Derrick Z. Jackson, a columnist for the Boston Globe, says that former President Clinton who is getting new offices in Harlem is the NEW Superfly: "For the week of Sept. 27, 1972, Superfly was the top film in America. Black folk got fantasies of wealth and wiping out Whitey for a day, but they also became sterotypes as pusgers and pimps for a lifetime. Those sterotypes haunt us to this day, as sure as you can say "racial profiling."" "During his impeachment, he found refuge in black churches, and now having rolled craps with White America, he selected 125th Street fof his post-presidency office." QUESTIONS: Does racial profiling have its roots in Blaxk Explotation films such as "Superfly"? Is Clinton trying to find refuge in Black America? Blessings Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2001

Answers

Racial profiling stems from ignorance, fear and some of everyday reality. IGNORANCE in that some believe that all black folks are the same. We are all interested in robbing, murdering, raping, etc. Ignorance in that what you see in the movies does not happen in everyone's life. FEAR of white folks that one day some of their family members will fall in love with persons of African descent and procreate. Misplaced FEAR that all of our African American men are after their women. EVERYDAY REALITY of cops because they see the worst of African Americans and have been programmed to believe that we all are like that because that's what they see. I'm not condoning it, but if you see a green animal with webbed feet, a bill and quacking, no matter how many times you've been told that a duck is yellow, you'll see that green animal and think of it as a duck.

I'm a little younger than some of you that post on this board and I see Black exploitation films as funny. Just like some of the rap music that seems to offend so many, I see as funny. That may stem from my youth, but I don't see my father/mother image in any of those films, music or videos and so I think that it is funny. I think that if we can't embrace the oppressors thoughts of ourselves and transform them into beauty or comedy then we are doomed to let it get under our skin forever.

As for President Clinton, I feel that he is following the initiative that he set forth as President for us to go into the inner cities and bring business back to us. Of course, everyone would want to have an office in Manhattan and I don't blame him for trying there first. I think it is wonderful that my tax dollars are going to help empower the economic development of Harlem.

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2001

President Clinton does not need to seek refuge in the Afrikan community. He was the President of the United States, who can put his office in any state and be welcomed there. The columnist is diluting himself if he thinks the ex-president does not have options. Harlem will profit and so will the Clintons. It is a win- win situation. What does this man have to do for PEACE?!! It is astounding to me how this morally bankrupt society dictates values to our community. President Clinton was in the presidency for self. And so is President Bush.

Racial profiling has roots in Jim Crow era/segregation. A time when it was wrong to Afrikan American and go into the wrong (white) places. Stereotypes manifested themselves well before so-called black exploitation films. I can think of many examples of Black exploitation in TV and films that depicted Afrikan American as head ragged, fat, uneducated, bug eyed, drunken, Yes Ma’am nannies (butlers) that took care of white folks homes. How can one forget Rosco (Yes Sir Boss) on the Jack Benny show? or Steppin' and Fetchin'(doing the Okey Doke for the Massa). Superfly, Shaft, Dolamite (sp) and The Mack came later. Let’s get real about the black exploitation films of the 70’s. During that time Hollywood was going through a tough financial crisis. Black films saved the industry. Just in case you’ve not noticed. It is very real today. Through music videos and other films. Black films (Bootie Call) typically make a good profit…. Low budget, high returns. Bottom line— it is about profits. Capitalism at it's finest.

Be Blessed,

In Love and Light, Brenda

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2001

A couple of historical points:

• Eddie Anderson played the character "Rochester" on the Jack Benny Show.
• The first television shows featuring predominantly black casts were "Amos 'n Andy" and "Beulah".
• The Amos/Andy characters on radio were voiced by white actors.
• Thank goodness Nat King Cole had a short-lived TV series in the early 50s.
• In addition to Eddie Anderson, Mantan Morland (the "chauffeur" for Charlie Chan) and Stepin' Fetchit (I forget his actual name) were other "prominent" figures in mainstream movies.
• There were a number of race films prior to the Blacksploitation era that attempted to give voice to actors in believable stories.
  
  -- Anonymous, February 19, 2001

Any group that welcomes Captain Skirt Chaser into its midst deserves what it gets. I reserve the right to laugh at them and not take them seriously.

