Friday, February 27, 2009

Bsi 2,102.9 +7.64 +.36%

The economy is contracting at the worst rate in over 25 years -- still, word that President Obama issued a deadline to end all combat operations in Iraq is news enough to send the Index higher.

WINNERS

Tyler Perry (TPS)  117.39 +12.45 +10.61%

Whether you're into Perry's Medea schtick or not, the man topped $40 million this past weekend -- in the midst of a deep recession.  It will be interesting to see what kind of filmmaker Perry evolves into once he realizes he has all the money he could possibly need.

 Mo' Money, Mo' Money, Mo' Money -- No art, but Mo' Money

LOSERS

Quincy Jones (Q) 119.3 -8.29 -6.5%

Jones has had his hands in almost every kind of artistic endeavor known to man -- and succeeded in all of them.  And what kind of thanks does he get?  He doesn't even make the opening credits of Jamie Foxx's new video for "Blame It"...

...while Ron Howard does.

Yes... THAT Ron Howard.  I think we're taking this Obama thing I little too seriously.

Kudos to Howard, though.  Who pulls his most surprising move since "Arrested Development".

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Bsi 2,095.26 -9.21 -.44%

The Index takes a dip as Carla Hall was one souffle away from becoming the first black Top Chef.

Just make the tart Carla... just make the tart.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH WATCH

In honor of Black History Month we here at the Index present this special feature to keep you abreast of those happenings you'll only find in February.  Think of it as the TV listings at the back of Jet magazine, but with fewer Tim Reid references.

THE BLACK LIST (VOL. 2)

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Bsi 2,104.47 +44.44 +2.11%

President Obama's address to congress and the nation won't turn around the economy on its own, but it's a step in the right direction.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Bsi 2060.03 -36.19 -1.73%

Even this Index isn't so isolated from what's happening on Wall Street.

BUY

Barry Jenkins

The feature film debut from this director offers all the antidote you need to the Medeas of the world.

SELL

Alan Keyes

In case you need to see what CRAZY looks like.

His rhetoric may be more inflammatory, but he's still no Clarence Thomas, if only because he doesn't have any power.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Bsi 2,096.22 -12.36   -.59%

While the massive opening of Tyler Perry's "Medea Goes to Jail" might signal black box office strength, analysts here feel that until something without Perry's name attached to it does as well, then this success is more a phenomenon rather than a trend.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Bsi 2,108.58 +8.43 +.4%

The week ends on a slight up-tick.

WINNERS

Shane Battier (SB31) .58 +.41 +341%

The New York Times Magazine makes that case that Battier is the most under-valued player in the NBA.

And here we thought it was Darko Milicic...

LOSERS

Roland Burris  (RBIL) 2.12 -7.91 -78.86%

A cadre of black ministers who showed support for Burris are now prepared to ask for his resignation.

I hate to say "I told you so", but...

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Bsi 2,100.15 -16.39 -.77%

A New York Post cartoon stirs controversy, sending the Index lower for the day.

"America's oldest continuously published daily piece of bullshit."

While some analysts might give one or two individuals a pass and say the cartoon hit a racial blind spot, those of us who've worked in newspapers know that something like this goes through several hands.  So there's no way the "double-meaning" of the cartoon was missed by so many people.