Thank you to all my new subscribers! I've been having so much fun diving into all things James Baldwin and have so many things planned. If you want to vote on my next video, go to my Community section!
Oh my god. When I said James Baldwin would be spinning in his grave finding out a diletante gay was playing him in a movie.... I didn't realize that diletante gay is also cowriting that movie. The thing he said in that article that upset me most was when he was like "I don't know what Baldwin was thinking in the 40s... 50s, 60s--" it's bad enough to not know that as an actor playing him but YOU'RE WRITING THE MOVIE, The fuck you MEAN you don't know?! This will be a film for anyone but James Baldwin scholars and fans!
@@PrinceShakurRU-vidIm assuming its the case of Billy getting a writing credit but he isnt writing it lol So he doesnt know Billy is way too old to not be able to know how to talk I feel he is a bit bitter because of his past life experinces and he cant let that go
I'm from the Caribbean too and it's crazy to me how more people from the islands don't make the connection of colonialism and the Palestinian struggle. 🇵🇸🇧🇶
I don't think it's a coincidence! Israel and the US have bought out all these islands, including countries in Africa. Economic benefits are a huge factor and unfortunately that's how they exert their pressure globally. Now they are threatening South Africa with sanctions, why? Because that's how they punish you for daring to call them out. And let's be honest, it hurts! I hope with the new rising power blocs, some of that power imbalance can be tipped
I feel like the biopic industry is out of control... Giovanni's room changed my 14 year old autistic soul. "Love takes off the masks we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within" as someone who must wear a mask... This hit me hard as a young man.
Deserves so much better! If I were in Billy Porter's shoes I'd use the opportunity to uplift ANOTHER actor that hasn't gotten the chances I received rather make it about me getting mine, by any means necessary. Like Porter's critique about Vogue & Harry Stiles ( he can keep trying but he'll never be the "next" David Bowie 🤭 ) , was it about the culture or him not getting the cover? I'll be sharing✅
For everyone that thinks the genocide in Palestine is “complicated.” Please read The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917-2017 is a 2020 book by Rashid Khalidi
Found that book at the airport and read it on my way home. It was honestly so eye opening and also a very well constructed, easy to understand, no nonsense read. I recommend it to everyone.
I think with Billy because of POSE and its effect, he has this thought that he's a god. Its problematic because it places us in a similar situation with Jay-Z. The problem also is, there are only 5 or 4 queer people that they cast. There are so many talented and educated actors who are knowledgeable about James and what he stood for. Flaws and all
No In the 2020’s for a gay biopic the actor would need to bare minimum be queer to represent reality and respect progress. It doesn’t work the same way queer performers getting straight cis roles does because they’re the minority.
A video shows that a Jewish guy took a Palestinian woman's house with the help of the IOF. He said, "If I don't steal someone else( another Jew) will." Imagine having to leave your house and possessions because a person of another race wants them after you and your family have lived there for generations. Imagine having to go live in a refugee camp for the rest of your life with no rights as a result. Imagine Israeli citizens setting fire to your car, damaging your things, throwing trash at you and you have no way to defend yourself because the govt gives them rifles and you are not allowed to have any. Imagine having a non-violent protest in 2018 and the Israeli police line up and shoot kids, the disabled, and specifically others aiming at their kneecaps. It was set up as a colonial settler project by the British. Now like Native Americans, it seems they are victims of genocide/land grab. Imagine living in an open-air concentration camp. with constant checkpoints and humiliation. The images are horrific( which explains the TikTok ban to prevent the info from spreading). Hundreds of thousands of Jews are protesting Israel worldwide and on campuses, which the corporate news does not show. AL Jazeera and Marc Lamont Hill's podcast give a more balanced view.
That's not entirely true. Many Palestinian land claims date back to the Ottoman Empire, which a) no longer exists and b) recognized Jewish as well as Muslim property (according to the "millet" system, which gave different religious groups legal autonomy and recognized immigration by those groups into different regions). Claims of "stolen land" lack context and are often biased
@@dansonoflightning2277 The zionists colonizing palestine are not the same as jewish palestinians living in palestine during ottoman reign. palestinian ancestry also goes much further back than that, i dont know who told you that. there are palestinian families that could trace their lineage in palestine back to the time of christ. these are families that have been caring for the land for millenia. i'm also not sure why you brought up religion. there are jewish, christian, and muslim palestinians. they are palestinian all the same. you should have just said that a lot of the zionists moving to & living in palestinian land have dna test results that indicate they have ancestry in that area. then at least you wouldn't be straight up lying.
