Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Essay 368


Courts, choirs, cuts and commercials with a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• Michael Jackson’s lawyer argued the King of Pop could suffer in his child-custody battle because of past anti-Semitic remarks and lyrics, especially since the arbitrator on the case is Jewish. Heaven forbid Jacko might actually face backlash based on, say, being repeatedly accused of child molestation.

• The Boys Choir of Harlem is now refusing to vacate their rent-free school headquarters, filing a lawsuit against the Education Department to extend their stay until June. Today was the city’s official deadline for eviction. “There are no plans to move [today],” a choir spokesman said. “We’re having ongoing talks with the city. We’re optimistic until the 11th hour.” It ain’t over till the fat lady sings. But Mo’Nique is definitely tuning up at this point.

• Time’s up for Time Inc. employees, as the company is cutting 66 staffers from Time magazine and Sports Illustrated. The final firing tally could reach 100. A company spokeswoman said, “It’s not just about cost cutting — it’s about moving human and financial resources to high-growth areas. It’s another step in our restructuring.” And probably 100 new Newsweek and ESPN The Magazine subscribers.

• San Francisco entertainment lawyer Steven Ames Brown accused Pepsi of some shady dealings involving Black music performers. The soft drink company was ordered to pay $250,000 to doo-wop group The Flamingos for using the tune, “I Only Have Eyes For You” in a spot without permission. Brown insists Pepsi also failed to pay Black artists for songs used in other commercials. “Pepsi routinely pays the Caucasian performers who appear on camera, but refuses to pay the African-American singers whose voices are used in the soundtrack unless they sue,” Brown said. A Pepsi spokesperson vehemently denied the charges. Then again, Pepsi did set Michael Jackson’s hair on fire. And they dissed Ludacris. Wonder if MC Hammer ever got paid.

Essay 367


Coretta Scott King
1927-2006

Click on the essay title to visit The King Center website.

Monday, January 30, 2006

Essay 366


Chicago Tribune columnist Dawn Turner Trice presented a follow-up to the WLEY billboard controversy (see Essay 352). Folks sent responses, remarking whether or not the ad was offensive. As always, it’s a mixed bag of opinions.

>At first the “25 Pegaditas” ad didn’t offend me, but then I wondered what if the woman was browner and her thighs and hips a bit rounder? As an African-American woman, I know how I’d be upset. So should I be any less bothered in this case? My answer is no.

>The people that this ad offends need to find something more constructive to do with their time, like paying attention to the road instead of billboards.

>I have been offended by this radio station’s ads for the past year or so and I am glad to see that I am not alone. I am also glad to hear that a female group from the Latino community feels similarly. I am 36 and I may be starting to sound like an old biddy, but I’m at a loss as to how to explain this and other ads on the street to my 5-year-old daughter.

>The only women I know who ever seem to get offended by racy ads featuring women are women who are not attractive in the slightest. It’s petty. My friends and I often dress up in our sexiest outfits to go out, yet we should be offended when sex is used to sell?

>Hey, why not put all women in burkas? Then we won’t have to be offended by those uncomfortably attractive bottoms.

>I am a man and I see the “25 Pegaditas” ad every day on my way home from work and I never fail to feel insulted by it. I am particularly concerned with what this kind of message does to the psyche of Latina girls and boys.

Well, it’s no Dove Real Beauty campaign.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Essay 365


The Sunday MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• The New York tabloids are having a field day with the controversies swirling around New York Knicks GM Isiah Thomas (see Essay 363). News stories include revealing a past paternity suit against Thomas, plus reports that his current accuser is allegedly receiving threats. The only crime not being blown out of proportion is the shitty job Thomas has done rebuilding the Knicks.

• A couple of FEMA employees were busted for taking bribes from a contractor providing food to Hurricane Katrina victims. The two were temporary employees running a FEMA camp in New Orleans. They received $20,000 from the supplier in exchange for messing with a catering contract; plus, they allegedly sought to collect $2500 per week from the supplier. A FEMA spokeswoman said, “We have no tolerance for fraud — not against FEMA, not against the American taxpayer, our partners, and certainly not against the victims of these hurricanes.” Wonder what former FEMA director Mike Brown would add to that proclamation.

• Two movies with immigrant themes won praise and prizes at the Sundance Film Festival. “Quinceanera,” a film depicting a Mexican-American family in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Echo Park, won the top jury and audience prizes in its category. The documentary “God Grew Tired Of Us” — a story of two Sudanese “lost boys” who left their Kenyan refugee camp for the U.S. — won the same awards in its category. The Minuteman Project was obviously not involved with the voting process.

• Conservative carnival freak Ann Coulter spoke of the need for more conservative justices on the Supreme Court. Referring to liberal Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, Coulter said, “We need somebody to put rat poisoning in Justice Stevens’ creme brulee.” She quickly added, “That’s just a joke, for you in the media.” Actually, Coulter is just a joke in the media. And nearly everywhere else, for that matter.

Essay 364


A double-page spread for Ford Fusion sports the headline: ‘Tis the season to be grown and sexy.

Note to art director: ‘Tis the 21st century. This layout went out in the early 1980s.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Essay 363


Opening arguments with a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• The Minuteman Project is now suing for being dissed as potential participants in a Laguna Beach parade (see Essay 357). Parade officials had originally rejected the group, citing rules prohibiting political and religious entrants. The Minuteman Project wants to march and is demanding $25,000 in damages for the exclusion, plus legal fees. The courts should allow the group to participate, but order them to build their parade float employing undocumented workers.

• Four ex-Walgreen pharmacists are suing the company, claiming they were illegally fired for refusing to comply with the organization’s birth control policy when they denied certain contraceptive medication to customers. A new state rule demands that pharmacies sell federally approved contraceptives “without delay” if the items are in stock. The pharmacists and their lawyers disagree. “It couldn’t be any clearer,” said counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice, a Pat Robertson public-interest group. “In punishing these pharmacists for asserting a right protected by the Conscience Act, Walgreens broke the law.” Wonder how the pharmacists responded to filling Viagra prescriptions.

• NBA great and New York Knicks GM Isiah Thomas is being sued for sexual harassment by an ex-Knicks employee. The ex-employee claims Thomas made sexual advances and verbally harassed her too. “First of all, I never ever made any sexual advances towards [the woman], nor am I in love with [her], nor did I ever tell her I was in love with her. Nor did I ever invite her to any off-site premises to have sex with her,” Thomas said. Gee, it sounds like Thomas is being counseled by Bill Clinton.

• Jesse Jackson was cleared of any wrongdoing in a lawsuit that claimed the civil rights leader threatened another minister (see Essay 349). However, the jury split over related assault charges against Jesse Jackson’s son, Jonathan. A lawyer for the Jacksons will ask the judge to decide if my minister’s kid can beat up your minister.

• That’s no terrorist — that’s my wife. New reports show at least two incidents where the U.S. Army seized and imprisoned the wives of alleged insurgents in Iraq, using the women to try to get their husbands to surrender. One wife had three kids, including a nursing six-month-old. All’s fair in love and war — and the two are no longer mutually exclusive.

Friday, January 27, 2006

Essay 362


This print ad looks like the client chose to run the art director’s Magic Marker sketches. Maybe someone should send money for the Western Union production budget.

Essay 361


Thank God It’s MultiCultClassics Monologue Friday…

• American and Mexican authorities found nearly two tons of marijuana in a secret tunnel along the border. Investigators are probably now looking for illegal immigrants with a serious case of the munchies.

• Last fall, William Bennett sparked controversy by saying, “You could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down.” Now he’s defending himself for the remark with more dubious commentary. “This [criticism] was not deserved. I was dealing with a hypothetical, talking about lowering crime rate by aborting babies, babies in the black community. And that this was a hypothetical, obviously, that was a matter that had been under discussion in articles and newspapers and in some discussions of books.” Exactly which articles, newspapers and books has Bennett been reading?

• A detailed study by Brown University states that 80% of New Orleans’ Black population may not return, especially if the most damaged neighborhoods are not rebuilt and there is not major government assistance for poor folks. So much for Mayor Ray Nagin’s Chocolate City.

