Gay Pride from the Mountaintops of MLSE

"I hope the day comes, and soon, when this is not a story." - Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke

Unfortunately however, it still is a story, but thanks to the bold and courageous step forward made by Brendan Burke, son of Toronto Maple Leafs President and General Manager Brian Burke, others facing similarly difficult choices can follow his lead.  Yesterday afternoon ESPN published a story by staff columnist John Buccigross about Brendan and how he came to tell his family that he was gay.  His story bears resemblance to many 'coming out' stories in which he feared losing his family's love and acceptance once he revealed to them his secret.

What makes Brendan Burke's story particularly important however, is that no male professional athlete has ever been openly gay during his playing career. And while Brendan never made it as a professional, he is
the Student Manager for the hockey program at Miami University in Ohio and his father Brian is Czar of the highest profile NHL team on the planet. Compounding that, his dad is known to be a proponent of fisticuffs and in-your-face blood 'n' guts hockey - a hyper 'masculine' brand of the game that has typically incurred homophobia, which has driven many gay men from the sport. But Brian says "I had a million good reasons to love and admire Brendan. This news didn't alter any of them."  To hear that kind of sincerity in conjunction with any father-son story is heartwarming, but to hear it shouted from the mountaintops at Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, purveyors of an NHL culture that has typically frowned upon homosexuality within its closest circles shows real character and integrity.  

When interviewed together on TSN tonight, Brian was asked if Brendan's decision to come forward will help other openly gay athletes and sports employees find employment in the NHL.  Burke maintained that while he could not speak for other organizations, he said the Toronto Maple Leafs would always make room for talented employees, regardless of sexual orientation.  It is great to know that while the Leafs may not have won the Stanley Cup since 1967, at least they are leading the charge for moral victories.

If anybody thought they recognized Brian and Brendan Burke during last year's Gay Pride Week festivities, they were not mistaken. The Burke tandem was there arm and arm, supporting the cause.

Defender Telegraph, page 6, No. 001

The Defending Tribune Project beginning to Take Shape

 

 Jack Johnson with his wife - approximately 1911

 Jack Johnson, Chicago, 1910

 

Harlem Globetrotters, 1930

"I was a ring scientist, in a day of ring laborers."

Jack Johnson

This may be my final blog posting before I begin assembling The Defending Tribune Project - due early next week in Databases, Archives and the Virtual Experience of Art with Prof. Vid Ingelevics.

Heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson was a very prominent cultural figure in the early 20th century, particularly in Chicago, where his 1910 victory over Jim Jeffries made him a star within the African-American community.  Johnson was a lightning rod for controversy everywhere he went.  Whether it was his racial taunting of White opponents, his relationships with White women, his reckless driving, or his fervent spending, Johnson made waves no matter what.

Strictly in terms of athletic performance, Jack Johnson in many ways helped develop the ingenuity that has become synonymous with African-American athletic performance over the course of the past 100 years.  In a racist world where - morally and financially corrupt -  White officials frequently snatched would-be winning performances from the hands of worthy Black contenders, Johnson developed a battery of counter-punching strategies as a means for overcoming racial bias in the ring; because "if he kept order in the ring he was lazy" and "if he damaged his opponents he was a brute" (Chicago's New Negroes, D. Baldwin).

By 1930, Johnson's crafty athletic strategies were being employed by the likes of The Harlem Globetrotters, who were actually from Chicago.  The Globetrotters transformed modern basketball into artistry by speeding up passing, racing up and down the floor, and running up scores so a late foul call by racist officials couldn't jeapordize a victorious outcome.  Many of these strategies echo the early efforts of Jack Johnson, who looked for and succeeded in finding ways to overcome a racialized playing field.  And many of these developments took place in early 20th century Chicago, the apex of the Great Migration, which is why Chicago is going to play such a key role in the next step of my thesis work.

Look for Platinum Palladium prints of Jack Johnson, The Globetrotters, and the Chicago American Giants Negro League baseball team in the near future. 

Defender Telegraph, page 1, No. 001 

Fox Sports Suspends Broadcasting Buffoons

I couldn't help myself from piggy backing on Globe and Mail columnist Jeff Blair's current bloggage regarding the suspension of NBA broadcasting tandem Ralph Lawler and Michael Smith by Fox Sports Prime Ticket.   Last Wednesday, Lawler and Smith referred to Memphis Grizzlies' centre Hamed Haddadi, the NBA's first Iranian-born player, as 'Borat's older brother'.  (Catch the clip here.)  These two buffoons are expected back on the air Monday night when I'm assuming they will be issuing a formal public apology at some point during the Clippers' game with the Timberwolves. In any case, good on the L.A. Clippers and Fox Sports for sending the right message quickly and decisively.

The NBA plays out on a global stage and if people want to encourage the growth of basketball abroad, it's important that xenophobic elements such as Smith and Lawler are snuffed out immediately.  Nobody wants to hear old White guys uttering racial slurs disguised as jokes anymore.

Here's their exchange as posted by Jeff Blair:

Ralph Lawler and Michael Smith are apparently how you say “Don Cherry” in American. The Los Angeles Clippers suspended the announcers for a game Friday after an insipid exchange Wednesday night focusing on Memphis Grizzlies Iranian centre, Hamed Haddadi. Courtesy of the L.A. Times, here is the latest instalment in Stupid Announcer Tricks:

Lawler: “Hamed Haddadi. Where’s he from?”

Smith: “He’s the first Iranian to play in the NBA.” (Smith pronounced Iranian as “Eye-ranian,” a pronunciation that offended the viewer who filed the initial complaint with the Clippers Fox affiliate.)

Lawler: “There aren’t any Iranian players in the NBA,” repeating Smith’s mispronunciation.
Later in the 40-second exchange, Smith asks Lawler:

Smith: “You’re sure it’s not Borat’s older brother?”

Smith: “If they ever make a movie about Haddadi, I’m going to get Sacha Baron Cohen to play the part.”

Lawler: “Here’s Haddadi. Nice little back-door pass. I guess those Iranians can pass the ball.”

Smith: “Especially the post players.

Lawler: “I don’t know about their guards.” 

Defender Telegraph, page 7, No. 001 

Black Face Reflects Sad State

Mad Men's Roger Sterling singing in black face.

 









French Vogue toe testing minstrelsy with runway models covered in black makeup.

Ted Danson, or should I say 'Sam Malone', has yet to escape infamy for his turn in black face in the 90s.

American Apparel says 'why not' and tries their hand at it.


 








The use of black face has been prevalent in a variety of media over the past year.  While some examples are clearly more flagrant than others, I found the diversity of its recent use something worth discussing.  Above, I have posted four very different uses of the offensive performance trope; three current examples and one older one...


1. Mad Men's head advertising honcho Roger Sterling performing at his wedding;

2. French Vogue's controversial photo spread, which subverts traditional notions of minstrelsy by associating it with European aristocracy;

3. Ted Danson's turn in black face in 1993;

4. American Apparel, once again tasteless.

Since Mad Men is a representation of American history on American television, its use of black face, though shocking, was effective and meant to remind people of this awful past.  Just as Mad Men inventively reinterprets sexism in the workplace, it is doing the same here in the form of a tragic racial faux-pas.   

French Vogue meanwhile, is completely subverting the traditional use of black face by associating it with European aristocracy, rather than American minstrelsy or Southern performance. It is a take that is certainly aimed at provoking people's sensivities but, I am not sure it is quite as offensive as people have made it out to be.  There is nothing in particular that links it to African-American culture.   Still, couldn't French Vogue have found some hot models of colour instead?

Finally, the most offensive interpretations of black face posted here have to be Ted Danson's and American Apparel's.  Both are American entities and both are performing in jest.  But how does one see the humour in using dark makeup to demean both skin colour and racialize performance.  The strangest part of white supremacist interpretations of minstrelsy is that deep down, there appears to be a love affair with African-American culture.  This infatuation expresses itself through perpetuation of Black Face in White American culture.  Unfortunately, the underlying affect is shameful.  Moreover, whatever sympathies for Black culture White Americans feel they reveal in Black Face are done so in a mocking and disrepectful fashion and will therefore, always be hollow.

