I'm too stunned for words. Wish this had been an April Fools Joke
Actor Leslie Cheung Kwok-Wing, one of Asia's best-loved Cantonese pop singers, jumped to his death in Hong Kong on Tuesday, a police source said.
Cheung, 46, jumped from the landmark Mandarin Oriental hotel in the Central business district early in the evening and left a suicide note, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters.
A police spokeswoman said a 46-year-old man with the surname Cheung plunged to his death from the hotel in the early evening, but declined to reveal the full name.
"The man was certified dead at hospital. His name is Cheung 'X' Wing and was aged 46. He left a suicide letter," she said but declined to comment.
Cheung, who acted in the pathbreaking 1993 film "Farewell My Concubine," was noted as one of the few Asian male stars to play openly gay characters, his biography on the Web site of booksellers Barnes and Noble says.
His acting career took off in 1986 when he starred opposite Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-Fat in John Woo's popular gangster movie "A Better Tomorrow."
The biography says Cheung, whose father was once a tailor to Hollywood actor William Holden, studied at Britain's Leeds University and launched his career as a pop singer by winning a prize in a Hong Kong music contest.
Cheung was one of Hong Kong's best-known evergreen singers and his love songs are well known among Chinese communities all over the world.
Rachel James announces the April issue of 2 8 M M.
There's a little bit of every thing for everyone.
:: View from above - Jeremy Clouser
:: Look up! - Kylie Gusset
:: Emily, Leah, Carrie, Bizzy, Tess, and JD - Jordanna Kalman
:: Movement - Danielle Jansen
:: Haymarket - Sara Lovering
:: Urban Sounds - Sirio Magnabosco
:: Opposition - Phillip Massey
:: Mailboxes of Prosperity - Brock Meeks
:: The Free Project - Paul McAleer
:: Late Afternoon Ski - Mark Nakamura
:: Moments of Wandering in Brooklyn - Chris Saganich
:: Roads Without Cars - Brian Utley
:: Creative Violence: Before and After - Robert-Jan Zuur
April's cover photo is also by Robert-Jan Zuur.
San Francisco Chronicle writer Alex Lau explores Blasian couples in the current issue of Noodle Magazine:
Black and Asian gay couples are scarcely found, but why? And what challenges do they face from their communities, their families — and within their own relationships?
I haven't read it yet. Looks interesting. More to come.
[ From Lynne D. Johnson, Brooklynite, Critic and Online Editor of Vibe Magazine ] :
There are many ... musicians who have spoken out against the war, and they also deserve our support. At least 70 groups spanning the musical spectrum are on the roster of Musicians United to Win Without War, an organization that coalesced in just a few weeks around a shared belief that war is "wrong, absurd and dangerous to all of our futures." Visit the Musicians United website to see who else is on their statement of conscience, and then support these artists by listening to their music, seeing them in concert, purchasing their albums, and spreading the word.
Lynne mentions hardcore's "idea that would bring all bloggers together in the name of peace. Next Friday, he and I, along with any of you other bloggers that want to be down, will put up a poem on our blog that is dedicated to peace, or about peace, however you want to look at it. But peace is the theme. I really hope that many of you join us."
I'm mos def down.
Are you?
From the album of the same name, "Conversation Peace," by Stevie Wonder
Staring right at 2000 AD
As if mankind's atrocities to man has no history
But just a glance at life in 2000 BC
We find traces of man's inhumanity to man
There's no mystery
All for one, one for all
There's no way we'll reach our greatest heights
Unless we heed the call
Me for you, you for me
There's no chance of world salvation
Less the conversation's peace
We can't pause, watch and say "no" this can't be
When there's a plan by any means to have
Cleansing of one's ethnicity
And we shouldn't act as if we don't hear nor see
Like the holocaust of six million Jews and
A hundred and fifty million blacks during slavery
All for one, one for all
There's no way we'll reach our greatest heights
Unless we heed the call
Me for you, you for me
There's no chance of world salvation
Less the conversation's peace
When publicly or privately convened
May love, positivity and life's preservation
be the basic theme
And should you put your trust in some
prophet in life
Give him trust but your faith must stay
with the one
Who gave the ultimate sacrifice for...
All for one, one for all
There's no way we'll reach our greatest heights
Unless we heed the call
Me for you, you for me
There's no chance of world salvation
Less the conversation's peace (repeat)
I have been delaying the posting of this for far too long.
From actor Parry Shen:
Dear Friends,
In our lifetime, it is rare that we bear witness to an event, much less be a part one, that might change society. When the film "Better Luck Tomorrow" opens on April 4, 2003; it will be one of those events. On that day,"BLT" will be released in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. And open the following week, April 11, in: Washington D.C., Boston, Houston, Honolulu, Sacramento, San Diego, Seattle, Portland and Minneapolis.
The release will set a benchmark for a number of "firsts"
1) It is the first Asian American film ever to be picked up at the Sundance Film Festival.
2) It is the first film ever purchased and distributed by MTV Films.
3) It is the first all Asian-American cast to be widely distributed by a studio in a long time.
It is because of all these "firsts" that I am drafting this memo, to shed light on just how essential it is that our community support this film. The first 3 weeks' attendance will determine whether or not we'll be setting a benchmark record for "firsts--and lasts."
I know it sounds extremely self-serving that an actor in the film have the audacity to draft such a plea to see his film. But it is because I have been so close to the film through production and have personally seen people from all ethnicities react so positively to it; that I truly believe this event is exactly what we as a community have been yearning to get behind for years. Whether you are Asian or not. To send a message to the world. It is not "just" a movie. What hinges on the release is so much larger than the film itself.
There was much more to his note, but it'll keep it to that. I may see within the first three weeks. Saturday Movie Day any of you New Yorkers?! Anybody?
[ EDITED: Reading is Fundamental. Changed the name of the blog below. Apologies for any confusion ]
The New Millennium Elvis points me in the right direction:
Then Last night I got sucked into a show about the central park jogger. I watched the WHOLE show waiting to see how they would talk about the young men who went to prison for a crime they did not commit. She was prompted by Katie Couric to say this was not about race it was about the attack of a woman. If they were falsely accused it was just part of the tragedy of the evening.
Why does she get to own the tragedy? I think what happened to her was horrible. I think her recovery is wonderful. I think her story is beautiful. But this is about race. The way the stories of the young men of color was dismissed in this show was appalling. It was implied that we just don't know for sure that they weren't part of her attack. Again. They were impugned.
It also includes discussion of service women taken as POWs or killed in action. I still ain't talking about the "war," so I'm only concerned with the Central Park 5 angle.
But it's so true: Meili wasn't the only victim on April 19, 1989. The Central Park 5, Black and Latin teen boys and really People of Color in New York City were also victimized. I won't compare the hurt, or belittle Meili's suffering, but to dismiss the aftermath of the racist handling of this case is disgusting. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. She doesn't remember the attack, the police and Manhattan DA's office had her convinced that the five young men did it. White privilege has clouded many to the horrors of "New York's Finest." And if I hear one more lament of officers of color being involved...
It's obvious that the boys were coerced to confess. The 20/20 program months ago showed that with videotaped questioning by Elizabeth Lederer. Hell, Kharey Wise made at least two different, divergent statements — as did three of the others. The facts are just not there. Linda Fairstein and Bert Arroyo will rot in hell for their leading roles in this case. If the city is smart, they'll settle the civil suits brought by the Central Park 5 with as little lawyerly wrangling as possible. Although I'd be happy to hear all the sordid details of the criminal acts committed by those who are supposedly entrusted with providing justice in this city.
Been lazy. Been semi-down (not depressed dammit!). Been reading (more later...maybe).
The following reminds me of that A Day In the Life: Brooklyn photo project that I lost interest in a few weeks ago:
Take the flowers out of your hair, pick up a camera and...