• Teens in Thailand have started a new fad — wearing fake braces on their teeth. Authorities are not amused, actually threatening potential distributors and sellers with fines and prison time. Wonder what they’ll do once kids start sporting grills.

• A campaign manager for the gubernatorial candidate facing off with NFL great Lynn Swann in Pennsylvania’s Republican primary was penalized for an offensive foul. The man was fired for telling a televised call-in show: “The rich White guy in this campaign is Lynn Swann.” Al Campanis and Jimmy The Greek would have contested the call.

• Victor Willis, the original cop from the Village People, is now running from the law. Willis failed to show for his sentencing stemming from drug and gun charges. It sure will be cool if Willis is ultimately apprehended on an episode of Cops.

• Ford Motor Company’s Dearborn truck plant has new restrictions for its employee parking lot. Starting next month, the lot will only be available to folks who drive vehicles produced by Ford or its subsidiaries. You’d think Ford officials would first make good on their plans to fire 30,000 employees before creating such mandates.

• Cornel West addressed students in Ohio, imploring them to challenge racism and other social ills messing with society. “Who wants to be well-adjusted to injustice? … What kind of human being do you want to be?” asked West. “We’ve gone from ‘let freedom ring’ to the bling-bling … I call it the peacock syndrome. But I say peacocks strut because they cannot fly. Black people’s gift to American democracy is the restraint they’ve shown in the face of centuries of oppression.”

Thursday, January 26, 2006

MultiCultClassics FAQ


MultiCultClassics FAQ

Q. Where the hell am I?
A. Welcome to MultiCultClassics.blogspot.com. As the subtitle states, you’re viewing “Musings on Multiculturalism in the Ad Industry and Beyond.”

Q. What’s the point?
A. There are multiple points. The advertising industry continues to struggle with exclusivity and discrimination. No need to elaborate on the whys. But there is a tremendous need to consider what we can do about it — and even why we must do something about it. MultiCultClassics presents a stage for discussions, debates, strategies and more. Additionally, the blog offers you the chance to step outside of your own cultural comfort zone and experience broader perspectives. In short, MultiCultClassics delivers a recommended daily allowance of multiculturalism.

Q. Why bother satisfying a recommended daily allowance of multiculturalism?
A. Because we live in a multicultural society. Too many issues in the advertising industry — and the world, for that matter — are rooted in simple unfamiliarity with different cultures. The essays in this blog seek to expose everyone to cultural news and concepts that will hopefully lead to a better understanding for all.

Q. Are there other points?
A. Yeah, but you’ll discover them over time.

Q. Who’s writing all this crap?
A. Technically, lots of folks. The essays are a combination of musings, editorials, news briefs, collected articles/columns and more.

Q. Then who’s HighJive?
A. Technically, lots of folks. Sometimes HighJive is the editor-in-chief. Sometimes HighJive is writing personal viewpoints and observations. Sometimes HighJive is a guest writer. Sometimes HighJive is relaying information and anecdotal essays from associates. Sometimes HighJive is swiping stories from a variety of sources.

Q. Does HighJive have experience in the ad industry?
A. Lots of folks comprising the HighJive persona have lots of experience in the business. The primary HighJive has worked at numerous mass market and multicultural agencies, producing award-winning work for major brands.

Q. Why the anonymity?
A. Lots of reasons. Avoiding the political retaliation that often accompanies speaking the truth is one motive. But more importantly, a desire to focus on issues versus individuals remains the ultimate goal. Again, this forum allows lots of folks to voice their opinions freely. There are additional reasons, but they’re not important.

Q. Why are the essays numbered versus titled?
A. The essays are intended to be read sequentially. In some respects, this is a social experiment and a continuing conversation. Visitors should stop by regularly to keep up with the latest and immerse themselves in our multicultural world.

Q. Who’s paying for this?
A. It’s totally pro-bono. There are no advertisers or sponsors. There are no hidden agendas. It’s a 100% volunteer venture, so don’t send applications seeking a salaried position.

Q. Who should visit MultiCultClassics?
A. Everyone. What’s more, everyone should share the site with everyone they know. This blog works best with an inclusive and inquisitive spirit. Please visit often. Admission is free. Open to the public 24 hours a day.

Q. Where do I begin?
A. Start by reading Essay One. It sets the tone for everything that follows. Click on the essay title above to go directly to the kick-off entry.

Essay 360


A comical MultiCultClassics Monologue...

• Al Sharpton demanded an apology from Cartoon Network, complaining about an episode of The Boondocks that featured Martin Luther King Jr. using the N-word. “Cartoon Network must apologize and also commit to pulling episodes that desecrate Black historic figures,” Sharpton said. “We are totally offended by the continuous use of the N-word in [cartoonist Aaron] McGruder’s show.” Let’s back Sharpton on this one. It’s peculiar that Cartoon Network censors will bleep all foul language on The Boondocks, yet allow the N-word to flow freely.

• Talk about courting the Black vote. HealthSouth Corp. founder Richard Scrushy is seeking to delay his upcoming bribery trial because there aren’t enough Blacks in the potential juror pool. Scrushy is White, but he’s been extraordinarily friendly with the Black community — he’s donated serious money and even joined a predominately Black church. Can’t say whether Scrushy can expect Sharpton’s support; but it’s pretty likely Scrushy will appear in The Boondocks.

• California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is regaining his popularity, with his approval rating rising from 38% to 45%. He could also pick up more publicity by letting The Boondocks mess with his last name.

• A new study shows Blacks are 55% more likely than Whites to get lung cancer from smoking cigarettes. Hey, this is not news to the tobacco companies that continue to push the ultra-lethal menthol products to Blacks. And that’s not kool, man.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Essay 359


Marketing y Medios named Grupo Gallegos as Advertising Agency of the Year. The Long Beach, California-based shop increased its billing 91 percent, won 8 out of 9 new business pitches and nabbed awards including The New York Festival’s Gold, a Silver Pencil at D&AD and a Silver Lion at Cannes. Pretty impressive for a 4-year-old.

Click on the essay title above to view the complete success story.

Essay 358


A late-breaking MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• Michael Jackson was seen at a Bahrain shopping mall sporting garments traditionally worn by women. Note to Bahrain citizens: Tell your children to avoid strangers sporting garments traditionally worn by women.

Essay 357


A reverent MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• Kanye West is playing Jesus Christ on the cover of Rolling Stone. “In America, they want you to accomplish these great feats, to pull off these David Copperfield-type stunts,” West said. “You want me to be great, but you don’t ever want me to say I’m great?” Not sure the American Family Association will agree with West on this issue.

• A new survey by the American Association of University Women shows one in four college students experienced unwanted sexual contact. The other three in four are probably responsible for the unwanted contact.

• The fat lady is warming up for the Boys Choir of Harlem. The choir has a January 31 eviction date, and the Department of Education won’t budge on the deadline. Looks like somebody’s going to be singing the blues.

• The Minuteman Project was rejected in its efforts to appear in the 40th annual Patriots Day parade in Laguna. While officials insist the event always prohibits religious or political entrants, Minuteman Project leader James Gilchrist expressed feeling “offended, insulted and really taken aback.” Hey, that’s pretty much the response of all folks who face the Minuteman Project.

• New bills in Virginia target illegal immigrants — the measures will prohibit them from attending state colleges, penalize businesses that hire them and create new demands for people seeking marriage licenses. The Minute Man Project will probably hold a parade to celebrate.

• UPN and WB will go off the air, but programming from the networks will launch the new CW. The “C” stands for CBS Corp. and the “W” stands for Warner Bros. — as opposed to Coloreds and Wiggers. Let’s hope this means the end of the obnoxious WB frog critter.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Essay 356


AARP apparently offers exclusive access to the hottest clinics. The headline reads, “The only name you need to drop.” AARP needs to drop the agency responsible for this shit.

Essay 355


• Seven years ago, Black farmers complained about receiving discriminatory treatment when trying to participate in a federal farm credit or benefit program. The Department of Agriculture ultimately reached a consent agreement with the farmers, but many failed to reap any rewards. In fact, of the 94,000 Black farmers seeking restitution, 81,000 received zilch. Add it to the 40 acres and a mule that never materialized.

• DaimlerChrysler apparently wants to keep up with Ford Motor Company — at least in terms of downsizing efforts. The automaker announced plans to cut 6,000 jobs. “Our objective in taking these actions is to create a lean agile structure, with streamlined and stable processes that will unleash DaimlerChrysler’s full potential,” CEO Dieter Zetsche proclaimed. Heaven forbid the objective should be building better cars.

Monday, January 23, 2006

Essay 354


The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is criticizing two judges’ performances on American Idol. Simon Cowell and Randy Johnson were targeted for insensitive comments made during the premiere show. Cowell suggested a male contestant should “wear a dress” — plus, he insisted the guy would make a great female impersonator. Jackson asked another male wannabe superstar, “are you a girl?” “The real offense here was in the producer’s decision to add insult to injury by turning a contestant’s gender expression into the butt of a joke,” remarked a GLAAD spokesperson. Over the years, Cowell has consistently made statements that could easily be viewed as homophobic, racist, sexist and more. But it seems odd for GLAAD to get mad. After all, American Idol helped launch the career of the blatantly queer Clay Aiken. Plus, everyone knows Cowell and Ryan Seacrest are gay lovers.

Essay 353


Talking Nazi Trash with a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• Sen. Barack Obama supported Hillary Clinton’s “plantation” remark, but he won’t back Harry Belafonte’s latest “Gestapo” and “terrorist” rants. “I never use Nazi analogies because I think that those were unique,” Obama said. Regarding Belafonte calling President Bush a “terrorist,” Obama said, “I don’t think it’s appropriate. That’s not language that I would use, but keep in mind one of the great things about the United States is all of our citizens have the right to speak our minds about what’s going on politically.” Guess Belafonte thinks a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

• Ford Motor Company officially announced it will slash up to 30,000 jobs. “These cuts are a painful last resort, and I’m deeply mindful of their impact,” Chairman and Chief Executive Bill Ford said. That’s an easy statement to make when you’re not going to be among the 30,000 feeling the pain.

• In 2005, there were just five Hispanic CEOs in Fortune 500 companies. With William D. Perez resigning from Nike, the number now stands at four. It’s pretty sad that a single resignation can instantly decrease the overall total by 20 percent.

Essay 352


The image above depicts a Hispanic radio station’s billboard appearing throughout Chicago. The ad features a row of female butts and a headline reading, “25 Pegaditas.” It’s promoting a contest where listeners must name 25 songs in a row for a chance to win cash. The Spanish translation for “pegaditas” is “little ones strung together.” However, some folks (particularly Hispanic women) insist it’s also playing off the word “pegar,” which translates to “hits.” In this case, the dual meanings for “hits” are popular songs and ass slaps. Females United for Action, a primarily Hispanic women’s activist group, has launched a protest. Looks like somebody’s going to get spanked before this is all over.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Essay 351


The following appeared in The Chicago Tribune…

----------------------------------------------------

Plantation politics revisited, again
A metaphor that keeps reappearing

By Clarence Page

January 22, 2006

WASHINGTON -- If you’re a sensitive sort, put in your earplugs. The brutal ugliness of presidential campaign politics has already begun, judging by the manufactured indignation of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s critics over her “plantation” crack.

In case you have not heard, the New York Democrat and, lest we forget, former first lady, rallied a mostly black crowd in a Harlem church on Martin Luther King Jr. Day by saying the House of Representatives “has been run like a plantation, and you know what I’m talking about.”

For this, Hillary has been getting hammered with brickbats by voices on the right (“I think it’s ridiculous—it’s a ridiculous comment,” said First Lady Laura Bush) and even a few tut-tuts from the left (“What it tells us is not about race, but about Hillary’s tin ear and her lack of awareness of it,” writes neo-blogger Arianna Huffington.)

I, for one, wonder, “What’s the big deal?” “Plantation politics” is an old metaphor in black community politics. A Dec. 13, 1987, Chicago Tribune article traced the phrase to a speech that political consultant Don Rose wrote in 1966 for then-Ald. Timuel Black’s crusade against the Democratic machine of Mayor Richard J. Daley. It later became a rallying cry in Harold Washington’s successful 1983 campaign to become the city’s first black elected mayor.

Whether a young Hillary Rodham, who grew up in Park Ridge, picked up the metaphor there, I do not know. But, there’s no denying the fact that the word has a special power among African-Americans. According to Robert Franklin, a theology professor at Emory University, the word is “shorthand for an immoral concentration of resources, exclusion and the arrogance of a company’s unchecked power.”

Or a legislature’s unchecked power. After all, Newt Gingrich made the same comparison in 1994, just before he became speaker of the House: “Since they think it is their job to run the plantation,” he said of the Democrats who controlled the House, “it shocks them that I’m actually willing to lead the slave rebellion.”

My conservative blog-writing friend Robert A. George, a former Gingrich aide who describes himself as a “Catholic, West Indian black Republican,” defends his former boss, saying the “context” was different. “He was not speaking to a black audience,” George writes, “or even obliquely referring to one; there was not an implicit racial connotation to his words.” Oh? So, it’s OK to talk about plantations as long as it is not to a black audience?

Significantly, the backlash against Clinton’s plantation talk comes at a time when quite a few conservatives have appropriated the word, particularly to attack blacks who stay on the “liberal plantation.”

To his credit, my friend Robert wants both sides to drop the plantation talk. You don’t win new friends by calling them plantation slaves, he points out. True enough. Besides, anyone running for president should know that the sensibilities of moderate swing voters nationwide are not as battle-hardened as those in Chicago, the city that coined the phrase “politics ain’t beanbag” and associates St. Valentine’s Day with a massacre.

Or maybe there’s something else at work here. Maybe it is not what Sen. Clinton said that mattered as much as who said it.

She might have hyped up her hyperbole a bit, but anybody who says she’s wrong hasn’t been paying much attention to Congress in recent years.

Take the night of Dec. 21, for example, when Vice President Dick Cheney flew halfway around the world to cast the deciding vote on a budget that took health care and nursing-home care away from as many as 100,000 people with income below the poverty line. It also saddled low-income college kids with extra debt. And it took away $5 billion to help states track down deadbeat dads and collect child-support payments. Estimated loss in child support to kids: $8 billion.

These cuts and more were made in order to regain some of the deficit caused by tax cuts for those of us who are fortunate enough to be in the upper-income brackets. Thanks, Congress. Meanwhile, Democrats could do little but sit on the sidelines and complain about how little review or open debate the mammoth bill received before its late-night rush to passage.

Newt Gingrich had it right. Plantation masters should not be surprised to see a rebellion. Maybe we’ll see one in this year’s elections.

Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune

Essay 350


The Sunday Funnies in a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• Ford Motor Company is geared to announce that 25,000 workers will be laid off over the next four years. It’s all part of a restructuring plan dubbed, “Way Forward.” Guess the way forward demands leaving some folks behind.

• Conservative Christian groups continue to complain about The Book of Daniel on NBC. “‘The Book of Daniel’ is anti-Christian and sacrilegious,” argued American Family Association president Tim Wildmon. “By anti-Christian, I mean all the characters are screwed up. There’s not a sane one in the bunch.” The AFA, by contrast, is chock-full of sane folks. Right.

• Black clergy congregated in Atlanta for a summit on homophobia. It’s always been a provocative topic for Black churches; and some activists believe conservative Republicans have used things like gay marriage to sway Black church leaders and collect minority votes. “We have sat back and allowed the right wing to shape the political agenda,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton. “Now it is important that the Black church break the backs of those who are trying to use homosexuality as a political weapon.” It’s unlikely Sharpton then invited everyone to a screening of Brokeback Mountain.

• A judge in Baltimore declared that Maryland’s law banning gay marriage discriminates and “cannot withstand constitutional challenge.” But the judge immediately stayed her decision, and the attorney general’s office is considering an appeal. So let’s hold off on changing the state’s name to GayMarryland.

• Wham-O, the company that launched the Frisbee, Hula-Hoop, Silly String and more, has been acquired by a Chinese toy distributor. The new owners plan to market the iconic toys worldwide. Wonder how some of the product names will translate in foreign lands.

• A student at Northwestern University in Illinois was busted for tagging swastikas and anti-Semitic graffiti on a dorm wall. This guy deserves an MBA — Major Bigot Award.

