A short message from Basquiat and myself

[sandylevy1]

Hey Dork, this is not REALLY Basquiat. It's Jeffery Wright. Know of what you speak, before you post.

[paytotheorderofofof2]

@sandylevy1 ... No shit. Hahahaha. What the hell, man, you think I somehow took and uploaded a clip of a movie without realizing it was a movie? Ever notice that the movie title is "Basquiat" so it makes total sense to say "a message from Basquiat"?

Don't be such a jackass, airhead.

[MsSkateboardP]

hmm maybe if TUA was black s/he would understand the undertones present in society

[topmoviemafia]

Not class issue. Race issue. He's black and rich. But he's still a nigger ( according to the view point of the movie's characters, who are observing him coldly, judging him, and snickering ). Jean's an artist who is new money - shy & sensitive. He feels the hatred but he's proud, so in order to deflect humiliation, he reverses the power structure. He displays his economic strength. It's not class issue -- he has money -- but he's not wanted... no matter how much $ he has. Fuck'em, Jean.

[bdubber]

This is the worst piece of poo poo. Nothing like Jean, A schnable promotion piece, I saw him laugh in that guy's face one day at the studio. I worked for Jean 5 years! And he was not like jeffrey write.... Wait till you see "The Radiant Child" out in a couple months, just went to a screening last night.... So good to see Jean.... Now you can see the real one not the Schnabbie fake BS one..... He was my brother!

[Tenor4Christ]

Yeah that scene stuck with me as well. although this may not have totaly been about race, but I do not suspect that he would have received such a crude reaction if he was a white guy wearing the same clothes and hairstyle. This also could have been about his being in a bi-racial relationship. I don't think it is really about class, because if he is in there, obviously he can afford the meal.

Anyway this was a great movie.

Just my 2 cents.

[SaulSinan]

for people with limited capability of understanding the human concept, money, I believe is the best thing to confront them.

[repelghosts]

I walked into Katz's Deli with Jean Michel in the early 1980s and he removed his shoes before we both entered.I asked him Why on earth Jeam=n would you take you shoes off?'

You guess his reply...

J

T.O.

Miss you babe.

[TUA61]

You've totally missed the point of this scene.

The Wall Street yuppies are making fun of his appearance NOT his race.

Any similarly-dressed bohemian-type lunching in a chic New York restaurant would've gotten the same response.

The scene is about class difference not race.

Why do most blacks always assume that every slight has to do with the color of their skin?

[paytotheorderofofof2]

It is up for interpretation. Most people interpret it as a race issue because Basquiat dealed with it a lot. Perhaps we are both right. It would make sense that it is about both race and class.Here is what Julian Schnabel had to say about it:

[HeidiIvy]

you said it,both issues and MORE are covered here... there is no ONE answer, just a really good scene to make you think--- and eventually forgive those who are so "judge-mental"-- they know no better--- they are stuck in their fear and their own comfortable realities-- one day they will wake up. THANKS for posting, I loved this movie too!!!!!

[paytotheorderofofof2]

"There's a scene in my movie that takes place in the restaurant Barbetta, which Jean-Michel used to love. He walks in with his old girlfriend [played by Claire Forlani], who's white, and these white executives see him and wonder what this black kid with his dreadlocks is doing in such a nice, fancy place. He's sitting there trying to eat and have an important conversation and they make fun of him. ... to be continued...

[paytotheorderofofof2]

In the end, he tells the waiter that he wants to pay their bill, which was a couple of thousand dollars. That was his way of showing them who he was without dealing with them."

And by the way, I'm not black.

[bigrussthefuss]

so what do you mean by deal with it, "we're" here to stay, who is we?

jean michel basquiat frequently gave his girlfriends gohnorea and when he died the autopsy showed he had aids, not hiv but aids.

[alabamamichimeko]

try living in black skin then you understand

[ocapana]

can anyone write what he said? I went on a couple times but no avail.

[PieceofMindmusic]

He said: "Man, what year is this?"

He meant: Are people still, at this day and age, so uncivilized that ones differences must still looked upon with disdain.

[PieceofMindmusic]

"Man, what year is this?"

[dloeil]

fight the power. earth realtes. prosciutto and melons for everyone

[1111BLAKE1111]

yea, what did he mean when he said: "what year is this?"

