Urban Thought Collective

THE EXPRESS
Playing Civil Rights-era football star Ernie Davis in the inspiring new movie “The Express” gave actor Rob Brown a greater understanding of history and a deeper sense of personal responsibility.

As one of the few black students at Syracuse University in the late 1950s and early ‘60s, Ernie Davis faced overt racism on campus, in the locker room and on the gridiron. But, much like his idols, Jackie Robinson and Jim Brown (who preceded him at Syracuse and recruited him to the school) Davis courageously endured the emotional and physical cruelty, played his game like the champion he’d always been, and achieved greatness. In 1961, Davis was rewarded with college football’s highest individual honor – the Heisman Trophy. Tragically, his dream of joining Jim Brown in the backfield for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns was cut short by leukemia. But even as he succumbed to that fatal illness, Ernie Davis remained unbowed, upright and honorable. A true champion.

Thinking about Ernie Davis fills Rob Brown with awe. “Just looking at what Ernie went through… if (he) could overcome that adversity and be successful I really have no excuse today, in 2008. Anything I complain about I probably shouldn’t complain about,” says the actor and former Amherst College wide receiver.

“The Express” is a highly entertaining and energizing movie that celebrates the heroic history and character of black folk. Movies like this remind us that, as a people, we have always been great and whenever we give 100%, whenever we support, teach, guide and strengthen one another we always overcome.

“The Express” arrives in theaters this Friday.

KRS-ONE AND THE SOCIAL POLITICS OF BLING
Last week I wrote about an upcoming auction of hip hop stars’ jewelry. Well, since then conscious rap pioneer KRS-One made an intriguing observation about the changing significance of bling. My colleague Renada Romain from Sirius Satellite linked up with the Boogie Down Productions founder during last week’s VH1 Hip Hop Honors and asked him about all the cats (like Yung Berg) who’ve been jacked for their jewels in recent months. Kris explained that, back in the day, rappers rarely wore a bunch of bling – but when they did they had a reason.

“You had to have a certain respect to wear the jewel,” says Kris. “You wore it because you said, ‘In a place where everybody’s getting robbed for their jewels, I’m walking around with mine on!’ That’s why you wore it! Now, today you’ve got guys who just want to imitate those who are doing that and they’re putting themselves in dangerous situations because they don’t really have the community respect to wear diamonds.”

How does one attain that community respect? KRS-One has a simple answer: “You’ve gotta care for your people. Before you put a diamond around your neck put bread in your brother’s mouth!”

WEEKLY JOHN McCAIN JAB
Since we are just a few weeks away from the historic November 4th presidential election, I feel duty-bound to take at least a few lines in each of my columns to big up Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Sometimes that means talking stuff about John McCain and Sarah Palin. Here’s a letter I sent to the Republican candidates’ web site:

Dear Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin,

When you talk about reforming government you prove that you’re not listening to the American people. We’re not seeking for some vague change in how Washington conducts business. We want specific and dramatic change from the policies of President Bush and the Republican Party – policies which Sen. McCain supports. So, all of McCain and Palin’s sloganeering about “putting government back into the hands of the people” and “cleaning up the corruption in Washington” misses the point.

But since you brought up corruption, I’d like to ask Gov. Palin a direct question. (Hopefully, she won’t duck and dodge like she did with Gwen Ifill) How can Americans trust that you’ll fight corruption in Washington when you’re stonewalling an ethics investigation in your home state? If you’re truly a reformer, then go back to Alaska and handle this Troopergate mess honestly and openly. Instruct your husband and your advisors to respect those subpoenas and cooperate fully with investigators in the state legislature – the way they said they would before you became McCain’s running mate. No, talking to the personnel board is not the good enough because the members of that panel are your appointees. I’m sure you don’t want voters to think you’re trying to handicap the investigation. Keep your original commitment to deal with the legislature and maybe you’ll look less like a hypocrite when you talk about fighting corruption. Because right now you are playing exactly the kind of shady politics that you claim to oppose.

Sincerely,

C.T.

Thanks for listening. I’m Cameron Turner and that’s my two cents.

THINK! IT AIN’T ILLEGAL…YET!

Cameron Turner is a Los Angeles-area native whose editorials, entertainment news features and audio documentaries have appeared on national radio networks, online and in print for over 20 years.