• Harry Belafonte is at it again. “We’ve come to this dark time in which the Gestapo of Homeland Security lurks here, where citizens are having their rights suspended,” Belafonte proclaimed. “You can be arrested and not charged, you can be arrested and have no right to counsel.” Bet the Bush administration would love to arrest Belafonte right now.

• A recent study in Los Angeles showed Blacks and Hispanics were more likely than Whites and Asians to make extra preparations for terrorism after the 9/11 attacks. Blacks and Hispanics probably believe their communities would not receive initial and immediate help in bad situations — as evidenced during the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Guess the survival instinct is heightened when you’re a minority in America.

• The first nationwide study of day laborers in the U.S. revealed interesting data. 75% of day laborers are illegal immigrants. Roughly 50% reported having been cheated on wages by employers in the past two months. 44% said some bosses did not give them breaks during a typical workday. 28% claimed employers had insulted them. About 20% sustained injuries requiring medical attention. And a whopping 73% said they were required to work in hazardous conditions. One study author said, “This is a labor market that thrives on cheap wages and the fact that most of these workers are undocumented. They’re in a situation where they’re extremely vulnerable, and employers know that and take advantage of them.” So much for the American Dream.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Essay 349


That’s entertainment with a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• It’s a Rev. Jesse showdown. Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson is suing Rev. Jesse Jackson. The lesser-known Rev. Jesse claims the well-known Rev. Jesse assaulted him in 2001. The suit even accuses Jonathan Jackson, Rev. Jesse Jackson’s son, of battery and false imprisonment. Rev. Jesse Jackson denied everything without breaking into rhyme. Guess it’s all a messy Jesse fest.

• 50 Cent may lose some serious coin. Former 2 Live Crew member Luther Campbell is suing Fiddy for allegedly stealing the opening line of the 2003 hit “In Da Club.” “It’s the melody, it’s the pace, the style — everything about that one line is the same,” Campbell’s lawyer said. “We’re entitled to a portion of the profits.” Sounds like money in da bank.

• The family of Notorious B.I.G. got a big gift from a federal judge — $1.1 million. The loot was awarded to recognize the LAPD deliberately withheld evidence during the family’s civil lawsuit trial. “We were disappointed with the order,” said a city official. “We believe the officer’s conduct was inadvertent, and we will prevail at trial on the merits of the case.” Right. The LAPD would never deliberately mess with evidence.

• A group of German rappers have embraced Aryan attitudes, rhyming neo-Nazi lyrics that glorify crime and hate. “[Rap lyrics] are becoming increasingly pornographic, violent, and racist,” a government official said. “We need to restrict it in order to protect our individual rights and our young people.” Hey, the rappers are just looking to record the next big hit(ler).

• Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston are not heading for a divorce after all. “The rumors are wrong,” Brown said. “They’re false.” Guess we’ll get the real lowdown on the next season of Being Bobby Brown.

• A new movie portraying Jesus as a Black man premieres this weekend at the U.S. Sundance Film Festival. In the film, Jesus is a modern African revolutionary confronting gun-toting authorities. The director said, “The truth is that Christ was born in an occupied state and preached equality at a time when that wasn’t very acceptable.” When has preaching equality ever been deemed acceptable?

Friday, January 20, 2006

Essay 348


This ad sucks. Period.

(To view the original rant, click on the essay title above.)

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Essay 347


The MultiCultClassics Monologue presents news from the plantation and more…

• Senator Barack Obama defended Hillary Clinton’s “plantation” remark (see Essay 344). “There’s been a consolidation of power by the Republican Congress and this White House in which, if you are the ordinary voter, you don’t have access,” Obama said. “That should be a concern for all of us.” House Speaker Dennis Hastert countered with, “I’ve never run a plantation before … I’m not even sure what kind of, you know, association [Clinton was] trying to make. If she’s trying to be racist, I think that’s unfortunate.” This whole fucking conversation is becoming unfortunate.

• A U.S. District Judge sentenced the man seeking to extort $20,000 from recording artist DeLeon Richards and her husband, New York Yankees player Gary Sheffield. The convicted extortionist had threatened to publicize a sex video starring Richards and R&B star R. Kelly. Now the felon will serve a two-year prison term. Which is probably two years longer than what R. Kelly will serve for his infamous sex video.

• A high school student in suburban Illinois was expelled for creating “ganglike” doodles in his notebook. The drawing featured the initials D.L.K., embellished with spider webs, a crown and assorted symbols. School officials believed the letters stood for “Disciples Latin King.” However, the kid’s real name is Derek Leon Kelly. “He was doodling on his own paper,” the student’s mother said. “He didn’t do it to hurt or intimidate or offend anyone.” Guess the school officials are easily hurt, intimidated or offended.

• Consumer groups are going after Kellogg and Nickelodeon for unfair and untruthful “marketing and sale of food of poor nutritional quality” to kids under 8 years old — slapping the food company and network with a $2 billion lawsuit. No word yet if Tony the Tiger and SpongeBob SquarePants will be offering testimony for the defense.

• A consumer group halted its lawsuit against soft drink companies allegedly practicing unfair and untruthful marketing towards school kids. Instead, the group will open talks with Pepsi and Coca-Cola. No word yet if Miles Thirst will be negotiating on behalf of Sprite.

• A Montana-Wyoming tribal group rejected a $111,000 donation from a senator, insisting the money was dirty because it’s tied to lobbyist Jack Abramoff. No word yet if Tonto will agree to accept the cash.

• The Source founder David Mays and president-rapper Ray “Benzino” Scott were ousted from their positions by a new board of directors. No word yet if anyone really cares.

Essay 346


MultiCultClassics Member (official title bestowed upon all blog visitors) Hadji Williams is back, posting another rant at ihaveanidea.org.

The initial responses are pretty stereotypical. Hell, a few comments are from folks who have weighed in on past writings by Williams. You know you’ve arrived when there’s a cult following of haters.

Click on the essay title to join the debate.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Essay 345


The Midweek MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• First Lady Laura Bush lashed out at Hillary Clinton for the senator’s “plantation” remark (see Essay 344). “I think it’s ridiculous,” Bush said. “It’s a ridiculous comment. That’s what I think.” She then stepped back into her big White House.

• An ex-McDonald’s finance director pleaded guilty to swiping over $100,000 from the fast food behemoth. His initial defense was claiming to have been coerced by the Hamburglar.

• The couple in the infamous Wendy’s Chili Finger case has been sentenced to at least nine years behind bars. They will probably find much worse things than severed fingers in the prison gruel.

• At a Connecticut casino, Bobby Brown proclaimed he and Whitney Houston “ain’t together no more. We’re getting a divorce.” Looks like Whitney may be tired of Being Bobby Brown’s wife.

MultiCultClassics FAQ


MultiCultClassics FAQ

Q. Where the hell am I?
A. Welcome to MultiCultClassics.blogspot.com. As the subtitle states, you’re viewing “Musings on Multiculturalism in the Ad Industry and Beyond.”

Q. What’s the point?
A. There are multiple points. The advertising industry continues to struggle with exclusivity and discrimination. No need to elaborate on the whys. But there is a tremendous need to consider what we can do about it — and even why we must do something about it. MultiCultClassics presents a stage for discussions, debates, strategies and more. Additionally, the blog offers you the chance to step outside of your own cultural comfort zone and experience broader perspectives. In short, MultiCultClassics delivers a recommended daily allowance of multiculturalism.

Q. Why bother satisfying a recommended daily allowance of multiculturalism?
A. Because we live in a multicultural society. Too many issues in the advertising industry — and the world, for that matter — are rooted in simple unfamiliarity with different cultures. The essays in this blog seek to expose everyone to cultural news and concepts that will hopefully lead to a better understanding for all.

Q. Are there other points?
A. Yeah, but you’ll discover them over time.

Q. Who’s writing all this crap?
A. Technically, lots of folks. The essays are a combination of musings, editorials, news briefs, collected articles/columns and more.

Q. Then who’s HighJive?
A. Technically, lots of folks. Sometimes HighJive is the editor-in-chief. Sometimes HighJive is writing personal viewpoints and observations. Sometimes HighJive is a guest writer. Sometimes HighJive is relaying information and anecdotal essays from associates. Sometimes HighJive is swiping stories from a variety of sources.

