Can't Forget New Jersey

Two years ago today, in a packed Prudential Center in downtown Newark, the Nets said goodbye to New Jersey.

The New Jersey Nets played 35 years in the Garden State, in three different arenas, and to mostly sleepy crowds and little back page exposure. They had more losing seasons than winning ones and always seemed to fall off just as things were looking up. Being a Nets fan during the New Jersey years was often times anything but fruitful.

Drazen Petrovic
NBA.com

This was the franchise that went from winning the ABA championship with Dr. J as the league's most marketable star, to entering the NBA a year later with no Dr. and playing at Rutgers' athletic facility while their stadium was being built. There would be more bad news over the years: bad draft picks, washouts, trade demands, guys who didn't care and the way too early death of Drazen Petrovic.

Using Art to Put A Dent in Street Harassment

"Hey ma, just come over here right quick."

"Hello sweetie you got a sec?"

"Dem clothes look real good on you. You got a man?"

These are just some of the things said to women on street corners across America every single day. Many women might continue walking and ignore the verbal slings, but artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh decided to take a different path.

The Brooklyn resident, who herself has admitted to being street harassed, speaks to various women about their experiences with street harassment, and with their approval, draws their portraits and puts their faces up in differing locations as a way to bring attention to the issue. I think Tatyana's project emphasizes that these taunts are going after women who possess feelings and emotions just like everyone else. And through this project, they're not only making their voices heard, but sending a message.





Stop Telling Women To Smile from Dean Peterson on Vimeo.

Happy Jackie Robinson Day

On this day 67 years ago, Jackie Robinson made his major league debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers and ushered in a watershed moment in American history. As the first black men to play in the big leagues, Jackie Robinson experienced insults and a racial animosity that no American athlete before -- or since-- has gone through. Today Major League Baseball commemorated the man who carried a burden in which we all rest upon.

42: Right Movie, Wrong Perspective

There are some advantages in life when it comes to procrastination. One of those advantages extends to seeing movies long after they've been released. Seeing a movie in theaters six weeks after it opened guarantees you two things: 1) there's a good chance there won't be many people in the theater 2) you have about a 95% chance of getting a good seat.

So after taking my time seeing the movie "42" I finally watched it a week ago, and while there were certainly enjoyable parts of the film, it left me wanting more. It's like going to a restaurant and only having money to buy a couple of appetizers, but you really wanted the steak entree. At the end of your meal, you may be full, but not necessarily satisfied. I felt the same way towards "42." Good attempt, but it wasn't the entree I was hoping for.

Looking Back 20 Years Later at "Just Another Girl on the I.R.T."

Last month I had the opportunity to catch a screening of the profound and powerful film "Just Another Girl on the I.R.T.," marking the film's 20th anniversary. Even now, 20 years later, the film's themes remain as strong as ever as it continues to educate, inspire, and enlighten.

Talib Kweli - Get By (2002)

A classic.

Diversifying The American TV Family

A few weeks ago on the African-American themed cable station Centric, I came across a show by the name of "227" that piqued my interest.

"227" revolved around the daily lives and experiences of a middle class black family residing in 1980s Washington D.C. The show starred actress Marla Gibbs, who had achieved fame as the maid in "The Jeffersons." Also featured was a young Regina King in what would be her first substantive role in a long career. Then there was Jackee Harry, who is probably better known to my generation as the television mother to this famous set of twins.