It's been a few years now, but I used to know a Sherriff's deputy in Tacoma Washington. He said the reason cops profile, legally and illegally, is because it works. If it didn't, they'd use something else. He said he never wasted time patrolling. If there were no calls to respond to he'd just park somewhere and wait for someone fitting a profile to drive by. Race alone wasn't enough. He'd also look for a type of car and a manner of dress. He'd then follow them around, and eventually have a reason to pull them over. Turn signal, too fast, too slow, anything legal.

Next he'd run the driver's license and car tag. There were only three options. The license/tag was stolen. Got 'em. There was no license or tag. Got 'em. Everything was in order. Good for them except...once he had them identified he almost always found they had a warrant. In fact, if the license or tag was absent or stolen he found they usually had a more serious warrant.

He could kill a whole shift with two or three of these. Between the hunt, the arrest, and the paperwork, there was no time to patrol. Just haul in the easy ones.

Tacoma, and all the towns along Interstate 5 were suffering from gangs. The Crips and the Bloods from L.A. just drove up the corridor and spread their drug trade and drive-by shootings to every town up to Canada. They weren't hard to identify. Race, dress, and car. Do I have a problem with what he did? If they committed a traffic violation they have no reason to squawk. If they weren't a gangster, he gave them a ticket and send them on their way. In those other cases he removed a threat to my family. Thanks Deputy!

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2001

Mr. Captain Skirt Chaser will stimulate an economically depressed area. The people of that area will be blessed.

What is amazing to me is how people who claim to be good Christians..don't practice a fundamental rule of Christianity. Forgiveness. They, the self-ordained crusaders of right, relentless harp on Clinton as an example of a fallen man. Why are people continuously murdering this man with words? Let him be.

What if our lives were placed under a microscope, for the WHOLE world to see? I know that many on board will agree…it would not be a pretty sight. I am interested in the REAL reason people are angry with President Clinton.

In Love and Light, Brenda

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2001

I agree wholeheartedly with you Sis. Brenda. While President Clinton was in office our country experienced economic growth unparalleled. Alan Greenspan raised the interest rates several times to encourage the American consumer to cut back on spending. Just six months ago we were in an economic growth. Prior to President Bush taking office, the economy came to a standstill. We are still in his first 100 days and Alan Greenspan in thinking of dropping the interest rates a second time to spark the economy. This may be why "they" are so upset with him.

Get off of the man's back and let him live.

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2001

The third wave of Harlem Renewal occured five years BEFORE WJ Clinton ever thought about becoming a "resident". Harlemites are not that stupid to think that a former President can lead to economic recovery. I think it unwise to reduce the Presient's legacy to simply unregulated libidos. While I never voted for him, argued for his voluntary resignation and found his conduct unbecoming of a Commander-in-Chief, I nonetheless desire a cease and desist order on Clinton political attacks. One important reason why critics can't "shake Clinton loose" is the former President's problem of political narcissism. His remarkable last minute pardons, pillaging of White House gifts and slow acceptance to being out of the limelight keep the journalists fully employed. It is no wonder that Time magazine's new issue is labeled "The Incredible Shrinking ex-President". Ironically about 7years ago Time's cover story was "The Incredible Shrinking President". The more things change........QED

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2001

First, of all I would point out that William Jefferson Clinton served two consecutive four-year terms as President of ALL the people. Since there was not then, and never has been any doubt that he was, in fact, elected by the majority of Americans and each of these elections was decided on the First Tuesday in November, as the law prescribes, he was therefore able to receive our confidence as the President of ALL the people.

Since he also tried to the best of his ability and to the extent the law allows to serve all the people, he is therefore able to feel at home among any of the people without fear of life or threat of retaliation. I am also certain that persons in Harlem are intelligent enough to understand what that does or does not mean.

Secondly, I am happy to have voted then, and now, for the Democratic agenda. I did so because it was the party which I felt best served the needs of American citizens across all ethnic, gender, and economic lines.

Thirdly, I am definitely a Christian who is both proud to be an A.M.E. and proud to have been able to vote as I saw fit to vote. However, my being Christian is not based on any platform espoused by any political system or presidential candidate. Neither is it based on any specific ideology embraced by any religious denomination, nor upon any delusions I might have of my own self-righteousness or righteous living. It is based solely and unequivocally on the saving grace and power of the death, resurrection, and Lordship of Jesus the Christ.

Finally, I would caution those who revel in name calling and pointing fingers that it was our Lord who said, "Let him who is without sin among you cast the first stone...Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more. " It is He, who also taught us to pray, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." For, He added, "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Let love, then, be our aim. For by LOVE all men will know that we belong to Him.

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2001