Celebrity

You've gotta give it to "The Daily Beast."  They really come up with some amazing things that they think categorize as news and/or thought-pieces.  But as long as they're going to write about this kind of thing, and there is response; naturally, we're gonna analyze opinion around it.  Now, besides the fact that many people clearly state that they have no problem being considered racist if that's what it takes to allow their belief that somehow Jay-Z (and wife) are part of something a bit sinister.  But beyond this, it opens up an important discussion regarding not just extreme wealth and how rare it is among African-Americans, but the shift toward social responsibility around that wealth (lest some be seen as actually something against good/God by exhibiting a lack of it).  The writer is berated  by commenters throughout sites for making the connection that conjecture about Jay-Z being involved in something supernatural is akin to racism. She is seen as "missing the point" by stretching and including a racial element when those of the same race as the recording artist are actually those who initiated the illuminati claims.  Worth noting is also the tone of exhaustion from commenters about the term racism being so easily thrown about without any deep dialogue and new elements.  Many sociologists are coming together more and more to say that we need a new race theory.  And, how!  In the meantime, think Jay loses any sleep at night over such accusations?  And what was Samuels' inspiration for writing such a piece, anyway?  Hmmmm.....

One for the race theory revision books, for sure. As we examine our current period's issues with diversity, quotas and more, perhaps we are using fictional worlds to analyze and question in a way that makes it more palatable.  For sure, race is a truly sensitive topic in this country, and the comments, particularly the last one, demonstrate this.  While many fans welcome the introduction of a new character, claiming that the show has become too predictable, others see it as a tedious result of social pressures/norms.  We do not often like talking about race precisely because we have little or no practice at true conversations about it.  Feelings are often times overly-heightened or suggested to be completely squashed.  Let's see if "Downton Abbey" can potentially be an avenue to intelligent discussion.  But here's something we'd love to know now:  who will be cast as this hot singer dude?  Hmmmm.....