Q. Does HighJive have experience in the ad industry?
A. Lots of folks comprising the HighJive persona have lots of experience in the business. The primary HighJive has worked at numerous mass market and multicultural agencies, producing award-winning work for major brands.

Q. Why the anonymity?
A. Lots of reasons. Avoiding the political retaliation that often accompanies speaking the truth is one motive. But more importantly, a desire to focus on issues versus individuals remains the ultimate goal. Again, this forum allows lots of folks to voice their opinions freely. There are additional reasons, but they’re not important.

Q. Why are the essays numbered versus titled?
A. The essays are intended to be read sequentially. In some respects, this is a social experiment and a continuing conversation. Visitors should stop by regularly to keep up with the latest and immerse themselves in our multicultural world.

Q. Who’s paying for this?
A. It’s totally pro-bono. There are no advertisers or sponsors. There are no hidden agendas. It’s a 100% volunteer venture, so don’t send applications seeking a salaried position.

Q. Who should visit MultiCultClassics?
A. Everyone. What’s more, everyone should share the site with everyone they know. This blog works best with an inclusive and inquisitive spirit. Please visit often. Admission is free. Open to the public 24 hours a day.

Q. Where do I begin?
A. Start by reading Essay One. It sets the tone for everything that follows. Click on the essay title above to go directly to the kick-off entry.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Essay 344


A Late-Night MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin apologized for remarks he made during an MLK event. “Surely God is mad at America. He sent us hurricane after hurricane after hurricane, and it’s destroyed and put stress on this country,” Nagin said on Monday. He also claimed the city would become predominately Black again because “it’s the way God wants it to be.” Who is Nagin’s speechwriter — Pat Robertson?

• Republicans are pissed off over comments Hillary Clinton made during an MLK event. “When you look at the way the [Republican-led] House of Representatives has been run — it has been run like a plantation, and you know what I’m talking about,” Clinton said. Who is Hillary’s speechwriter — Ray Nagin?

• Jesse Jackson denied accusations made in a new book that Martin Luther King Jr. once accused Jackson of using the civil rights movement to promote himself. Jesse Jackson doing something to promote himself? Nah.

• Michael Jackson is promoting himself for a new job. The King of Pop wants to consult for a Bahrain-based company seeking to build theme parks in the Middle East. Note to the potential employer: Be careful when Jackson tells you he’s an expert on children’s amusement.

Monday, January 16, 2006

Essay 343


A Kool MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• An incarcerated felon in Indiana attempted to murder his new cellmate, but ultimately opted to enjoy some Kool-Aid instead. The man had stabbed and bashed the cellmate’s head, even attempting to break his neck. But then the lunatic suddenly stopped and asked for some refreshment. The beaten cellmate prepared and served the beverage before guards subdued the attacker. “There appears to be from accounts no rhyme nor reason why this happened,” a detective said. Perhaps it was the hypnotically soothing power of Kool-Aid.

• The Miami Herald reported that many immigrants who are granted citizenship wait for years to have the official application processed. Immigration experts say it usually takes 10 months to get things properly done. But a number of folks find themselves stewing for up to three years. Hey, welcome to the slow-moving governmental agencies of the United States.

• The Los Angeles Times reported states are taking matters into their own hands to deal with illegal immigration. In the past, states looked to the federal government for immigration matters. But as the issues grow along with the number of immigrants — and Congress remains unable to pass an immigration reform bill — it’s a whole new ballgame. From arresting illegal immigrants to penalizing day laborer centers to denying state benefits for undocumented workers, legislatures are passing laws like crazy. “What is new is the extent of immigration, some of it legal, some of it not, in new communities across the country,” said an official with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. “They don’t know how to deal with it so they freak out and pass laws.” Hey, welcome to the freaky United States. Maybe everyone should chill out with some Kool-Aid.

Essay 342

Below are two columns that appeared on Sunday in The Chicago Tribune and The Chicago Sun-Times, respectively. Plus, click on the essay title above to view Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech…


What would King protest today?
By Clarence Page
Published January 15, 2006

WASHINGTON -- I knew we had entered an interesting phase of American history when I saw a discount mattress company’s jubilant TV ad for a “Martin Luther King Day Sale.”

Contrary to the firm’s slogan, I did not “have a good night’s sleep” that night.

Instead, I lay awake rationalizing that King Day is not really selling out, but that America finally is buying in.

But into what?

Forty years ago, King did not want us to get a good night’s sleep. As historian Taylor Branch recounts exhaustively in “At Canaan’s Edge: America in the King Years, 1965-68,” King and the rest of the civil rights movement were making an important transition in 1966, a transition from concerns about race to concerns about class, poverty and economic opportunity.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were passed, banning racial segregation and paving the way to an explosion of elected representatives who were black.

Soon would come an additional concern, the Vietnam War, which would divide the civil rights movement and the nation.

“Canaan’s Edge” is the third and final doorstop of a book that Branch has written on the King years, and it may be the most revealing of the racial and political dynamics that shape and haunt American politics today.

While most King Day tributes focus on the slain leader’s hope-filled 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech and its attractive vision of little black and white boys and girls, the descendants of slaves and descendants of slave-owners sitting together at the table of brotherhood, King’s final three years offered a less-unifying prescription of what America needed to do to bring his dream alive.

The vast majority of Americans had little problem agreeing with King’s notion that the dream of equal opportunity was “as old as the American Dream.” But when it came to taking steps to help those left behind economically and politically, even at the expense or inconvenience of those who were further ahead, King ran into opposition from within and outside his movement.

Branch reveals a King who constantly was trying to hold his movement together and stay up to date on emerging issues such as the war, while trying also to maintain his own moral authority. Angry college students of my generation rallied around “black power,” which would prove to be a slogan forever in search of an agenda. Many of my fellow Baby Boomers, our afros leaping to the skies, ridiculed King as being too conservative and over the hill.

J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI, the world would later learn, was secretly eavesdropping and harassing King from another angle, particularly his marital infidelities. In fact, Branch describes King confessing to his wife about his indiscretions during a guilt-ridden moment in 1968, astonishingly while she was recovering from an operation.

By the late ‘60s, King moved increasingly away from the South into the more-vexing and racially related problems of discrimination in jobs, schools and housing in the urban North. With that came a backlash by some whites against school busing, open housing and affirmative-action plans. Northern white working- and middle-class ethnics didn’t mind King’s movement until it came to their neighborhoods. As a result, King suffered a tactical defeat when he confronted Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley over slumlords and housing discrimination, a setback unlike any he had faced in the South.

Forty years later, we see all of these issues bearing new fruits. We heard the “voices” of white backlash in Judge Samuel Alito Jr.’s recollections of the middle- and lower-middle-class whites with whom he grew up in Trenton, N.J., traditionally Democratic strongholds who later would become Reagan Republicans.

Cultural politics divided the Democratic Party between anti-war liberals who followed King and the Cold War warriors who followed the late Sen. Henry “Scoop” Jackson of Washington state. Prominent neo-conservatives such as Paul Wolfowitz, Elliot Abrams and Douglas Feith, part of the Bush administration, all got their start working for Jackson, who failed in two attempts to win the Democratic presidential nomination.

Democrats seem to love to argue among themselves, as do those who inherited the remains of King’s civil rights movement. Yet King and his movement forced Americans to re-examine ancient prejudices and the elusive dream of opportunity shared by pioneers and immigrants across this diverse nation. Were King to look down on us today, he would see that his movement has become more localized. Racial and ethnic relations vary widely from one town to another. Yet there are new public-private partnerships springing up to build low-cost housing and there are advances made by women and non-whites that would have been hard to imagine 40 years ago.

The next frontier, the growing divide between Americans who see opportunities opening up and those who see opportunities shrinking, remains to be conquered. That revolution calls for all of us to be leaders in every corner of American life, as long as we feel what King used to call “divinely dissatisfied.”


King Day holiday message: Anybody can serve
BY MARY MITCHELL SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST
January 15, 2006

“Don’t miss the Martin Luther King Day sale,” the announcer said cheerily in a commercial for a furniture store.

