As I sat in my seat in the theatre, with about twenty other people (a balanced mix of black and hispanic), anticipating the start of the newly released movie "American Gangster", I had no idea that I was about to be hit with a psychological 'bomb'.
The very first scene (set in 1960's Harlem), after only a few opening credits, shows a hispanic brother, tied in a chair, having gasoline poured over him. As the shot widens, the audience is shown that the one pouring the gasoline on this brown man is a BLACK man.
This is apparently some kind of "deal gone bad". The Brown brother is cursing the Black Brother -- "Frank Lucas" (played by Denzel Washington) -- as if in spite...the usual machismo of the "gangster" mentality.
"Frank" then, without hesitation, throws a lit match on the Brown brother and sets him afire...and while he lay burning and screaming on the ground, "Frank" then unloads his handgun on the Brown brother.
All this in the first "two minutes" of the film.
The atmosphere in the theatre went eerily "cold". I could almost feel the reactions of the Brown Brothers and Sisters in the theatre; and I wondered if they could feel mine.
Immediately after this scene, the screen goes black...and the words "Based on a True Story" come up on the screen.
Now, if I were a Brown brother, particularly in the inner city where there is much tension between Black and Brown, I know I would have negative feelings about that scene, and probably even about Black people.
Later in the movie, the same "Frank" that killed the Brown "male" ends up in a Love relationship with a Brown "woman" (which, by the way, could not have made a good impression on the Brown Brothers watching the movie)...
The movie then suggests that a "Black Man" (Frank) was responsible for bringing herione into the country in collaboration with the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam war.
It even goes so far as to suggest an association between "Frank Lucas" and "Muhammad Ali", who, as anyone who is familiar with the era knows, was a member of the Nation of Islam at that time.
It is also noteworthy that BET (Black Entertainment Television) recently aired a documentary of the same name, "American Gangster", which depicted a group called the "Black Mafia", which is alleged (in the documentary) to have been connected to...guess who...the Nation of Islam.
The obvious question in all of this...to ME...is, "Why put out a movie like this?" "Why NOW?"
Are the Producers and Writers and Financiers of this movie UNAWARE of the tensions between Black and Brown across this nation?
Why put out a movie about Black Men engaging in corrupt activity during a time of WAR, while the country is PRESENTLY at war?
The Hon. Louis Farrakhan gives critical insight into this question:
"I am here to announce today that President Bush has met with his Joint Chiefs of Staff, under the direction of General Colin Powell, to plan a war against the Black people of America, the Nation of Islam and Louis Farrakhan, with particular emphasis on our Black youth, under the guise of a war against drug sellers, drug users, gangs and violence-all under the heading of extremely urgent national security."
http://www.noi.org/statements/transcript_891024.htm
The Hon. Elijah Muhammad taught us that the Brown and Red Man and Woman of North and South America are ORIGINAL PEOPLE, along with the Black Man and Woman...and that we share a common History and a common Nature and a common Destiny. The Brown man is NOT the Natural enemy of the Black Man, nor vice versa. But the two are being "played" against each other by a wickedly wise government and people who believe that in order to preserve their wicked rule, they must destroy the Black and the Brown...or get them to destroy EACH OTHER.
WE CANNOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN! We must find a way to UNITE and put an end to the strife between our peoples, and put an end to the enemy's control over our two peoples.
How do we prevent or counter the plans of our common enemy?
Consider the following:
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_2094.shtml
RM
Read your words on Friends of Farrakhan. This was a intersting situation that this movie presents. I happen to live around alot of Brown brothers. I was getting some weird looks yesterday. Maybe this is move is why. I did not take offense. I spoke to them as my brother.
ReplyDeleteWe can counter act the enemy if we use the Teachings. Proper way to handle people.
I saw the movie and had the same opinion/feeling about the Brown brother in the scene. Also the prominent and timed display of the star of David on Robert's chest twice in the film. Also noteworthy is the very last message which is "cant trust it," "it" being the black man.
ReplyDeleteThat was a bomb. Even walking out of the theater I felt like I was being viewed with suspicion.
Like writing history with lightning.
Indeed...and there was also one of the cops who had a Masonic Pin on his lapel...
ReplyDeleteSome seem to be missing the point of this post.
The point of this post was not to "moralize" on Frank Lucas and his lifestyle.
The point of this post was to call into question the MOTIVES of those who produced the movie, and showed it to Black and Brown audiences in the manner that they did...KNOWING that there are serious tensions between the two groups.
We, the Black AND the Brown, are being set up for slaughter...THAT is my point.
I know the previous commenters understood that. This addendum is for those who DON'T.
RM
The fact that you call "Brown" people your brother already shows you are a joke.