Afrosolo Arts Festival seeks Black Photographers to exhibit in its upcoming One Black Day: My Race My Grace Exhibit, the visual arts exhibit our of tenth annual festival. We seek photographers to take photos of the diverse experiences of African Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area. The photos are to be taken between 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. Thursday, May 1, 2003. We will utilize these photos to create a mosaic of our world. The exhibit is open to professionals and amateurs.
Day of Shooting, Thursday, May 1, 2003
Deadline for Submissions, Friday, May 16, 2003
Selected Entries will be Annouced, Friday, May 30, 2003
One Black Day Exhibit, August 1-31, 2003
Where, The Sargent Johnson Gallery (African American Art and Culture Complex, SF)
Entries may be submitted online as jpeg's by mail as slides, contact sheets or photos. They may be shot with film or digitally. Minor digital adjustments will be accepted. Photos may be in color or black and white.
Include with the entries:
*Title of photo
* Your name
* The city where the photo was taken
* Short Description of the photo
*Your contact information: (name, address, phone, email).
Entry Fee: A non refudable fee must accompany your entry. Make out checks or money orders payable to AfroSolo.
***Submit as many images as you like.
***The selected photos must be delivered ready to be hung
Photos will be juried by: Thomas R. Simpson, Founder/Artistic Director, AfroSolo; Carol Marie Daniels, San Francisco Art Commission; Errol Hall, Photographer, African American Art and Culture Complex.
Sales will be encouraged: There will be a 30/70 commission split on sales with 70% going to the photographer
Send entries to:
One Black Day
Afrosolo Arts Festival 10
762 Fulton Street, Suite 307
San Francisco, CA 94102
*Enclose a SASE to have work returned. For more information contact: Thomas R. Simpson (415) 771-2367 or by e-mail: thomas@afrosolo.org
Rahat has a cool, dark redesign and reviews the new flick Better Luck Tomorrow:
Just like the theatre is virtually filled with African Americans when Deliver Us From Eva is playing, maybe this is the the niche that someone needed to figure out: Who cares if non-Asians don't attend these shows. 4% of the American population is Asian, and most of them are in the $50K+ bracket. Those numbers are big enough to drop some dough into producing a nice "Asian" film that doesn't insult the audience. Here's hoping for better luck next year.
Not too sure of that bracket figure. Hell, most of the Asians that I know would be happy to be slightly below that income.
Over the next several weeks I will post extensively on the Central Park 5. This past Saturday was the 14th anniversary of the rape of Patricia Meili. The racial maelstrom that followed that attack and still effects New York City is evident today.
While Matias Reyes is a monster that should be held accountable for his actions, persecutors prosecutors in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, NYPD officers and investigators, the white press, politicians, neo-politicians and a gullible public should also be held responsible for the racist treatment suffered by Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Jr., and Kharey Wise and the implications their vilification and convictions had on the entire Black and Latino communities of New York City. Indeed, their families suffered tragically on a very personal level. Santana lost his mother years ago and most of the young men have strained relationships with their relations.
Up next: a Central Park 5 FAQ, list of players in the case and reports, articles and editorials from the very early stages of the case.
From the front page of The City Sun, April 26 - May 2, 1989
EDITORIAL: IT'S AN OUTRAGE!
That anyone would set out to stalk, brutally beat and sexually assault a young woman and then leaver her for dead is more than an outrage; it is condemnable. That a tragic situation such as this would be used by politicians, the police, and the press to accomplish their own base agencies is beneath contempt.
From the very outset of the case it was clear what the intent was: to use an undeniably heinous crime, whose victim still is hospitalized and comatose as a result of her injuries, to fan the flames of racial divisiveness and hatred. That lends itself to lurid headlines and lurid headlines sell papers. That livens up the boob tube with invective. That gives cops a chance to show New York who the "real" criminals are and why we have neither law nor order. That provides a solid soapbox on which politicians can stand as they call for legislative "reforms" in the name of humanity, decency and the American Way.
We are outraged that anyone should suffer, as the young woman in Central Park evidently did, the kind of brutality she was subjected to. Our sympathies are with her and with her family as she struggles for life at Metropolitan Hospital.