Just when I thought we had escaped the commercialization of King day, the retailers are gearing up. I shouldn’t be surprised since retailers were disappointed by the lackluster Christmas spending.

Obviously, just as there is no connection between Columbus Day and the “Columbus Day Sale” we should have expected that King Day would also end up in a sales ad. Yet, turning King Day into a giant after-Christmas promotion feels horribly wrong.

Don’t let retailers hijack holiday

Although we aren’t being bombarded by King-themed displays, “Martin Luther King” banners are popping up over furniture, shoes, mattresses, even fried chicken. I’m used to national holidays being nothing more than an extra day to shop or do laundry. Still, I hate to see the same thing happen to King Day.

Unfortunately, we’ve been slow to create traditions surrounding this holiday.

I don’t have a King Day flag stashed with my other decorations, or a dinner menu like the one I have for New Year’s Eve. Thus far, there has been no widespread cultural ritual that's developed around the holiday.

In years past, I’ve gone to events that are organized as fund-raisers for important causes. But after a while, these events run together. A celebrity speaker gives a speech that is too long. A popular gospel choir belts out a few songs. A gifted student who is preparing for a career in motivational speaking, recites the “I Have A Dream Speech.”

Ironically, no matter how worthwhile the cause is, when organizers use the “Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration” as a way to sell event tickets, the event has the scent of exploitation.

I don’t remember what I did last King day. This year, I’ll be thankful for a day without phones and e-mails. My point is this: if you’re like me, it’s little wonder the retail industry is about to hijack King Day.

To stop that from happening, we’ll have to change our ways.

For instance, hosting events that raise money for nonprofits in the name of King seems noble, but is it really any different than using the holiday to lure shoppers into department stores?

How about a day for have-nots?

So instead of any of us trying to profit off of King Day, why don’t we make it a day when Chicago enjoys free passes to everything from museums to sporting events. On King Day, let’s make sure the have-nots in this city have the same access to culture and beauty as the haves.

What would be more in keeping with King’s spirit?

That approach might also put Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday To Ya” back in the holiday.

Because Martin Luther King Day comes two weeks after the end of the long holiday season, it arrives without any umph. Just about everyone is dieting and detoxing. So while we start out with good intentions, by the third week in January, we aren’t looking forward to events that require a lot of dressing up and stepping out.

The planning for Black History Month also robs King Day.

King Day comes just two weeks before the monthlong observance of African-American history. Because of the timing, most organizations plan their events around Black History Month. After all, most contemporary black history lessons and exhibits center around the civil rights movement, and you can’t discuss that movement without discussing King’s legacy.

Some worthwhile events

That doesn’t mean the King holiday is irrelevant. There are some wonderful events Monday.

For instance, the HistoryMakers Annual Open House and tour of the historic Second Presbyterian Church will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. And black leaders in every profession will be at PUSH/Excel’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Breakfast at the Chicago Hilton Hotel.

But on Friday morning, when I was driving through the West Side, my eyes fell on the mounds of trash blowing along Washington Blvd., and it was clear: King Day has to be about service.

Last summer, I was involved in a Chicago Cares service project painting classrooms at Marconi School, a Chicago Public School. On Saturday, Chicago Sun-Times volunteers were scheduled to return to the school to paint a mural and donate books to its library. Saturday’s “Celebration of Service” honors the legacy of Dr. King and will bring together 2,000 volunteers from across the city.

Many would argue that letting kids stay home from school isn’t a fitting tribute for King, who became great because he understood the relationship between preparation and greatness. Getting students involved in a service projects on King Day, however, would keep his legacy alive.

“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve,” King once said.

No matter what history lessons we teach, if we allow the King holiday to evolve into a day of shopping instead of a day of service, we would be committing cultural suicide.

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Essay 341


Reading The Sunday News With A MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• A new poll showed most Americans believe significant racial progress has been made. But as always, the results are divided along racial lines. 75% of the people surveyed felt things have changed for the better — but only 66% of Blacks agreed with the notion. An analyst of Black issues for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies said, “For a big portion of the African-Americans, there’s not better education … There have been some gains made, but it’s uneven. A lot of Whites basically say: ‘The civil rights movement has been done. I don’t want to hear about it anymore.’” Wonder how the Black results skew in New Orleans.

• Another prominent tagger has been nabbed, this time in Orange County. Cesar Moncada — a.k.a. 22 Tagger — received a six-month jail sentence and a $30,000 fine. “We’re very serious about taggers … If people tag in this county and get caught, they’re going to go to jail,” said a spokeswoman for the county district attorney. Tell Sony to stay away with its Playstation Portables campaign.

• Eminem and his ex-wife have remarried. News helicopters and paparazzi swarmed over the event. No word of any stabbings or shootings involving rapper guests.

• A Harvard report revealed that schools in New York are the most segregated in the country. Leave it to officials at Harvard to present information that even a New York dropout could have easily uncovered.

• In Venezuela , people are growing obsessed with beauty. The Yellow Pages list more beauty salons than drugstores. Teen girls receive breast enhancements as gifts for their 15th birthdays. Beauty pageants are all the rage for nearly every age group. Even men are becoming more metrosexual. Wonder how the Dove Real Beauty Campaign would go over in Venezuela.

• The Washington Post reported that most students read Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech, but many will not hear it. Why? Because the speech is copyrighted, and the King family charges for complete audio copies. “It is doubly sad for people today who do not hear the speech,” said the president of Howard University. “It certainly was one of the great moments of American oratory. But young people today don’t often hear the message of possibility, and the second half of the speech was all about possibility.” The possibility of hearing the entire speech will cost about $10. Although it should be noted that the King family is hardly unique in maintaining the rights of the civil rights icon’s work. Richard M. Nixon peddled his papers to the U.S. government for $18 million — and that didn’t include the audiotapes he probably had destroyed.

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Essay 340


Dove’s hype machine is running at maximum warp — and warping reality along the way.

The Unilever brand is currently promoting its upcoming Super Bowl commercial, using PR and spokespeople to proclaim the effort inspirational, powerful and provocative. Now mind you, the NFL extravaganza is still weeks away. Plus, most Super Bowl advertisers prefer to surprise the audience versus offering sneak previews and rave reviews. Hell, even Terrell Owens didn’t display such bravado so far ahead of the ceremonial coin toss.

Dove talks about debunking stereotypical beauty standards with its Real Beauty Campaign. Semi-ironically, the marketer’s obsession with its own messages goes well beyond narcissism.

The spot will allegedly seek to spark a debate about girls’ self-esteem. Not sure why Dove would try to reach girls through the Super Bowl. If the big game attracted that particular demographic, wouldn’t we see commercials for Barbie instead of Budweiser? But of course, this is not about reaching a target — rather, it’s about an advertiser taking an ego trip to Ford Field in Detroit. Clearly, there are no self-esteem issues at Dove headquarters.

The released images are particularly disturbing. Little girls stare directly at camera, accompanied by supers relating their apparent personal attitudes. A dark-haired kid “wishes she were blonde.” Another youngster “hates her freckles.” A third child “thinks she’s ugly.” Reports reveal the music track will be Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors, sung by the Girl Scouts Chorus of Nassau County, N.Y. Maybe the final communication will provide an innovative twist. But based on the early peek, it’s pretty fucked up.

Characters like Dora The Explorer and even Bratz dolls have done a better job of redefining beauty for our younger generations. Why does Dove think it’s a good idea to throw such negative feelings in people’s faces — and use little girls to do it?

Granted, there are infinite media forces messing with children’s minds. But the truth is, Unilever produces plenty of ads featuring the beauty standards Dove claims to be fighting. And Dove has hardly abandoned the gorgeous models in packaging and line extension advertising.

Please pardon the cynicism, but when the Dove commercial eventually airs during the Super Bowl, everyone is encouraged to rush to the bathroom and take a quick shit. Don’t worry — you won’t miss anything special.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------


(Here is an example of Dove packaging maintaining the stereotypical beauty standard.)

Plus, to view an earlier Dove-inspired rant, click on the essay title above.

Essay 339


The Saturday Morning MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• American Indians are protesting a trend in banishment from their tribes following political disputes — which ultimately leads to being denied profits from casinos. This comes on the heels of the revelation that Capitol Hill lobbyist Jack Abramoff conspired to defraud Indians with casino interests of over $20 million. It all seemed less complicated when these matters could be settled with a case of whisky.

• A soap opera actress from ABC’s General Hospital may ultimately land on CourtTV. Kari Wuhrer filed a lawsuit claiming her character was written out of the program when the actress told producers she was pregnant. Wuhrer should have pursued the legal action with Boston Public. Maybe the network will offer her free health services at General Hospital.

• California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger denied clemency to another convict slated for execution. Schwarzenegger proclaimed a 75-year-old murderer didn’t deserve to be spared because of age and bad health, despite the mercy-seeking arguments from the convict’s lawyers. They should have realized Schwarzenegger wouldn’t go for a girly man plea.

• Snoop, Diddy, Nelly and more were no-shows for a press conference to hype the Snoop Youth Football League. The league held its First Annual Youth All-Star Football Challenge, and the Head Rapper In Charge was scheduled to arrive with other noteworthy celebrities. Luke Campbell and Pacman Jones made brief appearances. Woody Allen once said, “80 percent of success is showing up.” Or at least convincing the press you’ll be showing up.

Essay 338


Interesting article from DiversityInc.com…

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Do Race Issues Exist for Generation Y?
Compiled by the DiversityInc staff
© 2005 DiversityInc.com®
January 14, 2006


Generation Y’s perception of diverse cultures and racial issues has been shaped by pop culture and mass media, and although many in this age range say they are more culturally and racially sensitive than previous generations there is a disconnect that has some sociologists concerned.

For many Generation Yers, the world is fairly diverse. Popular television programs and movies regularly feature racially diverse casts and the Internet has brought the world’s cultures to their fingertips. But does all of this exposure make them racially sensitive? Some say no.

“The discussion of the racial history in this country is severely limited. And when racism is discussed, it’s always in the past tense,” says Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, associate professor of sociology at Duke University.

It is fairly accepted that those who can understand the perspective of other races and cultures will be more prepared to live and work in an increasingly multicultural world. But what is happening among many in Generation Y is that many of them believe racism was eliminated by their parents’ and grandparents’ generations, when laws that upheld segregation were abolished, The Dallas Morning News reports.

When Ashley “Woody” Doane, sociology professor at the University of Hartford and an expert on race relations, talks to his students, he finds that they have little understanding of institutional racism—how social, economic and political institutions in the United States were set up historically to benefit whites and discriminate against non-whites and of the persistent effect of those policies.

Friday, January 13, 2006

Essay 337


Maybe it’s time for a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• Religious fanatic Pat Robertson apologized to the family of Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for suggesting the leader’s stroke was divine punishment from God. “I ask your forgiveness and the forgiveness of the people of Israel,” Robertson begged. Maybe it’s time for Robertson to rename his television program “The 666 Club.”

• Oppenheimer & Co. picked up its fourth sexual discrimination lawsuit in the past three years. The current case involves a female job seeker who was told a position was filled, only to have the company agree to interview the woman’s brother for the same job minutes later. “The Right Way to Invest” is the company’s slogan. Maybe it’s time for the place to rewrite its line as “The Right Way to Show Bias.”

• Insensitive remark or over-sensitive response? University of Richmond President William E. Cooper announced his intention to leave the school after allegedly upsetting students and alumni with an offensive comment. “The entering quality of our student body needs to be much higher if we are going to transform bright minds into great achievers instead of transforming mush into mush, and I mean it,” he said. Maybe it’s time someone apologized to sled dogs too.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Essay 336


Hey, everyone knows Black folks LOVE chicken. But did you know it’s also the source of their superhuman strength?

Meanwhile, a bacon-fueled Mama boots the pigskin out of sight. Boo-yaa!

Essay 335


A Super-Sized MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• A new survey revealed Americans’ attitudes about overweight folks are significantly changing from rejection toward acceptance. Jenny Craig, eat your heart out. Mo’Nique, eat everything else.

• A councilman in a Columbian town sparked controversy with his proposal that folks 14 and older should pack a condom at all times to reduce potential pregnancies and diseases. Roman Catholic priests have especially taken offense. “I would have to have a condom even though I’m a member of the clergy,” said one priest. Well, based on the actions of certain priests, it doesn’t seem like a bad idea.

• P. Diddy diddy not threaten a former associate with a baseball bat. A judge threw out a Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit filed by the ex-president of Combs’ Bad Boy Entertainment. This is actually the second time the former associate has failed in attempts to sue Puffy. One more strike and he’s out of here.

• Officials in Manassas, Virginia repealed an ordinance that prohibited extended relatives from living with their families, mostly because folks realized the measure was targeting Hispanics. City Council members unanimously voted to find other ways to address the issues they allegedly associate with packed housing and illegal immigration. One possible solution involves employing P. Diddy with a baseball bat.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Essay 334


Damn, it’s another MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• A new study showed over 7% of American workers are drinking on the job. Damn, wonder how many of the researchers were soused during the data gathering.

• Pat Robertson has been banned from Israel for his suggestion that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s stroke was divine punishment from God. Banned? Damn, why didn’t Jesse Jackson think of that first?

• California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is an illegal immigrant. At least when it comes to riding motorcycles. California cops say Schwarzenegger does not have the proper credentials on his driver’s license to ride a hog. This was discovered after he recently crashed his bike into a car. “I just never really applied for [the proper license],” Schwarzenegger admitted. “It was just one of those things that I never really did.” Damn, maybe he actually is an illegal immigrant too.

• “Music With A Twist” —the new record label launched by SonyBMG and Wilderness Media & Entertainment — will focus on gay and lesbian artists. Damn, somebody call the Village People pronto.

• There’s nothing gay about the sex video starring Colin Farrell and a Playboy Playmate that hit the Internet. Damn, let’s hope it’s better than most of Farrell’s recent films.

Essay 333


Only in America.

In June 2004 Adweek reported Burrell Communications’ changing of the guard, as founder Thomas Burrell handed the proverbial reins to three successors — Fay Ferguson, McGhee Williams and Steve Conner. The article’s headline read, “Burrell’s New Leaders Hunger For Entire Pie.”

The visionary management team sought to position Burrell as a “thinking creative company” that would “pursue more accounts in their entirety, rather than just pitch for the [Black] portions.” Williams said their experience with segmented marketing and Black consumers should put the agency in the driver’s seat on brands. Looks like it turned out to be a “Driving Miss Daisy” scenario.

Now Advertising Age named Burrell Communications as Multicultural Agency Of The Year. Citing the shop “employs its insight into the urban consumer to build blue-chip client base,” AdAge praised the agency for its numerous achievements in Black advertising. Plus, Burrell even pitched and won new clients — the Black portions, of course.

Ferguson, Williams and Conner apparently found satisfaction with the slice of pie already on their plate, ultimately turning failure into success. Does it all demonstrate the difficulty of repositioning — or the futility of escaping one’s pigeonhole in a segregated industry?

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Essay 332


ABOVE
Honda rolls out another dubious tribute. The headline reads, “Introducing Shannon Banks. The next great Chief of Surgery.” Uh, not if she keeps walking into operating rooms without scrubs and mask.

BELOW
Motrin could use mo’ better advertising. Baby got back pain. No sweat. Pimps recommend ibuprofen for the professional girls.

Essay 331


Yo, Dawg! It’s another MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• The New York Times reported big changes are in the works for BET. President and CEO Debra L. Lee officially took control, and she plans to bring fresh programming and inspired life to the iconic network. There’s a bunch of new shows scheduled to air. “Meet the Faith” is a talk-show tackling political and social issues from spiritual and moral angles. “Lil’ Kim: Countdown to Lockdown” documents the weeks prior to the rapper’s incarceration. “Season of the Tiger” highlights football players and band members from Grambling State University. The other 23.5 hours per day will probably continue to feature music videos and infomercials.

• Graffiti artist Oliver Siandre — aka Kiko — has been hit with a 30-count indictment for his spray-painting efforts in Queens, and it all could cost him 7 years in prison. Wonder if Sony will at least give the tagger a free Playstation Portable.

