It's all about meme meme meme

Unless you've been missing from social networks for the last few months, you've been inundated on FaceBook, Twitter, and Instagram with memes.  What is a meme you say?  Well, a meme is defined as an image or video that is passed electronically from one internet user to another.  My definition of a meme is a picture with annoying text written over it (see above).  Are some of them funny? Yeah.  But are they mostly annoying?  Hell yeah.  The most annoying thing about memes is they are mass-produced and copied over and over and over again.  What is the purpose of being on social networks if all you're going to do is reproduce other people's ideas?

Me, I like to be an original.  My own thoughts, my own ideas...other people's recipes.  Hell, that's why I started this blog.  The internet has become our virtual footprint.  I, for one, want my footprint to be my original work.

LeBronathan James

I believe it's time to put all the speculation to rest.  I know you were waiting on me to weigh in on the LeBron/Kobe/Jordan comparisons and I'm finally ready.  LeBron James is arguably the greatest basketball player we've ever seen.  Here's why:

• Kobe and Jordan both had Hall of Famers in their supporting cast.  Shaq was the most dominant player in his prime and Scottie Pippen was easily the #2 player in basketball, after Jordan of course.  The only reason LeBron didn't win earlier in his career was because of his supporting cast.  His teammates were Boobie Gibson and DeLonte West -_-
• LeBron is a team player and usually looks to pass first, unlike the other two.  This guy gets triple doubles as often as a teenagers get pimples.  The last time Kobe got a triple double, it was a SportsCenter headline.
• He's the size of a power forward (think Karl Malone - look it up), but with the quickness of a point guard (think Rajon Rondo)
• LeBron is the youngest player to do EVERYTHING.  Youngest #1 overall pick, youngest at every thousand point milestone, youngest triple double, youngest to average 30 points...I could be here all day.  And remember, when Kobe came out of high school, he was trash his first year.
• And, just look at his stats: Career Assits ~ LeBron (6.9) Jordan (5.3) Kobe (4.7)  Triple Doubles ~ LeBron (35) Jordan (28) Kobe (18)

So do yall agree with me?

When did you first fall in love with...

TABOO?

Black people love them some Taboo. We love Taboo more than macaroni and cheese. We love Taboo more than fried chicken and waffles. We love Taboo more than watermelon on a hot summer day.  But when did this happen?  When did the National Black People Game go from Spades to Taboo?  You can't go to a cookout, a birthday party, or a housewarming without someone breaking out this game.  And since when did everyone become the "best Taboo player you'll ever meet."  

My friends and I were recently walking down my block in Harlem and we heard a woman screaming, a dude shouting, and a whole bunch of commotion.  We got a lil nervous and were about to call the police when we heard a man yell "Give me the damn buzzer!"  Buzzer?  They were doing all that screaming and hollering over Taboo? Yep!  It's THAT serious.

Yep, Number 3 on my "Stuff Black People Like" list is definitely Taboo.  (Followed closely by pot liquor at Number 4.)

Now that I think about it, I guess Taboo isn't just a Black people game.  Four Christmases (a hilariously underrated movie) had a whole scene about it. 

 
The next time you invite me to a party, make sure there's Taboo.  And if you suck, make sure you're on the other team.

Signed,
Div (The best Taboo player you'll ever meet.)

SCANDALous

Recently, Black Twitter has been a-buzz about something OTHER than a reality show. (I know, surprising).  Of course, I'm talking about Scandal, the latest drama from Shonda Rhimes of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice fame.

Scandal is one of the few shows on television that has Black people in starring roles.  The fooine Columbus Short and Kerry Washington.  Now, I think the show is pretty amazing.  It has a GREAT storyline, got TWO Blacks, not just one; the writing is bit over the top for me, but I think Shonda Rhimes likes it that way.

But there is one thing that bugs me about Scandal:

Kerry Washington's upper lip

Every time she talks, I can't stop staring at it.  Looking at that lip feels like nails on a chalkboard to me.   Looking at that lip smells like yogurt to me.  I just really don't like that lip.

But the show is good; you should definitely watch the show.

Top 10 Reasons why BET will never be TVOne

10. TVOne is for grown-ups; BET is for teenagers.  If you're not in middle school, nothing on BET is appealing to you.  Quick: what channel is BET?? Exactly.

9. The only movies they ever play on BET are Tyler Perry movies or chitlin circuit plays starring Clifton Powell.  Like seriously, how many times can dude play a preacher/wife-beater/drug dealer?

8. The original programming on TVOne (Unsung, Life After, etc.) are heads and tails above anything on BET.  With the exception of Tocarra's show & Ashley Bank's show, TVOne programming is far & above anything BET produces.

7. I'm not totally sure, but I think BET is owned by 'The Man.'  Minus 1 point.

6. TVOne plays re-runs of shows we all miss.  Martin, Living Single, Different World, Good Times...those are my jams and they're just as funny as when they first came on.

5 - 2. 106 & Park is still on the air.  I watched 5 minutes of 106 a few days ago & I swear I saw Terrance J hold up an SOS sign.  He hates his life.  And he should.  He's a college-educated 20-something interviewing Mindless Behavior about their views on the GOP primaries.  Terrance J, SAVE YOURSELF!

1. The Game. BET ruined a show that was pretty great.  A few years ago, The Game was cancelled by the CW but fans petitioned and fought for the show to come back.  Great.  Then BET took it over.  Hol up.  While the cast is still the same, I'm not sure if there are new writers, producers, set designers, etc., but whatever it is, something is just...off.

Aight, I've been kinda hard on BET.  I do think they're trying to do better by having news programming, gospel music hours, and awards shows.  So yall get one clap from me. *CLAP*  However, let's step our game up in 2012.  Black people are making big moves, why not reflect that on OUR TV network?

Fried Chicken, Watermelon & Hip Hop

For those that don't know, fried chicken, watermelon & Hip Hop are the keys to Black people's heart!  Well at least, this is what advertisers think.

Exhibit A: Popeye's Lady

If she shakes her neck at me one more time!!! HONEY!  Besides the fact that this woman is selling fried chicken, she's doing it in the most stereotypical dialect possible.  She might as well say Come get this chicken fo massah see you.  Trust me Popeyes, Black people will continue to buy your chicken even without all the finger waggin.

Exhibit B: McDonald's
When I say 'Chicken', yall say 'McNugget' ... "Chicken" "McNugget"

We already have a McDonald's on every block in Harlem, there is no need for an enticing hip hop beat in your commercials.

Exhibit C: Sneakers

Now I KNOW Black people aren't the only ones who wear shoes...

Exhibit D - Z: Any commercial on BET

Do yall realize advertisers make different commercials for different channels?? Have you ever seen a Dr. Miracle's commercial on channel 4?? I rest my case.

In 2011, you would think that as a country we have progressed past tried and true stereotypes of yesteryear.  However, just read a newspaper cartoon, type "why do Black people" on Google, or in this case turn on the TV to see that we haven't really made it that far.

~@AllEyesOnDiv