Surprisingly, I have heard a lot about the word “retarded” used throughout Tropic Thunder, but haven’t heard hardly anything about Robert Downey Jr.’s character being in blackface. Regardless of what others may think, I will be in the theater right after work (what do you mean, “You people?” What do you mean “You people?” 
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The history of actors in blackface is an interesting topic, but it doesn’t signify today what it did 70 years ago. This podcast provides a general overview of blackface’s history, but so much more substance could have been provided. Check it out, and in case you consider heading to Blockbuster to rent some of the mentioned films, I recommend only watching Birth of a Nation if you’re looking to critique ignorance.
A recent article in USA Today highlights Sen. Barak Obama’s stance against reparations.
Although I was a little upset that the Federal Government was able to provide tax rebates to all taxpayers while the reparations issue still went unaddressed, I have to somewhat side with Barak Obama. Reparations are not the answer. We differ however, in the aspect of instead improving schools, health care, and the economy for all. That money is best spent in the areas that are largely populated by African Americans to ensure that we get the bulk of the money intended to level the playing field. If a check were to be distributed to all descendents of slaves for let’s say $5,000, it would help, but it would in no way compensate for the pain placed upon enslaved Africans and its residual effects on society and the African-American community specifically.
Hopefully, once Obama is elected, he will tweak his plans to compensate our Nation’s descendents of enslaved Africans. (This issue will be brought up when I make my next donation.)
