I found out about this story only days after I did my Swahili rant, and when I saw this video, there was no freaking way I wasn’t going to talk about it. Phillip Scott gives his commentary on some fake tough guy at a mall harassing some teens who were making a music video in the wall, so he decides to be a male Karen (is that a Darren?) to these teenagers who weren’t doing anything and he had the nerve to break the phone of a teenage girl who was filming it and had nothing to do with these other teens. This coward is old enough to be their dad, but he must have felt so manly confronting high schoolers not doing anything wrong in the mall. Of course, this happens to be a racist white guy confronting two Black teens who were making the music video, and while I don’t know the ethnicity of the bystander girl, she definitely doesn’t look Caucasian. The irony gets strong when this irritable coward who’s freaking out is wearing a “Hakuna Matata” shirt! That’s right, the Swahili phrase that means “There is no problem,” or more famously translated as “No worries” for obvious reasons, is on the shirt of some guy who clearly is having irrational worries and not following the so-called “problem-free philosophy”. I’m also glad those teens are still okay, and this Hakuna Matata Harry (whom I will be addressing under that name until I find out this devil’s name) didn’t pull off a Daniel Penny on any of them. Seriously, these white supremacists are everywhere in this country, so one definitely has to be careful. I hope those teens’ families press charges against that guy for harassing them. I doubt he would do that to adolescents who look like his kids.
Before I get into the next part of the post, I will have to preface by saying that I know not everyone who likes the movie franchise that made the phrase famous outside of East Africa is like this or thinks like him or others. What I’m about to say is going to be very harsh as I’m doing this to prove a point about this behavior and how certain people are treated. Let’s be honest here. After 1994, everybody and their mom associated that phrase with that song by Timon and Pumbaa. Let’s not kid ourselves. You all know how I feel about that phrase and how Disney had the temerity to trademark it. So this begs the question, and I’m asking this question to prove a point about something…How will The Lion King fanbase react to a situation like this?
Since that fanbase (one could argue the Disney fandom at large, too) never seems to face any accountability for anything negative that’s associated with that movie franchise, are we going to hear from The Disney Corporation, Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff, or even Jon Favreau denouncing Hakuna Matata Harry like how Black people are pressured to condemn any Black celebrity who’s accused of doing or saying something terrible? Would this situation happen if the races were reversed? I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy is a racist jackoff if he’s acting like he’s Mr. Billy Big Balls around those teenagers. This situation only feeds into my prejudices of a good portion of Lion King fans having bigoted views in seeing Black and even other non-white ethnic groups as thugs, criminals, or worthless individuals, much like how they see those hyenas in the movie. That Mickey Mouse Monopoly documentary proved me right years ago about how racist The Lion King and multiple fans of that movie are with the story of Jacqueline Maloney (a Black woman) telling a story of her female Caucasian friend concerned about her three-year-old boy assuming some Black children were just like the hyenas even though they were only playing and laughing. That’s saying nothing about learning about history I didn’t learn in school that proved me right that Mufasa was committing protagonist-centered morality the whole time with the elephant graveyard situation. It’s like if someone is dark enough, then they don’t belong in the circle of life. No, James Earl Jones, Madge Sinclair, or those in the remake aren’t carte blanche for having a bigoted narrative with those melanin shields in those movies, got it? How would you Lion King fans feel if you got the Kyrie Irving or Kanye West treatment if there was enough power to cancel Hakuna Matata Harry or your fanbase for not condemning this violator? Most of you don’t know what it’s like to be scapegoated by proxy, and you all would scream about how it’s unfair. I’ll ignore the low-hanging fruit that involves Scar’s first sentence of dialogue in the movie to respond to that attitude, so you’re ever so welcome! As someone who’s actually been racially profiled and bashed for things I like because I have a particular skin color, I have no sympathy for this man. There have been people like him who have made my life hell at different times in my life. Silence is violence! I wouldn’t be surprised if various fans, especially some of those nerdy influencers try to pretend this never happened or emphasize how they are “individuals” who don’t deserve to be profiled. Maybe you shouldn’t paint people with the same brush (especially various ethnic groups), and I wouldn’t be tempted to hold a metaphorical mirror to your collective faces. I know this is just dark satire and overexaggerating, but I’m doing this to prove a point because this fandom never gets scrutinized for anything, and I’m treating most of them the way people like me have been treated by those with the power to derogate me at best or dehumanize me at worst.
