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COMMENTARY: Carrying on the Deplorable Hollywood Tradition of ‘Whitewashing’

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Former NBA star and activist Craig Hodges is locked in a new dispute over a documentary on his life with Hollywood executives and producers. The former Chicago Bull, who helped the franchise win two of their six championships in the 1990s and was a vocal advocate for Black rights, is currently battling over the rights to his book “Long Shot: The Triumphs and Struggles of an NBA Freedom Fighter” with Wayfarer Studios, the production company run by actor Justin Baldoni and billionaire Steve Sarowitz.

Published

2 years ago

October 7, 2024

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By Ricky Clemons

It is no secret that the American film industry has a long and volatile history on racial issues. From fostering racist tropes and stereotypes, to underrepresenting minorities — both in front of and behind the lens — to whitewashing historical events in films from “The Birth of a Nation” to “Green Book,” Hollywood has always struggled to appropriately portray the Black experience in the United States.

This is why it should not surprise anyone to hear that former NBA star and activist Craig Hodges is locked in a new dispute over a documentary on his life with Hollywood executives and producers. The former Chicago Bull, who helped the franchise win two of their six championships in the 1990s and was a vocal advocate for Black rights, is currently battling over the rights to his book “Long Shot: The Triumphs and Struggles of an NBA Freedom Fighter” with Wayfarer Studios, the production company run by actor Justin Baldoni and billionaire Steve Sarowitz.

While the details are dense, the matter can be boiled down to the fact that a Black man is once again fighting to tell his own story in the way that he sees fit. Hodges – who I will remind you is the subject of the documentary – wants British-Indian producer Jivi Singh to tell his story, but Baldoni and Wayfarer allegedly wanted another director to make Hodges’ story more “palatable” for the NBA.

That is where the trouble begins. Differences of this kind are typical of Hollywood – but they are also typical of the historical Hollywood experience for Black people overall and the story of Hodges’ own life.

Remember, Hodges has long felt that the NBA blackballed him for his political activism and willingness to criticize his teammates for perceived inactivity on social issues. Even losing his livelihood did not cause him to back down from his principles, so Hodges surely expected that the executives at the production company that wanted to document his story would not hide behind identity politics as it softened its core messages.

The implications of Hodges’ dispute with Wayfarer are indicative of a larger, systemic issue in the film industry. It reflects broader patterns of exploitation that have historically plagued Hollywood. Similar instances can be found across the industry, where Black artists are often sidelined, or their contributions diminished. Media moguls play a significant role in perpetuating these issues, with power dynamics that prioritize profit over authenticity.

As Craig Detweiler, professor of film history at Pepperdine University, said in 2015, “There are a shortage of African American, Asian and Latino stars. For all Hollywood’s progressive politics, its casting decisions look remarkably retrograde.”

It’s not just casting, however, as Hodges’ dispute with Wayfarer clearly indicates. From producing to directing to deciding on creative vision to upholding a project’s ultimate vision, Black and brown people in Hollywood are consistently being overruled and written out of the process – with implications for us all, as who shapes and guides stories can fundamentally alter the end results and the way important stories are told.

Moving forward, it’s crucial to advocate for equitable partnerships within the media landscape. This includes reforming contracts to ensure fair representation and creative control for Black artists, especially when it comes to their own stories. Supporting Black creatives and their stories is essential for fostering a more inclusive and honest portrayal of their experiences.

Finally, the struggle of Craig Hodges against Wayfarer Studios is a reminder that the long history of exploitation continues to demand our attention. To effect meaningful change, readers and industry stakeholders must advocate for systemic reform and commit to supporting authentic narratives created by Black artists.

Ricky Clemons is an adjunct lecturer teaching sports management and media at Howard University.

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NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found Darius Cooper with nine seconds left for the game winning touchdown as his team beat the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville. Hurts finished the day 26/37 for 264 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 […]
The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

7 days ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 yards. During the final drive Hurts went 6-8 with 61 passing yards and the touchdown. Titans defensive tackle — and team captain — Jeffery Simmons said this week that the way to defend Jalen Hurts is to make him “play quarterback.”

Hurts said to Simmons after today’s game: “You started that sh**. I had to finish it.”

Running back Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger in the first half but he ultimately finished the game. He had four carries and nine yards and one catch for eleven yards. He will get an MRI for his injury, but admitted to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network he was fine.

Caleb Williams leaves game against Vikings with apparent lower-body injury

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was helped off the field with a right leg injury with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams was down, writhing in pain after scrambling to his left. After departing the injury tent, Williams raised his right fist, acknowledging the crowd while expressing his frustration. Testing will commence on Monday to find out more details about his injury.

“We’ll know tomorrow,” Johnson admitted regarding Williams’ injury. “He’s in good spirits. He’s a team player.”

Williams finished the day with 138 passing yards and one interception.

“I’m actually happy it’s nothing with the knee — that was my first inclination,” Johnson said. “But, a hamstring could be pretty damaging as well. So, we’ll see. We’ll see how bad it is tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

Bryce Young once again dominated the Falcons

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is 5-1 against the Atlanta Falcons and is undefeated at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Today, Young threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns as he led the Panthers to a 34-3 dismembering of the Atlanta Falcons. Georgia Tech alumnus Darren Waller caught two touchdowns and linebacker Devin Lloyd returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.

Cooper Rush started his second straight game for the Falcons and it did not go well. The partisan crowd voiced their displeasure after Rush completed 10/17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. Jack Strand entered the game for Rush prompting cheers from the Falcons fans. The rookie threw a pick-six on his first career pass attempt. Strand was the first QB to accomplish that feat since Sam Darnold in 2018 and is the first Falcons player to do that since Brett Favre in 1991. Strand finished the day with 59 passing yards and 16 rushing yards.

According to reports, quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. is expected to make his season debut this Thursday at the Green Bay Packers. His return should help the Falcons. They are the first team since the 2008 Rams to not run any plays in the red zone after the first two games to open a season.

The bright spots for the Falcons today were the Spelman College Jaguarettes performing with the Falcons cheerleaders and Florida A&M’s marching band, The Marching 100, also performed during halftime!

Jayden Daniels gets carted off after apparent arm injury

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels appeared to injure his left elbow on the final play of the first half in his game against the Dallas Cowboys. During the play, Daniels got stepped on, braced himself for the fall, and his elbow bent the wrong way. Daniels draped a towel over his head as he exited the field on the cart.

He was later ruled out.

Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow to the same arm during week nine of last season against the Washington Commanders, which led to him being shut down for the remainder of the season.

The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win

Master the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework with Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt. Learn every stage, tactic, and win!
The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

7 days ago

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Oakland Post

Negotiation framework stages, tactics, and winning strategies from AutoNetwork

Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt deliver the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework in Episode 8 of The Color of Our Money Is Green. This episode covers the three foundations of every effective negotiation, the full seven-stage negotiation sequence with exact language for every stage, and five of the most common dealership tactics with the specific response each one requires.
What You Learn in This Episode:
The three foundations that make every negotiation tactic work
The complete seven-stage car-buying negotiation sequence
Exact language for every stage of the dealership conversation
Five common dealership tactics — the turnover, the four-square, the packed payment, spot delivery, and forced add-ons — and how to counter each one
Why signing preliminary paperwork isn’t the same as signing the final contract
___________________________________________________________________
“The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost” — stan.store/RGist
____________________________________________________________________
AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.

How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost

AutoNetwork.com
CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.

The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Stay toasty in the CX-90! Plush Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats, and a memory-equipped heated steering wheel deliver ultimate luxury.
The post Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

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Oakland Post

Mazda CX-90 interior with heated seats offering premium comfort.

Experience ultimate comfort in the CX-90. Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats, 8-way power adjustments, and memory settings for both front passengers. The heated steering wheel with memory tilt/telescope adds premium convenience.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/EH5A4eQ4ipY