Jam Donaldson is no stranger to controversy, and with a website like Hotghettomess.com; criticism should never surprise her,  so I was surprised that Jam  seemed genuinely surprised at the Hood New post on one of her favorite websites (playahata.com) entitled: "Did Turn off Channel Zero campaign shut down BET Hotghettomess TV show?"

Jam says that  if BET is shutting her show down due to criticism she surely has not been informed. If you visit her site and spend any time there you will hear the freestyle "Ballin'" track by Jim Jones has been re-vamped to dis rappers who appear “arrested in development” (Lil Wayne, Lil Joc, Young Jeezy, & Young Joc) and people who pride themselves on failing. This might lead one to assume that ideologically the "Turn off Channel Zero Movement" and Hotghettomess are in the same camp but you would be wrong. She informed me that she wanted to speak with the leadership of Turn off Chanel Zero Movement. Playahata.com has sought to arrange that but in the meantime there is a larger more contextual discussion on the horizon for African Americans.

The Black visual image was being used as entertainment fodder by Hotghettomess.com before all of the Black entertainment blogs began to arise. Hotghettomess.com did not concentrate on the celebrity as the news entertainment blogs did but the  idea was to "pimp the image", which is why there are usually more pictures than words. It can be argued that Hotghettomess.com is the fore runner to the Black gossip arena. In the end the biggest hurdles that Jam must overcome with Hotghettomess is setting forth a working definition of exactly what “Ghetto” is and what happens when the overwhelming majority of the embarrassing images, are of African-Americans and we give those images a larger platform for exploitation. - Bruce Banter

"As long as ignorance prevails, blacks will be the tools of the exploiting class." - Charles Hamilton Houston, Dean of Howard University Law School and NAACP Litigation Director who almost single handled dismantled the Jim Crow laws.

We Got To Do Better

Playahata.com: One of our advisory Board members (Lisa Fager) said she saw you on Judge Judy involved in a legal issue where you were accused by a plaintiff of posting “unauthorized photos” of them on your website – what happened?

Jam Donaldson: LOL!! Yeah, some dude got mad that I posted his pics up there, but I won. His pic was on Facebook and the judge basically said that once you put a pic on the internet, its fair game. Not sure if that is good law, but it was good TV.

It’s a very fuzzy legal issue right now. It can be argued that I’m violating copyrights of the owners of the pictures by using their "property" without their permission.  (The Youtube issue)  However most people approach me with emotional distress claims or invasion of privacy claims which are much more difficult to prove since most of the pics I get are on the internet anyway.  How can I invade your privacy when your picture is on Myspace?  So those are more difficult.  But even with the copyright claims, it’s rarely worth it to get a lawyer (who is not likely to take the case anyway after seeing your pic) because the pic usually comes down in a month or when the site is updated.  So in the end, as with anything, it’s a cost-benefit analysis. Now with the BET show, it’s a whole different animal because Viacom has such deep pockets and we have strict legal clearance for every clip shown. 

Playahata.com: You are offended by some of the criticism that has come up since BET announced that the Hotghettomess TV show, what bothers you?

Donaldson: YOOOOOO. It's extraordinary how people can be so against a show that hasn't even aired. Why do people think that after struggling so hard to put forward a message of anti-coonery, I would be involved with a show that is counter to all I worked for? It’s also amazing how no one ever bothers to talk to me. You would think it would be helpful to actually talk to the creator of the show... duh. How do I take these arguments seriously when its so clear most of these folks have not taken the time to get the full story. They don't even have the half-story. I am so afraid that we are going to silence progressive Black voices with these knee-jerk reactions that are based on very little substance and knowledge.

The Hot Ghetto Mess show is based on the DVD. If half of these people who are the most vocal against the show would take the time to actually WATCH the DVD before making these judgments, they would realize that we have the opportunity to air, for the first time, a show that challenges the negative images that permeate the airwaves, to put them into context, and call them out for the negative forces they are. And they want to stop ME?????

Playahata.com: Would it help if you used your tagline “We got to do better" in your advertising the show?

Donaldson: We are planning on doing a revamped promotional campaign that includes the tag line. The initial push was rushed in an effort to get clips on and they actually aired before it was even certain the show was gonna go forward. I agree they were terrible and did not give a sense of what the show was about but i had no involvement with them. I am now an Executive Producer on the show and I have spoken with BET and we're working on new promos now.

Playahata.com: I watched the DVD about a year ago, so if the show is like the DVD there should not be a problem (in my opinion) but this is being produced in Hollywood so alarms go off? As a an executive Producer if we are offended can we point the finger at you?

Donaldson: Executive Producer means I am, generally, in creative control of the project. HOWEVER, although I control the creative direction and content of the show--I do NOT have veto power. Meaning, if Reginald Hudlin wants something he's gonna get it because he is footing the bill. So its a tricky relationship but I am confident after speaking with Hudlin that he is devoted to a quality, thoughtful show that is more than just a bunch of coon clips. We have both acknowledged long ago that there would be a firestorm of protest but we also both agreed, its an important cutting-edge provocative show that will ultimately start some much needed dialogue among the black community. So, onward ho....