Hakuna Matata Harry, I hope you face the consequences of being a racist bully. Lion King fans, prove me wrong that you don’t support this guy or think someone like me deserves to be mistreated, harassed, or even abused, like how I had a bad habit of having to prove my humanity to you and others. I hope people do their best to protect their families and not let wicked people harass, hurt, or kill them. It’s saddening what people have to deal with or how certain people get victimized just because of their skin color as these demons see them as prey who can be inflicted without consequences.
Tag Archives: Hakuna Matata
Some Music and a Podcast Interview: Cybersix, Buja Praise, and Alexander Roth
I really need to decompress with the stress in my life as well as finding out about atrocities not talked about in the history books that I was unaware about. This doesn’t mean I’m apathetic. I can only take so much morbidity at a time. Come on, people. I’m a human being, you know. I thought I would switch this up with some interesting videos involving a theme song, a Burundian band, and an interview.
Those of you who follow one of my other blogs where I cover film, documentary, and anime reviews, I recently covered the Canadian/Japanese/Argentinean series Cybersix on there. I remember watching that show on Fox Kids when I was in elementary school (wow, does that give away my age or what?). The theme song was something I remembered back then and I re-discovered this show on RetroCrush of all places! I was gobsmacked that this obscure cartoon can be streamed for free legally online and that they would play all 13 episodes there. The theme song was handled by Canadian jazz/pop singer Coral Egan and this song really gets stuck in your head. I think they should give Cybersix a remake with a longer storyline. It’s also a breath of fresh air seeing a superheroine who ISN’T Marvel or DC for a change.
I know gospel isn’t everyone’s thing. I respect that. Recently, I got into Bukuru Celestin who is a Burundian musician who’s currently based in America. I first heard of him due to his collab EP with jazz band Snarky Puppy. Apparently, he also has a gospel band side project called Buja Praise. They incorporate songs in English, Kirundi, and Swahili with some African rhythms mixed with Western instrumentation. They have a great sound and certainly don’t sound like the typical K-Love fair. Of course, the title of this song got my attention for obvious reasons (don’t lie, you were thinking the same thing), but it is a completely different song. I also got to message them the other day. Yes, I brought up THAT controversy and they think a certain mouse trademarking that phrase is so stupid and they’re going to keep on singing this song. Good on you, Buja Praise! Way to do your best to preserve the Swahili-phone cultures even if that language isn’t the main one in Burundi (Kirundi is the #1 language there). I wonder how fans of that particular movie franchise would feel knowing this song exists…
I usually don’t put podcast interviews on here, but this snippet was very fascinating. David Francisco is a Portuguese wrestler currently living in England and he interviews Alexander Roth who is a Black British wrestler. They discuss the Everything Patterned show at Wrestling Resurgence. Some of you may remember me talking about this show a couple of years ago which was a Black History Month event in England (context: October is BHM in the UK and not February like in America). Alexander Roth and David Francisco talk about the impact of this indie BritWres show and what it meant for positive representation in the wrestling scene. It was very insightful with Roth talking about being in that show in tag team action and how it inspired others in ways he would’ve never expected. I did like his experience in this event and how he was floored with the social media response as well as getting a message from America of all places. His comment about humans being the only creatures who “beef over” skin color unlike snakes, lions, leopards, etc. with his analogy. This form of entertainment and athleticism isn’t for everyone obviously, but give this a listen. Also, Everything Patterned was SO much better than anything I’ve seen in WWE or AEW. Just saying.
3 news cases I have to vent about: Mass Shootings, Cultural Appropriation, and Dehumanization
I wish I wasn’t physically sick today. Over the past few days, I’ve been hearing stories and I just get emotionally sick hearing about these. This world is too cruel and bigoted for it’s own good. I couldn’t just have 3 different posts going on.
1: The mass shootings in El Paso, TX and Dayton, OH
This should be quite obvious since this was big news over the weekend. I wasn’t shocked at what happened. So many people died in two different shootings in El Paso and Dayton by Patrick Crusius and Connor Betts respectively. It’s not surprising at all with who the suspects were and I’m frustrated by how well they treated. When I saw the video of Patrick Crusius being arrested, he was taken alive (OF COURSE!) by only 1 single cop. Apparently he wasn’t in fear of his live for someone who gunned down over 20 people and people have been treated worse for less nationwide let alone in Texas. Oh, I’ll get to that reason why I namedropped that state in particular. When I saw a different video from the African Diaspora News Channel (FKA The Advise Show). Phil talked about the El Paso shooting and said something that really hit me in just four words “Mass murderers have privilege”. Think about that for a minute. How many unarmed Black people get gunned down for far less by the police, yet White killers get taken alive and the cops suddenly don’t feel scared even if the suspect is armed? This is the Injustice system on full display.
