POC of the Vampire Diaries: Abby Bennett

Previously

The Vampire Diaries
Sheila Bennett
Emily Bennett
Bree
Jonas and Luka Martin
Anna and Pearl
Bonnie Bennett
Greta Martin

As Neo-Prodigy aptly pointed out in an email to me, the only reason we watch TVD now is for the train wreck factor.  And Lord Almighty is the wreckage level high.

I'm actually a huge fan of Persia White; always have been.  In addition to portraying the infamous Lynn on Girlfriends, she was also in the first episode of Buffy and in the second season of Angel.  She's the frontwoman for industrial rock band XEO3, and her debut solo album Mecca was released on Halloween of 2009.

On The Vampire Diaries (a career choice which made me cringe, by the way), Persia portrays Abby Bennett, mother of Bonnie Bennett, daughter of Sheila Bennett, and descendant of Emily Bennett.  I was actually going to wait to do a few other POC characters before her, but in light of recent epic fail, she got bumped to the head of the line.

Lucy Liu, the Bar Has Your Back

(Thanks, Jean Bee!!!)

In a move that's bound to astound some, Lucy Liu has been cast as Sherlock's sidekick Watson in a US version of Sherlock Holmes, entitled Elementary.

It's the first time the role will be played by a woman.

US network CBS upset the BBC and producers behind Sherlock when they announced plans for what is essentially a remake of the popular UK series. In the American incarnation, a modern-day Sherlock Holmes is living in New York City.

Sherlock Holmes will be played by British actor Jonny Lee Miller, best known for the movie Trainspotting and his high-profile role in the fifth season of serial-killer drama, Dexter.

The casting of Lucy Liu is a surprising move, and should definitely differentiate the two Sherlock projects somewhat.

In addition, it will inevitably signal a change in the famous dynamic between the two crime-solvers; instead of the bromance between Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock and Martin Freeman's Watson, the American vehicle may trade on a suggestion of romance.

Charlie's Angels actress Lucy Liu is currently appearing in gritty cop drama Southland, which recently aired on More4. Now that she's signed up for Elementary as Watson, she will emulate the likes of Jude Law, Martin Freeman, Sir Ben Kingsley and Dudley Moore - who have all played the role (Source).

Needless to say, some folks ain't happy.

I Might as Well

We've done chocolate.  We've done vanilla.

*shrug* We might as well.

But before we begin, if you're wondering why the usual explanatory paragraphs are missing, understand that I could only think of one thing to say again...and again...and again.

Lawd.

Binh Minh

Witness the Return of Trish Doan

...To Kittie, that is.

Bad-ass bassist Trish Doan returns to all-female Canadian metal band Kittie this year, hopefully completing the final incarnation of the band.  Seriously, there's an entire section on their Wikipedia page dedicated to chronicling the comings and goings of various members.

With the constant changes in their lineup, I can't even imagine what hell it is to have to teach new members old songs every couple of years.  So it's good that the band is getting to celebrate the return of a member, rather than just a departure.

Fans will recall that Doan performed in Kittie from 2005 - 2007, when she left, in part, for health reasons.  The Bar hopes she's triumphed over her demons and is ready to spend the rest of her life igniting the stage, because I'll be honest; I tend to pay much more attention to these bands when a beautiful woman of color is part of the lineup.

Pretty People, Useless Parents, and the Fear of God

1) Let's start with the pretty people (mind you, this section includes people who think/assume they're pretty, in addition to actually pretty people).

These racist rants from young females who either considered pretty or consider themselves pretty, have got to go.

We've gotten to a stage where young women - usually non-WOC, but not always - go on the web, rant their hearts out, and assume there will be no consequences because they're attractive, or at least consider themselves attractive.  Let's be honest: people like Alexandra Wallace, Jenny Hyun, and those two white girls who went on their rants factored their looks into their actions.  They were banking on getting slaps on the wrists and probably had their fauxpologies rehearsed long before they began their rants.  They were probably hoping for comments like, "Yeah, she's a racist bitch, but I'd still fuck or her" or "Shame to hear such ugly words from pretty girls" - you know...bullshit like that.

