The Audacity of Dope

(Yang Peiyi on the left, Lin Miaoke on the right. Both look adorable to me.)

I’m really enjoying the competition so far, but stories like this and the racist Spanish basketball advertisement are starting to take away from the Olympic spirit. Granted, there are also the tiiiiiiny issues of human rights abuse, pollution, and censorship that the Chinese government has failed to address, but is that really surprising? Not so much. This, however, is.

China’s made no secret that the 2008 games are their welcoming party to the table of world superpowers. To that end, they’ve controlled every last aspect of the presentation, crafting the exact image they want to project to the world. This happens everywhere – currently evident in Vancouver’s ongoing efforts to force their homeless outside of the city in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics – but it’s almost always troublesome. In this situation, the Chinese deemed a 7 year old singer named Yang Peiyi “not suitable” to perform at the opening ceremonies, even though they wanted to use her voice in a key part of the festivities. Apparently she wasn’t cute enough to represent the country on the world stage. So what to do? Simple, they found 9 year old Lin Miaoke to lip sync the song. Miaoke has since gone on to become an international celebrity, while the controversy over the decision just broke in the press. You can read the full story here.

At the moment, both girls and their families seem to be ok with the whole situation. That’s good, and I hope they continue to feel that way, but it doesn’t fix the larger problem here. The fact that a country would blatantly attack the self-esteem of one girl, and consequently, a whole generation, is appalling. China has all the tools to be a world leader, but there are certain areas where they’re failing miserably.

On Sunday, the Guardian reported on the image above, which features the Spanish men’s national basketball team in an advertisement for the Beijing Olympics.  The dragon in the center circle?  Clumsy, but admissable.  The fingers pulling back the skin around their eyes in an attempt to mimic asian features?  Yeaaaaaah, I’m going to go ahead and hit you with the:

You’d think that the European country closest to Africa (separated by only 8 miles at the Strait of Gibraltar) might be the most racially tolerant member of the E.U., but unfortunately, you’d be dead wrong.  Spain has a long history of racism, and in recent years, it’s repeatedly reared its ugly head in their sporting events.  From the abuse Lewis Hamilton received earlier this year, to Luis Aragones’ moronic comments about Thierry Henry, it seems like a new incident pops up every few months.  We also can’t forget about when Samuel Eto’o almost left the pitch a few years back:

And now the Spanish basketball team, one of the best squads in the world, has again demonstrated the ignorance and racism that appears so prevalent in their culture.  It’s shocking enough that this actually made it’s way into an officially sanctioned advertisement (apparently involving the female team in the same pose on the opposite page), but how could players who’ve spent time here in the NBA agree to this?  You’re telling me Pau and Marc Gasol, Rudy Fernandez, Juan Carlos Navarro, Jose Calderon, and Jorge Garbajosa didn’t know any better?  Wow.

I don’t want to sound too high and mighty, because we clearly have lots of race issues here (cough, cough, cough), but it’s time for Spain to get a grip on this.  If they’re going continue campaigning for Madrid to host the 2016 or 2020 Olympics, they have to get serious about this problem.

If you missed the historic men’s 4×100 freestyle relay in the Olympics yesterday, you missed one of the best races ever.  It was so dope, I actually had to post about swimming on TAOD.  That’s unheard of.

Our oldest swimmer on the team, Jason Lezak, anchored the race and somehow erased almost a full body length deficit in the final 50 meters.  On his very last stroke, he edged out France’s Alain Bernard at the wall and kept Michael Phelps’ dream of 8 gold medals alive.  At the same time, he ethered the trash talking Bernard, who earlier said the heavily favored French team would “smash” the Americans.  Ouch.

Since NBC’s being a bit egomaniacal about its Olympics coverage, I can’t embed the video.  You can, however, watch the race in all its glory right here.

Other observations from the first 3 days of the Olympics:

• The opening ceremony was awesome.  Kanye was definitely taking notes.
• Phelps won the 2 hardest events he’s in, so his quest for 8 looks possible.
• The Chinese male gymnasts are machines, it’s not even fair.
• There’s no way their female gymnasts are over the required age of 16.  Even R. Kelly thinks they look young.
• Fencing is impossible to watch if you don’t know anything about the sport.  They do wear cool Daft Punk style helmets though.
• Watching badminton just makes me want to play badminton.  Same with handball.  I miss PE.
• The ‘Redeem Team’ woke up after a slow first quarter to drill the Chinese, but I’m still not entirely comfortable.  Tougher tests await in Greece and Spain, but not until after we demolish Angola.
• Our women b-baller’s are legit.  Anything less than their 4th consecutive gold would shock me.
• Olympic boxing is boring.  Sorry.
• Beach volleyball is surprisingly exciting, and way cooler than indoor.  However, the indoor women > outdoor, despite the skimpy bikinis.  Those uniforms are a little too small.
• Why can’t I find any judo or men’s soccer on any of the 5 channels airing the games, and why do table tennis and taekwondo start way after the other sports?  Lame.
• It’s going to be great to watch the US and China fight it out over the medal count.  China’s up 2 at the moment…let’s get it.
• Why am I up till 6 AM after an episode of Sound Session and posting on the blog?

Last night’s show and interview with Wyclef coming soon, but for now…*Outro*

I’m so mad at myself for blogging the trailer to this special last week and then missing most of it when it aired tonight.  I guess if it’s not in the Blackberry, I just forget to do it.  Damn.

Anyway, here’s one segement where Kanye and Sway met up with Lorenzo Zarate, a veteran from the war in Iraq.  Not only did Lorenzo come home with post traumatic stress disorder, but he recently lost his job, his wife is pregnant, and they’re about to be short on their rent.  Luckily, Mr. West, Sway, and MTV stepped in to help him out…big time.  I especially liked that they set him up with a mentor-ship at the hip-hop station in Austin, because honestly, there’s waaaaay too many people out there putting everything they have towards rapping.  Just because technology has afforded you the option, doesn’t mean you should pick up that mic.  Hopefully Lorenzo gets his health in order and his family can have the future they deserve.

I spotted this clip at Eskay‘s so I haven’t searched the MTV site to see if the rest of the show is up there, but it better be.  I caught the last segment live, then searched the schedule trying to DVR the replay.  To my horror, MTV would rather show 21012910219 episodes of From G’s To Gents and America’s Best Dance Crew over something with a purpose and actual substance.  Wack.  At least they commissioned it in the first place though.

Then click the picture above to read this excellent article from the August issue of Spin, written by David Peisner.  He discusses the possible explanations for D’s sabbatical (complete with great insight from some of the singer’s closest friends) and even extrapolates to cover the larger “left-of-center black music renaissance” the Soulquarians represented.  The piece also shines light on D’Angelo’s current work and leaves us hoping that we might actually hear something new sooner, rather than later.  In the meantime, break out Voodoo and give it a listen.  I read this article then played the album in the gym and it floored me.  Still one of my top 5 albums of all time.

Thanks to FWMJ for the heads up.

I’ve been meaning to post this up for a week now, but better late than never.  In a speech on July 15th, Barack laid out his policy on the war in Iraq and national security in general, in part to quell these nonsensical accusations that he’s flip-flopped on the issue.  From day one, he’s maintained the same ideas and principles, and stated them numerous times.  I’m tired of people complaining that Barack is just spouting empty rhetoric without any substance, only because they’re too lazy to do any research and dig past the soundbites they hear on TV.  It’s imperative that you take the time to seek out more than the 30 second clips on the news, or the intentionally simplified stump speeches.  I highly encourage everyone to read his last book, The Audacity of Hope (which you should be up on if you made your way to this URL), and the policies laid out on his website here.  It’s all there if you’re willing to educate yourself.

In short, the 5 goals Obama outlined for his national security strategy in this speech are:

1. Ending the war in Iraq responsibly
2. Finishing the fight against Al Qaeda and the Taliban
3. Securing all nuclear weapons and materials from terrorists and rogue states
4. Achieving true energy security
5. Rebuilding our alliances to meet the challenges of the 21st century

He explains the importance and strategy for each goal in the speech, and in even more detail on his site.  Take the time to educate yourself, especially if you think he’s peddling empty hopes and dreams.  There is real substance here.  It’s correct, and drastically different from what McCain is proposing.

I caught this live last night and wanted to share it right away.  As always, the net comes through in the clutch and it’s instantly archived.  I love technology.  Colby covers Nas & MoveOn.org’s protest of Fox News’ racist propaganda and then sits down with Nas for a brief interview.  Footage of that, plus Nas’ “Sly Fox” performance, and clips of the protest after the jump.  Well done Nasir.

Read more »

Trailer for an upcoming special airing Monday at 10 PM on MTV.  Kanye teamed up with Choose or Lose to help right the wrongs our government has put our soldiers through over the past few years.  I’m interested to see what exactly they’re doing to help, because a meet and greet with ‘Ye doesn’t quite pay the rent.  Should be dope though, peep it on Monday night.

Preview swiped from Eskay.

Dru posted this up today, and honestly, I’m a little ashamed I didn’t even realize it was starting today. If you were sleeping like me, this weekend marks the 35th anniversary of Bruce Lee’s tragic death. Along with Jimi Hendrix, Quincy Jones, and Kurt Cobain, Bruce is synonymous with Seattle. Thus, it’s only right that we do it big this weekend in his honor. Here’s a piece from the Seattle P.I. that details everything that’s happening.

Bruce Lee: His legacy lives
On 35th anniversary of his death, his family considers a museum

Ho Ho Seafood Restaurant at 651 S. Weller St. might look like an ordinary International District business.

Few might know that one of the world’s fastest martial artists — the sinewy, U.S.-born Bruce Lee — once used the basement as his first training studio.

Now, on the 35th anniversary of his death, his family wants to honor his physical prowess, love of philosophy and noted acting career with a multimillion-dollar museum in the Seattle area.

Drawings for the free-standing building and remembering his legacy will be part of a three-day celebration beginning Friday at the Seattle Art Museum.