2: #TrademarkWars Pt. III AKA Be Prepared…because Disney is suing people because of a foreign phrase!
Disney…STOP GIVING ME REASONS TO BASH YOU REGARDING YOUR RIP-OFF MOVIE!
I swear if that company keeps up with this madness, then I might as well call Ospreyshire’s Realm the Lion King Thievery Expose Blog. As you all know, Disney trademarked the phrase “Hakuna Matata” which sparked outrage on and off the African continent. There’s a petition still going on right now. You should already know my thoughts about this issue. I remember some people being in denial that Disney wouldn’t be stupid enough to sue people despite having legal fiat to do so. It was only a matter of time, but those people would be wrong and I was proven right. You see, Disney is suing a Chinese company for trying to trademark that Swahili phrase, but as “HakunaMatata” in their claim. Here’s more information about that story. Let’s break it down. An American company is suing a Chinese company over a phrase they didn’t invent from a language that isn’t spoken in either place. Now, China wants in on stealing African culture, too. For me, this is like America and China’s predatory business practices in Africa in microcosm. Just look at all the people being exploited by companies from both countries in the continent. You even have Chinese people beating up Ugandan politicians or murdering Namibian employees there and that’s the stuff I know about. I’m sure China wouldn’t like it if Disney trademarked a common phrase like “Xie xie” or “Ni hao” if they did something idiotic to promote the upcoming Mulan live-action remake, and everybody knows it. Lion King fans, I dare you to defend this and the other forms of theft.
#3: A leashed Black man…HOW SHAMEFUL!
Going back to Texas, there was a mentally ill Black man who was apprehended by two cops on horseback and leashed him! If it wasn’t for the cars and fashion, I would’ve thought I saw a real life scene from the 1800s, not 2019. The slave catcher imagery was beyond sick and this goes back to the first news story. You get accused of trespassing (allegedly), then you’ll have two cops leashing you up with horses, but if you slaughter people in the double digits, you get to be arrested with dignity by one cop! This is just beyond sick. I don’t want just an apology for their racist actions, I want those cops involved to be punished and for Donald Neely to sue the police department. America is so freaking bigoted. I’ve dealt with being discriminated firsthand here and that’s something some of you will never deal with in your lives. Name one white person in 2019 who was treated like Donald Neely. Exactly. I can’t ignore the mistreatment of others just because of their race and I hate how demonic people get softer treatment. I’m beyond infuriated as I recover from being sick.
I had to get these things off my chest. This dehumanization needs to stop.
Disney and Beyonce need to stop giving me carte blanche to rant about that stupid rip-off movie franchise and how they rip off stuff again (or CAN YOU FEEL THE HEIST TONIIIIIGHT?)
I’m sorry. I seriously didn’t expect to make a rant involving the best-selling piece of plagiarism in movie history. Okay, I did get a smile on my face how that remake has been getting negative reviews, but I still get frustrated with their fans defending the indefensible.
However, recent situations and discoveries are only proving me right more and more!
Let’s recap on what The Lion King has stolen thus far:
1: Kimba the White Lion. ‘Nuff said.
2: Trademarking the phrase “Hakuna Matata” which is totally cultural appropriation.
Then came a 4th reason and this one involves a music video, the most famous Destiny’s Child member, and a lesser-known South African musician of Congolese and Angolan descent.
So, Beyonce came out with the new music video for “Spirit” which is a song for The Lion King remake. It features imagery of a desert and people wearing blue and red traditional African clothing. Wouldn’t it be crazy if the imagery copied a long-form music video that came out last year? Oh…that actually happened.
Petite Noir is the originator in this story. He made a short film/long-form music video for his “La Maison Noir” EP. I’ve checked out his music and it’s really good. I bought his EP on Bandcamp not just because I liked the music video or his music, but to support a real artist who doesn’t steal from others. He even self-directed his own music video. Want to know the subtitle of it? The Gift and the Curse. HAHAHAHA! Get it? Because that Beyonce vanity project…I mean companion soundtrack is called The Lion King: The Gift! Wow, shame on Beyonce, director Jake Nava, and Disney for stealing someone else’s art. I hope Petite Noir lawyers up and sues all those parties involved.
Disney and Nala…I mean, Beyonce are only proving me right even more that this franchise is a legacy built on artistic larceny. First, Japan, then multiple Swahili-speaking countries, and South Africa TWICE now?! They really have no shame.
