Posts by Marti1704

Marti1704 is a blogger for Brave New Films

The Tobacco Industry Targets Black America
Posted by Marti1704 on October 23, 2007 at 2:00 PM.

This post, written by Mart1704, originally appeared on Brave New Films

Black people; lend me your ear. Wait...this is actually good information for everyone.

I know you thought you were already on the look out for all your potential assassins. The bigots, the racial profilers, poverty, crime, police brutality, discrimination as a result of affirmative action... But an old but new threat has emerged in a vile and nasty form - Big Tobacco and it's little sister menthol. Don't laugh, I'm serious.

Even while anti-smoking ads are on the rise; in low income neighborhoods of all races, smoking has remained pretty much the same. But what is alarming is that young, black adults...are smoking tons of Newport Menthols. Why? Because their advertising is everywhere! That's why. "It appears the industry is targeting the most vulnerable groups through advertising and manipulation of menthol levels..."

I remember when I was little, driving through the 'hood with my mother. There was literally a "500 Liquor Store" on every other corner. But it was a nightmare trying to find a grocery store. When you DID find a grocery store, soda was $.50 a bottle, but milk was $1.95! Things haven't changed! Why do you think the nutrition and health epidemic is such an issue in low income neighborhoods? Poor people everywhere are being poisoned with that garbage because it's accessible and cheap. But I digress.

"Lorillard Tobacco Company, maker of Newports, said its marketing was directed at "all adult smokers," although 51 percent of Newport buyers are blacks."

And the advertising is slick, very sexy, geared towards hip hop and flashy in color. Young couples and sexy girls hanging out, being athletic, having fun, kissing -- all while smoking menthol cigarettes.

Then there are Black & Mild cigars that come in yummy flavors like cream, wine and apple. 24% of black 18-24 year olds in Baltimore surveyed said they smoked a Black & Mild at least once in the past 30 days.

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »

Arab Women's Group Unfairly Subjected to Media Witch Hunt
Posted by Marti1704 on October 12, 2007 at 1:00 PM.

This post, written by Marti1704, originally appeared on Brave New Films

Somewhere in Brooklyn, NY there is an organization dedicated to teaching leadership skills and educating young women in community organizing, art and media skills. The goal of this incredible organization is to empower these young, and let's face it, most likely over looked young women to become leaders in their own communities. Somewhere in this organization there is a young Majora Carter on the verge of being a community activist; the next Maya Lin is learning her craft; more than a few young women are discovering their power. Sounds like an incredible group, right? How could anyone want to bring them down? In a show of what can only be considered racism at it's worst, this organization became the center of a controversy that began in August of this year. You see the previously mentioned group is Arab Women Active in the Arts and Media (AWAAM). This summer the group, made t-shirts that said Intifada NYC.

Intifada: Arabic translation - shaking off.

Close minded, post 9/11, typical reactionary racist translation: OMG, they're going to kill us all!

And so the witch hunt began.

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »