California Newsreel Doc Blacking Up: Hip-Hop's Remix of Race and Culture Free Online Until the End of May

California Newsreel is offering up another documentary for free viewing.  Black Up:  Hip-Hop’s Remix of Race and Identity critically examines the popularity of hip-hop among white youths in America.  What is driving this phenomenon, admiration or mockery?  Is this simply another episode of cultural theft?

The video will be available for perusal without charge until the end of May.  After then the documentary can be purchased simply by going to California Newreel's site.  A short trailer is embedded above. 

And a big hat-tip once again to Prometheus 6.  He has a definite knack for finding free stuff, but I ain’t mad at him though.

Lost Documentary: The Old Negro Space Program

I think I really need to monitor my youngest son’s, the elusive Aaron Beaste, computer use more. He is always showing me crazy, outlandish things he finds on the internet. Recently, he brought to my attention the video embedded below. It is a mockamentary in the Ken Burns vein of storytelling detailing a mythic “Old Negro Space Program.” Tell me what you think.

Upcoming Documentary: The Cotton Pickin' Truth...Still on the Plantation

I found this trailer via Facebook where it was first posted by Benjamin Woods of the blog freetheland. The trailer for the upcoming documentary The Cotton Pickin’ Truth…Still on the Plantation seeks to expose the present day system of slavery and peonage still in existence in many parts of the United States.

I must admit that when I watched the opening segment of this trailer, I was a bit incredulous at first. I am somewhat leery of conspiracy theories whether they come from the right or the left, and the story of the lady speaking seemed a bit outlandish when taken out of context. The notion that she was held in perpetual servitude as a slave up until 1960 is a bit hard to take even if it is in the state of Mississippi.

But as the trailer progressed, it gained a bit more credibility in my eyes. I have been through Mississippi, and I have witnessed firsthand many of the intolerable conditions some African Americans and whites continue to live under. I have witnessed the shotgun shacks and dilapidated trailers often housing successive generations under one roof, permeated by the overwhelming smell of urine and feces emanating from nonexistent or insufficient human waste disposal systems.

And I have witnessed the dearth of educational opportunities which might lead to meaningful employment among those still living a rural agrarian existence devoid of technological advances and advantages even as the nation and the world moves forward. Needless to say, some of the conditions I have witnessed firsthand in the state of Mississippi and in forgotten communities throughout the nation are abominable in a nation boasting of plenty.

I look forward to being able to see the completed product which is due to be available right around January 10^th, 2010. After you have watched the trailer, let me know what you think, and if you have any questions for the filmmaker, she can be reached by email at afrigenah@yahoo.com.