“His happiest times were from his time spent in Seattle,” daughter Shannon Lee said. “It makes sense to have the museum there (in Seattle). … The core idea behind it is the notion of taking action.”

The weekend celebration will include a showing of “Enter the Dragon” and an exhibit of about 35 items, such as movie posters, from his acting career. On Sunday at 11:30 a.m., his family and supporters will hold a public graveside memorial at Lake View Cemetery.

Lee died July 20, 1973, at 32. “Enter the Dragon” was released that year.

Linda Lee Cadwell, his widow, wants the proposed museum to include more than just items from his movies and his 1960s role as Kato, the fighting chauffeur, in the television series “The Green Hornet.” His family envisions the building housing offices of the Bruce Lee Foundation. They also want to use the museum as a research facility that focuses on how Lee developed his own style of martial arts, as well as his views on combat, life and psychology.

“One of the reasons why he is so relevant today is that people have discovered him layer by layer,” Cadwell said. “… He led a life of significance and meaning.”

Lee was a writer and someone who took Eastern and Western philosophy seriously. But Cadwell realizes many people admire her husband for his martial arts skills and lightning-fast speed.

The building could cost tens of millions of dollars and will require much fundraising, Shannon Lee said.

The items on display this weekend will include publicly unseen photos from “Enter the Dragon” and promotional items, such as badges and flip books, said Perry Lee, no relation, who helped organize a 2003 exhibit on Bruce Lee in Seattle.

This weekend, Seattle resident Jesse Glover and Woodinville resident Taky Kimura will join Lee’s other early students during panel discussions. Many students are in their 70s and 80s.

“This will be one of the last opportunities for people to meet a lot of his early students,” Perry Lee said.

Born in San Francisco on Nov. 27, 1940, Lee was living in Hong Kong before he came to Seattle to stay with family friends Ping and Ruby Chow.

That invitation helped Glover, now 72, become Lee’s first student.

After Glover saw Lee perform during a Seafair demonstration and realized Lee had stellar skills, he spotted him as the two walked to Edison Technical School (now Seattle Central Community College). Glover tried to get Lee’s attention by running in front of him and kicking telephone poles.

“He probably thought I was nuts,” he said.

The two started practicing at Glover’s apartment. During their first session, Glover tried to attack Lee. But Lee countered the move and grabbed Glover’s arms, applying pressure to them. Before Glover could move his arms, Lee already knew which way his opponent was going to move.

“Right away,” Glover said, “I knew this guy was unique.”

Kimura, 84, recalls one phrase Lee often uttered: “Be like water.”

Kimura believes Lee said that so his students could adapt — like water — to fast-changing situations. He realized Lee was fast when they once practiced together. Lee quickly had him on the ground. Lee’s controlled hits were so fast and fierce that Kimura felt a breeze hitting his forehead. But Lee was not physically touching him.

“It scared the holy hell out of me,” he recalled.

Kimura, who is Japanese-American, said he long had low self-esteem. Lee told him to be proud.

“I believe with all my heart that he left a tremendous message of righteousness and to feel good about yourself,” Kimura said.

At the University of Washington, Lee studied philosophy and often practiced on campus. In 1964, he left Seattle and moved to California, where he started a school and his Hollywood career.

Cadwell said one of the most important lessons her husband learned during his years of questioning and discovery was this: “If a person is successful, it all leads to greater knowledge of oneself and how to handle situations. People get beyond the physical bullying and morph into a person who has a philosophy and doesn’t feel the need to fight.”

CELEBRATING BRUCE LEE

Most events in the three-day celebration will take place at the Seattle Art Museum, 1300 First Ave. The exhibit is free. Some events cost money.

FRIDAY: Starting at noon, seminars and demonstrations. At 7 p.m., a $125-per-person private reception and “Enter the Dragon” screening.

SATURDAY: From 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., seminars and demonstrations. At 7 p.m., a screening of “Enter the Dragon” costs $10 per person. (At 2:30 p.m., a free screening of the movie will take place at the Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 E. Prospect St.)

SUNDAY: From 9 to 11 a.m., free meeting with martial arts instructors. At 11:30 a.m., graveside memorial at Lake View Cemetery, 1554 15th Ave. E. A luncheon will be held at New Hong Kong Restaurant, 900 S. Jackson St. Cost is $50 per person.

Ticket information, general details and Lee’s official biography can be found at bruceleefoundation.org. Send questions to info@bruceleefoundation.org. Tickets can be bought at the door, depending on space.

Enter The Dragon in the theater on Saturday night? I’m there.

And a reminder: come work out with us at Foundation Crossfit Saturday at noon! WWBLD? He’d be there.

(if our military used promo pictures like that, i’d sign up in a heartbeat)

The Big Picture recently posted up a lot of ridiculously cool pictures of the Chinese Anti-Terrorism units preparing for the Olympics.  They really aren’t playing around.  If anything pops up, they’re breaking out the flamethrowers and Segway scooters.  I kid you not.  Check out the rest of the pics here.