These rants have got to go, and I don't mean viral.  These people come out, do whatever they can to get their 15:00, and waste everybody's time in the process.  We know how this ends before it even begins: Dumb chick plops down in front of shiny webcam.  Dumb chick says some dumb shit.  Dumb chick gets messages promising death and/or ass-kickings.

Come on, now.

Katrina Law, You Have My Attention

Katrina Law, you have my attention.

I'll admit that initially, I wasn't too fond of "Mira" from Spartacus, but something's changed this season.  I don't who had what words with whichever writer, but words were most assuredly exchanged, 'cause Katrina is one to watch this season.

She may have started out a house slave with no self-esteem, but this season she's a Roman-shanking, ride-or-die bitch and she has all my respect.

When called out for being bed-warmer to Spartacus, Mira issues an ultimatum, "I am not your fuck buddy.  I ain't no helpless damsel neither.  See all these Romans I done stabbed?  Don't fuck with me today."

Contemplating "Black Jealousy"

A recent discussion on the Narrative got me thinking about non-Black people who look down on Black and claim that we're jealous of them.  I've read this from various commenters in various spaces on the net, and there's always been something about that thinking which just bugged me (aside for the obvious).  It took me a while to fully articulate it until today, when I met some awesome, beautiful Black women at my new job, and every word out of their mouths literally made me think, "God, I love Black people."

Some Black people wish they had more money.  They wish for bigger houses, nicer cars, better schools for their kids, and less overall harassment and drama from society.  Some of us wish we'd gone to college longer.  Some of us wish we'd gone to a better university.  Some of us wish our families were better connected and our communities more united.  And while some of us envy these things in other people, we generally don't envy the people themselves.

In other words, Black people generally wish for better lives as Black people.

Count the Fail: Photo Shoot from 2007-2008 featuring Bar Rafaeli...and Negresses

(Thanks, Leo Princess!)

(Straight) Men, Women, Society: What You Say, What I Hear

(Thanks, New Black Woman!)

What you say:

Everywhere you look, women are stepping out dressed provocatively but bristling if the wrong man shows he enjoys the display. And men – well, they are in a total state of confusion. There are cocky, attractive, successful men, alpha males, revelling in this unexpected bounty, boldly eyeing off the assets of women they fancy as their prey.

What I hear: "Men are natural-born thieves. They see something belonging to someone else and automatically assume it's their simply because they want it."

Why I Love Ed: Linsanity, Whitney, and Racism in Media

POC of the Vampire Diaries: Greta Martin

Lisa Tucker as "Greta"

Previously

The Vampire Diaries
Sheila Bennett
Emily Bennett
Bree
Jonas and Luka Martin
Anna and Pearl
Bonnie Bennett

I know some of you have been waiting for this one for a hot minute and oh...wow...*rubs temples*.

Yes, Greta Martin is - or should I was say, was - related to Jonas and Luka Martin.  She's their daughter and sister respectively; she's the whole reason they cut a deal with the vampire Elijah, because his brother Klaus "took" her, and we never get to know what the hell that means.  Like, really...was she kidnapped?  Did he compel her to walk off with him?  Were rufies involved????  I mean, how come we never find out exactly how Klaus found and got a hold of Greta and what all transpired between them?

The Black Girls Club, a new blog

Hear ye, hear ye; the Bar Presents: The Black Girls Club Blog.

*rubs temples*  I know.  It's all Cinnamon's fault.

But I see her point.  "The Black Girls Club" was one of my highest viewed posts; it generated a massive discussion, and I can see why Cinnamon would recommend creating a blog continuing that discussion, as well as other related discussions.

This will free up the bar for broader subjects, and I can get back to my more Pan-POC perspective work, including chatting about politics, news, and media...as usual.

We will now return to our regularly scheduled lunacy at the bar.

The Black Girls Club: Joy Bryant

(Thanks, MD!)

Say hello to the latest inductee, bar patrons.

Who She Is: Model-turned-actress Joy Bryant, of course, whom various fans recognize from various places.  Personally, I recognize her from Virtuality, where she was in a Blasian relationship with actor Nelson Lee.

Where to Watch Her: NBC's Parenthood.

Why She's a Recruit:  As you can see above, MD emailed me about Joy Bryant.  I haven't actually watched Parenthood, but MD has and she made an impassioned argument for Joy's membership in the Black Girls Club.

The Bar (Still) Hearts Peter Mensah

See added pix below.

The Black Girls Club: Cynthia Addai-Robinson

Previously

The Black Girls Club

Say hello to newest recruit, bar patrons.

Who She Is: Cynthia Addai-Robbinson, the product of BW/WM, with her mother being from Ghana.

Where to Watch Her: Cynthia joins fellow Ghanaian Peter Mensah on Spartacus.  She takes over the role of Naevia, formerly portrayed by Lesley Ann Brandt, a woman of East Indian descent.

Why She's a Recruit: First of all...Negro.  Negro taking over a non-Negro's role.  Not to mention, she's a Negro who's a product of BW/WM, not the other way around.

Interracial Independence in Media

Recent discussions here at the bar, on Abagond, and on the Blasian Narrative have gotten me thinking about some things.

The Pedestal Game

The Pedestal Game is very simple.  It's when one group of women seeks to be held up above all other women.  It's not enough for just men of their own group to hold them up as "the one and only"; all men have to fall in line and do the same.  Even the men they wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole must do so; even gay men are expected to show them preferential treatment (Neo-Prodigy will elaborate).

In the minds of such women, it's the men's job to play the Pedestal Game.  So if a man decides to focus on his relationship with another man, or pursue a woman who's not from the Group, then under the rules of the Pedestal Game, he's not doing his job.  Thus he can expect one of three reactions:

1) If he's somewhat to very attractive, he can expect the Sugar Treatment.  All of a sudden, he'll notice that every female member of the Group whoever dumped him or ignored him is now paying him a lot of attention and adamantly cock-blocking the non-Group woman.

2) If he's average-looking, he can expect excessive ridicule from the Group, and taunting to the point of harassment.  He'll find himself repeatedly asked why he couldn't get a real woman, or why he's slumming it.

3) If he's a member of the not-with-a-ten-foot-pool category, he can expect to be ostracized altogether.

So I'm Watching "Spartacus"....

Recommended

TV Tropes: Spartacus

Don't ask; I have my reasons.  Peter Mensah is beautiful as ever (I'll focus on him another day), and I feel bad for Andy Whitfield dying from cancer at the tender age of 38.  He worked his ass off to become an actor, only to die after his first big break, leaving behind a wife and two children.  *shakes head*  Ain't that some shit?

But this post focuses on the women of Spartacus, zeroing in on Season 1.  My, my...they were a source of amusing disappointment.  And here I was wanting to yank my eyeballs out over the friggin' Vampire Diaries.  First, I'll let the actresses sugarcoat their bullshit characterizations for you.

Like I Was Saying....

(Thanks, Bcbgirl33!)

 

...It ain't about us.

Recommended

Contemplating "The New Michael Jackson"

Contemplating "The BW/WW War"

(Thanks, Windy!)

"I personally have been around Black women my whole life and I know many Black women have been seeing Black men with white women their whole lives...it's nothing new to see that coupling and therefore I find it hard to believe that the majority of Black women are out there giving "angry looks" and making "snide remarks." I personally think that this is a stereotype that is over-played by certain people and put solely on Black women, just one more inequality to add to our list. I also think some people tend to get off and get turned on by imagining that all Black women are after them because they took a so-called "good brotha," or because they ARE a so-called "good brotha," with a white woman. (lol)

"But anyway, if that's been your experience...sorry to hear that but do not put that on ALL BLACK WOMEN.

"Also, please don't forget that at the end of the day you're in a position of privilege...yes white women you have white privilege.

Contemplating "Hatred vs Criticism"

"Why do you think we “hate” white people? How come any form of criticism leveled against white Americans is swiftly construed as “hatred”?

"Or more to the point, are you and others like you so afraid of any criticism from black Americans that you’d go to great lengths to effectively bar such by reclassifying it as “hatred”? Is polite praise the only acceptable feedback that white Americans can tolerate from their black counterparts?

"Instead of wondering why black history has to be relegated to a single month, as though it was an alien culture that has no real place in American history, should we collectively kiss the expansive ass of white American culture by praising and co-opting its history as the only one that matters in this country?"

~ Mack Lyons

I SAID I Needed a Detox

All those emoids on The Vampire Diaries left me needing a fix.

Here Gina Carano engages in what the lil sis refers to as "Not Today" behavior. We've seen countless women attacked in their apartments (often from behind), but instead of just dropping to the floor and moaning, MMA fighter Carano says, "Uh - not today!"

POC of the Vampire Diaries: Bonnie Bennett

Previously

The Vampire Diaries
Sheila Bennett
Emily Bennett
Bree
Jonas and Luka Martin
Anna and Pearl

~ Special Edition ~

Ohhhhhhh, this one's been a long time coming.

Bonnie is still alive on the show (for now, anyway), so there will be no Dead Negro portion of the rant.  However...Bonnie has repeatedly voiced her willingness to die for Elena and the vampire Damon has flat-out stated that he'd rather have Bonnie die than Elena.  In fact, it quite clear he finds Bonnie expendable in general.  And whenever Damon talks like this, the most of a reprimand he gets is pretty much an eye roll or a slap on the wrist.

Bonnie Bennett is Elena Gilbert's "best friend".  Fail #1.  Seriously, y'all; on TVD they throw around the phrase "best friend" like they do the words "the", "it" and "a."  Pearl was the vampire Katherine's "best friend."  Pearl wound up entombed for 145 years and then staked in the heart.

The witch Ayanna was "best friend" to the Original Witch.  Ayanna refused to help turn the Original Family into vampires, and warned that doing so would unleash a plague.  No one listened.  Look how that turned out.

Racist Paranoia: Stifling Menominee

In 2005 the U.S. Supreme Court decreed that we Indians have a RIGHT, not a privilege, to read, write and speak our heritage languages anywhere, including in the work place. Schools count as work places. The teacher's rationale for reprimanding this girl is racist and paranoid. She assumes that any words she doesn't know are automatically negative. She should be suspended without pay for a month in reprimand, and forced to make a public apology to this girl and the entire Menominee Nation. I had a microscopic part in helping the Menominee get their Reservation status back, gadjillion years ago. I'm a grandmother and a Pipe Keeper. This kind of uphill battle is ridiculous. To this teacher, I would say,"Takuni slolyaye sni ye. Yuonihanh tuktel he?" - You know nothing. Where is your respect?"

~ Carel Two-Eagle

To all the Native Americans who came out swinging on a recent article in The Shawano Leader, I say this: I am in awe of all you.

...And I'd Make Sweet, Sweet Love to David So

Bar patrons, I was going to continue with my "POC of the Vampire Diaries" series, but after posting all those images of POC corpses, I needed a break.  By some of your comments, I can  tell you all need a break too.

We WILL get back to picking apart TVD, however, because we need to keep it 100 and have these discussions.  That's how POC educate ourselves in the face of institutionalized white supremacy.

But let's take a quick moment to celebrate living POC, shall we?

So I have a fangirl crush on Korean-American comedian David So.  I specifically say "fangirl" because I just found out he's 24, which makes him roughly the same age as my infamous lil sis.  Sooooooo...no.

I have really high hopes this comedian's career.  He's already one of those countless Asian male artists who are dominating YouTube.  He's amassed a huge following, and hopefully his fanbase will continue to grow.

Peep these: