Essay 182

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• Looks like somebody decided less is more at the Million More Movement. Black gays and lesbians were rejected in their efforts to have one of their leaders speak at the event. Folks are blaming Million More Movement executive director Willie F. Wilson for the snub. Wilson has allegedly been feuding with gays and lesbians for months, though he insisted their representative failed to meet specific criteria for speakers. Maybe the event should change its name to Million More Excuses Movement.

• Looks like things got a little ugly at the first regional gathering of the Chicago Minuteman Project (see Essay 181). A few protesters scuffled with cops, leading to five arrests. Supporters believed prospective participants did not appear because they feared for their safety. Playing off other fears, Republican Keith Butler — who will probably be next year’s GOP nominee in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race — warned, “By not securing our borders, we are putting our wives and children at risk.” Apparently, there’s also risk in attending Minuteman Project functions.

• The judge in the R. Kelly child pornography case may ultimately toss the charges against the R&B singer. Prosecutors have failed to accurately pinpoint the creation date of the infamous videotape, only managing to narrow the estimate to a 33-month period. Defense attorneys argue that’s too vague, and hope the court will drop the entire case. Judge Vincent Gaughan declared he’ll present a ruling within two weeks. The judge probably wants to spend a little more time viewing the video.

• Radar Online claimed learning from a high-level anonymous source that Vanity Fair retouched the cover photograph of Beyoncé Knowles to make her appear lighter. Vanity Fair denies the charges. At the same time, the publication has not featured a sole Black person on its cover since 1998. So maybe somebody decided Ms. Knowles was not Vanity Fair-skinned enough.

• Actor Daniel Craig has been officially named the next James Bond. Nearly every news report states Craig will be the first blond Bond. Still awaiting the first Black Bond. But that would probably be shaking-not-stirring things up too much.

• Terrence Howard received a career achievement award at the Chicago International Film Festival. The actor made two cool performances this year in Crash and Hustle & Flow. “I love the fact that people are talking about me…But the better part of it is, I don’t hear what they’re saying. What I mean is that my perspective on me is pretty much the same — I am always trying to find a greater challenge. I keep trying to impress me,” said Howard. We’re impressed.

• A New York Times article detailed the growing popularity of drinking games among the youth market, particularly college students. Marketers including Anheuser-Busch — inventor of Bud Pong — have joined the fun by creating games, events and hype. “It’s awesome,” said a 22-year-old Drexel University senior. “If you win, you win. If you lose, you drink. There’s no negative.” Right, genius. Tell it to organizations like MADD.

• A Los Angeles Times article detailed the growing popularity of video games has inspired new marketing tactics. Virtual billboards and product placement are now playing in video games everywhere. So you can escape reality through gaming, but you won’t escape the reality of advertising. Game over.

• Kraft Foods Inc. announced the elimination of about 600 positions as part of an overall goal to cut 6000 jobs by 2007. Sales of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese are predicted to skyrocket, as the unemployed workers will seek to reduce their personal food bills.

• In Korea, there’s an American food product that’s gaining tremendous popularity as an extravagant luxury item. It’s Spam. The pink slabs of mystery meat are all the rage, selling in wrapped boxes for $44 per dozen cans. Figures show 40% of the Spam is bought as gifts. Imagine the mad shopping frenzy once Hormel introduces Korea to Vienna sausages.