I don't even consider Billy Porter to be an actor, he's more like a personality (and a corny one at that) I do think he has talent but I don't think it's the right sort of talent for this role. Give me someone I can take seriously, I haven't taken Billy Porter seriously since season one of Pose and that had freaking Ryan Murphy as a producer so it was already an uphill battle from there. And this is all without even mentioning the shitty morality of it all. I hope this gets trapped in development hell forever.
Baldwin deserves an actor of Jeffrey Wright's caliber. Someone who can portray the levels and depths of this man's life and his art. It's hard to potray a thinker, a brilliant mind. To not fall into the angry black man tropes of that era. Baldwin deserves his story to be told with subtly strength, and nuance. I am not sure that those words are in Porter's wheelhouse..
My great uncle didn't get transformed into a lampshade with "Made in Dachau" tattooed on it for anyone to tolerate another horror like Israel is doing in Palestine. Thanks for speaking out. ♥
@@parbhk2889 I think it's a great shame on any jew who doesn't, we know this horror, we have a duty to call it out. Much love, Palestine deserves freedom from opression.
I loved Billy Porter in Pose FX, and i loved everything he did until i saw he supported israel. It frustrates me that Billy couldnt recognize the patterns of colonialism israel is perpetuating that his career's 'activism' wants to mitigate. Its frustrating. Love your video, much love from the 🇵🇭. And free free 🇵🇸!!
James Baldwin, Bayard Rustin and Sylvester hold a extremely special place in my heart I havent watched the Bayard Rustin film because i dont want be disappointed and questioned the casting and Netflix Now Billy Porter, love him, I do. However he shouldn't be anywhere near James Baldwin. It makes me immensely uncomfortable and sad and just because you are, in the words of Funky dineva, black like this dont mean you aint black this this - see hand. Something in the milk ain't clean with Billy Porter and same to be said about Tiffany Haddish Just makes me uncomfortable
@@CLJordanMusic91 you right and I just came to this realization yesterday and I unfollwed I don't think he's as bad as say Tiffany haddish or Billy Porter I just think he's incredibly misinformed and unwilling to educate himself and just says things off the top of his mind that isn't helpful I have been following Prof Karen Hunter, Dr Daniel Black and King of Reads I'm growing just takes a little time and watering lol
“I'm terrified at the moral apathy, the death of the heart, which is happening in my country. These people have deluded themselves for so long that they really don't think I'm human. And I base this on their conduct, not on what they say. And this means that they have become in themselves moral monsters.” -James Baldwin
Child abuse survivor here. One of the things that drives me batty is the logic, "I can't be an abuser because I was abused." Even though we know statistically, child abuse are more likely to either become victims again or become abusers. This then requires education and actions to avoid revictimization and/ or becoming an abuser. This also means the cards are stacked up against you and it sucks. You have to work extra hard at things other people would never even think need to be worked on. It's not fair. But it also means that the people you are angry at, the people that deserve your ire, are the ones who hurt you and the systems that enabled them to get away with it. Engage in discourse with them. Set boundaries. Share your story. You have to learn that not everybody is trying to hurt you. You have to learn to say I am not going to be hurt again but I am also not going to wound others in order to keep myself safe.
Excellent discussion. I live in the Colony of Puerto Rico and the moment I saw James Baldwin I wanted to read more. I am pleasantly surprised by your knowledge of Baldwin's deeply held political convictions and understand why you are so critical of who and why someone with such opposite stand might use Mr. Baldwin's hard earned reputation exclusively for financial gain. Thank you I subscribed.
