber ❤️🔥🏴✊🏼 #davidgraeber #anarchist #noamchomsky #zines #occupywallstreet #anarchism #anarquista #emmagoldman #rojava #malatesta #zuccottipark #anarquismo #peterkropotkin #chomsky #anarchist #lucyparsons #occupy #anarcho #anarchismo #anarchocommunist #kropotkin #ows #nobodyforpresident #erricomalatest #crimethinc #smashthestate #nogodsnomasters #wearethe99percent #anarquia #wearethe99 (at Zuccotti Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFQZIVTjt8C/?igshid=1ll9go7a9bo1q

[its-feena]

#Repost @spear_mint_nowc @download.ins --- #pfizer #vaxxine #vaxxers #billionsinlawsuits #doyourownresearch 🚫💉🚫💉🚫💉🚫💉🚫💉🚫💉. . . . . . . #noliability #nwobollox #agenda21 #agenda2030 #nwo #depopulation #billgatesisevil #coronabollox #covidscam #maskholes #facenappy #facemasks#ppewankers #thegreatawakeninguncensored #thegreatawakenin #nwobollox #covid1984 #plandemic2020 #truthseekers #faithoverfear #wearethe99 #conspiracytheory #wewillallbethere #freedomfighters https://www.instagram.com/p/CQKJ8eHNnB9/?utm_medium=tumblr

[highwaycatcher]

REQUIEM FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM is the definitive discourse with Noam Chomsky, on the defining characteristic of our time - the deliberate concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a select few. Through interviews filmed over four years, Chomsky unpacks the principles that have brought us to the crossroads of historically unprecedented inequality - tracing a half century of policies designed to favor the most wealthy at the expense of the majority - while also looking back on his own life of activism and political participation. Profoundly personal and thought provoking, Chomsky provides penetrating insight into what may well be the lasting legacy of our time - the death of the middle class, and swan song of functioning democracy. A potent reminder that power ultimately rests in the hands of the governed, REQUIEM is required viewing for all who maintain hope in a shared stake in the future. #watchthis #watchit #netflix #democracy #noamchompsky #chomsky #economics #wearethe99 #wearethe99percent

[al-nava-sexy-revolutionary-mind]

#Unite4Bernie in #Idaho, #Utah, and #Arizona! ___________________________________ Repost @arizonaforbernie with @repostapp ・・・ #feelthebern #berniesanders #bernieorbust #imwithbernie #womenforbernie #menforbernie #politicalrevolution #arizonaforbernie #azbern #itsafire #bernbabybern #standtogether #stormiscoming #onenation #wewantbernie #wethepeople #lovenotwar #republican #democrat #democraticsocialism #wearethe99 #taxtherich #nomoregreed (at Downtown Long Beach)

[adlunametadastra]

ALRIGHT LISTEN UP! AS IT STANDS WE HAVE TO WIN EVERY STATE FROM THE 15TH FORWARD (IF NOT ALMOST EVERY STATE)!!! PUNDITS ARE SAYING THE MATH AND THE ODDS AND THE STATISTICS ARE AGAINST US WITH JIST A 40% SHOT AT WINNING (ED SCHULTZ HAD SOME GUY ON THERE WHO BASICALLY SAID BERNIE HAS ALMOST NO SHOT OF WINNING) THE NOM AND SINCE WE PROVED THEM WRONG IN MICHIGAN WE GOTTA DO IT AGAIN IN #FLORIDA #ILLINOIS #OHIO #MISSOURI AND #NORTHCAROLINA AS WELL AS THE STATE AFTER THE 15TH!!! IT'S A NUMBERS GAME AND WE NEED TO PICK UP MORE DELEGATES THAN SHE HAS, SIMPLE AS THAT. WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS ON THE GROUND AND SINCE THE WEATHER IS NICER OUTSIDE AND WE HAVE #SPRINGBREAK COMING UP THERE IS SIMPLY NO EXCUSE TO SPEND YOUR BREAK #VOTING, #CANVASSING, #PHONEBANKING, AND #FACEBANKING FOR BERNIE!!! WE NEED ALL HANDS ON DECK WE ARE AT DEF CON ONE THIS IS NOT A FCUKING DRILL!!!!! #caucusforbernie #primaryforbernie #blacklivesmatter #berniesanders #feelthebern #bernbabybern #wearebernie #wearethe99 #memes #collegelife #college #collegestudents #millenials #earlyvoting #students #phonebankforbernie #canvasforbernie #facebankforbernie #bernieorbust #berniesarmy