ReplyDeleteAre you "Black" or "African"?
Where is the "Black" land that you are originally from and that gave you your cultured.
You are a brainwashed and subconsciously white loving, for the reasons given above.
Thank you, "Anonymous", for your comment.
ReplyDeleteIt is a matter of historical record that the Black Man and the Brown/Red Man share a common origin.
All one need do is examine the ancient civilizations of both people, and one will find common archeology, common art styles, common societal order, common spirituality...in two entirely different parts of the earth.
If we were not Brothers and Sisters of each other, then why are there Pyramids in both Africa AND Mexico?
I am not saying there are not legitimate grievances between black and brown, but those grievances are the result of both people being stung by the poison of white supremacy.
If we were left alone to interact without interference from our common enemy, we could settle our own differences.
If we are not careful, we will become the same "racists" that we condemn the "white man" for.
As to whether I am "Black" or "African", I will only say, I AM that I AM.
My identity is not derived from my flesh. My identity is derived from the Essence that Animates the Flesh, which is eternal...long before there ever was a Sun, Moon, Earth or Star.
My identity is of God...and so is yours.
Understanding is a beautiful thing.
(smile)
Salaam (Peace).
RM
nb: you do know that the person who wrote the script to this treachorous hollywood peice wrote the zionist poppy show flick swindlers (shindler's) list? now what is some white dude who does holocuastianity flicks doing writing about black folks and gangs? ...in these times or anytime? hell, a bunch of crazed sadistic yahoodie fanatics hunting down palestinian poets and freedom fighters were handled with more sympathy.
ReplyDeleteblack august for the black and brown skins.
it's just more, as the hon mins louis farrakhan spoke of --
hollywood preparing us for our slaughter by making us all into crimminals to the world and so they will lose sympathy for us. it is meant to revive the black youth interest in gangsta life. the same youth who are taking stands against police brutality. this all happens just as police brutality and the murders of people are exploding and the youth are radicalizing and then here comes the zionuts with more crap to glorify the gun and sets all the original peoples of the planet earth against each one.
samo speil inn facist burg
the below film was lost and not as pushed as the two zionut cells above. b.u.t. we should be feelin dr leonard jeffieries now or we all just deaf dumb and blind
just in case you didn't know they made a film of gearge jackson recently.
http://www.zimbio.com/Public+Enemy/videos/10/George+Jackson+Soledad+Brother+Black+August
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=82690297
ly braithwwaite
http//www.myspace.com/lordpatchdub
The following comment was submitted, but had to be edited:
ReplyDeletetobi wrote:
i'm sorry, but you are talking complete and utter bulls***. dont ask why now. there is never the right time. im black, and i was actually shocked at this movie, but i did research and unless you can prove that it is all a set up and frank lucas never existed, you shoudl be ashamed to even try and knock this movie.
if anything they didnt show the FULL extent of his dark past. it is also proof and a slap in the face of all those people who cry conspiracy that the CIA and the US govt willfully flooded black ghettos with drugs.
frank lucas didnt invent the trade, but he had a hand in it. somethign he set out to do. black people are also deeply involved BY CHOICE in a drug trade that is destryoing black lives. wake the f*** up and realise this and stop compalining.
First, "tobi", I never said nor suggested that Frank Lucas never existed.
ReplyDeleteSecond, it is common knowledge among the educated that "choice" can be easily manipulated. A person's "choices" are only as good as their awareness of their "options".
I am awake, my friend. Perhaps you should read the post again...you might get the real intent of it the second time around.
Thank you for sharing your opinion.
RM
Wow, how hateful do you want to be? When will the hate end? I'm sorry you feel the need to have to identify with everything that isn't white, are you really that ashamed of yourself. Love everyone! I am white, so you probably feel I'm the devil, though I have two adopted black children. One thing is for sure, they will grow up loving everyone, regardless of their skin color. Stop this already!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, "Anonymous".
ReplyDeleteIn a world filled with the constant struggle between those intent on doing "good" and those intent on doing "evil", the person who attempts to Love "everyone" is of no value to "ANYone".
According to the Bible, not even God and His Christ love "everyone".
As for your adopting two black children, that is of no significance to me, since it seems to be in the psyche of white people to "adopt" black people...even if it is against Black people's will...as in slavery.
When white people render justice to those who have been deprived of it, then perhaps the fruits of injustice will dry up and pass away.
Until and unless that happens, then white people for generations to come can expect to eat the bitter fruit planted by their forefathers.
RM
Thank you, "Anonymous", for your comment.
ReplyDeleteSounds like your issue is more about your disappointment with God than with this article.
I pray that you find the peace you're looking for.
RM