Through a Cultured Lens is a show discussing all things media, specifically film, television, news reporting, and its impacts on the black community. We discuss topics such as the best television shows, how stereotypical tropes impact the black community's perception of themselves, and how the media shapes belief systems and biases.
Amber and Michael discuss Black History Month and how it should be celebrated 365 days of the year instead of relegated to one month a year. We discuss Carter G Woodson’s Negro History Week of 1926, which started the study of the legacy and contributions to history and culture from the Black community. The legacy of Carter G Woodson was discussed and how he changed how black people thought of themselves which was a major contribution to American Education. Please join us as we dive into the indoctrination of Black Culture, when Negro History week became Black history month, and discuss if we should still celebrate the month as it is or should it evolve into a 12-month comprehensive K-12 history curriculum.
Hosts: Michael Anthony: @michaelanthonyvision | Amber Gray: @wavesofgraymedia
Social Media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/cultured_lens | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughaculturedlens/ | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/througha.culturedlens/ | Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/throughaculturedlens | Email: throughaculturedlens@gmail.com
In this episode, Michael and Amber will be discussing the new release "Judas and the Black Messiah," now playing on HBOmax. We will be discussing Directing, Production Design, Acting, and much more. Join the conversation as we talk about the prolific Fred Hampton and the man that helped take him down, William O'Neal.
Fred Hampton: Political Prisoner (Mas Sergio) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV-0FODvq_w | Fred Hampton Documentary (1990) | COINTELPRO Black Panthers (Reelblack)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV-0FODvq_w | Fred Hampton interviewed by ABC News - October 9th 1969 (RareVideo@Random)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft3wOPEd28k | Fred Hampton: "You Can Jail A Revolutionary, But You Can't Jail A Revolution" (Blakaveli X) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEwv6-SgL0M | The Assassination of Fred Hampton: New Documents Reveal Involvement of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover (Democracy Now!) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vewm6-FEIQs | JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH - Official Trailer (Warner Bros. Pictures)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSjtGqRXQ9Y | LaKeith Stanfield "Needed Therapy" After Judas and the Black Messiah (Eman's Movie Reviews) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58GIxe7cQkM | Top 10 Things Judas and the Black Messiah Got Factually Right and Wrong (WatchMojo.com)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ulMD_lRGrE | Considering Fred Hampton's legacy, 50 years after his death in a police raid (WGN News) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8hDMi0-iaE | Nipsey Hussle and Jay-Z Present “What It Feels Like” inspired by the film Judas & the Black Messiah (Warner Bros. Pictures)- | Judas & The Black Messiah Cast & Real-Life Character Guide (ScreenRant) - https://screenrant.com/judas-black-messiah-character-character-real-life-comparison/ | Judas and the Black Messiah Director Shaka King on Making His Film (American Film Institute) -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmCZTw03PUY | Judas and The Black Messiah - You Will Know His Name Featurette (WarnerMedia)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABET4kgzMM8 | ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’: Inside the Long Struggle to Bring Fred Hampton’s Story to the Screen (Variety)- https://variety.com/2020/film/features/judas-and-the-black-messiah-shaka-king-1234871984/ | The Fight, and the Trick, to Getting ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ Made (The Ringer)- https://www.theringer.com/movies/2021/2/17/22285874/judas-and-the-black-messiah-behind-the-scenes-fred-hampton-shaka-king | The Last Hours of William O'Neal (ChicagoReader) - https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-last-hours-of-william-oneal/Content?oid=875101 | Judas and the Black Messiah Rotten Tomato- https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/judas_and_the_black_messiah | Judas and the Black Messiah IMDB- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9784798/?ref_=nm_knf_t1
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS
Hosts: Michael Anthony: @michaelanthonyvision | Amber Gray: @wavesofgraymedia
Social Media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/cultured_lens | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughaculturedlens/ | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/througha.culturedlens/ | Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/throughaculturedlens | Email: throughaculturedlens@gmail.com
Episode 6: Black Love Dynamics In this episode, Michael and Amber will be discussing black relationship dynamics. Our history is unique in this country, and our love stories. Our unions were forbidden, controlled, and torn apart by various systems that even the strongest couldn't survive. So join us as we dive deep into a discussion about black love and ideas on mending these historically strained relationships.
