AngryGayBlackCanadianman

Defending Wimbledon ladies singles champion Venus Williams pulled through a hard fought first round match against British woman Naomi Cavaday. I am a major Venus fan but I am also nervous whenever Venus plays I don’t know what she’s going to do? Whenever I watch Venus I must admit I worry. I wonder if Venus is mentally prepared and ready to battle? I made myself a cup of herbal tea to calm my nerves. The first set was extremely well played and Cavaday was serious.

Cavaday came out firing blasting winners and broke Venus serve to zoom to a 3-2 lead. Venus woke up held her nerve to break back for 3-3. Venus finally got the lead 4-3 she had two break points at 15-40 to go ahead 5-3 but blew her opportunities. Cavaday is very feisty and she played brilliantly she was not nervous at all against Venus. Venus started to serve better and she blasted a few serves at 125 MPH so I felt better. Once Venus got her serve going I knew she would get through this match.

Venus and Cavaday both continued to hold serve until the tiebreaker 6-6. I must admit Venus was very lucky due to Cavaday’s lack of experience she was able to pull through the first set 7-6. The ESPN 2 commentators Mary Joe Fernandez and Dick Enberg said the British media have blasted Cavaday for being overweight. I must admit Cavaday is an athlete and the British press criticism is fair. Yes Cavaday is only nineteen years old but she is also a professional athlete. Cavaday is not giving 110% commitment to tennis. Cavaday has a lot of game but she needs to get into better physical shape.

The second set was typical Venus she blasted Cavaday 6-1 in the second set due to the fact Cavaday was tired she simply wasn’t fit enough. Venus has too much firepower and too much game and she swept through the rest of the match. I think Venus played well to a certain extent but I felt she was being a bit defensive and perhaps a bit nervous. I honestly think Venus should of won the match easier but credit to Cavaday for not being afraid of Venus and believing she had a chance to win.

Of course Venus was going to win the match anyway. I am very impressed with Cavaday’s serve and groundstrokes she is clearly very talented. I think it is such a shame that Cavaday doesn’ t have the motivation to lose the weight. I know from personal experience it is tough to be overweight but I looked inside myself decided I didn’t want to be heavy anymore. I went to gym and I worked out. Losing weight is a personal choice everyone has to make for himself or herself. I feel so much better and I have more self esteem now that I lost the weight.

Also, I think Cavaday should be more motivated about the money the potential for success. Cavaday could be top fifty material maybe even higher she has serious weapons but she is the one that is blocking her own success. Cavaday for people that remember also held two match points against Martina Hingis at Wimbledon last year. I cannot believe Cavaday is still overweight. I hope someone can talk to Cavaday and help her realize if she wants to become a successful tennis player she has to be fit. Also Cavaday should think about her health she would feel a lot better too if she was fitter it would help her confidence and self esteem.

For the first time in a long time there are no clear favorites for the men and women’s titles at Wimbledon. Although Venus Williams and Roger Federer are chasing their fifth and sixth Wimbledon titles they have a lot of competition. Federer is in a slump he has only won two minor titles this year. Rafael Nadal just won his first grass court title at Queens over a week ago. Nadal is full of confidence he defeated Andy Roddick and Novak Djokovic in straight sets to claim the Queens title.

Roger Federer did manage to win the grass court event in Halle Germany but he never encountered a top ten player on his path to victory. I just checked the Wimbledon draw on www.wimbledon.org and once again Rafael Nadal also has a much easier path to the Wimbledon finals. It appears the Wimbledon committee really are favoring Nadal they are always giving him extremely easy draws. Roger Federer’s draw is much more tougher.

Andy Roddick and Andy Murray are the two suspects most likely with a chance to upset Nadal. However, I am not sure Roddick and Murray have the mental toughness to beat Nadal. It appears Nadal will easily reach another Wimbledon final. Roger Federer’s draw is much tougher he could face Novak Djokovic in the men’s semifinals.

On the women’s side Venus Williams once again is a question mark? At the French Open Venus played poorly but she had little preparation for the French Open. Venus also had an undisclosed illness but she has also won Wimbledon four times. The fast grass courts of Wimbledon suits Venus game much better then the slow red clay.

Venus is also in the bottom half of the women’s draw with Jelena Jankovic and Maria Sharapova. Jankovic can play on grass but the question is does Jankovic have the heart and fight to win seven matches?

Venus younger sister Serena is in the top half of the women’s draw. Serena is a two time Wimbledon champion she is the best player on the WTA when her game is on. Serena has the most consistent serve in women’s tennis. Svetlana Kuznetsova is a player nobody is talking about but she has managed to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals twice she can play on grass. However, Kuznetsova has proven she can get far in grand slams but can’t seem to go the distance.

