At least THIS Mixed Guy KNOWS he is Black

[neutral]

Re: At least THIS Mixed Guy KNOWS he is Black

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tropicana</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Yet, he grew up, did well in his career and even HE identifies himself as BLACK and AFRICAN AMERICAN.

</div></div>

Well to be honest, judging from the reaction he had at the half black/half italian high school he really had no choice other than chosing to be black african american,in his position it seemed the safest option.
In my opinion it`s irrelevant what language he spoke,if yu black yu black,pure and simple,...he really didnt have a choice,being fluent in italian doesnt make anyone an italian.

In any case,I dont see any valid reason to describe him as &quot;conscious&quot;,....he is a mixed race child who found out the hard way which side of the fence it is safer to be on.

[neutral]

Re: At least THIS Mixed Guy KNOWS he is Black

I think the rock is of mauri descent,from newzealand.

[SmoothOperator]

Re: At least THIS Mixed Guy KNOWS he is Black

I am guessing this is Giancarlo Esposito. I only know this because he was in the Jamaican Dancehall flick Klash with Jasmine Guy a while back.

Race in contemporary culture has some importance but on this board it has become borderline obsessive. I find that African Americans obsess over it more than yardies maybe because they faced more race issues growing up whereas in Jamaica it was more classism than racism. Maybe one day we will all be able to put it behind us.

[Tropicana]

Re: At least THIS Mixed Guy KNOWS he is Black

No, it's not The Rock:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Well to be honest, judging from the reaction he had at the half black/half italian high school he really had no choice other than chosing to be black african american,in his position it seemed the safest option.</div></div>

But he faced rejection from BOTH the Black and Italian students. He got beaten up by Black and Italian students. So, I don't think any side was safe.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
In my opinion it`s irrelevant what language he spoke,if yu black yu black,pure and simple,...he really didnt have a choice,being fluent in italian doesnt make anyone an italian. </div></div>

Exactly. BTW, I asked him if he still speaks Italian and German. He said while his Dad was still alive his Italian was fluent. He also said that he put so much effort into learning English that his German and Italian are not very strong anymore..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

In any case,I dont see any valid reason to describe him as &quot;conscious&quot;,....he is a mixed race child who found out the hard way which side of the fence it is safer to be on.
</div></div>

I describe him as conscious because he owns his Blackness unlike sellouts like Tiger Woods and he has made a point of selecting roles that have a strong and uplifting POV for the Black community as his career has unfolded. There are certain types of roles that he just will not accept any longer. Good for him.

[Tropicana]

Re: At least THIS Mixed Guy KNOWS he is Black



<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Race in contemporary culture has some importance but<span style="font-weight: bold"> on this board it has become borderline obsessive</span>. </div></div>


Yes and this is really bizarre. A number of surveys that have been conducted in Canada have found that Jamaicans here are actually more aware of racial issues and more Black conscious than Blacks from other countries. That is why I find some of the reactions here TRULY bizarre and incomprehensible. I was absolutely SHOCKED when I first encountered them. Not like any other Jamaicans I know.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I find that African Americans obsess over it more than yardies maybe because they faced more race issues growing up whereas in Jamaica it was more classism than racism. Maybe one day we will all be able to put it behind us. </div></div>

That is one of the reasons I keep posting these topics to raise awareness. I remember when I lived in the USA the perception among some Black Americans was that some West Indians were more or less not affiliating with the Black community and, instead, gravitating towards the White community. That was a source of resentment for some. I don't know if that has chnnge.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SmoothOperator</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am guessing this is Giancarlo Esposito. </div></div>

<span style="font-weight: bold">DING! DING!DING!DING!DING!DING!DING!DING! </span>

<span style="font-weight: bold"> We have a winner!</span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"> <span style="font-size: 14pt">SmoothOperator </span> </span>



<span style="font-weight: bold"> Giancarlo Giuseppe Alessandro Esposito </span>

....he was indeed born in Copenhagan. He has won 2 two Obie Awards and his credits include:

- Mo' Better Blues (1990)
- Do the Right Thing (1989)
- School Daze (1988)
- &quot;Miami Vice&quot; .... Adonis Jackson / ... (3 episodes, 1984-1985)
- Cotton Club

and MANY More

The new movie which he directed is <span style="font-weight: bold">Gospel Hill</span> starring Angela Bassett and Danny Glover.

[proudmamma]

Re: At least THIS Mixed Guy KNOWS he is Black

Exhausting.

[Tropicana]

Re: Gospel Hil: Giancarlo Esposito's Directorial Debut

SmoothOperator. Jasmine Guy who you mentionned, Lisa Bonet, and even Halle Berry and Beyonce look more mixed than Tiger and they also have no problem identifying themselves as Black. I really don't get Tiger.

Anyway, here is more about Gospel Hill. The film stars Angela Bassett, Danny Glover and also features Giancarlo Esposito, Samuel L. Jackson, Julia Stiles, and Nia Long in major roles. Man I didn't even recognize Nia Long. She has really matured. The film is stacking up awards on the festival circuit.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Synopsis: </span>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Gospel Hill takes place in a small southern town, where years ago a local civil rights leader, Paul Malcom, was assassinated.

In the wake of his fathers death, John Malcom (Danny Glover), has drifted into seclusion, turning his back on the movement. Meanwhile, his wife Sarah (Angela Bassett), has continued to fight for what is right. Battling the local doctor (Giancarlo Esposito), who is spearheading a movement to displace much of the town's African American community to make way for a large development. The man who was sheriff at the time of the assassination, Jack Herrod (Tom Bower), has remained in town too although not as sheriff. He has fallen onto hard times and ill health. His two sons have stayed as well trying to eke out livings. The younger as a landscaper, Joel (Taylor Kitsch), working primarily for the doctor and the older, Carl (Adam Baldwin), as an iconoclastic lawyer, who is having an affair with the doctors' wife (Nia Long).