Billy Porter is just an old narcissist with an uncontrolled ego. One thing about a proper narcissist is that they often think they are the biggest victim in the world, therefore not thinking they need to hold themselves accountable for how their actions might effect anyone else. That could also be extended to zionists as well. Your victimhood never excuses your negative actions towards someone else. I am artist as well and I understand the need to survive under this capitalist society, but at who's cost? There needs to be a clarified sense of ethics that one has, that then dictates the contexts in which you are willing to work and take money from - not just some diluted performative liberal posturing that you can profit from when appropriate. James Baldwin was in control of his ego and had a clear sense of his ethics, motivated by the suffering he saw throughout his life and at certain times feeling like an outcast, sharpening his critical faculties and his ability to be honest about what was going on around him and how other human beings were experiencing the world. Billy Porter wishes he had an ounce of Baldwins wisdom and integrity.
@freeyard1871 Wow! Eloquently stated. I love James Baldwin and had read most of his work novels and essays. I feel the same when the Zionists keep harping back on Oct 7 and Hamas and how they are being the victims, it begs the question why that happened. Only narcissists cannot extend their life experience beyond themselves.
I know who James Baldwin is, I’m a Brit and unfamiliar with the people you are commenting on. Thanks for the education and context. Baldwin was a smart and empathetic man for what I have seen and read.
Word. I'm a Yank but I also have only heard of (and love & respect) Baldwin. No clue who the others involved are. I hope they don't put some uninformed nonsense picture out, and all in the name of their own egos no less. Pfft, to think, Wes Anderson paid more honest respect to Baldwin's legacy than these cats will.
the definitions of zionism you showed are alterations of the original definition of Zionism which is: establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. They cleverly rephrased it so they dont have to mention "in Palestine", otherwise great video Prince ❤
Hm good point. I honestly wanna do a video breaking down the different iterations or eras of Zionism, both to learn more myself and see how to articulate it in a timeline sense
Wish I had found your channel earlier. I especially appreciate all your work in breaking down and revealing the context of Zionism. Up sick yet another night trying to wrap by brain around what is happening knowing so many children, mother and fathers are suffering so greatly as I write this. So glad there are scholars such as yourself in this world 🙏❤️🥹
Just when you thought biopics couldn't be worse it always does. Thank you for very thorough and informative breakdown. Gotta stop letting Hollywood tarnish the legacy of historical icons. Our history is not meant for being a trophy on your shelves.
Look you cannot explain yourself to people who don’t understand politics of history, racism, all kinds of oppression…. You can’t respond to every troll. Some people don’t want to gain awareness and simply want to hate
Holy shit... I had no idea. I usually say that I'm not surprised, but I am disappointed........in this case (and with Ira Steven Behr), I'm both. Significantly. Thank you for spreading the word. It's so hard to stay informed on anything related to Palestine right now.
@@PrinceShakurRU-vid but Prince Shakur, good video. Keep up the good work. I read the fire next time years ago, my dad's old original copy, it's brilliant. As good as anything by Malcolm X or Stokely Carmichael. I still remember several great points that stuck with me at the time. Someone else once warned about the fate worse than death for genuinely anti-establishment writers which is to be falsely co-opted, diluted and contaminated by the power structures they sought to critique, especially after their death. This is why I really wanted to see Judas and the black messiah but I was also scared to watch for fear that Hollywood would mangle Fred Hampton's legacy and message. I still haven't seen it. Even the original transcribed 'autobiography' of Malcolm X is by Alex Haley, and he was later exposed for taking grossly distorting liberties with other civil rights and black liberation leaders stories, despite the fact that he was actually a contemporary, it's still no guarantee that you can really trust anything other than the original real life words of the leaders themselves, as speakers of their own ideas. Soon, with AI becoming indistinguishable from reality, even supposed primary source footage could become questionable. People should make sure to consult as much old physical offline format evidence as possible, through libraries, musea, collections maintained by family, and DVDs of speeches that are in circulation produced in the decades to now BEFORE ai starts to undermine even the direct audiovisual record itself.
I'm jewish, trans, and nonbinary. Billy Porter is now what I would call "herem": That's what we Ashkenaze do to people who fail to act right, we cast them out of society. Not In OUR NAME. ✡🏳⚧
@@LeighMet So you support a Holocaust ahainst a semitic people? You're not jewish then, you're also Herem. Us jewish people (the real ones) say "Never Forget: Never Again." about the Holocaust, so if you support one that makes you the oppressor. Name rhymes with Potsy...... Enjoy your new bedfellows, hope you like Hugo Boss.
