Because I said so

Oh damn. I look at my nieces and nephews as black. I have never said that to them but I definitely view them as black kids. I think that is mainly because they spend most of their time with our side of the family. This clip came out of left field for me. My lovely and wonderful niece asked my mom a week ago what color was she. My mom asked her what color would you like for me to be, my niece said blue. My mother's reply was well then I'm blue.

My mom let us find out about race at school she never brought it up until then. I think this is a mistake and obviously someone is speaking to niece about it. We, meaning the adults in our family might need to have a talk about what discussion to have with the kids and when.

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• race


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The Supreme Court has decided to reverse the decision made by the appeals court of whichSotomayor was apart. I have yet to read the entire ruling but I find myself wondering the ramifications the ruling will have on the New Haven community. It is to my understanding that New Haven is predominately a minority community and will now be served by few minorities in positions of authority. I know of many people who came from areas where authority figures did not look like them. I know first hand how feelings of mistrust will pervade the neighborhood and do very little to bridging a widening gulf.

After reading the original ruling I agreed with the ruling in which Judge Areterton arrived. I can say with all honesty I am happy the New Haven 20 will receive the promotions they deserve. I will also say I am very apprehensive about the future of affirmative action. It is my personal belief that though we have come along way affirmative action is very much needed to ensure a diverse environment,especially on college campuses. For many minorities affirmative action is our Legacy admission. It will be interseting to see how this affects Sotomayor's confirmation I am of the opinion that it will matter little. Judge Souter whom she would replace agreed with her ruling.

It is undeniable to me that Sotomayor is right in respects that the bench is were policy is made. The supreme court just elected a new policy that will have far reaching outcomes for the future. What those outcomes are remains to be seen.

• Labels:
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• race relations
• sotomayor


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Colorism within ethnic communities is nothing new. Within the Black community colorism was a way during slavery to separate, divide and confuse a race of people.

The prevalence of colorism within ethnic communities is still rampant. Months ago Yung Berg made the statement that he didn't like "dark butts" and that his women must pass the pool test. Fast forward a few months and there is R&B artist Ne-yo who tells a reporter that "all the prettiest kids are light skin". I sat there is stunned silence with my mouth ajar as I watched the clip, inwardly recoiling at the blatant ignorance and unaware self-loathing that such a statement would prompt someone to say.

When we ask other people to view us for whom we are on the inside should we not be able to ask the same of ourselves? We are no longer physically enslaved yet we find ourselves a slave to an old color caste system.

I believed we had made so much progress outside of the 80's when people the complexion of Debarge and Apollonia were all the rage. Yet, here we are again bombarded with psychological images that continue to define the standard of Black beauty under the shallow veneer of skin complexion.

I often wonder of the educational and social cognizance of artist like Yung Berg and Ne-yo when they make such absurd statements. At the end of the day light skin or dark skin you can still be called a nigger.



Image courtsey of Abagond

• Labels:
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• foolishness
• race
• women


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I finally got the chance to view the Black in America series in its entirety this weekend. Overall I would say that my reaction to the series was just tepid. The data presented was not representative of ALL Black America. The series completely left out the majority of success stories (outside of the Rand Family) and focused entirely on the struggling inner city. The media continues to skew the representative culture of Black America and we give them a pass and highly laud a program like CNN’s Black in America.

I want to make it absolutely clear that the program was fine, but they should have renamed the program to something akin to Living in America while Black and Broke. A title, as thus would probably have engendered my tepid reaction to become upgraded to pleased. Black America was not fully represented a few token success stories were thrown in among a generous amount of stories peppered with people in poverty surrounded by economic and education disparities.

The image I walked away from after viewing Black in America was: Damn Black people are doing badly. Then I had to check myself and realize this is far from the truth. There is a segment of Black America that is struggling or hovering right around the poverty line. However, I truly believe for a majority of these individuals positive reinforcement revolving around a different life than what they find themselves mired in will broaden their expectations for themselves. Without adequate representation through visual images this segment of Black America will continue to view the world of middle class Black America as an intangible.

• Labels:
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• Huxtables
• race
• responsibility


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"Underneath this apparent accommodation to our diversity, we are in fact hunkering down in communities of like-mindedness, and it affects our ability to manage difference," Clinton


As Americans have we ever done anything other than associate with individuals of similar minds, economic status, or cultural communities? For many people, living in this country the only time for diversity interaction is during work hours. Black, White, Asian, etc. we separate ourselves from each other by at times self-imposed and genuine do not cross lines. Those very traits that make each cultural group unique simultaneously hinder some of our ability to cross cultural barriers and see other for what we all are: human beings.

Race plays an incredible part of the American past and present. The question that remains, is how will race play into the future of Americans. I believe that by first acknowledging that America has a race problem then tackling the issues of institutionalized racism, will direct the future of race and Americans.



Please click on image to enlarge

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Black Entertainment Television better known as BETwas created by Bob Johnson. I don’t want to get anything twisted BET was never a paragon of intellectual stimulation however, I don’t remember its past inundated with misogynist videos, rampant foolishness, and overall stupidity. BET is no longer and probably in truth never was a channel for middle black America. The amount of irresponsible garbage that BETuses to pander to the urban youth and curious non-blacks is demeaning and disgraceful.


