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http://www.thecharlottepost.com CI)aiiotte THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2003 1D Arts l Entektainment Jackson Despite changes, Jackson has support By Nekesa Mumbi Moody THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK-His once broad nose has been sur gically whittled to the size of a pencil. His for merly brown skin is now off-white. His woolly afro has been replaced by a sleek, straightened ‘do. Michael Jackson’s phys ical transformation - along with his two mar riages to white women - has led to questions about his standing in the black community. But since'his arrest on child molesta tion charges, some blacks have reacted as if a fami ly member were in hand cuffs. Even though Jackson and some other black stars “seem like they hang around with white folks all the time, even though they distance themselves from us seem ingly, at the end of the day, we still claim them,” says Jamie Foster Brown, publisher of the celebrity monthly maga zine Sister 2 Sister. “Because when black peo ple get in trouble, white people tend to look at the whole race anyway.” Jackson certainly has plenty of black detractors, as well as non-black sup porters like his friend Elizabeth Taylor. But judging by the response to his arrest from chat rooms, radio broadcasts and man-on-the-street conversations, there is more wiUingness in the black community to give Jackson the benefit of the doubt. “I did a vigil,” said Audrey Martin, a 58- year-old retired home care attendant from Fair- field, Calif. “He can’t change that he’s black, •He’s black whether or not he wanted to get rid of the black nose.” “African-Americans have had an extremely negative experience with the criminal justice sys tem,” says Roland Mar tin, fovmder and editor of the Web site BlackAmeri- caToday.com “We more than anybody else believe in innocent until proven guilty.” There has been a tinge of suspicion that the alle gations against Jackson are about more than child abuse. Jermaine Jackson likened his brother’s arrest to a “lynching.” It’s a sentiment similar to when O.J. Simpson was charged with mur der, Mike 'lyson was con victed of rape, and even as Kobe Bryant’s rape case proceeds. “That’s the first thing (blacks) say — the same thing with O.J. - they’re trying to bring down a black man,” says Brown. Please see JACKS0N/2D #o Art, words mix for poetry impresario PHOTO/LEE STEWART Terry “The Wanderer” a local poet performs for renowned artist Danny Simmons at his opening at Noel’s Gallery. By Artellia Burch anellia.biovh@thecfiorlonepost.com Painter/author Danny Simmons was in Charlotte for the opening of his exhibit, “Def-intely Simmons” at Noel’s Gallery at 401 N. Tryon. Local poets kicked off the open ing by honoring Simmons, an orga nizer of the “Def Poetry Jam” enterprise. Simmons’ name isn’t as well known as his younger brothers, rap mogul Russell and Joseph (“Rev. Run”) of Run-DMC fame. However,. Danny is one of New York’s most respected visual artists and a dynamic creative force. While in town, Simmons went to “Def Poetry Jam” at Blumenthal Theatre. He is a consultant to “Def Poetry Jam” on HBO and “Def Poetry Jam on Broadway,” which earned him, along with his brother Russell a 2003 Tony Award. “I have seen the show a number of times,” Simmons said. “I have also seen it on Broadway. But no matter how many times I see these kids perform the same work I stiU geta same rush.” Although Simmons’ work is dis played across the country, he takes more pride in creating plat forms for other artists. Along with helping start “Def Poetry Jam” he owns two galleries, one in Brooklyn and the other in Manhattan that show the works of other artists. He is also the founder and vice-presi dent of Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, a non-proht organiza tion v^ith a focus on arts -in-educa tion for children. The foundation has given millions of dollars to pro mote creative arts. “Creating a venue for other artists is more important to my people than creating a venue for my own work,” Simmons said. “I’m one voice. But if I can create a place where more voices are heard it’s more important than a singular voice. I have always felt that way. “Tb provide and create a platform for people to express themselves is necessary. In fact it’s more neces sary to create a platform for oth ers than it is for me to create art myself, lb give other people the opportunity is the greatest calling on my life. Now because of ‘Def Poetry Jam,’ poetry is considered a creative vehicle. It’s really grati fying.” The Simmons brothers grew up to be gigantic forces in arts and music. RusseU is co-founder of Def Jam Records and founder of Phat Farm. Joseph was one of the pio neers of hip-hop. His group was one of the first to earn crossover appeal with their hit “Walk This Please see LEAST/2D At the Movies: ‘Bad Santa’ Director Terry Zvdgoff proves again, as he did with “Ghost World” (one of the best films of 2001), how acutely observant he is of human quirks. And Thorn ton proves again, as he’s done in nearly every film he’s ever made, that he’s REVIEW not afraid to play a miser- caption By Christie Lemire THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK - You better watch out: The ads for “Bad Santa” suggest that it’s a wacky holiday romp. Far from it: The movie is relentlessly dark. It’s also infinitely funnier than you’d expect. able character. There’s nothing likable about Willie, a part-time department store Santa Claus and full-time alcoholic con man. Yet he’s strangely irresistible — to his reluctant partner (Tbny Cox), a midget who dresses as an elf; to a bartender (the sexy, adorable Lauren Graham) who hap pens to have a Santa fetish; and to a chirpy, cherubic boy (Brett Kelly) who truly believes Willie is Kris Kringle and clings to him as a father figure. Willie and Marcus (Cox, best known for his memo rable supporting role in "Me, Myself & Irene”) go from city to city, tolerating the seem ingly endless array of chil dren who want something shiny and new on Christmas morning. But the Santa gig is merely an excuse to get inside department stores in order to crack their safes and do a little after-hours shop ping on Christmas Eve. Then they get to Phoenix, where Willie’s erratic behav ior raises the suspicions of the department store manag er (John Ritter in his last film role) and the security chief (an underused Bemie Mac), who’s a suspicious character himself. Ritter, to whom the film is dedicated, plays the perfect uptight foil _ similar to his character in "Sling Blade,” in which he also co- starred with Thornton. Willie is profane and anti social, a chain smoker who drinks so heavily, he’s oblivi ous when he urinates all over himself He’s an unscrupu lous shell of a man with no chance at redemption _ not that he wants one. Thornton plays him as if he were a character in a drama, with out a trace of caricature, which makes him totally believable. Somehow, Willie stumbles into a cushy fife when he moves in with a chubby, inse cure boy whose wealthy father is in prison; the only Please see l\/IOVIE/2D Jackson proves legend status with ‘Number Ones’ Michael Jackson No. Ones Various producers Epic Records I know it’s not popular to be a Michael Jackson fan these days, but I don’t base my like or dislike of an artist on the amount of press that artist generates. Yes, Jackson has made some bad personal choices but it will take a juiy to decide if he is guilty of breaking a law. But anyone can listen to “Number Ones” and know that Jackson is one of the greatest musical artists of aU time. Yes I can say that -without thinking. “Billie Jean,” “Rock Ydth You,” “Beat It” and the best dance song of the ‘70s “Don’t Stop "Till You Get Enough” are the basis for a stellar career. Throw in songs from “History,” “Bad” and “Dangerous” - perhaps Jack son’s most underrated work - and you have legacy materia. Jackson is a legend. His style and stage presence have inspired hundreds of artists to mimic him or at least borrow a few things. Epic was smart to throw in a couple of songs from “In-vinci ble,” Jackson’s last CD for the label. “Break Of Dawn” sounded as if it came fi^m Jackson’s “Off The Wall” peri od. ‘You Rock My World” should have been much bigger than it was. I would have thrown in “Butterflies,” but hey, that’s just me. “One More Chance,” a song written by embattled R&B star R. Kelly, is the only new song on the collection. It’s a catchy pop/R&B tune that fits Jackson’s voice well. But I pre fer the Paul Okenfold remix, which sounds more ‘60s. The amoimt of air play the song gets will depend solely on how brave program directors feel. Also included is a live ver sion of “Ben,” Jackson’s first No. 1 single as a solo artist. Just on musical merit, this CD is a slam dunk. Ibo bad it won’t be judged on merit alone. Ratings Classic; f;x -p. i:x Excellent; Good Fair Why? No stars — A mess
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Dec. 4, 2003, edition 1
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