Lindsay Davenport and Amelie Mauresmo are my dark horse picks because nobody is talking about them. If the Williams Sisters, the Serbs, or Maria Sharapova don’t come through then Mauresmo and Davenport have a chance. Both Mauresmo and Davenport have won Wimbledon before and have the game to win on grass.

Ana Ivanovic is definitely a contender because she just won the French Open and she reached the semifinals of Wimbledon last year. Of course, Maria Sharapova the 2004 Wimbledon champion is a contender as well.

A young player the public should be paying attention to is Polish teenager Agneiszka Radwanska. Radwanska is a rising player to watch. Radwanska beat Sharapova at the US OPEN last year in the third round. Radwanska also followed up her strong US OPEN performance by reaching the Australian Open quarterfinals in January. Radwanska is a versatile player she won a clay court title in Istanbul last month and she just also won the Eastbourne grass title yesterday.

I am impressed with Radwanska she has a very thoughtful game she doesn’t just hit the ball hard she hits slice, drop shots, lobs, volleys well, she really thinks on the tennis court.

I am so glad clay court season is over. I really love Wimbledon a lot it is my favorite grand slam. Maybe it is because of the tradition? Maybe it is because you actually need a “game” to win. On clay it is all about outlasting your opponent and not making errors. At Wimbledon you need a big serve, big forehand, backhand, and volley skills to win.

I notice the Republican party and even the Occidental media are constantly “attacking” Michelle Obama and I was trying to figure out the reasons why. Why does Cindy McCain always get off so easy yet Mrs. Obama is getting all the grief? The reason Michelle Obama is being attacked relates to both racism and sexism. If you watch the clip from “The View” I agree with Whoopi Goldberg’s comment that Michelle represents a positive image of black women. Thank you Whoopi girlfriend for speaking the truth!

The representations of black women in the Occident tends to be very racist and sexist. The media would rather the public pay attention to the stupid games of supermodel Naomi Campbell then the elegant sophisticated Michelle Obama. Naomi Campbell is the kind of stereotype of black womanhood the mainstream loves. Michelle shatters these racist and sexist stereotypes she is a hard working, intelligent, beautiful black woman and she doesn’t take crap from anybody.

The American media of course are going to “attack” Michelle Obama because they want to remind her because she is a black woman she has ” stay in her place”.

Where are the mainstream liberal feminist groups? Why aren’t the feminists rallying to support Michelle Obama? Laura Bush defended Michelle Obama and I was surprised. At least Laura Bush the current first lady has enough class to speak up and say Mrs. Obama was being unfairly attacked. The question has to be asked why are the white heterosexual liberal feminists silent?

Oops I forgot white liberal feminist organizations such as the NOW Organization are too busy supporting their “white sister” Senator Hillary Clinton. After all in the mainstream white heterosexual feminist movement white heterosexual women are at the front of the bus and women of colour are supposed to be silent at the back.Let’s not forget white heterosexual women have white skin privilege, access to power through the marriage market, patriarchy, and the resources of the Mythical Norm.

Also don’t think for a moment that the mainstream white feminist groups aren’t racist against Mrs. Obama because she’s an outspoken black woman. Michelle Obama has a lot of power she is Barack’s wife. According to the information I have learned there is no way Hillary Clinton is going to be Barack’s Vice President candidate. The racist and misandrist attacks against Barack Obama from some white heterosexual feminists such as Gloria Steinem and Geraldine Ferraro must not be forgotten.

Now Hillary has lost her opportunity to become the first white female USA president I doubt white feminist groups would bother to stand up for Michelle Obama. Remember the 1982 black feminist classic “All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some Of Us Are Brave” edited by Gloria T Hull, Patricia Bell Scott, and Barbara Smith?

Everyone should take the time to read “All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some Of Us Are Brave” it is the essence of black feminism and it points out why black people we must support one another.

The book also points out the fact there is a racial divide in the feminist movement. The genesis of “All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some Of Us Are Brave” is to uplift black women and black people to realize the more we help ourselves the better off we will be.

“All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave” highlights the fact black women are treated as invisible by black men, white men, and also white women. Black women are often being forced into a tug of war to choose between their race and gender. “All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some Of Us Are Brave” points out black women should not choose. Racial and sexual oppression affects black women’s lives and these issues cannot be ignored.

In the book black feminists such as Patricia Bell Scott, Gloria T Hull, Barbara Smith, and other black female scholars break down the reasons why black feminism is so important. You can get a copy of “All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some Of Us Are Brave” at the local public library.