[supplement31]

hhaah okay i got it i c that your bf is black am i right thats so sweet my parents go through the same thing my mum being asain and my father black/dominican more power to you so proud to see another person proud to be different you aregreatly respected

[supplement31]

im sorry dont mean to sound dumb or anything but what did he say? what year is it?

thats what you say to racist comments?

[adenowa3232]

The clip is too short would love to have seen more, what an odd and interesting reaction, I would love to think that I could have resisted having them know that I had paid for them but I am not sure that I could have. I guess I will never know I will likely never experience anything similar to this, hmmmmm is that a good thing? perhaps not.

[colorboxx11]

I KNEW jEAN WE HAVE MET dAVID THREE TIMES...WHO THE EFF ARE YOU PUNKOS?

[Lisa13245]

i dont get it.

[Finlander700]

Totally dig it.

[RCDiesel]

Damn, I never realised that before! All you have to do to blacks is to give them grief, and they pay for you!

Excellent! I'm gonna go and get my groceries paid for me, right now!

[paytotheorderofofof2]

I guess if you're too poor to provide for yourself then that's a good idea!

[RCDiesel]

No, I've got the money, but I can't resist a bargain!

It's excellent - I've been to the cinema, the dogs, pubs - the list is endless!

They take some convincing, but I've recruited some gentlemen from the local 'alternative politics' scene.

Thanks Emily, an inspiration as always! Mwah!

[paytotheorderofofof2]

Ohhh so you can afford it but you're just weak. Gotcha!

[RCDiesel]

Weak?! I've got two black eyes and four broken ribs!

They seem to put up more of a fight than the gentleman in the video - it's slightly misleading.

But where there's a will, there's a way, eh?!

[paytotheorderofofof2]

Hahaha, please.

[Squeaky1423]

This movie is amazing, Jeffrey Wright should have won an Oscar. David Bowie is also wonderful as Warhol. It may not be "the real" thing regarding Basquiat, but the movie is excellent.

[paytotheorderofofof2]

I agree, thanks for commenting. :)

[iwearblueshoes]

I actually thought Bowie's Warhol seemed like more of a caricature, as if you were watching a parody of Warhol on SNL. If you watch Jonas Mekas' "Scenes from the Life of Andy Warhol", you'll see what I mean. Bowie really overdid his little nuances. Then again, Warhol is probably one of the most difficult characters anyone could play. I also agree that "Downtown 81" is way better, though of course it would be. Even the greatness of Schnabel couldn't match the real thing!

[TheMilquetoast]

Wow, I'm so happy to see someone else agrees with me about Bowie's Warhol. I've studied Warhol for about 13 years now, and, in spite of my immense admiration for Bowie, thought he really overdid it with his performance. I agree on the whole Basquiat vs. Downtown 81 deal, too. Both are good in their own right, but ultimately, if you loved this film, you HAVE to see Downtown 81.

[findingusernamesucks]

you're being a little tough don't you think I think Bowie did a great job . . . Andy Warhol's "little nuances" were more like pretty fuckin' big nuances, Bowie might have over done his whine a little bit but other than that I think it's pretty spot on I mean combine Bowie's and Guy Pierces' and I think you have it perfect

[findingusernamesucks]

this was really great . . . I live down south and I am white and so I pretty much get thrown into the racist category simply because I know very few black people and so I don't know how to act around them and so I am ultimately scared of almost all black people that I don't know personally . . . I wish we could all just get along it'd work better for both groups

[ekiroto]

be yourself and learn from the repurcussions of your behaviour. How will you ever get to know black individuals personally if your afraid of a bad reaction? Not all of us turn irate in the presence of something that seems racist. For me most things seen as "racist" are ignorance including what happens in this scene. One person is unaware of their own prejudices or generalizations and applies that to another person thus reading the others personality all wrong resulting in an act of ignorance.

[findingusernamesucks]

naw I mean . . . it was hard express myself in typed form . . . my first comment looks pretty damned stupid now . . . um yeah idk what I was thinkin' naw I don't even know now . . . anyway I'm cool with whatever I don't think that any one person would get irrate with me I am just aware of the tension and I would never want to irritate it . . . it comes more from being shy than any sense or section of racism

[sheisfoxymoron]

That's my favorite movie. :)

[midnightaria]

I LOVE THIS.....i moved fro cali to the south and these kinds of views are way more obvious here....

[whateveritsnoyes]

and don't forget to read every story attached to every photo that has one.

some dates are off, or maybe they're accurate and it's Phoebe Hoban that got it all wrong, like the whole Culebra trip amd the subsequent creation of Arroz Con Pollo.

either way, they're interesting accounts.

[whateveritsnoyes]

i actually remember you Paytotheorder

you were the girl who mispronounced his last name as "bas-qwait" when i saw your early videos about a dinosaur eating your house or some shit.

if you're interested, Nick Taylor's story, which is what this scene is based on, is on the cepagallery dot org site under picture #21

enjoy.

[Pirate7X]

Forget this (with respect to Jeffrey Wright's great performance).

See DOWNTOWN 81 for the real Basquiat.

[xTearsOfPearls]

I second that. "Downtown 81" is amazing.

This movie is okay for a basic overview, though as far as really getting in-depth on the message behind many of Basquiat's works (namely in regards to his collaborations with Warhol and their relationship as a whole, which is SEVERELY under-embellished here), I would say that this film falls far short.

[whateveritsnoyes]

true, but like Schnabel himself says in the Charlie Rose interview that i think is still up on Googlevideo, it's a movie and he wasn't making a documentary so he left a lot of things out for the sake of structure and coherency. speaking of documentary i really really wanna see Tamra Davis' "A Conversation with Basquiat"

Downtown 81 was definitely interesting to watch, brings you in the whole 1980/81 world that Jean was living in then, staying in all those peoples houses and all.

[voideyez]

So, he bought them dinner to show he had status far beyond what they thought of him? O_o ..I am right! I hope.

[VisionofOrion]

Nope it was the ultimate insult. Jean Michel, a guy that the business men looked down on in social class picked up thier tab.

[BrooklynNYC777]

true true true hahahahah

[trinyweeny]

I am glad you shared this. I'm so sick of people living back in the 60's where black people were such an issue.

It's NOT an issue anymore. Black people have all the right's they deserve. It should stay that way, and people need to fucking accept it already.

[kimrabb]

Are you black? I am guessing you must be since you are speaking for a whole group of people. If not...you are boring.

[nardyah]

:) Im happy that you two have found eachother out of all the people in the world. true love is hard to come by xoxo

[templefugit]

Damn blackies.

[trinyweeny]

FFS, it's the 21st century. Go back to the 60's, damn racist.

[lemonjellies]

Why am I not suprised you admire a black artist? That scene is stupid on so many levels. Those mocking the couple wouldn´t change their views because he paid their dinner. Money doesn´t buy respect.

[paytotheorderofofof2]

Funny that Basquiat became my favorite artist long before I knew James, hm? And if you you think he paid their money to gain their respect, well then I'm not even going to discuss that with you.

[morganviolet]

haha.... he didn't buy their dinner to earn their respect... And unfortunately I see that no one is going to be able to explain it you.

[BlkkSthAfrican4Life]

Thas what Ima sayin! Tha tables are a turnin. Getcha butler ass over der and do whatcha told..

[newsensation22]

Blacks are so pathetic. You would actually call the Africam American HIV/AIDS crisis racist? You would stoop that low? Denial knows no limits with most blacks. Deny, Deny, Deny, Excuses, Excuses, Excuses. The USCDC just released a report 2 weeks ago. Blacks are 13% of the population and account for 50% of all new HIV/AIDS cases! FYI - these disproportional numbers are the same with blacks in every country in the world. Riddle me that.

[caaustin80]

It turns out that many people of European descent more resistant to HIV infection because of mutations in the receptors the virus uses to enter cells. The working hypothesis is that the plagues that swept through Europe selected for individuals with the resistent mutations. Riddle answered

[fredastaire1]

It's nice to see the Westboro Baptist Church has expanded its membership.

[KeystoneBronx]

Thoroughly enjoyed the movie after checking it out when I saw this clip. Thanks for the indirect recommendation ;)

[SomersetCollection]

While he was banging white chicks, white dudes were banging him. AIDS: 1 Jean-Michel: 0.

[paytotheorderofofof2]

Yeahhh, except he didn't have AIDs. Good try, but the whole "all blacks have aids" thing is overused and completely ludicrous.

[rob2nyc]

"all blacks have aids" thing is overused and completely ludicrous. -- Yes, it is ridiculous. But what is not ridiculous is that half of all infections in America are of African American. I'm not trying to be racist, it's just a sad fact. Black women are 8 times more likely to have AIDS than white women.

[paytotheorderofofof2]

You're right, it is a sad fact. But it's an even sadder fact that some idiots decide every black they see, like James, must have AIDs. James doesn't.

[wearealltogetha]

wait so, you're using racism here to counter racism? is that what you're trying to do?

i don't usually get after commenters, but this just pissed me off. if you're racist, admit it to yourself. don't try to cover it up with some sort of twisted justification.

asssholeeeee.

[rob2nyc]

I didn't know that pointing out a major health crisis was racist. AIDS has become a black disease in America, racist or not. I learned this from an hour-long ABC news special a couple of months ago on America's denial of and devastation of AIDS in the black community, not from some racist website. But whatever, people like you will be PC at all costs so you can feel better about your own miserable existance. Have a good life.

[wearealltogetha]

i'm not pc at all costs; if you met me you'd know. but whether or not aids has affected black people more, that does not give you the right to generalize like that. i haven't slept in three days, so maybe you are saying perfectly nice things that my mind is twisting. in which case i apologize. i hear a lot of people using aids as justification for prejudice... and this is texas my god i should be used to it... and i'm rambling i think, maybe. yes.

[wearealltogetha]

...that was a reply to rob2nyc but it didn't show up on the page that way for some reason.

but yeah, stay cool emily. also i like your name. and your approach to this matter because i wouldn't be able to handle the asshole factor with that much grace. the anonymity of the internet really messes people up.

[rtd3xxx]

You go girl, You and James make a gorgeous couple if all the people in the world were interacial I think we all we would be in a more beautiful place, because then we would have that understanding.

[SomersetCollection]

"gorgeous couple" yeah, okay.

[alkaline53]

exactly!

[princessbrit222]

what did he say after she asked why? ugh i'm confused.

[paytotheorderofofof2]

He said, "man, what year is this." Turn up your voluuuume.

[Tyrannous]

just kidding, good clip.

[millionetc]

Uhm, yeah, I loved the flick, and loved his work, but, if you say that 'everything about his existence' inspires you, you might be talking about the feelgood ,airbrushed and historically inaccurate portrait presented by Schnabel as opposed to any kind of reality.

[paytotheorderofofof2]

And why do I say that? Yeah, he went through shit like drug abuse and homelessness, but that still inspires me. Someone can inspire you with both positive and negative aspects of their life in both positive and negative ways.

[millionetc]

Uh...Drug abuse inspires you ? You simply have to take a trip up to Vancouver then, all the 'inspiration' here will simply put you into orbit. To say that someone inspires you with negative and positive aspects of their life in both negative and positive ways kind of negates the meaning of the word 'inspire'...

[paytotheorderofofof2]

Yes, his drug abuse inspires me to keep my life on track. I'm surprised you didn't think of it in that light. It doesn't negate the meaning of inspire. The meaning of inspire is prompt. It prompts me to do or not do things. Like drugs.

[millionetc]

No, you're absolutely right, my mistake. I was reading the word out of a glaring ignorance of it's etymology and correct meaning, and was instead taking it on the deformed usage found and promoted in advertising, which tends to imply a purely 'positive' set of behaviors which one would desire to emulate. Thx for the correction.

[modifiedchick111]

Shit man you are so welcome, thank god you guys have each other, and I'm sure James is hard enough to not let it worry him, but hell man. What year is this?

Oh, and your art is primo man.

xxx

Libby

[paytotheorderofofof2]

Idk, James is used to it so it bothers him less. Me not so much. I get all, "what is going on?!" because I'm not used to racial discrimination. Weird.

[bottleship]

what is he saying right at the end?

[paytotheorderofofof2]

"Man, what year is this?"

[ir40]

wtf

[modifiedchick111]

You get racist comments?? Really?? Thats fucking bullshit. You are the most beautiful couple I may have ever seen. That makes me mad. I like this video, you were right, he said it all.

xxx

Libby

[paytotheorderofofof2]

Oh dear, I get tons. Just look through the comments on any video that includes James! Especially the Emily faces racism video... I get thousands. But it's cool, I mean it only makes us stronger. And thanks. :)

[lincz25]

cool

[inkyoubiss]

umm howdy kiddo, umm, i was wondering what movie this is from, i read your description and didnt catch the title there... it isn't Downtown 81 is it?

[gman6501]

I havent seen this movie but i plan on watching right here on this site. For the people who may not understand what went on in this video, the guys at the table were laughing at him probably because they didnt take him seriously or something and he just decided to randomly payed their bill. Thats my word.

[killabc]

no she is trying to make a point that mixed race couples are or should be normal now these days, but the movie shows that the men are laughing because they are making fun of the couple and probably thinking its the rong decision to make on the white girls part. He pays there tab to show how he is as normal as any other white man or ne for that matter

[gman6501]

thanks i tried my best at the guess!!!

[Galamie]

The girl was nice lookin ^<^

[SimplyJaime]

ah at last another of your videos! encore! haha.

[Lizpuff2006]

I loved this clip! I really wish I would have met him, we do need more people like him in this world.

[Bavo1990]

what was this?

[paytotheorderofofof2]

Read the video description if you don't understand.

[faenda]

indeed.

[marcjuanhijo]

Is racist comments to reason you haven't made a video in so long :(

[BenevolentLaughter]

I always wondered how to properly pronounce his name. When the heck are you gonna plaster your face all over your videos again? :] I miss your vlogs.

[paytotheorderofofof2]

Idk, the movie pronounces it like "bah-skee-aht" but I don't know if that's right. Everyone seems to pronounce it differently. Why oh why did I have to fall in love with THIS difficult name... haha.

[BenevolentLaughter]

That made me think of Lily Allen. "Sun is in the sky, oh why oh why would I wanna be anywhere else?" <3

[talirol]

i think that is the correct pronunciation. wikipedia says it's [ba.ski.a(t)] or basˈkja(t)]

[xTearsOfPearls]

Yep, it's "Bahs-kee-aht". I remember hearing him (the real Basquiat, that is) pronounce it that way in an interview on the Ric Burns Warhol documentary that came out last year. He was also half-Haitian, and spoke French, so it makes sense.

[Tyrannous]

jesus, way to hold on to baggage from hundreds of years ago

[paytotheorderofofof2]

You're telling me. Look at the shit I gotta take!

[Tyrannous]

haha wonderful

[xxvemoguyvxx]

ooh, claire forlani... mmmhmmm :D

[redsimonDE]

What is the name of the movie?

[JoshuaMH1]

Its called Basquiat. Correct me if I'm wrong...But I think thats the movie...I would like to see it as well, and thats what Google found.

[paytotheorderofofof2]

It's hard to find, but I found it in Target after so long searching!

[paytotheorderofofof2]

Basquiat. Just that. :)

[Alphonzen]

Race is a non-issue. Once you start to communicate freely with people other ethnic groups, you forget about race.

[JoshuaMH1]

I don't find nothing wrong with it, We're all people..But I don't think you should do it just to be in the "Interracial" group...

[paytotheorderofofof2]

And I'm not. I thought nothing of James's race until all of a sudden it turned into a big deal AFTER I started dating him.

[JoshuaMH1]

Sorry, I wasn't referring to you, forgot to hit the reply button..I meant that to someone who made a comment like,"I wanna date a black girl now", or something like that. I know your not like that.

[paytotheorderofofof2]

Ooh. Well yay. ^_^

[fancypals]

what did he say? i couldnt understand him. no one hears us?

[paytotheorderofofof2]

Turn your volume up? The men were whispering about him and he told the waiter to put their bill on his tab anonymously. The girl asked him why, and he said "man, what year is this?"

[Lady1216]

Ha, I didn't get the last line.

[Shpongl3d]

Way to go, these idiots who post ignorant comments aren't worth your time, you're too good for that. Anyway, hope you're doing well :)

[PACSATOWN05]

1st comment

[rickyscot]

YOU ROCK!

[ThePwnyExpress]

great... it's nice to see a new video again... it's been a little while

[paytotheorderofofof2]

Yesssssss.... I'm gonna try to make one tomorrow since I have off and James wont be home. :D

[ThePwnyExpress]

good to hear... you know, i mentioned u in a video i did called "plug fest"... and someone started leaving me hate for it, so i can only imagine what u get.... i stuck up for u, as did one or two others on my comment board for that video... just thought u would like to know that

[paytotheorderofofof2]

Really? What'd they say, racist stuff or...? That's actually happened to a few people because of me and I feel bad for it. But hey, any publicity is good publicity... maybe? Your vids are fun by the way. :)

[ThePwnyExpress]

i originally replied back in a message, but i just realized that he posted that stuff on my reply to ur blog one remix video... he said that people like u are going to destroy the white gene pool... glad u like my videos... i've been a fan for a while, so ur opinion has weight with me

[Lady1216]

*clap clap*

[camcorder4598]

way to go! racists suck!  i want to date a black girl!

[Emoopride]

The way you worded that was a bit racist. You really should have more respect for other cultures.