Posted by Pete Chatmon

I’m still experiencing video upload woes but no worries. We hope to overcome, but if not, you will see what I have seen sooner rather than later. The Ubuntu project has been going exceptionally well and we found a little time over the weekend to explore a bit of the Eastern Cape Province. On Saturday we went to the Grahamstown Arts and Theater Festival, where I picked up some souvenirs from my homie Mike…

On Sunday we visited the Addo Elephant Park. I was a little bummed about not seeing the proverbial king of the jungle (the lions were nowhere to be seen), but I did get to kick it with the other big homie pictured below…

Talking to the various people we meet has been great, providing great perspective to the realities of the South African dynamic. With Apartheid abolished in 1994, many remnants remain — architecturally, psychologically, and emotionally. The one thing I know for sure, everyone needs to spend more time talking to people, particularly those unlike themselves, to get a truer sense of this world we live in.

Soapbox done — for now

Posted by Double 7 World

Race. A distinction among human beings based on visual characteristics. Crazy, right? Visual differences are surface based and have little to no determining factor on the quality of the person…I’m channeling Dr. Martin Luther King right now, so bare with me. It’s 2008 and a black man in America has a fighting chance at winning the office of President of the United States…something I never thought I’d see in my lifetime, and I am LOVING it. This race for president is forcing each of us, black AND white, to re-examine our definitions, boundaries, and stereotypes in regard to race…and don’t you think that it’s about time? But, this re-examination also challenges our beliefs and what we know to be truth and people don’t seem to always do well with that thing called change. Case in point…the National Black Republican Association seem hell bent to discredit Senator Barack Obama. Check out the LINK HERE and judge for yourself. Either way, be aware that right now is a spectacular time in history…what part will you play? Enjoy.

“Sometimes just making yourself at home is revolutionary” – Slumberland by, Paul Beatty

It was recently brought to my attention that often times I am the lone black character in the projects I do. Watching my demo reel with a director who jokingly asked “which one are you in this scene?” made it clear to me: I have become a token black guy! That explains why, on a recent trip back from LA, Sean Patrick Thomas and Donald Faison showed me so much love in the first class lounge at LAX! I thought their greetings of “Dude, wassup?” while jabbing their Stellas in the air was because we were some of the only brothas under 40 in the first class lounge. But now I realize it was because we are some of the only Negroes in the first class lounge in Hollywood also known as mainstream projects. How the hell did I end up here? I don’t even drink Stellas. I drink Henny (double shot neat if you’re asking, sidecar if you’re sexy). And if you ever hear me refer to some cat as “dude” send help immediately, because I’ve been kidnapped by the A.A.N. (Association for Assimilating Negroes) and they’ve threatened to lock me in a room and make me watch Rugby and reruns of the “Wayne Brady Show” if I didn’t incorporate the word into my everyday decidedly hood vernacular. I mean yeah I went to a predominantly white private school in Westfield, NJ during my formative years, but my family still does the “bus stop” unprovoked, music or no, at every family gathering. Ok, ok, I did play soccer my whole life (before my man Freddy Adu), but my Dad’s from the Bahamas, it’s what they do! Why is white America so comfortable with such an non-assimilated black man? My guess is because I’m comfortable with myself and therefore am at home in all settings. I’ve also been blessed with opprtunities that have allowed me to be exposed to many different walks of life without being forced to take any particular one on fully as my own. No “powdered sugar black guy” business over here. That just wasn’t my upbringing.

Comfort is a huge issue in the black middle class. We’re comfortable with Barack, but squirm in our seats at the thought of Jerimiah Wright opening his mouth and making public the dinning room table conversations that we’ve had for years. I, for one, personally hope Barack has a BBQ on the front lawn of the White House to celebrate his presidency. It is time for a change. Time for the black middle class to stop trying to assimilate and just be whomever you are. Whether you like BBQ or Sushi, malt Liquor or a single malt scotch, own it and move on. Hollywood, often times a reflection of white America as a whole, responds to those who are comfortable in their own skin and able to bring that to the table. Don’t get me wrong, the fact that the decision makers need to feel “comfortable” with your life’s experience isn’t lost on me. Flavor Flav is a man who is very comfortable in his skin but I doubt mainstream Hollywood is comfortable enough with his life experiences to invite him to drink Stellas and watch the Lakers with the family. But he doesn’t care! And I love him for that.