I really didn’t want to do a post bashing this movie franchise again, but it was deserved.
Now if you excuse me, I’m going to rock out to Petite Noir’s EP at the moment. Dear Beyhive, your so-called goddess isn’t infallible whether she got Mickey Mouse money or not. Disney fans, your favorite company isn’t innocent.
#TrademarkWars Pt. II: Drop the Hakuna Matata trademark because cultural appropriation sucks!
At the time of this post, over 187K+ people signed the petition in that link above. I’m one of them because I practice what I preach.
Some of you may have seen my #TrademarkWars post not too long ago. I’m not sorry for repeating the information, but some of this maybe new to some of you. For those of you who didn’t see that earlier post, let me give you the scoop. Disney owns a trademark for the words “Hakuna Matata”.
“But Ospreyshire, that’s a stupid thing to worry about!” You might say. “What’s the big deal?”
It’s because making a dollar of a foreign phrase is cultural appropriation. That’s why.
This offends me more than The Lion King ripping off Kimba the White Lion, and that’s saying something. The thing is “Hakuna Matata” has been a very common phrase that the Swahili-speaking world (examples: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, DRC, etc.) has said for centuries. Disney acts like they can just own foreign words like some kind of hidden treasure. That’s colonizer thinking right there. Could you imagine the outrage if Disney or any other conglomerate were to trademark foreign phrases such as “C’est La Vie” from the French or “Que Sara Sara” from the Italians? Everybody would riot if that were to happen. Even English speakers know what those phrases mean and would call out something like that. Keep in mind, even Paris Hilton couldn’t trademark “That’s hot” and Donald Trump couldn’t trademark “You’re fired” when The Apprentice was a hit show, so what does that tell you? I guess since this involves Africans, then they don’t matter in Disney’s eyes by taking a common saying that’s spoken throughout multiple countries in that continent.
Cultural appropriation is another form of racism as it steals from others while benefiting the appropriator. I’m sick and tired of people getting away with thieving cultural elements that clearly never belonged to them to the first place. The Swahili speaking public got nothing out of this trademark even though they’ve been saying it long before the invention of animation.
If this irks you that colonialism still permeates even in kids movies, then I would urge you to sign.
Hakuna Matata: Not some remorse-free philosophy
#TrademarkWars: Have you no shame, Disney?
I know this is an older story, but I just have to talk about it.
I apologize if this issue is getting old especially for those in the aniblogger community, but holy crap…did Disney have to steal something else especially in regards to The Lion King? Ripping off Kimba the White Lion wasn’t enough for them?
Basically, Disney owns a trademark for the words “Hakuna Matata” which is stupid on so many levels for a common phrase in the Swahili-speaking community in Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, DRC, Uganda, etc.). I also didn’t know that there was a popular song in the 70s that used the phrase in it’s chorus.
Sure, some of you are rolling your eyes to me bashing Disney since I am a former fan of The Lion King. Besides the shameless stealing of Kimba, I couldn’t stand some of the plot holes, the protagonist centered morality of Mufasa, and the racist implications of the hyenas (come on, you don’t think they sounded like ethnic stereotypes?). Not to mention the whole Elephant Graveyard situation is much more disturbing in hindsight when you research things like the Congolese genocide, the Namibian genocide, or the genocides against Native Americans to name a few where people where exiled and starved out at punishment. Makes me wonder if Disney fans see the hyenas as proxies for Black people to be punished at all costs while claiming that company isn’t racist for hiring minorities as some rhetorical dodge for it not being racist (strawman defeated). Please, that’s like saying the porn industry can’t be sexist because they hire women.
The thing isn’t just about trademarking a common Swahili phrase or for me ragging on Disney for their business practices. The bigger picture is cultural appropriation. One other example that Dr. Mumbi gave in the video was Louis Vuitton capitalizing on traditional Masai cloth by giving it the luxury treatment which is idiotic and offensive to me. Culture isn’t some free for all object for people to steal. I would bet you money if someone were to steal stuff from Louis Vuitton or any other big company, then lawsuits would be handed like candy on Halloween. Screw that double standard. If you want to incorporate something like someone’s culture then do it respectfully and pay the price for it.
This trademarking is so shameful on many levels. If you want to sign the petition about this matter, then here’s the link: https://www.change.org/p/the-walt-disney-company-get-disney-to-reverse-their-trademark-of-hakuna-matata
Video is property of Dr. Mumbi Seraki.
Ospreyshire's Realm 