It IS being produced in Cali. I just want to do a show I can be proud of and that will make people think. Just like the website, I have the courage of my convictions and I take full responsibility if people are offended or it is otherwise a disaster.

Playahata.com: You did not like the idea that our writer “quoted an anonymous observer” saying that he would not approve of the show?

Donaldson: I would love to know who these "observers" are who dare make an assessment about my late father. Its insulting. A "pro-community philanthropist"? My dad was not a philanthropist. I wish he had the luxury of being a philanthropist. My dad made an impact through his art, his whole life was about images and combating negative imagery of Blacks. My father was just as disgusted at Blacks who didn't represent our community well, as I am. So the internet site is OK, but the show is too much? So its OK to promote my message on the internet, but to actually reach a wider and more diverse population is bad? To actually try to effect change and provoke thought in the community that needs it most, is bad? What sense does that make? And we didn't have money like that. My dad didn't have lots of cash. Let alone lots of cash to give to causes. There's certainly nothing wrong with being a philanthropist. My dad just wasn't one. So, it makes me suspect as to where this info is coming from. My dad was a world-renowned painter. To call him a philanthropist before you call him an artist gives me pause about how well the people speaking about him know him or his work. I have no doubt that some people disagree with my tactics. And that's all good. I just ask that we keep the discussion respectful and based on relevant, accurate information. I know, I know, that’s a lot to ask. I guess I better just get used to it.

Playahata.com: You had come out in big support of Bill Cosby’s statement earlier do you maintain that position?

Donaldson: That's actually a misconception. I do not necessarily agree on a literal level with everything Cosby said (although many things he said I do agree with)-- I simply agree that the key too many of our own problems is within ourselves--he wanted us to focus inward and I also think that is necessary. I also agree that we must be able come out and challenge each other and our behaviors without being vilified by the community. Looking at the state of our communities, I think it is clearly the time for some self-examination. And with that comes the ability to criticize each other and debate our own condition. Cosby's comments sparked a wave of debate and thinking and examination amongst the community that I haven't seen from us in a long time. Of course, we still have the big fights to fight like racism, sexism, inequality of education, inadequate health care access BUT how can we fight the big fights when our communities are in shambles, when the family unit has been destroyed. At MMM Farrakhan's statements, as they have always been, are about what we can do for ourselves

In order to be any kind of effective force in our country--we must strengthen ourselves. Each individual must look at him or herself and say what I can do better in my life that will create a stronger Black community. So whether, you agree or disagree with what Cosby said, I just think it was good that he put the responsibility where it should ultimately lie--with us. Now many of us may live in poor, disenfranchised communities but those aspects of our communities that we do control, like our families, our sexuality, our pride, our standards, our quest for knowledge--in those areas we should try to excel at all times.

Popular culture and the lack of family are killing us. Look at Blacks in the early 20th century--we were much poorer as a community than we are now but we were so much richer in character and family, and pride in ourselves. So what happened? It’s a good question--and Cosby's comments were just the beginning of the exploration of the answer.

If we can't challenge ourselves about the state of Black America, who can? And whether you agree or disagree, it’s the debate and the simulation of minds and the birthing of new ideas and philosophies that's ultimately important.

Playahata.com: Do u think that people feel that you are bourgeois?

Donaldson: No I don't consider myself bourgeois at all. While I agree I had a lot of opportunities and exposure that other people haven't had. Does that make me bourgeois? I was able to go to school and pursue higher education. Does that make me bourgeois? Do I have high standards for myself? Yup! And I certainly don't look down my nose at others. Does that make me bourgeois? I got about 100K in student loan debt. Now that sho' don't make me bourgeois.

I actually have beef with the bourgeois--so many blacks who have achieved financial "success" never look back and more importantly never give back. The "talented tenthers" are some of the biggest culprits. They sit around and complain about the problems in poor communities but not once have they left their big McMansion (that they can barely afford to furnish) and come into these communities to mentor a child or tutor or coach a basketball team or teach computer skills--nothing. They work day and night to pay for the big house and their kids run wild being raised by the streets and BET. So when I hear somebody bitching and moaning--that's the first thing I ask, "What are you doing to help?"

Although I don’t have a lot of money, I am giving back the most valuable thing of all, my time and energy. So no, I don't consider myself the B word at all-- I sweat at the club and sing out shameful lyrics loudly after a few drinks with the best of them. (smile)

Playahata.com: You are an educated Lawyer and your circle is likely diverse but do you have any “poor” friends or  friends that are uneducated?

Donaldson: I'm not sure what you mean by poor. If you mean, do I have friends that are on welfare and perhaps live in public housing--no, but it’s certainly not by design. Unfortunately our communities are economically segregated. But do I have friends who don't have a college degree, yes. Friends who are scraping by, yes. Friends who are alcoholics, yes. Friends who are weed heads? Yes. Do I have friends that don't have a pot to piss in but will go buy a new car, yes? Friends with student loan debt and no job? Yes. Friends who define themselves by how many men or women they sleep with, yes. Poor can mean poorness of character and I got plenty of them.