Flav doesn’t represent the black middle class. He reps for the lower class who is crystal clear on how they are viewed by mainstream America and, most importantly, by themselves. They, unlike middle class blacks, do not harbor dreams of one day fitting in with white America. I’ve even had friends explain to me that they don’t partake in certain activities because “that’s some white people shit.” Although a crude and arguably ignorant statement, it speaks to how clear they are about what they like and how they are viewed. Flavor Flav speaks to and sometimes for them. He is accepted in some form by the mainstream largely due to this fact. Not because he’s a Coon (as he’s often times called in my middle class circle of friends), but because he’s himself. My more “user friendly” counterparts in the Token Black Guy club are also very comfortable with themselves and their experiences. Granted theirs were probably a lot less “hood” than mine and therefore make mainstream Hollywood very comfortable with them, but they are true to their personal experiences and should be applauded in the same way I applaud our ebony courtroom jester turned love guru . Many are not trying to be “white”, but rather their experience in life is one that may be more in line with that of a white person in America. We as black folk can’t afford to spend another minute on worrying about how a largely uninterested white America views us. If it doesn’t directly effect their lives, they DO NOT CARE. When Michelle Obama was referred to as Barack’s “Baby momma” on CNN I think it was made very clear that in white mainstream America, the only difference they see between Barack Obama and 50 Cent is a suit. It is merely our responsibility as artists to bring our unique experiences to our work. One cannot aspire to be a token black dude, your feeble attempts will only be exposed similarly to Master P on “Dancing With the Stars”. Makes no sense, it’s an obvious cry for attention from an unimpressed audience. Flavor Flav isn’t trying to be outrageous, he just is. Donald Faison isn’t trying to fit in with white folk…he just does. And both are otay with me (sorry couldn’t resist the homage to one of our finest coons to ever grace the screen). Sometimes the best thing one can do to combat a stereotype is just be oneself. Kick back with your malt liquor in one hand and fried chicken in the other, and turn up the gangsta rap if that’s what makes you feel at home because that’s revolutionary in this day and age. The revolution will be televised and chances are I’ll be the token black guy.

Posted by Double 7 World

On this How-to Tuesday and July 1st, it seemed apropos to address an activity that many people across the country will engage in this coming weekend: Grilling. Those of you who will be engaging for the very first time and even the backyard veterans may find the following video helpful on achieving the perfect burger. Enjoy.

Posted by Double 7 World

Welcome back from what I hope was a great weekend. This Motivational Monday at Double 7 we want to discuss fitness. Although we seem to be overrun with celebrity after celebrity becoming skinnier and skinnier, fitness is less about the pounds you weigh and more about the physical condition you’re in. Fitness comes in many shapes and sizes – it’s getting off the bus or train a few stops early and walking, it’s taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or even a salsa class. So with this in mind and all of our busy, busy schedules, I invite you to check out the following video on the Fit Flop. Whatever route you choose…enjoy.

Posted by Double 7 World



In less than a month the latest installment of the Batman franchise will be released…The Dark Knight. Let’s not forget that this is also the last film completed by the late Heath Ledger. Enjoy.

I will not pretend that I am Bruckheimer or Burnett but I do know a thing or two about getting a television show on the air. This knowledge tends to make friends believe that when they call me with the all too familiar “HEY! I have a great idea…” I can give them a magical formula that will put their “amazing” idea on the air the following season. This is clearly not the case, as I am staring at a file cabinet full of ideas that will probably never see the light of day. However, there are five things I have learned are best to NOT do, when you are sitting on that fabulous/never been done/ingenious show concept that you know a network will eat up. After a conversation with my Double 7 peeps I was convinced to share them.  

5. Do NOT assume that your interests are universal.

Everyone has different things they find fascinating. Yours are different from your neighbors and so on. When dealing with a network it is all about what will draw the largest audience. If you have a concept about Eskimos who live in South America and prefer Coke over Pepsi, there is an audience for that but you must be clear on who that audience is and the cable network that serves them.

4. Do NOT have too many cooks in the kitchen.

This is a big one. Most people have a tendency to get as many people involved as possible assuming that this will get them further. Unless the people on your team have the right connections they become a hinderance instead of a help. Try to keep your producers to a minimum, this is more attractive to a production company and/or network and there are less people to split cash with!

