Tagged: will smith

“Everybody is prejudiced. Everybody has their life experiences that make them prefer one thing over another — it makes them prefer blond hair over a brunette; if you see somebody with dark skin walking down the street, you have a different reaction than you have [with] someone who is 5-foot-1 and white. But there is a connotation with racism of superiority: You feel that your race generally is superior. And I have to say, I live with constant prejudice, but racism is actually rare — someone who thinks their race is superior. I don’t want to work for them. I don’t want to work at that company. And the times I have come in contact with it, you get away from those people.” — Will Smith

THRRoundtableWillsmithSamjacksonracism

Will Smith made this statement at a recent roundtable with The Hollywood Reporter and other A-list Hollywood actors. Not sure why he would make such a statement…especially since Hollywood still has a problem with hiring and/or promoting qualified African Americans and people of color to decision-making positions at the talent agencies, networks, studios, production companies and other areas of the business.

A writer from MadameNoire – Desiree Bowie — hit it right on the head in her criticism of Smith’s statements in an article appropriately titled “Racism Is Rare…For Will Smith.” She stated:

His statement was earnest but cloaked in both naiveté and ignorance, and it’s important to bear in mind that Will Smith has been rich and A-list famous for far longer than he was a poor kid from West Philly. While he was busy looking up the distinct differences between the definitions of prejudice and racism, racist and prejudice acts were disproportionately occurring against other POC in entertainment and the working class. For Smith to make a statement in a well-known publication that denies the constant nature of racism is wholly irresponsible and shows of his privilege. When bigots hear people like Smith say that racism is rare (even if just in Hollywood), it provides them ammunition, or better yet, justification to do nothing when racist acts occur. It also allows them to dismiss the underlining cause behind the lack of diversity onscreen and behind the camera.

It is great that we as Black people can see someone ascend to the heights of success that Will Smith has attained, but it is dangerous that while high on his perch, he should dare make such a lofty statement with such long-reaching effects.

I definitely agree with Bowie. Click the image above to read the entire Q & A.

“Judging by the state of the United States, Washington, D.C. is going to be buzzing with a palpable energy next month. October 10 will mark the 20th anniversary of the historic Million Man March, and Minister Louis Farrakhan plans to commemorate the milestone with droves of #BlackLivesMatter supporters at the Justice or Else! march at the National Mall. In addition to influencers and changemakers being there on the ground, those who can are reaching into their pockets to help push the movement. Such applies to power couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, who donated a hefty $150,000 to the movement.”

JUSTICE OR ELSE! JUSTICE OR ELSE! JUSTICE OR ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Source: Stacey-Ann Ellis. “Will Smith And Jada Pinkett Smith Put A Cool $150K Towards Louis Farrakhan’s Justice Or Else March.” VIBE. September 9, 2015. http://www.vibe.com/2015/09/will-smith-jada-pinkett-smith-150k-million-man-march/.

correction! “nigger” found more than 349 times in emails by WMA and CAA executives!!!

This week, I found out that on March 2, 2012, Leonard Rowe filed a Motion to Vacate Judgment to reopen his case against William Morris and other talent agencies!!!!!!!!! He states:

Two years after oral argument, and after extensive discovery and pre-trial motion practice, this Honorable Court granted summary judgment to the defendants. The Court’s Order failed to include any mention of the derogatory utilization of the term “niggers” (which was found in the defendants William Morris Agency and CAA’s e-mail records some 349 times), “coons” and other blatant evidence of racial discrimination by defendants that has been and continues to be directed toward plaintiff and others similarly situated.

During the summary judgment phase of his case, the Court was unable to weigh this incriminating evidence because of the “improper actions and misconduct by certain involved attorneys” conspired to keep this evidence away the Court. I feel the timing of this news couldn’t be any more perfect!!!!! I raised concerns of judicial bias, prejudice and impropriety in September 2011.  Read the 15 page complaint for evidence of judicial corruption and institutional racism within America’s judicial system.

On 4/20, I filed a complaint with the Chief District Judge Loretta A. Preska under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act of 1980 to investigate the widespread corruption and racism permeating throughout America’s judicial system, including the Southern District of New York and the Second Circuit.