Talk:The Red Ball

I started this discussion page because I have a feeling there might be a lot of discussion with regards to the cultural references made in this episode. Boondocks is a show full of social commentary. Throughout the many episodes several references are made to movies, games, anime, current events etc.

The cultural references section in this Wiki entry is supposed to provide information and explanation on these references. If a person for example hasn't seen Shaolin soccer, Enter the dragon and Blazin sadddles, he or she would probably think the scenes referencing these movies are original scenes and not homages which they obviously are.

So I suggest that before removing references explain your reasoning. Looking at the history I see that quite a few references were removed. Some just and some unjust. I'm one of the biggest Boondocks fans there is and not even I catch every homage/parody. I never saw Blazin Saddles so I'm glad that someone did and added it the the list of cultural references. To improve the quality of these references I also urge everyone to include some kind of source if possible. I had never heard of the Jecht shot but with Youtube I was able to verify that the scene featuring Huey's last kick most likely is a reference to FFX. Which to me is more plausible that it being a reference to Mui's and Mighty Steel Leg's combined typhoon kick in Shaolin Soccer, for the basic fact that this kick was executed with two people.

So in the future please lets work together instead of against each other. We all love this show and probably all make it a sport to try and catch all the references.

Sunturion (talk) 13:45, 24 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

There shouldn't be a lot of discussion: WP:OR dictates that statements like "Huey catching Ming's kick on his foot is a reference to the Bruce Lee film Enter the Dragon" or "The whole of the episode is largely a reference to the competition between the United States and China at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing" are not allowed to stand without verification. "Cultural references" is a catch-all phrase which usually is taken to include every possible mention or, in this case, every possible allegory, symbolism, or political interpretation under the sun. I mean, it's a spoof of Shaolin Soccer and "Baseball Blues" at the same time? And surely more people besides George W. Bush have said "mission accomplished." These sections and statements need verification, and they need to say more than the generic and uninformative "this is in reference to..." Drmies (talk) 14:12, 24 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

You have a valid argument and I agree that these references need verification or proof. But then why leave: Uncle Ruckus's line "Dock that chink a day's pay for napping on the job" is lifted from Blazing Saddles. You've added no proof or verification for this (i know it exists). Like I said previously I agree with the removal of some references but why remove the reference to the age issue in the 2008 Olympics in China. You could've easily found a source for this. But instead you chose to delete it. Which in my opinion is kinda rude.

I guess that 99% of the cultural references can't be verified or proven without Aaron McGruder or his staff validating the assumptions. If strictly adhering to Wikipedia policy their should be no cultural reference section at all until the reference is verified. Wikipedia policy states:

All material in Wikipedia articles must be attributable to a reliable published source to show that it is not original research, but in practice not everything need actually be attributed. This policy requires that anything challenged or likely to be challenged, including all quotations, be attributed to a reliable source in the form of an inline citation, and that the source directly support the material in question. (WP:OR)

So not everything has to be attributed but if you happen to challenge the inclusion of a reference, go ahead. But lets discuss it. Because even if you would find a source it's highly unlikely that these sources can be defined as valid primary, secondary and tertiary sources according to Wikipedia's policy. Which means that 99% of all cultural references listed on every Boondocks episode page can be removed. I for one don't think that's a good solution. Fact is when Wikipedia policy was written they didn't think it would be used to deliver episode by episode description of tv shows. Also this show is full of parody. To understand parody you would need to have read, saw the original source of the parody. So providing proof for parodies is kinda hard especially when it does not concern written material (such as a book), current events, societal issues or highly popular material (Blazin Saddles). So the policy isn't really equipped to deal with this. So like I suggested, it would be wise to discuss these references and find proof/validation for the inclusion of these in the cultural reference section then simply deleting them. This is just rude. Why work against each other instead of with each other? So I'm going to undo your edit and hopefully people will read this discussion page and help find verification for these references.

Sunturion (talk) 12:17, 25 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Nigga you blind???? This article does not cite -bla bla bla!! Watch the episode nigga!! You got your facking resource there, mothafucka!