Billy Porter (& Lee Daniels for that matter) often seem to have molten rage flowing just below the tightly pursed lips. Life owes us nothing. Traumatized, or not. Other than overlapping sexual identities, I'm wondering what Porter would bring to the role? I think Porter can related to a heavily churched upbringing. But yea, I wouldn't count on Porter to be cognizant of any of Baldwin's global views. As a Black geographer, I run into this issue pretty often. We understand our struggle through an American and capitalist lens. Not necessarily an altruistic one. That's all I really see here. Cynical opportunism. But Porter is an actor, right? Vanity kinda comes with the territory LOL
3:33 you misspoke and said 1987 instead of 1897 when giving the definition of zionism. I know you can't change the video, but you might want to edit the captions which also gives the wrong date, or make a pinned comment with the correction.❤
@@lmnlstes ? I was under the impression that the fact that Israel is a product of British imperialism supports anti-zionist ideas. Is there something I'm missing?
Brother Shakur you were very much on point and brought clarity in exposing the hypocrisy of a Byron Allen and Billy Porter and their support of Isreali zionism and the fact that Black capitalism is indeed our people 's worst nightmare. Also I liked the point made about being a part of the slavemaster's house will not help tear down the slavemater's house.
I found the details of the Oslo Accord helpful as context for my first introductions to Israel. I am a Christian-raised, older millennial and over the past few months I have been reflecting on how some of my earliest understandings of Israel…which I would say were benign and came through children’s entertainment…in the early 90s was propaganda. I mean I have been raised in oceans of propaganda since I was born but it was eerie how I could pinpoint specific examples in this particular case. I appreciate your and many others work on spreading this information because a lot of money goes into this level of propaganda, more than most of us could even imagine. It is “good” that the real narrative has more space now in the public discourse and that some people like myself can let “facts change their opinions, and don’t let their opinions change the facts,” but this opportunity had to come with so much blood. It is a familiar story.
Billy Porter is not stealing James Baldwin's legacy. He is not capable of stealing James Baldwin’s legacy. Unnecessary drama statement. I would have clicked and viewed without it. Very well presented. But Im not boycotting, or try to shut down the project. Truth will always come to light. People will be given the opportunity to see. Light can shine in darkness, as the darkness fails to comprehend. Let Billy Porter do his thing*. He'll never be a threat to Baldwin's legacy.
@PrinceShakurRU-vid So No! Not what I would say. "Capitalism is an economic system based on the private OWNERSHIP of the means of production and their operation for profit." I don't idolize or personify "capitalism." People owned people. Made "othered" people, their property. It's an intimate traumatic part of our collective history. Whether you're owned voluntarily or involuntarily, owners usually write their own story, as misrepresented as your part of it may be. When you become O.P.P., you become a living misrepresentation. Billy Porter is doing him, as you do You. Your title, implying "Billy Porter is stealing James Baldwin's legacy," is true for those who believe it. Obviously you do, and you want others to too. I don't. "If I never ever have to be phony for you," lie or misrepresent who I AM, "were gonna make it." Quoting those lyrics to say, I'm just another point of view. I may disagree, but Respect to you and yours. Keep having the conversation. ru-vid.comUgkxoFPSBeQUTMezEFgU51tH_WkEFEzz3vGs?si=kKSfHn0IGgSrd2Ms
James Baldwin was an exceptional human being. He spoke out against Israel's occupation of Palestine. He was a man who suffered but continued to speak out against injustice especially against black people. He was an exceptional writer, a beautiful human being and brilliant Orator. He was out in a time when being gay was illegal and pushed back on homophobic BS. Disappointing. James deserves so much better.♥️
I think you should change the structure around. Starting with who Billy Porter is and giving a brief summary of what he believes that makes him bad for this project would be a stronger hook and would engage the viewer more in the details of his beliefs. The content of the video is still really good though
He could never! I don’t even know who would put Billy Porter in the same sentence as James Baldwin. We’re reaching! The level of depth is between a kiddie pool and the Marianna Trench!