Michelle Obama is in unchartered territory she is a very strong opinionated black woman and white America can’t handle that. It is ludicrous and ignorant for white people to suddenly think Mrs. Obama should forget about the issue of “race”, “gender”, and “class” just because her husband is the Democratic Party Candidate. I honestly believe there is a fear in the mainstream of Michelle Obama and the right wing are trying to neutralize her by saying she’s “too black”.

It is clear to me if you read between the lines Michelle Obama is viewed in the Occident as being “too black.” Remember Michelle’s comment about “being proud of my country.” The white media and the Republicans had a field day with Michelle’s comment. However, what right do white people have to tell a black woman about America’s turbulent history?

Yes, now in America there are more “opportunities” for people of colour to rise up the social ladder in North America. However, the “change” is still not over and it would be foolish for people to suggest racism and sexism no longer exists. The racist and sexist attitude of the Occident is that Michelle Obama is “complaining”. The racist attitude is black people we should just “forget” the past and move on. We cannot just forget history and turn the page because history can also be repeated.

Does being too black mean Michelle Obama should just ignore the incredible racism and sexism in North American society against black women? Yes, Barack Obama is making history in America and the world by winning the Democratic Party nomination. Finally, it appears change is taking place in North America and it is about damn time. However, Barack Obama is still not in the White House yet. Despite the Occident claiming that “change” is occurring doesn’t mean white liberals and white Republicans really want social change to occur either.

The Occident are far too busy trying to paint Mrs. Obama as though she is the classic stereotypical angry black woman. Michelle Obama is a breath of fresh air she’s such a shrewd politician she will not allow the Occident to get away with attacking her.

We are so conditioned in society to accept “whiteness” as the center of the universe that we don’t even question it. bell hooks reminds us in her outstanding book “Outlaw Culture” we must be “enlightened witnesses” to racism and sexism. Fox News has the audacity to call Mrs. Obama a “baby mama”. The term is offensive but Fox News reeks of racism. First off, Michelle Obama is a married woman she is not a “baby mama”. Would Fox News ever make such a racism and sexism comment about Cindy MCain? Of course not.

I applaud Michelle and Barack Obama for all their hard work I think for some people they really can’t handle the fact black people are now in powerful political positions. The anger in the Occident is they really don’t want to see the United States have a black president they would prefer the status quo the Mythical Norm.

Oh my goodness I just heard about a tragic tale about interracial love that ended in murder in Atlanta. When people talk about racial tensions it is usually between people of colour and the majority. Yet the question has to be asked why does the public ignore the racism between communities of colour? For instance in Canada and the United States there is racial tension between the blacks, Asians, Hispanics, and Native American communities.

In the Caribbean in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana the racial tensions between the blacks and South Asian populations are intense. Just because blacks and South Asians tend to have a darker skin tone doesn’t mean our cultures, histories, languages, values, aren’t different? Why is there this reticence to the racial divide? Can healing take place?

The story goes like this a young South Asian man fell in love with a young African American woman woman at his workplace they have a child together and got married. Abruptly the black wife is brutally murdered. Rumors are swirling in Atlanta that the father of the South Asian man was the mastermind behind the murder here is the link:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h7g2ACI64AF0_VlASOV9yDXgpLTAD91BEP280

Katherine Heigl one of the stars of the ABC hit show Grey’s Anatomy has made some controversial statements removing herself from the nominations for this year’s Emmy awards.

Heigl said “I did not feel that I was given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination and in an effort to maintain the integrity of the academy organization, I withdrew my name from contention.”

Heigl also said “In addition, I did not want to potentially take away an opportunity from an actress who was given such materials.” The latter statement is a total dig at the writers on Grey’s Anatomy. Heigl is ungrateful, selfish, petulant, and immature.

Now some people may think Heigl is being “noble” but really she isn’t. Heigl obviously thinks she is the star of Grey’s Anatomy but she’s not. Ellen Pompeo is the star of Grey’s Anatomy not Katherine Heigl. Sandra Oh has a more prominent role on Grey’s Anatomy then Katherine Heigl as well.

Heigl doesn’t get it she is not the “star” of Grey’s Anatomy and she will “never” be the female lead on the show. It is clear to me that Heigl’s ego has gotten too big she obviously can’t handle being in a supporting role on Grey’s Anatomy.

Heigl does have a strong supporting role on the show. Heigl is taking her frustrations to the media and public in hopes of getting kicked off of Grey’s Anatomy but it won’t happen. Heigl is too important to ABC and they won’t terminate her contract.

Katherine Heigl is known for being outspoken she blasted Isaiah Washington last year in the press. I thought Heigl’s comments about Washington last year were totally out of line as well. Does anyone remember Heigl also complained about not receiving the same salary as Sandra Oh last year? Heigl has since received a salary raise. It appears Heigl is also jealous of Sandra Oh because she has a more prominent role on Grey’s Anatomy then Heigl.

However, Heigl’s comments demonstrates a lack of class and professionalism. It is clear Heigl thinks she is too a big a star to be on Grey’s Anatomy anymore. The ratings for Grey’s Anatomy have taken a hit this season due to the writer’s strike. However, Heigl probably thinks Grey’s Anatomy is slowing down her red hot film career.

Don’t feel sorry for Heigl though she gets an excellent salary for Grey’s Anatomy and since the show is now in syndication she’s going to make even more money. However, Heigl’s comments this week reeks of arrogance and petulance.

Everyone knows Heigl’s film career is on fire she was the female lead in Judd Apatow’s comedy “Knocked Up” the film grossed $ 148, 768, 917 at the domestic box office and the worldwide box office was an incredible $219, 001, 261. The production budget for Knocked Up was only $30 million dollars the movie. After the success of Knocked Up Heigl complained to the media saying the movie was “sexist”.

Heigl proved she can headline a hit movie by herself with her next film 27 Dresses . 27 Dresses was released earlier this year in January and since January is usually a slow month for the studios the expectations are not high. However, Heigl proved she does have an audience. Heigl is everything Hollywood loves she is young, attractive, blonde, and she is talented.

The domestic box office for 27 Dresses was a healthy $76, 808 654 and the worldwide box office was $158, 062,108. The budget for 27 Dresses was only $30 million dollars. The bottom line is Heigl’s career is sky rocketing she is in high demand. Heigl’s film salary is $6 million per movie and she will definitely make even more money. The quandary for Heigl is the fact she has a contract with ABC and most of the year is devoted to filming Grey’s Anatomy. Heigl wants to make movies she doesn’t want to be on Grey’s Anatomy anymore.

However, Heigl has to remember she never would of gotten the big film roles if she wasn’t a star on Grey’s Anatomy. Grey’s Anatomy put Katherine Heigl on the map in Hollywood. If Heigl wasn’t a star on Grey’s Anatomy she never would of gotten the attention of the power brokers in Hollywood. Heigl shouldn’t be slapping the writers of Grey’s Anatomy in the face with her backhanded comments.

What about Canadian actress Sandra Oh? Where is Sandra Oh’s Emmy award? Where is Chandra Wilson’s Emmy award? Where is Ellen Pompeo’s Emmy award? I thought it was kind of odd that Katherine Heigl won because I always considered her to be the weakest link on Grey’s Anatomy.

Does anyone remember Sandra Oh? Yes Sandra Oh was one of the stars of the hit comedy “Sideways” a few years back but she wasn’t the star of that film. Also, I am cognizant of the fact Sandra Oh has won a Golden Globe award and SAG award for her brilliant performance on Grey’s Anatomy.

It is nice that Sandra’s talent has been recognized by Hollywood. However, Sandra Oh isn’t being offered any leading lady roles despite the fact she is a superior actress to Katherine Heigl. Despite Sandra Oh’s incredible success on Grey’s Anatomy she is still only being offered secondary film roles.

The question is why? Why hasn’t Hollywood given Sandra Oh her breakthrough opportunity to shine on the silver screen? Nobody can say it is because the public doesn’t know Sandra Oh because she is famous. Is it an issue of race perhaps? It definitely appears to me that race is a factor here.

Katherine Heigl fits into the Hollywood category of the pretty, young, white, American, woman she already has a built in audience. Sandra Oh is viewed as an anomaly an Asian Canadian actress that was able to make it big in America.

It is interesting because in Canada Sandra Oh was always one of our biggest stars. Sandra always was a leading lady in Canada she was never second fiddle to anyone in Canada. The problem is Canadian films simply don’t generate enough international media attention or make enough money.

I remember Sandra Oh from the 1993 film “The Diary Of Evelyn Lau”. I was stunned at Sandra’s incredible acting talent. Oh followed up the Evelyn Lau movie with “Double Happiness” and she also starred in other Canadian films such as “Last Night”. Sandra Oh realized she had to move to America in order to have a profitable acting career.

Sandra Oh is successful she is a working actress and she has some acclaim in Hollywood. Katherine Heigl should be lucky she is blessed her career is thriving some struggling actress would gladly take her role on Grey’s Anatomy. Why is Heigl even complaining? Isn’t Heigl making enough cash?