• Advertising Age named three Hispanic shops in its Agency Of The Year Report — The Vidal Partnership, Dieste Harmel & Partners and Bromley Communications. In fact, Vidal was among only 40 agencies to earn a 5-star rating, putting them in a league with Crispin Porter & Bogusky and TBWA/Chiat/Day. However, the Multicultural Agency Of The Year Award went to Burrell, a Black-focused agency. Burrell became the first Black agency to win the award. And Vidal apparently became the first Hispanic agency to get screwed out of the award.

Monday, January 09, 2006

Essay 330


Here’s an early Black History Month message from the Verizon “Realize” campaign.

The campaign, which launched last year, features real customers who used Verizon services to realize entrepreneurial and activist dreams. Thank the spirit of Booker T. Washington that Verizon is around to help you pull yourself up by your own bootstraps.

Why do corporations think it’s so cool to salute minorities who achieve their goals?

Plus, why is there so much shitty body copy?

Verizon should REALIZE nobody’s impressed with patronizing sentiments.

Essay 329


There’s no business like show business with the MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• The San Francisco cop who sparked controversy with an allegedly racist, sexist and homophobic video starring fellow officers has produced a sequel. However, the new film seeks to reverse the damages by presenting a documentary-style peek into the lives and jobs of the police in the original piece. Critics panned the second movie, questioning the true motives behind the effort. Hey, it might have worked if Bubba Smith had made a cameo appearance.

• Pat Robertson might believe Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez should be assassinated, but Harry Belafonte thinks Chavez is the bomb. Belafonte led a group including Danny Glover and Cornel West that met with Chavez on Saturday. “No matter what the greatest tyrant in the world, the greatest terrorist in the world, George W. Bush says, we’re here to tell you: Not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of the American people ... support [Chavez’s] revolution,” Belafonte proclaimed. The Bush administration would probably prefer dealing with Pat Robertson. And Pat Robertson will probably be calling for Belafonte’s execution.

• Michael Jackson continues to face lawsuits for assorted alleged crimes. One accuser claims Jackson molested him, forced him to undergo cosmetic surgery and even stole lyrics he wrote — when the victim was 2 years old. Meanwhile, a veterinarian who allegedly treated animals at the Neverland ranch is suing Jackson for nearly $92,000 in unpaid bills. Wonder if the services included treating LaToya. In the end, Jackson guarantees a few more profitable seasons for CourtTV.

• There’s a new sensation sweeping the airwaves in Ethiopia — Ethiopian Idols, a takeoff of the popular American Idol. The program lacks the glamour of the U.S. version, and contestants are vying for a much smaller prize. However, no one will be complaining when the Black contestants are eliminated.

• California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his son were injured while riding a motorcycle, with the governor receiving 15 stitches in his lip. No word if any T-1000 Terminators were involved.

• NYPD officers recently received special training for dealing with Muslims. The objective was to break down cultural cluelessness, helping cops to gain a better understanding of Islamic attitudes and traditions. For example, when interacting with most Muslims, you should always present the right hand to give or receive gifts. Unless the gift turns out to be a homemade bomb.

Sunday, January 08, 2006

MultiCultClassics FAQ


MultiCultClassics FAQ

Q. Where the hell am I?
A. Welcome to MultiCultClassics.blogspot.com. As the subtitle states, you’re viewing “Musings on Multiculturalism in the Ad Industry and Beyond.”

Q. What’s the point?
A. There are multiple points. The advertising industry continues to struggle with exclusivity and discrimination. No need to elaborate on the whys. But there is a tremendous need to consider what we can do about it — and even why we must do something about it. MultiCultClassics presents a stage for discussions, debates, strategies and more. Additionally, the blog offers you the chance to step outside of your own cultural comfort zone and experience broader perspectives. In short, MultiCultClassics delivers a recommended daily allowance of multiculturalism.

Q. Why bother satisfying a recommended daily allowance of multiculturalism?
A. Because we live in a multicultural society. Too many issues in the advertising industry — and the world, for that matter — are rooted in simple unfamiliarity with different cultures. The essays in this blog seek to expose everyone to cultural news and concepts that will hopefully lead to a better understanding for all.

Q. Are there other points?
A. Yeah, but you’ll discover them over time.

Q. Who’s writing all this crap?
A. Technically, lots of folks. The essays are a combination of musings, editorials, news briefs, collected articles/columns and more.

Q. Then who’s HighJive?
A. Technically, lots of folks. Sometimes HighJive is the editor-in-chief. Sometimes HighJive is writing personal viewpoints and observations. Sometimes HighJive is a guest writer. Sometimes HighJive is relaying information and anecdotal essays from associates. Sometimes HighJive is swiping stories from a variety of sources.

Q. Does HighJive have experience in the ad industry?
A. Lots of folks comprising the HighJive persona have lots of experience in the business. The primary HighJive has worked at numerous mass market and multicultural agencies, producing award-winning work for major brands.

Q. Why the anonymity?
A. Lots of reasons. Avoiding the political retaliation that often accompanies speaking the truth is one motive. But more importantly, a desire to focus on issues versus individuals remains the ultimate goal. Again, this forum allows lots of folks to voice their opinions freely. There are additional reasons, but they’re not important.

Q. Why are the essays numbered versus titled?
A. The essays are intended to be read sequentially. In some respects, this is a social experiment and a continuing conversation. Visitors should stop by regularly to keep up with the latest and immerse themselves in our multicultural world.

Q. Who’s paying for this?
A. It’s totally pro-bono. There are no advertisers or sponsors. There are no hidden agendas. It’s a 100% volunteer venture, so don’t send applications seeking a salaried position.

Q. Who should visit MultiCultClassics?
A. Everyone. What’s more, everyone should share the site with everyone they know. This blog works best with an inclusive and inquisitive spirit. Please visit often. Admission is free. Open to the public 24 hours a day.

Q. Where do I begin?
A. Start by reading Essay One. It sets the tone for everything that follows. Click on the essay title above to go directly to the kick-off entry.

Essay 328


The MultiCultClassics Monologue tags the news…

• Sony’s graffiti campaign for its Playstation Portables product continues to generate controversy. Now a Queens Councilman is demanding the work be removed; plus, he’s calling out Sony to donate $20,000 to anti-graffiti programs. “Children are impressionable, and if they see a wall with graffiti on it and they don’t know that it’s done with permission, it could very well lead to them believing that it’s OK for them to do it,” the councilman said. Sony and the ad agency responsible for the shitty campaign really failed to do their homework here. The responses to the campaign are typical — and even stereotypical — of nearly every recorded attempt by advertisers to tap into tagging. Sadly, the morons responsible for the Sony effort will probably fabricate the standard “The-work-must-be-right-if-it’s-pissing-off-adults” spin to it all. Pathetic.

• There’s a growing illegal migration taking place between the U.S. and Mexico — but it involves guns versus people. Figures show 95% of weapons seized from Mexican criminals came from the United States. The guns are mostly used by the ruthlessly violent drug cartels. Favorite weapons include 9mm pistols, AK-47s and even bazookas. While it’s extraordinarily difficult to legally obtain firearms in Mexico, U.S. gun laws are much more liberal. Not unlike U.S. immigration laws.

• Meanwhile, protesters dueled over illegal immigration throughout Southern California on Saturday. The National Day of Protest was organized by illegal immigration haters, including the infamous Minuteman Project. Minuteman Project leader Jim Gilchrist proclaimed the U.S. border “is an invitation to terrorists who would bring us harm. It’s a matter of losing security and losing the rule of law as a governing mechanism. We are literally being invaded and colonized.” Sounds like someone’s been watching War Of The Worlds on DVD.

• A Utah megaplex theater pulled “Brokeback Mountain” from its marquee. Conservative groups hailed a victory. Liberal groups wailed discrimination and bias. Others didn’t notice because they were too busy laughing at retards in “The Ringer.”

• A group of linguists voting on the word that best reflects 2005 have made their decision, and the winner is “Truthiness.” The word means “truthy, not facty.” “The national argument right now is, one, who’s got the truth and, two, who’s got the facts,” a professor of lexicology said. “Until we can manage to get the two of them back together again, we’re not going make much progress.” Hey, truthiness has been the bedrock of advertising.