Thank you for making these videos! I'm a huge Baldwin fan and disgusted to see this being made. Will anyone be safe from the biopic machine 😭. Nice to see others being as thoughtful.
Jeez. The Eric Garner quote from the Breakfast Club interview made me pause the video. If he wasn't on the street that day, if his "education" brought him "capital" to "own that block," another racialized black man would have been his place. Either way, the police interaction should have never ended in a man laying dead on the sidewalk. This is the first video I've watched of yours and I'm definitely subscribing. Thank you for the detailed research and your analysis. 🙏🏻
@@danb5595You can hardly string 2 sentences together. Keep seething in RU-vid comments sections, it really helps our cause by demonstrating how sad and ignorant people with your ideology are.
Billy Porter being a zionist is disgustingly disappointing to me. Billy's role in Pose was pivotal as a show in helping me come out (as a Caribbean person still living here, that was big for me). I was able to find queer black activists and authors like James Baldwin and Bayard Rustin, causing me to feel fiercely protective of their legacies. Billy's behaviour is shameful.
You disrespect your ancestors when you use the word "Hotep" out of context. Refer to them by another term that does not make you as equally offensive as they are.
I am so proud to all you conscientious people who feel and stand up for Palestine. Justice is with you! Please keep on speaking up. Many attack us, but our numbers grow, and peace is near. May God bless you all!
I feel confused, like either I missed a detail or dog whistle. In the section about Bryon Allen, the quote doesn't mention Israel, and was written pre-October 7th. Obviously this has been going on for 75 years, but in early 2023 "rise in antisemitism" was usually discussing the alt-right chanting against Jews, synagogue shootings, etc. Are you certain he was talking about Israel? In a quick Google search I couldn't find anything else he said on the issue.
coincidentally working on a shirt with a james baldwin quote while watching this video: "and love will simply have no choice but to ge into battle with space and time and, furthermore, to win" from The Price of The Ticket.
So. I am a Jewish zionist who believes the current Israeli government is doing a Genocide and Bibi is an obstacle of peace… “Zionists” are not a monolith. I, and my family and friends, hate the far right path of Israel and want an end to the war + reparations and the right to return. For me, Zionism is congruent to “patriotism” in America. Some people can do horrible things in the name of “patriotism” but that doesn’t mean “patriotism” is a racist ideology. Also, it’s Theodore Hertzel (HER-TZ-EL). Not (HER TZ Y)
i might love the american people who bring beauty and culture and life to this country even in the face of systemic discrimination, but i will NEVER call myself a patriot, to align myself just as equally to the colonial imperialism and genocidal actions of the government with the proletariat who actually bring this country to life, despite having to fight against its own government every single day. believing in israeli zionism is believing in the termination of islam and arabic people, full stop. to be a patriot is to be a white supremacist and to be a zionist is to be a white supremacist, if anything just by proxy.
It’s not a flex to be ignorant . Billy Porter if you are writing , a BioPic about James Baldwin it’s not ok to say I don’t know what James Baldwin was thinking in different decades - your task is to do your due diligence and find out . I am over folks thinking it’s cute to be ignorant , part of your job as a writer of a bio pic is to research.
I think he is making this movie for selfish reasons. I do not think he really believes in this project, how could he when he knows nothing about the subject of the movie and does not care to know.