3. Do NOT assume people will not take your idea and cut you out of the deal.

It is true what they say, the business can be brutal. Protect yourself. I have seen many unfortunate situations where the people who do the most work don’t get their due.  

2. Do NOT overcomplicate your idea.

People (especially suits) do not like to feel dumb. When you are presenting a concept do not over-do it. Make it as simple and concise as you can. This is not to say that you should not emphasize what makes your idea unique or smart, just don’t try to outsmart the money man.

1. Do NOT assume it has never been done before.

Please do your research. There have been many, many, many ideas produced, pitched and pooh-poohed. You must know the marketplace, what shows came before, what shows are out now and where yours fit in.

Hopefully these five things will save someone a little time and energy!

Contributed by Karen J. Francis
kfran.nyc@gmail.com

Back in 1993, two teenagers from Atlanta, Georgia were at the top of the music game. So much so that Coca-Cola nabbed them to do a spot for an upcoming Sprite campaign. The company retained the successful slogan that it had been using for years (” I like the Sprite in you”), but needed a fresh, youthful update for the early 1990’s hip-hop set. The rap duo Kris Kross delivered, recording an infectious rhyme that would remain in our minds long after the group’s success had faded.

I became reacquainted with the commercial earlier this year and remembered it immediately. So well, in fact, that I was still able to recite Daddy Mac’s entire flow, fifteen years later. (Now, these amazing powers of recall may be due in part to my major crush on Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith which lasted from ages 13 to 14 … but I digress.)

In the world of advertising, if success is measured by an ad’s ability to resonate with its target audience in a way that is both memorable and enjoyable — then this commercial should be studied. And Coca-Cola must have been on a roll during that time period, because Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth’s “Obey Your Thirst” ad from 1995 is pretty dope, too. Feel free to “reminisce.”



Contributed by Karen Francis

Posted by Double 7 World

I felt moved to talk about education – formal, public, urban education. Although it may have been a few years since you’ve walked the halls of any public elementary, middle or high school after you’re own graduation…you should know some things done changed. In America’s urban schools, children of color are severely under-performing their white counterparts on state administered standardized tests that are closely and unrealistically tied to desperately needed school funds. Underperforming? Yes. To the tune of staggering percentage disparities. You may ask, “what makes a school urban?”, well, I’ll tell you – or rather, Pat Russo will. in 2004, Pat Russo was the Coordinator of the Center for Urban Schools at SUNY Oswego and offered the following characteristics when categorizing a school as urban (by the way, NYSED is the New York State Education Department):

1. The school is located in a urban area rather than a rural, small town, or suburban area
2. The school has a relatively high rate of poverty (as measured by Free and Reduced Lunch data provided by the NYSED)
3. The school has a relatively high proportion of students of color (as reported by NYSED)
4. The school has a relatively high proportion of students who are Limited English Proficient (as reported by NYSED)
5. The school has been designated as “High Need” by NYSED.

In these urban schools, students are also exposed to increased incidences of violence, non-certified teachers, and limited class related resources…yet, it is not all doom and gloom as my sister will attest – she has shared unbelievable and inspiring stories about her students. She has been a high school teacher in an urban area for six years and is an Ed.D candidate, so I figure she knows a lil something. Now, the rant could continue – buy why just listen to me? Instead, I invite you to check out an HBO documentary on Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore, MD, an urban area. It informed and inspired me. These are our kids. Before you go and get your TIVO or DV-R ready, see the link below:

Trailer for the documentary:



Let me know your thoughts. Spread the word. Have a productive day.

Posted by Pete Chatmon

It’s day 3 in Port Elizabeth (PE), South Africa working on the project for Ubuntu Education Fund. I’ve been trying to upload video but I’m just gonna have to call a timeout on that one. I’ve literally dozed off waiting for my email sign-in page to load. But I’m not complaining…and I am kinda liking being off the grid.

This picture was taken yesterday on Robben Island Road in PE. On a home visit with an Ubuntu worker to make sure a client was up to date on his anti-retroviral medicines to combat HIV, we got a chance to stop and talk to some beautiful children. These kids have beautiful spirits and smiles Little man on the far left was talking some smack so we were airing it out right quick. And yes, my knees hurt when I got up. The b-boy pose is not for those 30 and older!

Hopefully there will be more to come before we return…stay tuned to Double 7 World in the meantime!!!