My quick thoughts on MTV's True Life: I am an Albino"

True Life - MTV Shows

For once, my "man, fuck this shit!" meter wasn't as high as it usually gets with mainstream shows about Albinism. I don't watch MTV True Life series often, so I couldn't tell you if its approach is typical of other episodes, but I appreciated the large amount of airtime the three were given to explain themselves, and not a voice-over explaining what Albinism is in a medical-kinda-a-way (it eventually does later in the show). I connected strongly with the guy who went to the convention and his initial nervousness about being with so many other folks with Albinism. Overall it was as good as it can get from a commercial/MTV lens. It could have been worse.

This is the second time I've seen a white female concern herself about "passing," a topic I heard mostly among African Americans, which I find REALLL ironic. She also brings up the notion of being called "An Albino" versus "Someone with Albinism" and the implications it has on her esteem. IMO, we're screwed if you take it that way. I've been on some message boards and folks can really get into this particular topic. There may be some valid language and social identity politics at play, but as a Latino, I cannot see such discussions anywhere related in the same vein as ethnic groups going on about "Latino vs. Latin@" or "Black v. African American". In the end, uses of such terms are contextual. And, moving fluidly among these names is an act against the Eurocentric approach of rigid categorizations and psycho/social/identity segregation. I often play with the negative connotations when interacting with people, just to fuck with them a little... so no matter how I present myself, I keep in control of the naming at all times.. (oops, I gave away a secret).

I also found the lunchroom discussion quite fascinating as the African American male told Zack (the African American with Albinism) that he was shocked, and the white dudes were all "I just saw you as who you were man" SOOO much to be said right there about how this exemplifies the continued stagnation of how fucked up race issues are in 2010... As a Latino with Albinism/Albino Latino/Latino Albino (ha!), I had my share of acceptance and rejection by whites, blacks, and Latinos... too bad this wasn't explored more to show intra-group issues, and cross-group issues, and how it takes social anomalies to bring this out.

In all, its a decent episode, not the best... and not everyone has such a great ending to their lives as these folks do. Again, this calls for more exposure of Albinism, and a heightened complexity of understanding the identities of "others," which I doubt we'll see about Albinos again anytime soon.

Big drums rock...

Radiohead "15 Steps" at the Grammys


Kanye West "Love Lockdown" at Dave Letterman

Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac... RIP

"Walk On By" happens to be one of my top five songs in a desert island list. Its strings, its chunky groove and its crescendo is absolutely amazing. From the arrangements, to the funk of it... its absolute killer... When i first heard it off the "Dead Presidents" soundtack, it just blew me away, the song soared with its lifts and drops. My appreciation was definitely confirmed when MF DOOM used it to stunning effect on "Dead Bent".. .I think one of the best refixes of all time.



Bernie Mac came about, at least to me, in that early 90's era of young Black comedic talent that shaped a lot of my youth and understanding of life. It was him, Robin Harris (RIP), Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Chris Tucker, Keenan Ivory Wayans, and so many others that gave me someone on screen that I could relate to. Its funny, cause their take on social life and politics carried more resonance with me than many of the Latino comedians who I saw at the time too (John Leguizamo, he was one of the better ones, but his strong NYC angle and PR roots made him somewhat inaccessible... But George Lopez is straight killer!!). This routine has straight influences from Richard Pryor, and even Rodney Dangerfield... but with a chorus (which he uses about three times) that moves this piece from just a show, to a musical composition.



So, here we are... RIP gentlemen and thank you!