When a young school teacher, Rosie (Julia Stiles), moves to town she not only begins dating Joel, but also joins Sarah Malcom in fighting the development. This sets in motion events that will draw all the parties together. Forcing them to make a choice about what is right and wrong and come face to face with the ghosts of their past.

</div></div>

http://www.dangstoryco.com/gospelhillsynopsis.htm

Official Website:

http://www.gospelhillfilm.com

I won't say anything else about the film until other people have had a chance to see it. Then we can discuss it. Suffice it to say that Giancarlo's world view is very different from Spike Lee's world view, likely because the 2 men experienced very different realities growing up. Giancarlo is more confront the past (not deny or gloss over it CONFRONT it), heal, forgive, and move on. He is not about being stuck indefinitely in anger.

Here are the trailers:

<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/O1w8o5vd1Co&amp;feature=related"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/O1w8o5vd1Co&amp;feature=related" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>


<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4b0-N0wWy6Q&amp;feature=related"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4b0-N0wWy6Q&amp;feature=related" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>

[kia027]

Re: Gospel Hil: Giancarlo Esposito's Directorial Debut

Yes I would have guess it was giancarlo esposito -- funny I always thought he had a 'hard' look to him like he had a really rough life

[Tropicana]

Re: Gospel Hil: Giancarlo Esposito's Directorial Debut

Well I would agree that rejection in high school is rough. He was disappointed to find that instead of doing well because he was a blend of both ethnic groups represented in his high school, his experience was quite the opposite. Still, he had a lot of blessings and look at what he made of his life. He is an incredible performer. His father used to build sets for opera in Italy. Giancarlo got early exposure to the performing arts on both sides of his family. He even got to meet Josephine Baker. Now that is nothing short of fabulous.

[Tropicana]

Re: Gospel Hil: Giancarlo Esposito's Directorial Debut

Giancarlo Esposito in his own words about Gospel Hill:

<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4s3aljBrBg4"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4s3aljBrBg4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>

[Seveen]

Re: Gospel Hil: Giancarlo Esposito's Directorial Debut

i think he used to do my hair!

[kia027]

Re: Gospel Hil: Giancarlo Esposito's Directorial Debut


I was thinking along the lines of hard living.. there was a period where he really looked drug addicted. HS is rough for anyone and part of leaving high school is that you get to grow up and move on. He is an ok performer in my book. He of course got to meet Josephine Baker because his mother (an opera singer) worked with her.

[Tropicana]

Re: Gospel Hil: Giancarlo Esposito's Directorial Debut

We're too slow to big up our fellow Black people when they really excel. I have a lot of respect for intense and really focused actors PERIOD. They rate highly in my book. Look at the man's credits, quite a track record and quite a variety of roles. I also agree with this reviewer:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Like his counterpart Don Cheadle, Giancarlo Esposito has chosen the high road for African-American actors, taking roles in such films as The Usual Suspects and Twilight instead of stuff like Booty Call and I Got the Hookup. His intensity and consistently strong performances rank him in the same level as Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson.
</div></div>

http://www.geocities.com/porcelain72/esposito.html

On set, when the director gives him the last take and says do whatever you want in your own words, when he is finished, Giancarlo ends up getting a standing ovation from the entire cast and crew. That's got to tell you something. Now he is producing and directing on top of everything else.

If all of that doesn't impress you, well, I look forward to seeing you do better KIA.

[kia027]

Re: Gospel Hil: Giancarlo Esposito's Directorial Debut

Actors dont impress me that way Tropicana but I am not in the acting thing like you are.

I am quite surprised that the fact he is married to a non black woman bothers you not in the least given your record here on the site though.

[Tropicana]

Re: Gospel Hil: Giancarlo Esposito's Directorial Debut

Well KIA we differ. I admire and give props to anyone who excels at what they do. White folks are quick to give props to each other for the tiniest things they accomplish. As Black folks, we are WAY too slow to give recognition and too quick to say &quot;that's no big thing&quot;.

I don't buy this bit about &quot;I am not into acting....or art...or sports...or whatever either&quot;. That's no excuse. Even though I am not athletic or particularly interested in sports, I do give props to athletes who excel (well except for basketball players ) Even Tiger, he was absolutely adorable when he was younger. I give him huge props for what he has done on the golf course and the obstacles that he has overcome as a BLACK man in a predominantly White sport. That doesn't mean I am not disappointed by some of the choices he has made.

I have said it once and I will say it again. I am not oppossed to interracial dating or marrige, it is the lack of a level playing field that mi lick out 'gainst and will CONTINUE to lick out 'gainst. Remember the threads I did bigging up Yannick Noah and his accomplishments in tennis and music. He is half French and half African and he married a White woman. I gave him HUGE props. Ditto for Jamaican Peter Williams (I've done a couple of threads about him), Gregory Hines who I REALLY respect as a dancer and actor and Quincy Jones who I respect as a musician...but then I do like Peggy Lipton, even though she is blonde

Speaking of blondes, I have also clarified <span style="font-weight: bold">NUMEROUS </span> times that the threads I did licking out 'gainst men obsessed with skinny blondes with big tits were about WHITE men NOT Black men. I don't know too many Black men who are into anorexic looking women. Not sure how many times I have to say it for my position to be clear. I guess people read what they want to read and believe what they want to believe.