22:48 I have yet to watch the entire video or interview, but something that needs to be made clear, and this a very unpopular opinion but, not everyone can afford to strike or show solidarity. Yes, the strike is for better working conditions and better benefits, but understanding that if you are ALREADY living paycheck to paycheck, ones survival and ability to have bread on their table will become paramount to their focus FIRST above all else. I'm not a fan of people idealizing the strike or the demonstration while being ignorant to the circumstances that people would be subject to in the interim. Strikers not only don't make an income during the strike, but are at complete risk of their reputation as a worker being completely demolished because of their participation in the strike. And what's more, is that there is LITTLE TO NO EXISTING PROTECTIONS for striking or Post-Strike workers who may be subject to being blacklisted as a result of their striking. Of course, to make clear, I am not against striking by any means. I am pro-union (and a union member as well as organizer). However, what gets lost on many leftists, in the process of idealizing movements, is the actual REAL TIME impact that such actions as striking can have on people, materially and socially. This, I presume, is partly why leftists are generally unpopular among middle aged workers. Unions typically gather strike funds or have some safety net available for their striking workers in the least. Unfortunately, it is the case that those resources are finite and guarded by red tape. It's not always easily accessible to everyone, if one exists at all. To be able to participate in a strike or demonstration requires some set of privilege, by which one has access to necessary resources to survive during it. It's not a matter of people being conservative all the time or being the victim of propaganda that people don't engage, sometimes it's just about sustaining oneself economically to the next day. As I stated before, I am not Anti-Strike. Nor am I conservative. I am, however, working class and do understand the value of a paycheck. A strike isn't always the most affordable thing to do, and I see nothing wrong with workers being upset that the conditions that their material conditions decline as a result. Is it problematic that Billy is blaming strikers for his predicament? Yes, quite. The strikers, however disruptive, do have a right to demand better conditions and assemble under those means. But it is necessary to recognize still, that because of the strike, there is no production, and that means no income. Are there other possible opportunities to make income within his profession? Possibly. But as it stands, having issue with your income that sustains you being cut and forcing you to scavenge for resources is a human thing to experience and it has been the case historically, that various workers, even strikers themselves have experienced similar sentiments. Additionally, based on what I've watched thus far, I'm not seeing any nexus connection between Billy's issue with the strike and the ongoing problem in Palestine. I may have to keep watching to see how all of this is tied together, but as it stands, respectfully, I believe that these are two distinct issues and should be approached as such.
I've learned so much just from watching this one video! I can't wait to learn more from your channel. Much love from Jakarta, Indonesia. Free Palestine!
Finally…someone who peeped what Billy is doing. Baldwin is a pillar in African American history and sociopolitics and unless you are going to be true to what he’s done for black folks and the entire lgbtqia + community then do not touch anything remotely related to Baldwin. I may seem out of place as a sis gen man but Billy has always come off to me as a sellout. He’ll do anything and really stands for nothing.
The problem with the definitions of Zionism in Vox's article is that it "forgets" to tell two major things about the origins of the Zionist Movement: 1st: they had judaism as a principle, but the proposed form of government was secular, but colonial nonetheless 2nd: Palestine wasn't the first option, they tried Argentina and Uganda before Palestine, but settled there because they had a convenient narrative, amongst other post WWI reasons, but the thing is that a lot of jewish doctrine goes agains zionism because the Jewish people were supposed to come back to the Holy land only at the end of times. That's one of the reasons that Evangelical Christians support so much Israel, even while they have some very anti-semitic views.
@PrinceShakurRU-vid What I loved about your words is that whatever difference people may have (I'm a middle-aged, British born Muslim woman of African extraction), we ALWAYS have a shared common humanity. I wish you the very best in all your endeavours. If you're ever in Central London...😊
Just really quick i really liked this essay but id say that you spent a lot of this essay kinda reguritating facts about zionism that most people watching this video are likely already aware of. While it is important that this is given proper weight in these discissuions i think you'd've been better off allocating more time to exploring Baldwins perspective on palestine as well as his view of black liberation and how that conflicts with Poters idea of liberation through wealth (his f-you money theory) rather than spending the guts of 15mins talking about the specifics of Zionism. The Olso Accords are important but understanding them doesnt explain why Poter isnt suitable to play Baldwin. But fully a good essay looking forwards to seeing your channel grow :)).
This is my first time finding your content and I'm so glad I did. I'm excited to watch more! Instant subscribe. This is a conversation I tried having a few weeks ago online and was shut tf down. People really had a hard time hearing the tough criticism. I think this is a great video, not just because I agree, but the way you presented your evidence was so nice.
How did we get here? First Baldwin himself was saying hotep stuff, and now Byron Allen? This dude doesn't know how people use that word. It's all the more ridiculous when you realize part of the hotep stereotype is dudes using words they don't understand a la Mike Tyson fresh out, or the Damon Wayans character on In Living Color.
Thank you for this profound, informative breakdown of this situation! My husband has always said that the wealthy has had to do some damage to someone/people in order to achieve their riches.