Best Man Series (Source: Deadline) - https://deadline.com/2021/02/the-best-man-final-chapters-limited-series-original-cast-peacock-malcolm-d-lee-dayna-lynne-north-morris-chestnut-melissa-de-sousa-taye-diggs-regina-hall-terrence-howard-sanaa-lathan-nia-lo-1234688009/ | This Black History Month, better understand the role of the Black family (Source: USCDornsife) - https://dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories/3394/black-history-month-the-role-of-the-black-family/ | Malcolm and Marie Trailer (Source: Netflix) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGZmwsK58M8 | How Slavery Affected African American Families (Source: National Humanities Center) - http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/freedom/1609-1865/essays/aafamilies.htm | 7 Abominable Acts That Happened on Sex Farms During Slavery (Source: Atlanta Black Star) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw0lOua8G0k | Last Hired, First Fired: How the Great Depression Affected African Americans (Sources: History.com) - https://www.history.com/news/last-hired-first-fired-how-the-great-depression-affected-african-americans | The 60s Didn’t Cause the “Breakdown” of the Black Family ( Ebony.com) - https://www.ebony.com/news/the-60s-didnt-cause-the-breakdown-of-the-black-family-981/ | The Moynihan Report: An Annotated Edition (Source: The Atlantic) - https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/the-moynihan-report-an-annotated-edition/404632/ | 'The Breakdown of the Black Family,' Cont'd (Source: The Atlantic) - https://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2015/10/the-breakdown-of-the-black-family-contd/410155/ PREVIEW: 1965 | "The Negro Family" Labor Dept. Report on NBC's Meet the Press (Source: C-SPAN) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnE_NseoS6U | Incarceration, unemployment, and the black–white marriage gap in the US (Souce: VoxEU) - https://voxeu.org/article/incarceration-unemployment-and-black-white-marriage-gap-us | Thomas Sowell - Welfare (Source: Tower of the West) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUVg1h2M85s | Historical Marriage Trends from 1890-2010: A Focus on Race Differences (Source: US Census) - https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/working-papers/2012/demo/SEHSD-WP2012-12.pdf | Black Love (Source: OWN 8/29/2017-10/24/2020) - https://www.oprah.com/app/black-love.html | The Top 4 Myths About Black Marriage: (Source: ThoughtCo.) - https://www.thoughtco.com/the-top-myths-about-black-marriage-2834526
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS
Live Streamed on January 7, 2021
Hosts:
Michael Anthony: @michaelanthonyvision
Amber Gray: @wavesofgraymedia
Social Media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cultured_lens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughaculturedlens/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/througha.culturedlens/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/throughaculturedlens
Email: throughaculturedlens@gmail.com
Episode 3:
Our Top 10 Films and Shows of 2020. We spent a lot of time indoors throughout most of 2020 as the effects of the big "C" ravaged our country, leaving many businesses coming to an abrupt halt. However, TV and movies helped us get through the emotional toll that many of us faced last year. So come on a journey with us to discuss some of the best, innovative, escapist, and touching shows and films that we watched in the year 2020.
Sources:
Tiger King: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeWcZ6WDZP4
I May Destroy You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTjlurdbNnw
The Old Guard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK-X2d0lJ_s
Lovecraft Country: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI0q-jFWx-s
Social Dilemma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaaC57tcci0
Euphoria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsce4JBYFOE
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ord7gP151vk
Bridgerton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpv7ayf_tyE
Soul: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs--6c7Hn_A
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statutes that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS
Opening and closing music provided by:
SpecBeats - No Copyright Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO71t5-tNCg
MusicLover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8aqXiqU18M
Live Streamed on January 28, 2021
Hosts:
Michael Anthony: @michaelanthonyvision
Amber Gray: @wavesofgraymedia
Social Media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cultured_lens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughaculturedlens/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/througha.culturedlens/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/throughaculturedlens
Email: throughaculturedlens@gmail.com
Episode 4: Media Literacy and the black community Today, we will be discussing the effects of media programming and misinformation and how becoming more media literate will better help all communities correctly decipher media information through a more critical lens. We will further examine how stereotypes and tropes have real-world consequences for the communities affected. Learning to decode better and decipher these media images and messages can change National/Global perceptions and real lives. Our current political climate has highlighted the need for more critical thinking skills as all mediums have fallen prey to false information, propaganda and manipulation. This episode will be one of many discussions about the media's effects on the black community.
Sources:
https://medialiteracynow.org/what-is-media-literacy/
https://time.com/5932134/cyber-citizenship-national-priority/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/01/23/doj-reportedly-considers-not-charging-all-capitol-rioters-sparking-outrage/?sh=4454099227b9
https://medium.com/national-center-for-institutional-diversity/teach-them-well-media-literacy-as-a-survival-tool-for-marginalized-youth-207322e3cd44
https://criticalmediaproject.org/media-literacies/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/01/23/doj-reportedly-considers-not-charging-all-capitol-rioters-sparking-outrage/?sh=4454099227b9
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/01/23/doj-reportedly-considers-not-charging-all-capitol-rioters-sparking-outrage/?sh=4454099227b9
https://youtu.be/iX8GxLP1FHo https://youtu.be/axxb9FRJTg0How America Normalized Racism: The Brute and the Thug- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QuMEk73UWI&t=265s (Source: Shawn Roswell)
Faith, Lifetime & Stereotypes Of The Black Savage Beast- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8fv2fx5uiQ&t=49s (Source: TD Hip Hop Media)
RAPPERS WHO ARE IN GANGS-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9ufJ_NXZdU&t=174s (Source: Hip-Hop Daily)
Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy | Official Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbYdjyxDNtQ&t=1s (Source: Netflix)
Policing the Police- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_8vTl6D940&t=1838s (Source: Frontline) | The Racist Origins of the U.S. Police Force- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayUQmnLCHEg&t=31s (Source: AJ+) | Far-right Trump supporters clash with counter-protesters in Washington- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75-uh_ZgS5Q&has_verified=1 (Source: Guardian News) The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross | Racist Images in Jim Crow Era- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG4MSypTHy8 (Source: PBS) | White Riots vs. Black Protests- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGJMgCn0fQs&t=10s (Source: Brave New Films) | Crack Epidemic vs Opioid Crisis- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkv6AlXKpRc (Source: Charlie Mac) | Witness The Roots of the LA Crack Epidemic- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbvanDoMV0U&t=45s (Source: UPROXX) | A timeline of the 2017 protests in Charlottesville and the political fallout that followed- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F2kPRW6ZuA&t=9s (Source: ABC News) | USA: KKK stage rally in Charlottesville, attract hundreds of counter-protesters- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pxFJXpZPV4&t=26s (Source: Ruptly) Armed protesters enter Michigan's state capitol demanding end to coronavirus lockdown- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXXFf0Q2bcU (Source: Guardian News)
Live Streamed on December 10, 2020
Host: Michael Anthony & Amber Gray
Our Very First Episode:
Through a Cultured Lens is a live streaming show that focuses on cultural representations in all sorts of media, film, television, internet videos, and much more. Amber Gray, Michael Anthony, and the third host of the show, you, will laugh, disagree, and learn more about an art form that is constantly changing. They will break down various movies and shows and discuss the more profound, sometimes cultural meaning behind their story. As filmmakers, they will also give updates on projects they are working on and researching. We're all family, so come on in, and you might enjoy learning something.
Episode 1: Amber and Michael will give their top ten Black Films.
Opening and closing music provided by:
Music Lovers - No Copyright Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ8KGrPxOGCA6h5T4oZLmlg
R&B Soul Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8aqXiqU18M
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statutes that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS
Sources
WarnerBros/Hollywood Reporter: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-streaming-plans-shake-up-global-release-schedule
TopTen/Nielson: https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/top-ten/
Coming to America: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDme5Y5E-bI&t=1s
Warner Bros/Malcolm X: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNMWdwvZjsw
Marvel Studios/Black Panthers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjDjIWPwcPU
Universal Pictures/Get Out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRfnevzM9kQ&t=2s
Warner Bros./The Color Purple: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvpgNiU018s&t=1s
Relativity Media/Beyond the Lights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FSwSgzsVEk&t=1s
Department of Afro-American Research and Cultural/A Raisin in the Sun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS2JSaQ3pGo&t=1s
Paramount Pictures/Boomerang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuwS1daTY-4
Searchlight Pictures/ 12 Years a Slave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z02Ie8wKKRg&t=1s
PBS/The Black Panthers: Vanguard of a Revolution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOQGAMGV-z0&t=1s
Universal Pictures/Queen&Slim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip3iE416WxE
Fast Color
20th Century Fox (Eddie Griffen Youtube Page)/The Five Heartbeats: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKhZXOU5SCg&t=1s
Zeitgeist Films/ Let the Fire Burn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v5ZXAxTGHg&t=2s
Umbrella Entertainment/Black Caesar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgdhtz88F3Y&t=2s
Sony Entertainment/Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg52up16eq0
Sony Pictures Home Pictures/Higher Learning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9CZErJ9idU
Netflix/13th: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6IXQbXPO3I&t=29s
Hosts:
Michael Anthony: @michaelanthonyvision
Amber Gray: @wavesofgraymedia
Social Media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cultured_lens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughaculturedlens/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/througha.culturedlens/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/throughaculturedlens
Email: throughaculturedlens@gmail.com
Episode 5: #Takeaknee
In this episode, Michael and Amber will be discussing sports activism and how Colin Kaepernick became the face of celebrities taking a stance against Police Brutality. We will also discuss the National Anthems' origins and the racist history of its creator.
Cops kneeling: https://video.foxbusiness.com/v/6162001122001#sp=show-clips
Kaepernick is still kneeling: https://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/12/sport/colin-kaepernick-nfl-opening-day-reaction-trnd/index.html Abdul_Rauf/
Kaepernick story: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/06/sports/basketball/anthem-nba-abdul-rauf-kaepernick.html
https://www.goldenglobes.com/articles/2021-nominations-78th-golden-globe-awards-have-been-announced
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/228584-breaking-pro-footballs-color-line-the-story-of-charles-w-follis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Follis https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/25/sports/national-anthem-protests-black-athletes.html
https://www.politifact.com/article/2017/sep/25/short-history-national-anthem-and-sports/
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/key-pens-star-spangled-banner#:~:text=On%20September%2014%2C%201814%2C%20Francis,during%20the%20War%20of%201812
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/10/18/star-spangled-banner-racist-national-anthem/)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._national_anthem_protests https://outsider.com/news/entertainment/nfl-ratings-how-this-years-decline-compares-2016-when-kneeling-during-anthem-began/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nfl-ratings-slip-in-2020-remain-dominant-on-broadcast
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-national-anthem-policy-2020-kneeling-protests/1o88fwivdxvqu1d8nnbiw5dw3z)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/23/sports/baseball/mlb-black-lives-matter.html https://abc7news.com/colin-kaepernick-kneeling-when-did-first-kneel-date-what-does-do-now/4147237/
https://www.wsj.com/articles/nfl-paid-under-10-million-to-settle-colin-kaepernick-grievance-11553192288
https://www.blackenterprise.com/nike-value-up-26-billion-since-colin-kaepernick-endorsement/
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use statutes is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS
Hosts: Michael Anthony: @michaelanthonyvision | Amber Gray: @wavesofgraymedia
Social Media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cultured_lens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughaculturedlens/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/througha.culturedlens/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/throughaculturedlens
Email: throughaculturedlens@gmail.com
Today, Amber and Michael are examining the various representation of black people in media throughout history. This is the first of many examinations of where cinematic stereotypes started and how they have morphed into newer more damning tropes today. We will also discuss how these images have affected the black community in our day-to-day lives from the beginning of the 20th century to today. It's important to examine why certain images and ideologies exist and their origins. It's important that we consume black media through a critical lens as many depictions of our lives have been exaggerated and/or mischaracterized which leads to real-world negative consequences.
Here’s are some of the Cinematic tropes used in many Television shows and Movies throughout history:
Uncle Tom
Coon
Tragic Mulatto
Mammy
Buck|Brute
Jezebel
Sapphire|Angry Black Woman
Strong Black Woman
*White Savior
Negro Kiss; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CneQztP7-YQ&feature=youtu.be
Birth of a Nation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBzDH-Vwzy4
Uncle Tom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKrQQD7BK6A
Magical Negro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jInlO6-JTww
Coon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBo3ghPMJmE
Tragic Mulatto: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajepX_BoRNw
Mammy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RJBNQJ0bfY
Popeye commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYNzcFo10_g
Mammy, Jezebel, Sapphire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2teqoyPe3TU&feature=youtu.be
Strong Black Woman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSjs_pm8MZk
White Savior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sdC6RxaY-Q
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statutes that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS Opening and closing music provided by: SpecBeats - No Copyright Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO71t5-tNCg MusicLover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8aqXiqU18M