Sandra Oh is in a similar predicament as another actress of colour Parminder Nagra. Nagra is the star of hit British comedy “Bend It Like Beckham” yet her co star Keira Knightley eclipsed her. Even though “Bend It Like Beckham” was a huge international hit grossing over $76 million worldwide Parminder was never offered any leading lady roles. The truth is despite Parminder’s beauty and talent she is not getting the leading lady roles because she is a South Asian British woman.

Keira Knightley is a talented actress I am not going to knock Keira but I find it odd that she is so much more successful then Parminder. Parminder should be the star of “Tulia” about the Indian American actress Vanita Gupta but of course we already known African American actress Halle Berry won that role. So what is an Asian actress supposed to do? It has got be so frustrating for Parminder and Sandra that inferior talents such as Katherine Heigl are getting the big roles while they are still in the background in supporting roles. It makes me want to scream at the top of my lungs it is so unfair.

Parminder is a British woman of South Asian descent Hollywood refuses to give South Asian actresses leading lady roles. People can say there is no “demand” for South Asian women but the truth is South Asian women aren’t even given a chance to smash the glass ceiling.

Now Knightley is a big star while Pariminder is still on ER. Parminder is a solid actress she is a star but just like Sandra Oh she is a woman of colour. Women of colour in Hollywood have it the hardest because they have to deal with the racism and the sexism of the film industry.

It is tough for women of colour to reach the top in Hollywood they have to have “cross over” appeal to reach a mainstream “white” audience. Hollywood won’t give Pariminder or Sandra the leading lady roles because they don’t think the public wants to see Asian women in leading roles but Hollywood is wrong. Hollywood refuses to even give Parminder Nagra or Sandra Oh the opportunities to shine in leading lady roles. Why can’t Asian women even be given a chance to reach the top?

I am not suggesting Oh and Nagra have to be in big budget movies. Nagra and Oh aren’t even getting the female lead in independent film either!

Hollywood doesn’t know what to do with Sandra Oh and that’s a shame.I honestly believe if the right screenwriter, or producer, and director would give Sandra the right material she could easily get an Oscar nomination due to her incredible talent.

Earlier this year the current Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd apologized for the genocide against the Aborigines in Australia. Suddenly in June 2008 the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has a “conscience”. Prime Minister Harper has apologized for the history of systemic racism and discrimination against Canada’s First Nations Peoples. Canada’s treatment of indigenous peoples is strikingly similar to Australia.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has an image in Canada of being a very cold, callous, and brutally efficient man. Perhaps Harper utilized this opportunity to humanize himself make himself appear to actually be human and have a heart? One wonders if blood actually flows through Prime Minister Harper’s veins? Is the blood toxic or is it pure?

Harper is a very shrewd politician he has always come across as very aloof, obnoxious, arrogant, and very bitter man. Harper and his public relations team most likely want to improve his image in the international community as well as improve Canada’s image.

Unfortunately, the mythology that Canada is a “multicultural” paradise is false. There is a racial hierarchy in Canada and the racist attitudes against Canada’s First Nations People still exists. One of the racist ideologies is that the First Nations People’s just want “hand outs” from the Canadian system.

However, we cannot just turn the page and ignore history. The truth is Canadians must remember that the Residential Schools also involved a lot of child abuse against children, misogyny, the total destruction of families, and the eradication of Native cultures and languages.

The legacy of the racist Residential School system still exists today and just a simple speech by Prime Minister Harper will not remove the entrenched prejudices and biases against First Nations Peoples. The Canadian government must do more, the Canadian people we must demand more.

We cannot just let this moment slip through our fingers. Prime Minister Harper does not deserve accolades or platitudes what he deserves is a fresh bucket of hot water splashed on his face. Why did Harper take so long to apologize? Why now?

The Aboriginals in Canada encounter the most racial discrimination even though Canada is their land the rest of us Canadians are just immigrants. If you compare the histories of Canada and Australia you see a lot of parallels in the incredible amount of racism and prejudice against indigenous peoples.

For instance, in Australia the Aboriginal children known as the “stolen children” were forcibly removed from their homes and forced into residential schools. The residential schools were created to “civilize” the First Nations Peoples and make them conform and “assimilate” to “Canadian” values and culture.

I wonder what do people think? Is Harper’s apology good enough or is it just “words”? After all actions speak louder then words. What is Prime Minister Harper going to do to improve the quality of life of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples?

Do you think Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s apology to the First Nations people was sincere or just a way to score political points? Also why did Prime Minister Harper wait until now?

After all Kevin Rudd the Prime Minister of Australia apologized to the Aborigines in February 2008. Why did Prime Minister Harper wait until June 2008? Is Harper’s statement significant? I wonder what Canada’s First Nations People think about the apology?