So no, I do not "see the humour in it" as Danson declared back in '93.

Defender Telegraph, page 4, No. 001 

The Chemical Shipment Has Arrived...

The chemicals have arrived, I repeat, the chemicals have arrived!

I received my first batch of Platinum/Palladium chemicals late last week and I'm preparing to begin printing with them very shortly.  The package, which I ordered from Bostick & Sullivan in Santa Fe, New Mexico, should produce up to 35 8"x10" prints for my upcoming Chicago project.  This project will respond directly to my earlier boxing book In This Corner and will employ the iconographic prestige of the Platinum/Paladium print to counter the boxing cyanotypes featured in my piece last winter.

I will be making my way to Woolfits Art Supplies on Queen St. West to pick up a stack of Arches Platine paper in order to begin.  Though I am certainly anxious about learning how to print Platinum/Palladium, the challenge it presents is very exciting.  And of course, I am greatly looking forward to being back in the dark room for hours on end...

Defender Telegraph, page 4, No. 001 

Big Crowd at XPACE for Foucault project opening!

I feel very fortunate to not only have been able to attend my opening, but also to have such great friends and family supporting me through it.  I must admit, I was a bit concerned last week when my bout with swine flu dragged me closer and closer toward opening night on November 20th.  But, it all worked out and I had a great time sharing it with all of you!  Big Thank-you to Sabrina for keeping up with the cold compresses, advil, gravol, soups, and long nights, and thanks so much to everyone who came out!!!

[Plus, I'm pretty sure XPace made a killing at the bar, making them a happy bunch as well!]

Defender Telegraph, page 5, No. 001 

EDITORIAL: Get your H1N1 Vaccine!!!

With all the talk these days surrounding the overall effectiveness - and potential side effects - of the H1N1 vaccine, Defending Champions Editorial is siding with Health Canada and suggesting Canadians get themselves vaccinated for swine flu.  Our very own Marc Losier contracted the virus last week, and although he survived it and is now back up on his feet, it did keep him in bed for an entire 7 days before he could attend his own gallery opening for his artwork Foucault en valise.

On Wednesday November 11th, Losier woke with a fever, migraine, and body aches.  His symptoms would worsen over the course of the week as he developed severe dizziness, nausea, and diarrhea.  Because he was not aware that he contracted the virus until the following Saturday, it was too late to administer anti-virals, forcing Losier to fend off the flu at home with healthy doses of chicken soup, Advil, Gravol, and Gatorade.

Though this post falls outside the usual boundaries of a Defending Champions post,  the editorial staff here felt compelled to stress the importance of the H1N1 vaccine, not only as a means for staying healthy, but also as way of containing any further spread of the swine flu.  It is only November and the real flu season does not begin until after Christmas, at which time it is expected that over 30% percent of Canadians will contract the virus.

While Losier was advised by Telehealth Canada that he contracted a non-threatening case of H1N1, it did knock him out for a whole week, caused him to lose 6 pounds, and pushed the deadline for Defending Champions' surprise incarnation at semester's end.  Suddenly, it makes one understand why severe cases of H1N1 have been so perilous, and reinforces the necessity for an effective vaccination protocol and responsible decision making on behalf of the general public. Please, choose wisely. 

With files from Marc Losier and editorial staff  

Defender Telegraph, page 2, No. 001 

Say it ain't so Sammy

 


"It's a bleaching cream that I apply before going to bed and whitens my skin some," Sosa said. "It's a cream that I have, that I used to soften (my skin), but has bleached me some. I'm not a racist. I live my life happily."


Sammy Sosa showed up to the Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas last week raising more than a few eyebrows.  The lovable former Major League slugger, shunned for his use of performance enhancers a few years back, was always more amiable than his one-time big-boppin' counterpart Mark McGwire; another PED abuser.  Still, the condition he came to Nevada in was completely bizarre.  A European company has asked Sosa to 'try out' their new skin bleaching product, which they claim functions as a skin moisturizer to lessen the effects of sun damage and soften the skin. What they forgot to mention was that it would considerably lighten the aforementioned slugger's face, giving him an almost Casper-like quality; "mirror mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of..." Okay okay, we got it already. 

Interestingly, it does not appear as though the European company has any interest in selling or promoting their totally racist product outside of Sosa's native Dominican, since laws governing both beauty products and procedures in parts of Latin-America are not nearly as strict. And even though Sosa acknowledges he is using a 'skin bleaching' product, he does not see a problem with it, claiming "I'm not a racist". Say it ain't so Sammy.  What are the millions of your fans back in the Dominican gonna think of you when come home looking like some French Count?  They are going to think you've been had.

Sosa is free to do as he pleases and accordingly, he is apparently in negotiations to become the skin product's chief spokesman.  Anything for money I guess.

Defender Telegraph, page 8, No. 001 

Coming Attractions...

  FOUCAULT EN VALISE

Installation by Marc Losier

Opening Friday November 20th @ 7pm

Drinks from 7-10pm!!!

XPace Cultural Centre, 58 Ossington Ave.

(On display until December 12th, 2009)

Transported within a vintage grey suitcase is an unusual assemblage of seemingly everyday objects; a stack of postcards documenting a dialogue between two men, a rotary telephone, a container of microscope slides, a series of manila envelopes, an office stamp, and a portable light box. This display of items has combined to create Foucault en Valise - an installation that documents a fictitious time in the life of French theoretician Michel Foucault, through his dialogue with real life documentary media professor and artist, Edward Slopek. 

Defender Telegraph, page 5, No. 001 

Flu Shots for Big Shots

Apologies for my absence from Defending Champions in the past couple of weeks - school's been a grind!

Okay, back to it:  It's official, we have a full-blown influenza pandemic on our hands, what with the H1N1 flu virus descending upon us globally. Ever since SARS, scientists have been warning us about the potential of a virus such as H1N1.

This year, it finally began in Mexico City, when the Mexican government stalled on banning travel in and out of the country - most likely for fears it would devastate tourism in the Latin American destination, which it did.  I should know myself, being one of the people who CHOSE to reschedule my vacation back in May.  If I wanted to, my girlfriend and I could have stayed the course and visited Diego Rivera's murals with a face mask on. I'm serious, an Aeromexico flight official told me there was no problem at all in the Distrito Federal (Mexico City) and that their government had not issued any warning; all this while the World Health Organization was raising the H1N1 influenza pandemic in Mexico City to a phase 6 - its highest stage. As a result, the virus is spreading all over the globe, from the Ukraine all the way to Western Canada, where 20 people have died from H1N1 in Alberta alone.

To make matters worse, people are now fighting over the vaccine, which is in short supply, since our imbecilic Harper-led government was caught flat footed on this one.  Still, it's nice to know that the Calgary Flames' entire hockey organization, as well as their families, secretly budded the long vaccination lines this past week.  So when fellow Calgarians suffering from H1N1 are watching TV from their hospital beds, they can count on the Flames being on Sportsnet West.  That's real Canadiana for you!

 

Jarome Iginla and Olli Jokinen celebrate after getting vaccinated.

This is appalling and there's no way around it.  And it has to be embarrassing for the Flames, since the Alberta health authority has fired both officials responsible for this covert operation once news broke of it earlier this week.  The matter is now considered 'closed', but this is simply another example of the growing divide between the 'haves' and 'have-nots'.  Sure, athletes at the front line for surgeries, MRIs, and X-Rays is nothing new.  But to cut a vaccination line WITH YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY in the midst of a full blown influenza epidemic, in which every Canadian citizen is at risk, is downright ignorant.  Most of all, it is just another example of wealthy Big Shots bending the rules. Ugh.

Defender Telegraph, page 2, No. 001