Now that the Mainstream has tried and failed to take the life force outta the growing indie-Black age movement with its "afro-futuristic" blockbuster along with its here today-gone tomorrow great token Hero of Harlem, who among us is really about winning at this challenge and profiting from the opportunities it presents?
Their best efforts to corner and control the Black Age is my proof that we are actually winning in this war for minds and market shares.....inspite of addictive brand loyalty...the Black On Black boycott....and culturally based anti-intellectualisms. I often present on panels.....over the years since 1992....at San Diego,,,,,Wizards.......C2E2.....on the Black Age or diversity.... Usually with a lame unprofessional uninformed person in charge. Each time some hater stands up to taut how racist the Black Age is and how he of she gets so much more outta Manga/Anime'.
Sort of like all of the Black folks that spent 8 years complaining about how President Obama wasn't Black enough instead of helping to make things betta....
OK. I know a lot of folks wanna grow up and become Ninja-Girls.....but has anyone ever noticed the names in the credits? All Japanese. Behind that industrial smile is a hand all the way in their bank accounts and a grin that is saying..."Sucker"!.
Now I totally support with money, time and praise, all Brothers & Sisters that make money in the mainstream. That is as god as cash and them and their successes matter too!
Then the ones who wish the mainstream would create something betta they could relate to......but in both cases not wanting to hear the merits and impact of the growing indie-Black Age. That's like only accepting a rescue from your captor.
I started down this path professionally in 1970. That was the last century! I hope it doesn't extend to the next.
The solution lays in a nexus of better business practices.....better cultural ownership on the parts of Blacks to items, services and concepts pioneered by Blacks.....and commerce. Commerce means buying......not those lame penniless "Likes" that folks think are as good as cash.
When was the last time you visited a store with a rack dedicated to indie-Black Age products, graphic novels, games & comix?
How indie-Black Age is your collection?
Is it as Black as your music collections?
Is it as diverse as your cuisine selections?
These are areas of massive growth potential.
Even my favorite wannabe Ninja-Girls agree with me on this.
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