Last night I think I had an epiphany about myself while watching Spike Lee’s “School Daze”. First I think I need to say that last night was my first time watching “School Daze” in like more that 16 years (my high school daze), so there were some things in the movie that I understood & noticed that were above my head way back when. The issues of Black Unity, Colorism, Classism & Black Nationalism were things I had no idea about.
What I like most about the movie back then was the music, step show, sex & the banana in the toilet scenes, so that shows you were my teenage my was.
So last night as I dissected the movie while laughing my ass off, I noticed that Laurence Fishburne’s character “Dap” reminded of myself today. Dap was the politically conscious, Black Nationalist down for the cause of uplifting the People (Negroes). During several scenes Dap was a little extreme & I was comparing myself to him & wondered how extreme am I & am I extreme at all.
Then towards the end of the film, Dap & Julian (Giancarlo Esposito) got into a final confrontation that really tripped me out. Basically, if you don’t know or remember, Julian called Dap out for being “all Black” & this Nationalist who could not convince anyone to move back to Africa & even said that he (Dap) knew nothing about Africa. Oh he went off on Dap & I was like damn. Then after the scene, I had a mental pause and said, wait, was Julian talking to my ass? A small part in me thinks that he was.
So today, I am going back & forth wondering if I am too Black/African oriented, is there such a thing & what are the ramifications if any. Maybe my pending name change, which will be complete on Tuesday (03/06/07) has something to do with my feelings.
My friends tease me sometimes about my “Blackness” sometimes & it usually is funny but they get me & a few have even said that they wish that they could be as Black/African oriented, which I always say, well it really does not take much LOL.
As I type this post, I am listening to Gil-Scott-Heron’s “Brother”. I love this song & I as listen, I am feeling better about how Julian attacked me, I took it personal. Brother helps me realize that I walk the walk & talk the talk & most definitely, I am not Blacker than Thou.
If there were more people like Dap & me who acted and not just talked, I think we would be better off but maybe I am dreaming.
Listen to Gil Scott-Heron’s “Brother” here
I am the Black Gold of the Sun,
Tafari
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School Daze Synopsis:
Fraternity and sorority members clash with the other students at a historically black university in this politically charged musical, which marked the sophomore feature from director Spike Lee. Dap (Laurence Fishburne) is a politically conscious brother who leads anti-apartheid demonstrations and eschews the social climbing of the Greek system. But Half-Pint (Lee), his craven young cousin, is willing to endure any humiliation to join the manly Gamma fraternity. As Half-Pint tries unsuccessfully to impress the Gammas with his inept womanizing, Dap engages in philosophical debates with Rachel (Kyme), his girlfriend. Meanwhile, the light-skinned, straight-haired sisters of the Gamma Ray sorority battle it out in a beauty parlor with their darker-skinned, Afro-headed fellow co-eds. Eventually, Half-Pint gets the chance to join the frat, but only after a degrading episode with Jane (Tisha Campbell), the soon-to-be ex-girlfriend of his house president, causes Dap to lose all respect for him.
Based in part on the director’s experiences at Atlanta’s Morehouse College, School Daze was also written and produced by Lee. Despite production numbers that included “Straight and Nappy”, a dis-fest between the “wannabes” and “jigaboos” on campus, the biggest hit on the film’s soundtrack was the go-go anthem “Da Butt”, E.U.’s ode to shaking one’s backside. Supporting players Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy also co-starred on the TV comedy A Different World, another look at life on a primarily African-American campus.
Michelle W. / March 5, 2007
Let me start by saying that School Daze is by far my favorite movie. I bought the limited edition DVD that came with the soundtrack (absolutely awesome) and I watch it almost every week.
While watching School Daze it is easy to get lost in the singing, dancing and immaculate sex scenes but what I like most is that through all of that Spike is able to get his point across. I also think that it is very easy to find yourself in one of the characters. And as I sit and write I do see a lot of similarities between you and Dap. But don’t let Julian get you down. He was just as lost as the rest of the characters called “wannabes”. I think this movie allows us to see some of the discrimination that goes on right in our community. We can’t expect for others to treat us equally if we don’t treat ourselves equally.
Peace
Bygbaby / March 5, 2007
Damn, what a super response! You are so right, I think that I can relate to at least on character in Spike’s movies.
I think Julian or the Julian’s of the world are collateral damage from the divide & conquer phenomenon.
That brother did get me but I is good now LOL.
“We can’t expect for others to treat us equally if we don’t treat ourselves equally.” Tru Dat!
Bygbaby
Bygbaby / March 5, 2007
BTW Michelle,
Welcome to Blogger (finally).
aulelia / March 5, 2007
i don’t think anything such as too black or too african oriented exists because all black people just have that cultural link inside them.
good 4 u n the name change 🙂
Michelle W. / March 6, 2007
Thanks for the warm welcome. You have truly inspired me to get the ball rolling to start my blog. All I have to do now is get this HTML thing down and I am set.
Peace
Michelle W. / March 6, 2007
Also…
I wanted to tell you that there is a great Gees Bend play that came to Montgomery, AL. I don’t know if it will be coming in your area but I wanted to give you the heads up just in case. Maybe you can check it out. I know how you just loved the story behind Gees Bend and maybe you can catch the play. It was Awesome.
Peace
Bygbaby / March 7, 2007
Michelle, you will get the hang of it in no time. Each post is practice LOL.
I hope that the Gee’s Bend production comes my way! Have you ever actually been to Gee’s Bend?
Bygbaby
Michelle W. / March 7, 2007
Nope never been to Gee Bend. After watching the play I really want to go. Maybe I can get some friends together and we can venture down there. I need a navigator because I might as well be blonde when it comes to reading directions and finding something.
Michelle