But our sympathies are with our community also. For we continue to be subjected to a duality of treatment that has its roots firmly anchored in racism.
That same media that refused to print or say that Tawana Brawley was raped had no difficulty summarily in stating so in the case of the Central Park victim. The same media that demanded Brawley "prove" her sexual assault made no such demands in the Central Park case. The same media that had no difficulty identifying the underaged Wappingers Falls teen-ager by name, invading the sanctity of her home to show her face and even televising seminude pictures of her while she was in the hospital have been careful to avoid identifying the Central Park woman; in one case, a television station even issued an apology to the victim's family and to the viewing public for having made the error. The same media that would not accept a Black female teen-ager's story that as many as six white men sexually assaulted her have no journalistic problem difficulty stating as fact that Black boys sexually assaulted the white woman in Central Park. They tell us that only young Black men go "wilding;" young white men never do.
Within hours of the incident the cops could "solve" the crime complete with "arrests," "questioning of suspects," "statements" by the alleged rapists, and even "confessions." And the wheels of the criminal-justice system turned rapidly; indictments may be handed up by the end of the week. No suspects were rounded up in the Brawley case because, as state Attorney General Robert Abrams told New York, "there may not have been a crime committed here" and even if one was, "it was consensual."
Would Abrams dare repeat his asinine claim that the Central Park jogger "fabricated" her injuries? Would Abrams or Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau issue a report exculpating the alleged wrongdoers of this crime? No! Would the state have assigned 60 detectives and other investigative personnel full time to probe the Brawley case? No!
And then there are the politicians and the neopoliticians. Suddenly they all know the appropriate thing to say and the appropriate thing to do. Some, like Koch and Cuomo, are quick to talk tough about crime and about swift and certain punishment--the same rhetoric that was absent in the Brawley case. Others, like David Dinkins, who helped compromise interest of justice in both the Brawley and Howard Beach cases, have appointed themselves the dubious task of "healing" New York. We will see a few of these "leaders" in the coming weeks acting as apologists for the Black community, as if the entire Black community of New York attacked and assaulted the jogger in Central Park.
We must be clear: The unfortunate attack on the woman is unforgivable, inexcusable and indefensible. Those who committed that heinous act must be punished and to the fullest extent of the law. But application of the law must be evenhanded and fair: the duality that exists also is unforgivable, inexcusable and indefensible. It cannot consistently be the position among the politicians, the police and the white press that on the one hand nothing applies but on the other everything does. It cannot be that similar situations should yield such disparate reactions and results.
Brooklyn writer, editor and critic Lynne D. Johnson interviews DJ Spooky for Africana.com:
Who is Paul Miller, aka DJ Spooky That Subliminal Kid? He's not just a conceptual artist, internationally known DJ, prolific writer and art critic, record label head, and visiting lecturer. He's a laboratory where the audio track to the black future is being field tested.
Donald discusses family with
In Search Of: Black Gay Diaspora
I know even less about Black gay people in Africa, or anywhere else we are in the world. And I'm so tired of running into Afrikaaner blogs! You would think that Black people in Africa (doesn't that sound redundant?) don't blog! (I'm sure there's a deeper Digital Divide-related conversation here.) So that's what I'm in search of, global connections for a more global perspective of Black gay identity and culture.
A lively topic and interesting comments (including a Kenyan's perspectives).
If I were cool, I would have mentioned Laura and her recent posts about Nina Simone's homegoing.
If I were cool, I would have followed up on Donald's post on Black Gay people. At this point, it's probably beside the point.
If I were cool, I would comment at Aaron's planet. Especially concerning his recent link additions.
If I were cool, I would have offered condolences to and advice for EJ concerning his recent news. Next time we're in the same area, I owe you a couple rounds bro.
And if I were really, really cool, I would offer massive kudos to and comment more at Lynne's joint. (Us Brooklyn bloggers gotta have our own day/get-together soon, too!)