Reasons Why I hate BET

BET Nightly news no longer part of the line up

Donnie Simpson is no longer a VJ (yeah I know I went back for that one, but he was fine)


Because they broadcast shows like the following:

Lil Kim: Countdown to lock down (Your behind deserved to go to jail; it is time out for the no snitch policy)

Side note don’t do anything around me that you don’t want known because if the cops stop by I’m snitching on EVERYONE! Just keeping it 100.

Spring Bling

Uncut (I don’t think this is broadcast anymore, Thank God)

Blackbuster Movies (The name alone irritates me)

If you have any other reasons please feel free to add them to the list.

• Labels:
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• black
• race
• responsibility
• stereotyping


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Last night a new page in history was written. As the day progresses I am going to copy and paste comments that I am posting to various websites regarding AMERICA’S Democratic Presidential Nominee Mr. Barack Obama along with the accompanying websites so that you all may visit and read their wonderful tributes to this groundbreaking event.

Electronic Village

I remember his More Perfect Union Speech I was at work and streaming it live. By the conclusion of his speech I felt humbled, also sadden that America still requires a speech regarding the sepeartion amoung races/ethnicities and classes, yet invigorated and a teeny weenie bit hopeful that I am going to see a definitive change for our future. Congratulations Democratic Presidential Nominee Obama. It’s ride or die time, in the words of James Brown I would rather die on my feet than be living on my knees.

Undercover Black Man

Those that like to take their daily does of haterade will be out full throttle today. Stay vigilant people! Barack needs us now more than ever. Sign up on his website, phone banking is the easiest thing you can do, get out so that you can tell future generations you did not only witness history but also that you were apart of it.

Cali Tejano

Yeppers Cali you are right YES WE DID! Now we just have to watch our backs for dissenters and naysayers and push towards November and then the following coronation. Let the games begin, the Repuliklans are going to be out in full force, suit up its going to bumpy.

Inkognegro

As a black woman I do feel that Michelle is going to have a hell of a lot harder time than Cindy McCain. I too am prepared for tears because what we are about to witness is America’s true reaction. If America wants to stick to the issues fine I will have no qualms with that, but I feel this is going to be a very personal attack on her person. I agree when Obama said lay off his wife I think he meant it, now I’m waiting to see him come out swinging when they begin attacking her.


Mirror on America

Can you believe and not fully want to invest you heart? That’s were I’m at mentally. Barack has my vote he’s had it since the primary here in Texas when I was out past midnight caucusing. I’m down and hoping that America gets it right this time around and that we don’t have a repeat of Bush/Gore.

Too Sense

Solidarity my friend. I would like to add my grandparents to your list S.D., and Liler Lucille, this nomination is for all of the stories they told me about their lives growing up in Jim Crow. This nomination is for all the hard work and day to day shit that Many Americans put up with, this nomination is about me!

Oh Hell Nawl

This is important for everyone, everyone that was told you are not good enough. This is important because this time, this year, with this country and those that propelled Obama to the Democratic nod understand that this is more than electing a man that self-identifies as African-American. This is about those of us that realize that America is ready for a fundamental change from the bellicose rule of the almost tyrannical and fanatical Bush Admin of the last eight years.

I am not naive enough to believe that all of what Obama hopes for will come to fruition but I do believe he can change and steer us from the course that only spotlights us a nation of chest pounders.

• Labels:
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• politics
• race
• race relations
• responsibility


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This was picture was published on the Daily Kos by One Citizen, the blog owner has removed the image and post entirely from his site. Thank you Villager and All about race for bringing this to attention. The future first lady of America has been brutally dehumanized and the sexuality of the black woman flagrantly generalized with her dressed in a red. However, are white liberals going to be allowed to justify race baiting because of their support of Obama? The amount of insensitivity reflected in the posting of this picture is not regulated to rednecks,rabid Clinton supporters and RepuliKlans. Racial and cultural insensitivity is a battle that must be fought on all fronts even among those we call friends.

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I have heard this comment from black people (bp) and white people (wp) alike. Whenever, this statement is issued it is offensive no matter the race of the person. When a wp issues the comment they (I think) mean it as a form of flattery (as if) however, when bp issues the comment IT IS meant to question your blackness. In all fairness I have to admit that this comment is infinitely more hurtful when other bp addresses it to me. My husband for years used to say this accompanied by a headshake and additional comments such as you want to do what, you really believe that, or don’t you see. Comments like this one and others along its ilk only succeed in stereotyping or placing people in pigeon holes (which at times I am guilty of both; so please feel free to call me on it anytime).

As far as the typical black person, who is a typical black person, are they the reflection of the media or the newest rap video, or maybe a newer version of the Clare and Cliff. It is so easy for the minority to be stereotyped by the ignorant behavior of the few (which the media takes every opportunity to play up). Do bp have certain idosycnrosises that are distinct (but not exclusive) to their culture? The answer is yes, but those idiosyncrasies go well and far beyond (and often have deeper meaning) than the gold teeth, do-rag wearing people you see scattered across your local nightly news.

I know its going to be difficult to being to value people for who they are because the first thing we see is physical we don’t (and never will) see the interior of the person until we make a concerted effort to engage that person. Stereotypical comments only strain race-relations among the color lines and within color lines. People are inherently a product of their surroundings. I grew up in the country I like country things my husband grew up in da’ hood, at times (in private) he regresses. Surroundings usually will depict the behavior of people and not their race. However, their race can and usually will depict their surroundings.

Jazzy

• Labels:
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• race
• stereotyping


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