Brooklyn's Finest

This weekend I went to the movies to see Brooklyn’s finest which starred veteran actors Don Cheadle along with Ethan Hawk. The movie took a deep look into the different many aspects of police in New York City. The movie explored the different relationships that officers have to maintain on and off the job. The movie sparked my interest and I felt myself on the edge of my seat throughout the entire film. I found the movie very entertaining and was even more impressed when I found out that it was written by Michael C. Martin. Martin Is a young African American screen writer and this is his first big film. I would definitely say that viewers will not be disappointed with this film.

While attending an HBCU there are some things that are universal at all of them. One thing that is universal is the Greek influence that is prevalent on the various historically black campuses. Here at Virginia State University the Greek fraternities and sororities can be easily spotted on the campus doing their calls or stepping on a regular basis. Many of these organizations hold a special place in the African American community because they were designed to aid and help build it up. Although that was the origin of these organizations many of them often don’t lose focus of that and get stereotyped for other things such as throwing parties and stepping. But on February 26, the NCAAP honored the men of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity with an Image award for community service. The organization won the award for their outstanding service around the Petersburg and Richmond area. The award was presented by the Men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity who had received it the year before. This was a breath of fresh air it showed that not only do some organizations are continuing to fulfill there purpose but it also shows that young black men are taking pride in building our community’s.

One night last week I was watching BET with a friend and the network was showing the film ‘Boyz In The Hood’ which was written and Directed in 1991 by John Singleton. The movie is considered a classic by many and it received an academy award in 1992.During the 90’s black movies appeared everywhere and movies became a way for us to tell our stories to the world. Great directors such as Spike Lee, John Singleton, Ernest Dickerson, and Darnell Martin were pioneers that emerged from this movement. But since then it seems to be a void waiting to be filled in black cinema. Although this movie had such an impact on the African American community as well as the main stream media why is BET playing a movie that is almost 20 years old during primetime television hours? This is why many African Americans do not watch a network that was created for us.I feel like that currently the African American community lacks a sense of identity artistically and especially in the media. This troubles me because the President of the United States is an African American.I would love to see something on Bet besides an old movie or a reality television show where is the next Spike Lee?